We were able to schedule the baptisms for Saturday after getting home, which was nice because Abuelita was still here. She was here for 3 weeks helping Bryan take care of the kids while I was gone, and she was wonderful to have around for those first few jet-lagged days. I don't remember those first days very clearly, but I was so happy to be home with ALL my kids.
September 8th is a special day for a baptism because it is also the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was the first time for us to ever have two children baptized the same day, and also our first baptisms since we switched to a parish that follows the traditional Latin Mass. Our parish is administered by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, and we use the liturgical rituals from 1962, in Latin. Most of the women in the parish follow the traditional custom of wearing hats or mantillas inside the nave of the church. I brought Therese a pretty Chinese dress to be baptized in. Since it was white, I carefully strapped her in the stroller so she wouldn't ruin it before the ceremony.
Therese and her little mantilla.
John Francis with his godmother, and Fermin and Jose.
Before the ceremony, the place to be was, of course, the kitchen.
The traditional rite of baptism begins outside the church door.
Thomas was still feeling a little seperation anxiety and stuck to me like glue.
Therese was amused by the salt that is put on the tongue in the old rite of baptism.
After the priest placed his stole on Therese, we went into the nave.
Therese didn't mind being held by her godparents. She enjoyed switching from godmother to godfather throughout the rest of the ceremony.
John Francis was the first to be baptized.
John Francis was in a very happy mood after his baptism. In addition to being a member of the parish, and the Universal Church, he knows he is going to get cake and punch soon.
John Francis with his godparents.
Therese with her godparents.
Our first photo with all 6 of our children.
Therese likes her new grandma!
Bryan and I filling out the baptismal paperwork. There is still more paperwork after all the paperwork for the adoptions.
Therese sits on Aunt Hannah's lap to investigate her gifts.
That big bow makes a very chic hat!
Therese got a very special gift from her godparents, an original artwork of St. Therese.
To make it extra-special, Father P. blessed the painting
and the two wall crucifixes I bought for them in China.
Now that the serious part was over, the party could begin.
Bryan and his mom coordinated the cake and made the punch all by themselves. They found a punch recipe on the internet and planned it all while I was in China. The cake was made by the granddaughter of some very good friends. Both the cake and punch were delicious!
Therese liked the cake and managed not to ruin her dress with punch, which was very impressive. Or maybe it was because Grandma helped her. Catherine splattered punch all over herself, and all the boys' clothes were smeared with cake and frosting.
Uncle Brent entertains an appreciative crowd.
It was a wonderful day, although the jet-lag made it all rather a blur for me afterwards. I am very thankful that friends and family took so many wonderful pictures and shared them with us. I am so thankful to have all my family together.
