Pretty Pretty Princess

Let's start off this post by saying that Mack is going to be thrilled when he sees these pictures.  I think this particular game of Pretty Pretty Princess was played in October but this is not the first or last time that this scene has played out at our house. 

When I was a little girl my sister, Melanie, and I used to play Pretty Pretty Princess with my dad.  Because let's face it, there is nothing more hilarious to young girls than their Dad in earrings.  So I am (with wicked glee) passing this tradition on to my own daughter and husband.  It is a bit strange however, that Reese enjoys the game more than any of them.

 Brisbane was my partner for the round.  He looks good in that crown (the only piece of jewelry that he would keep on). 

 Hey there, Sweetheart.  Lookin Good.

 Reese won this night's game.  Look at that cute little Prince.

Jessenia doesn't win too often, but she sure has a good time.  She is our family Princess, make no mistake.

Sealing

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) we believe that familes can be linked together forever, even after death.  Most marriages are performed 'until death do you part' but in LDS Temples, couples (and their families) can be sealed together for time and all eternity.  When Mack and I were married, we were married forever.  I love Mack forever and am so grateful for that blessing to being able to be with him for eternity, I would be saddened if it was any other way.  After we die, we will still be married.  When children are born to a couple sealed in the temple, their children are automatically sealed to them.  But since out children are adopted, we have to take them to the temple and have them sealed to us in a ceremony similar to our marriage.

We have been prepping the kids for this day for weeks, and they looked adorable the morning of:

 It was a day that we have looked forward to since the day that Reese and Jessenia came and lived with us.  I love my kids and I can't imagine life without them (this Earth Life or Life After Death).  I am so thankful for the sealing power of the temple to allow that to be possible.

 We had great family and friends who came to witness the sealing.  We are all glad that Aunt Jo (Mack's sister) and Uncle Dean live close.  We love them.

All the Grandmas and Grandpas came for the big day.  They have been out number one supporters and fans throughout our entires lives and our marriage.  I couldn't imagine this crazy journey of parenting without each of them.  Our kids sure love them and often ask when we can go see them.
Aunt Nicole drove all the way from Snowflake for the sealing and we are so thankful for her support.  Plus our good friend, Laurie, was there.  Our kids basically think Laurie is part of our family and we not only support that notion, but may have put the idea into their heads and nurtured it.
Mack was able to give each of the kids a blessing in church the next day, which was also beautiful.  The sealing was definately one of the three best days of my life:  my marriage, the sealing to Brisbane, and our sealing to Reese and Jessenia.  I am thankful for the tremendous blessings in my life of my husband and three children.  Sometimes we are blessed beyond what we deserve, and I most definately have been.