Baby Blessing

Yesterday our little James Alan Ruden was blessed in Sherwood, OR. We weren't there and felt the loss. However, we were able to picture it all in our minds and visited with Annie and Jimmy on Skype so we could see him in his blessing clothing. (How grateful I am for Skype). They also recorded it on Dan's cell phone so we will be able to hear or read it. I'll get a blessing picture and post it later, but look at this beautiful newborn! His mother looks darn good, calm and happy and she is! What a joy it was to witness this birth.

We also did the next best thing...we participated in the blessing of Sam's grandson, Nathan's son, Coltrane Christopher Pothier. It was a beautiful blessing Sam's ward and gathering at their home. It is so fun to see and be able to interact with Sam's posterity now as well as our own. Grandma Annie Jo would be proud, so would Grandpa Robert. I often wonder if they are there for these occasions. If so, they would have had a busy Sunday with two great grandsons being blessed. The Sam Pothiers are doing well. They are grounded in the gospel, dedicated to their families and moving forward. We continue to be amazed at the "tender mercies" of the Lord in allowing us to have this precious time together.