Baby Blessing

Yay! Jimmy Mack was blessed on the 14th of March in Bountiful 13th Ward by his daddy with Grandpa Tilley, Uncle Josh, Uncle Terry, Uncle Ben, Uncle Jared, Bishop Plaizier, Bishop Hawks, Bishop Robinson, and Brother McQuiston. The reason we decided to do it there instead of in our own ward here is that we feel Bountiful 13th Ward's always been like a home ward to both of us. And it would have also been much easier and more convenient for all the family members to get to. Aaron did a great job giving baby his name and a blessing. And I, of course, was all in tears. It's just one of those Mommy moments.

I have been so touched by the 13th ward since the first time I met them. I still remember the grocery shower they threw us before we got married. That was also the first time I met some of the sweetest ward members. I couldn't believe people would be so nice. But then I rationalized it as, well, it is Aaron's home ward. He grew up with them and they liked him. But later I learned that they didn't like me because they like Aaron. They just took me in. Especially during the year Aaron was deployed to Afghanistan. I felt very much loved and cared about every time someone, especially those lovely ladies, stopped me and asked me how Aaron was doing or just wanted to see the baby, which would be Julianna at that time. I felt like I had a lot of grandmas. This meant a lot to me since I don't really have many close family left.

Of course Grandma crocheted the blessing blanket for Jimmy Mack. I can't tell you how lucky we are to have a grandma that's so talented and so willing to share with us her love for her grand-babies! Each one of us, once we found out we were pregnant and knew our baby's gender, got to picked two blankets for the baby- a white one for the blessing and a colored one for the baby to come home from the hospital. I mean ANY two blankets of our choice and Grandma would make them! And they always turn out so beautifully!!! Seriously we are way beyond being so grateful to have a grandma like Grandma Tilley!!! I picked a red and white blanket for Jimmy Mack to come home with. Isn't it so gorgeous?! We love it!!!

Oh lastly, about Jimmy's name, James Mack Adam Chen Tilley. James is for my dad that Jimmy never got to meet. He passed away years ago when I was on my mission. I've always been my daddy's girl and I'd like to think that he's met little Jimmy before he headed out to us! Mack is for Aaron's father. It's Grandpa (Agoo)'s middle name. He has been such a support and example to our little family. Adam is Aaron's best friend from high school. They had a deal that they'll name their boy after each other's name. Chen is, well, my last name. This is to remind him of his heritage. Julianna had her Chinese name built in her full name, but since Jimmy Mack had such a long name, we decided to just put Chen in so it would be shorter, but he still has a Chinese name. I've been debating whether it should be 陳映曦 or 陳以謙. The first means to reflect the sunlight and the second means to live or do things with or by humility. What do you think?

We are glad Jimmy Mack is here and are grateful for all the love and support our family and friends have extended to us. Thank you all for everything you've done for us!!!

PS. Here is a picture of Julianna wrapped in her blessing blanket. (Beautiful, isn't it?) She was blessed in the hospital room about 36 hours after she was born because Aaron had to return to Washington state to be deployed immediately after that. In fact, I had to fight with the hospital staff to let me take him to the airport right after the blessing. (Nevertheless we were grateful that he was able to be there with me and see Julianna being born. He was also very glad to be able to spend some time with his sweet baby girl before he had to leave!)