Blessed.

Yes we are. Emma's blessing day has finally come and I have never anticipated any of the kids blessing days the way I have hers. Then again I still have moments daily of overwhelming gratitude that reduce me to tears. I love her so much. Well I had decided to make her blessing dress which ended up being such a wonderful but trying experience. I had started making the dress with my friend Shannon Nisse (who does beautiful sewing) back in Prescott when we were waiting to adopt. Thank you Shannon you are so wonderful!!! I had orginally thought that it would be Ave's dress but life took a different course and she ended up being to big for it when she was sealed and blessed so we spent a special day finding Avery her very own special first white dress. I kept the dress unfinished hanging in Ave's room wondering why I was keeping it since I didn't even know if I would use it. When we found out that Emma was coming I then understood. Sometimes Heavenly Father works in the most mysterious ways. I hurried to finish the dress, at one point I think I had brought home seven or eight different pieces of lace to sample, each one was pretty but not right for what I wanted. Finally about two weeks before the day I found the right lace and buttons and it all came together. What an accomplishment! I even learned to sew buttonholes which are actually easy once you put the right foot on your machine and actually read the instructions instead of just trying to figure it out yourself. Not to mention when you have your mom there to help guide you who happens to be an excellent seamstress. Anyways I wanted the dress to be simple and elegant and look a little vintage and I think it does. It was a lot of work but that morning as we got her dressed I looked at her and could not believe how beautiful she was. An angel. It is amazing how you look at your beautiful daughter all in white and time flashes before you and you see her at her baptism and then as a gorgeous bride on her wedding day. All that hard work so worth seeing her look so beautiful for her special day. I had been busy all morning and the night before getting everything ready for the luncheon afterwards. We had invited 45 people and I kept worrying about was the house clean enough, would there be enough room, enough chairs, would everyone be comfortable etc. etc. etc. This is the biggest company we have ever had at our house and I was excited but of course like every women wanted everything to be just right. It is interesting however the little details that we stress about when everything always comes together if we just relax and allow it to. That morning when we walked into the chapel and saw all of our family there Deke and I were so touched. We have such an amazing family. The support that they have given Deke and I always but especially during these last few years through losing Ethan and Dylan, through adopting Avery and now through our journey to get Emma here is overwhelming. I don't know if I could have list long enough to write down all the small acts of kindness and service that have been shown to us on a regular basis. Thank you again to our families for all that you do to love and support our family. A special thank you to my mom and sisters. I don't even know how many nights I called my mom crying in pain and frusteration over wondering if we would ever have another child. Every time she would calmly reassure me and give me strength to keep walking. She is so wonderful, I love you mom. Thank you to my sisters, there are no words to describe the way I love these girls. As I write this tears are pouring down my face because I can't even express adequately my gratitude to Heavenly Father for them. They are like bright bursts of light in my life each one bringing different joys to those around them, all beautiful, amazing individuals. When they all come up and put their arms around me I feel a power. The connection we have and love I feel when we are all together is touching. Heavenly Father knew how much we needed each other. I am so glad that Avery and Emma will have each other and who knows maybe another sister somewhere along the way :) :) The blessing was wonderful. I am starting to realize that Emma is a reality a little more each day. She still has felt like an amazing dream and I still can't believe that she is actually finally here. When I kiss her she will give me the cutest little "kisses" right back. I think that she is going to be a Mommy's girl :) I love Deke so much and I am so thankful for him. Everytime I pray the only way to sum up everything I feel for him is to say to Heavenly Father, "Thank you for Deke" and I know he understands everything within that phrase. Emma being the wonderful, easy going baby that she is slept through the whole thing happily. After sacrament we all came back to the house for the luncheon which was so fun. Everyone had helped bring yummy food. Lisa and Lonnie let us borrow tables, chairs, serving dishes and picture stands. GG had bought a gorgeous bouquet of roses and flowers for the table, Nalene had made cupcakes decorated with roses, Kerry and Erin you are awesome for your help in getting all the food set out. Thank you again to everyone for all the help. What a beautiful special day all to celebrate you Emma and your place in our family. Daddy, Hunter, Ethan, Dylan, Avery and I love you so much.