We had a family bday party for Super Boy. We had just family over for a small party. We played a couple quick games of bean-bag toss into our cool elephant target.
We did chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting in the shape of an elephant with colored marshmallows to outline features of the elephant. It turned out pretty cool if I do say so myself!
Sadly "the Fab 5" were sick and couldn't make it, but they were awesome enough to send a present...they gave Super Boy a Neopet, a Blue Starry Elephant.
He had fun looking at that site, playing games and setting up his account, but likes Webkinz more still. Gma and Gpa got him a cool bank that makes a car "vroom" sound when money is put in it, the Horton movie and a book called "Seven years old and preparing for Baptism".
We gave Super Boy some MUCH NEEDED clothing and a puzzle map of the United States.
We let Super Girl in on the fun and let her have a present so she'd leave Super Boy's alone! We got her a doll with clothing and "magic" bottles from the dollar store...she loves them!
While my mom was here, we were sewing like crazy! Gma C had a serger she didn't remember how to use. So she asked my mom to figure it out. I wish we would have done this LAST YEAR! The serger works great! We used it to make Super Girl an Easter Dress...
and a cute little summery dress from fabric my mom brought for Super Girl.
We also made my Easter dress to match Super Girl!
We made 3 purses to go along with our outfits...mine is the clutch purse pictured first...
We also made numerous bean bags for birthday parties and just plain ol' fun! We joked around that we were having dueling sewing machines (cue the banjos!). We had a lot of fun just playing around and enjoying one another's company.But by far, the best part of the visit with my parents was the AWESOME opportunity to be INSIDE a temple DURING the DEDICATION! We were so excited to be in the temple and we were seated close to the room the Prophet would be in. We were waiting for a little bit when a woman entered the room and asked a question. Before my brain had time to register the question, my hand shot into the air almost knocking my dad off his chair! The woman motioned to come with me, and as I stood up and walked out it occurred to my brain that the woman asked if there were any singles in the room, meaning if anyone would mind sitting alone in another room. I thought I might be filling in an empty spot somewhere else, so some people could sit together in our room. I didn't mind, I was just happy to be there. All of this happened inside my head within me taking a few steps outside of my original room. A few steps later the woman leading me slowed down and whispered in my ear, "You get to go in the Celestial room dear!" My jaw hit the floor, my heart started to pound and my words became jumbled. I muttered something like, "Oh my gosh, are you serious!" and proceeded to hold my heart as they led me to my seat. I was in the 3rd row back on the 3rd seat from the wall on the right facing the podium. I had no clue where the prophet would sit or enter from. I just sat there in awe that I was in that room! A few more people were ushered into seats and shortly thereafter, the prophet entered on my side and shook hands with the whole first row! If I had reached out and he had done the same, we could have shaken hands...I was within arms reach of the prophet of God! What an amazing feeling! As we proceeded through the dedication, I was in awe of the man who converses with the Lord and is His mouthpiece here on Earth. Every word that was spoken seemed meant for my ears. I used to have faith that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God in these latter-days, but now, I KNOW he is the Lord's chosen prophet to lead and guide us. President Uchdorf was also present at the dedication and I felt his passion and power as an apostle break though his words. What an amazing man! I was on a spiritual high...feasting on the essence of a prophet in my midst. The dedication ended too soon and we were shown the way out of the temple. I stood at a staircase looking for my parents and in-laws, but I never saw them. So I went outside and still couldn't find them. I finally decided to get on a bus and wait for them at the church building where the car was. So I boarded the bus. When I stepped of the bus, my parents were there to greet me. They told me "We thought you'd FLY back!" I felt as though I was walking on air. My soul had been fed and lifted in the most amazing way! As long as I live I will never forget nor deny the feelings and knowledge that were bestowed upon me that day. My thanks and awe go to my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother Pheobe Draper for her amazing testimony, faith, devotion and endurance to help settle the area that now has a dedicated temple of the Lord! What an amazing legacy of love! I am sure it was her hand that raised mine in that room, so I could have that knowledge of the Prophet poured upon my spirit. I felt her faith and her love as I sat on holy ground where she must have stood so many years before. Thank you. It will never be enough, but Thank you. And thanks to my amazing parents for raising me in the gospel. I don't know if I would have sought it out or chosen it on my own. I have heard, seen and felt their faith and it has helped my faith to blossom and grow. You are amazing and I question everyday if I can ever be as good of a parent as they were to me. I love you. I am amazed by your generosity, love an devotion to our family and to the gospel. I hope I can do just half of what you have done in your lives to affect change in the lives of others and to help and serve others. You are my shining examples of what I want to do in my life. Thank you. It will never be enough, but thank you! So much gratitude in my heart for the life I have...even though I face some steep challenges with depression, medication, parenting, and marriage...but really, who doesn't these days! I'm just glad to have the example of 2 couples who have endured much more and worse than anything I have yet endured. Mom and Dad, Gma and Gpa C, thanks for the inspiration! Well, now that I've babbled on for an hour, I should get back to my life. Take care!
