Hosanna

I remember the day the Kansas City Temple was announced.  It was October, 2008.  We still lived in Oklahoma while Spencer was getting his masters degree at Oklahoma State.  He had a job fair coming up and most of the jobs we were seriously interested in were in Kansas City.  I remember discussing it as a definite perk that Kansas City would be getting a temple of it's very own in the not-too-distant future.  Fast-foward three and a half years...we now live here (in our very first home too!) and absolutely adore the area and the people who surround us.  We've been so blessed to live in this area while it prepares for a temple.  My children have received testimonies of their own of the importance of temples and my own has been so strengthened.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear my kids talk about how they're going to get married in their temple one day.

We were so lucky to get to take our little family not once, but twice, through the Kansas City Temple Open House. The first time was when Spencer's parents came out to visit (Spence's dad served his mission in the Kansas City area and was so darn excited to see a temple here) and once when my sister, Stephanie, and her family came down from Indiana and my brother, Mack came up from Oklahoma to go through it.  It was such a great experience for all of us.  The a.m.a.z.i.n.g. snickerdoodles we got to eat at the end of the tour were a definite perk too ;) (seriously.  what is their recipe?)

Now...onto the pictures!

  A very content Oakie and Mama

 Our less-than-stellar attempt at a (3 of the 4) sibling picture

Ezzie boy

(so, funny random story: before we got in the temple Ezra decided to sit on the very wet, muddy grass, leaving a huge muddy spot on his bum and sweater vest.  Needless to say, I was worried about him sitting and brushing up against things the entire time.  As soon as we got out of the temple he somehow got a streak of mud across his sweater (as seen in the picture above).  Can someone please explain to me how my son managed to get mud on *both* sides of his body while visiting the cleanest, whitest place on earth?)

The Girls

The Boys

Daddy and Oak

Miss Georgie with our beautiful much-anticipated brand-spankin'-new temple

 

The ever-gorgeous ever-hairy Miss Scarlett

Our not-so-fabulous family shot.  that's ok, though.  it's for posterity's sake, not vanity, right?

Georgie Porgie

(who mostly makes the boys cry for entirely different reasons then kissing)

Scarlett and Uncle Mack (isn't he a cutie?!)

...and these I just straight-up stole off of Stephanie's blog.  I'm ruthless like that.

Stephanie and her devoted follower, Georgia.

Steph was, hands down, Gee's first love.  When I meet her future husband, I have to ask him, "yes, I know you love my daughter...but can you beat out Auntie Steph?"

 

The inseparable Misses Ella, Scarlett, and Georgia

Steph, Mack, and me

(promise I'm not naturally so squinty and neanderthal-like. the sun was in my eyes.)

I'm off to go get ready for the Kansas City Temple Dedication.  I'm so so so excited to see this temple dedicated.  I'm excited for my children to have a temple of their very own to love and aspire to.  I'm excited to be able to find sanctuary a mere 40 minutes away.

Today, I shout Hosannas with my entire soul.

I love to see the temple.
I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll covenant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A family is forever.

I Love To See The Temple

lyrics and music by Janice Kapp Perry