I Love to See the Temple....

After 9 months of waiting, Collin, Ashlyn and I were finally able to go to the temple to be sealed together forever as a family on November 12. I had been looking forward to this since Ashlyn had come into our lives. The reason it took so long before we were able to go together was just due to Michigan Law. Our entire adoption was finalized through Michigan state court, so basically once we left that state it has been a series of filing more paperwork, bi-monthly home studies, holding our breath, and more and more waiting. I can't complain because some people (mostly international) have to wait so much longer to finalize, but it still seemed like so long! I feel like I can finally catch my breath because now, no matter what, this sweet spirit will be in our family forever. I am SO thankful for the blessing we have of the temple. I always had been before, but having Ashlyn has brought a whole new appreciation and meaning of the temple to me. Thanks to this wonderful blessing we were able to receive in the temple, it is as if our sweet Ashlyn grew right inside my tummy and joined our family like *most* families have babies join them.

The day started out with like 50 mph winds and sideways blizzard snow. Go figure, we were in Idaho Falls! Anway, that didn't really make a difference to us. It ended up being a crazier day than I had originally anticipated. (of course. if there is one thing that has been most drastically changed in my life since being a mom it is that absolutely nothing will go as I think or plan). Grandma and Charles took our whole fam out to breakfast, which was fun for a while until Ashlyn got super grouchy. Collin and I had to take our food to go and get her home to get a good nap in before we headed to the temple. Thankfully she slept well and got up in time to get her ready. I was nervous to drop her off in the little nursery at the temple, but the ladies in charge were so excited to take care of her. Of course.

I had always thought that when that time came that we would all go into the sealing room together I would be bawling. Mainly because it seemed like such a long wait and I would tear up every time I would think about how excited I was to go to the temple. Well turns out I was ok most of the time. The only time I totally lost it was when they brought Ashlyn into the room, after Collin and I had already been in there and the sealer had already spoken to us. She had the biggest smile on her face and it got even bigger as soon as she saw Collin and me. I love her more than I ever thought possible already, but being in that situation just overwhelmed me.

Anyway, she was the life of the party, like usual. Doing her cute little smile and bobbing her head back and forth, which she thinks is just hilarious. She was making everyone laugh the whole time. It was so wonderful. She got a little crabby at the end as everyone was leaving.... but that was ok. After everything when I got back down to the nursery to get her we had some diaper issues and then I found out that instead of mixing her bottle with formula they had just fed her the straight water.... so no wonder she was hungry! It was pretty funny. She was well taken care of though, and lucky she is such a good natured sweetie, she just rolled with pretty much everything.

This is the ONLY picture I have of the 3 of us of that day (besides the temple pic). I won't bother explaining because it makes me mad, but basically 2 of my sisters dropped the ball on taking pictures at her blessing, I guess I will find someone more responsible next time! I do have alot of ugly pictures of Tara, Andrea, Jodee, and Paul though if you're interested. (insert grumpy face here)

But anyway, after the temple we went straight across the parking lot to my grandma's church for Ash's blessing. Collin's mom, brothers Beau, Morgan, and Jim were there, the first two with their families. A lot of my aunts, uncles, and siblings were there too. It was really fun to have everyone there together. We just did it in the relief society room, we did her blessing first and then had some food. My family and Collin's mom were SO super helpful in getting everything ready, it really saved me from being super stressed about it. It was really nice. If you're wondering, the priesthood brothers didn't hold her in the typical "baby blessing" pose--there is no way that would have been cool with her! So Collin just held her in his arms upright and they all put a hand on her back. I guess in the middle she snatched a little pin Collin had in his lapel out and put it in her mouth-thankfully my dad saw it and pulled it out quick. Thank freakin goodness I wasn't watching close enough to see that!!

Anyway, it was a great, tiring day. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends who came to support us, and we're so thankful for the blessings of the gospel.


Here are a couple other pics from the weekend: