This weekend we went to Palymra, New York and spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday there. We went because I was fulfilling another bucket list item. I went thru the temple for myself. We asked the McAteers to come with us and it turned into a very relaxing few days. I was so glad we chose the Palymra temple because there is a lot of church history sites and not very crowded. In fact Kate and I walked in the morning from our hotel along a path to the temple. It was a sunny, calm beautiful morning and the anxiousness I was feeling from Wed night disappeared (discussion at dinner party)
As Kate and I entered the temple I could feel nervousness creeping back and so I said a quick prayer that I would feel peace and calmness. As I changed into my temple clothes and went to wait there was a picture that was the exact same one as Renee had given me for Christmas of Esther (she had written the word Courage on the frame)
As I think about the rest of the time spent there that morning, the beginning was my favorite part. The blessings and words will be etched in my mind and heart, and at the very end as I was sitting in the Celestial room my heart was filled with gratitude and love for our little family, Alin's family and my family. As well as the great friends we have that set examples and encourage us to do those things as a family that we need to be doing. Kate and I sat there for a few moments enjoying the peace and then went to meet our families. As we walked thru the doors there were are beautiful, crazy, busy, loud families that we love.
Ivanita's and McAteers in front of the Palymra temple
My treasures are on this bench
The McAteers
We then went and ate lunch, napped kids and a dad😀 and when everyone was up again we went to some of the sights. Alin and I had been to Palymra about 6 years ago before we were married and Alin was able to meet Pres. Uchdorf and see the sights. So this was a little different with 3 kids in tow. Our first stop was the Sacred Grove.
McAteer Clan
The Palymra temple has a clear window in between stained glass so you can look straight toward the sacred grove. We visited the homesteads on the tour as well. Then we headed to the Hill Cumorah, the visiting center is beautiful and there were so many moments that I could have frozen time. We were all in the room with the statue of Christ and I looked over and Alin had his arm around Mason and they were looking at the statue, visiting and it was such a beautiful little moment for me. I love the choice I made to marry this amazing man and every day it is solidified even more for me. I love the little man we have and how he thinks his dad is his very own super hero. 
A few other moments I captured that made my heart melt 
At different times during our stay each of the girls were held by Alin. It doesn't happen often with Daniela as she's always on the go but here she was snuggled with her arm wrapped around while they read boards and watched little videos. 
Abbie's turn came at the Book Store, she's still pretty cuddly and always wants to be held
SATURDAY MORNING
This morning we went to the visit the printing press where the first Book of Mormon was published, we did the little tour, I love the printing shop part of the tour.
Peter Whitmer Farm
This is the first time we've been here and it was beautiful, the chapel is still in use today and the little log home beside is where the first church meeting was held. The visitors centre had a little 4 min video that we watched, it was on the growth of the church and I could feel those tender feelings of the spirit so strong. The one part that really hit me was a mother carrying her baby thru the river and my heart burst. The feelings I have as a mother and wife are so strong. The thought of the sacrifice and hardships that mothers and fathers went thru with young children and the cruel elements they faced fills my heart with gratitude as other scenes flipped by and saw people of every nationality going to the temple or to church, families having family home evening and then ending with a picture of the huge congregation at the conference centre. With the hymn " Come, Come ye Saints" playing in the background of the video.
