Alea Jane Potterf

So, as I am trying to catch up with my blogging I am a bit out of order! I apologize! To say it's been a busy year just doesn't quite cover it all. And for all my good intentions, I do get a bit side tracked with having six children at home for the summer. The girls keep complaining that all we do is work. But they have changed their minds as I have reminded them of all the non-cleaning things we've done. But more on that later. First. Baby blessings...Here is our Alea Jane!

We blessed our Alea the 13th of November to give me plenty of time to finish healing and be ready for a houseful of family, friends, and company! And so I had time to finish her blessing gown, mostly! We played with the idea of blessing her at the same my sister Louisa blessed her Evia on October 9th so all our families could be there, but decided it would be WAY too crazy to have all of her in-laws and my in-laws all together. Tanner and I decided to wait. I was kind of hoping that we would get to celebrate baby blessings twice with all my family but it just didn't work out! I got to St. David and was informed that several of my siblings weren't planning on being there for Evia's day, so I called from my parents' and visited with them and invited them to come meet our Alea Jane while celebrating Evia. Low and behold they ALL CAME!!! It was an AMAZING day for Ron and Louisa and their family! I was so happy for them and getting to visit with everybody! Looking back, it was the last time we were all together, minus Joe's girl Karlynn. We missed her that day, but were very glad to have him with us! We were even able to get all the grandkids assembled for the first time in years for a picture with Grandpa and Grandma Hardwick! What a day! Thanks everybody for coming that day!! Now...back to Alea's!

Alea was blessed by her Daddy, Tanner. In the circle was her Papa Potterf, Grandpa Hardwick, Uncle Dan, I THINK: Uncle Stephen, Uncle Jake, and Uncle Trent were also invited to be in the circle, but unfortunately I didn't remember to write it down at the time. :( Daddy gave her an amazing and short blessing. Each of our children's name and blessing has been unique to them and their future selves. We have been blessed to see how these blessing play out in their lives even as young children and their personalities are just beginning. Alea is no different! The part of her blessing that stood out the most to me was that she would support and help guide our family into the Celestial Kingdom and be a great leader and sister in Zion. What blessings are in store for her! We need special help getting to the Celestial Kingdom??? She is growing every day and each stage of growth she goes through is so fun and amazing to watch. I don't know if I enjoyed it this much with all the other children or if it is because I know she is our last, but every smile she gives and step (scoot) she takes is awesome! I'm not sure who has more fun playing with her, the kids, Tanner or myself! I just can't seem to get enough of this girl!!