Our Boston Summer: Week 12

If there is one thing I know about myself, it is that I do not like goodbyes. Unfortunately for us, our last week in Massachusetts was full of them. But as I look back over the week, it really wasn't unfortunate... The fact that we had so many difficult goodbyes is a testament to the number and quality of friends we made on our 12 week adventure. We are so incredibly blessed to have spent our time with some of the most wonderful people I have ever known. 
One of the things we will miss most about Massachusetts is the many cousins that were C and G's ages. There was always someone to play with, and my boys loved getting to know new cousins.  As one of our last outings we went to Walden Pond. The kids loved playing in the sand and water, and I loved visiting with my cousins.

Of course we couldn't leave without our last few play dates with some of our favorite friends! We loved spending time with the Glenn girls, who have been so good to us.

We were scheduled to leave the Wingates' house on Saturday, so we were cutting it pretty close when we finished our final bucket list item on Friday night. As the week wore on, I was thinking we probably weren't going to make it to the Boston temple, but with the help of a couple of willing cousins (Thanks Abby and Tyler!), we were able to leave the boys and make a quick trip.

Looking back, I can't imagine never having gone to the Boston Temple. I obviously wouldn't have known what I was missing, but seriously, going to the temple as our culminating experience was indescribably perfect. It was the only place to sum everything up. It was wonderful, and beautiful. It allowed me to reflect on the immense blessings of the last 12 weeks and the strengthening of my testimony. My heart was so full of gratitude for a Heavenly Father that had led our family to such a life-changing opportunity. A Heavenly Father who had provided an atmosphere for growth, and love, and discovery of self and family.
And aside from all of those blessings, we ended up in the same session as David and Martha Wingate. Some of the most Christ-like people I have ever met, and again, I was reminded of the many people Heavenly Father has put in our path that have changed our lives, and changed our perspective.
I can honestly say that Massachusetts was one of the best things to happen to our family. I am thankful to have recognized that at the temple. 

On Saturday, things started getting real. After a lot of phone calls, worry, and much more money that we'd anticipated, we loaded our car onto a truck, and hoped and prayed that we would see it again in Utah.

Saturday, we said our goodbyes to the Wingate family, and before we left we knelt down with them for family prayer. It was beautiful, and once again, the perfect way for things to come to a close with the wonderful family who had taken us in and taught us so much. I went ahead and sobbed through the whole prayer, but they were thankful tears.

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 5:50, the next morning, so we decided to stay in a hotel and take a shuttle to the airport as a convenience for everyone involved. That night, we got our kids bathed and into bed, and as soon as I laid my head on my pillow,  I heard a man screaming. It would happen every so often and I decided it must have to be a handicapped person. Once I had finally dozed off, I heard banging on the door next to us... it was the front desk and they had had complaints about the noise. There was a little bit of a (loud) argument, and then the police were going to be called. We later recognized that the man must have been pretty high... Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind, and didn't sleep a wink that entire night. Then we woke up at 3 am to get ready to go. Talk about a long night!

Between naps, snacks, and Daniel Tiger, our flight went really smoothly. It was definitely a long one, but the boys were good, so it made for a pretty relaxing few hours after a crazy night.

Everything was so surreal as we drove home. We were welcomed back by two huge signs on our house (no hiding we were back!) I can't even describe the feeling I felt walking into my own home again. I honestly had not really even thought about our house for three months, so when I walked through it for the first time, I couldn't help but LOVE everything about it! Seriously, I was so in love, and so happy. Just another reminder of our incredible blessings.
Now, it's back to real life. We lived the dream this summer and wouldn't change a thing. We are excited to get back into the swing of things and really put into practice the lessons we learned and the love we felt in Massachusetts.

Our Boston Summer: Week 11

Well, this week started off with a bang! The family we are staying with has been out of town for a month visiting family in Utah, so I've been in and out of their house doing laundry and checking on things. On Monday I went in to switch some laundry and heard an alarm going off in their basement. Very timidly, I went to check on it (I won't lie, I was pretty sure someone was going to jump out and attack me). Unfortunately, I went downstairs to rooms filled with water. A flood. Perfect. I couldn't figure out where the water was coming from, so while Mark was on his way home to help (missing an interview) the fire department came to try to turn off the water (a little extreme, I know, but the boys got to see the firetruck and try on their hats), as well as friends to help us out. We are so lucky to have made such good friends here who I knew I could count on. In the meantime, I called my parents in Utah for some moral support.  We got everything figured out, but Mark and I spent most of the night, and actually most of the week getting that water cleaned up and moving fans around before the Wingates came home. It was definitely a lot of work, but I'm so glad we caught it when we did! 

Because I was paranoid about a reoccurring flood, or a mold infestation, we stayed pretty close to home for the week. But on Thursday, we met up with my cousins to do some blueberry picking. This has really been one of my favorite activities while we've been in New England - picking our own food. The boys think it is the neatest thing, and I enjoy the story-book like atmosphere (not to mention the animals). The fields are beautiful and it's just so east coast to me. I love it.

On Saturday we went in to Boston to see our last few sights. Since this was our last real week here, we packed it in. We rode the trolley around the city to visit as many places as we could. We started with a harbor cruise that showed us a fun view of the city from the water.

 We loved being on the boat to eat our lunch and enjoy the breeze.

 The harbor cruise took us to the Charles Navy Yard where we visited the USS Constitution Museum. The boys loved all of the hands-on activities.

 But they are pretty done with pictures... I guess I don't blame them after 12 weeks of "Look at the camera! Smile!" Looking back, I actually feel a little bad that I made them do that so much.

 This pretend goat would "Baaaaa" every so often, and Christian was terrified of it. He kept asking if it was real and wouldn't even come close enough to pull it across the line. But our fearless Granty stepped right up!

 It was so interesting to learn a little bit about the life of a sailor; what they ate, wore, and where they slept.

 What handsome sailors I have!

 After the USS Constitution, we rode the Trolley over to the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House.

We were able to keep Christian entertained in those buildings for a little while by playing "I Spy", but after that wore off, we headed over to Quincy Market to check out the unimaginable about of deliciousness, and the street performers.

 Christian also did a little street performing of his own. It's just too bad we didn't have a bucket out there to collect tips!

 To finish the day, we headed over to our favorite place, Boston Common to see the ducks, and of course, play on the playground. We had to bribe Christian the entire day with these things to get him through all the rest of the sightseeing. But first, a quick shot at "Cheers" across the street.

I think this last weekend pretty much finished up our bucket list! This will officially be the last time I blog from Massachusetts! We have one week left here and will be flying home this coming Sunday. I can't even believe it. The time has flown by! I can still remember so well preparing to come here and the nerves and excitement we felt. I honestly never thought I could do it... move away....so far away and be happy away from family. But I have done so much growing here. I have learned so much about myself and about my little family. Mark and I have grown so much together and overall it has been an experience we will never forget and one we will look back on with the fondest memories. If you would have asked me at the beginning of this if I would be sad to leave, my answer would have been a firm no, but now as we prepare to leave the friends we've made, the places we've grown to love, and the lessons learned... I'm feeling very nostalgic. My heart hurts a little knowing this unique experience is coming to a close. 

And just as we are feeling sad about leaving, we are feeling thrilled to be going home. To our own home. To be back into a routine and to be doing the things we have missed. It will be so good to be back and to be with friends and family. We can't wait.