We went, on the 5th to help Ellie celebrate her Magic 5th Birthday. Having been born on 5-5-05, at 5:25 p.m., the 5th child of a 5th child, we figured her fifth birthday was certainly worth a trip. We took Brianna with us. Everyone had a great time...especially Ellie.
We also visited Harrison for his 10th birthday.
we got back just in time for Isabel's 10th birthday party at our house on the 6th, which was Harrison's birthday, by the way. She had a Candy Land birthday.
On the 8th, we went to Mesa to watch Dallin and DeWitt cream the competition (Phoenix Country Day) and become State Champions for the 2nd year.
We celebrated Mothers' Day with a family dinner
Then Luke had his 7th birthday party at the Safford park, having fun in spite of the wind.
We worked on our house in May, too. We painted, put in the new floor, set up house on the back porch, even entertaining guests back there. The hardest job, I think of everything we did, was taking the wallpaper off the living room walls. I'll never wallpaper again! And if I do, it will stay on the wall until I die!
May and the last of April have been dedicated to the Gila Valley Temple. Dad and I were privileged to help with the open house, as were Rebecca and Scott, Rachel and Tony and Mary and Tyson. It was a privilege to be involved. Our house was finally ready for company, too.
Daniel & Connie and their family came from Colorado to tour the Gila Valley Temple, and then Esther and Shad and their family came too. We had a wonderful house full. Joel and Stephanie and Jeremy and Erika and their families had each come on other weekends, to tour the Temple. While there were so many of us here, we went on a tour as a family, thirty-four of us, and Dad and I were able to be the tour guides. What a unique experience it was to be able to speak personally to our beloved children and grandchildren about the covenants and ordinances that take place in the temple, and that will bind us together as an eternal family. We had guided other tours, of course, but this one was so special to us that it is hard to write about. It was almost as if we were already in the Celestial Kingdom, rather than just talking about it.
After we left the Temple, we all went to El Charro to eat lunch. There were so many of us, so Brother Overstreet put us in the banquet room, which was even too small! But we enjoyed being together as much as the food.
It was fun to have so many brothers and sisters and cousins get together, swim, visit, check out the Evans' petting zoo, and even help Dad in the garden.
On Saturday evening, May 15th, President Keith Crockett, of the Gila Valley Temple, former General Authority, bestowed the sealing power on Dad and set him apart as a sealer in the Gila Valley Temple. He told us that Dad can get permission to seal his direct descendants in other temples as well. The whole Arizona branch of the Biggs clan, along with the Colorado branch, gathered for this important occasion, some at quite a lot of sacrifice. We were able to get Nathan and Thomas, as well, on a couple of laptops, so they could participate with us. We appreciated their willingness to be with us and it made the event even more important because we were able to share it with our loved ones.
Before President and Sister Crockett arrived, we tried to help the children get into a reverent mood by singing Primary songs. Mary, as a current Primary "Singing Lady" conducted the songs, and our ever faithful pianist, Stephanie accompanied them. They all joined in, oldest to youngest, and some even danced to the music!
Either Nathan or Thomas was on the laptop Jeremy is holding. What a wonderful thing modern technology can be when it is used for good...like bringing families together.
President and Sister Crockett arrived and were so gracious and friendly. President Crockett gave Dad, not only the sealing power, but a wonderful blessing as well...one from which we will all receive untold blessings.
After the setting apart, we all ate dinner: chicken enchiladas, of course, (President Crockett specifically requested chicken enchiladas) which the girls provided, salad, chips and Dad's salsa, and hot fudge sundaes with Jeremy's secret sauce. Analynn, Ellie and Brianna especially loved the chocolate. Everyone enjoyed it, and President and Sister Crockett seemed to like it too. They also enjoyed visiting with all of us, renewing their acquaintances with our EAC students, and even discovering a "cousinship" with Scott.
Later, everyone relaxed in the pool. Jeremy and Erika even stayed late so their kids could swim with their cousins.
That same day was the dance recital for Brianna, Brynlie and Camille. They, of course, were the cutest ones!
On the 16th, we went to a tri-stake Seminary graduation at which Dallin received his certificate of graduation from Seminary. Stetson also graduated from Seminary, but we were not able to go to see his. Although we were sad to miss it, we were just as proud of him as of Dallin. What great young men. The next day, May 17th, was Grandma and Grandpa Hiatt's 66th wedding anniversary! Congratulations!
As the school year came to a close, we got to go to the end-of-school programs of the kids who live here. We saw Luke in his very first program, Polly, Isabel and Rylie in their last. It is the last for Rylie because she is going on to Jr. Hi, but for Polly and Isabel it is because Mrs. Dosier is retiring. We are so sad because she has been the best thing about Dorothy Stinson school. She is truly training a generation of show choir participants.
