Temple Trips

Spring turned 12 while we were in Utah so we were able to take advantage of the close proximity of temples, as opposed to being almost 3 hours from a temple here in Ohio.  On Tuesday morning, 2 days after she turned 12, Joel, Spring, Thomas, and I went to the Jordan River Temple early in the morning.  It was incredible to be with her in the temple.  I'm so grateful for her desire to attend the temple and her desire to live a life worthy to enter the House of the Lord.  The following morning we got up early again and went to the Draper Temple.  Following that Joel took Thomas and Spring on TRAX and they headed to the Salt Lake Temple and were able to do work in that temple as well.  Thomas and Spring both wanted to go to more temples and spend more time in the temple.  Unfortunately, we were not able to schedule more visits. I'm grateful for their love of the temple and their desire to be inside it's holy walls.  It was a definite highlight of our trip.

Biggest & Most Expensive Souvenir

The afternoon of Mary's baptism we all went to a park to play and visit with friends and relatives in the Utah area.  Josh loves to be outside and loves running around so he was in his glory. Uncle Eric was teaching him how to throw a frisbee and he was really improving.  Toward the evening all the kids were playing on the playground equipment when we heard a small cry and turned to see Josh coming to us holding his left arm.  He had a tear on his cheek as he said, "Dad, I can't feel my arm."  He was so calm.  Joel looked at his arm to see a bump quickly growing near his elbow.  We quickly gathered the kids into the bus and headed back to Alanna's house.  Thankfully my folks and Alanna took over with our other kids so Joel and I could take him to the ER, after a blessing by Joel and my dad.

I sat next to him on the drive so I could hold his arm still.  After the blessing he calmed down and fell asleep for the drive.  We spent a few hours in the ER having x-rays and consulting with the ER doctors.  They splinted his arm for the evening letting us know he had broken his elbow.  The bottom portion of his humerus had broken off and was displaced as well.  They told us to expect a call from the orthopedist the following morning.

Friday morning we were called and told to come in around 11 for him to be seen.  As soon as we walked into the exam room the orthopedist told us they would be doing surgery in a few hours on his elbow.  The dislocation was too severe for it to heal on it's own.  He would be getting 3 pins inserted into his elbow to hold the bone in place.  Joshie was a trooper about the whole thing.  When he was told he would not be able to get a waterproof cast..tears began to come down his cheeks as he tried so hard to be stoic yet was overcome with disappointment because he wouldn't be able to go swimming.

Surgery took about 2 1/2 hours.  He came out of surgery really well and we were able to head back to Alanna's house.  Alanna had gotten balloons for him and all his siblings and cousins made him cards. He was pretty sore for a couple of days but by day 4 he was out and about as if nothing had happened.  He was climbing a tree less than a week after the incident.

I am amazed at how little this has slowed Josh down.  He was off riding his bike less than 2 weeks after surgery and jumping on the trampoline and living life as if nothing had happened.  I am amazed by his strength and his amazing attitude through it all.  We have joked with him that he brought home the biggest and most expensive souvenir of all!

Powell Reunion

Following Mary's baptism we were blessed to begin the Powell side Reunion.  It was so fun to see everyone again and spend time just being together.  We spent time at Temple Square, went swimming, went hiking to the quarry where granite for the Salt Lake Temple came from, played lots of games, made bows & arrows, played in water, and were able to attend a temple session together with all the adults at the Jordan River Temple.  I'm so grateful for a family that loves and supports each other.  It's wonderful to just be able to spend time together, laugh, and make memories.  Can't wait to see everyone again.  One of the funny things during this reunion...Sam, Josh, and Isaac were great friends and played really well together.  We told them they were the 3 Musketeers.  They quickly informed us they didn't like that name.  Instead, they were "The 3 Amazing Nephites!"  

