Nauvoo

We were so lucky to have my parents come visit the first part of May. I had been counting down the days until they came. I am so lucky to have such a close relationship with both my parents. I love the encouragement and uplift they bring. They just brighten my world.

As part of their visit we decided to take a trip to Nauvoo IL. My Dad had never been there and with us living only 5 hours from there it was something we have been wanting to do ever since we moved here nearly 3 years ago.

The girls were packed in and ready to go Monday morning when Kate complained of her ear hurting. Just the day before I had taken her to an urgent care clinic because she had been complaining that her ear hurt. They said her ears were fine but I know in my heart they were not.

Kate fell asleep on the drive. When she woke she was not a happy campier. Her ear was draining a lot of fluid and you could tell she did not fell well. I tried to just give her ibuprofen and survive it.

We made it to Nauvoo (finally! I don't recommend road trips when you are 6 months pregnant). We got checked into our hotel, went swimming and got set for our next day of adventures.

The church offers free guided tours of Nauvoo. It was the perfect way to see old Nauvoo. The girls loved the horse drawn wagons we got to ride in.

The Nauvoo Temple is just beautiful. I tried to imagine how hard it was for the early saints to pack up and leave their beautiful temple behind.

After spending sometime in old Nauvoo we decided to head to Carthage to see the church sight there. Seeing the Carthage jail was a humbling experience for me. I have a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith but this just strengthened it.

On the way back to Nauvoo Kate had had enough of her ear infections. She was not happy at all. (I had tired to call my pediatrician for some meds for Kate. She said she did not feel that it was an ear infection just some ear wax drainage. I was so frustrated!) We found a small walk in clinic in town. They looked at Kate's ear and it was clearly infected. We finally got some meds for Kate. I was so relieved knowing that Kate would be out of pain soon.

Our last day in Nauvoo was filled with fun for the girls. We took them to the pioneer games area. Lilly loved dressing up and playing house.

Kate loved the pioneer games there. It was nice that Kate was finely happier. A sick kid in pain is no fun.

Our last stop was the black smiths shop. Lilly just loves her ring they made for her out of a nail.

Despite Kate being sick we had a great time in Nauvoo. It was great to be with family and be reminded of all the early saint gave up for the truth of the gospel. They had so much faith and perseverance.