Beth's Baptism- May 12, 2013

It was also Mother's Day and Gabriel's First Communion, but Sarah and I only made it in time for the baptism!

Godmother Carlene and Luke

Attempts to get a Woodward family photo with the Godparents

A successful Woodward family photo

Beth and her happy Godparents

Nicholas is Baptized- November 19, 2011

Sweet baby Nicholas was welcomed into the Catholic church on November 19, 2011.  I forgave his parents for planning his baptism on a Saturday afternoon (I missed the Carolina-Citadel game, but it was worth it!) in November.  After the baptism, April & Lonnie had a fabulous party, and I enjoyed hanging out with several of the siblings, many of whom I had not seen since the night before Daniel was born!  Of course, we hope to all be together again at the big wedding in November 2012!

Daniel Leaves the State!

Daniel had his first trip out of state for Easter weekend. We went to visit Aunt Debbie and her family in Cary, NC. He slept the entire way on our almost four hour journey.


Greg and I are the proud Godparents of Julia, so on Saturday we spent some time making her baptismal candle in Debbie's kitchen.


Our visit was filled with family fun, including a Saturday afternoon get-together with Nana B, Granny Gayle, Grandpa Charles, Greg's Aunt Irene & Uncle Bill, Greg's cousins Dan and Rick, along with Rick's wife Amy and daughter Katie, and all but Jonathan & Sean of the Marusak crew . . . Scott, Debbie, Kate, Travis (and his friend Bo), Trenton, and Julia.


Trenton, Julia, Sarah and Emily enjoyed countless games of Clue throughout the weekend. The girls also enjoyed entertaining the crowd on Uncle Scott's piano.




Nana B loved having both Daniel and Katie with her, in addition to the rest of her great-grandchildren. We hadn't all been together since her birthday party last summer.






Daniel was most excited to see Dan, since they have the same name. He had his picture taken with Dan for his Book of Daniels.






Saturday afternoon, Amy made a set of Resurrection Eggs with Sarah, Emily and Julia. She shared the Easter story and explained each of the symbols for the eggs, along with Bible readings for each egg. The girls loved the project. Everyone took turns reading from the Bible, and we were thrilled to hear one of the readings at Mass!

After our visit with all of the family, we went to the Easter Vigil Mass where Debbie joined the Catholic church, and Trenton and Julia were baptized. Daniel stayed with Katie and Megan while were we at the two and a half hour Mass. The Vigil Mass is an amazing service, full of so many important rituals in the Catholic church. I love the celebration of the Sacraments, and the joy of welcoming others into my faith. The night was amazing.



On Sunday the Easter Bunny dropped off all sorts of goodies at Aunt Debbie's house. I had left a note for the Easter Bunny to let him know where Sarah, Emily and Daniel would be, explaining that the best place to leave a basket would be Aunt Debbie's house.

Later that afternoon, we had a delicious dinner prepared by Nana B and Debbie. Ham, pork, sweet potatoes, lima beans (Trenton's favorite), mac & cheese, carrots, peas, potato salad, and countless other goodies were on the menu, followed by scrumptious Blue Moon cake. Yum. After a few final cuddles, we headed back home, tired, but filled with love.

I had forgotten how tiring life with a newborn is, let alone a newborn with a cleft lip and palate. We have a rare treat this week with only one doctor's appointment! On Tuesday we saw Dr. Palmer and she added acrylic to his nasal stent. Dr. Palmer again stated that his nose would not be ready until May, making his first surgery later than I would like. One day I will actually call Dr. Hoy, his ENT, and see if that is too long to wait for tubes. He has failed two hearing tests, but this is not a shock, as virtually all children with cleft palates need tubes since the eustation tubes hook around your soft palate. Since the fluid can't properly drain, he can't hear. Once he has his tubes, his hearing should return to normal, thankfully.


Daniel was baptized on Saturday. It was a great time with family and friends. He wore the dress that has been worn by everyone except Andrea and me from Nanny (my maternal grandmother) on down the family tree. Andrea and I aren't bitter . . . really. Debbie, Scott, and 5 of the 6 kids were here, as well as Gayle and Nana B. Daniel was happy to have some quality snuggle time with everyone. My brother Jeff and Kathe, his wife, are his Godparents.