[1/9/12] Monday Memories: Hannah's Baptism

I've been in Rexburg since Thursday night. I came to attend my niece Hannah's baptism and I'm heading home today. It's been a wonderful few days with family.

My nephew Riley, my sister Janine, my brother-in-law Byron, and my niece Hannah

Riley and Hannah joined our family through adoption. Janine and Byron tried really hard for nine years to have kids the usual way, but when that didn't work, they went the adoption route.  Riley joined our family when he was a week old. Hannah joined our family when she was almost two years old. She and Riley are 10 months apart.

When they were little we called them the "twin tornadoes," because they were very busy. Very busy.

Hannah's birthmom originally came to the US from Sierra Leone. Pretty soon after she had Hannah she was deported and the only person in the family able to take Hannah was her great grandmother, also named Hannah. Grandma Hannah, as everyone calls her, lovingly and enthusiastically took this little baby girl into her senior living apartment and did the best she could to take care of her. She had many health problems, so instead of her ward Relief Society (women's group) passing around a meal sign-up sheet as we often do, they would pass around a sign-up sheet to have Hannah come stay with their family for days or even weeks at a time.

Finally Grandma Hannah decided that the best thing for Hannah would be to find her a forever family.  She went through LDS Social Services, which is the organization that brought Riley into our family. Janine and Byron had just signed up to be considered for another child.  Grandma Hannah picked them to adopt Hannah into their family. 

Hannah and Grandma Hannah

Grandma Hannah came from Maryland for Hannah's baptism. It amazes us how much they look alike, and they even have some of the same mannerisms.  It has been fun to talk to Grandma Hannah and learn more about her family's background. She comes from a very different world. It has been fun to watch them interact together, and Grandma Hannah treats Riley as if he were also her great grandchild.

I've also been able to spend some time with Zach, Angela and Kam. That has been really fun! I miss my kids...

We went to dinner Friday night, and they've also been spending some time at Janine's, and we've been playing games at night too.  Ashley (Kam's friend from Arizona who has also been her roommate since day 1 of college) has spent some time with us too. She's like another daughter.

Zach, Angela, Ashley and Kam

The whole family (minus John, Parker and Kailen) after the baptism:

Yes, it's been an awesome few days.

I feel so blessed to have the family I have and the gospel in my life.

So blessed.