16 months. That's how long I've been serving as Primary president at church. Sometimes it feels like forever, and then sometimes it...doesn't! One blessing that I've had is inspiration for Primary callings. It has happened over and over again, where I've felt good about a person, submitted that name, and the bishopric have been supportive but surprised to see how well those callings have worked out, and how increased church activity has blessed those people who accepted Primary service. No, it's not a perfect world. Some decline the opportunity, and some are ready for a calling OUT of Primary. But the magic is finding out again and again that Heavenly Father cares about people and is "in the details" of their lives.
Here's one example. A couple weeks ago I had submitted a name for a new counselor in our presidency, a spot that had been vacant for almost a month after the previous (wonderful!) counselor had moved. Luckily for me, this friend accepted the calling, and I was able to sit down with her for some training yesterday. She said she'd been feeling that "a change" was coming on. I didn't know that her husband was going to be the new Seminary teacher. He's been the Elders Quorum president for a long time and will hopefully be released soon from that. When I'd prayed about this friend, I felt she was the right person, and hoped, hoped, hoped the bishopric would be okay with it, even though her husband already had a major, time-consuming calling. I had no idea that the husband was getting a new calling! And my friend knew this, too. She will be awesome, awesome, awesome, and I'm very grateful for this!
Another example happened a few months ago. I'd submitted a name for a Cub Scouts position. I really, really, really wanted this person for the Bear den. Well, I didn't get him. BUT the bishopric thanked me for bringing this man to their attention--he is now the ward mission leader and is doing an exceptional job, while I got the "old" ward mission leader for Cub Scouts, and HE is doing a great job there, too. :)
One more example for the day. Substitute jobs have been virtually non-existent for me this month. (No, I wasn't complaining, just thought it was curious.) I was starting to get a little antsy, and then was grateful all over again for the flexibility of this "job." A sweet friend of mine was checked into the hospital today, and I was able to visit her and help with watching her kids some, too. I'm glad I was home and had the time to offer her some encouragment and attention.
I promise the next post will have gobs and gobs of pictures. I've just had a lot on my mind lately! :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Boundaries
This morning we talked about boundaries and how you need to be aware of a person's "personal space" or bubble. We had some visitors last night who did not understand this, and it was good to talk to the kids about it, especially after Rhiannon said she'd felt pretty awkward, too. I'd had a hard time sleeping myself, and when I exercised first thing this morning I was still feeling really weird about the experience.
The family who rang our doorbell about an hour before bedtime had wonderful intentions--they were singing Christmas carols and seeking donations of food, toys, clothes, and money for some very poor neighborhoods in town, people who got help during Christmas only. I was happy to put some canned goods together for them. But they crossed some small stranger boundaries that left me feeling anything but warm and fuzzy.
Here are the rules we talked about at breakfast:
If you're going to go around to strangers asking for donations for a good cause,
a) do not go door-to-door when it's dark outside.
b) do not ring the doorbell obnoxiously.
c) stand back, at least two doormats' lengths away from the door. Standing right up in people's faces is extremely uncomfortable.
d) smile.
e) do not overstay your "welcome."
I don't know, maybe they were happy someone actually came to the door and provided some items, but my thought, after already feeling uncomfortable, was "here's some canned food, thanks for the singing before, now please leave." Instead, the dad kept telling the oldest daughter to sing song after song after song, while the other kids just kept staring at Rhiannon and Wade. Awkward, awkward, awkward.
Why did I post about this? To get it off my chest so I can move on, and to remind myself to respect people's boundaries, too!
The family who rang our doorbell about an hour before bedtime had wonderful intentions--they were singing Christmas carols and seeking donations of food, toys, clothes, and money for some very poor neighborhoods in town, people who got help during Christmas only. I was happy to put some canned goods together for them. But they crossed some small stranger boundaries that left me feeling anything but warm and fuzzy.
