Sunday, Nov. 24: Primary teachers and Primary Presidency I am so thankful for each of my children's Primary teachers. My girls love Primary, and they love their teachers. Michelle loves Sister Wyatt; Gabby loves Sister DeLaMare. Ella's teacher was Sister Parker, but she was recently released and called to be the Activity Day Leader. both Ella and Michelle love her. Ella's new teacher was called today. It will be Brother Carpenter. I know he is also a phenomenal teacher. I feel so thankful that their teachers love them, love the gospel, and teach them so well.
I am also very thankful for the Primary Presidency. This past week, each of my children received a personal, handwritten note from the Primary Presidency. It meant a great deal to them, and I appreciate the time and effort that the Primary Presidency put into writing a note to each child in our primary. They are wonderful, loving, kind women that love and serve our children. I am thankful that my girls have so many good examples of righteous women.
Monday, Nov. 25: My Savior Jesus Christ I am so thankful for the example that Jesus Christ set. I am thankful for His Atonement, and that I can repent of my sins. I give thanks that He loves me and that I can follow His example and strive daily to become more like Him. Yesterday Julie Cannon taught a beautiful lesson about being meek. It was based on Elder Soares' talk in conference. I was struck by this quote:
"Meekness is vital for us to become more Christlike. Without it we won’t be able to develop other important virtues. Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with goodness and kindness, showing strength, serenity, healthy self-worth, and self-control." (It reminded me again of my favorite quote from Sister Nadauld about the kind of women the world has versus the kind of women the world needs.) I want to become more meek...to show strength, serenity, self-worth and self-control. That word serenity stands out to me. I'm not sure that serenity is a word that others would use to describe me...but I sure would like to develop more serenity.
The Savior was and is a perfect example of being humble and meek and charitable. The path to true joy and peace is to follow in His footsteps and become more like Him. I am so thankful for my understanding of the Atonement. My heart overflows with gratitude when I ponder on the priceless gift my Savior gave to me. There aren't really words to express how important this gift is. I am thankful for the sacrament which reminds me of his Atonement weekly, and for the scriptures and teachings of the prophets which teach and testify of Him. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and my Elder Brother.
I am thankful.
Tuesday, November 26: My job, my coworkers, my students
When I was younger, I dreamed of getting married, having children and being a stay at home mom. For the most part, my dreams have come true...and it is both harder and better than I dreamed it would be. But I have not been able to be a stay at home mom. Sometimes I feel sad about that, and sometimes I worry whether I am doing enough as a mom. But I also feel very grateful for my job. I feel thankful that my job helps to provide for my family, and allows us to give them lessons and other opportunities. I feel thankful that if I have to work, I have a job that I know is important and that I honestly believe and feel is part of my mission here in this life. I have a job where I get to work with children, and I hope provide a safe and encouraging place where we can learn together. I also have a job that gives me my summers off to spend with my own children. I have a job that challenges me (and sometimes overwhelms me) and that I am passionate about. I work at a school with incredibly dedicated ladies and I have many dear friends among my coworkers. And I have wonderful children in my class that I love.
Wednesday, November 27: My parents I am so very thankful for my parents and all that they did to teach me. I have been blessed to have a mom and dad and a stepdad that love me and have taught me and set good examples for me. I am so grateful for the patient, calm mom I have. She never raised her voice (oh, how I want to be like her in that way!). She read to us daily and took us to the library often. For several years, she took us to church on her own during a period in which my dad was inactive and then after my parents divorced. My grandparents were in our ward for most (all?) of that time, but it still must have been challenging. My mom set an amazing example of forgiving others after my parents' divorce. She never spoke unkindly about my dad and forgave him for the hurt he caused. She is a wonderful grandma, and she regularly sends cards or notes to my kids...for big and small holidays. She calls them regularly and reads what I write on this blog and then asks them questions about things I have written. She is the best mom/grandma. I am so thankful for her.
My dad is very smart, and I have always appreciated that when we were young we were allowed to listen and even share our opinions in the adults' conversations about politics and other topics. I think it helped build my critical thinking skills. My dad has made some mistakes in his life, and it has been a blessing for me to watch as he repented and returned to full activity in the church. It helped me understand and appreciate the Atonement more. He adores my children, and I am thankful for him.
My stepdad joined our family when I was a teenager, and he helped establish some important habits...daily scripture study and family prayer and Family Home Evening. He has been a good example of accepting and magnifying callings. He has been a great example of doing missionary work and being a member missionary. He loves us, and he loves my mom and treats her wonderfully. I am thankful to have such great parents for myself and such great grandparents for my children.
Thursday, November 28: The priesthood
I am so thankful for the power of the priesthood, and for those who honor their priesthood and use it to bless others. My uncle Phil is in the hospital. He was rushed there yesterday. He has a serious case of pneumonia. The doctor told my aunt that if he hadn't come to the hospital yesterday, he most likely would have died. Today, even though it was Thanksgiving, I called my aunts' home teachers for her (I was at her house helping to get Thanksgiving dinner ready and she was hurrying to get back to the hospital). And despite having company in town, their home teacher was at the hospital within 20 minutes to give my uncle a blessing. I am so thankful that we have the power of the priesthood. It has been a blessing in my life, and I am thankful of the blessings of comfort and healing it can bring.
Friday, November 29: Christmas decorations
I love Christmas! I love the lights, the trees, the music, the gifts, the stories, and I love the decorations. (And I especially love remembering why we celebrate this season.). I look forward to the day after Thanksgiving and to putting up our decorations. I love watching and helping my children decorate the fun tree downstairs and watching as Alfredo gets the tree upstairs perfect. (This year he did something new and the tree upstairs is decorated with all of the kids' webkinz and stuffed animals...some are holiday stuffed animals and some aren't.) I love getting out the nativities. And I love coming home from work each day to smell ponderosa pine cones and to the beautiful lights, wreaths, snow globes and other decorations.
Saturday, November 30: Time with family and the temple We had a great day together. We went to breakfast together at Kneaders and then did some shopping at Target (although all we ended up buying was wrapping paper and tape.). Then we came home and did some work outside...cutting down a tree and hanging lights outside. My kids played with friends for awhile. Then we headed downtown to see the lights at Temple Square. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. There were a lot of others there (in fact we saw the Cannons from our ward.) But despite the crowds, when we stood and listened to the narration of the birth of Christ, I had tears streaming down my face. Gabby kept singing, "Simply having, a wonderful Christmas time." It was wonderful to be there and to be together. Then we headed to City Creek and enjoyed the lights there, and we did a little window shopping. Finally, we enjoyed ice cream. It was a great day!
I am so thankful for the temple. I love the way I feel when I am there, and I am grateful for the blessings the temple has brought into my life. I know that I am a beloved daughter of God, and every time I attend the temple I am reminded of how much my Father and my Savior love me. I am thankful to have a place of such beauty and peace...and so very grateful that there are so many temples nearby.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Thankful...Days 13-23
Day 13:
I have neglected to mention my family in these gratitude posts. This is not because I am not thankful for my family, but because I write about my family most of the time, and they are the thing I am most grateful for. I have tried to notice more of the little things that I am thankful for. The things that I might not notice all of the time. But I am truly so thankful for my family. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who works hard to support our family. He makes me laugh. He has done a great deal to support me as I serve in my calling. I had not really given it much thought until about a week ago when we were talking to someone, but I recently realized that we have never paid anyone to do any home improvement projects. Since we bought this house 11 years ago, Alfredo has redone the roof, done lots of planting/yard work, redone the bathroom (but not the tub/shower or toilet), put new flooring in the kitchen/living room/hall/stairs, painted nearly every room in our house...some of them twice, and probably other projects I am forgetting. Currently, he is turning Gabby's room into Michelle's room. He has repainted, removed the old floorboards and put new ones, and he may even pull out the carpet and put new pergo flooring. He has replaced the old swamp cooler with a newer one. He's done other small repairs as well. He has gotten help from friends with many of these projects, and in return he has helped friends with many of their own projects. He is also a really good cook. I cook more often than he does, but he nearly always cooks if we have company, and he usually cooks lunch on Sundays. I am thankful for all that he knows how to do, and the many ways he helps and blesses our family. I am also so thankful for my children, but I think I will dedicate an individual post to each of them.
