Beautiful day

  One day John pointed out something he has noticed about my prayers.  He said every time I prayed I said "Thank you for this day" and asked if it was repetitive or sincere.  I replied very seriously that I was sincere.  "Even on days that you tell me are terrible?"  Yes, even terrible days are days I am thankful for.  Here is why: I learn something every day.  Yesterday was a pretty crummy day.  I spent the entire day getting ready for a party, cooking food and cleaning the house.  What I wanted to do though, was play with my kids and read with them and cuddle and wrestle.  I was grumpy and irritable, impatient and at times even unkind.  It was one of the worst days.  Glen said it was worth it to have a party, but I think he is the only one who thinks so.  Benjamin said it was so not worth it and Elizabeth, well, I think too often she gets less mommy time then the boys.  Anyway, at the end of the day as I prayed I did say thank you.  I said it was a terrible day, but I was grateful because I had learned that spending time with my kids is so much more important then having the perfect party, a super clean house, and themed snacks.  I bet they would be just as happy with a bowl of popcorn and a movie. 

Because of yesterday I wanted to spend extra time with my kids.  After school we went to the park together for a little bit until lunch.  While eating it started to rain and we all went out to enjoy the storm.  We danced and jumped in puddles, drew with chalk and ran from pelting hail.  Benjamin and Elizabeth were fascinated by the storm drain and Elizabeth gathered hail.  As I watched them play in the rain I could almost see them learning and absorbing information from their world.  It was wonderful to watch.

Perfect day

Today was such a perfect day!  I found out it was free day at the zoo so we cancelled our plans for the children's museum and headed off to the zoo instead.  The weather was just perfect, it must have been 50!  The animals were all so friendly, many of them came right up to the edges of their cages so everyone could get a good look.  The boys were just thrilled and Elizabeth was in awe by all the animals.  Our favorites were the orangutans, cheetah, and the dolphins, the under water dome was AMAZING!   One orangutan was a total ham and hung out right in front of the crowd posing.  In the ocean exhibit we got to pet dog sharks and one was so friendly he kept raising his head out of the water and getting right up under our hands, even Elizabeth got to pet him. The dolphins were really active and swan around us in circles, they swam right in front of us again and again and the penguins did the same.  The cheetah paced back and forth right in front of us too.  I have to hand it to the Indianapolis zoo, they make it so you can get up close and personal with the animals!

After we got home we had a quick dinner and then family home evening. Benjamin chose the game and we ended up with a jousting tournament.  John and I were the horses and the boys climbed on our back with padded light sabers (we were fresh out of jousting sticks)  It was a lot of fun for the boys to try and knock the other off as we ran at each other from across the room.  Elizabeth got in on the fun and trounced the boys with a little help from her trusty mare.  It left us all rolling in laughter on the ground.  We all had so much fun we know it will make a return visit.

All in all today was pretty much a perfect day, even if I do still have  a mountain of laundry to fold tomorrow. :)

In which we travel to Utah, as seen in pictures

We watched a plane taxi into it's loading spot.

The Gray Ghost race car

Our first time on a moving sidewalk.  Those are our pilots right behind us.

 We rejoice in the grid pattern as we land in Salt Lake city late at night.

John and I attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

 Enjoying a date,

and a beautiful view. 

 Relaxing at grandmas in what I call the prince and the pea pose.

 Elizabeth's first time on a trampoline!

 BFF cousin time.

 Best of friends here.

"Hot!" Elizabeth was helping me bake cookies for my brother's wedding reception. 

Cousin sleep over! 

Grammy time.  Grammy is nice to cuddle with. 

At the St. George temple I got to see my brother marry this amazing lady right here!  

I just adore Kiara!

I am inspired by how in love my mom and dad are.  Dad had to sleep on the floor so he could let mom have the couch, but they still fell asleep holding hands. 

 We missed the mountains.

 Mountains.

 Did I mention how much we missed them?

Finally a minute to relax at Grandma's. 

 There is another baby!

 "I have a secret.  You're cute."

Helping grandma and eating snack. 

 Twins.

 They kept "fighting" over the hairbrush.  It was funny.

 More grandma time.

 Birthday time!

 Remote controls.

What does the Fox say cupcakes. ;) 

 Favorite Aunt.

 

Happy girl. 

 We match.

 Trick candles and more birthday.

Time for friends before we leave. 

Watching our plane land. 

 talking to the pilot. "I want to be a pilot when I grow up so I can play video games all day." -Glen

Glen has decided he can no longer take serious pictures. 

 "Mom, this is how you do a 'lay over' you have to lay over the chairs."

3 1/2 hour lay over in Denver went fast as we saw jet planes, 

 got goofy,

rode the train back and forth, 

found paper airplanes, 

 photo bombed,

relaxed on the moving sidewalks, 

 and got sneaky pictures of Glen with a real smile.

Sisters together. 

 Lots of love in the family.

 A storm over Indy.

 Getting our luggage.

Too tired to stay awake.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or the Mormons) we believe that when we marry in the temple we are sealed for time and all eternity, that means we are married forever.  When we die we are still married and even better, our children also get to be with us forever.  I can't imagine heaven being very heavenly without my family there with me.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to see my brother married and to know that my family will be together forever!