Week Update {Sunday Best}

I've been busy this week, taking lots of pictures, trying to get things lined up for school...ordering curriculum (yes weeks later than I should have) and just trying to keep sane.  I'm afraid I think things are only going to get busier, but with major cutting back with photography, music and organizing more....hopefully this school year will be fantastic!  I got set apart for my new calling last Sunday.

I may be a bit overwhelmed by it.  It might just be the timing. I'm sure it's going to be great! But ooooh, how the scouting will be a lot of work. 

I am the new Klamath Falls Stake Primary President.  I might have a presidency...I might not.  Lol, it's been a long process. They called me in April.  I'll admit it took a long time for me to come up with my presidency, but it's been even longer getting them called. That poor past presidency that has thought they would be released since April! Well today was finally the day for them.

I know as a stake calling it's not nearly as busy as say a Ward Primary President on a daily basis...but scouting is really going to take a lot of my time, and travelling to the other wards will as well.  I think the farthest branch from here is about 3 hours.  I hope I can always have a travelling companion!  I already know some reasons why God put me here in this calling. There is much I need to improve on in my life and I know this calling will help push me there.  I begged to keep at least one of my music callings in the ward (I love it!) but there is no way I'll be able to continue Choir Director, but in the mean time I am.

This morning Jayden didn't want to get dressed.  I told him he wouldn't get breakfast and he would have to go to church in his PJ's....Five minutes later he came out of his room dressed.  Glad that worked!



Oh! And by the way...Potty Training is going great!  Still gotta work on the pooping, but I don't even have to ask her to pee...she tells me.  What a big girl! (well she is three I guess!)

Spiritual Enlightenment!

The day before coming back to Klamath Falls, my sister Janine and I were able to attend the temple thanks to our Angel sister Becca who watched all 8 kids. It's not something that I get to do nearly as often as I would like and I really appreciate when I can make it work due to others unselfish acts!

After the temple we had lunch downtown Salt Lake and then visited the Relief Society Resource Building on Temple Square. I needed some guidance and help with my new calling in Primary and they have such people to help me! It was a great visit, I felt a lot of encouragement and support.

There were two quotes on the walls that touched me and I thought I would share here:



This next one might be hard to read so I'll type it in "Creative, innovative sharing times and [other] activities can be stimulating and fun, but they don't mean much if the children...come away having been entertained but not really enlightened, taught the gospel, or lifted spiritually...Every lesson, every meeting, and every activity should be focused on bringing these little ones to Christ."  (M. Russell Ballard, 'Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children.' Ensign April 1994, 61; Teaching No Greater Call, 117)

Week Update 8-21 through 8-28-11 BIG NEWS!

first...if you have missed the last few weeks, you missed some good stuff! My baby girls are growing up and you can read about them here:

Savannah is 2!

and here at the end of this post:

Emma is 4 months!

Wow...it's been a busy day, I'm exhausted and I really don't feel like going into too much detail for our week. Sorry. So out of my laziness this will all just be ONE big post.

Monday night was Maliyah's first time conducting FHE, and doing the lesson and treat. She gave us a great lesson and did a great job making the chocolate muffins. She made them nearly all on her own! Kyson also helped me out for dinner that night and is now a MASTER corn shucker (and I have never spelled that and never even THOUGHT about how it shoudl be spelled!). Maliyah's lesson was on the Word of Wisdom which went great with the Primary Theme this month of 'My Body is a Temple'. Today she had to give a talk in Primary so it went perfectly and just had to modify it a bit!






Trying to hide from the camera!






Thursday Morning Duck left out of town for the weekend on a business/pleasure trip with 3 other guys. When duck leaves I try to provide some fun activities for the kids so that they aren't bummed about him being gone, so Thursday we did the water activity at the Y.

Friday Maliyah had horse lessons so we drove out to sprague river again, but then that night we had Kimberly (husband is gone with DUck) over with her kids to do dinner and make cookie pizza's. Another friends little girl had fallen and split her head open so I had her other two little girls too. The kids had a blast with the craziness of it all...but it was just that, CRAZY! And loud.





That is a SUPREME!!



So this trip of Ducks....the point was to treat his good customers, Larry and Joey...to something...something big. It was pretty crazy that it ended up being car races in Bristol Tennessee...but that's what they chose!

Since they left 4 lonely wives behind, the company also treated us to a day. WE started with a pizza lunch and trolley ride downtown which included all the kids.

Waiting for the Trolley















After settling kids with babysitters we went to the spa. I got my first professional massage! It was okay. But honestly? I don't think I could EVER pay for one myself. I know lots of people that really enjoy them...I'm kinda jealous because I had been looking forward to it! I did however LOVE the pedicure and just chatting with Kimberly. After the spa we went out to dinner. It ended up being a really long night...2 HOURS to get our food and nearly 3 hours at the restaurant, but it was definitely a relaxing afternoon with women I really enjoy being with, so THANK YOU CED!!




