The Confessions of a (former) Primary President

If I told you that my heart belonged to 223 children you might think I was exaggerating (and no, I am not the old woman who lived in a shoe, thank heavens!). Well whether you believe it or not it is true. Last Sunday I was released as the Primary President in my ward. It happened quickly, it went by too fast! Maybe I took for granted seeing the faces of those kids and teachers that I had grown to love so much, but because it was my last official day in that office of primary, I spent all of those two hours crying or trying not to cry. I am sure on hidden camera it would have been hilarious to watch myself and two dear friends crying and smiling our faces off. Don't worry, we did explain to the kids that we were indeed fine, after some concerned glances in our direction.

 It was my privilege to serve them, to learn from them and to learn along side them.

So what did I learn from my time in this calling? A lot of things! I won't share them all, but I will share a few experiences. My testimony changed  and grew, sometimes in ways I didn't even think could or needed to be changed.
The Lord does qualify who He calls. Not to say that I was from that point perfect.... ha ha ha sadly no, that didn't happen. There were plenty of mistakes made I assure you. However, I was able to learn the names of all the kids much quicker than you'd think. I had spent a lot of time with the younger kids in the ward and knew a lot of them, but didn't know the older kids very well. I was amazed at how quickly I loved them and grew to know them better. Also, no matter how stressed I became, no matter how challenging it was to fit all of it in to my already busy life, I never would have traded it for anything.
Also, my testimony of service in church callings changed. I had been taught, and I believed, that if you were asked to serve in a calling that you should serve willingly if possible and that you should do your best. I have never turned down a calling (never needed to) and I had always tried my best. Done, right? Well I never stopped to look around me or notice what others were doing or how they were serving. I'm not telling you that I received a great testimony of service because of what I did...no. I could see from a different point of view all of the many people who were serving all around me. The time and the effort that they put in. In my ward it takes 46 people to run primary on Sunday. That doesn't include the non-Sunday callings of scouts and activity days that takes another 16 people. Not to mention that I was in closer contact with the other auxiliary presidencies and the bishopric and was able to see some (not all) of their efforts. I am amazed and grateful for each person that I served with and their example to me. That's not even all! There were Sundays when I needed to cover primary classes at the last minute. Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I like to prepare. I don't like to be asked at the last minute to teach a lesson or take on a task if I can help it, I need time! I found myself in the position of needing to snag people sometimes 5 minutes before primary began. In the beginning I was petrified. I thought that for sure people would say no! They would ignore my phone calls or texts and they would come to dread seeing me in the halls at church. Much to my happy surprise that was not the case. Just when I thought that primary would not be covered and all was lost (maybe a little dramatic) people that I asked would say "sure, where do you want me?" ....what?! I came to know that I could rely on my ward members, that they were willing to help. They knew that their service was needed and they stepped up at the right time. Bless them!!!! I am so grateful for the example of selfless service.

I was given the chance to bear my testimony at the baptisms of those kids that turned 8 and made that decision to do so. I found myself baring the same testimony and wondered if maybe I was just getting into habit, and if I needed to change what I was telling them. It changed a little depending on the child(children) I was talking to, but was it getting old? Whenever I thought about it, I would get a strong feeling that, no, the testimony was true for each of them, for each of us, no matter how many times I shared it. That testimony applies to us all and it is this: That we are children of our Heavenly Father, that He loves us and knows us. He knows us better than our parents know us, better than we know ourselves. He knows your favorite breakfast cereal, or maybe that you don't eat breakfast. He knows that sometimes your brothers and sisters make you mad. He knows when you've had a bad day and when things are hard. He knows when you are happy and joyful and things are going just right. He knows, and He wants to be there, to have a relationship with you through all of it. He knows we make mistakes and that is why He hasn't left us alone, but gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us, parents and teachers who love us and guide us. That is why He sent His Son, for you. Because He loves you. Your worth is great, so great.

I am still thinking of them as "my kids". And I hope that they will know as they grow that their worth is great. I hope that they'll treat themselves accordingly, as a child of God should treat themselves, with kindness, respect, forgiveness, and to hold them selves to a higher standard of living like the Savior. Because they deserve it.

