Timing is Everything

This morning I got an email from Deseret Book announcing a 75% off sale on their Christmas things. I browsed a little bit and ended up ordering three sets of really cute Nativity costumes for children. My theory was that I can use it for Primary and/or we can do a family Nativity pageant at Christmas since next year the kiddoes should all be able to participate.

Interestingly enough, as I went back this afternoon to get the link to pass on, the costumes are listed as 'out of stock'. You can still see them here but at the regular prices, and they can't be added to your cart. I must have been amazingly lucky this morning - they do say timing is everything!

I ended up paying around $35 + shipping total -- which is still far less than even one of the sets is priced at originally. I may have missed out on the big Target toy clearance yesterday (double drat, as Maya would say!) , but I lucked out at Deseret Book today.

Walking in Your Footsteps

I love children. I love their fresh perspectives on things, I love their candor and I love the way they can zero in on what really matters.

I remember hearing a story about a mother who had 10 children and was expecting #11. Clearly her life was hectic but one day she had more trouble than usual doing the routine chores. Her 3 year old son was on her heels no matter where she went or what she did. Everytime she turned around she'd trip over him. Several times she patiently suggested activities to occupy him and always got the same response, "Oh, that's all right, Mommy. I'd rather be in here with you." And he'd continue to bounce happily along behind her.

After stepping on his toes for the fifth time, she lost patience and insisted that he go outside to play. He resisted, and when she asked him why he was acting this way, he looked up at her and

said, "Well, Mommy, in Primary my teacher told me to walk in Jesus' footsteps. But I can't see Him so I"m walking in yours."

What a great reminder of the vital role of a mother. Moms truly are the link between their children and the Savior.

Humbling. (I wish I could go back and re-do some of my footsteps.)

Must Haves for the New Year

#1. The flying, screaming monkey. We first ran into these at the Hacking's Christmas party and had to have them so they ended up in our Christmas stockings this year. They're a real treasure.

#2. Also in the flying category, a flying alarm clock. Hasn't everyone always wanted one of these?
#3. Of course, everyone needs a Hillary Nutcracker. 'Nuff said!

#4. Your own muscle beach guy. If you owned the Dumbell Dwayne , you could watch him pump iron all winter long. Who needs beaches?These seem (to me, anyhow) to be must-haves for the new year. What self-respecting person would be without them? Check them out and much much more here.

Life is Really Good

Just finished browsing the Life is Good site and found the have some fun new stuff. Loved the new crusher tees and the fresh new colors and patterns. Check them out - -there are lots of fun things for both men and women. Kids too! I think my favorites right now are the Sunset Cruise, the Take your Sweet Time and Stay Cool tees. Which do you like?

Wisdom

Maya Angelou was on the Oprah show in April as she celebrated a 70+ birthday. While she was there, she shared many things she's learned over the course of her life and especially her insights on aging. I liked hearing that she was interested in the race her breasts were having to see which would reach her waist first -- I can relate! She was very warm and funny and wise. This is probably my favorite quote from the show:

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back." (Maya Angelou)

I agree.

How I Love Primary!

Today was the fresh start for our 2008 Primary year. I admit it, I was apprehensive and here's why. My first counselor, Candice, was home with a sick daughter. My second counselor, Natalie, was traveling back here from her Christmas trip to Utah. So that left me and my secretary, Mariann to take care of everything. Thank goodness for all our Primary teachers and music leaders! Our biggest problem is that we are now the middle ward -- we are sandwiched between two others and we have no time to go into the Primary room and organize it and set it up as we have done in the past. For me, that's a huge problem. If the children come into chaos, chaos will never leave. This I know.

Our Bishopric doesn't want us leaving Sacrament meeting early to set up, so I convinced them to hold the congregation and let the Primary leaders and teachers scurry down to do what set-up we can get in before the kids arrive. We had a lot of Aaronic priesthood boys and their leaders helping us -- so it was a bit chaotic but once we all know what we want done, it should go quickly.

I did Sharing Time, and despite some off-and-on sobbing from one of the twelve (yup, twelve!) new Sunbeams, both Jr. and Sr. Primary went well. And once again, I felt the spirit so strongly as I did what I had prepared to do, which was to teach and bear testimony and love the children and their teachers.

I love Primary. With all my heart. I really do. I'm so grateful for the chance I have to be part of the lives of these precious little ones and their equally precious teachers.

One Down, Three to Go

Today we held our first Primary quarterly activity and it went so well. We had a "Meet Your New Teacher" breakfast, which is hardly a brand-new, awe-inspiring idea. But we did a pizza party last year that ended up being more of a "meet your substitute teacher" pizza party so we wanted to try again.

We served fresh Shipley Donuts, bananas and juice boxes -- figured the kids needed more sugar, right?! Actually, with the 'we don't cook in the church kitchen' (WHAT??) rule, it seemed easiest. And it was easy with pretty much no mess involved.

We had 10 dozen donuts which all disappeared, a lot of bananas (only 4 bananas made it home) and 108 juice boxes (only 5 of them survived) . The kids had a great time. We threw quilts and blankets on the floor and had a picnic style breakfast then introduced the new theme for the year (I Am a Child of God) with cute silicone bracelets like the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong ones. Ours are white and say "I am a Child of God" both in English and in Spanish. The kids loved them and I'm hoping to see them on little wrists off and on during the year. {find them here}.

Then we sent them to their new classrooms with their teachers to play a getting-to-know-you game, brought them back into the Primary room to sign our new tablecloth and sent them home. The turnout was great, the kids loved it, the teachers loved it and we loved it. It really was a rip-roaring success.

Makes for a nice Saturday. Now only 3 activities more to go!

{poster above available here}

A Chuckle

I don't think he will notice, do you?

I was looking for a smile today and found this -- sure enough, it worked. Made me smile!

Thanks to all for the sweet comments and support - things are improving (I ditched the crutches today -- maybe a little soon, but that's how it's going to be!) and life will be good again. Thank you!

The Blues

“Every 'no' makes room for an unexpected 'yes.' Every delay fortifies our patience and allows for time to prepare and mature. Every physical setback forces us to rest and recover, building strength in other ways. Every weakness and temptation heightens our awareness of our need for others and for God. Every bout of loneliness or depression reminds us to love lavishly when we are able. Every embarrassment keeps our sense of humor intact. Every gaping hole of loss could be a window.” (Kristin Armstrong)

I'm feeling a bit down. I guess it's coming from dealing with the foot issue and having to be slow (which I totally hate and am not good at), trying to get past some discouragement and hurt feelings, and having a touch of a cold as well. I think the combination has given me a case of the blues. I am fine and will be OK and I know it. But I'm struggling a little bit.

I read the above quote a while back and saved it and I think now is when I really need it. I'm definitely not enjoying the enforced rest and recovery and certainly not building strength in other ways. But I know I need to.

And as my sister's mother-in-law always told her, "This too shall pass!" And it will.

What???

Time for a name change, I think!

'Nuff said!

Pork the one you love? Really?

Hussey's General store -- for all your shotgun wedding needs.

Rocket scientists, huh?
Go back towards my behind? Huh?!

Suicidal cows falling here? Really??

Still dead, huh? Who knew?

Don't drink and make signs, maybe?

These gave me a smile today.