Marissa's Baby Blessing

We had Marissa's baby blessing last Sunday, September 12, 2010. It was a little weird because it wasn't a fast Sunday, but we didn't want to wait until October and the first Sunday in September would not have worked for a number of reasons. My sister-in-law, Laura, was blessing my nephew, Otis, that day, most of my family was out of town over labor day weekend, and another family in our ward blessed their baby and they have a HUGE family. There wasn't even a place for us to sit that week. So I'm glad we did it last week instead. The only negative was that we couldn't actually bear our testimonies...but that was okay.

Baby blessings are something you look forward to and dread at the same time (well, I do at least). The pressure of keeping a baby happy so she doesn't scream during the blessing, making sure she doesn't poop or spit up on her outfit, keeping the rest of the kids quiet, and planning and carrying out a get together for fairly big families is fun, but lots of work. We decided to have a brunch afterwards since our sacrament meeting starts at 9:00. It turned out perfect. I made a bunch of eggs for breakfast burritos, made bacon with brown sugar on it and got apple and orange juice. My mom helped out by ordering a bunch of cinnamon rolls and bringing sausages and chocolate milk. It was easy and super yummy! Thankfully my mom snuck out after the blessing to set everything out. That ended up being super helpful so everything was ready right when we got there.

The bad part was that Marcos had to work the day before so all the shopping, cleaning and other preparations fell to me and me alone. And then he had high council meetings in the morning. I honestly thought he was going to miss the blessing. I finally texted him at 8:45 a.m. to see if he was coming home. So much for taking family pictures before church. Oh well, at least he made it. The kids were well behaved and ready on time and Marissa was an angel. I showered the night before, knowing I would be swamped with a huge "to do" list in the morning so the only other thing I wish I could do over was my flat hair. :) Oh and I forgot to wash my favorite skirt so I was in a really comfy, but less than flattering skirt that day. Oh well, my sweet baby looked beautiful in the blessing dress Abuela made for her and that's all that matters!

The weather was beautiful, everyone chatted and had a good time, we were actually able to get a few family pictures (minus one of all the cousins...Dylan had already changed his clothes and I was exhausted by that point...oh well) and the blessing Marcos gave Marissa was beautiful. Anyway, for those who weren't there, I'm recording the official words of the blessing here for us to remember.

"Our Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Melchizedec Priesthood which we hold, we take this infant into our arms and give her a name and a blessing. The name by which this child shall be known on this earth and on the records of the church will be Marissa Nicole Uboldi.

Marissa, at this time, we give you a special blessing. We want you to know that our Heavenly Father loves you very, very much and he has sent you to the earth at this time for a very special purpose as many other children that are born at this time. Our Heavenly Father needs the most valiant children and the most valiant servants to work in his vineyard, to bring to pass much righteousness and freedom and to teach the principles of freedom to this country and to the world. You are one of those.

We bless you that you will know that you came to parents and two brothers and extended family and friends who love you very much and want nothing but the best for you. We bless you that you will know that Jesus Christ is your Savior, that you will develop a testimony of the gospel, that you will enjoy being a member of the church and serving all the days of your life our Eternal Heavenly Father. And that you will, as time goes on, grow up with strength and knowledge, that you will make correct decisions, that you will consult your Heavenly Father, that you will have the desire to one day go to the temple and also to be married to a worthy young man who holds the priesthood. We bless you that you will be happy and that you will know that you are loved. And we say these things and do so humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."