Sacred Grove, Book of Mormon, & Whitmer Farm

I hope that Heavenly Father blesses us for our efforts even when they don't turn out. Translation: after what we thought was very careful planning we ended up half hour late to sacrament meeting wearing jeans. We decided it was best to just sit in the foyer. We enjoyed the Sacred Grove for the rest of the morning. In retrospect it really wasn't a bad way to spend our Sunday.

Our next stop was the building where the Book of Mormon was first printed. This was my favorite. I don't know if it is the historian in me, but I was really touched there. I enjoyed learning about the printing process and how many things had fall into place to make the first 5,000 copies possible.

We ended our Church History trip with a visit to the Whitmer Farm...again I just didn't feel like taking pictures there so you get another Book of Mormon building picture...

We made the long drive home and I'm really embarrassed to say that I missed an exit and drove around sixty miles past it! In my defense it was pretty obscure and I was driving in an unfamiliar place. I was pretty upset when I figured out that we'd be home at midnight instead of 9:30. Brad was incredibly patient and not at all critical. What a wonderful husband I have. Luckily David did really well in the car even with the added time. That makes trips like this easier to do. We were all exhausted when we got home and glad the next day was a Monday holiday.

Hill Cumorah & Joseph Smith Farm

We left Niagara and headed for Palmyra. We stopped at the first thing we saw because David was pretty sick of being in the car. He was able to play in the grass for a few minutes and get those wiggles out. Hill Cumorah ended up being a good place to start.

After seeing some things in the visitors center we climbed up to the top. I'm embarrassed to say we both huffed and puffed some but it was steep. David laughed and kicked his legs the whole way up. I don't know if he was laughing at his out of shape parents or if he was happy to be in the carrier and out of the seat...  

We were able to sit at the top and rest and enjoy the view. We tried to imagine what it must have been like for Moroni or Joseph Smith.

We climbed back down and David laughed all the way again. That was pretty funny. We ended the day by seeing the Joseph Smith Farm. I didn't feel like taking anymore pictures. Our tour group was just us and the missionaries. I can't decide if I liked it better that way or if I prefer a big group. It definitely seemed more personal. We drove by the Palmyra Temple which surprised me because I didn't know there was one. We learned that some of the windows in that temple are placed so you can see straight into the sacred grove. I'd like to go inside next time. We came back to our hotel happy but tired! 

Niagara Falls

Since Brad got off of school early on Friday we decided to take a little weekend adventure. We got started later than we planned mostly because of me (I was SO tired!) but we finally arrived in Rochester, New York around 10pm last night. David did a good job after eight hours of being gone and six in the car. We found a wonderful NEW hotel waiting for us when we got here. This is significant because I'm a little paranoid after the last awful place we lived in for almost three weeks. Anyhow, we woke up enjoyed a yummy continental breakfast and headed for Niagara Falls.  

David wasn't so cooperative with the huge grins today but he had a good time. It took awhile to go across the US/Canada border. I was excited to add another country to my list. We mostly just walked along the falls and took in the sights.

This really isn't the grandest view but you get the idea...

We had one unfortunate detour in the visitors center. Brad always loves a good candy store and couldn't resist this one. It was probably the coolest candy store I've seen. David and I were having fun watching a lady dip caramel apples and cover them with nuts. I'll admit to having a chocolate tooth BUT I really am good about not buying overpriced sweets. Brad is not. He got "lost" for a bit and came back with chocolate dipped licorice and marshmallows. Ugh. I have a hard time not trying it once it is already bought!

 

Brad really liked this picture of David in action. I think his eyes look funny but oh well. David had fun looking at the falls and really seemed to enjoy the constant mist that sprinkled him.

Minute Men National Park

We live minutes from the Minute Man National Park and decided to do something local. Our new Canadian friends the Keyes came with us. They took Brad and I as the authority on lots of US history facts which made us kind of nervous...even though I should have some experience in the area after kind of specializing in it and kind of teaching it I find it nerve wracking to have people put that much trust in your knowledge!

