The fact that Benjamin is really leaving for two years is starting to hit hard. This past week we had some big milestones - Benjamin's ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood and his first time in the temple to receive his endowment.
Awkward attempt to document the moment in Kelly's office after the ordination (we only thought to take a picture after other priesthood holders had left):
It's moments like this I wish we had a lot of extended family around to join us for such moments (and to make the pictures better!) but I'm so grateful for my little family and this last bit of time we have together.
Benjamin's missionary tags came and we got all his suits. Christian wanted to model.
For his endowment we had to go to another temple because the one in Detroit is closed for renovations until October. We chose the Columbus, Ohio temple because our other options were Chicago (farther drive, a bit overwhelmingly big) or Indianapolis (also closed for renovations). We're very happy with Columbus. It was small and personal. He was the only one going through for the first time that day and everyone gave him the star treatment. They helped him to feel much more comfortable. It was a very emotional day for me seeing my son in the temple after all the years I've spent praying that such a day would come. As I entered the celestial room and sat with him and Kelly, I couldn't help but cry with joy, of course, making Benjamin very uncomfortable, I'm sure. I'm just so grateful to God for His plan and His goodness.
We drove down to Columbus Thursday night, just the three of us, while Christian and Bella stayed with Peter. We got a hotel Thursday night that was just ten minutes from the temple and we went to the temple Friday morning and spent pretty much the whole day there doing various ordinances, including Benjamin's endowment. Saturday we did another endowment session before driving home. It was a wonderful last few days together, just the three of us. Made me think of the trips the three of us took when Benjamin was just a baby - up north in Michigan & down to Kirtland, Ohio. Little Benjamin in the back seat. I'm going to miss that boy so much but I'm so excited for him. And check out that haircut! That's sacrifice in action, right there. He went and got it done without complaint.
Home MTC starts Sept 9 and he flies to Mexico Sept 19!
In preparation for him leaving, I also have been teaching him a few last minute things, such as this week, it was how to sew up a tear in clothing and how to sew a button back on. We made it the lesson in our family home evening this week. While we were practicing, Peter wanted to sew too. I handed him a piece of fabric and two buttons and Kelly helped him with the rest, while I showed the older three. Kelly helped him sew on 2 buttons but Peter wasn't interested in sewing up the tear, because look how cool Dinosaur Peter looks!
