Colt's Baptism

Colt's baptism almost didn't happen. At 2 am on May 21st - the day of Colt's baptism, Colt came into our room and told me he didn't feel well. He said he felt barfy. Uh oh. Not only was he barfy but he had a pretty high fever.

Colt got a blessing from Chris and my Dad. But still, Colt was feeling awful. We decided to push through and get him ready anyway, hoping that he'd start feeling better enough to make it through the baptism. As we were getting him dressed he started feeling worse and threw up some more. We then decided to just call it quits. If he couldn't even get dressed without being sick, how on earth was he to make it through a baptism?! So, we began calling people that we knew were planning on attending the baptism and luncheon. We called it off.

Chris headed to the church to talk to people about the situation. While there, he decided that we should get Colt ready anyway. Even if Colt had to sit on a couch outside the chapel and missed the talks and the music that perhaps he'd at least make it to the most important part - the baptism. So, we rushed to get Colt ready. This time he kept everything down. Off we headed to the church! I brought some barf bags. We were all stressed, crossing our fingers that he'd be well enough.

He was feeling up to sitting in the chapel to listen to the talks and music. Of course our group was very very last to get dismissed to the baptismal font. On one hand, it would have been nice if he could have been baptized first - we could have done it quickly and gotten out of there and home. On the other hand, we were all very worried that he'd actually barf in the font - not good for the children coming after him. So, Colt was dead last to get baptized. And he made it! There were a few times we thought he was going to lose his stomach, but that sweet child is a trooper and kept every thing down.

I am so grateful that he was well enough to get baptized. And although the situation wasn't ideal I was grateful that the situation put everything into perspective of what was really important - Colt getting baptized. No longer was I worried about the luncheon, the food, whether my house was clean enough. All of our efforts and cares were on Colt and getting him baptized - where our priorities should have been from the start. I do feel badly that we didn't get very many pictures - like a picture of him and Chris in their all-white outfits and Colt with his best friend Terralyn. (I really didn't want to be moving Colt around for pictures. I didn't want to risk it) But really, it's not about the pictures.

It's a day Colt won't forget. Although he was not feeling well, there were blessings along the way that helped lift him up. One blessing in particular was that he got to get baptized with his best friend Terralyn. Sweet Terralyn who immediately bounded up to Colt to sit next to him during the talks and music, even though Colt was sick.

Not only that but Colt's uncle got to serve as a witness to the baptism. That was pretty special for us all.

We still had the luncheon for those that traveled from afar and for those that wanted to risk coming into a sick house. It turned out rather nice. But poor Colt, still too sick to eat, missed eating his favorite potato salad and CTR cupcakes. Thankfully, we had a ton of leftovers and he had plenty to eat the next day.

Colt right before we left for the church:

After Colt was confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost

From left to right: Gary Sanchez, Chris Gunsolley, Chris Peterson, Frank Peterson, Colt (in front). They all participated in confirming Colt a member of the church. (Not shown is Terry Davidson, Terralyn's father who also participated)

Saying Goodbye to Hobie

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

They don't get any prettier than this.

One of Hobie's favorite spots in our yard: the garden. He visited it one last time. It was a breezy day and he put his head up high and felt the breeze.

Carena, last night around 3:30 am, snuggling with Hobie. He was unable to get up on the bed himself. Hobie loves Carena and each night would tuck her in.

Our sweet Hobie has left his earthly home. Last night we woke up to a wet bed courtesy of Hobie. When I checked on him I realized that he was unable to use his back legs. For the past few months Hobie has struggled with diabetes as other problems crept up. Last night we knew that he would not be getting better and there was not much more we could for him that wouldn't be stressful and miserable for him. So a difficult decision was made. We were able to say goodbye. We prayed for him. We told him how much we love him. And we let him go. A sweet spirit is now missing in our home.