We'd had a really busy past 2 weeks so we were excited to relax and hang out with my parents and sisters Gwen and Blair. They came thrifting with me, shopping with me, played some board games with me and Brandon after the kids were in bed, and played with the kids a ton.
Gwen and Blair are such great examples to me. Gwen has a wise soul. She just gets it, she understands life way more than I do, let alone anyone her age. She sees through the shallow insecurities of teenagedom and is so confident, accepting, loving, righteous, a good example, real, able to connect with, fun, sincere, witty, happy, kind, sweet, and so beautiful inside and out. I truly strive to be like her.
Blair is sassy, I love her 'tude- it's fun-loving and keeps people smiling. She's sooo kind and has no reservations to give compliments and show others she cares for them. She looks for ways to help, serve, and show appreciation. She is confident in choosing the right is so influential to her friends in helping them make good choices and do the right thing. She's charitable, always ready to party, and I love being around her.
Lunch date with my mom. The older I get the more I appreciate her and feel like I know and understand her more. She's a loving protective mama bear who will do anything for her kids' happiness and well-being. She's always willing to take the time to talk through things with me and share life experiences to help teach me or understand things more fully. She helps me see the good in myself and encourages me to do hard things. She also laughs at my jokes which makes me feel good ;-)
The kids love their backyard! So much to explore and so much to do. As if the regular sandbox wasn't enough Emma needed to get IN this tray of special soft white sand my mom had given her to play with at the picnic table. So she brought the tray down on the ground and slowly and carefully maneuvered her body to balance and sit on the tray to get her feet IN the sand and get some in her toes.
Still playing with this white sand the next day. It was really sunny out and I'd forgotten her sunhat but we found a pioneer bonnet of Blair's that Emma wore.
Friday morning we drove the 2 hour drive to Nauvoo, Illinois! My parents watched Josh and Emma so Brandon and I could do a session in the Nauvoo temple. Josh and Emma had a blast going on the oxen wagon ride and throwing rocks in the Mississippi River. It was perfect weather and such a great little day trip.
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It's tradition to have a campfire to roast marshmallows for s'mores.
I asked my dad if there was anything he wishes he did as a young parent that he could share with me. He said to take more time (wake up before the kids wake up in the mornings and take even just 15 minutes) to meditate or pray/ponder/listen without any distractions and recharge spiritually and emotionally and mentally and it helps you be able to handle the rest of the day so much better when things bombard you and challenge you. My dad is so wise and has always been and still is someone who I look to for advice and counsel. He prays to know how to teach and love his children in the way they need to be taught and loved. He inspires me to be better and gives me ideas for how to be better in my own way. He's not afraid to tell me he's proud of me and it means so much.
My mom whipped up these dresses for Emma in an afternoon. A few of the many she's made Emma since she's been born. It's like when Pollyanna goes to town for new clothes and comes up with boxes and boxes of new dresses. Emma is so lucky to get all these beautiful dresses.
Out to dinner our last night there.
Drawing with Grandpa at church.
Saying goodbye.
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