Reunions

Over the Memorial Day weekend we were able to get together with J's parents, sibs, and their famililies. We don't often have the chance to be all together, and it was wonderful. We had a great time hanging out, playing games, watching movies, shopping, and just being together.

Playing "Moods" (love this game!)

love these people!

Bedtime with cousins (aren't they sweet?)

Grandpa and Grandma gave each of the grandkids a book

Can you tell how much this family loves to read?!

Mom and Dad--always the cute couple!

Scrabble time

And some DS time. . .

I came away from our reunion feeling so blessed for the family I have, and the time we enjoyed together. Then this last week we learned that my sister-in-law lost her baby (at 31 weeks gestation). We have all felt such sorrow. My children have expressed their sadness to have never have met this cousin, to never have held him, to never have played with him. I too have felt this sadness. Yet through the pain I have been reminded, and been able to share with my children, joy in the promise of eternal family; we will know this cousin, we will be with him and all those we love, someday. Thanks to some wonderful friends, J and I were able to attend the temple on Saturday where I again felt the peace of a loving Heavenly Father who cares so deeply for each of us. Then yesterday we were able to attend a temple open house as a family. There was such sweetness in being able to walk through those sacred rooms with my children, to talk with them again about temple blessings and promises, and to once again feel that our Heavenly Father is near, that He loves us, and that because of that He has made it possible for us to be with the ones we love forever. I am so grateful for this knowledge, for the strength it gives me, and for the purpose and direction it provides in my life. I am grateful for the reunions we have had, and for those to come; both in this life and in the eternities.