Lily's Blessing

Debbie took off to Amber Mitchell's because she was about to have a baby; so now that we were alone as a family. We spent the next week getting to know each other again and the joy of being together as immediate family. It quickly became a party again tho as Jon's Dad, brother Steven and Steven's wife Marlene came to visit with there baby Mia. Jon had planned a backpacking trip to Yellowstone where he and his dad and bro. were going to hike to the scout pools at Union Falls. Richard Cottle had been exercising to prepare himself for the 20 mile hike. So Marlene and I stayed back and got to know each other better as the boys went off on the outdoor adventure. It was fun letting the kids play together and we even let Mia and Lily bathe together. They were cute and will be darling cousins. One of the highlights was going to the Church History Museum where the kids played with all the fun toys on the 2nd floor. This is where Debbie met up with us because Amber had given birth 2 days prior and everything went great so she brought the kids down on Friday night so she could attend Lily's Blessing. On Saturday evening the men came back and boy did they reak. I couldn't wait for them to shower. They had a blast and couldn't wait to watch the BYU-Utah game which sadly Utah won. The next Sunday morning was stake conference, but we had planned to bless Lily in the Home. I woke up really sick with a cold, so Jon and his family took charge and cleaned the house and prepared for the blessing which I was really grateful for. Jon conducted and Brother Lane Turner from our Bishopric presided. We started with the song, "I am a Child of God", I offered the opening prayer because I was so sick I couldn't do much else. Following that my dear mother bore a beautiful testimony and then Aunt Whitney shared her's, which she cried completely through. After which Steven and then my father Brent and Jon's dad Richard bore their testimonies. The Spirit filled the room and I was very touched. Jon then offered the blessing. Naming her Lily Kate Cottle and giving her a beautiful blessing. Afterwards Richard came up and said did you hear him say you will a be a wonderful sibling to your BROTHERS and sisters, great I guess we are going to have more kids:) After the blessing Jon bore one of the most beautiful testimonies I have ever heard him give. It was on families and he was so sweet. I even saw a tear come from his beautiful eyes. We ended with Grandma Debbie saying the closing prayer. The people in attendance where Grandma Joyce Wall McClerg and her husband Jon, Grandma Carrie Archibald, Ryan Mead, and Jon's Uncle Kent Egelund and his Family. The Spirit permeated our home and I kept thinking, "It feels like Christmas" wondering why I finally concluded it was the Spirit in our HOME.
After the blessing we had a birthday party for Dean celebrating him turning 2. I gave him underwear and a potty, but he has shown no interest. :(
After the long day I fell asleep and woke up the next morning feeling so much better. Everyone flew out or drove home and we were again left to figure out our family and enjoy the slower pace.