2011 Blessing George our Blessing

 On Sept 11 we gathered as a family for the blessing of George. Both grandmas were able to come to town and be there. Also Aunt Stacy and Bob came from Iowa. The excitement began with Scott and I running late which was all my doing. I was boiling eggs and should have listened to my mom who said to make the food the night before. Stacy and mom left my house at 9 we didn't leave until 10:34am for an 11:00am blessing an hour away. I just knew we would miss it but Scott somehow got us there on time. There may have been some speeding which is very out of character for Scott but we made it in time to repent for speeding. As we walked in they were calling family up to the front. Scott never even sat down and he was followed close behind by Tom. In our church we bless little babies with a name and other blessing they might stand in need of. Men who are worthy and striving to live a Christ centered life who hold the priesthood are invited by the parents to stand in a circle around the baby as generally the father or grandfather gives a blessing. I was blessed by my grandpa Dixon. My dad was not very interested in church in my youth so I was lucky to have Grandpa do it. Anthony gave George his blessing. In the circle was Anthony, Scott, Andrew Sipherd, Sean, Kelly, and Tom (Dixon), Brent, Chad, Collin, and Jeremy (Snow).  I could tell Anthony was nervous. Others would not have noticed but I felt so bad because I knew it was a stressful day for him and I should have began earlier to prepare and be early at arriving so he was more comforted not wondering if we would make it. Then they forgot or could not find the binky. George was crying which is to very loud but with a microphone it amplified quite well and I know Anthony does not handle crying by anyone well especially crying while trying to bless. As all the men in the circle gently place their hands on the baby’s head while Anthony cradles him in his arms. It was beautiful. Anthony cried and began saying George was our families miracle. He is! What a little miracle. He was blessed to know of his families love all the Scharriers, his grandmas, his parents, friends and family. To love and follow the Lord. To enjoy physical health. I cried for the entire blessing I felt so grateful that we had a sweet new family member and that despite all the odds mom and baby were healthy and happy even if sleep deprived.
At the end of the blessing Anthony held him up for the entire congregation to see. I was so super smart to not wear make up as I knew I woudl be crying huge tears of happy! Then he slipped out into the hall to feed him. I went out after him to see if I could help. I got to feed him and tried to burp him but his dad had better luck by moving him back and forth tummy to back. Then when he was changing him George went wee wee all over his beautiful blessing outfit. He was changed out of the wet clothing and then got poop all over. Then after a third change he spit up all I had feed him. We were out of wipes, diapers, changes of clothing and still no binky. Anthony looked despondent as his dream of pictures with George in all white little suit faded and we hoped to find anything clean and dry to put on him. I told Anthony that these are the fun memories we will laugh at and maybe he could wear a white onsie and no one would tell in the photos. Anthony was blessed in a clown outfit. I am not kidding it is a white onsie with a clown on it. George has worn it for fun when he met Grandma Scharrier. It is hard when you have a certain idea of how you want things to happen only to have them fail. But mom Salina is a calm force and she rolls with the punches much better and more often than us Scharriers so she took it all in stride.
We had so much fun with all the cousins laughing and being together with my mom and welcoming George.    

2011 10 Year 911

In Sandy where we lived for over 10 years they started a healing field to remember 911. Each year they place a flag for each life lost. It is a moving tribute. They read each name and ring a bell. There are speeches and talks and many people of all ages walk along the flags ad read about what was lost that day. The wind rushes by and the flags dance in the sun. This year a statue was added. It seems unreal that is was so long ago that forever America was changed. I hope for the better. We drove to it on our way home from georges baby blessing.

Love Blessing Blessings

When a baby is born in I believe it is a blessing. No matter what or how I just adore babies and think they are a blessing. It takes a child for me to remember what is most important in life. A child teaches me to forgive fast to love wholly. To see things with optimism and hope. A child trusts. In my religion any baby born is completely without sin. Pure and clean and straight from Heavenly Parents. Heavenly Parents who created a marvelous perfect spirit which is then gifted a body of flesh on lone to us during our time on earth to teach us way more than we will ever teach them. The new baby is brought to our worship service and given a name and a blessing. We believe the blessing is inspired and can be a guide and comfort to the child while they are on the earth. I know that babies are without sin and do not require an infant baptism. To me this was one of the huge burning questions I had while seeking answers in the spook ally of life. I have many friends who believe differently and think babies are born in sin and require immediate saving ordinances to be clean and I say Thank the Lord for religious freedom. Each and every blessing of a little new blessing aka baby I attend is a sacred gift. The latest was little Lucy Hurst looking beautiful in a white sparkly dress hand made by her talented grandma. Really is there nothing better in life than holding a brand new baby and knowing it was so recently in the presence of Divinity-- for me it is the best.