Heaven on Earth: Ellie's beautiful day...

I love Ellie.

I love that she wanted to be baptized.

It was a beautiful day filled with family, friends, and priceless memories.

Before she was baptized, we wanted to take pictures of her in her gorgeous baptism dress (chosen by her after hours of searching for the right one.)

She wanted it to be just right.

She wanted it to be different (in a good way), so she could remember how special she felt.

I asked her where she wanted to take her pictures, and there was no doubt and no hesitation, "The temple of course!"

It was Sunday night, and I knew the invites needed to find their way to all of our family and special friends, so we loaded up and headed in.

When we got there, the gates were shut, but Brooke and Ellie put their smart little heads together and figured out a way.

Ironically, we would have never gotten these beautiful pictures of her with that gorgeous temple just over her shoulder if we would have gone at any other time.

It was a magical night.

The next night, we headed to Brig's house.

Brig was born only days after Miss Ellie. His mother and I have shared parallel lives raising these two over the past eight years.

I brought Ellie with me, just days old, to visit Brig and his mother the day he was born.

I love that.

I love that we were able to watch both of them take the first step in returning faithfully home.

I also love that they are both all smiles, and Ellie is slightly leaning toward Brig in almost every picture.

So sweet.

Look at this wonderful boy!

Before the big day, Ellie wanted to meet with the Elders and discuss the covenants that she would be making. We had read through several scriptures, talked about the step Ellie would be taking, and had her pray about what she wanted.

She was prepared for that meeting with those dear elders that night. She answered all of their questions with conviction and smiles.

She was beaming...can you tell?

The big day came.

And when I say "the big day" I mean the BIG day!

It was a special day for our family, because not only was Ellie taking the steps towards baptism, Easton received the Priesthood and was ordained to the office of a Deacon.

In between our church meetings and the baptism, we held a family dinner.

It was a special time.

Great food, deep breaths before the big event, and lots of pictures.

Years ago, my sister, Melissa, decided she would make a hand-made quilt for every one of her nieces and nephews when they got baptized.

I am sure she did not do the math!

One year there were THREE babies born.

That is THREE hand-made quilts in four short months.

But Melissa has come through every single time.

Ellie fell in love with her quilt the moment she saw it.

She wrapped herself in it, and we all discussed all the quilts over the years, and one by one each of my children went and found their special quilts from Melissa.

It was very touching to take a sweet picture of each of them wrapped up in hours of her love for them.

I love her for that.

First Ellie,

then Brooke,

then Madison,

and finally A.J. and Easton!!

Annie is only three, but she knew a photo op when she saw one.

She quickly grabbed a special blanket and wrapped herself up too.

Then we had some "Superman" moments!

When you are wrapped with love, it can almost make you fly!

Grandma and Grandpa Dieker gave Ellie her special baptism scriptures.

I love that my parents made this their gift that they give each of the grandchildren.

They each love their scriptures, and Ellie even got one of the last green ones the church made!

Ellie Jane Cecil

Simple, yet powerful, looking at your name, in print, on something that can bless your life every day!

This was such a sweet picture. This is Annie and Brig's younger brother (Rhett), who were actually both the same year too. (We have had several babies the exact same years as the Pyfers.) Apparently, our families are both on the same "Mormon time frame" for welcoming new little ones into our homes.) :)

Tymber just being absolutely perfect...as always!

Ellie and Brig moments before their lives changed forever!

The pictures in their whites are my favorite. Smiles, excitement, and hope for the future!

Taylor and A.J. waiting for the whole thing to begin.

After Ellie was baptized, Madie and Brooke ran to her side in the bathroom. I waited to see Brig baptized, and then I joined them to help Ellie.

I walked in and much to my surprise, those two big sisters were taking care of that perfect little Ellie.

They were dressing her, taking care of her wet clothes, and doing her hair exactly like they had planned.

They sent me out the door with a smile.

I adore the love that they have for each other. The kind of love that only sisters understand. (Sisters and maybe very special friends who become like sisters.)

There were so many people there to share Brig and Ellie's day with them, that we overflowed the Relief Society room, and ended up filling the chapel.

The talks were beautiful.

Both Brig and Ellie chose their oldest brothers, Dayne and A.J. to give the talks.

Does life as a mother get better than that?

Ok, maybe when the closing song, (sung very loudly and beautifully by the Primary children) literally blows the roof off the chapel with the power of the Spirit.

It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had at a child's baptism.

Unforgettable.

The dessert spread was incredible.

Every family seemed to know how much would be needed for this large crowd and had brought more than enough to feed the multitude.

It was inspiring and touching to know that each one of these families were here for our special eight year-olds.

They love them...and our families.

Melissa and Kevin

The Thiess family

Ava and Ellie

The Stewart and Feher families (Brother Feher's father, up in Denver, was our first home teacher when we first got married! Small wonderful world the church is, right?)

Brooke and Lexi Lou!

Tasia getting caught off-guard! She is marrying my brother, Bernie! Yeah! We can't wait for her to join our family forever!

Some of Brig and Ellie's friends...Emma, Lizzie, Hailey, and Katelyn

I love these girls! Janae and Brittany are two of my Miamaids and we love their families!

Nana and Papa Cecil were there to celebrate this wonderful day with Ellie.

We love you Nana and Papa!

Ellie and Emma...friends since birth too.

Cute Joanna and sweet Cortney!

The Roach family

The Hale and Hereth families too!

We love the Carpenters!

The whole Rawlings family was there with us to be with Ellie on her special day.

Oh to be surrounded by those that love us, no matter what!

The "security" guards of the Spirit.

They pretty much rocked it!

The Barrus and Johnston families were there too. Jenna and Aubrey smiling beautifully!

Brig enjoying a perfect night with his cousins.

Sammie Roach looking gorgeous as usual!

Raylene and Angie with their friendly smiles!

Jack, Dayne and Easton sharing a smile! Love these boys. All different. All amazing!

The Naylors and Fawcetts too!

The Rudy family was present with cousins and all!

Look at these extraordinary girls. Taylor, Savannah, and Paris are as gorgeous inside as they are on the outside. Absolutely love them!

Sweet Jocelyn~

I love this girl! Love, love, love her. Thank you Angela for being there like a sister. For taking the baby, setting things up, and loving our family so much!