I'm absolutely the worst for getting us in "situations"- Agreeing to do things or conjuring up things in my head that seem brilliant or fun but don't necessarily turn out that way...In the end whatever the outcome I just declare them to be "our moments" & love them for what they are...


Take this whole 
"Dedicated/Baptized/Christened" thing...In my head I pictured us gathered around, a gentle-peace-kinda-thing where everyone was in tears sharing in the love & significance being in my Papa's old church, a real-kumbaya type deal.


It wasn't at all what I pictured in my head, but it was real, it was funny & it was ours...


The church itself was what I remembered...The exact same words poetically hung above me as a babe, in my Papa's arms while my parents proudly looked on years before...


The old doors at the entrance brought back memories from old photos & my quarky homage to my grandparents when I lived in Windsor...Whenever, no matter who was in the car with me, I drove past this little church I'd throw a great big kiss out, hoping in it's own way, it reached my Papa & Grandma letting them know I missed them...
~The service hasn't even started &  note Craig is already making his awkward face~

The service itself was, hmmmm, let's say interesting...The Minister got up there & gave a lot of "Can I get an Amen" which in turn of course, created my husband to have a permanent awkward look on his face...Thankfully I was holding Noal & when I got a case of the uncontrollable giggles I tried to bury my face into his & pretend he was doing something to make me laugh...No one bought it of course...


Later friends & family told me they could see my shoulders shaking from the front pew & knew I was having one of my giggling fits...I couldn't help it...When I thought I had it under control, I'd look to my right and see my brother wide-eyed trying not to laugh himself & I'd get set off again...If I looked to my left at Craig, it was worse and I'd start tearing up from laughing so hard and trying to keep it in...


Once I get those awkward giggles there really is no stopping them...Back in my "naive-I'm going-to-save-your-soul-church-days", Laurs & I were in a big play, "Heaven & Hell" or something of the sorts- During an important scene where our family dies & we wake up in heaven & our dad is dragged down to hell- {Yes, this was really happening, and you wonder why I have church issues?}the top of the microphone fell off and instead of crying & screaming as directed, I had a full on giggle fit...Just couldn't control it...Remember that Laurs?


I reigned it in by the last "Amen" & thankfully my dad brought the sentiment I was hoping for...He read my letter to the hooligans, gave a blessing/prayer & did what my Papa had done three decades earlier...A beautiful rose was given to every baby my Papa dedicated in his church...This was something my mum remembered & to honour them & this precious moment we carried on the tradition... 

Holding my babes up there, looking out in the pews at the people, my people- ones who love me & my hooligans so much & seeing my dad tear up as he gave each of my children a rose, all meant so much to me...More than I thought it would...



So, thank you to "my people" for coming to celebrate my darling hooligans....For loving them & me so very much & for being part of yet another one of our "moments"...

~Forgot to mention, Noal kicked off his shoes, pulled my hair & ripped out my earring...
Absolutely not what I pictured but again real, funny & ours~

Much love,