I served with the greatest people, all of them, teachers, leaders. Amazing music leaders! (wow!) And 5 (5 because there was a little change in the middle as because I was blessed with 3 counselors and a secretary!) of the most amazing friends are sisters that served in the primary presidency with me. They inspired me, kept me on my feet, and were perfect examples. And I know that they each shared that same love for the children that I did. Two of them will continue on as part of the new primary presidency and I know that they'll be great... that "my kids" are in good hands.

As for the rest of us... well, we'll be ok. As I was struggling with being a little sad, my little brother gave me some good advice in the form of a song, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord..."  I am grateful that the Lord invited me to serve as primary president for that time.

School is winding down part #2

Garrett has done great in math, it is one of his favorite subjects. At the beginning of the year he seemed to struggle with reading suddenly, which was new for him, but since that first report card he made and kept a goal to get to a certain reading level and he has even surpassed it now! His teacher this year Ms.LeBeau had come from teaching 6th grade to 3rd and she has been a lot of fun. Since he can get a little restless and rambunctious she is quick to point out his good points too. For instance, how enthusiastic he is and that it is contagious. The only thing he seems to struggle with is tests, even when he knows the information, I think its that restlessness that makes it hard to concentrate and sit still.
He doesn't have as many close friends this year, but it sounds like all the boys get a long well and they like to play kickball, football and basketball at recess. Oh yes.... and we can't for get the kendamas!
Fun things in 3rd Grade:

 

Career day!

The kids got to choose from a list of jobs and come to school dressed as those type of workers. They were given a monthly pay check and then had to go about to the different stations and decide how to spend their money. I got to volunteer at the "fun" table. It was funny to see how many kids waited until the end to go to the housing table!! Ha!

Can you guess what Garrett's profession was?

Truck Driver

 

Grandparent's Day

Grandpa Blain & Grandma Sheri came down to spend that time with him.

They had interview questions for their grandparents

 

 

 

Did an art project

Read a book

(And Played Games, thought I didn't get the pictures of that.)

 

Choir

 

 

He chose this year to participate in the school choir. He only stayed for the fall session, but I was proud of his hard work and his cute performances.

This was his cool valentines box that he made... and by "he made" I mean that mostly dad made.

 

3rd Grade History Wax Museum

They could choose anyone from history and he chose Theodore Roosevelt!

He did a written report, a book, and then prepared a 30 second speech about "Teddy" and dressed up like him for school.

 

They made a "button" then They were to choose a pose and parents and other classes from school came and when his button was pushed he recited his speech. It was so fun. He was really excited about it and he learned a lot about our 26th president, even things he taught me!

 

 

Now all we have left is his field trip (which early date had been cancelled due to weather) and the science fair! This last month is going to be a great one!
Then what will I do with a 4th grader????

 

 

 



School is Winding down part #1

At this moment my kids are enjoying 3 more days of a short 8 day off track break and then we're on the count down to one more month of the school year. This year my kids had gone from D track where almost all of our neighborhood friends are to B track knowing no one. I worried for Embrie going into Kindergarten without a friend to cling to since she was soooo shy.
I knew by now that Garrett would be fine, he too went to kindergarten without knowing any other kids (up to that point he being younger had played with kids that were just a bit younger than him and didn't make the age cut off) and had been fine, but he had been with many of the same kids for 3 years and now would be going to 3rd grade without any of them. I worried about him keeping up in school as the subjects tend to be more challenging from here on out. Moms worry, right? Whether for big, little, important and completely dumb reasons, moms worry.

Here are a couple of things they did together:

This was the 1st day of Kindergarten for Embrie, Garrett had been in school for a week. They both love school and despite what I may sometimes wonder, they love each other too!

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This year both kids participated in the Reflections art program and competition. They decided to paint a picture and. This took place within the first few weeks of school.

Here was the theme they had to use to inspire their project.

Now lets find out what they did one by one in the next post....

 

 

 

But what does mom do?

