Living the Dream: July 2008

Thursday, July 10, 2008

A Month with the Aussies!

We had such a fun time with our Australian friends, Luke & Jerusha Howse. They were here most of June. So, here's a try at capturing a whole month of vacationing in one post:

They are Finally Here!!

Millie & Blaise--Friends at First Sight

The Reunion of Two Mission Friends

A Trip to Paradise--Thatcher Manor

Millie & Blaise Learning to Share

Luke & Jerusha at the Logan Temple

A Sunday in Paradise--A Nice Break

A Private Bath Just Her Size

Now This Is Paradise for Grace!

Kangaroo Zoo!!

Tummy Time with Perks

Blaise with a Bat

Here's our little Kangaroo

Downtown SLC

Temple Square Visitor Center

Trax!

Gateway

An Austrian Mission Reunion

Vacation in St. George

Swimming at the Washington Rec. Center

Zion National Park

Bee's Baseball Game

Finally learned to share with a smile

Time to Say Good-bye

We loved our time with Luke, Jerusha, Blaise & Ethan. As you can see, we packed it in! They are like family to us. Hopefully our next reunion will be in Australia!

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Gracie and Millie
Finally in Matching Dresses!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Lost Child at Lagoon

Last night at Stake Lagoon day, we were standing in a long line for the Wild Kingdom Train. Paul saw someone he knew further up in the line and went to say "hello." I remember looking down to see Millie's empty stroller and thinking, "Oh, that's nice, Paul took Millie with him." When Paul came back about 5 minutes later, without Millie, we realized she had been gone for a while. When we began the search, I thought we'd find her in a matter of a minute or two. We had our neighbors helping us. But each time I met eyes with one of the others on the search team and saw that they hadn't found her, I began to worry more and more.

I had thoughts like "How far can a two-year-old go in just a few minutes? What can she do? Is she crying? Why can't we hear her? Would someone take her? Where's Millie?"

Then I began praying. I didn't want to panic, but I really began to worry. I prayed and prayed as I frantically looked for her. Paul was praying too. We met up at the Merry-go-Round where we had been earlier. As he searched to see if she was on there, I thought it was a waste of time. How would she get on there? But Paul's face lit up, "there she is!" She was sitting on a sleigh with a mother and children, going around and around, but with the expressionless face of a lost child.

How did she get on there? No clue! I doubt she waited in line. She probably got in through the exit.

We were just so grateful that we found her relatively quickly and that she was safe. We feel that Heavenly Father heard our prayers and inspired Paul to look on the Merry-go-round.

After finding Millie, we held her more closely, hugged her more often, and felt more gratitude for her. I guess losing (and finding) a child can be a good reminder of the treasure that you have.