A Weekend in Dallas

Last Friday I got work off and Mark left work early so we could drive down to Dallas and have all day Saturday to enjoy friends and family.

Saturday morning we didn't let ourselves sleep-in like we normally would have if we were home.  Instead we got up around 7:30 and went to the Dallas Temple.  It had been much too long since we'd last gotten to visit a temple "just because".  We were hoping to go when we were in UT for Christmas, but alas I wouldn't have been able to guarantee that I could make it through multiple hours without getting extremely hungry and therefore nauseous.  The Oklahoma City Temple (the one we are supposed to visit often) is about 4 hours away, so our work schedules haven't allowed us to attend the ward or stake temple trips for about a year.  Since it has been so long between visits we didn't want to miss another opportunity!  The temple was only about 20 minutes from our hotel, so we knew we were very blessed to be that close.  It was wonderful to feel the peace and love of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus the Christ while we were reminded of the covenants we have made with them and our purpose during this life!

After our temple visit we got to go out to lunch with our good friends the Dents.  When we lived in Durham we were in the same ward and apartment complex as Spencer and Missy.  We did something together almost every week.  It's so weird how you can get so close to people then all of a sudden not see them for almost 3 years!  It felt like good old times (plus 2 kids) catching up with them and chatting about other friends, work, family, and of course Duke.


After lunch we spent the rest of the day with Mark's little sister and her family.  Mary Susan and Tim welcomed baby #2 into the family about 6 weeks ago.  I couldn't believe how big Ali has gotten since this summer and Parker is such a good little baby! It was great to see the whole family.  Sunday morning Mark was able to represent the Smallwood side of the family during Parker's naming and blessing at church.  I loved seeing Mark hold his itty-bitty nephew Saturday and Sunday.  Twice the little guy fell asleep in Mark's arms and it just melted my heart!  Mark thinks I'm silly to find it so adorable, but there is something about seeing my big strong husband holding a precious and pure little baby that makes me smile non-stop!  I can't wait until he gets to hold his own little ones!