AS WE TOUCH THE TEMPLE, THE TEMPLE WILL TOUCH US

President Monson has spoken several times about the importance of our children touching and feeling the temple. Though I couldn't find the direct quote, his words played in my mind and served as motivation for our Utah trip.

I wanted to impress upon my children the significance of the temple, even though they are small. I wanted them to feel of the reverence and peace you can find there, particularly at Temple Square. I wanted them to connect with and appreciate their family members who live by the temples we were visiting. So even though this trip meant we would be going again just days after recovering from our cross country one and that I would be flying alone with my little ones (Dan was gone on a High Adventure activity with the scouts), we went away. We went because family and the temple mean that much.

We were caught off guard with torrential rain, Luke slept terribly and the sacred grounds often appeared to be playgrounds, but I still think the trip was a success. (This is largely in part to my mom and sister who were immensely helpful and patient.) I think that my children can look back on these pictures and remember and know what is important.

I was deeply impressed as I walked around the temple where Dan and I were married. Just a few years after the fact, now with my precious children. My heart just swelled and overflowed with love almost more so than I can describe. I was warm, calm and happy. I felt our family was an eternal unit, that this is what it was all about. Truly, my joy was full.

The rain...

Temple Square...

Riding horses at Heritage Park... Can you see the fear on her face?

Checking out BYU...

Ice cream at Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma's...

These pictures in order crack me up!

Calli talking about fairies and such to Uncle Ryan for a solid 45 minutes...

Pretty sure he tolerated it because he was texting???

Zonked in the hotel...

THAT PAST NIPPING AT MY HEELS

It may be the most redneck thing I've ever done.

This summer we visited my family in West Virginia, where I was born and raised. I first must state that my growing up life was nothing hillbilly-like... white-collar suburbia is more appropriate. But when empty-nesting approached, my parents decided to ditch that and finally get their dream house out in the country.

However, that dream house is outside of access to city water lines. Its water supply comes from rain that runs through a filtration system. But the week or so before we arrived, a problem with one of the holding tanks was discovered cutting their water supply down dramatically. Just what you want before houseful of company shows up, right?

Long story short, we really had to conserve water during our stay. Fourteen people under one roof can use a lot of water quickly. Teeth were brushed and hands were washed using water from bottles. Showers were rationed.

One more thing you need to know about West Virginia before I go on... is that when it rains it pours. Truly. The water is dense and heavy. And obviously very wet.

One afternoon while we were there, I very much needed to shower and was contemplating driving across town to where my uncle was staying to use the facilities there. But then I heard rolling thunder and got an idea. A crazy, Survivor-style idea. "Maybe I should just go shower in the rain," I announced with a hint of sarcasm. "Really, it wouldn't be too bad if people couldn't see you." "Um, Ashley, you could wear your swimsuit," someone replies. (Oh right, I guess I am not much of a boy scout.)

And with that, I sprinted off to grab my soap, shampoo, conditioner and razor (Yes, I was even going to do a quick shave while I had the chance.) I put on my swimsuit and off I went before the rainstorm went away. Dan and my sister followed suit and we did it. We showered in the rain.

To prove this I have doubly embarrassed myself by posting a picture of me in my swimsuit online. Oh well. I have to say that natural shower may have been the most refreshing one in my life. Honestly, it was great. So even if it was redneck, it was worth it.

In these pictures you can see just how hard it was raining. The water was just pouring off the gutters like a waterfall. It was completely awesome for rinsing hair.

The rest of our time together was wonderful. We did a little in-state traveling to see some sites and beautiful scenery. We tubed on a lake. We spent time just visiting with close friends and extended family. We shared our thoughts and feelings with each other about those people and things most important to us, our family and faith. It really was special and a memory in my heart. Typing this now is making me miss them all. (To my family- We love you and look forward to seeing everyone again, whenever that it is. )

Performing on stage at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg

Having a royal ball