An Afternoon With the "Bodies"

This past Monday, our family had quite the eye opening experience. We were introduced to ourselves... our INSIDE selves, that is! Our local museum is featuring the "Bodies"-a traveling exhibition that features cadavers, fetuses, and over 250 human organs.

Our kids were a little nervous about hanging out with dead people... I can't imagine why! Carson kept, saying, "What if when we're looking at them, their hearts start beating?!" Sounds exactly like a scene straight out of a horror movie, right? I have to admit that even I was very conscience of the the fact that these bodies were once living, breathing people as I toured the exhibit. I kept imagining their spirits watching us gawk at their innards. I wondered if they would be honored to be preserved for education... or utterly humiliated to be in the most naked form possible: Skinless.

I have seen pictures and drawings of body parts, but it was nothing like seeing it in the flesh! Here's a peak at a few of the superstars from the show:

The highlight of the tour for me came from a comment made by my sweet, naive daughter. While looking at the glass case containing the female reproductive system, I carefully said to Kenna, "Look. Those are the ovaries. That's where the eggs are." McKenna gasped and exclaimed, "We lay eggs!? I didn't know that!" Oh, I still laugh every time I think of her face in that moment! However, the funniest part probably came from my pathetic response. I said something like, "No! We don't lay eggs. We just have them, and they... ya know, they.... never mind." Those conversations are unchartered waters for me!

I have to say that though the show left me feeling slightly sick to my stomach, I am so thankful that I had this fascinating opportunity. I left feeling humbled by God's existence and power. In today's world, we marvel at the latest electronic gadget--when in reality, these complex machines don't hold a candle to the greatest machine of them all: Our Bodies. So many different organs and systems all working together.. and yet we never give a thought to this MIRACLE that is going on inside us all of the time! ... Can't you just hear Jack Handy saying, "Deep thoughts by JoLyn"?

Though we weren't allowed to photograph the bodies, here's our family in the Idaho History section of the museum.

Kenna... our actress.

Three little indians.

Don't let the binki fool you. Ash is much more of a kid than a baby these days.

My boys are somewhat obsessed with wolves. This is Carson's 'cool' pose.

"Ma"Kenna with her rough and tough brothers. We let the kids play in the kid's room forever. We wanted to get out money's worth... and I think we did! What a great, educational day!