Remember when my friend Halle visited us in April with her cute baby bump? Luke Thomas Hobbins was born on September 25, 2015 and I just had to meet him. Thankfully, Southwest complied and I found flights to Chicago for $59 each way. (!!!) Those are prices from like 10 years ago, right?
Halle's husband Dan is a professor at Notre Dame and South Bend is a 2 and 1/2 hour bus ride from Chicago. I spent most of my travel time reading through and highlighting convicting/inspiring passages from my Hands Free Mama book. Halle and Dan ended up scheduling Luke's baptism during my visit which was a sweet ceremony to attend. The baptism was held in Notre Dame's historic Log Chapel where Halle's grandparents were married.
Luke's baptismal gown had the names of over a dozen family members embroidered onto it. I wish I had taken an up close picture so that you could see.
The priest was very warm and welcoming. He told us about the history of the chapel and pointed out the gravesites of several priests who are buried right beneath the floor! Halle's dad told me that as a young boy he used to be fascinated by (and terrified of) this.
It was great seeing Halle's family again. Her sister Anna has little Jack and Halle's parents are two of the most fun people I know.
Anna is Luke's godmother.
Like me and Bethany, Halle and Anna don't particularly look like sisters. :)
Luke was a little fussy throughout the ceremony and after it was over we learned why. Poop!! I'm sure he's not the first baby to have a blowout in the baptismal gown.
Sunday was a church-filled day as we attended Mass in the morning, followed by Luke's baptism in the afternoon, and then we went to a Lessons and Carols service that evening in which Halle sang in the choir. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is stunningly beautiful and the music floating down from the choir loft was equally gorgeous.
Luke's first Christmas!
I took a few photos around campus but the light did not cooperate. The sun disappeared behind the tall campus buildings about an hour before we made it out. I am truly becoming a Florida girl because I found myself craving sunshine. I forgot how gray the Midwest becomes in the winter.
How amazing is their house?!
I couldn't leave without getting a picture of Lydia, who is our cat Cora's sister. Halle's friend rescued them as an abandoned litter of kittens.
Lydia has had quite the excitement in her life. She once jumped off a stairway banister at Halle's parents' house and broke her leg. She was in a kitty cast and Halle's dad helped her rehab after it came off. :) One day she ran away from home and showed up almost a week later with an injured tail. The vet had to cut it off and now she is a little bobcat!! Poor Lydia.
I realized as I was leaving that I didn't have a single picture of me with Luke, so here's proof of my visit. I wish I had a picture with Halle, too. I guess this means I'll just have to visit again soon.
Halle, it was so wonderful to get to know Dan better during this visit, talking late into the night about religion and investing! I loved seeing your home, visiting with your family, and having the honor of attending Luke's baptism. He is a precious little baby and you are a beautiful mother and friend. Love you!
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