Day 14:
Today I am thankful for Brooke and my Relief Society Presidency, in particular. And I am thankful for my wonderful ward. We had our Relief Society Christmas dinner and program. Brooke was recently called as the leader for our additional Relief Society meetings (activities). Brooke met with us as a presidency and planned the dinner and program. She came up with a wonderful idea for a gift for each sister, and we offered to help make them, but she said she'd take care of them. She did a wonderful job on the program. Everything turned out beautifully. It was a wonderful way to be reminded of how much I have to be thankful for, and to start the holiday season off with joy. I am so thankful for Brooke. It was so wonderful to see so many sisters at the program. I love our ward, and I feel thankful to be surrounded by so many good people.
And I am thankful that the dinner is over before the real busy-ness of the holiday season begins. :)
Day 15:
I am thankful for good friends. We were able to go on a double date with our friends, Mike and Jami. We went to The Sweet Spot, a Brazilian restaurant and had their yummy pizza buffet. So many delicious types of pizza. We talked, we laughed. We had a great time. It is wonderful to be surrounded by so many great friends.
I came home from our double date and found a gift for me. A friend brought me a beautiful porcelain statue of the Savior with a thank you note. She adopted a premature baby, and I have helped organize service for her family. It has been so heartwarming and touching to watch the ward lovingly and unselfishly help others during times of need. The gift, but especially the note, really touched me. I am blessed so much more than I can possibly give. The verses in Mosiah 2 have really stood out to me these past few months:
20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
I am also thankful that the Lord trusts me as much as He does. I recognize that my trials and challenges are small. But my responsibilities often feel large. My challenges are more about organizing my time and finding time to do all the things I need to do and knowing how to best help others when they face challenges. And in the midst of this to make sure my family knows and feels my love for them. Some weeks that feels overwhelming. But when I begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed, the Lord strengthens me and things somehow work out. I often start to worry that I can't do as much as I should or that I don't know HOW to help someone facing a particular challenge or that I can't possibly accomplish my many responsibilities, but somehow it does work out. I often doubt my own abilities...and so I feel very grateful that despite my own doubts, worries and fears, The Lord trusts me. He trusts me with three of His precious daughters. He trusts me to teach 25 of His precious children, many of whom have significant challenges in their little lives. And He trusts me to love and serve the women in my ward. That is a lot of trust...and I need to do better at remembering and trusting Him. If he trusts me with these responsibilities, then He will help me and strengthen me.
Day 16:
I am thankful for Gabby. She is so sweet and funny. She makes us laugh nearly every day. She just says the funniest things. I need that. She is very loving. She gives big hugs and kisses and often tells Alfredo and me that she loves us.
Lately she has been saying "oh my gosh" a lot...anytime something surprises her. And she kind of drags the gosh out in this singsong way. It makes me smile every time she says it, not because of the words but the tone of her voice.
She is finally loving school, for which I am indeed thankful. She is learning to read. She is understanding and using Spanish more and more. And she was chosen to be honored in an awards assembly earlier this week for being a hard worker. She has happily shown many people her certificate and pencil from the award assembly. She also proudly tells people that she hasn't had to move her magnet this year. (Her teachers' discipline method...students move their magnet when they misbehave and then get consequences.) She has not had to move her magnet at all.
Everyone remarks on her curly hair. Both Afredo and I have some wave in our hair. But not curls like hers. But my sisters and my dad and a couple of my cousins have super curly hair, so it comes from my side of the family.
Gabby is a kind friend. Gabby loves to sing and dance, although she doesn't like to sing or dance in front of people. She is a precious, beautiful little girl, and I am so thankful she is mine.
Day 17:
I am thankful for Mirielle. Ella is my most cuddly child. Even at 8 years old, she likes to sit on laps, be hugged, snuggle up to me or hold my hand. She is very sensitive to others' feelings. (This is both a blessing and a challenge.)
She has a great desire to do what is right.
She is very good with animals, and she is definitely Prince's favorite. He listens to her better than to the rest of us, he loves to be near her and he usually sleeps with her. Personally, I do not tolerate dogs licking me on the face at all, but she doesn't mind.
Ella does well in school. She seems to pick up on Spanish more easily than her sisters. She loves to teach FHE. She loves to hold and be around babies and young children. She is a little nurturer.
She is definitely my daughter (although more emotional than I was as a child.). I love her so very much! She adds so much to our family, and I have learned more about myself and about parenting from her than from my other two children.
Day 18: Michelle
A decade and a half ago, I became a mother to a beautiful little baby girl. Michelle is still beautiful, and she is smart, talented and energetic. She is very responsible. She works hard to do her schoolwork/homework in two different languages, practice violin and piano, and help around the house. She helps me in so many ways.
She is very full of energy, and she loves to be outside, to climb, ride bikes and run. Michelle is also very organized. She likes her room clean and things neat and tidy. She takes after her dad in that way.
She is a good friend, and she is good with kids that are older and younger her. I am grateful she is my daughter.
Day 19: a day off from work, getting things done
I get two personal days a year. I usually take them to go on field trips with my children or to be involved in some other activity for my children. But I have been so busy lately, and I never feel rested or caught up. It was starting to get to me. So I took a personal day. I took all 3 kids to school, and then I had the day to myself. I am weird, I'm sure. I didn't go out to lunch with a friend or go get my nails done. Here's how I spent my day: I went grocery shopping, I rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned the carpets in the whole house. I cleaned out the fridge. I did some laundry. I did a tiny bit of Christmas shopping. I listened to a book on CD during some of these tasks. I picked up my children, helped them with homework, supervised music practice and cooked dinner, read to my kids, and did some schoolwork of my own. By the time I went to bed, I was exhausted...perhaps as tired as I would have been if I'd gone to work. But I also had a clean house (minus the office) and a lot of things crossed off my to do list. It helped. At least a bit.
Day 20: my new haircut
I have not had a haircut in over a year. It was past time. So far past time that I have been putting my hair up in a bun every day for two months now. I like getting my hair cut, but it always gets relegated to the bottom of my to do list. But my friend Liz said she would come to my house and cut it for me. She cut off at least 4 inches, and it feels so much healthier now. I am so grateful for a new haircut. Ella got a haircut also, and it is so nice.
Day 21: book club, honesty of kids
Kids are funny. They are so honest and sincere. When I went to school on Thursday morning, lots and lots of kids noticed my haircut. Some of them said they liked it. But a few looked shocked and a couple said, "Why did you cut it?" Or "What did you do?" I feel good about it, so it didn't offend me at all, but I just laughed. They really tell you what they think.
Thursday evening was book club. I love my book club. I love to read, and I enjoy talking about the book we've read. I enjoy reading books that I might not find otherwise. I enjoy eating the yummy treats. But mostly, I really love being with the great women in my book club. Most of them I would never have met otherwise, but I really feel grateful to know them. A couple of them in particular are such dear friends. I need that release once a month, a chance to get away from my responsibilities, to laugh (boy do we laugh!), to discuss good books, and to be with other women.
Day 22: opportunities to serve and to be served
There was a funeral luncheon on Friday. It meant a lot to the family that we provided a luncheon for them, and I was grateful we were able to. I occasionally have a less than stellar attitude about providing service, but I am always so glad after I am finished. I feel good. It helps me recognize how blessed I am, and I feel closer to the person I have served and feel better about myself.
