Growing up

Sunday was definitely a day to remember. S graduated from Primary and received his "Faith in God" award. The highlight was S getting ordained by his father. I know he is ready for this transition. I'm constantly amazed at what this kid knows and understands. It will be a huge blessing for all of us to have another priesthood holder in the home. The spirit was strong and I will never forget the feeling.

All the grandparents were there which meant a lot to us. Crew was having one of his moments so Brother Ames stayed out in the hall with him. I can't believe S is in Young Mens now.... where has the time gone?

For more about what we believe go here. For specifics about the priesthood look here.

grateful #2/ Primary teachers

I'm participating in a month of GRATITUDE which the blog South Breeze Farm has started. Our ward's Monthly newsletter contained a story from a talk given by Sister Bonnie B. Parkin where a family was going through a difficult time. They had a hard time not focusing on their challenges. Instead, they turned to a loving Heavenly Father for guidance. Almost immediately the family noticed so much to be grateful for. The mother stated, "The more we expressed our gratitude, the more there was to be grateful for."

This is a powerful talk. I know I've referenced it here before. Openly expressing gratitude is something I need to work on. I feel gratitude daily and try to express it in my prayers but I want to do better at telling/showing those around me that I am truly grateful.

For quite awhile I've felt so blessed that my three boys each have a wonderful Primary/Sunday teacher. Each teacher is able to touch their lives for good and the boys have been receptive. These 3 teachers go beyond the basic preparation as teachers. I am so grateful. When I attempt to teach the boys a gospel principle or scripture during FHE or at other times, I find they've already learned the principle or can recite the scripture story from memory. Their respective teachers are doing a wonderful job. Primary is suppose to be a supplement to the teachings we do in our homes but honestly I'm having a hard time keeping up:)

We are so blessed to have a unique teacher for Crew. Our Bishop feels its important enough for Carl and I to attend our classes and get spiritually fed that he has called one brother to care for Crew during that two hour period. What a blessing! Brother C does an excellent job. Crew loves him. I'm sure the task is far from easy as I know he does spend a lot of time with Crew in the hall. When the Primary kids are singing, I can hear Crew "singing"/screeching along with the best of them.

Running all day

Okay, so I did my run early today. SEVEN MILES! It doesn't sound like much when comparing it to the women over at Marathon Mommies but for me it was a stretch. It took me 68 minutes so maybe that isn't really considered "running". Ten days ago I could barely run 3 miles so I feel good about it. I ran all of it on the treadmill while watching a documentary on President Hinckley. It really helped keep me going. There were times during the show that I was so touched by something President Hinckley said that I would get choked up... and then I had to breathe deep or die. It's really hard to run when you are crying. I'm very thankful for this challenge because it really made me reflect not only on the life of Gordon B. Hinckley, but also my own life. I can clearly see what it is I need to be doing... where I am falling short and where I am struggling. There are so many things! It makes me want to "try a little harder, be a little kinder, be more prayerful", say I'm sorry more.... I have so much to work on.

H and I were able to attend a Baptism today for the neighbor boy. It was nice to go and feel the peacefulness of it and see how happy little Jaron was. Then, we came home to watch the funeral and then back to the church again to clean. Our ward is in charge of cleaning the church this year and so I signed up last sunday before I knew there would be so much going on today with the Baptism and the Funeral too. S and H loved cleaning the church. I wish they would get that excited about cleaning my house. H helped me sweep and mop... oh and entertain Crew. S and Carl vacuumed. Another couple in our ward (they are expecting their 3rd boy... lol) were there cleaning too. We had a good time. H said he wanted to do it every Saturday:)

S had a basketball game. He was able to score 6 points... but they lost by one basket:( Then I was off shopping for Crew mans birthday. Two haircuts, dinner, baths, bedtime basketball (always), grocery shopping, phone calls... Good night.

President Gordon B. Hinckley 1910 - 2008

President Hinckley passed away last night. I am happy that he is with his sweet wife again, yet he will surely be missed.

What an amazing man! I've loved his counsel, witty humour and great wisdom. I know that he was a prophet of the Lord and I feel blessed to have been led by him.

S was sitting with me watching TV when the "Breaking News" came on. S was sad and I know that President Hinckley will be missed by young and old.

How thankful I am to have had his counsel throughout much of my adult life. I've looked forward to his talks each Conference as I've tried to raise my children in the gospel and serve in the church.

Sunday stuff

I was right- they are leaving me in Cub Scouts. With the new ward realignment we got a new Primary Presidency, Relief Society Presidency, and Young Womens Presidency. I'm sad to see the old ones go, especially the Relief Society Pres. Oh, but it is always good to get new people in who have fresh ideas.

Sunbeams is a disaster. Don't get me wrong- the teacher and other children are fine. It's my son. *sigh*
His attention span is like three minutes and then he wanted to hang out at the drinking fountain.

I need a COKE.

This and That

Yesterday was the ward realignments. We had 14 wards in our stake and now there are 17. We lost some really great families in our ward but at least I still have the same Bishop. Our next door neighbor was called as 1st Counselor in the Bishopric. We are thrilled! I don't think you can find better people than Ben and Kristen. As far as callings go, I'm guessing they will keep me in Cub Scouts for now.

Crew started Sunbeams last Sunday but he ended up in the hall with Carl while I helped teach his class. I really just wanted him to start off the year with the other kids his age but.... it's a long story.

Today I spent an hour on the TreadClimber. I love it! Also, I was able to get some de-cluttering done before Crew came home from Preschool.

Crew's new DAFO's are giving him pressure sores so I wasn't able to send him to school in them today. Oh and his glasses are pinching him right up by the eye and he actually has a blister. When I stopped at Knighton Optical to get them fixed there was a sign saying the store was closed. Thankfully, the owner is in the process of opening his own store so that is good. I called the owner and he said he could meet me at the store and fix them for me. How nice is that! Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet today. I guess there is always something.