Church Folk

When we made the decision to go to Boston I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I knew that I would have a support system A) because I had family there and B) because I knew I would have a church family. That is one of the things I love about being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I could move ANYWHERE in the world and show up at an LDS church building and I would have an instant family.

These are some of the members of my Boston church family...

Elder Udy...we met him our first Sunday. He was teaching my friend Jerrica about our church. It was her first Sunday too. We had him and his companion over to eat many times. He went home the week after we left. The crazy thing is that this guy grew up in the same town in Utah that we moved to!

Jerrica and Julian, we met then on our first Sunday in Boston. They became instant family. Jerrica is an amazing person that has gone through so much in her life and continues to thrive in the midst of trial. We got to be a part of her journey as she embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ and it was such a neat experience that our whole family will cherish.

Camden and Julian were two peas in a pod. They loved like brothers and fought like brothers...but mostly loved :)

Mary Ann and Sue Olsen...Camden's Sunbeam teachers. Oh. My. Gosh! I cannot say enough about these two sweet sisters who loved and adored my son from the first time they met him. A few nights before we moved they drove 30 miles one way during Hurricane Sandy to give him his good bye package because they were going on a trip and didn't want to miss saying goodbye to him.

Me and one of my faithful visiting teachers. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of my other one, but these ladies saw me every single month I was in Boston. They checked up on me, brought me cookies and gave me a little lesson, LOVE them. 

Eden and her sweet Activity Day leader Erin Johnson. I was so worried about my girls making friends and feeling comfortable and I was so grateful that the Lord sent Erin to my Eden. She made Eden feel like a million bucks. We found out that only weeks after we moved, Erin and her husband moved to Utah...just like 30 minutes away! 

Camden and Vaughan Larsen...Vaughan was the most amazing Primary chorister I have ever seen in my life! Camden fell for him the first Sunday we were at church and poor Vaughan was attacked every Sunday. I had to remind C that Brother Larsen was not a jungle gym but a person!

Eden and Emmy...these two hit if off right away and Eden loved having an instant buddy.

Maya and Nikki Dallin, her YW leader. Nikki is a Jr. High art teacher. She offered to give Maya free art lessons every week. She was so wonderful for Maya. Nikki was an answer to my prayers, she had a profound impact on Maya and I will always be grateful for the love she gave to my girl.

One of the things Nikki taught Maya how to make were sock monsters. So when Nikki had her baby shower Maya wanted to make some sock monsters for Nikki's baby girl. They turned out so adorable!

I made these headbands. It was fun to get creative and do something crafty...made me wish I had known how to make these when my girls were babies. I would have made hundreds of them!

Kailah and Kruz, these are my friend Kristen's little ones that my kids ADORED! The girls loved babysitting them and Camden still insists he is marrying Kailah someday.

And last but not least...

Jerrica Pompulous, Kristen Raleigh, Me and Cherise Hadley

These girls were my sunshine. They each brought something so special to my life. They were my everyday texts, my Sunday hugs and even my emergency contacts. I love them and miss them so much! 

There were many others that I just didn't get pictures of but they are equally as special to us. Each one is a blessing in our lives. They have become a part of our family history. These relationships will be a part of us forever. I cannot imagine my life without them in it. Heavenly Father led us to Boston for many reasons and one of those reasons are so that we could be blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives forever.

Road Trip...More Middle

We had a nice night at our hotel. It was safe and lovely. But despite the loveliness, this is when I realized that I did not want be on the road anymore than necessary. So I changed our plans and got a hotel in Ohio for the next night, which meant I had two 11 hour days ahead of me instead of three seven/eight hour days but I didn't care. I knew I was running out of steam. 

So Day 5 we headed to Carthage, Illinois because our hotel was closer to it than Nauvoo. Carthage is where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed. They were put in jail for unfounded charges and while here an angry mob stormed the jail with the intent to kill Joseph Smith and "finally put an end to the Mormons." 

It may seem like a strange place for a pit stop but it is an important part of the history of our faith and I wanted to share it with my kids. (Even if you aren't Mormon, it's interesting history)

Carthage Jail

Inside part of the jail.

This is the room that the men were in when they were shot.

This is the window Joseph fell from after his was shot.

This is Maya listening to the story of what took place.

This is the door that Hyrum was trying to shut when he was shot and killed.

People can think what they like about the Mormon faith and the "founder" of the strange religious beliefs that we have, but if people took the time to study accurate research of Joseph Smith as a man, they would have nothing but respect for him and how he lived his life. It takes a fair amount of study and faith to believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I am so grateful for him and the sacrifices he, his family and many others made so that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can once again be on this earth. I want my children to have their own witness that Joseph was a prophet, just like the prophets of old, who were called of God and gave their lives preaching his word and doing his will. I know they felt the spirit when we spent time in this special place. I hope they will always remember it.

