A Forever Family!

We had the amazing experience of being sealed to our beautiful Mia on Saturday in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Most of Dee's family came down to visit and be with us on this special day. My sister Becky also came with her family. We are so grateful for the sacrifices they made to be here and experience this with us. 

This is us after being sealed together as a family for all eternity. It is such a joyful day. My heart is still so full of love. How wonderful to be able to take Mia to the temple as an infant and feel the peace there. I think that she could also feel the calming influence of the spirit there. Despite the long trip to get there she was really happy. No crying in the sealing room, and she was chatty and excited to be there. I look at the picture of us dressed in white and hope that the memory of this moment can remain with us forever!

A note about the white dress Mia was wearing: Dee's Grandma Marie Campbell made this dress ~30 years ago for his sister to wear for her blessing, and it has been passed onto the grandchildren to wear. It was very special to feel her presence with us even though she is no longer with us. 

Us before going into the temple. We should have snapped a picture of us putting her into the outfit from the trunk of our car. Fortunately we didn't travel with it on since we had to make an emergency clothing change in the middle of our 2 1/2 hour drive to the temple. Traveling with babies is so fun!?

Our happy girl!

 Dee's family that came from across the country to be with us.

Carrie's family (Those that could make it). Unfortunately Carrie's Dad got sick the night before and couldn't be there.

 Becky with Mia. She was kind enough to take most of the pictures. 

BLESSING DAY!

Sunday, we had Mia's blessing at church. It was also her five month birthday.  My brothers and Dee's dad held her in their arms and Dee gave her a wonderful blessing through the Spirit. 

Dee's parents with Mia.

I think that Mia was tired of pictures by the time we did this one, but she is still a cutie.

My thoughts about these two days...

We have waited so long to have these experiences and it is almost unreal that it has finally happened. I feel a greater sense of peace knowing that we are sealed and Mia is connected to us no matter what happens in life. I feel that she was meant to be in our family and I can't imagine our lives without her. She brings us such great joy. Dee and I are forever grateful to Mia's birth mother, for her choice to place Mia in our arms. We hope she is blessed with joy and peace in her life. 

 My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened through these experiences. I know that by following His example, we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and return again to live with Him. I am grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all the many blessings we have received in our lives.  

Have HOPE for the future. 

To Salt Lake City I Go

I just got back from my business trip to Salt Lake City for the National Physical Therapy Conference. While I was there I went to the  Salt Lake City Temple. It is so beautiful:

Just being there brings such peace to the soul. 

I also watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice. They open their practices to the public most Thursdays. They look a lot younger in their plain clothes. They were in the Conference Center, a marvelous building of architecture and design. I was surprised how many missionaries and volunteers help to make it possible for us to be there.

Even in their practices they are amazing! You can listen. It isn't as good as really being there since this was just taken with my little camera but you can get a good idea.

I went to the Music and the Spoken Word this morning before I hopped my plane back home. It was patriotic for the upcoming 4th of July. So inspiring. My heart was full today.

Hawaii Vacation 2013 Day 1 1/2

So this was a busy trip to Hawaii, so I'll take things about one day at a time.

Flying Allegiant: Good or Bad? Yes, it is cheaper, but you may also spend 2 hours in the plane just to be diverted to Las Vegas for an all together different 3 hour tour. Broken engines take a while to fix so we waited for our new plane to arrive from Canada. So what do you do in Vegas with an $8 voucher for food?

Buy a $5 Cinnabon and $3 water of course. Yum! Haven't had one of these in years.

We did arrive in Honolulu, eventually, and got situated in our hotel. We only stayed one night there. (Good thing since we probably would have missed our connection if we hadn't)

We were upgraded to a deluxe room with an ocean view. 

There actually was an ocean view, in the distance. We could see the cruise ships come into port too.  

The next morning we rented a car and went to the Laie Temple.  Here I am in front of the temple. 

The grounds are so beautiful, full of flowers and plants.

You can see all the way to the ocean from the front door. See it in the background:

After the temple we went for a drive through lush greenery and then, to the swap meet at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Probably the best swap meet around. You could spend hours walking through it. 

We then hopped a plane and set off for Maui. That plane was on time, maybe even early. Hooray for Hawaiian!

Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Cheesecake Factory

Friday night after work we went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that came to Phoenix. They were here to celebrate Arizona's 100 year birthday! It was great to see them in person, such a huge choir. It is amazing to see how perfectly still they are and then when they move in synchrony it is quite dramatic. I am sure the acoustics are better in the Conference Center or the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City rather than in a basketball arena. We also went to the Mesa Temple and did sealings for my grandmother to her parents and a few other relatives that have passed on. What a great feeling to join the generations together.

On the way home we went to Cheesecake Factory. You know, they have a great hamburger there, and we tried the best cake called Chris' Outrageous Chocolate Cake.  Let me tell you that if you like chocolate, and coconut cheesecake, and German chocolate cake, this is a great thing! BUT eat in a group of 3 or 4 because it is large.