We really enjoyed a presentation at the visitors center even though the other people there probably didn't enjoy David talking through the whole thing. The show was all about the events that led up to that first "shot heard round the word" and the efforts of the Minute Men to send the British back to Boston. I love the way the local farmers were ready at a moments notice. It is still amazing to me that they imtimidated highly trained Readcoats. :) I think I would have been a great revolutionary. Anyhow, the show had a really interesting map that lit up to show the different things like exactly where Paul Reevere rode and what movements the Redcoats and the Minute Men made across the countryside. I think if we'd only seen this film I would have been more than happy.
The men really loved the rifile firing. Even though those old muskets didn't have the best aim I sure wouldn't have wanted to be near them when they went off.
I just thought this was cute even though Brad is hidden.

We finished up the outing by watching part of a mock trial from the 1700's. It was really interesting and witty but all the kids were ready to go. I'd like to visit again and see some of the other things the park has to offer...maybe a tour on Lexington green. I find battles much more interesting when you aren't reading about them in a textbook. I hated teaching them because I could never make them seem very exciting. Too bad I couldn't have just taken my students to the battle sites!

Weightier Issues & New PJ's

I like to give fun and positive and details on my blog. I need to put myself out there today. I have been feeling so HUGE lately. I don’t necessarily feel worse about my appearance than I have my whole life, but I am much heavier than I have ever been before. Why did I feel so bad about myself before now? During the move I noticed some old photos from high school, early college, and early marriage. I was CUTE and SKINNY! I’m not comparing my troubles and frustrations to those that have true health problems or worse heartache, but I don’t know why my struggle is something the whole world has to see. Very few have ever made me feel this I way yet I can’t shake the notion that people just see the fat and not me. I struggle with those who say they understand. Maybe they do feel the same—they aren’t what they once were either! Yet I can’t help thinking “I’m sorry you now have to wear a size two.” I know my weight problem is my fault. I can’t blame David or genes, but those things have not made this easier either. I am tired of not having anything to wear. This is way beyond skipping a few desserts and working out for twenty minutes everyday. I don’t know if I have the Herculean effort I know this will take to change. Don’t throw me a pity party. I was just that hoping some else really understands.

On a brighter note…Brad came home yesterday evening and surprised me with some new jammies. He doesn’t drive to school and can’t jet by the store on the way home. I was nearly shocked; he found a Macy’s department store at one of the subway stops near his school. I’ve been searching for something besides the ugly bottoms and Brad’s t-shirts for a while. What a sweet husband I have! The new jammies totally made my day and are even cute.

Natural History at Harvard

We ventured into Boston again today. It always seems like such a production. First we drive to the "T" and park our car and load up the stroller. We navigate our way down to the platform (tricky with the baby), get on the subway, ride for a bit, figure out how to find an elevator to get out...you get the idea. We came out right near Harvard so it was nice not to catch a bus. Brad is certain trips like this are better than driving into the city, fighting traffic, and trying to find parking. It is supposedly cheaper too...but I don't know about that.

The Museum of Natural History
I thought this fence was cool and very Havhad (local pronuncation) looking...
Another really old building.

Brad enjoyed the natural history museum. He told me the coolest part was noticing that the difference between a mastedon and a mammoth was their teeth. Oh boy. While it wasn't my most favorite Boston adventure so far I liked the extensive gemstone and rock exhibit (I used to collect them as a kid) The glass flower models were interesting too. I mainly enjoyed Harvard campus; we'd like take the tour sometime. Apparently the unofficial tour is the way to go, but it is expensive. I liked seeing Cambridge and wish I could have spent more time exploring the shops there. The city hustle bustle is always interesting. I may be brave enough to take a Cambridge adventure on my own now.

Professional Ceremony

Today we went out to the dental school for a professional ceremony. I was thinking this was just one more silly event to drag David to and be bored at--boy did I have the wrong attitude! I was quite touched by the speakers and the oath of professionalism Brad took. It really made me remember what an accomplishment Brad has made by being admitted to BU. It also made me realize how blessed we both are because of this new opportunity. We were able to meet the dean and someone else important during the BBQ afterwards. We also met the other LDS students in Brad's year. It was a wonderful afternoon. I think the LDS group will be very cohesive because only a few of the students are married and almost nobody has children. Perhaps he'll find ways to share the gospel? No photos this time, I was really sad we forgot the camera...maybe I'll figure out how to get the few lame shots from the cell phone up.