So we've been trying harder the last several months to have family prayer each day. We decided to take turns each day oldest to youngest so that everyone has equal chance, and because Maren is the only one who excitedly volunteers all the time.

We remind the kids all the time that when we say family prayer that they are praying for the whole family not just themselves and that they can pray about anything they feel they want to. I try to set the example by mentioning each one of them and pray for them individually about things they might be working on or going through. Well, few weeks ago I started to notice a pattern that was funny. Whenever they'd pray and go through each family member they left one person out, mom. (Now don't worry this post isn't going to be all about me, it's going somewhere I promise!) So one night I told Garrett good job on including everyone (I really was serious) and I giggled and told them they usually forget one person. Well apparently Garrett totally understood what I was talking about because he said, "Well I don't know what mom does!"  HA! Brad and I started laughing.

Should I feel underappreciated? I don't know, but I don't really. It got me thinking about moms in general. It's hard for kids to put a label on the many jobs that mom's do. Each of us take for granted that they are always there. It's true that I am not currently leaving  to go to work the way Dad does, I am not getting ready for a big dance recital like the girls, I'm not starting baseball like Garrett and I don't go to school like they do. So what does a mom do? Well if you're a mom you know the answers: just about everything!

I watched the Women's session of LDS General Conference last night, I loved the little story about the mother who signed up for Career Day at her child's school class and listed her job as "homemaker". The school didn't call her to help out that day, but she went anyway and when she showed up the office had to scramble to find her a badge. Maybe they didn't take her "job description" very seriously? She did her presentation with her daughters class and explained the many things that mom's have to be good at and manage. The kids were surprised. She finished her fun lesson by having the kids write a thank you note to their mothers and she left an impression! (I may not be telling the story completely correct, but I know it will be updated online soon so anyone can check it out.)

Back to our little family prayer nights, the next time that Garrett prayed he did mention mom saying, "please bless mom that she'll be able to help the girls learn their dances for the recital."

Yes, Garrett that is what I do! :)

Lets Start Over: Me

Me? Well, I've been keeping busy you could say. I love volunteering at the elementary school in both kid's classes and other functions. Like many of you, my family is my life.

 I'm still busy with my ward Primary. The kids are so much fun and I never thought I would say it, but I feel like I am getting the hang of most of it. I'm sure that is due to all the good people who serve in their callings. I am beyond blessed to watch these 220 kids grow in learning and understanding of the gospel. It's a lot of kids an there are some challenges that come with that big of a group, but I wouldn't trade any of them!

My only regret is that I have stopped running. My fitness has taken a bit of a back burner to everything else, but I plan on getting back in shape. Never give up, right?

Let's Start Over: Maren

Maren. What a little firecracker she is turning out to be! She is funny and adorable just like every "baby of the family". Last year she potty trained, learned how to ride her bike with training wheels and started pre-school with the same teacher the other kids went to because we love Miss Bre`. Maren is very friendly, certainly my least shy child (disclaimer: the others are not shy now, but they were until age 5).

 Last Years Birthday party turning 3, yipee!

She also started dance class which she loves. She hasn't done any other sports yet, but those will come.
(dance).

Christmas Showcase & First Day of dance class last August!

Let's Start Over: Embrie

Embrie. This little girl is my sweetheart through and through. Still the little helper. Always cleaning up messes without complaining that the sister that helped make them doesn't help her clean up much. She loves it when I let her help me around the house with chores.
She started Kindergarten last summer with Ms. Purvis as her teacher. She LOVES school probably more than anything else she does. She doesn't like going off track or even having the weekend off. And the love for learning shows in her school scores big time. She takes to everything so quickly. Reading and learning so fast.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Dance Recital last summer (2014)

Christmas Dance show case

She still enjoys dance and is excited to start soccer again this spring. For her 6th Birthday we had a fun "baking party" with friends. More than toys she wanted to take horse back riding lessons. So her great grandparents bought a lesson, we bought a couple and she had to save and earn the money for the 4th  lesson (let's just say, horseback riding in the city is not a cheap hobby). She loved every minute and I was excited to see her learn how to control a horse and become more confident.

Turning 6 years old