Valentines Day

Valentines day was interesting this year. I had to take Christy back to the airport early in the morning, so we got up at about 4:30. We absolutely loved having her and hated to see her go. Due to my poor planning she was not at the airport 30 minutes prior to her flight leaving and even though it wasn't even boarding yet, they wouldn't let her on the plane. We drove the hour and a half back to Clinton and I rushed to get ready for church. I had to teach Primary and Relief Society which was stressful to say the least! After church we worked on the phone and got Christy a flight back to Salt Lake at 6:15. This time we were plenty early and I finally got back home around 6. Two three hour round trip airport runs and church had taken it all out of me. When Allee and I got back Derek and Pierce had the table set with candles and they were dressed up. Each of the kids had a wrapped gift and Derek got me a card. It was a wonderful surprise! I am so lucky to have him and I love him so much.

Allee got High School Musical. She is really into it all of the sudden, and it is fun to hear her sing the songs and quote the movie while she is in the shower.

Pierce got apple juice, the Crayola twist up crayons (so he can't break them), and Mickey Mouse and Handy Manny coloring books.

We had leftovers, because lets face it, I wasn't going to cook, and we were able to actually enjoy the rest of our evening.

Independence and Liberty

Christy came for a visit for a week and it was so fun to have her. The kids really missed her and it gave us the perfect opportunity to show her some church history sites. This is such a cool building. The church has made a replica of Liberty Jail inside this building. there is the visitor center on top where you learn about what happened to Joseph and others inside the jail and you are able to see the original key. After you are lead downstairs to the jail. It is really amazing.
Here we listened to accounts from Joseph and learn about how he received revelation which became some of the Doctrine and Covenants. In the basement the ceiling was only six feet high and at least three of the men were taller than that, which means that for four months they weren't able to stand up straight. I loved the story of how Joseph F. Smith came and visited his father Hyrum in the jail and spent the night. At the time he was about six. Later he was the prophet that dedicated the visitors center.

INDEPENDENCE

This is the visitors center in Independence. We were able to watch a really cool video about how families can be eternal. Next they take you into a replica log cabin. Inside you listen to journal accounts about life in Independence and the conditions the pioneers experienced. The kids loved sitting on the little stools and as the stories changed graphics on the windows changed from season to season. The last stop on the tour was a play cabin. This was definitely the kids favorite. They were able to go inside and play with the furniture. There was a miniature well to show the kids how the pioneers got their water and there was even a small wagon replica. It was hard to get them to leave and quite honestly we were having a great time playing with the pioneer toys and helping Allee and Pierce climb in and out of the wagon.

This was our last stop in Independence. This is the Community of Christ temple, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is located directly across the street from the LDS visitors center. We were able to take a tour and learn about what they believe. It was very interesting and I was quite impressed how reverent the kids were. The spire on top is amazing. From the inside it looks like a big seashell, which is exactly what it is supposed to represent and it goes up for something like 150 feet. Across the street from here is the visitors center for the Church of Christ. Unfortunately it was closed already by the time we went which was too bad because inside their building are the original cornerstones for the Independence temple. We will definitely have to go back and see those, it gives us an excuse for another trip.