Temple Week Day 3

Leading up to the temple trip I had prepared some relatives names to have work done for them and so I headed up to the temple first thing so the youth could do baptisms.  How awesome that felt.

Most mornings at home the TV is going to entertain the children whilst I get breakfast.  By day 3 we had forgotten we didn't have a TV the children had found colouring in and playing with their toy a cool thing to do. Doing things together as a family was a great feeling.

Dave went for his usual run and then we walked up to the temple.  Im sure Dave was feeling if not more nervous as I did the previous day.  He too missed his buddy Phil,  but I told him Roy would be waiting for him inside.  He made his way inside and the children and I decided to go back to the visitors centre.  Before we went Nicholas wanted a photo of him sitting outside the temple.

We spent over 2 hours in the visitors centre we had that much fun.  Highlight was when an Elder was showing Nicholas and Kate all the different temples in the world.  In his cool American accent he told Nicholas that when he is a big boy he would be able to go inside the temple and see how beautiful they are.  Nicholas response "well actually I've already been inside the temple" the Elder said "you have what a special boy you are" Nicholas "Kate has too but she didn't see because she was in mums tummy" The Elder laughed.

At 1pm we saw daddy come out of the temple.  He was a different man the frowns on his forehead had gone he was smiling and it was a joy to see.  As we walked back to the apartments he told me his concerns and it was so nice to know what he was feeling and that it wasn't me etc.

We went out for lunch and went to the swimming pool which was a big disappointment. Highlight at the pool was meeting a little girl:

Little girl: "whats her name"
Me: "Kate"
LG: "who"
Me: "Kate"
LG:  "what"
Me:  "Kate"
LG: "cake"
Me:  "No K A T E"
LG: "thats weird"
Me: "really!  What's your name?"
LG: "Rangima.........??????"
Me: "What"
LG: "they call me mamma for short"

Back at the apartments Dave and I left the children with the Jenners and went to the temple together.  It was the best thing for us to go as husband and wife to sit in the celestrial room together and to have us time. Dave was able to do my grandfather endowment too. Knowing that we were departing the next day we knew the time we had at the temple was one of testing and conquering. Dave is keen to go next year and hopefully time it, so our other friends are there too.

Temple Week Day 2

Our drive to Hamilton was uneventful, children slept whilst hubby and myself took in the scenery.  By the time we arrived into Hamilton it was dusk and as we approached the temple we could see it glowing in all its glory.  The children were awake and were excited to see the temple.  Nicholas was explaining to Kate how he had been inside the temple and how Kate was in my tummy when she went in.  Very cute conversation. 

We collected our key to the temple apartments and proceeded to unload the car.   A sense of relief to have arrived safely, as we entered our accomodation the first thing everyone noticed was NO TV!!!!! Amazingly enough Dave was the one who screwed up his nose the most and protested. I'm generally the TV addict.

For the first time we had to think about what we were going to do to entertain ourselves without the TV (challenging).  We drove back to Dinsdale to get some supplies and dinner and stopped outside the visitors centre to view the temple.

Back at the apartment we were putting the children to bed when there was a knock at the door.  It was Elder Donaldson (Matty) what a pleasant surprise.  It was lovely to catch up and that was one way we entertained ourselves without the TV.

Tuesday came and Dave went for his morning run. I was getting ready to go into the temple for the first time in 4years.  I was totally nervous and as I walked to the temple I text Amiee for support my heart was pounding and concentrating on my text to Amiee I walked into a pole ÖUCH". I missed not having my best friend with me to hold my hand.  I stood in front of the temple contemplating my options (to go or not to go in). A couple came out and saw me they approached me to see if I was ok (I must have looked terrified).  I explained my predicament and they were so helpful and I am so grateful they came out when they did.  I took a deep breathe and told myself I can do this on my own and entered the building.

The beauty and peacefulness was overwhelming I could feel the spirit strongly and for two hours a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.  As I walked back to the apartments I felt light uplifted and refreshed.  Unfortunately it all came crashing down when I walked into the apartment to "What took you so long"  Hello reality!!! Luckliy I had been inside the temple and still feeling calm and peaceful my response was of the same nature.

We decided to go and explore Hamilton so we went to the Base, a huge shopping mall had lunch and a bit of shopping.  We finished off the day at the Hamilton lakeside.  The kids played and we admired the view and the sunset it was lovely.

