The Month of Celebration

February has been an incredibly busy month for our family.  In fact, I can't remember the last time I have been this consumed with activities and events that take most of my time, thoughts, and prayers!  Our beautiful new temple here in Gilbert, Arizona is completed and we have been so involved with the Open House and Cultural Celebration.  What a tremendous opportunity for us here and what a blessing it has been.  The work involved and put forth by THOUSANDS of consecrated servants (25 stakes)has been most evident in this undertaking.  It's been such a testimony builder to me.

 Here is our ward chairman, Rachel Hixon (one of my faves) giving the kids direction before we began our Super Saturday rehearsal which went from 6:45 a.m.-about 9:00 p.m.  Our ward was so amazingly organized and that made it fun for everyone!

 Hot breakfast burritoes and fruit for everyone at 6:30 a.m.  Who does that???  Our awesome ward leaders!!!

For the Super Saturday, I was asked to be the Regional Music Director which was really fun because I was able to go up on the scaffolding and get a bird's eye view of our kids rehearsing!

I love these two kiddos more than I can express!

 My sister, MaryKay was the Stake Dance Director for her stake and also asked to be the Regional Dance Director Assistant for the Super Saturday Rehearsal.  It was SO fun to find her among the crowd and experience this with her.  She is an amazing teacher and had one of the largest stakes in this temple district to teach!  They did such a fantastic job!  Her Region wore the kelly green shirts and ours wore the yellow/orange shirts.

 LOVE this beautiful Arizona sunset the night before the performance.  

 During the day, the dust levels increasing got worse and kids were complaining of allergies.  The bermuda grass was really bad and with 12,000 kids dancing all over the loose grass, it became a real problem.  With inspiration, the director, Rosanne Tidwell, had a run-through early in the afternoon, which went surprisingly well for a first-time run through!  It was smart of her to do that, since later on---after dinner, the dust levels were unsafe and they had to cancel the evening run-through.  It was a blessing, though because we had all been there since 7 a.m. and kids (and leaders :) were exhausted!!

You can see the layer of dust hovering over the kids.

Here is what 12,000 youth look like from an aerial shot.  Pretty cool!!!

I Love To See the Gilbert Temple!!!

On January 18, 2014 my family went through the Open House of the Gilbert Temple.  Tom had to work because it was a school holiday and those are really busy days for him.  But he was able to go through the temple several times afterwards.  It was a VERY crowded day but it was SO worth the wait!

My sister MaryKay and her sweet family joined us too!

The temple was more beautiful that we could ever describe.  The beautiful agave plant theme was woven so intricately throughout the temple's interior and exterior design.  The architect chose the agave plant because it represents the desert where we live. But it also represents families---when the new young agave leaves grow, the older, more mature leaves leave an impression on the younger ones--just like our ancestors leave impressions on each generation that comes after them.  I love the symbolism in this plant to eternal families.  It's so inspired!

Rehearsals soon began in January for our Cultural Celebration.  Here are some fun pics of our kids learning their dance called, "Toma Mi Mano" which means, "take my hand" in Spanish.  It was the cha-cha!!

Tom and I were called to be the Stake Music Directors so we were able to be at all the rehearsals and help lead the music.  Another blessed calling that we were extremely humbled and grateful to receive.  

I had also been praying for weeks that somehow, I would get an opportunity to serve in the Open House.  Nothing seemed to come my way---I would hear of other people getting asked to do certain things but no ushering opportunities came around to me.  So, I figured that I had better ask around if I could help to whomever I saw.  One night, at a wedding reception, I talked to a good friend who knew of a need for more people to push people in wheelchairs through the tour of the temple.  I quickly called the coordinator the very next day and sure enough, she needed another volunteer.  My prayers were answered and I was completely overjoyed.  

I was able to tour the temple 15 times during that month long open house and help the sweetest people in wheelchairs view the Lord's House.  I got to know 15 different people and their stories about their conversion or non-members and why they were visiting the temple.  I was able to talk to them, teach them about the temple, and become friends with them.  It was something I looked forward to every Tuesday and Friday from 10:45-2:30 for 4 weeks.

So, we weren't allowed to have our cameras (phones) out while we were serving as an usher, so I had to take a "selfie." But, I just wanted to remember these 4 weeks and what it felt like and looked like. 

Here is a close-up view of the tag so you can see the picture of the temple on it.  What a wonderful opportunity that was to serve!

Two of Hailey's Great Loves

Hailey finally learned how to ride a bike in February and now it is one of her most favorite things to do!  It is so fun to watch how happy she is that she can ride with her friends.  It's like a new found freedom for her!

Another thing that makes our little Hailey jump up and down for joy, is when we go birding (yes, it's called "birding" and not "bird watching") with her.  Both she and Spencer enjoy it so much!  We go to the Riparian Preserve here in Gilbert and we let them take all the pictures of all the different birds or other little critters they like.  Honestly, we didn't realize how much fun it could be!

Tom bought her a book of Arizona Birds and it's so much fun to look them up and see the different characteristics of each species.  Hailey is very quick to tell you if you identify a bird and you say the wrong name!  ha ha