Primary Program

Yesterday was the Primary Program in our church. Our Primary presidency and bishopric decided to approach the program differently this year. Since the program is a great day to invite friends and acquaintances to Church, they decided to cancel classes following the program and hold an open house instead. Each auxillary set up a table to show ward members and visitors what  goes on in that program. Children collected stamps on a card from each table to make it fun.

Also, instead of assigning rote lines and speaking parts, the presidency spent months speaking with each child and each class about what they wanted to share. What had that child, personally, learned in Primary? The theme was "I Know the Scriptures are True". Many of the children's comments were centered on favorite scripture stories and heroes. They chose the songs they wanted to sing. Then they made some beautiful invitations to give to family and friends.

Lainy and Leah were so excited. They each invited a friend and we invited our neighbors. Lainy's sweet friend, Gwyn, and her mom came! It's interesting to watch the program with someone who has never experienced anything in our church. You see it with new eyes.

I could tell that Gwyn's mom was particularly moved by all those children singing: "I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to be the best I can to live with God again."

Lainy talked about the Stripling Warriors who were just teenage boys, but had enough faith to fight for their beliefs. Leah talked about Nephi who didn't know how to build a ship, but Heavenly Father helped him make tools and showed him how. They both sang their sweet little hearts out.

It was a beautiful program with a sweet spirit. Children are amazing. Mine make me a better person.

Hartford Connecticut Temple Open House

Today we drove 2 hours to the Hartford, Connecticut temple open house. It was rainy and chilly, but so worth it.

Our kids haven't seen the inside of a temple before. When my brother, Jeff, got married in Salt Lake last December the kids waited in the waiting room inside the temple. It was loud and full of people waiting for wedding parties. Afterward, Leah said, "I didn't think the temple would be like that." I told her that the real temple isn't like that at all. It's still and quiet and peaceful and so very beautiful. Needless to say, Brad and I were excited to give her (and Lainy and Sam) a real temple experience.

It was pouring rain and COLD, but we dashed from our car to the tents outside the temple. We watched a beautiful video explaining what Mormons believe about temples. I loved the part where Elder Holland says, "I don't know how to speak about heaven without my wife and my children. It would not be heaven for me. You can say that's wishful thinking. You can say that you love each other and you've gotten cozy hear on Earth... It's a lot more than that."

As we were about to enter the temple, Sister Anderson (one of our old Sister Missionaries) came running over! She looked so good and so happy. It was great to see her.

I felt teary the whole time we were in the temple. Volunteers in each room spoke about the significance of the room and what was done there. It's such a beautiful temple. Very Colonial.

As we stood in the Celestial Room, I grabbed Brad's hand and choked back tears. What a sweet feeling to be there with our little family. We gathered the children around us and promised each other that we'd all make it back there sometime.

I'm so glad we made the drive. I'm grateful for temples and so grateful for the covenants Brad and I have made there that bind our family forever. My heart is full. I love these people.

Stolen Beach Day

 It was over 80 degrees and the girls got out of school early, so we decided to steal one last day at the beach. It was perfect.

Samuel and I got everything ready before picking the girls up. We loaded the back of the van, donned our swimsuits, and put their suits on the back seat. After picking them up, we just started driving to the beach.

"Um, Mom?" said Lainy pretty soon, "Why aren't we going home?"

"We're going to the BEACH!" burst Samuel, unable to keep the secret any longer.

Happiness ensued. We turned up Beach Boys for the drive and smiled the whole way there.

It was pretty much deserted and the parking was free. YES!

October beach days are a gift. I'm going to remember this perfect afternoon for a long time.

30 weeks prego...not bad

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Fall is finally here in New England. I've been waiting for it to arrive. Heat, humidity, and pregnancy do not mesh very well.

The changing seasons make me sentimental. I thought I was looking forward to school starting, but when it came right down to sending my girls, I wanted them back. And when the leaves started changing I thought, "Oh, wait! Hold on a little longer! I want to go to the beach one last time!"

This summer we soaked up being home. It was slow mornings, pool days with friends, evenings at the beach, trips to the library for reading prizes, grilling for every meal, town festivals, fires and s'mores, lightning bugs in the back yard, warm and sticky nights, and going to bed late because the sun likes to linger. It was lovely.

Now it is October. And though we loved our summer, I can relate to this poem:

"Pale amber sunlight falls across
the reddening October trees,
That hardly sway before a breeze
as soft as summer: Summer's loss
seems little, dear! On days like these."

"Let misty autumn be our part!
The twilight of the year is sweet:
Where shadow and the darkness meet
our love, a twilight of the heart
eludes a little time's deceit.

A little while and night shall come,
A little while, then, let us dream."
    (Ernest Dowson)

Time to soak in another season.

First Day of School 2016 (Lainy 4th, Leah 1st)

Apple Picking

Fall in New England is something to behold. For me it's the most wonderful time of the year. The crisp air is so refreshing after a hot, humid summer. We try to pack every weekend full of fun stuff. Last Saturday was apple picking.

Originally our plan was to go for a bit of a drive up through the white mountains of New Hampshire. That way we could kill two birds with one stone: leaf peeping and apple picking all in one! We left early hoping to beat any traffic, but within five miles away from our house we were stuck. And it got worse. And worse. Stop and go. Our 2 hour trip was turning into 4-5 hours. Gag.

We changed plans. I looked up the closest apple farm: Mack's Apples in Londonderry, New Hampshire. We took the next exit and were on our way.

Macks' Apples is family owned and operated since 1732. That blows my mind. There was an old barn converted into a store and four apple orchards to choose from. We picked our favorites, Cortland and Macintosh, and a few other varieties. We finished the trip with donuts and fresh apple cider. Yum!

Monday the girls were out of school for Columbus Day, so we made applesauce. They were great helpers. And the applesauce is amazing. The trick will be to not eat it all right away!

New England Fall: may you linger as long as possible!