When we got back to the apartments we saw the "Jenners"and discovered they were our next door neighbours.  Lorraine had offered to look after the children whilst Dave and I went to the temple together.  Dave still wasn't keen to go and so Roy and Dave had a talk.  Later on Dave returns and I'm not sure what happened but Dave had decided to go with Roy tomorrow.  We went out for dinner and on the way back the visitors centre was still open so we went inside the children loved it.  Kate just wanted to hear Jesus talking and Nicholas loved the LDS video ads.  The children did not want to leave so I told them we would visit again tomorrow while daddy was inside the temple.

Whilst settling the children to sleep Kate asked me "what would Jesus say to me mummy?" I told her he would tell her that she was a special little girl and that he loved her.  Kate nodded and then she said "and keep his commandments and love one another" super cute answer.  She had obviously listened to the big statue of Jesus in the visitors centre.

Sleep well Finnie Family

The Finnie Family Holiday

Well its almost a month since we went to the temple, time sure does fly by. Leading up to the trip was somewhat trialling and as most of our friends have commented that's a normal process.

Day 1 

Our family flew out on Monday 27/9/10, we had a direct flight to Auckland Yeah!  It was Kate's first time on plane and she loved every minute.  Nicholas and I had trouble with our ears so most of the flight we were holding our noses and blowing gently to 'pop' our ears. We arrived in Auckland at 11am, that meant a whole afternoon in Auckland.

We got our hired car which was a white Toyota corolla 2009 very posh. I had booked the car a year ago the price @ $270 for the week it was a bargain.  Mr Finnie proceeds to asked about insurance and other stuff and before I knew it my cheap car rental had doubled in price.  Looking at Mr Finnie I expressed my concerns "honey I feel that is a little extravagant"  It took him awhile but he came to the same conclusion (PHEW).  We piled into the car and headed off on our adventure.

First stop was Rainbows End.  Dave and I haven't been here since 1996.  Nicholas was very excited, Kate was not too sure.  Our first ride was the Pirate Ship, thinking its just a big swing, Kate will be fine.  Think again!!! Poor Kate screamed and screamed the whole time the hardest thing was not being able to put her on my knee as we were locked in. So I had to lean over her and hold her as tight as I could whilst she screamed in my ear (I deserved that I suppose).
Next stop, Free Fall I wasn't to sure what this ride entailed and Kate was still a little shaken as she clung to my neck.  I suggested Nicholas and Dave go while we watched.  Thank goodness because as I stood and watched, I saw the boys go up up up up along way up and then they stopped. The word free fall became clearer as I watched them plummet down to the bottom.  The funniest thing ever was hearing Dave involuntarily scream and watching his long legs tense straight out. I couldn't stop laughing.  The boys came out, Nicholas was laughing and saying "that was the meanest mum".  Dave's face said it all and he was shaking hilarious

Free Fall



Can you see Dave's stiff legs?

The amazing thing about being at Rainbows End was because of the school holidays, we were expecting lots of people but  there wasn't  thus meant no queues awesome.  Our next adventurous ride was the famous Log Flume.  Kate sat with her dad and felt safe whilst Nicholas and I rode up the front.  Kate enjoyed this ride until the drop at the end.

The End

The newest ride The Invader looked scary but infact it  was the best ride for me personally.  Except Kate we all had two to three goes on this ride.

Nicholas & Dave

 

Nicholas and Dave soon were off to the roller coaster and again Nicholas just loved it and had two or three goes on each, once with mum and once with dad and when we could all four of us.

 

By boys have fun!!!

Nicholas and Dave in the green cab

After a bite to eat we went into Cadbury Land there Kate was able to have ago on everything without screaming just lots of smiles and laughing.  I'm sure this was Kate's favourite part of the day.  Even Nicholas enjoyed himself.







Kate's Favourite Ride

Our day at Rainbow's End concluded with tired children and very happy memories.  Next stop Temple View Hamilton.



Sealing Anniversary

So three years ago Dave, Nicholas, Kate (in my tummy) and me were sealed for all eternity. As I reminisce about that time I feel so blessed and grateful. I remember that day so vividly. Annemarie holding my hand as I cried all the way to the top of the stairs. Feeling very vulnerable and yet also a little excited. Dave commenting that I looked like a cat who had been thrown in water the shock on my face ( a good shock). The feeling of beauty and love and warmth all around me. Nicholas being there with us he was 3 and yet for some strange reason he too felt at peace and did all that was asked of him. I long to go back to the temple again. It was an amazing week and one that I'll never forget. Happy Anniversary Finnie Family.

Finnie Family