Tender Mercies...

WARNING: LONG POST....but GREAT STORY!

Okay,....so I just have to say that I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who are fully aware of little ME and seem to lift me up just when I need it. Today started off as a typical day. The twins were up early as usual, we ate our yummy oatmeal , played, and read books all morning. Afterwards, I took them to the grocery store because we were out of milk and bananas (which is never good!) The trip to the store was uneventful and we returned home for lunch and naptime. All was well until.....they BOTH woke up from their nap SUPER GRUMPY! This rarely happens! I tried every trick in the book to get them back to their sweet little selves with no success. I am not even kidding,...they were so cranky! Eventually, I threw my hands up in the air and proclaimed...."We are going for a drive!" At the time, I didn't know where I was taking my sweet babies, but it seemed like the only thing left to try. Ofcourse, it took me an hour to get out the door because of all the things I had to pack, the shoes I had to find, the sippy cups I had to fill ,....etc, etc! Not to mention, I was feeling pretty frumpy, so I wanted to change into something else and fix my hair! All the while, Ethan and Nyah were following me around in constant turmoil which only added to my stress and anxiety at the time. While preparing to leave, I kept running different scenerios in my mind. All of them seemed a little too overwhelming because I had to fit dinner in somehow,....on the go! One thought, however would not escape me...GO TO THE TEMPLE,...in Salt Lake! It didn't seem like the best idea because it was far, I would be alone with the kids, and I still didn't know what to do for dinner. (Marty was teaching a night class) Ignoring all logic and concern,...I took the kids to the temple! Once we got into the car, they both sat quietly and seemed so content! (Sigh) All the sudden, I heard Nyah say,.."AMEN!" I turned to look at her, and she was folding her arms. I echoed her Amen and we kept driving. A few moments later, I noticed a huge garbage can right in the middle of my lane on I-15. SCARY! I was able to dodge it without any harm or accident. I'd like to think Nyah's prayer kept us safe. :) Soon after, we arrived at the temple and I found a parking space yards away from the entrance. (Sigh) I found enough change in my purse and car (which I never have) to pay the meter for almost 2 hours! Things were going so great and the kids couldn't wait to get out of the car. I put them in the stroller and off we went. We entered the temple grounds and I immediately pointed up to the temple and asked the twins what it was. Their little sweet eyes lit up and they exclaimed, "TEMPLE!" They had seen pictures, but hadn't been there SINCE......... AND THEN I realized it! I looked around, saw the beautiful tulips in bloom which brought all the memories back! TODAY is the 1st ANNIVESARY of our SEALING to the twins in the TEMPLE! I am so bad with dates (even more now that I am a mom) and I completely overlooked what day it was. I stood there in complete amazment. Here I was with my sweet babies, outside the temple, exactly one year later! I even called my sister and Marty to confirm the date. We spent the entire time walking around the grounds. Ethan and Nyah absolutely loved every minute there. They didn't want to leave. It was so fun to watch them chase eachother, flirt with the couple missionaries, and stare and point at the temple. (I'll upload pictures later!) I can't even tell you how awesome it was to sit with them and tell them about that day, exactly ONE year ago, when we were sealed as a family in that very temple! I know that this little gift was a tender mercy from the LORD. I would have been so sad to have missed such a special day of celebration. Now, it will be our tradition!