Lyndsay Enters the Temple

I have been planning for this weekend for the last several weeks. With Lyndsay now engaged, we thought it would be timely to have her enter the temple and receive her endowments in preparation for her sealing. She took the Temple Preparation classes at her ward up in Utah, and since there was a three day weekend, we thought this was the perfect time for a quick trip. She and Nate drove down from BYU for this special occasion. We were also honored to have Nate's parents and grandparents come down from Visalia to be with us, as well as my dad from North Dakota. But since we had Lyndsay and my dad here, we rushed like mad to prepare Aiden's Court of Honor so that they could be there for his celebration as well. Every spare second that I wasn't working or sleeping was spent making plans, running errands, and preparing for these special events. 

We drove to LAX on Friday afternoon to pick up my dad, who moved to Bismarck last year. Traffic was horrendous on the 405 and it took us almost two hours to get there. But there he stood on the curb outside of the terminal, his carry-on bag in one hand, and his scriptures in the other. A perfect picture of Dad. I always feel so much better when he's here, and it means a great deal to me that he has always been there for the milestones in my children's lives. He also was looking forward to the chance to meet Nate and his family. Lyndsay is so precious to him, and he wanted to feel comfortable with the man who would be her husband. 

Dad was kind enough to treat us to dinner at Joselito's Friday night, so thankfully, I didn't have to cook after driving in all that traffic.

Lyndsay and Nate arrived around 9:30pm and stopped at the house quickly so that Dad could meet Nate, before Lyndsay took him to the hotel where his parents were staying.

The plan was to have everyone over for breakfast in the morning, and Lyndsay asked that I make cinnamon rolls, so I was up very late making those. I got to bed around 2am and could only sleep until about 5am because I had just come off of a long string of night shifts and my mind was racing with anticipation about the events coming up and all the things I still had to do. But I got up and showered and baked two quiches to go with breakfast and we were ready when Nate's family arrived. I wish I had taken pictures! But everything went smoothly. I already adore his parents and little sister who came along. We had a lovely breakfast, good conversation, happy feelings surrounding the union of our children, and gratitude that we could be together for this occasion in Lyndsay's life.

After breakfast, we headed to the Los Angeles Temple, and it was even better than I could have dreamed, being there with my girl as she made covenants and took this step in her life. She reached over and held my hand at one point and I was filled with such peace and gratitude that the Lord had helped me over so many years prepare her to be at this point in her life. It was marvelous. Nate's grandparents were there with us as well, as were several friends from our ward. What a great day!

Afterwards, we took some pictures. Not enough, but here are a few memories:

Lyndsay coming out of the temple. She glows!

With Grandpa Holiday.

Lyndsay wanted pictures by her favorite tree at the temple.  Lyndsay is a lover of trees.

Great and good men. Nate's dad, Stan; Nate; Nate's grandfather, David (who will be sealing them in the Payson Temple); my Dad.

Lyndsay with Nate and his parents, Stan and Jill. Such awesome people.

The girls! Hannah, Nate's sister; Jill; Lyns; me; Nate's grandmother.

Grainy, but I love it anyway.

I'm so grateful that Lyndsay is marrying into this strong and supportive family.

After the temple, we went home and changed and then Nate's parents took us all to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. As we ate, we had a Wedding Planning Business Meeting, where Lyndsay talked about her vision for the reception and delegated tasks. Jill and Hannah are so wonderful to be willing to help out in any way, and I feel so comfortable with everything we have planned, as does Lyndsay. It's going to be a beautiful reception!

We got home that night and were all just drained physically, spiritually, and mentally, and yet on such a happiness high. Since I'd only had three hours of sleep the previous two nights, I decided to just go to sleep and then get up early in the morning to make the dinner for all of us for Sunday afternoon.

Sunday's church service was a Regional Stake Conference broadcast for all of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and British Columbia, so Nate's family was able to join us and have the same meeting they would have had back home! Afterwards, we headed back to our house for a lasagna dinner, garlic bread, and salad from the garden, before packing up and going down to the ward building to set up for Aiden's Eagle Court of Honor!

Saturday was Lyndsay's special day, but Sunday evening was to honor Aiden's accomplishment.

Engaged!

So, I'm standing in line at Costco, waiting for my pizza to be ready when my phone alerts me that I've got a text. When I open it, the first thing I see is that beautiful shimmering diamond on my daughter's hand, and then I read, "WE'RE ENGAGED!!!"

My heart started beating and my eyes filled with tears of absolute joy. My precious girl, my only daughter has found her Prince and tonight they have made their intent to marry official. I couldn't be happier. Of course, I had to show the complete strangers around me the picture and share my news! Bless them, they were excited and happy too!

When I got home, I ran in the door and shouted the news to the boys and Conor and I started jumping and dancing around the living room. Lyndsay and Nate FaceTimed us when they got home from Park City, where he had taken her for dinner and the proposal. They told us, through their beaming smiles, the story of how the night went down, complete with fancy steak, a walk in the snow (and she didn't bring a coat!), and a bent knee with a ring extended. She said, "If I had known he was going to propose, I would have washed my hair! Or worn eyeliner! Or worn pants!" (she had leggings on). She's so silly.

