Worthwhile

The temple.
We made it to the temple!  Finally! 
We really have been praying, planning, trying...for months! 
This time we made it!
And I was calm.
I was calm about making homemade pizza for the kids to eat while we were gone.
I was calm about us being a little late so we could eat the pizza.
I was calm on the way there and walking up the hill even though it was cold.
I was a little too calm during some parts...
But I had the most lovely experience I have ever had during a session.
My choice to be calm (with obvious divine help) made what has been an ordeal, a huge sacrifice, something I mostly do out of obligation and have a very hard time sitting through, into the joy that it was meant to be.
I hope I can go again soon and enjoy it again. 
A new experience for me.

The speech and debate tournament.
Brandon made it there!  Finally!
The first one was on Daisy's baptism day.
The second one was the morning after he got stitches.
We found him a ride in the nick of time--our schedule for today was looking really impossible.
Ruby was willing to babysit if we took the baby with us.
Sullivan was intrigued by long hallways where he could crawl and crawl and chase his ball.
Dallin and I sat and watched our son "spar" with nervous agitation, uncomfortable watching argument.
We were glad it was him and not us.
We saw him shine and smile and--no headaches!
He mentioned more than once that he was having so much fun he never even picked up the book he brought to read.
He told us how inspired he was by the speeches the older students gave.
I was inspired by the teacher who has created this amazing experience for homeschooled young adults. 
I hope I can go again and watch other events or maybe be a judge.
A new experience for all of us.

The Jr. High State Honor Choir Concert
Nathan made it there!  Finally!
He tried out for it months ago.  And made it!
He has been practicing his part for weeks.
Early morning rehearsals all this week.
All day rehearsal on Friday.
Back on the bus this morning at 10:00 to Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake.
Fifteen minutes away from Brandon's tournament, we found ourselves in the auditorium just as the music started.
Sullivan was intrigued by the slippery slope of the amphitheater, determined to overcome the gravity. But he was being too noisy!
We tolerated the guest choir performances.  They were actually quite good, but not what we came to see.
We strained our eyes as the stage began to fill with 380 students.
"There he is!" We both said as we saw him file onto stage and wedge himself between two other students.
The perks of having a short child is that he is ALWAYS on the front row!
Where I could watch him, obviously focused, and determined to give his all to this very challenging program of songs selected by a master conductor.
My eyes shimmered as I rose for a well deserved standing ovation.
My mind wandered back to the many similar conferences I attended in my choir "glory-days".
They are lovely memories.
I felt joy in the connection it created with my son who is growing up and away from me.
An old experience made new for me.

Crown Burger
We made it! Finally!
This one is a little silly, of course.
We wanted to go last month when we attended the choir concert.
It was so busy and so expensive.
But this time there were just the 4 of us and we could get kid meals (there was no age limit!)
The baby slept for the ride home.
We listened to tales from the events of the day while we drove home, well treated with memories and tasty food. 
Arriving home with donuts lit up the faces of the 4 who stayed home.
They all did very well, and for such a long time!
And then a little time for family work and play before bed.
Experiences worth preserving.