Baptism/Dedication

We went to Fort Worth this past weekend to have Jordan's dedication ceremony. Brandon's brother Nathan and his wife Malinda are Jordan's godparents, so we had the ceremony at their church.

We left EARLY (like 5 am!) on Saturday morning. We were counting on the girls sleeping most of the way. Wrong. Jordan fell back asleep till 630ish but Allison was awake. So she got to watch Disney movies. We drove through Mickey D's and got breakfast. Allison ate her first Sausage McGriddle and hashbrown and then asked for more. Jordan had formula and a few pieces of the McGriddle. Jordan then went back to sleep (after about 30 minutes of screaming and throwing her burp rag on the floor). Allison and I fell asleep for about 45 minutes to an hour. While we were sleeping, it started POURING. This is the same storm that made it's way to Pearland and dumped 8 inches of water. There were neighborhoods that were flooded in. (Ours was okay). Then she was awake the rest of the way there. More Disney movies (we brought her favorites: Lady and the Tramp, Monsters, Inc and Cinderella). Thank heavens she's staring to be interested in movies and we didn't have to watch the same Elmo video over and over for 5 hours!

We got to Fort Worth and headed to Nathan and Malinda's. They have such a cute house!! We all piled in the van and headed out. We drove through TCU first (they live right on the outskirts of it) and then to the high school where Nathan teaches (which is also on the outskirts of TCU). We visited a house they are looking at and possibly buying. Next up was a stop at the mall so Brandon could get a Strawberry Julius which both girls enjoyed immensely. We played in the Disney store for a while and I checked out the Jungle Gem Gymboree line (love it!!!). And then we headed to Allison's version of Heaven - Cici's Pizza. Jordan even got some pizza!!

After all this, they were READY for naps. Unfortunately, I had confused Allison a little bit. I had told her we were going to stay in a hotel and she was going to sleep with Mommy in a big girl bed. So needless to say, when Mommy didn't lay down for a nap with her, she was more than a little peeved.

Mom and Dad showed up and then we waited for the girls to wake up so we could go to dinner. Dinner was STEAK AND SHAKE!!!! Whoohoo!!! (We don't have one of these near us). Dad got an Orange Freeze (of course) and HAD to share with Allison (she was a fan). Brandon went back with Nathan and Malinda and Mom, Dad and I took the girls back to the hotel.

Bathtime was a little stressful for Jordan because she was SO tired but Allison enjoyed splashing my mom. Both girls LOVED reading with Papa. Allison decided that she wanted to sleep with Nana and Papa so she climbed in bed with them. She kept saying, "Papa naked" because my dad didn't have a shirt on. He got so irritated that he went and put on a shirt. :) She also tried convincing Papa to leave the basketball game on. (No dice...it was already 9). After telling everyone goodnight 50 times and kissing Nana and Papa goodnight 51 times, she decided to climb in bed with me. Thus began my night of being kicked in the stomach, finding monkey and reassuring a 2 year old that I hadn't left her.

The girls got up UNBELIEVEABLY early. We ate breakfast at the hotel and headed to the church. Our ceremony wasn't part of the main service; it was in a smaller chapel after the service. We started out with all of us in the church. Then Jordan and I had to go to the foyer. Allison fell asleep in Brandon's arms. Then it was time for Jordan's ceremony.

It was in a smaller chapel and was performed by one of the associate pastors. He seemed to know Nathan and Malinda very well and even had Nathan give the closing prayer. It was a very beautiful service (even if it was short and sweet). Jordan kept staring at the pastor. She was VERY intruiged by his speaking but wasn't too sure about going to him.

After the ceremony, we headed to Olive Garden. Nathan and Malinda presented Jordan with a baptism charm for her charm bracelet (that is not purchased yet....bad mommy and daddy!). They didn't want Allison to be left out, so they bought her a gift too - a long armed, SCREAMING monkey. I bet the other people loved us. Allison has had some issues lately with peeing so much that her diaper leaks. Well, she had one of those "moments" at the restaurant.

Then we loaded up for the ride back. We had to make a pit stop so Brandon could get a Slurpee (we don't have those near us) and again to change diapers (twice because apparently, you can only poo in a totally clean one) and again to get food. It was a LONG drive home.