Afterwards, she sent me the other selfies they took afterwards. I love the pure joy on their faces, even though her nose and fingers are pink with cold.

Love is beautiful, and I am so grateful that Lyns and Nate have found each other. I truly love Nate. I feel like the Lord has prepared him for my sweet girl, and she for him. They will be a great pair with a glowing future. I had a serious talk with Nate when he was here over Christmas, expressing to him my deep love for Lyndsay, how precious she is to me, and how because of the things I have experienced in marriage, it is so important to me that she be safe, always. That she never feel what I have felt. He listened carefully to me. He promised me. I trust him, and that's big.

So, the kids were up late reveling in their happiness, but got up early the next morning to attend the Provo City Temple Open House before Nate headed off to classes.

And then Lyndsay's room mate begged to take some pictures of them. She got some terrific shots. They will have professional engagement pictures taken next month, but I love to look at these and just smile and laugh and cry. The emotions of motherhood take over my heart at times like this.

So happy for my girl! Later this month, she and Nate will be coming here so that Lyndsay can go through the temple and take out her endowments. Nate's family will come down from Visalia to attend with us and we will celebrate together, and get to know each other a bit, and PLAN A WEDDING!

Eagle Project Day

Finally, the day has come! Today was Aiden's Eagle Project Day! Anyone who has a son who has earned his Eagle knows exactly why the mother is given a pin. Holy moly. Aiden has been finished with his merit badges and rank advancements for years, and this project just loomed over our heads. Once high school begins, finding the time to do scouts becomes a serious challenge. I finally told Aiden he couldn't get his driver's license until he at least had his project planned and approved. That seemed to be the golden ticket.

He decided to do some landscape improvements around our church building and the pavilion behind our building. The trees needed borders and mulch. There were nine trees that needed borders and several others that needed to be mulched. I have to say, this project was all Aiden. I didn't help him at all. He filled out his workbook, made the necessary appointments for signatures, had his interviews, arranged for materials and delivery, did all the fundraising and planning, and then executed the project with stellar leadership. I guess that's the whole point of the project, really, far outweighing what the actual project is.

I had worked the night before, so I came straight from work, picked up 8 dozen donuts on the way home, and then directly to the church we went.  Aiden had announced his project in church and made reminder phone calls/FB announcements, but I really had no idea how much support he'd have.

I shouldn't have worried. Cars started pulling in, and pulling in. Fathers, sons, scouts, leaders, teachers, people who just loved Aiden and wanted to help him gave up the early morning hours of their Saturday morning, and I was fighting back tears as I walked around taking pictures.

I love that Aiden's brothers were there to help him. Dylan earned Life Scout, but then never did his Eagle Project after he moved to his dad's. I think he regrets that now, and was very insistent that Aiden see this through. And little Conor worked the whole time with all those big boys and men, never complaining, proud to be a part of something important.

This is Darren Whitcomb, Aiden's Scout Master.

We started with a prayer, which Aiden asked me to offer, and then Aiden rallied his troops and designated tasks.

And then everyone got to work. Much of it was hard! The soil was compacted, there were difficult roots to overcome, but people worked together in a beautiful way.

Here is a front view of the property of the church with the trees as they were before.

And in the park behind the church, the trees needed some TLC.

Aiden showed great leadership.

 Aiden made all the arrangements with a landscaping company to order the materials and have them delivered the day before the project. He raised all the money to pay for it.

Once each tree had a border and fresh mulch, it looked so beautiful and fresh!

I love this picture. The man on the right is Sam Buyon. He was one of Aiden's dad's missionary companions in the Philippines all those years ago! How serendipitous that here he is helping his companion's son work on his Eagle Project in Sunland, California!

This is Silvia Pinkston, Aiden's Seminary Teacher Extraordinaire.

Here's Aiden with Bishop Pinkston. Now his bishop, but former team Seminary Teacher with his wife, and always a spiritual (and football!) mentor to Aiden. He's been a great example to him.

And here's Aiden's Stake President, President Morgan helping too! Such love and support.

Um, let's go back to the shovel, shall we?

It took about two hours in total to do all the trees. And it looks so lovely!

Here are the people we could gather together at the end that came to help. There were others that had to leave a bit earlier. You know, it is so humbling to me. We do the best we can and the Lord fills in the gaps. That's how I feel about all these people who love my boy and add things to his character and his life experiences that I cannot. Each of them has been a teacher, leader, friend, or role model to him in various ways, and has watched him grow from tiny Cub Scout to almost an Eagle Scout! I am especially thankful for the men who have stepped in voluntarily, taken Aiden under their wings, loved him and taught him, and been positive, strong, spiritual role models, to teach him how to be a godly man.

And here's the view of the front of the church now, with many other trees done as well!

And the leftover mulch was added to all the planters around the church to freshen up rose bushes and flower beds.

Great work, Aiden! You're almost done!