Sage's Baptism

Blessing Day - May 2003

Baptism Day - May 2011

How she has grown! We are so proud of our sweet Sage. She has been a sunshine in our lives for eight years already. (I can't believe it.) Her testimony of Christ is strong, and she is a light to those around her. Sage has a wise, caring, compassionate spirit.

Coby and Sage

Sage asked her dad to baptize her as well as confirm her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and give her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Grandpa Tippetts, Grandpa Allen, Uncle Eric Sork, Uncle Micah Johns, Larry Bird, our home teacher Matt Thornbrue, and Bishop Melanson particpated in the priesthood circle for the confirmation. Steve Ussery and Uncle Micah acted as witnesses to the baptism. Grandma Tash spoke about baptism and following Christ during the program. Grandma Tippetts made the beautiful white dress. Many dear friends and family joined Sage for this special event helping her to feel supported and loved. Those who couldn't join us in person sent words of love and encouragement through emails, letters, packages, and phone and video calls.

Happy 8th Birthday, Sage!

8 years old? Who said she could grow up? On her birthday, Sage enjoyed a day free of chores, dutch babies and blueberries for breakfast, hot lunch at school with a surprise visit from her twin sisters, and an in-home spa pedicure given lovingly by mom after school. Then, Grandma and Grandpa Tippetts joined us for dinner. Dad brought home Kentucky Fried Chicken (Sage's birthday dinner request) served up with Caeser salad, and buttermilk biscuits. The party was topped off with a game of Apples to Apples and Grasshopper Pie.

Happy 7th Birthday, Sage!

My sweet Sage turned 7 today. But, I feel like we've been celebrating for a week!

When we were planning her birthday party, she told me she wanted a Paula Dean party. (If you don't know who Paula is, she's a famous chef who also has a show on Food Network, Sage's favorite channel.) I told her I didn't think any of her friends would know who Paula Dean was, but we could still have a cooking-themed party. After a short Google search, I found the perfect party plan for my little chef. 7 girls (for 7 years) received invitations on recipe cards "A Recipe for: Sage's Chef Birthday Party". (Sage has LOTS of friends, so it was REALLY tough for Sage to narrow the list, but I knew I couldn't handle any more sweet girls than that.) On Friday April 9th, they brought their aprons and came ready to create in the kitchen. The party started off with each "chef" creating their very own personal lasagna in a foil loaf pan. While the lasagnas baked, the girls made and ate Salad-on-a-Stick (fresh veggie kabobs). And of course, every second they weren't busy "cooking" they ran around, giggled, and squealed. Then the girls shared their thoughtful gifts with Sage. After that, the chefs ate their lasagnas, played a few more giggly, squealy games, took some silly pictures, and then enjoyed Sage's Apron birthday cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Saturday, we continued the celebrating with cashing in Sage's Red Robin Birthday Club free kid's meal coupon for dinner with the fam. One of Coby's office assistants, Kim, was just finishing her serving shift at Red Robin and shared a special gift with Sage, then she got sung too by the Red Robin crew, balloons, birthday sundae and all.

Then, today, on her actual birthday, Sage got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Tippetts' house after church to celebrate her birthday with her grandma and grandpa, cousins, and aunts and uncles that live in the area. A few of them had April birthdays too, so it was quite a party. I think Sage felt pretty special. As she should... she's a special girl.

I LOVE YOU, SAGE!