Here are the rules we talked about at breakfast:
If you're going to go around to strangers asking for donations for a good cause,
a) do not go door-to-door when it's dark outside.
b) do not ring the doorbell obnoxiously.
c) stand back, at least two doormats' lengths away from the door. Standing right up in people's faces is extremely uncomfortable.
d) smile.
e) do not overstay your "welcome."
I don't know, maybe they were happy someone actually came to the door and provided some items, but my thought, after already feeling uncomfortable, was "here's some canned food, thanks for the singing before, now please leave." Instead, the dad kept telling the oldest daughter to sing song after song after song, while the other kids just kept staring at Rhiannon and Wade. Awkward, awkward, awkward.
Why did I post about this? To get it off my chest so I can move on, and to remind myself to respect people's boundaries, too!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
"I want real baked potatoes"
Jason admits that the first part of his 36th birthday was not fun--it was a rough day at work. We were able to get things going when he got home, though! Howard and Sandi joined us for a delicious dinner of meatloaf, REAL baked potatoes (that may be a first!), asparagus, fresh fruit, and bread. We had Jason's requested German chocolate cake, too. He got birthday calls all night long, and I think he liked his b-day gifts from us, too--chips & salsa from Howard and Sandi, and the Hunt for Red October "on Blu-ray" and the book Born to Run. He also got an old t-shirt from Rhiannon that says "My dad rocks!" I'm going to help her make a pillow out of it for him. :)
Speaking of running, the next day Jason got on the treadmill and ran for 5 miles straight! I got to witness the read-out on the treadmill display and marvel at that achievement. I was so impressed! He's gearing up for a 10K held in Death Valley in 2 weeks. GO, DADDY!
THEN last night he took some young men to Death Valley for a Scout campout and went dune boarding this morning with them. He said it was a lot of fun! As one of his fellow Young Men's leader's wives said (say that 10 times fast), "Go celebrate your birthday with a campout!"
We love you, Dad! Happy 36th Birthday!!!!
Speaking of running, the next day Jason got on the treadmill and ran for 5 miles straight! I got to witness the read-out on the treadmill display and marvel at that achievement. I was so impressed! He's gearing up for a 10K held in Death Valley in 2 weeks. GO, DADDY!
THEN last night he took some young men to Death Valley for a Scout campout and went dune boarding this morning with them. He said it was a lot of fun! As one of his fellow Young Men's leader's wives said (say that 10 times fast), "Go celebrate your birthday with a campout!"
We love you, Dad! Happy 36th Birthday!!!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Making life easier
I am pretty slow about replacing old items in our home. It's silly, especially when the items that desperately need replacing aren't very expensive. Here are some examples:
--it took me YEARS to buy a $20 electric griddle. For a few years I tried making pancakes in a saucepan on the stove. Once I got one, I bought electric griddles for wedding presents for people almost exclusively!!! I didn't want some poor bride and groom to have to make pancakes in their saucepans, too!
--I replaced our 13-year-old kitchen knife set last year. They were great, while they lasted, but they were starting to feel dangerous and they looked like they'd taken a beating, too. I looked for a good deal on Amazon for a product that had good ratings, and I went for it. The splurge has been worth it to me, for knives that actually do what they're supposed to do.
--Towels. Jason's parents and my parents both purchased new sets of towels for us when we got this home. The towels are soft and heavenly and thick. The funny thing is that I cannot get rid of old towels. I hold onto them for various reasons, but mostly I think it's because of the memories I have of using towel after towel after towel after towel to soak up water in the basement of the Virginia house we'd been in, for washer problems or heavy rains. I HATED those experiences so much, but the towels were a lifesaver. It'll take a miracle for me to get rid of our towel stash!
--Waffle maker. We had a cute little Belgian waffle maker that we got as a gift when we got married. It was perfect for a newlywed couple, but ridiculous trying to make waffles for our family now or for guests. This past Black Friday I bought a larger waffle maker, that (gasp!) actually makes 4 waffles at a time, in record time! It's fabulous!!!!!! And I can actually make the waffles and come sit and enjoy breakfast with my family now, too!
