Even though we’re going to our ward temple day at the end of this month, I wanted to go to a session earlier. We usually don’t go to sessions because it takes quite a bit longer—which is tricky in the heat with the boys. When I told Wes he said, “Let’s go this week!” Bless him. Things that would seem like a sacrifice to others are just good ideas that we should follow through with to him. I called to reserve a spot and there were only availabilities at 8 a.m. and 12:30. We arrived—through weird morning traffic—in time for Wes to do sealings before I went in for the session. I had a few things on my mind and thought about the beauty of the temple, how much the Lord really does care about beautifying and taking time to do things precisely and correctly. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect yet, but He can expect us to strive to be precise. Then I noticed the woman sitting directly in front of me. I recognized her hands, then her hair. When she turned around I had to muster all my energies to stay quiet. Sharon Morales! I visit taught her in Manor. She had been inactive for a long, long time. Earlier in her life she had gone to the temple, but by the time she moved across the street from us, she hadn’t been for a while. We gave her rides to church. She started coming regularly. She came over for Thanksgiving and could make any social setting sweet; she only sees the good in people. She had to move, but was working toward a temple recommend. I thought, “Too bad I’ll never know what really happens with her. I can only hope.” Then my phone died last week and I lost her contact information. But here she was! Right in front of me! What a tender mercy. I didn’t do anything to get her to the temple, but I prayed for her and love her and feel so blessed that I know of her continuing progress. I felt how much Heavenly Father loves her and how much He loves me—enough to keep me posted on this good woman. When we were in the Celestial room I felt that this is how it will be, joyful reunions with people we love, with those we’ve worked with, with those we can only hope for. This experience also helped me remember that I don’t know what is in store for others I work with (including our family!) in the future. The Lord can heal and shape our hearts; He can guide us to worthiness to enter His home—where we are always invited.

           Later one of the elderly temple workers asked if Wes and I were taking turns in the temple. She said that she’d seen me pushing the boys up the hill. She got a little emotional and told me how proud she was of us. I think when other people see us going to the temple with our crew, they think mostly of the logistics, which can be sticky at times. They also see that it’s possible to still regularly attend and still worship as a family. I’m glad we could give her hope. But there’s nothing impressive about us! We want to be at the temple. Our boys love the temple. We’re grateful we live so close to one. And really, as shown by my meeting with Sharon and our champion travelling sons, Heavenly Father makes it possible for us to do His work and enter His house.

            One of the other great blessings of the temple is the car time we get to share as a family. We get to talk and sing together. How awesome. I always feel closer to Wesley (not just physically!) after a little trip.

Some job postings are out! There are openings from Arizona State in Tempe to Clarkson University in Potsdam, NJ. Wesley has worked on his application package (a teaching statement, a research statement, his CV, etc.) all week. We spent Tuesday and Thursday evenings on revisions. We’ll work on it more in the coming weeks. We plan on sending the first application out September 15 and then on as they open. He’s also applying to national labs for post-docs, which means he’s writing research proposals and looking up people he would want to work with. Someone asked where we want to go. I don’t know. How can we really know? Sure, we’d love to be out West, we’d love to be within a day’s drive of family, but we want to be where the Lord needs us and where He knows is best for our family. So, we prefer wherever we’re supposed to go, wherever that is, and we pray for the wisdom to discern it and the ability to gain it. What an exciting adventure! The beginning is here!

The boys continue to cough. Levi’s rash faded, but remains. Keller had a night with a low fever—he seems to be teething more than anything, though. Levi took a few naps and sprawled on the floor a lot (which is strange) and Lincoln screamed for hours a time (which I wish was strange) and we relaxed and cuddled and read stories in hopes of comforting everyone. On a day that Lincoln particularly struggled, Levi spent a solid 25 minutes carefully coloring in the lines. When he finished his lovely purple dog, Lincoln marched over to rip out the page. Ugh. We calmed everyone down and I asked them what they thought we should do (we have this conversation over and over and over…) Levi glared at Lincoln while thinking, then had an idea. “I’m going to throw my jumping monkeys at his eyes!” (the jumping monkeys are little game pieces). Before I could intervene, he’d succeeded, Lincoln laughed and we went on our merry way. Boys rock.

The boys and I “hiked” some foresty trails in search of tadpoles. Just as we turned toward the creek, two puppies bounded up. Levi did his best not to scream. I held Keller, the other two tried to climb up my legs, and I tried to shoo away the dogs. One jumped all over Lincoln; he ended up with muddy paw prints in his hair and down his back. Levi, though untouched, felt traumatized and couldn’t enjoy the tadpoles after that. As we walked back to the van, the two re-lived the experience to each other. They turned to me, “Let’s just get a cat. We don’t want dogs.”  

Levi sounded out his first phonics book. He wants to read so much yet fears mistakes. It’s okay to practice. He can’t wait to start preschool. Hannah’s mom told me that Hannah is excited to have preschool with Levi “since we are going to get married.” Apparently she actually is in on the plan!

Lincoln found our pocket-sized New Testament and told us, “I need to read my scriptures!” Then he stood solemnly in front of us, held out the book, paused before saying slowly and seriously, “This,” (holding up the NT), “is from God!” Then he pretended to read from it, beginning with “Behold…”

Keller zooms, pulls up, stands while leaning on stuff. He’s trying to stand up on his own. He fights sleep. He starts screaming when we go near his crib. Since we’ve let him cry more, he screeches when I put him down. His newest form of holding on includes his teeth. I’ve been bleeding, so we’ll probably start the weaning process sooner than anticipated. The kid excels in determination and creativity. While Levi splattered on the floor, Keller crawled up to him, leaned over, and kissed his face. He sat up and giggled. This process lasted for ten minutes with all the boys gleefully entertained.