I Love to See the Temple!

I Love to See the Temple

Janice Kapp Perry

(This includes a third verse she wrote for a choral arrangement while a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday To feel the Holy Spirit; to listen and to pray. For the temple is the house of God, a place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself when I am young -This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple; I'll go inside some day;I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey.For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.As a child of God I've learned the truth:"A family is forever".

I love to see the temple shine brightly through the night -A beacon to all people of purity and light.For the temple is a sacred place where worthy Saints assemble to receive the holy ordinances Performed in God's own temple.

We went to L.A. this past weekend for the San Luis Obispo Stake Temple Day and 50th Commemoration Session. It was a crazy day, but it was wonderful at the same time. Avery was so excited to see the temple for the first time in person. She kept looking up at the Angel Moroni on top of the temple and pointing it out to us. She really wanted to go in with everyone else. She and Finley walked the grounds with us (Avery insisted on pushing the stroller) and with Grandma Lee and Pa for several hours as we all took turns. They were both troopers!

Dancing, Dancing, ALWAYS Dancing

Avery is my little dancing fool! She LOVES to dance- anytime, anywhere, with or without music (I am pretty sure she hears music in her head constantly). She loves Angelina Ballerina and asks to watch the DVD over and over again, she poses her Barbies in dancing positions, she wants to wear her dance clothes and ballet (or sometimes tap) shoes whenever she can get away with it...the child is OBSESSED! Her newest thing is to get up on her tippy toes and then lift one leg straight up over her head in perfect form, with pointed toes an all (I think this must be something she got off the Angelina Ballerina DVD). I really need to get video of her doing this, because it really is pretty amazing and no one believes me until they see it for themselves.

Finley loves to watch Avery at dance class! I think she will follow after her sister in this pursuit- she is already starting to bounce and move whenever she hears music!

Another Trip to "THE BARN"

I know I said this before, but, I have to say it again... I LOVE the AVILA VALLEY BARN! We always have so much fun there! My mom came for a visit and one of her only requests while she was here was a visit to the barn. She didn't have to ask twice! It is one of my very favorite places!

We are BACK!

It has been almost 2 weeks since I posted last- we were in Palm Springs for one full, glorious week free of dust, noise, and chaos! It was wonderful! We played at the pool (SIDE NOTE:Avery got her first bee sting in the water- she was a complete trooper and didn't even cry...see first picture), took naps in the hammock, enjoyed the warm weather, took advantage of the local attractions (such as the Children's Discovery Museum), enjoyed just hanging out in our room(s) (which combined were bigger than our first apartment and MUCH bigger than the 2 rooms that we are currently living in), ate yummy food (there is a Roy's in Palm Springs, which is our very favorite restaurant), and just enjoyed our time together.

But, as all good things do, our vacation had to come to an end! We returned home to a torn out kitchen, a HUGE HOLE open to the elements (which is apparently an open invitation for bats), and newly discovered foundation issues! Fun, fun, fun!!!

It has taken me another week or so since we have been home to get my feet back under me (it usually does after being away, but the recovery time is exacerbated by the remodel). For two weeks, Paul's parents are out of town, so we have their home to retreat to. It is amazing to me how much I can actually get done in a functioning household. The kids get fed real meals (not snacks on the run), laundry gets done, the girls get naps, everyone is happier, dinner is made, toys get picked up, the house gets cleaned, and there is even time for a project or a blog post. Amazing! Maybe I am NOT a complete failure as a woman, wife, and mother (as I have been feeling lately)- maybe it is just the current state of my house (for the past year) that has been interfering with my routine, schedule, and productivity!!! There is hope for me yet! Paul's parents come home next week, so I will have to (reluctantly) give their home back to them and return to my own house of chaos. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Things are moving forward- a few more months and I might have a functioning household of my own! What a treat that will be!

My Angels of Sanity!

Last night Jenn and Russ Cruzen came over to pick up our dining table and chairs that we were giving to them. While they were here, (as Russ was helping Paul move some of the heavy items out of the front of the house- thank you Russ!), Jenn asked "You have to do WHAT by tomorrow?!" I told her that everything had to be out of the front of the house before we left. By what she saw, that was an insurmountable task. She then said, "I will be bring boxes and coming over to help you around noon." Normally, I would have refused her offer, but I was in no position- I needed help!! So, today, Jenn came, I ordered pizza, the girls ran around crazy playing dress up, Monique came later, we all worked our tails off, and.... we got it all done, and then some!! They even helped me put my bedroom and bathroom together! THANK YOU SO MUCH Jenn and Monique!! You are my angels of sanity! Now, I can leave on vacation without this all hanging over my head. When we come back, the kitchen will be torn out, but I will have a little corner of peace! Thank you, thank you, Thank you!