I was also served by several people on Friday. I feel so thankful for the goodness and unselfishness of so many people who do so much to help me...whether it is saying a kind word, telling me I am doing a good job on days when I feel like I am not, watching my children for me, or helping in another way. The most amazing thing is that most of the time when people serve me, I have not asked them to. They serve me either without realizing it, or they do it just because they had a feeling I needed it or they recognized a need and stepped in to fill that need. So very thankful for that.
Day 23: stores nearby, good food, great people
We've been learning about the Pilgrims this week at school. We learned a song about the First Thanksgiving and we talked about why the Pilgrims ate deer, turkey and fish at the first feast. This was a tough question for second graders to process, but eventually we helped them understand that there were no grocery stores and so they could only eat what they could grow, fish or hunt... I am thankful for grocery stores that are so close to my home. Although I make lists when I grocery shop, inevitably I forget to put something on my list or have an item on my list and still forget to buy it. Just today, I went to the store to buy items for a dinner at my home and got home only to realize that while I purchased cups, plates, and plastic utensils, I did not buy bowls...and we were eating soup. So back to the store I went. (Much of this forgetfulness is explained by the fact that I usually grocery shop between 9-10 PM when I am tired. But not today.) But regardless, I am thankful that there are grocery stores close to my home and that I do not have to rely on only what I can grow, hunt or fish.
I am thankful for good food. I am thankful that I have plenty to eat, and I have a variety of foods to eat. I have access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, treats, and other foods.
And I am thankful for good neighbors and great people in my life. When I was at the grocery store, two different people asked if I was having a birthday party (based on the foods I was buying and the 4 Christmas gifts in my cart, I am sure.) I said no, I was having a dinner for some people in my neighborhood. Both people looked surprised and then said, "Wow! You must really get along with the people in your neighborhood." I smiled and said yes, I do. And it is true. I know nearly every person on my street (which is a long circle), and most of them I know well. I know many, many other people in the surrounding blocks (one advantage to living in Utah is that my ward is only a few streets big and so I know many, many of the people in the surrounding streets). My street has an annual Christmas party. On the 23rd of July, the whole neighborhood was invited to set off fireworks on our circle. People are friendly and helpful and I feel like my children are safe playing outside. It is a great neighborhood. A great place to live. A great place to raise my children.
I have neglected to mention my family in these gratitude posts. This is not because I am not thankful for my family, but because I write about my family most of the time, and they are the thing I am most grateful for. I have tried to notice more of the little things that I am thankful for. The things that I might not notice all of the time. But I am truly so thankful for my family. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who works hard to support our family. He makes me laugh. He has done a great deal to support me as I serve in my calling. I had not really given it much thought until about a week ago when we were talking to someone, but I recently realized that we have never paid anyone to do any home improvement projects. Since we bought this house 11 years ago, Alfredo has redone the roof, done lots of planting/yard work, redone the bathroom (but not the tub/shower or toilet), put new flooring in the kitchen/living room/hall/stairs, painted nearly every room in our house...some of them twice, and probably other projects I am forgetting. Currently, he is turning Gabby's room into Michelle's room. He has repainted, removed the old floorboards and put new ones, and he may even pull out the carpet and put new pergo flooring. He has replaced the old swamp cooler with a newer one. He's done other small repairs as well. He has gotten help from friends with many of these projects, and in return he has helped friends with many of their own projects. He is also a really good cook. I cook more often than he does, but he nearly always cooks if we have company, and he usually cooks lunch on Sundays. I am thankful for all that he knows how to do, and the many ways he helps and blesses our family. I am also so thankful for my children, but I think I will dedicate an individual post to each of them.
Day 14:
Today I am thankful for Brooke and my Relief Society Presidency, in particular. And I am thankful for my wonderful ward. We had our Relief Society Christmas dinner and program. Brooke was recently called as the leader for our additional Relief Society meetings (activities). Brooke met with us as a presidency and planned the dinner and program. She came up with a wonderful idea for a gift for each sister, and we offered to help make them, but she said she'd take care of them. She did a wonderful job on the program. Everything turned out beautifully. It was a wonderful way to be reminded of how much I have to be thankful for, and to start the holiday season off with joy. I am so thankful for Brooke. It was so wonderful to see so many sisters at the program. I love our ward, and I feel thankful to be surrounded by so many good people.
And I am thankful that the dinner is over before the real busy-ness of the holiday season begins. :)
Day 15:
I am thankful for good friends. We were able to go on a double date with our friends, Mike and Jami. We went to The Sweet Spot, a Brazilian restaurant and had their yummy pizza buffet. So many delicious types of pizza. We talked, we laughed. We had a great time. It is wonderful to be surrounded by so many great friends.
I came home from our double date and found a gift for me. A friend brought me a beautiful porcelain statue of the Savior with a thank you note. She adopted a premature baby, and I have helped organize service for her family. It has been so heartwarming and touching to watch the ward lovingly and unselfishly help others during times of need. The gift, but especially the note, really touched me. I am blessed so much more than I can possibly give. The verses in Mosiah 2 have really stood out to me these past few months:
20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
I am also thankful that the Lord trusts me as much as He does. I recognize that my trials and challenges are small. But my responsibilities often feel large. My challenges are more about organizing my time and finding time to do all the things I need to do and knowing how to best help others when they face challenges. And in the midst of this to make sure my family knows and feels my love for them. Some weeks that feels overwhelming. But when I begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed, the Lord strengthens me and things somehow work out. I often start to worry that I can't do as much as I should or that I don't know HOW to help someone facing a particular challenge or that I can't possibly accomplish my many responsibilities, but somehow it does work out. I often doubt my own abilities...and so I feel very grateful that despite my own doubts, worries and fears, The Lord trusts me. He trusts me with three of His precious daughters. He trusts me to teach 25 of His precious children, many of whom have significant challenges in their little lives. And He trusts me to love and serve the women in my ward. That is a lot of trust...and I need to do better at remembering and trusting Him. If he trusts me with these responsibilities, then He will help me and strengthen me.
Day 16:
I am thankful for Gabby. She is so sweet and funny. She makes us laugh nearly every day. She just says the funniest things. I need that. She is very loving. She gives big hugs and kisses and often tells Alfredo and me that she loves us.
Lately she has been saying "oh my gosh" a lot...anytime something surprises her. And she kind of drags the gosh out in this singsong way. It makes me smile every time she says it, not because of the words but the tone of her voice.
She is finally loving school, for which I am indeed thankful. She is learning to read. She is understanding and using Spanish more and more. And she was chosen to be honored in an awards assembly earlier this week for being a hard worker. She has happily shown many people her certificate and pencil from the award assembly. She also proudly tells people that she hasn't had to move her magnet this year. (Her teachers' discipline method...students move their magnet when they misbehave and then get consequences.) She has not had to move her magnet at all.
Everyone remarks on her curly hair. Both Afredo and I have some wave in our hair. But not curls like hers. But my sisters and my dad and a couple of my cousins have super curly hair, so it comes from my side of the family.
Gabby is a kind friend. Gabby loves to sing and dance, although she doesn't like to sing or dance in front of people. She is a precious, beautiful little girl, and I am so thankful she is mine.
Day 17:
I am thankful for Mirielle. Ella is my most cuddly child. Even at 8 years old, she likes to sit on laps, be hugged, snuggle up to me or hold my hand. She is very sensitive to others' feelings. (This is both a blessing and a challenge.)
She has a great desire to do what is right.
She is very good with animals, and she is definitely Prince's favorite. He listens to her better than to the rest of us, he loves to be near her and he usually sleeps with her. Personally, I do not tolerate dogs licking me on the face at all, but she doesn't mind.
Ella does well in school. She seems to pick up on Spanish more easily than her sisters. She loves to teach FHE. She loves to hold and be around babies and young children. She is a little nurturer.