Next up for replacing? We'd like to save up and replace our patio doors and the windows of this house. That's the biggie. On a smaller scale, I'd like to get some good ol' Corelle and replace our scratched up table settings (plates, bowls, etc!)! I have 4 Corelle plates passed down to me from who knows when, the kind with the green leafy pattern around the edge, and they look BRAND NEW. It's crazy!
--it took me YEARS to buy a $20 electric griddle. For a few years I tried making pancakes in a saucepan on the stove. Once I got one, I bought electric griddles for wedding presents for people almost exclusively!!! I didn't want some poor bride and groom to have to make pancakes in their saucepans, too!
--I replaced our 13-year-old kitchen knife set last year. They were great, while they lasted, but they were starting to feel dangerous and they looked like they'd taken a beating, too. I looked for a good deal on Amazon for a product that had good ratings, and I went for it. The splurge has been worth it to me, for knives that actually do what they're supposed to do.
--Towels. Jason's parents and my parents both purchased new sets of towels for us when we got this home. The towels are soft and heavenly and thick. The funny thing is that I cannot get rid of old towels. I hold onto them for various reasons, but mostly I think it's because of the memories I have of using towel after towel after towel after towel to soak up water in the basement of the Virginia house we'd been in, for washer problems or heavy rains. I HATED those experiences so much, but the towels were a lifesaver. It'll take a miracle for me to get rid of our towel stash!
--Waffle maker. We had a cute little Belgian waffle maker that we got as a gift when we got married. It was perfect for a newlywed couple, but ridiculous trying to make waffles for our family now or for guests. This past Black Friday I bought a larger waffle maker, that (gasp!) actually makes 4 waffles at a time, in record time! It's fabulous!!!!!! And I can actually make the waffles and come sit and enjoy breakfast with my family now, too!
Next up for replacing? We'd like to save up and replace our patio doors and the windows of this house. That's the biggie. On a smaller scale, I'd like to get some good ol' Corelle and replace our scratched up table settings (plates, bowls, etc!)! I have 4 Corelle plates passed down to me from who knows when, the kind with the green leafy pattern around the edge, and they look BRAND NEW. It's crazy!
Just dance!
The Just Dance Wii game was highly recommended by our cute cousin Tyler, who is pretty good at it, according to Grandma Deb. I got the game with some Best Buy gift card goodness, and we have had a lot of fun with it!!! It's a pretty good workout, too, if you get into the movements of each dance and "give it all you've got!"
My only complaint is that I wish the makers of this game would come up with a version that had songs we know and love. Most of the songs on the game were unknown to Rhiannon and Wade, and my kids are a little old for the "Just Dance for Kids" game that has Wheels on the Bus and the ABC song on it...though those songs would probably be more appropriate lyrics for my kids than Girls and Boys by Blur!
Enjoy these cute videos! :)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
"WANTED"
Rhiannon made me macaroni and cheese for lunch today, when I was up to my eyeballs in cupcake batter. I sure appreciated that!
She also made me smile during sacrament meeting today. She was drawing these "WANTED" posters for each member of our family:
"WANTED: Wade Cushing for being too awesome!"
"WANTED: Rhiannon Cushing for being too cool!"
"WANTED: Verity Cushing for being too pretty!"
"WANTED: Jason Cushing for being too stinkin' awesome!"
"WANTED: Cushing Family for being the awesome-est family on earth"
RHIANNON is awesome, and she ROCKS!
She also made me smile during sacrament meeting today. She was drawing these "WANTED" posters for each member of our family:
"WANTED: Wade Cushing for being too awesome!"
"WANTED: Rhiannon Cushing for being too cool!"
"WANTED: Verity Cushing for being too pretty!"
"WANTED: Jason Cushing for being too stinkin' awesome!"
