Time to leave Budapest

What a wonderful 3 weeks I have had here in Budapest with Jared, Kelli and Scarlett. We spent the first few days after the hospital adjusting as Kelli perfected her nursing skills and we got into a routine (well kind of). Jared's parents flew in to meet Scarlett on Wednesday after we got home. They stayed in a hotel nearby and we enjoyed some dinners and outings with them. We had Scarlett and Kelli on a train, trolly, subway and ferry when baby was 5 days old.

Kelli has amazed both Randy and me with her positive "let's go" attitude in spite of all that goes with post birth and limited sleep. And Jared has been very thoughtful, taking time off from school and work to spend time with us. Randy joined everyone on Saturday and Scarlett had a day with both sets of grandparents gushing over her. On Sunday Jared's parents flew home and we took Scarlett to church. Monday was a Hungarian holiday and we took a ferry ride about 3 hours north to visit an old castle, then came back to Budapest on a fast boat.

On Wednesday Randy and I took the train to Prague (a 7 hour ride through Hungary, Slavakia and the Chzek Republic). We spent Thursday walking the city, visiting churches, castles, museums
and attending an opera at the beautiful opera house. We returned via train on Friday in time to have dinner with Kelli, Jared and Scarlett on a boat on the Danube docked in Budapest.

Saturday we rented a car and drove out to the countryside to visit 2 quaint villages. We ate the BEST crepes I have ever tasted and ducked into a little church off of a cobblestone walkway to seek shelter from the rain.

Yesterday we blessed little Scarlett. Jared gave her a beautiful blessing at their Branch Testimony meeting. He invited several of his nonmember friends from the MBA program and 14 came. The testimony meeting became a most appropriate discussion around Scarlett's birth, the circle of life, the plan of salvation. The Spirit was strong and I think the visitors were touched. We invited the grad students over to Kelli and Jared's place for finger foods afterwards. We met some really fascinating people from all overEastern Europe and beyond.

Tomorrow we return to New York. This entire experience has made me so keenly aware of the many blessings I have in my life. We learned while here that Todd and Ashley will give us grandchild #11. The circle of life and family and love...that's what it's all about.