Respect

I recently got called back into Young Women. It's bittersweet. I have spent the last month trying to figure out how I fit into this group of women. I feel like an outsider. (I'm not sure what's worse, this or sitting in Relief Society being lost in the masses).

Last night was the first "regular" activity I've attended. I was at a loss for words. The girls were so disrespectful. I couldn't believe that they would act like this. On top of that this was my daughters first experience with weekly activities (because she just turned 12) and had brought a non member friend. Oh my...I couldn't wait to get out of there. On top of that, what the leader chose to focus on was too mature for the age group there. Now I struggle even more. I don't want to step on people's toes, but I won't go through another night like that.

Garden Bug

We had a relief society activity about gardening. I love it but never found the time to do it with young young girls - this year I decided we can do it.

Kaia and I put together our square foot garden. Kiersten helped fill it with dirt and plant the seeds. Hopefully we'll get some vegetables this year. Week one.

It's Finally Spring...

We are finally having spring time. The flowers are blooming which means tons of pollen. But I am loving the weather finally. We've been busy but nothing news worthy. The girls have discovered the build and grow at Lowe's so we've spent a few Saturday mornings building away.

Kiersten also got her bike early for her birthday. She is such a pro and has no fears.

Playing with Photos

I finally had a morning when I could get up and do what I wanted to do. I like to play with Photoshop. These are my results for today. First Picture is the "Before" and the Second Picture is the "After"

Mistbusters

I just spent he last 12 hours at an awesome youth conference. It was so different then what I grew up with. All the youth from the stake and it was still a small handful. We had a dance and they only had to use 1/2 of the cultural hall.

Such great messages and leaders that knew how to invite the spirit. It started with bringing all the youth into the cultural hall which was completely dark with mist everywhere. There was the great and spacious building with people taunting the youth and loud obnoxious music blaring. Leaders would walk behind the youth and whisper "Follow Me" and guide them to the iron rod that once they grabbed on you could see a small light. As you got to the end of the iron rod you entered the chapel which was dark, except for the light on the pulpit and primary instrumental music playing to block out the other music. Such a strong start.

What impressed me most was the song that the youth sang at the close of the youth conference, which I found out had been sung every time they got together, whether it was youth conference or a stake fireside. It was a testimony builder to see how strong this small handful of youth are.

A Brand New Year

Our new year started of the coldest it has been in over 10 years. We didn't get above freezing for 3 days. Of course, this happened the weekend that Tasha came to visit. We still had a lot of fun just being with each other. Its amazing how when you get older how much more you value sisters. Tasha has become my best friend and person I turn to for support.

We spent one afternoon making blankets for the Linus Project. It was so fun. The girls and I just delivered them last night. We are one step closer to getting our tickets to Disney. This was a great service project. Even Kiersten was able to help in her weird sort of way (like staying off the blanket as we cut)





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My greatest Fear.....

My greatest fear has come true. I have to teach in YW. But I think I am prepared. This is the handout I made.

Digital Scrapbooking 101

This is my only way to share what I am working on. Digital scrapbooking has become my hobby and one of my goals in the coming year is to make enough pages to print a book at the end of the year for our memories.

Holiday Season

It has been a crazy week. I have been home all week with a sick baby. But somehow I have been able to keep up at work and still do what I need to around the house.


Christmas is only a week away and I am not ready at all. I try to make it exciting for the girls. Luckily, we have been "elfed" twice this week. So tonight we are going to pass it along. Its fun because even though Kaia knows the truth about Santa she still plays right along with everything to make it fun for Kiersten.

This time is always hard being away from my family. I wish we were closer so we could build some fun family traditions with them. For now it just has to be us.

The countdown begins.......

Thanksgiving - School Lunch Style

Its not that the food was so memorable - but the conversation. I waited for Kaia down at the lunchroom. As soon as she saw me, she ran and gave me a big hug and started guiding me to the line to get our food. We're standing there waiting and a little boy comes and and said "Kaia, is that your mom?" She said, "Yes - I told you I was mixed." I was a little taken back. Then we were sitting at the table eating lunch. Again the little boy said "Kaia, that's your mom? You don't look anything like her. She has straight hair." Kaia responded, "Yes." I looked at Kaia and asked her what she meant by being mixed. She proceeded to tell me that she is a mixture of me and her dad, and she gets her curly hair from her dad, but you wouldn't know it because he shaves all his hair off. Hmmmm...something to think about.