So now for the BIG news of the week. This morning (with all 5 kids in tow because Duck is still gone) I went to my LAST ward Council meeting. Yes, today I was released from Primary President! It's a day I have been looking forward to....and dreading for years. I LOVE kids, but since being called I have had three babies, moved twice, and started homeschool and it's been a LOT Of work. I love being in primary and I look forward to the Day that I can maybe just be a primary teacher! As president I didn't get a lot of chances to work with the kids at a really intimate level, yet on the other hand I got the opportunity to work with and get to know ALL The kids rather than just one class! I will for sure miss those kids, but I know I'll get lots of chances to help out as a sub since my NEW CALLINGS ARE: (yes there are two) Ward Music Chairman, and Ward Choir Director.

Prior to this month I probably would have been a little intimidated by that calling (director anyway). But when the Bishop mentioned we will be released soon and he has another calling for me I got worried about what it might be! I thought it about it much of that afternoon and had an epiphany. NO MATTER what calling I recieve, I have the choice to LOVE it, or not. I also have the choice to put forth my all, or not. At that moment, I decided that no matter what my calling will be, I will be the BEST at it that I could be! Soon all kinds of calling were going through my head. Ones that would typically REALLY intimidate me, but I was getting excited about the prospect of any of these callings! So as soon as I was asked to serve in these areas, I said yes and I'm really excited! I'm going to try to be the BEST Ward Choir Director that our ward has ever had! Maybe I won't really be....but I'm certainly going to try!

I'm grateful for a church that allows me the opportunity to serve so much. It's in this service that I am humbled, taught, and given the chance to grow. I'm so grateful that I got the chance to be Primary President and for the wonderful relationships I was able to develop with the others I worked with in Primary.

Just got this picture in my email. We had two softball games this week. AFter Wednesdays game Duck and I had our date night, but he was gone for Thursday's game which was our last! We took fifth out of 8 teams. Consider we never had a single practice and a few of us are NOT athletes...I think not too shabby! We were the wildebeests...yes we were great! Go wildebeests!

Weekly Update 1-9 through 1-16-11

This has been a BUUSSY week! Unfortunately not all filled with fun stuff either. Lots of just meetings, work to be done and lots of going places. What was fun was our new segment this week for school

Dinosaurs!

The kids had never really been into dinosaurs before but the past two months they have really been interested. Partly due to a new TV show I think on Disney called Dino Dan. I really like it but the kids LOVE it! So we moved up our dinosaur week to be this week. Last Friday we went to the LIbrary and loaded up on Dinosaur books. I found a bunch of crafts and activities online and already had a few things from the dollar store that I had found months ago. Although in the end we didn't have time to do it all, the kids really loved just reading about and learning more about dinosaurs!

Maliyah also started Dance. I hope it works out as the class is really full and the teacher isn't sure if Maliyah can stay in that class, but she had proved herself a good swimmer and deserved a little something for fun now! She has a friend in the class which will make it even more fun for her!

This week the kids also started PE again at the elementary school. Kyson was SO excited (well they both were) and can't wait to go again! It's just twice a week for 20 minutes, but they have a lot of friends in the class from music class, church and other things so it makes it really fun for them! I'm glad that it has worked out this semester.

Amongst my busyness I decided I needed a little break. I heard Old Navy was having their sale this weekend and although I wasn't sure if I had time to make it to Medford, I knew if I did soon it would be beneficial. I'm sure 99% reading this already know this, but for that other 1% I always buy my kids clothes the season before when they go on clearance. I have saved a TON of money this way! I get clothes at thriftstore prices, but they are brand new! Since moving to Klamath it's been a little harder since my options for shopping are wal-mart and Fred Meyer. So after getting a hold of a few friends that were willing to join me, we dropped everythign Saturday afternoon and headed up to Medford! It was a much needed break, time with adults, and very successful shopping trip! I was able to pretty much get everything I need for Maliyah and Kyson. And then of course the rest get all the handme downs! Actually I got a few things for the other three too, but I mostly just cover the two oldest and then I'm covered. I was very happy to have saved myself so much time and money and to get it all done in one shopping trip! Then of course we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Red Robin. I also just enjoyed the time talking in the car! Thanks Jamie and Amy...that was the best!

Today I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting. The topic I was given was Hope. I don't really care for the time and work that goes into preparing for lessons/talks/sharing times or whatever, but I'm always so grateful for the lessons I learn while preparing and how much more it helps my strength and testimony. I hope I can always work on strengthening my faith and hope so that it can show in my every day life. That I can show my hope brightly to those around me because..."there is hope smiling brightly before me!"

Lastly I am helping create some plaques for our Activity Days. I always use so many downloads and ideas from others online that once in awhile I feel like I need to share with others what I have created! These are the certificates that we made for the girls. I filled in the names and goals of course on the computer, but you could easily just print them as is and write them in. To download click on the picture. It will open in photobucket and if you hover your curser over the picture, then some options (one to download) will appear in the upper left corner of the image). They are high resolution so they may not even show up on the page here...but click on it and hopefully you will be taken to photobucket!

