Temple Dedication

I'm a little late on posting this but I just had to write my thoughts and feelings down. This past weekend has been nothing short of amazing. I wish that the feelings I have had during the events of the past few weeks could last forever. The temple open house was great, it was so special to take my boys to the temple and sit as a family in the celestial room. They seemed to really understand the gravity of this special building.

Saturday night we took the boys to watch The Cultural Celebration at the stake center. We loved every minute of it! What an awesome experience for the youth of the temple district! I think President Monson enjoyed it very much. Adam whispered to me, "I wish I could dance for the prophet too!"

Sunday was the temple dedication. I started my morning off in the Jr Primary we held for the children that were too young to attend the dedication. I am so happy that our Stake President had the foresight to ask us to have it available. I know that everyone was very grateful. Dave and I took Adam to the 12:00 session. It was so fun to watch his face and see that he understood how important this was. I hope he always remembers it. After the session Dave and I headed to down to the temple, we were blessed with passes to watch the 3rd session inside the temple. We were seated in the baptistery and watched it on TV screens. WOW!! It was such a neat feeling to know that I was under the same roof as the prophet. It was hard to keep the tears from flowing. After the dedication we waited outside for President Monson, President Eyring, Elder Holland and their wives to exit the temple. We stood very near their cars and got to wave goodbye to them as they left the temple grounds.

I know that every temple is beautiful and important, but they did a great job of making us feel that our temple is the most beautiful they had ever seen.

The temple officially opened for business on Tuesday May 25. We were blessed again by attending the very first live sealing in The Gila Valley Temple. Dave's brother Forest and his wife Ashley were sealed along with their little boy Branson. It was such an awesome experience. We hung out and did a session after the sealing. It was such a great feeling to know that when we were done we could just go home and get on with our day. The Mesa temple is 3 hours away and a bit of a hardship to attend often. I am so excited to go frequently! Dave is already planning on hitting the 6am session every Wednesday. We are so blessed!!

Warning...Posting Overload!

Warning...I'm catching up on blogging. You might experience watery eyes or blurry vision...don't panic...look away from the screen for a minute and then resume reading. Good luck!!

The Gila Valley Temple

If you have not already heard, a temple has just been built just a few minutes away from our home. We are so very excited to be able go anytime we want. It is so beautiful! We've already had some very special experiences. We took the boys through the open house twice and they were so reverent! As we left the celestial room Adam whispered to me, "Mom, I felt the Holy Ghost in there."

Dave and I were able to help with the ushering at the temple last week. I got to be right outside the celestial room door and greet visitors as they entered the room. I loved seeing their faces, every single person would stop and look up at the massive chandelier and just stare in awe. Several children bent down and rubbed the carpet. I loved watching parents stop their children before entering and quietly explain about the celestial room. As they left the room, many visitors had tears running down their face. The spirit was so strong!

I've already made reservations for a session on opening day. My brother and sister in law, Forest and Ashley, are going to be the first sealing in the temple! I can't wait to be there!!

What a blessing this temple is!!!

Happy Birthday Brady

My sweet little Brady Curtis turned 2 today. Wow, time has really gone fast! No big party planned, had cake with the family last night and tonight we're going to make pizza and open gifts. I sure love my last little boy!!

Enjoying his cake.

Most of the grandkids.

He loved the quit Nana made for him!

One Big Happy Family

This is a bit out of order, but no less important.

In April my brother Seth and his sweet wife Josylyn were sealed in the Mesa AZ temple. They were married in Nov of 2008. This is the last of my siblings to be sealed, it was so wonderful to be in the temple as one BIG happy family. My Mom and Dad couldn't have been happier!!

My sister, Amy, and I went down to Mesa on Friday night and did a mini photo shoot with Seth and Josylyn. She wanted to get all the traditional "temple pictures" taken. She was just glowing! It was lots of fun and I think we got some great shots of them.

The Whole Family

Jungle Book...EAC Style

Adam & Carson were once again able to participate in the EAC Children's Theater production. This time it was a rendition of Disney's Jungle Book. Adam was cast as a monkey and Carson as an elephant. This was the biggest cast they have ever had, somewhere in the vicinity of 120 kids ranging in age from 4 to 11. The director, Penny Whetton, is just amazing! Except for the extra miles added to my car we loved every minute of it! And yes, I made the costumes...almost all by myself!

Carson The Elephant Adam The Monkey
All the elephants
Most of the monkeys