We drove that morning to meet my friend Kemi for lunch at a park and to let the kids play for a while.
They were SO DONE with being in the car at this point.
Unfortunately. :) We still had a lot of places to go.
Had a fun visit with Kemi...we picked up some pizza and despite the bee swarms, enjoyed the afternoon. :)
Kemi is a friend I met a few years ago--in real life at least. We've been blogger friends for a long while now. It seems strange, because I have seen her kiddos grow up and a new baby come her way, and feel very much like I have known her forever and we pass our days hanging out next door to each other. :) She is such a kind soul--she is genuinely so thoughtful and giving...and I feel so blessed to know her!
(and her little man's eyes...SO STUNNING! Unedited...and they are this bright and beautiful!)
After visiting, we drove my mom to pick up her car close to the airport. While driving, she jokingly suggested that she could take Carter with her. It HADN'T crossed my mind, but once the idea was on the table (after shedding several guilty tears) I took her up on the offer. So, the kids and I parted ways with our little lovebug for the first time ever...he's never been away from at least one of us. Looking back, I have no regret. He loved his one on one time with Grandma and Grandpa and I actually got to sleep through the night and it made getting around all our stops so much easier. Holy moly.
It was amaaaazing.
After dropping him off, we headed to meet up with my friend Lacey Martin. She recently moved back to Utah and is someone I love to visit! Yet another 11th ward friend we have kept in touch with...I LOVED that ward and all the friendships we made there.
Lacey is such a fun person. I can pick things up right where I left off and have years in between. No discomfort or awkwardness. :) And I love that about her. (and I really love that she's in a place closer to home so I can visit more often now!)
In the evening, we headed for Chick-fil-a and to meet up with another sweet friend, Megan. Truth be told, this was my first time meeting Megan in person. But we have been friends for about 3-4 years (has it really been that long?!?) I first "met" her when her husband was accepted to Podiatry school in Cleveland and we emailed back and forth about moving details. But last minute, he was accepted at a different program and they decided to go that route. And while I am sad it didn't work out for her to live close by for a few years, I have seen so clearly how the place they ended up was the perfect match for them and certain trials and circumstances that have taken place.
But I am forever grateful for the friend that came out of those emails and blog post readings. :)
She is one in a million!
(Megan and her ADORABLE little man Beau)
After loading up the car once again, we headed for my friend Michelle's house. I am bummed I didn't think to get a picture with her as we were racing out in the morning, so I snagged a tiny picture from her blog.
Michelle and I were missionary companions..and she and I had SUCH a fun time together. She is one of the funniest people I have ever met. Her laughter is absolutely contagious! We tucked the kids in bed and visited long into the night--reminiscing and laughing, and reading old journal entries. Oh man, did we have some funny times and I really, truly love her as a person and a friend.
The following morning, we headed to Temple Square.
I know I wrote briefly about that experience in my previous post, but I have to say, once again, that it is an experience I hope I never forget.
I'm going to let Jenna take you on the tour of what we did there--
here goes...
We saw the temple. I thought it was pretty.
Then we saw scriptures from all over the world. I noticed they were in lots of different languages.
We went to see some videos from the Book of Mormon. I liked them.
Next, we walked up a long hallway that went around, that were like steps. It felt like the steps we take in our life to see Heavenly Father and Jesus again. We came around to the top and saw a statue of Jesus.
I could feel the spirit even though I wasn't baptized yet. I could tell that Heavenly Father and Jesus were near. I felt like a princess because I know I am a daughter of God. I feel like it was such a special day and I don't want to forget about it ever.
(Rachel again...) After our visit on Temple Square we went across the street to the church history museum to play and meet up with another friend, Nikki. I feel like I sound crazy at this point because I hadn't ever met her in person either! :) She is a friend of my sister, Sarah, and they lived in California together. We became acquainted in an online fitness challenge a few years back and have been friends since. She has since moved to Utah and I was excited to finally get the chance to meet her! :) It's so fun to have a mutual friend with my sister, that we both know from completely different places! :)
The kids loved all the fun stuff to do there. This was one thing they had asked SPECIFICALLY to do this after seeing it on the LDS friend website. So I couldn't let them down. And it did NOT disappoint. :) They had so much fun checking out all the free exhibits--
After our time there, we wrapped up our day in Utah with a visit to a park for a picnic with my friend Jen. We have been friends now for....5-6 years...originally put together in a card swap we participated in many moons ago, and have met up a few different times in person. :) Jen is a woman of SUCH courage and strength. She amazes me with all she is able to accomplish and the goals she has set for herself. And she is a great mom!
The highlight of our little visit was sitting by the pond that ended up being full of dead ducks. And the live ones came swarming, resulting in a switcheroo of sitting locations. It was quite hilarious... ;)
We finished up, said our goodbyes, and and then drove past the beautiful mountains and headed for Idaho..5 days after starting our journey. :)