"WANTED: Cushing Family for being the awesome-est family on earth"
RHIANNON is awesome, and she ROCKS!
It's gr8 to be 8!
Tonight Jason and I went to a Baptism Preview activity with Wade. We have 9 kids in our ward turning 8 this year, and 8 of them were there tonight with their parents. I'd asked my 2nd counselor in the Primary presidency to plan the activity, and we'd gotten approval from our bishopric to do it, since the activity isn't listed anywhere in the old or new Church handbooks.
It was a wonderful night! The program was short and sweet--our bishop talked about "the interview," the Wolf den leader talked about Cub Scouts, our Activity Day leader talked about special activities for the girls, and I gave an overview of the Faith in God program. The last part of the program was very special, and there was such a great spirit in the room. Each child got to hear from their parents about a few of their favorite qualities and stories. We kept hearing the same words over and over describing this group of children--kind, loving, compassionate, happy, obedient, patient, intelligent, respectful, tender-hearted, hard-working. I commented on Wade's obedience, too, how he was great about doing what we asked him to do, and how that would help him in the future when he was a missionary and later found a special lady to marry and take to the temple (I probably won't live that one down, but Wade didn't care--he loved being spotlighted!). I also mentioned his crazy awesome movie/music memory! There were many tears and smiles as the parents spoke, and the kids were soaking it up!!!
Afterwards we had cupcakes and some Russian teacake cookies, with milk to drink!
Primary rocks! WADE rocks! My counselor rocks! It's great to be 8! :)
It was a wonderful night! The program was short and sweet--our bishop talked about "the interview," the Wolf den leader talked about Cub Scouts, our Activity Day leader talked about special activities for the girls, and I gave an overview of the Faith in God program. The last part of the program was very special, and there was such a great spirit in the room. Each child got to hear from their parents about a few of their favorite qualities and stories. We kept hearing the same words over and over describing this group of children--kind, loving, compassionate, happy, obedient, patient, intelligent, respectful, tender-hearted, hard-working. I commented on Wade's obedience, too, how he was great about doing what we asked him to do, and how that would help him in the future when he was a missionary and later found a special lady to marry and take to the temple (I probably won't live that one down, but Wade didn't care--he loved being spotlighted!). I also mentioned his crazy awesome movie/music memory! There were many tears and smiles as the parents spoke, and the kids were soaking it up!!!
Afterwards we had cupcakes and some Russian teacake cookies, with milk to drink!
Primary rocks! WADE rocks! My counselor rocks! It's great to be 8! :)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Magic in the kitchen
The stars aligned tonight for a pretty amazing dinner experience. I felt like going a little crazy and trying some new recipes, and they all turned out well. More importantly, everyone liked it! YAY!!!!!! All 3 recipes, for the bread, pasta dish, and dessert, came from the Deals to Meals blog:
Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2011/01/olive-oil-favorites-macaroni-grill.html
Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguini
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-favorite-pasta-recipe.html
Gingerbread Cake--Grandma Deb made this for us up in UT and it was AMAZING!
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2010/12/perfectly-moist-gingerbread-cake-w.html
The cajun seasoning in the pasta dish sure added a kick--Jason loved it, but it was a little strong for me and the kids. I'll add less next time, and put the seasoning bottle on the table for Jason to enjoy to his heart's content! :)
7:32pm addition--the kids and I had some cake with fresh whipped cream while Jason slept on the couch. He flew back from DC today and then drove up from the LA airport, so he's had quite the day. The kids are playing Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii and are trying to be SO quiet with Dad asleep in the same room! :) My typing is probably louder than they are! I did the dishes, took out the trash, and then sat down to a wonderful surprise--almost 20 Christmas cards that had been held at the wrong address and finally got to us today. Maybe I should wait until after the craziness of the holidays is over to send out "Christmas" cards, because I read through every single newsletter and note tonight, slowly, and felt so peaceful and happy. Not stressed, not distracted, not in a rush.... just happy. :)
Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2011/01/olive-oil-favorites-macaroni-grill.html
Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguini
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-favorite-pasta-recipe.html
Gingerbread Cake--Grandma Deb made this for us up in UT and it was AMAZING!