On to Nauvoo!

The kids looking at the graves of Joseph, Hyrum and Lucy Mack Smith (mother)

I didn't get a picture of the Mercantile shop where the girls got their bonnets and C got his old fashioned candy. We spent a lot of time in there while the girls carefully made their choices of what to spend the souvenir cash that their grandparents gave them. C on the other hand new within five second what he wanted to spend his money on...a bag of butterscotch candies.

(Maya with her cute bonnet)

The Mansion House. The girls really wanted to go in this house but you have to take a tour to do that and we couldn't wait for an hour until the next tour started. Thankfully they were happy with a picture in front of it.

The kids loved the blacksmith shop. We were the only ones in that tour so we got a lot of attention and the blacksmith guy made C a tiny horseshoe.

Inside Lucy Mack Smith's home.

Nauvoo Temple up close.

Notice how C is absent from the last couple of pictures??? Yeah, he was exercising the little control he had and refused to be in pictures. 

Now back on the road!

Bridges. Love Them. Their were lots of them...

Thank You Indiana for being a small state and allowing me to get through you with no traffic and not even so much as a pit stop. You were kind to me.

Ohio...I think you welcomed me but I'm not sure. Your traffic was hideous and I wanted to cry but you were our last stop before seeing Aric again and arriving in our new home. I didn't get a picture of your sign, but I did get a picture of this city, I think it was Toledo?...

I never...let me repeat that, NEVER give into my kids when they beg me for something in a store. Whether it's a pack of gum, a pair of shoes or a toy. They know that if they make a scene it's over. Well I gave in on Day 5 of this trip that felt like it was never going to end. We stopped at gas station/Subway for our dinner, pee and gas stop. While we were there Camden about died of joy after finding an M&M filled light saber. He was dancing all over the place and swinging it everywhere while singing some made up song about how he "lubbed light sabers" and he "sinks he needs one really reeeeeally bad"...

Don't even judge. It's how I kept my sanity for the next five hours.

We made it to Cleveland around 11:30pm. I was so beat...so so beat.

Eden's Baptism

Eden has been waiting for this day for three years. Ever since Maya got baptized, Eden has be anxiously waiting her special day. She got to wear the dress I made for Maya, we just changed the sash to Eden's favorite color and added a flower.

Getting baptized is a big deal. Something we don't take lightly in our family. It's so important for my children to understand what it means to be baptized and make sure they are making the decision because of their own testimony of Christ not just because it's what you do when you turn eight.

I like to think that we have been preparing Eden her whole life by going to church, reading scriptures, praying and teaching her the doctrines of Christ's church. The past couple of months we have focused our scripture study and Family Home Evenings around preparing Eden for the covenants she was going to make.

I have no doubt that she was ready to make the commitment to become a follower of Christ.

One of the things I love about these special moments in life, is that is when our family really comes together.

My grandma isn't a member of my church but she won't miss a baptism or baby blessing. This means the world to me.

We decided to take this opportunity to take a four generation picture.

Tia Ines, Felipe and Manuel drove three hours to be here for only 24 hours! Yeah, they are awesome.

My brother Eric flew out from Portland.

Aric's parents and brother came out from North Dakota. It was the first time we got to meet baby Kohen.

Mom and Joe are always present at these special occasions. My mom made the dress Eden was baptized in. My niece Olivia also wore it.

Edee with my sister and her family. 

My cousins Monica and Leah came out from Utah. They actually stayed for almost a week. I LOVE THESE GIRLS!!!

My niece Zoe, flew out from Portland.

My Tio Marco and his family got off a plane from Argentina and then less than 24 hours later they were  here with us. 

Eden has been blessed with some very sweet friends. I was only able to get pictures with two of her friends that came...

Eden and Kate 

Eden and Kaylee

This was the program...

 Eden and I have been clashing a lot lately. Her eight year old complaining ways have been driving me crazy! It was so good for me to stop and focus on all of the reasons why I love her. She has such a compassionate heart. She wants to do the right things. I never catch her deliberately disobeying, in fact she is such a rule keeper she honestly doesn't know how to be sneaky. If we could just get the complaining thing under control she would be the perfect kid.

Eden loves Jesus. She believes that Jesus Christ is the son of God. She knows that she is a child of God. She knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus love her. She knows that keeping God's commandments will keep her safe and bring her peace and happiness. She knows that she can repent and live with God again.

Her testimony is simple, but it is hers. As the years go on she will understand more fully what the gospel of Jesus Christ means to her and she will have experiences that will strengthen her testimony even more. This is just the beginning of her spiritual journey. I am excited for her. I hope she remembers the spirit she felt that day. I hope she remembers the special moment we shared right before she went into the font. I know I will cherish it always.

I am so proud of you Eden Elisabeth!