We also had the opportunity to watch and listen to the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter. Day Saints. I am proud to be a member of. I love our prophet Pres. Thomas S. Monson and the many other auxiliary leaders. What an awesome weekend. There were so many talks and words of inspiration. Sometimes I feel that I fight a battle everyday. Everyday I wake up and put on my armor, just to get through the day to day things, let alone standing for truth and righteousness. Conference weekend in April and October are great for a boost and rejuvenation of spirit and strength for the said "day to day".
Pres. Monson said some beautiful things regarding love for all people. To reach out to others within our faith and not in our faith. More on this topic in the next blog entry. But one of the other talks that I really enjoyed was when I heard this..."Families are the Treasure of Heaven"by Elder Neil L. Anderson. It made me think of a very special weekend in our family's life. By family I don't only refer to me, my hubby and two kiddos....I extend the term family to many others.
(This picture is not even close to the numbers in our family)
The weekend of August 1st-2nd of 2009, we were so blessed to seal our little Zander to our forever family in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. Naturally the temple experience was beautiful and very sacred, but I want to share with you the experience after and the following day when blessed Zander.
I want to share first the family members that joined us that weekend. My parents and five of my six siblings and my grandparents (grandpa performed the sealing), Carl's parents, grandparents and siblings, some aunts and uncles as well, we had Kya's birthmother's family including great grandparents, grandparents, birthmother and husband and siblings, Kya's birthfather, including his grandparents, parents, step-parents, birthfather and wife and son. In addition to that crowd, there was also Zander's birthparents as well. We had all seven families that we call FAMILY represented by at least one family member (and many more in some cases).
We had a lovely potluck luncheon at a park following the sealing on Saturday. The following sunday when we blessed Zander in church, we had another family gathering ie: luncheon (food is always involved right?). We also shared this special day with Kya's 3rd birthday party. My parents graciously hosted the event in their home. I thank them everyday in my heart for their willingness and hospitality. It can't be easy to have nearly 50 people in your home at one time. 50 might be a stretch, but there were a lot there. We had yummy food, presents for Kya, friendships were made and memories engraved in the hearts of many. Kya's birthmother introduced her husband to Kya's birthfather and in return he (birthfather) shared his new little son to us all. All of Kya's birthfather's parents and step-parents joined us as well. Zander's birthparents (engaged to be married at the time) were there and shared their love with us. The opportunity for "awkward" was definitely presented, but that is not at all how it felt. When the majority of the crowd went on with their lives and left the festivities, I remember sitting down with my little family and just thinking...WOW, that was fun!
For Carl and I, it only felt natural that everyone be invited to this grand event. I do know that there were some reservations from many of the different family members. A little concern for the how everyone would be welcomed or accepted into our family. I honestly didn't think there would be a problem, because after all, they ALL are family to us. With some apprehension and reserve in the hearts of some, the weekend went beautifully. Everyone got along, everyone was kind and the feeling that I felt having everyone there was comforting. I have always felt that without all these amazing people, I would not be a mother. For most, this concept of "open adoption" includes contact and pictures occasionally from adopting parents. Open adoption to us means, open communication with all involved, family gatherings, family reunions, vacation, important events and even babysitting for us, from birth-families included. I am proud to claim that my children have 7 sets of grandparents. We love them all. My children affectionately have names from each grandma, which helps them remember which grandma is which. We have a grandma that fishes and has bunnies, we have a grandma that loves Hawaii and a couple art grandmas including "decorations and snacks and painting". We have an Abuela and even a star wars grandma. Sadly we have a few grandmas that we don't see as often due to distance. (all grandpas come with the grandmas, so we never forget them)
Without all these amazing people, can we call ourselves family? Not to mention all the greats (great-grandparents) and outstanding aunts and uncles that come with the package. It takes a village to raise children, but in our family....these families make up our village.
I recently found out while sharing a special moment with some of my sisters, that this amazing weekend of Zander's sealing and blessing, was an eye opener to many of the family members there. I cannot express their feelings properly as they are not my own, but would gladly share their thoughts if they wanted to. I do know that the idea of "family" was viewed a little differently after then.
I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father's plan for me and my family. We are blessed to be together forever and to have so many that love my children, makes this mommy and happy one as well as very much at peace with the well being of my children. In another conversation with a birth-family member, we played with the idea of having seven different cul-de-sac neighborhoods that neighbored one another with our mansions in Heaven. How great to be able to have two beautiful children bring so many families together. I cannot express how blessed I am to be a part of this great plan He has provided. I cannot express my love for so many people and love and gratitude for my Savior to allow this experience in my life, here on earth.
(Jon, Zander, Tess, Morgan, Jerica, Kya, Jeff, Alicia, Oakley)
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