Gone Again

Our Relief Society took a trip to the temple this Friday. Since we were going to L.A. anyway, we thought it would be fun to make a little trip of it and visit some family. Omar and I decided to go down the night before and stay in the temple apartments so we wouldn't have to leave so early in the morning to make the appointment.

The boys weren't feeling well on Thursday when it was time to leave, but we decided to go anyway. We got stuck in traffic, took a crazy detour through Bel Air, and finally got to the temple apartments pretty late at night. They boys thought it was so cool, and even Omar slept well there, which is rare for him out of his own bed.

I got up early and went to the temple for the 6:30 endowment session. It was so peaceful and wonderful. I felt so happy just walking up the steps to the temple, and enjoyed all of my time there. At 9:30 the sisters from my ward got there and we did baptisms. I had a name from my Grandma's side of the family that I had brought, and it was a very cool experience. We went to initiatories after that and I got to do that work for Emma (my great-great-something grandma), too. It was a wonderful time in the temple.

I got back just in time to help the boys check out of the apartment at 11 and then we walked around the temple and enjoyed the grounds for a while. It is just such a peaceful feeling there.

After that we went for a drive, we thought to Hollywood, but missed a turn and ended up in Beverly Hills. Which was interesting, too. Then we drove to San Juan Capistrano to Fernando's house and got ready for the beach. We had tons of fun at Laguna Beach, and everyone was exhausted by the time we showered and ate and got ready for bed.

Today we had planned on going to visit my Aunt Ann. Helaman has been asking to see his cousins forever. But after all the fun yesterday, it was just too much for my sick boys. Isaiah was up all night coughing, and no one was very happy today, so we decided to just come home. We went out to a delicious lunch with Fernando at Olive Garden and then drove and drove home.

I think we are going to be staying home for a little while now. Helaman starts school next week, and Omar, the homebody, should get to choose to stay home sometimes. We've had a lot of fun in all of our crazy travels this summer. We are so blessed to have so much family close enough to visit, and to live in such a beautiful state. We also feel blessed to be where we are, and are looking forward to some relaxing time to just enjoy it for a while.


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