We had Rubin's baptism yesterday afternoon, followed by a fantastic celebration with our families, friends & neighbors, and tons of food...

We were thrilled to have our parents and *almost* all of our siblings and nieces and nephews at our house for the day. My best friend Erin (who is Rubin's Godmother) was here from NYC, with her husband and her own parents (who have known me since I was just about Theo's age...) Our neighbors and some of our dear friends flooded our house and our yard and our day, so welcomed. 

We ended up having an impromptu pool/slip-n-slide bash in the front yard... I think Uncle Mark managed to dunk every child over the age of 4 into our poor, plastic, purple pool.  There was not a dry child in sight.  There were a lot of wet grown-ups, too.

When it was all said and done, my legs and my feet, my back and my head ached.  But not as much as my heart (hurt so good)... so full from the show of love and support from our family and friends. I know that I would not be the mother that I am without this network that surrounds me... these people that celebrate with us, sometimes grieve with us, hold us up, and stick with us.  

I was left speechless when I discovered a tiny note tucked into the back of the book that Erin brought Rubin as a gift. It read: 

"Dearest Rubin, As we welcome you into our lives and into the church I wish for you these things: That the Lord will always protect you, that you find peace and comfort in Him, and that you find inspiration and magic in this world He has given us to share with one another."

Man, did He ever give us one heck of a group of people to share our world with.  I find inspiration and magic in my life, every single day, thanks to our loved ones. I just know that Rubin will, too.