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2010/12/perfectly-moist-gingerbread-cake-w.html
The cajun seasoning in the pasta dish sure added a kick--Jason loved it, but it was a little strong for me and the kids. I'll add less next time, and put the seasoning bottle on the table for Jason to enjoy to his heart's content! :)
7:32pm addition--the kids and I had some cake with fresh whipped cream while Jason slept on the couch. He flew back from DC today and then drove up from the LA airport, so he's had quite the day. The kids are playing Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii and are trying to be SO quiet with Dad asleep in the same room! :) My typing is probably louder than they are! I did the dishes, took out the trash, and then sat down to a wonderful surprise--almost 20 Christmas cards that had been held at the wrong address and finally got to us today. Maybe I should wait until after the craziness of the holidays is over to send out "Christmas" cards, because I read through every single newsletter and note tonight, slowly, and felt so peaceful and happy. Not stressed, not distracted, not in a rush.... just happy. :)
Good gifts
Jason gave a wonderful family home evening lesson earlier this week. The kids had given me some money for my birthday, and while we both appreciated their generous spirits, Jason talked to them about other gifts that he appreciated more from them, such as gifts of time and service. We talked about examples like cleaning the church and their great job surprising me with a spotless kitchen. It was a good discussion, and another reason why I am very grateful to have Jason in my life. He is a wonderful husband and a thoughtful, wise dad--we love him!
That very day I'd been up to the kids' school, helping out at the library. I'd been sick with a cold the previous week and hadn't come in at all to help shelve books. I try to come in an hour or two a week. Our school is probably 10 times busier than other schools in the district, mainly because the Accelerated Reader program is in full force there and kids are constantly checking in and out books to read for their goals. With the volume of books being used, there's just no way the two women working full-time in the library can handle all the processing of books on their own--if they focused only on that, the kids would suffer and the library would be a total ZOO! As I was getting books ready to shelve on carts, the school librarian came up to me, and in all seriousness said, "I'm so glad you're here. I prayed that you would come today!" Boy, was I glad I'd decided to come, instead of taking a snooze like I'd been thinking about doing! :)
That very day I'd been up to the kids' school, helping out at the library. I'd been sick with a cold the previous week and hadn't come in at all to help shelve books. I try to come in an hour or two a week. Our school is probably 10 times busier than other schools in the district, mainly because the Accelerated Reader program is in full force there and kids are constantly checking in and out books to read for their goals. With the volume of books being used, there's just no way the two women working full-time in the library can handle all the processing of books on their own--if they focused only on that, the kids would suffer and the library would be a total ZOO! As I was getting books ready to shelve on carts, the school librarian came up to me, and in all seriousness said, "I'm so glad you're here. I prayed that you would come today!" Boy, was I glad I'd decided to come, instead of taking a snooze like I'd been thinking about doing! :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Goals are good for everyone
I didn't want to forget this...
While I was still giggling at Wade's "you shouldn't have to go to church on your b-day comment," he came in this morning and made me smile again:
Wade: I think Toby (our tortoise) should have some goals since the rest of us made family goals.
Me: Uh, okay. Like what?
Wade: Maybe he should eat less lettuce?
Me: Well, he's still a baby and that might kill him if he eats less.
Wade: Okay, then his goal should be to eat MORE lettuce!
While I was still giggling at Wade's "you shouldn't have to go to church on your b-day comment," he came in this morning and made me smile again:
Wade: I think Toby (our tortoise) should have some goals since the rest of us made family goals.
Me: Uh, okay. Like what?
Wade: Maybe he should eat less lettuce?
Me: Well, he's still a baby and that might kill him if he eats less.
