Time Together in the Temple

 These awesome brothers love each other and they also love the temple!

That was one of the very first things that they wanted to do together when Carew got home from his mission! (Well, that and watch all the Marvel movies that Carew missed over the past 2 years! ;)

I love that they love each other and that they want to spend time together...and that some of that time spent together is also in the temple.

It makes my momma heart so happy. :)

And, I am going to go to the temple myself this morning! I also love the temple and love the peace that I feel while I am there. With so much change going on in life right now, the extra measure of peace is something that I long for, and I know the temple is the place to find it.

Carew's Homecoming

 On Sunday August 25th, just  36 hours after Carew arrived home from his mission, he spoke in sacrament meeting and gave his homecoming address.

I sat with eagerness and tried to soak in all of the details of his testimony and the culmination of the last 2 years...it was beautiful.

 Carew spoke fondly of his love for the people of Italy and of his testimony of eternal families and the temple. This has always been a strength for Carew, but even more so now...it was very evident in all of  the friends and loved ones that came to support him and welcome him home.

 Lots of  family and friends and mission companions...

 Carew's loving personality makes everyone feel like they are important and his friend... That characteristic trait will be one that he will use for the rest of his life.

 We had so many people come over to see Carew and to catch up with him!

It made me so happy to have so many wonderful people surrounding us...

 We served a little taste of Italy with Italian sub sandwiches, salads, chips and desserts...

 And sweet Aunt Marty even brought her Italian soda bar for everyone to enjoy!!!

It was such a BIG hit with everyone! 

I was so grateful that she wanted to bring it and share it with everyone!!!

Aunts and uncles, cousins and friends...

 Grandparents and great grandparents, and even Carew's mission President was able to join us for the special day!!!

 Long time family friends, and even Carew's childhood BEST friend! :)

 Siblings and more cousins...the fun was EVERYWHERE!

 But by far, the highlight for Carew was having President and Sister Pickerd there...

what a blessing and what a treat!

I genuinely felt the Christ like love that they had for my son and I was so grateful to them for the good care they took of Carew, treating him like a son of their own! What amazing people...

 Not only was Carew happy to see some old friends, but I was too!!!

My dear friend Heather and I met before Carew was even born. Her daughter Charlee and Carew are close in age and Charlee is still currently serving a full time mission in the Salt Lake City mission.

 Natalie is also another long time friend that I met when Carew was just a baby...

We all built our first homes on the same street in Roy and raised our babies together!

 Those were the good old days! 

I always tell my friends that when we all get to heaven we are going to build our mansions on the same street again...:) That's how much I love these girls!!!

 Then there are April and Laura, their girls, and a ton of other wonderful people that are amazing friends here in our Riverton ward...I love these girls like my sisters too...

 Then there is my momma and my own sister Tiffany too...

I LOVE THEM!!!

It was a happy day for everyone that came and spent time with Carew!

 These buddies used to wrestle as babies, and now they are grown men...I love it. :)

 I love our family...

 I love the support...

 I love the laughter and smiles and memories that we share...

 I love these examples...

 ...and I love the love that we all share!

 We love you Carew!!!

Welcome home!!!

This Family of Mine

It is oh so good to have this family of mine.

I am thankful everyday for the sweet people that I call my own.

We are blessed and we are happy. We have problems and stresses of our own, but together we make it through them all, and I wouldn't have it any other way...with these amazing people and the Lord on my side, I can do all things. 

Hearts and Tummies Full

On Saturday morning after Carew returned home from Italy, Clint and I went with him to report to the stake president where he was released from his full time call as a  missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I was filled with humility and gratitude as I sat and listened to my now adult son share thoughts, feelings, and insights into the last two years of his life as a missionary, and how ultimately, through his growth and testimony and help in bringing others to Christ, he himself was truly converted in the process. 

It made me feel so proud. 

I am so grateful. 

As we returned home and spent time with our family that was gathered together my heart was yet again full  of humility and gratitude for these amazing people that I am sharing this mortal journey with!

Our hearts were full, and so were our tummies after we took Carew to one of our new favorite places to eat...Freddy's!

Welcome home Carew!!!

Carew Is HOME!!!!!

 As we all stood waiting anxiously for the returning missionaries to come around the corner at the airport, we FINALLY saw them!!!

 Everyone started cheering, clapping, and screaming so loud and I have never seen so many BIG smiles in my life!!!

 Dallin began yelling at the top of his lungs...

"CAREW!!!! IT'S MEEEEE!!!! YOUR FAVORITE BROTHER!!!!!!"

 We laughed and hugged and laughed and hugged....

 ...and hugged and hugged and laughed and hugged... :)

 Then I finally let other people have a turn to hug and hug and hug and hug...:)

 It was SO fun. I don't really have the words to describe how all of this felt.

 I was full of emotions that I have never before experienced and it was THE BEST feeling to have.

My WHOLE family reunited once again!!!

2 years later and everyone is taller and have changed so much...

 Each of the kids were excited to welcome their brother home and so we had a poster making party!

 All of them were so cute!

 (And some were a little more hilarious...;)

 But all in all EVERYONE was so happy to have Carew HOME!!!

 Sharing that experience with my mom there made it all the more special for me too...

And these two little buddies were right back where they had left off...BEST friends. :)

 Carew is such a good brother and has already spent HOURS playing Barbies and watching cartoons and doing WHATEVER his little sister wants him to do !

 He LOVES his sisters!!!

 And it was especially fun to see Carew's reaction to Kierra's pregnant belly!

 He was pretty much in SHOCK although he already knew about it. :)

 And the 3 brothers! Like the 3 Amigos! Except in Italian it is the 3 Fratellos!

 They were stepping on their tip toes to see who was the tallest..but Carew still has them beat by a hair! ;)

 And Maicen's hair was a lot too!!! And it's still growing! ;)

 Colby... :)

 Tiffany and her family... :)

 LOVE.

Family + Together = LOVE

 Carew also said that Grandma made the perfect little Italian style grandma because she is so short and little like the Italian grandmas...:)

 All the grandparents!

 ...and Tammy and her family!

 ...and the brother's again...

 Can't you just FEEL the love?? ;)

 It was THICK I'm tellin' ya!

 HOME.

He's HOME.

It is such a good feeling and he has grown so much. I am one lucky mama and feel SO blessed.

Thank you Carew for the last 2 years...You did it!!! And you are AMAZING!!!

And I know that the best is yet to come...

Let's do it!