Canada Trip 2012

We went  to Canada the week before Christmas. We flew and it was Lucy's first time on an airplane. She did great. She didn't get scared at the take off and was very well behaved during the layovers and flight. We arrived in Canada at 1am after leaving our house at 2pm. She was awake  for most of the trip.

We had a really good time in Canada. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Lucy behaved being away from home and around lots of people. She played so well with her cousins and I didn't have to worry about her misbehaving or getting into trouble. She really is a big girl now. She loved her cousin Noah who is just a few years older than her, and he loved her. I loved watching them play.

We got to decorate the Christmas tree and eat lots of yummy food.

 We had the chance to ice skate on both the dugout at the farm and on the rink in town.

We went sledding behind the truck which is a tradition at the Shugart farm. 

 We had a fake Christmas which allowed us to exchange presents and have a Christmas FHE.

Last time I was there  we also had an FHE and when it was my turn I cried like a baby and blubbered out something silly. I felt so dumb and constantly remind myself of the embarrassing experience. So this time I was determined not to cry. But once again as soon as it was my turn I cried, partially because of nerves. And once again, I mumbled something that didn't make sense because I didn't rehearse it in my head before it came around to me. I'm so dumb. But I loved hearing about everyone's perspective on the nativity and their favorite part of the week.

We got home on Christmas Eve in the late afternoon. Lucy was so tired that even manually opening her eyes couldn't wake her up. We all took a 3 hour nap when we got home. Woke up, ate some food, then slept again for another 10-12 hours.

I love Ben's family.  I was reading Jesus The Christ about the Millennium. In it, James E. Talmage describes the time by saying that "love shall be the dominant power of control." I loved that quote and still do. I am determined to make that a reality before the millennium by at least having that in my own home. I realized while being with Ben's family that they are exactly that. They were great examples of that very kind of love. They showed me how to do it, now I just need to apply it into my own life. They have so much love. They are always positive despite the circumstances. I didn't hear anyone complain the whole week (besides myself). They are so nice. They are constantly looking for ways to help one another and to uplift others. I am so grateful to know that a family like that is possible.


It was a wonderful week that went so fast. It felt like we had just arrived and we were already heading back home. The farm has  grown a little place in my heart.