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The weekend of the 23rd was the Temple dedication weekend. On Saturday, Dallin, DeWitt, Lillian and Rylie all got to perform in front of the prophet, Elders Eyring, Holland, Walker and Costa. They heard their leaders speak and even sing. Then over 1500 kids from the whole Temple district danced and sang for them. Dad and I watched it from the stake center, so we didn't get any pictures, but the Eastern Arizona Courier has a video of it if you're interested in seeing it. Then on Sunday, during 3 sessions, President Monson dedicated the Gila Valley Temple. Again, we watched it from the Stake Center, but Rebecca and Mary went out to the Temple to see the cornerstone ceremony, and were able to get very close to the Prophet.
Dad and I began our Gila Valley Temple service right after the dedication. Dad did 55 sealings for the dead the very first day. He felt so satisfied and happy. I think this is the work he was born to do.
May is the month for graduations and we had two: Dallin in Safford and Stetson in Gilbert. We went to Dallin's on Wednesday, the 26th, and even though the stadium was packed, Rebecca got us some seats on the folding chairs down in front, so we were able to see Dallin and didn't have to climb the bleachers. 
The next day, we went to Gilbert for Stetson's graduation. It was just as nice, but a whole lot bigger. There were over 700 graduates in Stetson's class, and 150 in Dallin's. We also got to sit right down on the field, and so were able to go right out to see Stetson when it was over. Getting old has its perks. We are so proud of both of our graduates. They are both so strong and righteous in a wicked world. They have such a wonderful future ahead of them.
The next day, we went to the movie with Esther's and Joel's families (Prince of Persia...a lot of action) and out to eat at Mi Amigos. Here are some of the cousins on the big rock in front of the restaurant.
On the last Saturday of the month, Mary brought over a box of apricots from her tree and we made apricot jam. Dad, in the meantime, put up some beets from his garden...yum. Everyone got in the act of preparing the apricots and she ended up making 20 pints!
And finally, Memorial Day. Dad recorded some war movies that he wanted to watch on that day, and he also worked around the yard and garden...perfect holiday for him. He and Tyson plugged some grass to transfer to their yard. Mary celebrated by braiding Lillian's hair so it would last through the week of camp. She and Rylie (Rylie's first year) and also Reygan(her first year too) and Erika will be spending the week at Girls' camp. Mary's kids and I celebrated by keeping cool in the pool!
8 comments:
Wow, what an awesome post. You all need to know how much work she puts into this every month. She has literally been at it from mid morning until now (8 PM MST). This is a real labor of love. Of course she would not do it except for all of you who are so precious to us. We have learned so much from working in the Temple. To know how much our Heavenly Father loves us you need to perform all of the ordinances in the Temple from time to time. By doing that you will come to know that keeping worthy has eternal significance for each of you and for us as a family and that every trial that is placed in our path is worth the effort to overcome it and remain faithful. We love you all more than you know. Remember that forgiveness and repentance can overcome most if not all problems in relationships. Dad
Seriously mom! you do work on it all day! And we do appreciate it! We need to get a blog book printed out for you! We love you both so much and all the acts of "labor of love", you do for all of us! The fact that you were able to attend so many events, and take so many pictures show what great loving parents and grandparents you are! Thank you for your example! you are amazing! Thank you mom so much for your monthly post! you bring the fam closer together!
Love ya,
Mary
Thank you Mom.
I look forward to it every month. I am going to steal some of the pictures to put on my blog. I hope you don't mind. Thank you for the effort. It does not go unnoticed, I promise.
Mom, what a delicious post. I read slow as to get all the words in my brain, and I loved all of the pictures. I know that took you a lot of time, but it is so very very appreciated. Thank you. I am so glad that you and dad can be such an influencial part of my family's life. Thanks for coming to everything. All your time spent on my family is so appreciated. I love you both.
I just went back and read the other comments. Wow Dad, what great advice. I will agree to everything you said. All of the temple work is so beneficial to our earthly and spiritual lives, and, forgivness and repentance in marriage is the only way to make it through. But you really have to be a participant in both parts, forgivenss and repentance, because it is never one sided. Thanks for your thoughts.
It's wonderful grandma! What a fabulous month, and a scrumptious blog to compliment it. :)
*Devynne Marie
Oooo! And Rylie and Reygan, please post pictures of girls camp! :) And Rylie I have been trying to get on you blog but for some reason it won't let me?
*Devynne Marie
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