Washington, DC, Part 1

We crammed quite a bit into 3 days in DC. Our budget is tight right now, so we chose to visit several of the Smithsonian museums and the Jefferson Memorial, which we hadn't walked through yet. I love that in DC there are so many free activities and sites (we even avoided parking fees for most of our outings). We took loads of photos, so I'm going to break them up into several blog posts over the next few days.

First off, we visited the National Building Museum with Aunt Mari, Uncle ACE, & cousin Des. The kids' "building zone" has a play house, giant soft Legos, plush tools, a reading corner, and more. There was a huge craft fair going on that took up space in the museum where the older kids can usually actually build a life-size arch. Mari & I walked through the Richard Ross photography exhibit and on our way out we did a quick walk through of the DC exhibit.

Caroline trying encourage fellow builder, Des to build...something, anything!

Caroline, showing cousin Des how to build a tower...to be knocked down, of course.

Grace & Caroline played dress-up....of course.

Wesley, peaking out of the window of the playhouse...

Wesley spent most of his time with this yellow truck. When he was done playing around he begged to leave....with the truck.

Between the indoor columns with intricate detailing at the top, and the carved trim around the perimeter of the building, the architecture of this museum is beautiful.

From there we headed over to the Tidal Basin to see the Jefferson Memorial and the cherry blossoms.

I love this picture of Wesley...this was a signature Wesley "No, I will not hold your hand" move, and the blur captures the photographer (moi) trying to keep up.

You can read all of the Thomas Jefferson quotes found at the Jefferson Memorial HERE.

Two handsomes...

Grace & Caroline had Wayne sandwiched for much of the walk back to the car.

Gotta love being a daddy!

...and I got to see some cherry blossoms. For a gorgeous photos of the cherry blossoms in full bloom during the DC cherry blossom festival, check out my friend, Macy's photographs HERE. We {heart} DC!

Mom & Mr. Nicely....a photo essay

I adore my little independent love.

Palmyra- Part 2

From the Sacred Grove we met up with friends of ours from Beantown. They headed to the Sacred Grove while we toured the Smith family log home; the definition of modest living space. Standing in the dining room/family room, it is easy for me to imagine Lucy Mack Smith, not 5 feet tall, among her husband and sons, all 6'+ in that small space. Regardless of square footage, there is a clear feeling of love and happiness in that space. We walked up the steps to the bedroom where Joseph shared a room with his brothers. They lived simply and humbly.

The sister missionary told of the Angel Moroni's visit to Joseph Smith and shared her testimony. She invited us to share our thoughts and testimonies. Again, being alone there as a family was a sweet experience. If you go to Palmyra in July during the Hill Cumorah Pageant there are long lines and large crowds, and the tours are rushed so all can get through the sites. I have decided that I'd rather visit Palmyra during the off-peak time when tours are less rushed, testimonies are shared in these intimate settings, and there is a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere....just my opinion. We've been to the pageant, thought it was nice, but the crowds were not so fun.

The following photo is a view of the Sacred Grove from the back door/porch of the log home. {I've got one more (without the family) to share later on as soon as I edit out a large trash can}

We caught up with our friends and walked down the dirt path that leads to the Smith family frame home. I forget the percentage, but the vast majority of the frame home is original to the Smiths, whereas the log home is a replica using the exact home perimeter as the Smith log home.

Heading back to the Visitors Center parking lot, off to the right there is a clear view of the Palmyra temple. I love that the temple was built on land owned by the Smith family. I love that you can see the temple from their homesteads. The significance of the beginning of the restoration being crowned with a temple for saving ordinances is no small thing. This temple looks perfectly at home on this humble hill.

Quick stop at the Hill Cumorah before the clouds burst....

The E.B. Grandin Printing Press has a very interesting tour about the first printing of the Book of Mormon....

Our final stop for the day was the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830.

By 4pm the kids were DONE with tours and smiling for photographs. Wesley cried when I took him into the bathroom for a diaper change before we hit the road again. He just wanted to walk around and explore. We said good-bye to the Robisons (we LOVED spending the day with you guys in Palmyra!!!) and piled back in the car (SORRY kids!) to head off to our next destination.... Maryland!

Palmyra- Part 1

Bright and early Wednesday a.m., we piled the kids in our trusty minivan and headed west to Palmyra, NY, a significant historical site for our church. During the drive we reviewed with the kids some of the places we'd visit so that while we were there we could do less talking and more taking it all in. Thomas and Christina are studying the D&C in Sunday School, and while we live fairly close, we thought it would be a good time to offer them a real visualization of where many events of church history took place.

We arrived in Palmyra at about 10 a.m. and started the day with a walk through the Sacred Grove. We've been to Palmyra in July, August, and May, and each time the foliage has been full and lush like you see in most pictures and paintings of the Sacred Grove. It's beautiful. This time we were visiting much closer to the time of year when Joseph Smith knelt in prayer and experienced the First Vision; the commencement of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I marveled as we walked through the grove and could see clear through since the trees were bare with the exception of early spring's tiny buds. For much of our time we were alone as a family in the grove; an experience I will never forget. At one point we gathered on one of the many wood benches along one of the many paths, and Wayne quietly recounted JSH 1:11-17. We all felt on some level that we were in fact in a sacred and holy place.

A sweet surprise for me was spotting a beautiful yellow daffodil {my mom's favorite flower} as we were walking along the far path. I had no idea there were daffodils growing in the middle of the Sacred Grove. I felt my mom close by as we continued on the path. How thankful I am to know that death does not have to break the bonds of family!

Leaving the Sacred Grove, Grace spied the Palmyra temple through the trees.

Can you see it too?

Wesley enjoyed INDEPENDENTLY walking---I don't believe we'll have many photos of hand-in-hand walks with Wesley for a while. In fact at this point when we called his name he instinctively grabbed his hands in front of him or behind his back and said, "No!" All of our kids were like this at Wesley's age, and we simply "go with it" while we're touring historical sites... Wayne & I trade off touring with the older kids and walking with the tot. Since we live fairly close to these sites, our attitude is that we can always come back, and we do.

While I am thankful to be able to do "day trips" to such sites, I am even more thankful to know that KNOWING the reality of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ does not require a trip to Palmyra. Knowing only requires time spent learning about the gospel, praying with real intent, and recognizing the simple witness of the Holy Ghost. This is "...milk and honey, without money and without price."

PS. These photos are privately stored via Flickr, but if you'd like a copy of the first photo, "The Sacred Grove," I'd be happy to freely share that with you....think sacrament quiet books, framed, photo clip-art, etc.

rebecca {at} menzie {dot} org

Spa Day for MOM

You may not be trained in aromatherapy, Shiatsu, Swedish or deep tissue massage techniques, but when you're not driving me bonkers, your hugs, kisses, kindness (ESP. to each other!), handmade works of love, giggles, extra best efforts, prayers, words of child-like wisdom, helping hands, forgiving hearts, & yes, even your mommy massages lift my spirits and help me get on with my favorite work....being YOUR mom.

I love each of you more.... Thomas too, who was behind the camera!