Mary's Baptism

Mary chose to wait to be baptized until we were in Utah so that more of her extended family could attend her baptism.  Afterwards, she said she was so glad she waited.  Grandma Powell made her beautiful baptism dress.  She was baptized an confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Thursday, July 16th by her dad.  Grandpa Powell & Grandpa Biggs were able to be the witnesses for her baptism.  Grandma Biggs gave a talk on baptism and reminded her of the covenant path she was beginning on with her baptism.  Grandma Powell spoke to her about the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost and how that gift is the one thing she can always depend on and know will always be with her the rest of her life. Spring & Joel sang "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" accompanied by Thomas.  I'm so grateful for Mary's sweet spirit.  She is a true friend to everyone.  If I had to use one word to describe Mary it would be "happy!"  How blessed we are to have her in our family.  I know she will continue to be a great example to her friends at school and will be able to bring others to Jesus Christ.  Mary just glowed after her baptism and her smile showed how happy and clean she felt.  I'm grateful to have her as a daughter.

The following Priesthood Holders were able to stand in the circle for her confirmation: Dad, Grandpa Biggs, Grandpa Powell, Uncle Jared Biggs, Uncle Justin Biggs, Uncle Brandon Powell, Uncle Eric Comer, and Uncle Matt Cloward. 

Some of the things told to her in her blessing included:

*You've received a gift from your Heavenly Father that will be with you as long as you strive to follow Him.

*Heavenly Father loves you and knows you.  He is proud of your choice today.

*You are surrounded by family that loves and supports you.  They will be a strength to you.

*You are growing into a wonderful young woman.

*Continue to grow and learn from the scriptures.

*The Holy Ghost can testify to you.

*Gain a desire to thirst after spiritual knowledge.

*Continue your desire to prepare to perform temple baptisms and to make future covenants in the temple.

*Know that you are loved and that Heavenly Father is there for you. Your Savior knows you, your needs, and your wants.

REUNITED...Biggs Family Reunion

It was great to be able to see all of our family again. It had been 6 years since we had seen most of them so it was definitely time we enjoyed together.  We spent time at Temple Square, played games at a park in Provo Canyon (Joel and I won the couples 3 legged race!), went swimming, played games, and watched the cousins have fun together.  It was a time we all enjoyed and look forward to spending time with everyone again soon.

Trip out West

We have been awaiting our trip to Utah for 2 years now and the time finally came.  We left Thursday evening when we originally planned to leave Friday morning.  We drove for about 6 hours so we could get past Chicago.  We stayed in a hotel that evening and then started again first thing in the morning.  We drove 17 hours that day and then only had a few hours to go on Saturday.  The only excitement was when we blew a trailer tire around 4:30 in the morning just past Laramie, Wyoming.  It was cold and windy.  Joel and Thomas lifted the trailer so I could get the old tire off and the new one on since we didn't have a jack!  When we got to Evanston we decided to get another tire from Walmart and put a fresh one on the other side as well.  Sammy and Thomas helped Joel with that while I took the others to McDonalds.  There was a play place and they were impressed that the chairs were saddles!  Then we were back on our way and so excited to be at Alanna's!  As we got into Utah the kids were amazed at all the mountains and rocky bluffs.  Josh, Gideon, and Sam kept saying, "Oh, I'd love to climb that one!" "Look at that...I bet I could climb all the way up to the top of that!"

The kids were amazing during the drive and we loved being together.  I was surprised how easy and uneventful the trip really was.  

July Begins

July began just as busy as June ended.  In between trying to find my way with Relief Society, band camp for Thomas and Spring, getting ready for our amazing trip out West...life was full and filled with sweet glimpses into everyday joy and laughter.

 Spring and Mary made these really fun bows and arrows at Activity Days.  Spring said it was the perfect ending activity to her time in Activity Days!

 This is how we found Sara one evening....at 10 PM!!!!!!

 5th and 6th Grade Summer Band Concert at the conclusion of Summer Band Camp.  Spring played a solo of "You're a Grand Old Flag."  It was amazing.  Love watching this girl play the trumpet.

 Waiting for the 4th of July parade to begin.  It was great this year to have Joel and Thomas home.  Ever since we have lived here, they have attended scout camp during this week.  I'm so glad they were home this year.  The parade was much more fun with them here...and Thomas marched in the parade with the High School Marching Band.

 Spring was asked to carry the sign for the band and was able to choose one of her friends to walk with her.

 Jacob wasn't too impressed with the parade.

 This was how we found Thomas shortly after he got home from marching in the parade.

 Just a fun reminder of the cute innocence our children when they are sleeping.

This is how Gideon helps Sara when it's time for her to brush her teeth and she can't find the stepstool!  What a great big brother!