She is definitely my daughter (although more emotional than I was as a child.). I love her so very much! She adds so much to our family, and I have learned more about myself and about parenting from her than from my other two children.
Day 18: Michelle
A decade and a half ago, I became a mother to a beautiful little baby girl. Michelle is still beautiful, and she is smart, talented and energetic. She is very responsible. She works hard to do her schoolwork/homework in two different languages, practice violin and piano, and help around the house. She helps me in so many ways.
She is very full of energy, and she loves to be outside, to climb, ride bikes and run. Michelle is also very organized. She likes her room clean and things neat and tidy. She takes after her dad in that way.
She is a good friend, and she is good with kids that are older and younger her. I am grateful she is my daughter.
Day 19: a day off from work, getting things done
I get two personal days a year. I usually take them to go on field trips with my children or to be involved in some other activity for my children. But I have been so busy lately, and I never feel rested or caught up. It was starting to get to me. So I took a personal day. I took all 3 kids to school, and then I had the day to myself. I am weird, I'm sure. I didn't go out to lunch with a friend or go get my nails done. Here's how I spent my day: I went grocery shopping, I rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned the carpets in the whole house. I cleaned out the fridge. I did some laundry. I did a tiny bit of Christmas shopping. I listened to a book on CD during some of these tasks. I picked up my children, helped them with homework, supervised music practice and cooked dinner, read to my kids, and did some schoolwork of my own. By the time I went to bed, I was exhausted...perhaps as tired as I would have been if I'd gone to work. But I also had a clean house (minus the office) and a lot of things crossed off my to do list. It helped. At least a bit.
Day 20: my new haircut
I have not had a haircut in over a year. It was past time. So far past time that I have been putting my hair up in a bun every day for two months now. I like getting my hair cut, but it always gets relegated to the bottom of my to do list. But my friend Liz said she would come to my house and cut it for me. She cut off at least 4 inches, and it feels so much healthier now. I am so grateful for a new haircut. Ella got a haircut also, and it is so nice.
Day 21: book club, honesty of kids
Kids are funny. They are so honest and sincere. When I went to school on Thursday morning, lots and lots of kids noticed my haircut. Some of them said they liked it. But a few looked shocked and a couple said, "Why did you cut it?" Or "What did you do?" I feel good about it, so it didn't offend me at all, but I just laughed. They really tell you what they think.
Thursday evening was book club. I love my book club. I love to read, and I enjoy talking about the book we've read. I enjoy reading books that I might not find otherwise. I enjoy eating the yummy treats. But mostly, I really love being with the great women in my book club. Most of them I would never have met otherwise, but I really feel grateful to know them. A couple of them in particular are such dear friends. I need that release once a month, a chance to get away from my responsibilities, to laugh (boy do we laugh!), to discuss good books, and to be with other women.
Day 22: opportunities to serve and to be served
There was a funeral luncheon on Friday. It meant a lot to the family that we provided a luncheon for them, and I was grateful we were able to. I occasionally have a less than stellar attitude about providing service, but I am always so glad after I am finished. I feel good. It helps me recognize how blessed I am, and I feel closer to the person I have served and feel better about myself.
I was also served by several people on Friday. I feel so thankful for the goodness and unselfishness of so many people who do so much to help me...whether it is saying a kind word, telling me I am doing a good job on days when I feel like I am not, watching my children for me, or helping in another way. The most amazing thing is that most of the time when people serve me, I have not asked them to. They serve me either without realizing it, or they do it just because they had a feeling I needed it or they recognized a need and stepped in to fill that need. So very thankful for that.
Day 23: stores nearby, good food, great people
We've been learning about the Pilgrims this week at school. We learned a song about the First Thanksgiving and we talked about why the Pilgrims ate deer, turkey and fish at the first feast. This was a tough question for second graders to process, but eventually we helped them understand that there were no grocery stores and so they could only eat what they could grow, fish or hunt... I am thankful for grocery stores that are so close to my home. Although I make lists when I grocery shop, inevitably I forget to put something on my list or have an item on my list and still forget to buy it. Just today, I went to the store to buy items for a dinner at my home and got home only to realize that while I purchased cups, plates, and plastic utensils, I did not buy bowls...and we were eating soup. So back to the store I went. (Much of this forgetfulness is explained by the fact that I usually grocery shop between 9-10 PM when I am tired. But not today.) But regardless, I am thankful that there are grocery stores close to my home and that I do not have to rely on only what I can grow, hunt or fish.
I am thankful for good food. I am thankful that I have plenty to eat, and I have a variety of foods to eat. I have access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, treats, and other foods.
And I am thankful for good neighbors and great people in my life. When I was at the grocery store, two different people asked if I was having a birthday party (based on the foods I was buying and the 4 Christmas gifts in my cart, I am sure.) I said no, I was having a dinner for some people in my neighborhood. Both people looked surprised and then said, "Wow! You must really get along with the people in your neighborhood." I smiled and said yes, I do. And it is true. I know nearly every person on my street (which is a long circle), and most of them I know well. I know many, many other people in the surrounding blocks (one advantage to living in Utah is that my ward is only a few streets big and so I know many, many of the people in the surrounding streets). My street has an annual Christmas party. On the 23rd of July, the whole neighborhood was invited to set off fireworks on our circle. People are friendly and helpful and I feel like my children are safe playing outside. It is a great neighborhood. A great place to live. A great place to raise my children.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Gratitude...Day 12
Today I am thankful for wonderful eyesight. I have better than normal eyesight with no need for glasses. I suspect when I get older I will need glasses, but I am thankful for such good eyesight right now. I can read signs with small print. I can see things that are far away. It is convenient and helpful to have such good eyesight.
This past Friday, I woke up and found that my left eye was quite swollen on the eyelid. I must have gotten some kind of small infection from something. It was red and it hurt quite a bit. I came home early and took a nap, which helped a bit, and I avoided makeup from Friday until today. Alfredo put saline drops in my eye all weekend. On Saturday, it was still swollen but didn't hurt much anymore. By Sunday, it was a tiny bit pink but not swollen, and a little bit itchy. By Monday, it was back to normal. I am grateful that the itch, pain and swelling are all gone. What a blessing good eyesight and healthy eyes are!!
This past Friday, I woke up and found that my left eye was quite swollen on the eyelid. I must have gotten some kind of small infection from something. It was red and it hurt quite a bit. I came home early and took a nap, which helped a bit, and I avoided makeup from Friday until today. Alfredo put saline drops in my eye all weekend. On Saturday, it was still swollen but didn't hurt much anymore. By Sunday, it was a tiny bit pink but not swollen, and a little bit itchy. By Monday, it was back to normal. I am grateful that the itch, pain and swelling are all gone. What a blessing good eyesight and healthy eyes are!!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Moral Force of Women FHE
This FHE lesson was featured on Jocelyn's great blog:being lds. I'm sharing it here so I can remember it.
I loved Elder Christofferson's talk in October conference. It felt timely. In addition, as a mother of three girls, I wanted my daughters to recognize that they can have a great impact on the world for good AND that my most important role is as their mom. (I work full time as a second grade teacher, and I am currently serving as Relief Society President in my ward. These two responsibilities keep me pretty busy, and they are important, but I want my children to know and be reassured regularly that my greatest joy comes from being their mom.)
We began by singing "I am Trying to Be Like Jesus." After our opening prayer, we read Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies." Then I explained that Elder Christofferson spoke about how good women are needed in the world. (One of my daughters piped up and said good men are needed too. I agreed.) read a quote from Elder Christofferson's talk: "A woman's moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home." I told them that of all the things I do, being their mom is the most important. I said that good women have an impact on others' lives. I told them of three women that helped shape my life...my mom, my grandma and a Young Women's leader and what I learned from them. Then I asked them to write down the names of or draw pictures of 2-4 women that have helped them and set good examples for them. They worked for a little while, talking as they worked, and then they shared who they put down and why. Their aunts, Primary teachers, Activity Day leaders, piano and violin teachers. They shared what each of these women had done to set an example or to teach them.
