Yes, yes, I know that Lily had technically only been gone since April, but to say that we missed our girl is a huge understatement. She is a very special piece of our family, that is for sure. She had her last final on Wednesday morning, and so we left Twin Falls and headed to Rexburg so that we would be there in time for her to be finished. The test an a little long, and so we sat outside her apartment building and tracked her on "Find my Friends" watching to see when she moved. Once she was headed our way, the boys stood on the sidewalk and scanned in the direction she was coming from, until they finally saw her. Once she had crossed the street, they were running for each other and had the biggest group hug. It made my heart so happy, and I love that they love each other so very much!
Once we had Lily, it was a mad dash to get all of her belongings out of her apartment and into the back of the van. Kevin and I quickly discovered that she doesn't have our experience with packing, and so we sent her off to show the boys around while we repacked everything, finishing just in time for them to come back and help us get it all to the van. After we were loaded up, we went on campus for lunch at one of Lily's favorite places, the Teton Grill, where we got burgers and talked.
We did have to run some errands in Rexburg before we could leave, like stopping at the distribution center to get Lily temple clothes and some other things. Oh, and we got frozen yogurt too, but mostly as a reward for how patient the boys were with all the craziness. Before we knew it, we were in the van and headed back to Twin, but this time, with our Lily in tow. Just the way it should be :).
Thursday was a busy and exciting day, and Lily and I started it off bright and early, getting her stuff organized and most of it stored at Grandma Lynn's house. We had to drive it over and get it stored, since we stayed the second half of our time in Twin at Kevin's parent's house. Not a big deal at all, and actually easier that way to separate it all out. After getting that taken care of, it was time for a much desired haircut for Lily. She wasn't sure where to go in Rexburg, and so ended up waiting. Now it is back to the cute shorter style she adores.
The biggest and most exciting thing about our whole trip happened in the early afternoon. Lily was able to receive her endowment in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, which was the culmination of years of preparation on her part and the beginning of a lifetime of service. She and I went an hour early to the temple session to prepare, since it was her first time. (If you would like to know more about what happens in our temples or what they are like inside, just click on this link: TEMPLES)
There is nothing quite like having your child in the Temple with you and to watch her make sacred covenants. Kevin and I were both full to bursting with love for our sweet girl.We were also very blessed to have my mom and Kevin's parents there with us, as well as our dear friends (and adoptive extra pair of grandparents for our kids) Brent and Marilyn there. My sister, Heather, and my nephew, Paul, were also able to come, as well as Stuart's new wife, Sherianne. We loved getting to share this wonderful day with other people we love, and I truly felt the presence of my daddy while we were in the temple. I know he was there, just watching over us all and sharing the experience with us.
After the session, we went across the street to my in-law's house for a dinner and celebration. We got food from Cafe Rio and had a taco bar, and then had cheesecake for dessert - two of Lily's favorite things. We had a wonderful time visiting together and were all just so happy after being at the temple with Lily.
That evening, Lily and I went back over to the Twin Falls Temple so that I could take some portraits of her. We sure do love our Lily and are truly grateful for the amazing, kind, and strong woman she has grown up to be. We can't wait to see what the next chapter of her life holds as she begins her mission in a couple weeks.
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