Goodbye, Language, Firehouse & a Diamond

Rick and I wore our Sunday clothes under our winter outerwear. However, we dressed the girls up more warmly: pants, snow boots, hats, and mittens. We parked our car at the end of the line for Trax and got on the train. We found a seat and bumpily made our way downtown. We got off on Main Street, walked through Temple Square and crossed the street, headed for the Conference Center. I got a little worried as I could see a line was forming to enter. It was cold. We gratefully didn't have to wait long outside and it ended up not being too uncomfortable. We went through security at the door and followed the others in front of us. Strangely, we were being seated inside the Conference Center. As I got to our row, I told the ushering lady that we were here for the viewing. She said, essentially, that this is what this was, but that they were seating people so none would have to wait outside in the cold. Rick and I were a little bewildered...just how long would we be waiting here? ( I could hear the guy behind me seem to wonder the same thing as he talked on his cell phone). There were many, many, many people seated and waiting yet to be seated. Luckily, I had packed a bag with fish crackers, granola bars and juice boxes for the girls. And I heavenly had a coloring book for each and a handful of crayons. Plus one baby bottle full of milk. They devoured pretty much all of it. One of President Hinckley's birthday celebrations was on the big screens while we waited as well. All of us (thousands of us) had come to see (and wait) and say goodbye to our beloved Prophet, President Gordan B. Hinckley, who had passed away on Sunday, January 27.

After awhile, two women came to the microphone and introduced themselves. They were President Hinckley's daughters. They were thankful for us coming and one spoke of being thankful for bringing our children. (I was so happy to hear that!) One of them talked about how President Hinckely would say to this occasion, "What is all this fuss about?" :) They assured us that we wouldn't be rushed through and that everyone would be able to see him. I felt it was such a special opportunity to have them briefly speak to us. After all, he was a father first, before becoming the Prophet and this was their funeral for him.

Finally, section by section we were dismissed and we found ourselves in a line again, winding our way through the Conference Center, riding on escalators, making our way to the Hall of the Prophets. There were thoughtful floral sprays on the side of us just before we entered the hall. It was instant tears as we quietly entered the hall. The casket lay long-ways as we walked in with another floral arrangement at the foot. He was dressed in white. The casket: rich dark brown with a beautiful cream colored lining. I think he had a little smile on his face.

Rick was holding Carice. I had a hold of Cali's hand and walked with her. I tried to point out to her where President Hinckley was. I was laden down with bags and coats and such. The line didn't stop, we all just kept walking. I so regret not being able to lift her up so she could clearly see President Hinckely. I'm not sure with her short eye level being as it is, if she did. Perhaps at 4 years of age, she wouldn't remember this special witnessing anyway, but I wanted her to see him. This Prophet. It was so worth the wait. How we all loved and still love our Prophet, President Hinckley.

It was such a 'gray' weekend. The TV showed over and over the biography of this great man. He lived an amazing life. I couldn't help feel so wretched as a parent as I watched; as it seemed like he was the perfect one. I wanted to be like him in that way. (Did he and his wife ever yell at their children?) He was and is an example to us all. He was like the Savior, as we all should be. We will greatly miss him. But we know he is with the Lord and his family that have gone on before him and most of all his beautiful wife, Marjorie...and that brings comfort.

It was another month of trying to find physical comfort for Carice - she was sick again. Holy Cow, will it ever end? (With children? Doubt it.) Although Cali got sick first and almost exactly 7 days later, Carice got sick. I woke up to Carice throwing up about 1 in the morning. Fever for about 24 hours. Cali had a headache and fever and missed school. Then, of course, Mommy and Daddy follow suit, but we seem to get a cold out of the deal and not really a flu-bug type thing. Soooo fun. Not! Our little Caricey-poo is starting to say words now: Mommy, Daddy and probably the most important, "Eh-Mo" (Elmo) She can say other Sesame Street friends names, like, Ernie, Abby, and 'Grorer' (Grover). Other words include, ball, no, 'Oh no', Owie, Hi, and one night, she was calling Cali, "Lali". So cute! She is following mommy's tastes for fun tangy foods like pickles & olives ;) And she loves sauces...she mostly uses the food-bite as a 'utensil' for the sauce. Daddy affectionately calls her a 'sauce maven' :) She is officially old enough to attend nursery at church. 18months already! How time flies when you have children.



Cali had a couple fun things this month - minus the flu. She had a Valentine's Party at school. She got Valentines from her friends and a heapin' helpin' dose of sugar and dyes! And somehow, she faired very very well. Rick and I: "Okay, so it's not the dyes creating a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde child?!?" Amazing. So, we are back to our original thoughts of her 'crazy emotional episodes' being due to her lack of sleep. No news, there, really, as she has always struggled with sleep. (Are you ever at a loss with what to do or understand when it comes to your children?) Ugg. "HAS ANYONE SEEN MY PARENTS MANUAL?" I must have dropped it at the curb of LDS Hospital when I left there inn March 2003. Sheesh.

Cali's other fun-filled experience was spent at the Firehouse on a field trip with her pre-school and Daddy. She was so cute in her little fireman's hat, but she mostly was enammered with the ambulance. I think her inquisitiveness for them started from a Curious George book we borrowed from the Library. We happened to be in her bedroom one day and saw a fire truck go by out her window. An ambulance came, also. She watched as they put someone in the back. As weird as this may sound, it was exciting for her :) She just had questions about the back of the ambulance and now she actually got to see how it all worked!



Speaking of the Library. We invited Aunt Steph, Abbi, Ben and Gramma Shelly to a puppet show that was being held there. It was presented by the Utah Puppet Theater. We stayed after to borrow more books. It's so much more fun and interesting to read new books. The books we own seem old hat. Well, for Cali anyway, she's been around a lot longer than Tilly :) On a prior visit, we borrowed this great book called,"Hilda Must Be Dancing"...thought I would share it with you, it is so fun! ;) I love the library it is one of my favorite places to be, especially the children's section.

We found ourselves once again at Golden Isle for dinner. This time for Valentine's Day. We branched out, however, and ordered one other dish to accompany our yuumy Mu Shu Chicken. Stephanie's Kitchen inspired us to try some Lo Mein but we stupidly ordered Chow Mein instead. No noodles!! Which is what I wanted. Oh well. I'm sure there will be a next time!

And last but not least I got a diamond for Valentine's Day! Wow! A solitaire diamond shaped Valentine's Day card lovingly made by Rick out of construction paper, that is. ;) He received a homemade card from his girls, too. Rick is knee-deep with an application for work. I just can't get over how huge this app is. It is for the Church Service Missionary program. It is amazing to see what he has and how much he has designed for it. He has a deadline of early April, so say a few prayers that he and those involved will get it completed in time. Otherwise, those who will be using the app will have to wait another year and be back to doing a lot of paper work. Rick also decided to do the Hinckley Challenge. It is reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days. Which is how old President Hinckley was when he passed away. Awesome, babe!