Home away from Home

Soon after our family decided to move to Colorado back in 2011, we found out that there were plans for an LDS temple to be built very close to our new home in the city of Fort Collins. Throughout most of our lives, the closest temple was at least three hours away, so the idea of visiting a temple after just a 15 minute drive was very exciting for us.

For a long time, nothing was happening on the vacant lot set aside for the new temple. Then in August 2013, there was a groundbreaking ceremony, and eventually construction began. At the time, our assigned church building was right across the street from the temple site, so we were able to watch the building progress from week to week. Some Sundays our family managed to take a few photos.

September 2014, temple site:

February 2015, temple site:

March 2015, Trilby Building, Fort Collins:

(the church building across the street from the temple)

May 2015, 28th Street Building, Loveland:

(Our church building we attended while we were living in Loveland. I sometimes went back there for meetings related to my assignment, and took baby Paula with me)

August 2015, temple site:

(It was around this time that local growth in the church required some boundary changes and we were assigned to a different building in Windsor. We no longer got to see the temple site every Sunday, but still found opportunities to visit)

December 30, 2015:

July 4, 2016:

August 30, 2016 temple open house:

At the end of August of this year, the temple was finally completed and open to the public for three weeks. I was able to play some music in the welcome tent one of those days.

August 31, temple open house:
We were able to take our family through the temple open house on August 31. This was my first time going inside the building.

All guests were required to wear booties over their shoes before entering the building. Paula thought this was hilarious and kept repeating the word "booties" and giggling.

As we entered the building, I felt overwhelmed with feelings of humility and gratitude. It was hard to believe such a beautiful edifice had been built--as a symbol of faith and a place of worship--just a few miles from our home. I knew this building would bless countless lives, but as I walked within its walls that very first time, even among crowds of visitors, it felt like a very personal experience. It almost felt like I was opening a gift that was far more valuable than I deserved. I felt so grateful to be there together with my family.

The girls loved looking at the Christus statue inside the welcome tent.

There was a group photo opportunity inside the tent, where we posed in front of a giant picture of the temple . . .

. . . and we also got a picture in front of the actual building before we left.

September 3, 2016: Denver Temple:

While we have been living in Colorado, we have been attending the Denver Temple about once a month. The last time we went was at the beginning of September. This temple has been such a blessing to our family.

The Fort Collins Temple was dedicated on Sunday, October 16, 2016. Forest and I were able to watch a broadcast of one of the dedicatory sessions from a local church building. Even though we couldn't attend the ceremony in person, the messages were inspiring and I know that day will be a highlight among my experiences in Colorado.

Around that time, Paula brought home a sugar-cube statue of an LDS temple, complete with an angel Moroni on top. Her nursery teachers at church had helped her build it.

I tried to make a temple out of rice krispie treats, and was less successful.

It almost looks like a temple, if you use your imagination.

Once the Fort Collins Temple was dedicated, it was ready for the Lord's work. Forest made it there to do some work early on the morning of November 2. The sun was just coming up as he came out of the building.

Ramona walked the grounds again after going to a friend's baptism across the street.

I attended the newly-dedicated temple for the first time on November 15. For me, there really is nothing like stepping out of my normal, everyday life, and stepping inside the walls of a temple. It really is the house of the Lord, and my home away from home. Spending time there provides me with a spiritual renewal that I cannot find anywhere else. I come back out reminded of who I am and what I want to accomplish in this life.

Having the temple so close has allowed us to attend more frequently than the Denver Temple, but trying to make it there together as a couple has been a little more challenging than going individually. Lining up a babysitter for four small children and having zero kids throwing up was not easy, but we finally made it happen the week before Christmas. Thank you Grandparents!

And thank you, Fort Collins Temple! We are so happy to have you here.

Sweet P Turns 3

As soon as Christmas decorations began going up around the neighborhood this year, Paula pointed them out and declared, with enthusiasm: "They're decorating Christmas! For my birthday! Christmas is close to my birthday." I guess at some point last year, her mind started associating her birthday with the mega-holiday, since she turned two just a few days before December 25. I am not sure if she actually believed the decorations were specifically for her, but it was quite adorable to see her amplified excitement every time she saw anything Christmas-related.

There will likely be a time when Paula is less enthusiastic about her December birthday, but this year I decided to take advantage of her joyful attitude about Christmas-y birthdays and planned a gingerbread-theme party the Saturday before her big day.

Paula and her sisters colored some wooden gingerbread cutouts to use as table centerpieces.

Thanks to the internet, I figured out how to make some graham cracker houses for decorating.

We also added some sequins and googly eyes to playdough gingerbread people . . .

. . . and made some gingerbread people out of paper and stickers, too.

Three guests were able to attend the party. Mika and Ramona were a huge help, providing some much-needed one-on-one attention for tiny hands as we completed the little projects.

At one point, we took a break from the craft table to play some pin-the-nose-on-Rudolf.

There was yet another break from the craft table to watch a show about Jingle the husky pup.

And, finally--edible cookies! Not authentic gingerbread, just sugar cookies, but sweet and festive just the same.

Here is Paula with her french toast and blueberry breakfast the morning of her actual birthday.

After getting dressed and playing with her baby brother . . .

. . . and spending some time with Paca, who was visiting . . .

. . . she got to go out for ice cream with Paca and Daddy and pick out a birthday balloon.

This year, she was lucky enough to have Jii and Baachan visiting on her birthday, too. For dinner, I made her favorite--pepperoni pizza.

Next, our little three-year-old opened some gifts. Ramona and Mika were very eager to help.

 One of Baachan's gifts was decorated with a pretty pink  paper fan.

 Cupcakes and ice cream were last, with three pink candles on top.

 At the end of the day, Paula seemed pleased as could be with her little monster-feet slippers (a gift from Teresa) and her many other thoughtful presents. I hope she felt special!

Dear Paula,
   You have grown up so much in the past year. I am so proud of you for learning so many letters and numbers, trying new foods, and recognizing the importance of sharing and playing nicely with your sisters. I love your candid assessment of our family life and how you try so hard to do things right. I can always count on you to be honest with me. Thank you for bringing me so much joy and for your precious cuddles. You will always be my little doll.

Love
Mommy