Then I pointed out that the world often teaches things about women that aren't true...and that Elder Christofferson pointed out 3.
1. Motherhood is not valued by society as it ought to be. He said, "We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy endeavor or career--and we all benefit from those achievements--but we still recognize there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage."
2. Morality and sexual purity are not taught or practiced by society.
3. "A third area of concern comes from those who, in the name of equality, want to erase all differences between the masuculine and feminine." This often means women are encouraged to be tough and coarse.
Perhaps my favorite part of Elder Christofferson's talk was the quote from Sister Nadauld. I am sure I heard it when she said it, but it didn't strike me powerfully as it did this time. I'd like to get it in vinyl or something to put on my wall. This is what she said, “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”
My original plan had been to learn some sign language signs to compare what the world had and what the world needs. But I ran out of time. So Plan B was to create a chart...One one side we wrote what the world has and on the other side, we wrote what the world needs. The girls loved reading this quote and taking turns writing down the ideas. We talked about what they mean and shared some examples. I am thinking (now) that another idea might have been to create a handout with two pictures of the world where each girl could write what the world has on one side and what type of women the world needs on the other. Because my youngest is five and just learning to write words, the big chart worked well for her since we took turns writing.
Finally I closed with these words from Elder Christofferson, "My plea to women and girls today is to protect and cultivate the moral force that is within you. Preserve that innate virtue and the unique gifts you bring with you into the world. Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow." Then this final quote, "Sisters, of all your associations, it is your relationship with God, your Heavenly Father, who is the source of your moral power, that you must always put first in your life."
Then I bore my testimony of my love for the gospel, my love for them, and my knowledge that as we keep the commandments and love and serve God, we can each have a wonderful, positive impact on the people around us. I am thankful for the privilege of being a mother to three daughters and teaching them to serve the Lord. I am sure if I had sons, I would focus a bit more on the quotes he shared about the importance of men and women working together...or I might combine this talk with the talk from Elder Andersen "Power in the Priesthood". Or perhaps, I would teach this lesson one week and a lesson based on Elder Andersen's talk the following week.
You can watch or read the talk here.
I loved Elder Christofferson's talk in October conference. It felt timely. In addition, as a mother of three girls, I wanted my daughters to recognize that they can have a great impact on the world for good AND that my most important role is as their mom. (I work full time as a second grade teacher, and I am currently serving as Relief Society President in my ward. These two responsibilities keep me pretty busy, and they are important, but I want my children to know and be reassured regularly that my greatest joy comes from being their mom.)
We began by singing "I am Trying to Be Like Jesus." After our opening prayer, we read Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies." Then I explained that Elder Christofferson spoke about how good women are needed in the world. (One of my daughters piped up and said good men are needed too. I agreed.) read a quote from Elder Christofferson's talk: "A woman's moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home." I told them that of all the things I do, being their mom is the most important. I said that good women have an impact on others' lives. I told them of three women that helped shape my life...my mom, my grandma and a Young Women's leader and what I learned from them. Then I asked them to write down the names of or draw pictures of 2-4 women that have helped them and set good examples for them. They worked for a little while, talking as they worked, and then they shared who they put down and why. Their aunts, Primary teachers, Activity Day leaders, piano and violin teachers. They shared what each of these women had done to set an example or to teach them.
Then I pointed out that the world often teaches things about women that aren't true...and that Elder Christofferson pointed out 3.
1. Motherhood is not valued by society as it ought to be. He said, "We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy endeavor or career--and we all benefit from those achievements--but we still recognize there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage."
2. Morality and sexual purity are not taught or practiced by society.
3. "A third area of concern comes from those who, in the name of equality, want to erase all differences between the masuculine and feminine." This often means women are encouraged to be tough and coarse.
Perhaps my favorite part of Elder Christofferson's talk was the quote from Sister Nadauld. I am sure I heard it when she said it, but it didn't strike me powerfully as it did this time. I'd like to get it in vinyl or something to put on my wall. This is what she said, “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”
My original plan had been to learn some sign language signs to compare what the world had and what the world needs. But I ran out of time. So Plan B was to create a chart...One one side we wrote what the world has and on the other side, we wrote what the world needs. The girls loved reading this quote and taking turns writing down the ideas. We talked about what they mean and shared some examples. I am thinking (now) that another idea might have been to create a handout with two pictures of the world where each girl could write what the world has on one side and what type of women the world needs on the other. Because my youngest is five and just learning to write words, the big chart worked well for her since we took turns writing.
Finally I closed with these words from Elder Christofferson, "My plea to women and girls today is to protect and cultivate the moral force that is within you. Preserve that innate virtue and the unique gifts you bring with you into the world. Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow." Then this final quote, "Sisters, of all your associations, it is your relationship with God, your Heavenly Father, who is the source of your moral power, that you must always put first in your life."
Then I bore my testimony of my love for the gospel, my love for them, and my knowledge that as we keep the commandments and love and serve God, we can each have a wonderful, positive impact on the people around us. I am thankful for the privilege of being a mother to three daughters and teaching them to serve the Lord. I am sure if I had sons, I would focus a bit more on the quotes he shared about the importance of men and women working together...or I might combine this talk with the talk from Elder Andersen "Power in the Priesthood". Or perhaps, I would teach this lesson one week and a lesson based on Elder Andersen's talk the following week.
You can watch or read the talk here.
Gratitude...Veterans Day...Nov 11
Today I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, the rights we have to worship, to live as we believe. I am thankful to live in a democratic republic where we can participate in the election process. I am thankful for public education that is available to all, the rich and poor, boy and girl, citizen and noncitizen. And of course, I am thankful for all who have served and all who do serve in the military. It is due to their courage, conviction and sacrifice that I am able to enjoy and give thanks for these blessings and rights. We are so blessed! I am so blessed!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Be thankful...day 10
"Be thankful when you are tired and weary because it means you've made a difference." (Source unknown.)
I saw this quote at Michelle's violin teacher's house, and by Thursday, I am always tired and often weary, so it struck me. I am not certain that being tired and weary ALWAYS means you are making a difference, but I hope that often it does. So today, I am thankful for being tired and weary regularly. I believe I am making a difference in the lives of the students I teach. I know I am making a difference for my own children. I hope, in some small way, I am making a difference in the lives of the women in my ward. I still truly believe that whatever service or help I provide, I am so richly blessed and learn and benefit so much more than those I serve. I have had this calling for nearly a year now, and it has changed me. So today I give thanks for my tiredness and weariness.
I saw this quote at Michelle's violin teacher's house, and by Thursday, I am always tired and often weary, so it struck me. I am not certain that being tired and weary ALWAYS means you are making a difference, but I hope that often it does. So today, I am thankful for being tired and weary regularly. I believe I am making a difference in the lives of the students I teach. I know I am making a difference for my own children. I hope, in some small way, I am making a difference in the lives of the women in my ward. I still truly believe that whatever service or help I provide, I am so richly blessed and learn and benefit so much more than those I serve. I have had this calling for nearly a year now, and it has changed me. So today I give thanks for my tiredness and weariness.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Gratitude Day 9
Today I am thankful for music. I am thankful for the role music plays in my life and in my family member's lives. I am not very musically inclined, but I am very thankful that we have had the means to provide our children with music lessons. Michelle loves and is gaining more confidence in the violin. She is so excited because this past week she moved up to a 1/2 violin size and her new violin is a bit nicer and has a bit better sound. She also gets to play a special part in her Christmas concert at school. I am so happy to see how much she is enjoying the violin.
Both Ella and Michelle are improving on the piano as well. They have worked hard to prepare for their piano recital.
