Mommy, Gaga and I made our first trip to Shelbyville, Tennessee this week. We went out to meet my Uncle Sam Rowland. Sam is a horse trainer in Shelbyville. On the way to Tennessee, we dropped Dadaddy Mac and Reverend Andy Putnam off at the Airport in Atlanta. They were going to visit Honduras for the week. In Shelbyville, we stayed at my Dadaddy and Gram Mac's house called Cedarhill. It was very cold in Tennessee. When we arrived, the pipes at the house were frozen and we had to get a plumber to come fix the water. It is a good thing Mommy brought bottled water for me from home. Actually Mommy brought everything but the kitchen sink for me on this trip. You would have thought she was taking me to the jungle in Africa or Honduras for three months. The back of Gram Mac's Yukon was packed full of stuff for me. Guess Mommy forgot they have a Walmart and grocery store in Shebyville. I did get to wear my warm purple alien suit almost everyday. I went out to the barn and saw my first horses and even got to see my Mommy ride for the first time in 9 months. I definitely am going to be a horse girl. Dadaddy better get with it and find me a white pony like he promises me all the time. I loved touching the horses and pulling their hair. I met King Arthur (Uncle Sam's good friend)and Jenny Vining (Sam's girl friend). I like them both. Jenny gave me a cute little passy holder that said "Sweetpea" (which is what my Dadaddy calls me) and a beautiful blanket. It is silk on the back and green and white polka dot chenille on the front. I love being wrapped in it. I also got to meet Mr. Joe and Mr. Joel Weaver. I made my first trip to the Bellbuckle Cafe. The waitresses at the BBC thought I was about the cutest thing they had ever seen. My Mommy and Gram Mac enjoyed playing with me and taking photos. I enjoyed my first trip to Cedarhill and can't wait to go back!
This gorgeous christening gown was hand made by Gram Mac. It is made of raw silk and lace. It has long sleeves. The embroidery was done by hand. The gown has Mary Catherine's monogram on the bottom. The cross was given to Mary Catherine by Gram and the silver bracelet was a gift from Aunt Sissy. The bonnet was given to Mary Catherine by Mrs. Linda Potts and was purchased in Ireland. These photos were taken by Ricky Strickland.
Today Mary Catherine was baptised at Effingham Presbyterian Church. Reverend Andrew Putnam performed the sacrament of baptism. Granddaddy Rowland McLaughlin was the elder assisting in the service. We had lots of visitors for the service. Mrs. Linda and Mr. Eddie Potts came from Fort Mill. Flo & Jay Vinson attended as your godparents. hose with us from Charleston included: Meme, Mel, Pop Pop, Aunt Pam, Great Aunt Carolyn, Great Aunt Dolly, Great Aunt Mary, Great Grand mom Donna Hartley, and Barry Watson. Those from Florence attending included: Aunt Sissy, Gram Donna, Dadaddy Mac, Uncle Larry & Aunt Carol Anne, Laurie, Clint and Little Clint Parks, Jay and Chrystian McLaughlin, Brian Britton and Hampton Epps and The Jack Miller Family,Great PawPaw Anderson and Great Grandma Lindy and Great Great Grandma Sybil Kennedy. Attending from out of Town included: Jim and Myra Epps, Tyler, Keisha & Tanner Epps. Robby and Marty Milam, Ashley, Jim, Caroline & Charlie Mac Toman, the Bob Boozer Family. Mary Catherine did so good and never cried. She wore a beautiful candlelight raw silk christening gown which was hand made and embroidered by Gram Donna McLaughlin. It even has a dot of her blood inside the collar. She wore a bonnet which was brought to her by Linda Potts from Ireland. The bonnet came with a poem which can be framed with the bonnet. It converts and is to be used as a brides handkerchief the day Mary Catherine gets married. Both the dress and the bonnet have Mary Catherine's monogram on it. On the slip Gram Mac made to go under the dress, we put Mary Catherine's initials and the date of the baptism. After the service we all retired to the family life center for a lunch. It was a wonderful day!