Weekly Update January 2nd-9th

This weeks update will all be done in one post. I didn't take a ton of pictures this week, and honestly there aren't too many fabulous things to tell you this week. I tried really hard to be organized and keep on top of things so that getting back into school and routine wasn't too stressful! AND...I think for the most we succeeded. I had a crappy day Friday because of my forgetfulness, mindlessness, whatever you want to call it. I wasted my time and there is nothing I hate than when I waste my own time!

Saturday morning was our beginning of the year Meet and Greet Primary activity and other than the craziness to pull all my responsibilities together the activity went really well! WE had a full on fabulous breakfast with the bishopric and missionaries serving. The teachers had get to know you games to play with their classes, the little ones took a tour of the church to find their classrooms (which proved to be helpful today) and from what I could see it all went well!

Later that afternoon I felt we needed a little timeout with the family so we went to the sports park to play with dads new remote control car. The kids love it when Duck has it chase them, but ultimately they love taking turns with it. Savannah squeals like she is scared but really loves it!













Savannah found her reflection in the car window and thought it was pretty cool!



Later Saturday night we had our family late night and stayed up watching a movie. After a REALLY late night Friday, and really early morning Saturday I was pretty tired, but stayed up with the kids. I'm feeling it today!

This morning before Church savs was being silly so I grabbed the camera. She was playing peekaboo with me. That girl just knows how to make me laugh!

PEEK



A



BOO!!

Thanksgiving Feast Primary Activity

For our last Quarterly Primary Activity this year we had a Thanksgiving feast. The kids all made Indian and Pilgrim costumes the sunday before in primary and wore them for the activity. The group photo was awesome and we totally think we should submit it to the Friend!









We started out our activity with a Turkey craft and getting costumes on. Then we served up our Turkey feast which also included potatoes, rolls, pumpkin pie and ice cream. Each child also wrote what they were thankful for on a leaf then got to hang it on the Thanksgiving Tree. By the time all the leaves were hung it was beautiful! We hated to take it down.

We finished off the activity with two more crafts that were actually our service project. Their items will be the decor for the Ward Activity in a few weeks. While the senior kids were finishing up their craft, the Jr kids had a sing-a-long with one of our youth who plays guitar. It was a really fun and successful activity!

Primary Activity 5-30-09

Yesterday we had our Primary Quarterly Activity and it was so great! It really turned out all well and I think the kids had fun. It was all about activities the kids can help their families participate that are appropriate for the Sabbath. I got the idea from a booth at Women’s Conference. Then I found a similar idea that someone had done for a primary activity as well! The theme was “Extra toppings to make your SUNDAY a real treat”. WE of course finished off the activity with Ice Cream Sundae’s! If anybody likes the idea I have posters from the stations and the whole thing written up that I would send to you. I hate to throw it all away as I spent time on it, so if I can help someone else and pass it on…let me know!

Most of these pictures are just of the signs by each station then just two pics of inside. Ultimately it all went well, I appreciate all the help from everone to make it so successful!

The first station was all about music and ways we can use that on the sabbath with our families. Especially ways we can teach our families new songs.

We had each of the kids make put together a Family HOme Evening idea. Sunday is a great time to start preparing for your Monday night Family home evening. This FHE lesson was on....guess....What you can do on the sabbath! So they decorated a can that would have strips of paper with ideas of the things we talked about at the activity

This station we had a sweet elderly sister in the ward come and talk with the kids. My counselor had the room all made up and homey with curtains on the chalk board, a chair, blanket, and two tables with lamp, book, quilt and picture set out. The kids sat on a blanket and ate popcorn while listening to her tell stories about her childhood. It was really sweet to walk by and hear how quiet that station was!

We tried to share with the kids all the different writing activities that you can participate in, thank you cards, get well cards, letters to missionaries or granparetns, journaling. Then they each got their own little mini journal to start writing in.

My counselor got the missionaries to come and help with a station about fellowshipping and just being friendly to our friends and neighbors. Each child put together a little cookie package with ribbon and a note and could choose someone they could give it to. Such as the mailman, teachers, bus driver, neighbor....anyone they could think of. It was really fun having the elders there to help us out!

This station we had the kids learn the game 'Fruit Basket' that they could go home and teach their families. My kids love that game and it seemed that they got a kick out of it!

Primary Activity 11-14-08

So one of the things we did for our Primary Activity was play Primary Squares (our rendition of Hollywood squares). My counselor did an awesome job of setting up the game, making everything glittery and shiny. She also started by telling stories about what the questions will be about. She totally dressed up a scripture person. She is awesome! Here was party of her set-up



My other counselor did the dessert which was Turkey Cupcakes. Each kid got to assemble their own. They were so cute, totally fun and a really big hit! More kids than I thought actually waited to eat the candy until it was on their cupcake!

We also did home made pizza's for dinner. We made them on English Muffins and each kid got to do their own. It really was super fun, worked pretty good and I think the kids liked the idea. I just was bummed when I realized I forgot to bring the home made rootbeer!!