They both have wonderful teachers that not only teach them music, but two women who are positive role models and wonderful examples of Christlike women who serve and bless others through their music and through the way they live their lives. I am so thankful for both Linda and Jami and the influence they have on my children. I am grateful that they have teachers who I am happy to have them emulate.
Music brings beauty to our home. It is teaching my children responsibility and time management. It is helping them develop talents....talents that they will be able to use to bless their lives but also the lives of others.
Music is also a great teaching tool. I have noticed that many of my students and also my own children remember things better if I can teach it with a song.
Music can invite the spirit. Music can help us feel closer to our Father in Heaven. It is no accident that our church meetings begin and end with songs.
Michelle's violin concert was wonderful. I blogged about it here.
Michelle and Ella had a piano recital last night. It was held in the chapel at the stake center. Michelle played Minuet in G by Bach and Clair de Lune by Debussy. She got a bit nervous and made some mistakes on the Minuet, but she kept going and didn't get too flustered, so I was proud of her. She played Clair de Lune beautifully. Ella played Sonata Theme by Mozart and Distant Bells by Louis Streabogg. Both songs were challenging for her, but she did so well! She really shined up there. I was so happy for her. I am proud of them both.
I also loved the KitKat piano keys that Jami made as a refreshment. So cute!
Girls after piano recital
Nearly a month ago, Alfredo and I attended the Josh Groban concert. It was my birthday gift to him. We were supposed to have nose bleed seats, but when we arrived, we were reassigned. We ended up on the floor, on the 20th row. It was amazing. His violinist was incredible and we kept wishing Michelle could see and hear him. Josh Groban was funny and entertaining and he sang beautifully. It was so fun to be there together. Our photos weren't great...taken on Alfredo's cell, but oh, we had a great time. So thankful for wonderful music.
Both Ella and Michelle are improving on the piano as well. They have worked hard to prepare for their piano recital.
They both have wonderful teachers that not only teach them music, but two women who are positive role models and wonderful examples of Christlike women who serve and bless others through their music and through the way they live their lives. I am so thankful for both Linda and Jami and the influence they have on my children. I am grateful that they have teachers who I am happy to have them emulate.
Music brings beauty to our home. It is teaching my children responsibility and time management. It is helping them develop talents....talents that they will be able to use to bless their lives but also the lives of others.
Music is also a great teaching tool. I have noticed that many of my students and also my own children remember things better if I can teach it with a song.
Music can invite the spirit. Music can help us feel closer to our Father in Heaven. It is no accident that our church meetings begin and end with songs.
Michelle's violin concert was wonderful. I blogged about it here.
Michelle and Ella had a piano recital last night. It was held in the chapel at the stake center. Michelle played Minuet in G by Bach and Clair de Lune by Debussy. She got a bit nervous and made some mistakes on the Minuet, but she kept going and didn't get too flustered, so I was proud of her. She played Clair de Lune beautifully. Ella played Sonata Theme by Mozart and Distant Bells by Louis Streabogg. Both songs were challenging for her, but she did so well! She really shined up there. I was so happy for her. I am proud of them both.
I also loved the KitKat piano keys that Jami made as a refreshment. So cute!
Girls after piano recital
Nearly a month ago, Alfredo and I attended the Josh Groban concert. It was my birthday gift to him. We were supposed to have nose bleed seats, but when we arrived, we were reassigned. We ended up on the floor, on the 20th row. It was amazing. His violinist was incredible and we kept wishing Michelle could see and hear him. Josh Groban was funny and entertaining and he sang beautifully. It was so fun to be there together. Our photos weren't great...taken on Alfredo's cell, but oh, we had a great time. So thankful for wonderful music.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thankful...Day 8
I saw this awesome quote on Pinterest. "Thanksgiving is a day, thanksliving is a lifestyle." I know that I am happier when I count my blessings and focus on all that I have than when I focus on what I want. I want to make thanksliving part of my lifestyle.
Today I am thankful for sleep. I came home from work early today and I was exhausted. Gabby and I put on a movie and I took a nap for almost an hour. I felt so much better after getting some rest. I am thankful for my sweet children that let me sleep for a little while.
Today I am thankful for sleep. I came home from work early today and I was exhausted. Gabby and I put on a movie and I took a nap for almost an hour. I felt so much better after getting some rest. I am thankful for my sweet children that let me sleep for a little while.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Thankful...Day 7
May you always be blessed
With walls for the wind
A roof for the rain
A warm cup of tea by the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.
--Irish Blessing
I saw this and thought it was beautiful...and a great reminder of how very blessed I am...to have all that I need and much of what I want. To be surrounded by people I love. To have a wonderful home. To be happy. I am so blessed.
With walls for the wind
A roof for the rain
A warm cup of tea by the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.
--Irish Blessing
I saw this and thought it was beautiful...and a great reminder of how very blessed I am...to have all that I need and much of what I want. To be surrounded by people I love. To have a wonderful home. To be happy. I am so blessed.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Thankful...Day 6
Anyone who knows me will not be in the least bit surprised about what I am grateful for today. I am thankful for books. I love books for so many reasons. Some of these reasons are listed below, in no particular order.
Some books help me to really recognize and appreciate how many blessings I have living in this land of freedom with relative wealth. Some books teach me how to do things such as be a better parent. Some books help me learn about history, science, geography, cultures or other topics.
Reading helps me connect with my children. We listen to books on CD together on the relatively long car ride to and from school each day. I read to them most nights before bed. Michelle is reading some fifth grade level books in Spanish this year, and it is challenging for her. So often I read the book in English and she reads it in Spanish and we talk about it.
Reading holds many pleasant memories for me from throughout my life, including with my parents and sisters growing up.
One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is reading aloud to my students and watching them learn to read better and catch an excitement for reading.
Reading has helped me develop friendships. I am in a book club and have come to really love the other women in my book club, and our shared reading as well as our shared lives have been a blessing to me. In addition, I have made online friends on Goodreads that I have never met but that I still feel a connection to.
But perhaps, the reason I am most thankful for reading is that after a long day of being a full time teacher, a mom, a wife, a friend, and a Relief Society President, reading gives me a chance to unwind, relax and energize myself. It allows me to refocus so that I can do it all again tomorrow, usually fairly happily.
And most importantly, in the eternal scheme of things, some books (and I think in many ways, most books I read even though not religious in nature) help me increase my love for the Savior and help me strengthen my testimony.
After all, Alma 30:44 says, "But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." All things denote there is a God. Including good books.
I am a bit obessed with them...so here's the stack of books I am reading/listening to either by myself or with my children. (And this doesn't include the picture books I read to Gabby daily and often to the other girls as well.)
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thankful...Day 5
I am thankful for hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate. I like it all year round (and I like ice cream all year round..I kind of alternate between the two...one day I'll have a cup of hot chocolate and the next I'll have a bowl of ice cream).As I've gotten older, I have gotten a bit pickier about my hot chocolate. I will drink any kind, especially if it has whipped cream in it. However, I have a favorite. I buy it just for myself. I like Stevens brand Hazelnut flavor hot chocolate. I buy the big containers of plain or mint hot chocolate for my children, but the Hazelnut is just for me. Yum! Absolutely love it!
Monday, November 4, 2013
Halloween
In past years, the girls have not been able to dress up in their costumes for school. But this year, they were. That made Halloween extra fun and special for them. Ella even got her dad to paint her face.
They had parties at school and had a lot of fun. Gabby was a bit annoyed, though, because she was dressed as Cleo DeNile from Monster High and she said that all day kids asked her what she was.
That evening, after violin lessons, we hurried home and got ready to go trick-or-treating. We met up with friends to trick-or-treat together.
