On Monday my parents were still here and Eli was still on winter break. We continued our "Church History Tour" and explored the Independence visitors center. This area is packed with church history and I'm looking forward to studying the Doctrine and Covenants next year for Come Follow Me.
I love this picture of my dad holding Eleanor as she looks up to the Savior.
After our time at the visitor's center, we went to the mall. It's the first time I've been to a mall since we moved here. My dad treated us to lunch and my mom and I squeezed in a little shopping while my dad spoiled the kids at the candy shop. We returned home and my parents played games with the kids while I prepared dinner. Aaron and my dad took the kids to Eli's basketball practice and my mom and I went to see the movie theater to see Little Women. I still haven't ever read the book - it's on my list of books to read! We enjoyed the movie together.
On Tuesday Eli headed back to school and he was excited to go back. We walked him to the bus stop Tuesday morning and waved to him as he hopped on the bus. We had such a relaxing, family packed break. I loved every minute of it. My mom and I went to the temple together and enjoyed sitting in the celestial room together. My parents live about 3 hours from the temple. My mom kept saying she couldn't believe how close we are to the KC Temple. She even walked there one morning!
My mom squeezed in a piano lesson with Eli before we said family prayer and I took them to the airport to catch their flight back to Denver. During the prayer, Eli started crying and it got us all crying. Even after spending a week together, it still didn't feel long enough. We were sad to see them go. I realized when they were here this trip what a special time of life this is right now - I love having my little kids at home right by my side. Aaron's and my parents are both healthy and able to travel to see us. I do often wish I could just stop time right at this moment, but then I also know that this life is a time to progress and learn. I love seeing the light in my kids' eyes when they learn something new. Eli loves first grade. Austin has already learned to read 3 books and Eleanor surprises us with all the new words she speaks. At the temple this week, I was reminded that a way to become defenders of truth is by going out into the world and letting our testimonies shine. We strive daily to read from the Book of Mormon and pray as a family every morning and evening and attend our church meetings and council together and attend the temple regularly - I know doing all these little things will strengthen us and prepare us to defend truth.
On Wednesday evening, I was able to attend the YW activity. I'm enjoying being with the young women so much!
Thursday the weather was SO warm! After school we walked around the neighborhood. I knew snow and cold temperatures were in the forecast for the weekend so we wanted to soak up as much sunshine as possible. On Thursday I was able to attend the temple for our monthly babysitting swap! I'm so grateful for the ladies in my ward who have put together a babysitting swap that allows us to attend the temple more often. I also went to our Relief Society activity on Thursday evening. When I came home, I told Aaron that he put the kids to bed Monday - Thursday! That's the first time in our 7 years of marriage that he's put them to bed alone for so many nights in a row. I'm so grateful his schedule allows him to be home in the evenings!
I'm on an organization kick and I've spent the last several days better organizing our closets and cabinets and bedrooms and even our family pictures on my computer. On Saturday, Eli's basketball game was canceled due to the snow storm. We spent all day at home and it was lovely!
Sunday: Last night we received news that our church was canceled due to the snow! We were shocked, but this area isn't quiet as prepared for snowy weather as Colorado is. It's been such a nice Sunday. I'm grateful for Aaron's priesthood. Our stake president approved priesthood holders to administer the sacrament at home. We sang some songs together and discussed what we've learned from Come Follow Me this week. Aaron and the boys then shoveled our driveway and went and shoveled our neighbor's driveway too. Our neighbor's husband is deployed and as a military family, we know the sacrifice it is having a spouse gone. We love finding any chance we get to pay forward all the love and service given to us when Aaron was gone.
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