dressed in white

our family was asked to participate in a RS family history fireside kinda last minute (I was always planning on attending but the family planning on acting had something come up.)  We had such a busy schedule and Aaron really wasn't around at all this week, but I just couldn't pass up an opportunity for my family to all be dressed in white together.  We got the script on Monday, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to discuss it at FHE (without Aaron because he was working late.)  Aaron did most (if not all) of the talking so it was super easy for the kids and I.  We played a family from Denmark in the 1800's who joined the church and traveled to America to be closer to the Saints.  During their journey across the plains with the Johnson Handcart company, the wife and children died.  Because they weren't sealed together as a family on the earth, the husband is pleading for his family's temple work to be finished so they can be together.  The wife is able to join him with a couple of the children, but some of the boys are still waiting for their work to be done and can't join or sit with the family.  While we read over and talked about this story in FHE, Zack started bawling.  We spent the evening talking about how important we are to each other and how devastating it would be if one or two of us wasn't around.  Each of my children are so special and play such an important role in our family.  I truly hope they feel that about each of their siblings and realize how vital it is to treat each other kind and lovingly.

Thursday night rolled around quickly!  We had Simon's birthday party in the morning, I had to take a couple of friends to the airport in the afternoon and then we tried to have a (quick) special dinner with the family before the fireside.  Unfortunately Aaron couldn't join us for dinner and asked me to bring his clothes to the church.  I reminded him to read over the script since he was doing most of the talking.  (He read it on the way to the church :)  I felt like I was pretty prepared with clothes.. the boys smurf pants came in handy, although Ben ripped a hole in his butt and we had to find some replacements for him.  Luke wore a pair of karate pants and needed to be washed right before, so he went to the church with wet (damp) clothes, but didn't complain.  We were there for the rehearsal before, but Daddy walked in just before it started.  I was really relieved to see him.  He takes such a load off when he's with the kids.. Being a single parent isn't easy!

Afterward, we were able to snatch a couple of shots with the family and have all white refreshments.  Roma and I stayed a little longer mingling with the sisters in the ward.  When we were halfway home, Aaron called me to say he left Simon's clothes in the room where we changed, so we had to zip back to the church.  I left Roma in the car (alone) to run in to get the clothes and when I came back she screamed, "There you are, Mommy!  I lost you!"  She is talking up a storm lately and speaking in sentences which is so cute.  She was definitely the highlight of the fireside and we all feel so lucky she's ours!