Of course, we had to visit the two best houses in our neighborhood. The Gustafson's had their annual spook alley which Ella and Michelle both went through. I was proud of Ella because she doesn't like to be scared, and so I was surprised she went through, but she did. And the Gustafsons were serving cotton candy on glow sticks. So. Very. Cool. (I personally don't like cotton candy, so I passed on that, but they are still so very cool.) I absolutely love my neighborhood. In fact, that could easily count as today's gratitude idea...but I already wrote about missionary work...and I kind of already wrote about my neighborhood (my ward) on Friday. Then we visited lots of other homes on our way to the Kings. The Kings have scones and hot chocolate each year. Our very favorite stop. In fact, I think Gabby could ALMOST go without trick or treating if we just went to the Kings. Yum!
Somehow this was one of the best, perhaps the best, Halloween yet. It was the first time in a decade that I haven't pushed a stroller...okay, so really, it was the first time since I was a kid and went trick-or-treating as a child that I wasn't pushing a stroller. The weather was a tiny bit chilly, but it wasn't snowing or raining or absolutely freezing.
And I had a great day at school. Most of my students dressed up. We had a parade around the school, and my students and so many others were just darling.
We did Halloween activities, wrote Halloween stories, watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. My favorite part was I turned on Halloween music during the party and many of the kids got up and danced. I don't have a Halloween CD, so I just went to Youtube and chose Halloween songs to listen to and we even watched a couple of the videos that were cute like Monster Mash and 5 Litlte Pumpkins. The kids worked and played and danced and told me I was the best teacher ever. It was a great day.
They had parties at school and had a lot of fun. Gabby was a bit annoyed, though, because she was dressed as Cleo DeNile from Monster High and she said that all day kids asked her what she was.
That evening, after violin lessons, we hurried home and got ready to go trick-or-treating. We met up with friends to trick-or-treat together.
Somehow this was one of the best, perhaps the best, Halloween yet. It was the first time in a decade that I haven't pushed a stroller...okay, so really, it was the first time since I was a kid and went trick-or-treating as a child that I wasn't pushing a stroller. The weather was a tiny bit chilly, but it wasn't snowing or raining or absolutely freezing.
And I had a great day at school. Most of my students dressed up. We had a parade around the school, and my students and so many others were just darling.
We did Halloween activities, wrote Halloween stories, watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. My favorite part was I turned on Halloween music during the party and many of the kids got up and danced. I don't have a Halloween CD, so I just went to Youtube and chose Halloween songs to listen to and we even watched a couple of the videos that were cute like Monster Mash and 5 Litlte Pumpkins. The kids worked and played and danced and told me I was the best teacher ever. It was a great day.
Thankful...Day 4
Today I am thankful for modern conveniences. I am particularly thankful for our furnace and for a heater in my car. I do NOT like to be cold. I don't love to be hot, but I can deal with heat better than cold. (I am, after all, from Arizona. Although, I have now lived in Utah just barely more than half of my life!) Yesterday we had our first snowfall of the year. It was beautiful...and cold. SO I'm thankful for warm blankets, warm socks, warm sweaters, and especially for heaters.
Along with heat, I am thankful for computers and the internet. Writing this blog helps me in many ways, and it is a good way to preserve family memories. Because many of my friends and family members do not live near me, I am thankful for blogs, Facebook, email and telephones that allow me to communicate quickly and easily with my loved ones that are not nearby. I am even thankful for my cell phone. I gave in after being called as Relief Society President and got a cell phone (just a cheap one with only unlimited calls and texts and nothing else). I had not had a cell phone in a decade, and I really didn't feel a need to have one. But now that I have one, I have come to depend on it. It is quite a convenience...not really a need, but a great asset.
I am thankful for my appliances that make cooking and so many other tasks (such as laundry) easier. I especially love my Blendtec blender. Love it. But I really appreciate all of my appliances...Alfredo and I have been married 12 1/2 years now, so many of our appliances are that old. My waffle iron still functions but is breaking and doesn't shut all the way...so I can make waffles but they don't get very crisp. Last weekend, my hand mixer died...like made a funny grinding, groaning noise and then shot sparks at me. Can I survive without these and other appliances? Yes. But would I want to for long? No. I am thankful for these and so many other modern conveniences.
And I must not forget my car. I don't particularly like driving, but I am sure glad that I can get places quickly and easily and that my car has been so dependable.
So much to be thankful for!
Along with heat, I am thankful for computers and the internet. Writing this blog helps me in many ways, and it is a good way to preserve family memories. Because many of my friends and family members do not live near me, I am thankful for blogs, Facebook, email and telephones that allow me to communicate quickly and easily with my loved ones that are not nearby. I am even thankful for my cell phone. I gave in after being called as Relief Society President and got a cell phone (just a cheap one with only unlimited calls and texts and nothing else). I had not had a cell phone in a decade, and I really didn't feel a need to have one. But now that I have one, I have come to depend on it. It is quite a convenience...not really a need, but a great asset.
I am thankful for my appliances that make cooking and so many other tasks (such as laundry) easier. I especially love my Blendtec blender. Love it. But I really appreciate all of my appliances...Alfredo and I have been married 12 1/2 years now, so many of our appliances are that old. My waffle iron still functions but is breaking and doesn't shut all the way...so I can make waffles but they don't get very crisp. Last weekend, my hand mixer died...like made a funny grinding, groaning noise and then shot sparks at me. Can I survive without these and other appliances? Yes. But would I want to for long? No. I am thankful for these and so many other modern conveniences.
And I must not forget my car. I don't particularly like driving, but I am sure glad that I can get places quickly and easily and that my car has been so dependable.
So much to be thankful for!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Fall/Halloween Concert
Michelle had a violin concert this past Wednesday. It was held at Summerhays Music, and because it was the day before Halloween, Linda told the violinists that they could dress up.
This was the best concert yet. It was a fun one, because they played spooky sound effects throughout Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Some of the students played a fun song called Witches Dance and had some fun effects like playing part of it with their bows upside down and some of it while on tiptoes or crouching.
Love Linda's wig! Michelle wasn't sure it was her when we first arrived. :) Linda is so very talented. I knew that, but she played a song at Kyle's funeral yesterday and it was incredible. I am so grateful that she is Michelle's violin teacher, and that we have the privilege of knowing her both as a teacher and as a (former) ward member. We love Mrs. Montgomery!
But my favorite thing about the concert was that Michelle seemed less nervous and more confident. She seemed able to memorize songs a bit better this time around, and she seemed less stressed and anxious both in the weeks before the concert and during the actual concert. I even saw her smiling and got photos of her smiling during her performance. Usually she is concentrating so hard that she looks somewhat unhappy. It seems like she is developing more love for her playing and more confidence in her abilities. She complains less and less about needing to practice despite being as busy or busier than before. I am so pleased with her hard work and dedication! Look at these smiles:
Michelle played 9 songs this time. She played Pachelbel's Canon, Londown Towne by Lyon, Fanfare by Lyon, Bile them Cabbage Down arr. by C. Hall, The King's March by J. Clarke, Ashokan Farewell by J. Ungar, Sonata by Mozart, Orange Blossom by Rouse, and Twinkle Little Star, Variations 1 & 5 Spooky Style.
This was the best concert yet. It was a fun one, because they played spooky sound effects throughout Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Some of the students played a fun song called Witches Dance and had some fun effects like playing part of it with their bows upside down and some of it while on tiptoes or crouching.
