Baby Blessings

The babies just hit 11 weeks on Thursday.  Time is flying!  I have so much to catch up on on the blog!  For now, I'll talk about their blessings :)

Our friends Amber & Cody and Nate & Jess came out from San Antonio and Austin with their children.  It was so nice to see all of them!  We had a great time hanging out on the Saturday before the blessing.

Cody, Amber, Jess, Crystal, Ashlyn, Alton, Jon, Nate and Jane

The blessing was on February 10th.  

Those who participated in the blessing:

Jon - aka: daddy

Clyde (Grandpa)

Cody

Nate

Stuart W.

Shaun S.

Jason Q.

Bishop Brown

Alton & Ashlyn

Jon was really nervous about it.  He kept saying "I've never been so vested in the blessing recipient.  I want to bless them with things like 'I bless you to be handsom or have hoards of money'."  

We got to church that morning and I was surprised because one of the nurses, June, from my fertility doctor's office came.  We found out she was a member of the church after going through IVF.  It was nice to have her there and I really appreciated it.  

Jon's mom and dad came along with Beth and her kids Jakson and Storey.  Zak couldn't make it because he was visiting his parents in Utah.  

Jon did a great job on the blessings.  I am so fortunate to have him as my husband.  He is a wonderful man, husband and father.

Mom and Dad with their babies

After the blessing, we all went to Jon's parents house for a nice lunch.  We had chicken salad sandwiches, spinach balls, fruit, rolls and amazing cookies.  We all had a nice time visiting and celebrating the babies.  We weren't able to get any pictures really of Alton on the actual blessing day because he leaked through his diaper in the car on the way to my in-laws house.  Oh well haha.  It happens.  

When we did take pictures it was before feeding time and both Ashlyn and Alton were crying.  We decided that we would take pictures of the babies on another day at the church to make up for it :)  Ashlyn was a little grumpy when we took the pictures a week later, but we did get a few really good ones!

Ashlyn and her Grandpa Criddle

Alton and Grandma Criddle

Blessings:

Alton:

Our father in heaven, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold, we hold this baby in our arms and present him to give him a name and a blessing.  The name which he shall be known by in the church is Alton Blair Criddle.

Alton, at this time we would like to give you a special blessing.  We bless you that you will continue to grow and develop.  You will to gain physical strength and mental strength as well as you learn about the world around you.  We bless you that you will have a testimony of this gospel and that you will have a love for your savior.  We bless you, Alton, that you will have a desire to share that testimony with others.  You will have opportunities act to as a missionary for the church and can share your feelings so that you can help others to know the things which you have a testimony of.  I bless you that you will be able to overcome any challenges that you face.  You will have the strength and support so that any hurdle that may come in your life, you will be able to overcome.  We bless you that you will feel loved, that you will know that you are special to your father in heaven and also to your parents who love you very much.  We bless you with these things and all others that our Heavenly Father has for you as this time in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Ashlyn:

Our Father in Heaven.  By the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood we hold this baby in our arms to give her a name and a blessing.  The name by which she shall be known is Ashlyn Bella Criddle.

Ashlyn, we hold you in our arms and we bless you that you will be a very happy girl.  We bless you that you will grow, that you will develop, that you will be smart, and you will be blessed.  We bless you that you will have a special love for others.  We bless you that you will see the good in others around you.  You will find ways to befriend them and show love to them.  We bless you, Ashlyn, that you will have the desire to have children of your own, to show them love as you have been shown, and to raise them in the gospel as you will be.  We bless you, Ashlyn, that you will be strong, you will be healthy, and you will grow and develop as our Heavenly Father would desire for you.  You will face the experiences in life that he has in store with the support that he will give you.  I close this blessing and any others that Heavenly Father wants for you at this time in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.