Valen's Baptism

Here are the long awaited pictures of Valen's baptism. I'm sorry for all of you that couldn't make it, but thankful for all of you that did!!

Here is Valen with her beautiful hair--Thank you Talyor--contemplating the step she is about to take, or at least in the pose she was told to stand in.




Here she is in the towel that we got her. We had the towel embroidered with her name and the date on it. Some time I will get a picture of it.



Here is the lucky girl standing with a very handsome bystander who also seemed to be wearing a white jumpsuit--I hear they are very popular these days.



Here is our family photo, as you can tell. I am stressed to my max, Justin is nervous, Valen is happy to be getting so much attention, and Riley is oblivious to everything, comforted by the fact that no matter what happens she will have her bag of Trix.




This is Valen freezing and asking to dry off, but being a good sport and letting me get my mandatory wet picture.




This is my favorite picture. She looks so happy and wholesome and pure and wonderful. Here, in my eyes, she looks like a Daughter of God, full of life and love, knowing she made the right decision and knowing that He loves her and is proud of her.




This is not a very good picture of her, but as tradition dictates, we did not get a good picture of her in her white dress. An explanation may be in order. For both Valen and Riley we did not get good pictures of them in their blessing dresses. Valen was screaming and Riley was stuffed into her car seat. By the time it occurred to us to get a better picture, they had outgrown their dresses. Thankfully I am already aware of the bad picture situation this time, so we may be able to fix it in time. I do plan on being better prepared for their wedding pictures.




Again, not a very good picture, but one with Valen and all of her "loot."




Me very, VERY thankful that I made it through the whole thing without breaking down in any way--physically, emotionally or mentally.




This is our friend Lisa, who so graciously accepted our invitation to come to Valen's baptism. She is a wonderful person and we were happy to have her there.

Below is a sample of the program. It's not the actual program because I'm still learning how to use this site.






Baptism of

Garrett Jones
Zachary Webber
Valen Chouinard

Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Amherst Ward, Buffalo, New York Stake

Conducting: Bishop Lahti
Pianists: Tiffany Clegg & Erin Webber—Zachary’s Mother
Music Leader: Tara Condie

Welcome: Bishop Lahti

Opening Song: Come, Follow Me #116
Opening Prayer: Don Clifton—Garrett’s Grandfather

Talk on Baptism: Mikel Voss—Valen’s Grandfather

Baptismal Ordinance: Garrett by Neal Jones—Father
Zachary by Ben Webber—Father
Valen by Justin Chouinard—Father

Interlude: Video Presentation

Talk on Holy Ghost: Amy Jones—Garrett’s Mother

Confirmation: Garrett by Neal Jones
Zachary by Ben Webber
Valen by Justin Chouinard

Congratulations from Primary: Tara Chiapelli

Bishopric Welcome: Bishop Lahti

Closing Song: I Am a Child of God #301

Here is the video that Justin put together for the baptism.