Yesterday was a memorable day for our family. Our son Kyle was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to his love and best friend, Megan. As I sat in the temple, looking around at our family and dear friends there to share this time with us, I just kept thinking over and over again, "This is what it is all about. This is why we do what we do. This is what makes the tough times worth it." As a new family unit was created today I felt so blessed to know of the Lord's Plan of Happiness and to have a testimony of its truthfulness. I know that when we live according to God's plan we will find peace and joy in our lives. Understanding his plan helps us through our trials. Trusting in him and in his plan helps us to have a vision of the eternal scheme of things. Families are ordained of God, and I am so excited as Kyle and Megan begin their journey together.
Our younger children got to share in the day as Megan and Kyle came out of the temple and we greeted them for the first time as man and wife. They were positively beaming and love shone in their eyes. We hugged and congratulated them and took lots of pictures.
Our little man, David, looked so adorable in his big boy dress pants, white shirt and sweater, and of course, a bow tie, just like the big brothers. The day was long for him and he enjoyed it for the most part. At one point, pictures were no longer fun for him, so we didn't press the matter. He is missing from a few shots. He enjoyed the family dinner and listening to Kyle sing. He even enjoyed the reception until the last little bit, perking up just in time to enjoy the sparklers and say goodbye to the couple. By then he was exhausted!!! He fell asleep almost the minute he was buckled in his car seat. When we arrived home we transferred him straight to his bed. It was close to midnight. All we did was take off his shoes and cover him up with a blanket.
In the morning, he awoke refreshed and ready for breakfast. I looked at him and thought…wow, all I need to do is change his diaper and he is ready for church. We hadn't even taken off his bowtie before we laid him down. Good thing though. Church started at 9am this morning so it was nice to have him dressed and ready. I am pretty amazed that he made it through the entire wedding day staying as clean as he did, clean enough to wear those same clothes to church.
Tonight….he is sleeping peacefully…….and wearing pajamas!!
A couple of Saturdays ago I was getting ready to pick some fall greens and tomatoes from the garden. Arming myself with a few bowls I decided that I needed one more. I opened the cupboard to get my large white Tupperware bowl. Finding it missing from the cupboard I remembered that I hadn't been able to find it numerous times that week. In our home, that is not uncommon. People are always using things from the kitchen for non-kitchen related things and I eventually find them in one strange place or another.
So I started asking around to see if any of the kids knew where my bowl was. It didn't take long. "It's in the freezer Mom." Of course!!!! Why didn't I check there? I opened the freezer in the garage and there was my bowl……filled with hailstones!!! Doesn't everyone keep a giant bowl of hailstones in their freezer? We brought the bowl in the house and Olivia ran a little water over the outside to loosen the hailstones from the bowl. They had melted slightly before being frozen and now they were frozen in a chunk inside the bowl. I thought maybe they would take the icy blob outside and play with it and watch it melt. But no…it had to be carefully placed in a kitchen garbage bag and put back in the freezer to await next summer. That is when they want to take it out and play with it.
So how did hailstones end up in my freezer?
A couple of weeks ago we had a hailstorm to beat all others we've ever seen. We had finished up with Family Home Evening and were getting everyone ready for bed when the storm started. Teeth brushing and tucking in were set aside as we huddled by the front door watching in wonder. The hailstones bounced off the ground as they hit. They made a tremendous noise landing on the roof. Of course, David had to eat a few of them. Jacob and Nathan bravely stepped off the porch only to be painfully pelted by stones, many of which were larger than peanut M&Ms. Pretty soon everyone, girls and boys, were all trying to gather up hailstones to "put in the freezer." At first cups were enough. But eventually, nothing would do but….THE BIG WHITE BOWL. It was a memorable family time. We were just enjoying each other and the awe-inspiring power and beauty of the storm.
Jerry and I regularly plan fun activities for our family to do together, but sometimes, the unplanned, spur of the moment fun that we enjoy together seems to be the most memorable. I think every member of our family will fondly remember enjoying that hailstorm together more than any trip to the swimming pool or zoo.
I am reminded of a story that Dallin H. Oakes told in his October 2007 conference address entitled, "Good, Better, Best." He told of a father who took his family on a series of summer trips to different historical sites. When he asked his son which of the trips had been the most fun for him, his son answered that his favorite summer memory was the time that he and his Dad laid out under the stars and talked.
Elder Oaks wisely concludes,
"Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent."
Quality time with brothers and sisters, Mom and Dad are the key to strengthening family relationships and building beautiful memories.
Our little man, David, looked so adorable in his big boy dress pants, white shirt and sweater, and of course, a bow tie, just like the big brothers. The day was long for him and he enjoyed it for the most part. At one point, pictures were no longer fun for him, so we didn't press the matter. He is missing from a few shots. He enjoyed the family dinner and listening to Kyle sing. He even enjoyed the reception until the last little bit, perking up just in time to enjoy the sparklers and say goodbye to the couple. By then he was exhausted!!! He fell asleep almost the minute he was buckled in his car seat. When we arrived home we transferred him straight to his bed. It was close to midnight. All we did was take off his shoes and cover him up with a blanket. 