But my favorite thing about the concert was that Michelle seemed less nervous and more confident. She seemed able to memorize songs a bit better this time around, and she seemed less stressed and anxious both in the weeks before the concert and during the actual concert. I even saw her smiling and got photos of her smiling during her performance. Usually she is concentrating so hard that she looks somewhat unhappy. It seems like she is developing more love for her playing and more confidence in her abilities. She complains less and less about needing to practice despite being as busy or busier than before. I am so pleased with her hard work and dedication! Look at these smiles:
Thankful...Day 3
Today I am thankful for missionary work. I am thankful for all I am learning about how to do missionary work as I serve. I taught Relief Society today. Two weeks ago, our lesson in RS was on missionary work. When I realized that, I began praying about what to teach because I had been planning to teach about missionary work and some of the things I have been learning and pondering. I prayed about a few other ideas, but just didn't feel right about any of them. I felt like I needed to teach about missionary work. When I walked into RS today, I saw that the Gospel Doctrine teacher was erasing the board and it said Missionary Work at the top. I chuckled and groaned. What could I possibly add that others hadn't already heard? Realistically, I, Jenny Panameno, couldn't add anything. But I do have a testimony and I have listened carefully to what was said in conference, and I just finished reading The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton Christensen. So, with the Lord's help, hopefully, I was able to inspire and bear testimony of the blessings that come from missionary work and some of the ways we can better participate in hastening the work of salvation.
I am thankful for the role of missionary work in my life. My husband is a convert, and I am thankful for the missionaries who taught him and thankful for friends who fellowshipped him and many who continue to do so, in ways both small and big. My stepdad is also a convert to the church, and my life has been blessed immensely by his example and testimony. I LOVE this gospel with all my heart, and I know that the Lord loves missionary work. I want to love what the Lord loves. I want to do what the Lord would do.
As I mentioned, I read The Power of Everyday Missionaries. It is a wonderful book, and I am thankful I read it. We bought four copies as a Relief Society that we will be passing around and encouraging families/sisters to read and then pass on to someone else. I learned a great deal from this book. Here are the things that stuck out to me most.
First, he lists a long list of scriptures dealing with the blessings that come from missionary work. Blessings like having the Lord with you, having the spirit, having your sins forgiven, becoming holy, having joy, being comforted. Tremendous blessings that I want for myself and for my family and for all those I love.
Another thing that stood out to me is that he says we succeed when we invite. In other words, we can't control who will accept our invitations to come to church or to listen to the missionaries, but if we are inviting then the Lord is pleased. He also said that we can't predict who will and who won't accept the gospel, so we should just invite everyone.
Another quote that really hit me was, "You can't be a successful ward mission leader if you cannot speak of sharing the gospel using present tense verbs and first-person pronouns." As I read that, I realized that this applies to us as member missionaries as well. I can't rest on my laurels knowing that I shared the gospel a lot as a teenager or think, "Well, I have a profile on Mormon.org and I often share things of a spiritual nature on Facebook and my blog, so I'm doing enough." Those are good things, but there is a lot more I can and should do.
I also found the chapter on setting goals and deadlines to be so helpful and inspiring...and a bit of a call to repent/change. I shared 4 quotes from that chapter in Relief Society today.
I think perhaps the part I loved the most was when he discussed three wards that have seen present day miracles in missionary work because of the efforts of the ward members. That is my vision for our ward. It can happen. It is happening in some wards in our mission. I want to do my part (and encourage others to do their part) to help it happen here too.
I am so thankful for the wonderful Elders serving in our ward and particularly for their influence on my next door neighbors. I am so thankful for the wonderful young men and young women from my ward that are sharing the gospel throughout the world on full time missions.
I am thankful for the many teachings about missionary work that were given throughout General Conference. I filled a posterboard with ideas on how to do more missionary work. I especially loved three talks given at conference that related to missionary work. (I loved many other talks as well, but these three seemed specifically aimed at missionary work and spoke to me.) President Uchtdorf gave a talk aimed to increase faith and invite all to come back, to join in, to be part of this great work. It was entitledCome Join With Us. I absolutely loved Elder Gifford's talkHastening the Lord's Game Plan! about how much the Lord loves missionary work based upon the use of exclamation points. I also loved Elder Ballard's talk Put Your Trust in the Lord. This quote especially stuck out to me and related to what Clayton Christensen said in his chapter about setting goals and deadlines. Elder Ballard said, "We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just "one" between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior." That will be my gift to the Savior this Christmas season. I will reach out to at least one and invite them to church, invite them to our Relief Society Christmas dinner and invite at least one person to meet with the missionaries. I know that I can do this, with the Lord's help.
I am thankful for the role of missionary work in my life. My husband is a convert, and I am thankful for the missionaries who taught him and thankful for friends who fellowshipped him and many who continue to do so, in ways both small and big. My stepdad is also a convert to the church, and my life has been blessed immensely by his example and testimony. I LOVE this gospel with all my heart, and I know that the Lord loves missionary work. I want to love what the Lord loves. I want to do what the Lord would do.
As I mentioned, I read The Power of Everyday Missionaries. It is a wonderful book, and I am thankful I read it. We bought four copies as a Relief Society that we will be passing around and encouraging families/sisters to read and then pass on to someone else. I learned a great deal from this book. Here are the things that stuck out to me most.
First, he lists a long list of scriptures dealing with the blessings that come from missionary work. Blessings like having the Lord with you, having the spirit, having your sins forgiven, becoming holy, having joy, being comforted. Tremendous blessings that I want for myself and for my family and for all those I love.
Another thing that stood out to me is that he says we succeed when we invite. In other words, we can't control who will accept our invitations to come to church or to listen to the missionaries, but if we are inviting then the Lord is pleased. He also said that we can't predict who will and who won't accept the gospel, so we should just invite everyone.
Another quote that really hit me was, "You can't be a successful ward mission leader if you cannot speak of sharing the gospel using present tense verbs and first-person pronouns." As I read that, I realized that this applies to us as member missionaries as well. I can't rest on my laurels knowing that I shared the gospel a lot as a teenager or think, "Well, I have a profile on Mormon.org and I often share things of a spiritual nature on Facebook and my blog, so I'm doing enough." Those are good things, but there is a lot more I can and should do.
I also found the chapter on setting goals and deadlines to be so helpful and inspiring...and a bit of a call to repent/change. I shared 4 quotes from that chapter in Relief Society today.
I think perhaps the part I loved the most was when he discussed three wards that have seen present day miracles in missionary work because of the efforts of the ward members. That is my vision for our ward. It can happen. It is happening in some wards in our mission. I want to do my part (and encourage others to do their part) to help it happen here too.
I am so thankful for the wonderful Elders serving in our ward and particularly for their influence on my next door neighbors. I am so thankful for the wonderful young men and young women from my ward that are sharing the gospel throughout the world on full time missions.
I am thankful for the many teachings about missionary work that were given throughout General Conference. I filled a posterboard with ideas on how to do more missionary work. I especially loved three talks given at conference that related to missionary work. (I loved many other talks as well, but these three seemed specifically aimed at missionary work and spoke to me.) President Uchtdorf gave a talk aimed to increase faith and invite all to come back, to join in, to be part of this great work. It was entitledCome Join With Us. I absolutely loved Elder Gifford's talkHastening the Lord's Game Plan! about how much the Lord loves missionary work based upon the use of exclamation points. I also loved Elder Ballard's talk Put Your Trust in the Lord. This quote especially stuck out to me and related to what Clayton Christensen said in his chapter about setting goals and deadlines. Elder Ballard said, "We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just "one" between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior." That will be my gift to the Savior this Christmas season. I will reach out to at least one and invite them to church, invite them to our Relief Society Christmas dinner and invite at least one person to meet with the missionaries. I know that I can do this, with the Lord's help.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Pumpkin Carving
On Monday, we carved pumpkins. Michelle carved hers by herself. Ella and I worked on hers together, and Gabby decided what she wanted hers to look like and she scooped all the seeds out, but Alfredo did most of the carving. Ella found a picture of a dog that she wanted hers to look like. I am not the best at drawing or carving, so I was pretty impressed that it did look like a dog when we were done (and just in case anyone couldn't tell...we also carved the word dog into the side. Michelle's was scary with toothpicks for teeth. Gabby's was also a "scary" pumpkin.
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