how do i put into words, the feelings i had on this day. friday, july 16h, 2010. we had decided early on, that we would wait to baptize little p in arizona. he wanted all his family to be there, and i don't blame him. this is such a special event in someones life, i wanted it to be as memorable for him as possible. although saying, "we're baptizing him in arizona," sounds a lot easier then it really was. planning such a special thing, while out of town, can be tricky. we got the date, days before. then everything started coming together. thank goodness for my parents and helping organize the stake center and the bishopric to come conduct. i let parker choose who he wanted to speak, and pray. he made phone calls and everyone accepted their invitations. 
the program read:baptism and confirmation of parker james cummard, jr.
presiding: scott turner, 2nd counselor emerald bay ward bishopric
conducting..........................................................................................................scott turner
chorister.....................................................................karen gruninger, grandmother
pianist..........................................................................stephanie meadows, great aunt
opening song...............................................................................................................baptism
opening prayer......................................................................................mele larson, aunt
1st speaker..................................................................cheryl cummard, grandmother
baptism...................................performed by parker james cummard, sr., father
witness at the font.......................................cameron larson, anthony gruninger
interlude music........................................................................................to be announced
2nd speaker.................................................................wayne gruninger, grandfather
confirmation........................................performed by parker james cummard, sr.
poem...........................................................................................parker james cummard, jr.
closing song.............................................................................................i am a child of god
closing prayer...................................................................................jon cummard, uncle
poem recited by parker:
choose today, by elizabeth giles
there are choices
to make today-
read the scriptures,
fast, and pray.
i want to do
what jesus would-
be of service,
be kind and good.
pay my tithing,
and tell the truth.
i'll choose the right
while in my youth.
the men in the confirmation circle. such a great group of guys, that parker has to look up to. i am thankful to each of them for their example in his life. he looks up to each one of them, and hope he continues to look to them for leadership. i'm especially proud of parker for making the choices in his life that have kept him worthy of confirming the blessings on his son. i always wish i can remember the words that are spoken in a preisthood circle. but i think they are better when left in the circle. the feelings of emotion were heard in parker's voice, and i know touched each of us there. i'm so thankful for him and his example to me and my kids. i truly couldn't have asked for a better father for my children. 
the spirit that was inside that room was undeniable. i am so grateful for the opportunity we had to have a private baptism. it was so much more meaningful. nothing can compare to a room filled with those that you love most. everyone was there because they love parker. we are so proud of the decision he made to be baptized. it's the first big decision you have to make in life. the responsibilities that come with this are huge. it's a big choice, and i am so proud of him for making the right one. the prayers, and the talks were perfect. from that moment parker dunked his first born under the water, i couldn't stop the emotions. the talk grandma cheryl gave, about baptism, made complete sense. she used a TAKE 5 candy bar to help him remember why we are baptized. she explained the first name and last that he represents. and what a strong background he comes from. people look up to parker, and making the right choices may not always come easy. as long as he remembers to take 5, it can help in those trying times. grandpa wayne's talk about confirmation meant a lot to me. of course i get emotional when i see my father at a loss of words. it was a special day for him. he was the first (and only) in his family to be baptized. i was his first child to be baptized and this was his first grandchild to be baptized. what a neat thing. for all of us "firsts." 
after the baptism and confirmation, we had dinner at my parents. i ordered way too less food. when i picked up the sub, shaped in an 8 i thought, dang, that will never get eaten. when i brought it to my mom's she thought otherwise. she mentioned that she didn't think it would be enough. i thought, with all the sides coming, and dessert after it will be fine. i was wrong. i'm not good at party planning. mom made another ned's run and got another 6 feet of sub's. everyone was full, and the kids of course ended up swimming in their undies. i don't know why we don't expect it. it happens any time we have a get together at my parents. parker felt good that night. he got his own set of scriptures for his birthday, with his name engraved. he got a basketball scripture case. grandma cheryl gave him a matching hymn book, with his name engraved. he picked the color blue for both. he took good care of his book of mormon he got when he entered primary, so i have no doubt he will cherish his new ones, and put them to good use. i love this boy! 
