Ridge's Blessing

Our little Ridge Michael Cook was blessed on May 23, 2010 in the Kalaheo Ward, Kauai, Hawaii Stake. He was blessed by his Daddy. Others standing in were both Grandpa's, Merrill Cook and Denton Graves, namesake Uncle Mike Cook, Bishop David Herr, Will Summerhays (counselor in the Bishoprick), John Giles, Shawn Keep, and Jeff Peterson. We blessed both of the girls at home, with members of the Bishoprick presiding. We loved blessing the girls at home, it was such a sweet quiet experience both times. We didn't think we would want to do it any other way. The reason we blessed Ridge in church is because of our ward "ohana." A big group of us moved over here for the same reason at the same time and we are all in the same ward. We are so blessed to have Mike and Holly here, but because most of our family isn't here we are lucky to have good friends. My baby shower was stuffed to the brim of all the "Layton friends" and lots of other people from our ward ohana. Also in our ward we have lots of "Aunties" that love Ridge so much. I just didn't feel like we could keep his blessing to ourselves. Rusty gave Ridge a beautiful blessing. Afterwards Shawn told me that Ridge was awake the whole time staring up at Rusty while he was recieving his blessing. My mom bought Ridge an outfit for his blessing. It was a little one-piece white linen short suit and jacket made for a 6 month old. We figured since Ridge wouldn't even be 4 months old yet that a 6 month outfit would be fine. Wrong. You couldn't button the bottom buttons without totally hunching over his shoulders. We ended up having to leave the buttons undone and covering him up with a white blanket. Regardless, he looked fabulous. When the blessing was finished Rusty held him up for everyone to see. He held him up Rusty style by lifting him up over his head. It was so cute. It is always special for a mom to hear her baby blessed and have his name put on the records of the church. Even more special to have family and friends to share it with.