Wade: Okay, then his goal should be to eat MORE lettuce!
Thomas Jefferson: "I cannot live without books."
Jason SHOCKED me at Christmas with one of these:
I'd seen the Amazon Kindle ads for months, every time I got online to purchase Christmas gifts for other people. I'd look at all the hype, then look lovingly at my big stack of books on my bedside table, and I'd just laugh. "There is no way I'd give up a good, old-fashioned book for something like that!" I thought. At the time I was also thinking of the 900+ page book I'd just bought and planned on bringing up to Utah for Christmas--Doris Kearns Goodwin's goodness called Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It's AWESOME, and it's HEAVY.
But then my sweet hubby surprised me with a Kindle, and I started using it. I've got a bookcase of free digital "classics" on my Kindle so far, everything from Jane Austen and Charles Dickens to Edgar Allan Poe and good ol' Leo Tolstoy. I feel so SMART. Another really, really, really happy day was when I "purchased" a free version of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. I placed a hold at our local library for that book and had been waiting MONTHS for a turn with it. Now it is mine, all mine, whenever I want to look at!!!!!! (I am smiling ear to ear right now!!!!)
Today I took the plunge and actually spent some money on books for the Kindle. First I bought the LDS Scriptures Kindle edition, which has all the LDS Standard Works and then a treasure chest of other stuff, everything from hymns to inspirational quotes to the Family Proclamation. Then (don't laugh) I turned the other way and bought True Grit, by Charles Portis!
I'm done for a while. It'll take me a long time to read everything on this slim device. Plus, I've still got plenty to keep me busy with my "real book" pile--that Lincoln book and this HUGE Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1 and The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner for book club and The Help because Santa got it for me and it's worth reading again.
I love books.
Any form.
The End.
I'd seen the Amazon Kindle ads for months, every time I got online to purchase Christmas gifts for other people. I'd look at all the hype, then look lovingly at my big stack of books on my bedside table, and I'd just laugh. "There is no way I'd give up a good, old-fashioned book for something like that!" I thought. At the time I was also thinking of the 900+ page book I'd just bought and planned on bringing up to Utah for Christmas--Doris Kearns Goodwin's goodness called Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It's AWESOME, and it's HEAVY.
But then my sweet hubby surprised me with a Kindle, and I started using it. I've got a bookcase of free digital "classics" on my Kindle so far, everything from Jane Austen and Charles Dickens to Edgar Allan Poe and good ol' Leo Tolstoy. I feel so SMART. Another really, really, really happy day was when I "purchased" a free version of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. I placed a hold at our local library for that book and had been waiting MONTHS for a turn with it. Now it is mine, all mine, whenever I want to look at!!!!!! (I am smiling ear to ear right now!!!!)
Today I took the plunge and actually spent some money on books for the Kindle. First I bought the LDS Scriptures Kindle edition, which has all the LDS Standard Works and then a treasure chest of other stuff, everything from hymns to inspirational quotes to the Family Proclamation. Then (don't laugh) I turned the other way and bought True Grit, by Charles Portis!
I'm done for a while. It'll take me a long time to read everything on this slim device. Plus, I've still got plenty to keep me busy with my "real book" pile--that Lincoln book and this HUGE Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1 and The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner for book club and The Help because Santa got it for me and it's worth reading again.
I love books.
Any form.
The End.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Stretchin' #35 out!
I've had a wonderful birthday weekend. The one thing I wanted to do was go see True Grit. Jason took me to the movie on Friday afternoon while the kids were still in school. I really liked it, though it was violent, and would like to read the book now. We both thought it was funny that we were the youngest ones in the theater by about 30 years!
