Stately and Magnificent

The beautiful Kansas City Missouri Temple was dedicated this weekend.  It was truly a monumental event.   I have looked forward with great anticipation to this temple's completion since October 2008 when President Monson first announced it would be built.  What a privilege it was to attend a dedicatory session within the temple walls.  Tomorrow the doors will open to worthy recommend-holding Latter-day Saints.  I feel so blessed to daily walk the halls of this historical and sacred edifice.

Here's a great news report with photos and videos:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-monson-dedicates-kansas-city-missouri-mormon-temple

The Circle of Life

I was a bit surprised to see that I haven't updated my blog since May of 2011, especially when I have such exciting news to share!

David is engaged to his sweetheart, Meegan Ann Lineback. They will be married on Saturday, June 9th, in the new Kansas City Missouri Temple. I may be a bit biased, but I've never seen a more perfect couple....and so good looking!

We love Meegan and couldn't be happier with David's choice. The two of them seem to be made for each other.

Thirty two years ago, I was assigned to live in BYU's apartment style dorms (Heritage Halls) with five other girls who I had never met before. One of my roommates was Kelly Mitchell, a fun bubbly girl from Lancaster, California. I ended up living with Kelly for three years and-- along with a handful of other BYU roommates--we have become life-long friends. I was there the night she met her husband Mark. I was there on her wedding day. She was at the airport the day I left for my mission. Upon graduating from BYU, she headed to the midwest to attend dental school and start a career and family. I took my first post-college job in southern California where all four of our children were born. For years, Kelly and I lived separate lives in different states, but we continued to exchange annual updates through Christmas cards and photos of our young families.

Then in 1999, my husband received a job offer that would take our family to Kansas. I knew just the person to call, my old college roommate, Kelly. She set us up with a great realtor, a cute house, and an entourage of friends. At times we thought it was just too crazy how we both ended up in Kansas, of all places!

What's even crazier is that somewhere along the way, my son fell completely in love with her daughter and now they are going to start a family of their own. I can't help but think that Meegan may be the reason we moved to Kansas in the first place. She has made my son so happy, and I am extremely grateful to Kelly and Mark for doing a fabulous job raising their girls. This one, in particular, is very special to us.

The happy couple has one more year at BYU and then they head off to dental school.

The "circle of life" continues.

Missionary Farewell

Daniel was set apart by our Stake President, Ken Ross, on Tuesday, May 24th.

Return with honor, Elder.

All set to go - 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25th

Elder Daniel Drake is on his way!

Jessie's High School Graduation

On May 15th, we attended the high school graduation for our baby girl, Jessie. She's been attending BYU for the past semester, but returned home to walk with her class at commencement exercises. Congratulations, Jessie! We love you!

It was a cold and rainy morning...just like the day he was born. On Saturday, May 14th, Daniel received his endowments at the St. Louis Temple in preparation for his mission. We are so proud of this worthy young man and his righteous decisions.

Mother and Son

Father and Son

Twins?

Our handsome missionary

May Visiting Teaching Gift

Like I've said before, I like to take a little something to

each of the Sisters I visit teach.

For the month of May, I'm giving them a little bookmark

made from this printable I found here:

The cute vintage kids at the bottom are the early years "Campbell Soup Kids".

Adorable!

With these "Mothers' Day" and "SOUP" themed bookmarks,

I'm going to give them each a copy of Chicken Soup for the Mothers' Soul.

Shhh...I found NEW hardback copies on Amazon.com for around $2.00 each!

(Suggested retail was $24.00)

Gift du jour!

Whatdaya think?

Itinerary

Tomorrow, Jessie and I leave for a mother-daughter trip to the Western Caribbean aboard the Crown Princess. I'm just a little excited about our itinerary.

4/29/11 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

4/30/11 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

5/1/11 At Sea

5/2/11 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

5/3/11 Island of Roatan, Honduras

5/4/11 Island of Cozumel, Mexico

5/5/11 At Sea

5/6/11 Princess Cays, Bahamas

5/7/11 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

5/8/11 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA