Temple Trip

This past week was very busy and I am relieved it is over and today is a day of rest. Last Saturday we went to Ollie's 3rd birthday party at the Imaginarium and my kids had fun. Monday morning I went to the doctor and everything looks good. I had made it for first thing hoping Josh could just stay home for a bit but he had a meeting so my neighbor was nice enough to watch Emma and Brandon before they got on the bus. I taught piano and then had to go pick up Lily from her band rehearsal and then Curtis and a few other kids from his band rehearsal. Curtis had basketball practice that night and Emma did a make up ballet class.

Tuesday morning both kids were playing in a band festival so I had to be at the high school at 8:30 for Curtis and then Lily played at 9:15. Again I had to ask someone to watch the other two so I could leave at 8am and thankfully the Schrams were nice enough to let the kids come over until the bus came. I enjoyed listening to the bands and my kids played well and I'm glad that they enjoy and work hard in band. It was the best part of my high school experience and I hope it continues to bring them joy and good experiences. Curtis also had his skills assessment for baseball at some nice indoor facility at St. Mary's College and that went well. I hope he's on a good team for the spring. 

 

Wednesday I went to the gym and increased my weight on some of the exercises and it felt good.  I wish I had a friend to go with me but I really enjoy the feeling of working out and being fit and taking care of my body while making it stronger. The rest of the day was kind of a downer just because I was sad and felt helpless about some tough situations and had a hard time finding motivation to do much else other than run my kids around as necessary.

Thursday I went for a walk and talked with Joni for awhile, then I taught a bunch of piano lessons, went grocery shopping and then I went to Olive Garden for a baby shower/dinner for Olivia. I invited all our book club friends and we all brought her diapers and it was nice. She's pretty quiet but a sweetheart and it was nice to celebrate her new baby coming in just 3 weeks. I am also glad that even though she isn't a member of the church that she feels so comfortable in our social circles and loves being a part of them.  I had planned it on a night when Josh should have been home but as it was he had to go meet with President Boyd up in Bowie so he didn't get home until after 10pm. Thankfully, Noreen was willing to pick Lily up from dance and bring her home and then she babysat the others for me. 

Friday Josh should have been off but had to go to work all morning so I went to the gym and then we met up at school for Emma's top dog lunch. She was picked for her good behavior on the bus and got to have us come meet her for lunch and get a doughnut. They have the kids and parents sit on the stage behind the curtain and then there is a grand reveal and all the kids in the lunch room clap. Emma was pretty happy to have us there since parents still aren't allowed in the school really. I am proud of her and what a sweet helper she is to her teacher and bus driver. He told her that kids like her are the reason he loves his job. It was also dress like a book character day so Emma was Ms. Frizzle from Magic School Bus and Brandon was blue crayon from The Day the Crayons quit. 

 

That night after dance we took Emma and Brandon over to the Wiests and tucked them in because early Saturday morning we left to go to the temple in Philadelphia with the youth of our ward. Emma and Brandon had so much fun spending the day at the Wiests and I'm so grateful for their help. We drove up with Steve Tripp and a bunch of the older kids so Lily and I just kind of talked and hung out while they were all crazy and Josh and Steve talked. 

It was wonderful to be in the temple with my kids. It was Curtis's first time there and I'm glad I got to be there. I witnessed Josh baptizing Lily and Curtis and then I went and did some initiatory ordinances. It had been a long time and I really enjoyed it and felt the power of the promises that God makes to us as we keep our covenants. Then it was pictures outside the temple and we walked down to Reading Terminal Market for lunch, which was nuts. It was so crowded and busy and I had to help two kids find a lunch and then we couldn't find anyone else but then Josh found us and saved me right when I was about to lose it. I got a crepe that was good and then tried a Sam-Wiest-recommended cheesy hot dog in a soft pretzel bun and it was amazing. Then we walked back to the temple and drove back, which felt like it took forever. There was more traffic and I was tired and getting a headache and it was hot in the car and it took a lot of patience, but we made it back to the Tripps then we took all the Wildewood kids home, then Josh went to go get us some dinner while I went over to the Wiests to get the kids. It was a busy day but I'm always grateful to be in the temple. I'm also grateful for the four people who helped me out this week. I had some dark moments this week and their service to our family, which allowed me to do some good and important things, was a blessing and a reminder that I'm not as alone as I feel a lot of the time. 

 

This week starts jury duty but thankfully I don't have to go tomorrow so I'm super excited to have at least one normal day. I have to call every night after 5pm to find out about the next day, which is so stressful to me, but hopefully it will all work out.  I am fasting today for my Ukrainian friends and their safety and for a quick and peaceful resolution to this mess. Most of my closest friends have left the city but one family is still there, as far as I know. It breaks my heart every time I look at the news and I feel so overwhelmed with sadness that my beautiful city and country and people that I love are being destroyed and driven from their homes. I'm grateful for temple covenants, my eternal family, the opportunity to bless and serve others, the opportunity to serve in the Lord's name as a missionary and for all that I learned, Josh looking so handsome in his new blue suit, and a peaceful place to live.