On Saturday we cleaned the church with a big group and got through the job in an hour (nice!). I was busy all day long but it was worth it because we had a FANTASTIC time hosting game night at our house that night. We tried to recreate Derrick and Traci's "Nacho Fantabulosos" for dinner and it was soooooooooooo good. We stayed up til 10 (which is late for me with 9 'o'clock church coming right around the corner! :)) playing all kinds of games. We played the GOLF card game (a Cushing tradition)--it was very well-received by the 5 couples who were with us. Then we played Fact or Crap (a board game), then some Just Dance on Wii, and then a little Rock Band. It was a 4-hour fun fest with great company.
This morning Wade made me laugh: "You shouldn't have to go to CHURCH on your birthday, Mom!" I tried to explain to him that I enjoyed going to church, but I don't think he bought it. (We'll have to work on that!) It was another easy day in Primary, and both the junior and senior groups sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I LOVED IT! I got some cute hugs, some candy taken from the bishop's office, and kids showing me their scripture reading charts for the past week. THAT was a great birthday gift, too.
This afternoon I indulged in a Sunday snooze and woke up to a spotless kitchen and a birthday cake all ready to go. What a gift! I watched a fun family video that Mom and Dad sent me and enjoyed lots of phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages.
We're going to have some cake and ice cream in a little while, and then I will end a perfect 35th birthday! Here's to many more!
Birthdays totally rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Saturday we cleaned the church with a big group and got through the job in an hour (nice!). I was busy all day long but it was worth it because we had a FANTASTIC time hosting game night at our house that night. We tried to recreate Derrick and Traci's "Nacho Fantabulosos" for dinner and it was soooooooooooo good. We stayed up til 10 (which is late for me with 9 'o'clock church coming right around the corner! :)) playing all kinds of games. We played the GOLF card game (a Cushing tradition)--it was very well-received by the 5 couples who were with us. Then we played Fact or Crap (a board game), then some Just Dance on Wii, and then a little Rock Band. It was a 4-hour fun fest with great company.
This morning Wade made me laugh: "You shouldn't have to go to CHURCH on your birthday, Mom!" I tried to explain to him that I enjoyed going to church, but I don't think he bought it. (We'll have to work on that!) It was another easy day in Primary, and both the junior and senior groups sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I LOVED IT! I got some cute hugs, some candy taken from the bishop's office, and kids showing me their scripture reading charts for the past week. THAT was a great birthday gift, too.
This afternoon I indulged in a Sunday snooze and woke up to a spotless kitchen and a birthday cake all ready to go. What a gift! I watched a fun family video that Mom and Dad sent me and enjoyed lots of phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages.
We're going to have some cake and ice cream in a little while, and then I will end a perfect 35th birthday! Here's to many more!
Birthdays totally rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
An extra day!
I welcomed the 5:45am automated phone call this morning saying that school was cancelled due to "hazardous roads." We got some decent snow (for Ridgecrest) last night that will all be gone by tomorrow. The roads are fine now, but we've got the whole day to play!I REALLY needed an extra day. I haven't fully unpacked yet and I'd love to get some help taking Christmas decorations down. Wade needs to get in to see a doctor, too--his off-and-on cough the past 3 weeks has been worse the past 2 days, poor guy!
Hurray for snow days!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Windshield analogy
Last night I had a little inspiration for today's lesson in Primary Sharing Time. It may not make much sense to you and seem a little silly, dear reader, but it worked really well in Primary! I felt that the kids really understood what I was trying to say! :) The theme this year is "I Know the Scriptures Are True," and I used our hazardous drive this past Thursday from Utah to Ridgecrest as an analogy for how the scriptures can help us. Here it is, or what I can remember:
"On Thursday our family drove back to Ridgecrest after spending Christmas in Utah. Some of the drive was very scary where the roads were icy, snowy, and rough. (the kids laughed when I told them about getting all tensed up, making noises when I saw accidents on the road, and how Jason finally said, 'You are NOT helping me by doing that!') The worst part was that the dirt and grime on the road would kick up onto our windshield, and because our windshield wipers weren't great and the windshield wiper fluid was frozen solid most of the drive, they'd just smear stuff around instead of clearing off the glass, making it really hard to see out the window sometimes."
(Our red van was GRAY after the drive. I didn't take a picture, but here's a good approximation of what our windshield looked like at times, found off of Google Images:)
"On Thursday our family drove back to Ridgecrest after spending Christmas in Utah. Some of the drive was very scary where the roads were icy, snowy, and rough. (the kids laughed when I told them about getting all tensed up, making noises when I saw accidents on the road, and how Jason finally said, 'You are NOT helping me by doing that!') The worst part was that the dirt and grime on the road would kick up onto our windshield, and because our windshield wipers weren't great and the windshield wiper fluid was frozen solid most of the drive, they'd just smear stuff around instead of clearing off the glass, making it really hard to see out the window sometimes."
(Our red van was GRAY after the drive. I didn't take a picture, but here's a good approximation of what our windshield looked like at times, found off of Google Images:)
(Then I talked about the scriptures). "The scriptures are like really good windshield wipers, that clear away the dirt and grime so that I can see where I'm going. When I read the scriptures, I feel my testimony grow, and I feel safe!"
Then I challenged the kids to read their scriptures every day. We handed out these cool mini-calendars so that the kids can (hopefully) check off the days that they read. I could not have asked for a happier Sunday and a better start to the new year and theme!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
1st post for 2011
As I sat down to reminisce about 2010, the first thought that came to my mind was this:
Superior Autobiographical Memory on 60 Minutes
I definitely do NOT have this gift. I can get by day-to-day and remember upcoming events well, but my memories of the past are hazy. The only crystal clear memories are the traumatic, embarrassing, or funny ones! Thank goodness for blogs, journals, and other people's great memories.
2010 was a good year, and fast. When my mom and dad asked me what my top 3 memories of 2010 were, it was hard to pick! High on the list were trips to Utah and Texas, visits from family and friends to us here in Ridgecrest, watching the kids change and grow, and starting adventures in subbing. Other "memorables" would be couples game nights, getting Toby the Tortoise, piano/sports for the kids, and helping Wade get through allergy testing, shots, and surgery!
What does 2011 hold for us? We got it off to a good start with friends, food, games, and NOISE at the Okerlunds' home last night. Bless them for their hospitality and laid-back attitude--we had a great time! In 2011 Rhiannon will start middle school. Wade will turn 8 and get baptized,. We'll have 2 major family reunion trips in July. In age Jason and I will both be closer to 40 than 30. We'll put a solar cover on the pool and (hopefully) enjoy it longer. And I really, really hope we'll go on a family camping trip--the one thing I wish we'd been able to do in 2010 and didn't! :)
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
Superior Autobiographical Memory on 60 Minutes
I definitely do NOT have this gift. I can get by day-to-day and remember upcoming events well, but my memories of the past are hazy. The only crystal clear memories are the traumatic, embarrassing, or funny ones! Thank goodness for blogs, journals, and other people's great memories.
2010 was a good year, and fast. When my mom and dad asked me what my top 3 memories of 2010 were, it was hard to pick! High on the list were trips to Utah and Texas, visits from family and friends to us here in Ridgecrest, watching the kids change and grow, and starting adventures in subbing. Other "memorables" would be couples game nights, getting Toby the Tortoise, piano/sports for the kids, and helping Wade get through allergy testing, shots, and surgery!
What does 2011 hold for us? We got it off to a good start with friends, food, games, and NOISE at the Okerlunds' home last night. Bless them for their hospitality and laid-back attitude--we had a great time! In 2011 Rhiannon will start middle school. Wade will turn 8 and get baptized,. We'll have 2 major family reunion trips in July. In age Jason and I will both be closer to 40 than 30. We'll put a solar cover on the pool and (hopefully) enjoy it longer. And I really, really hope we'll go on a family camping trip--the one thing I wish we'd been able to do in 2010 and didn't! :)
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
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