Let the Little Chilren Come Unto Me

Today, I have the best calling ever. You may think that your calling is better, but it is not. I am the Primary Chorister and today was our annual Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. That makes today extra special for me. Not because I was up there waving my arms around, no, today really had nothing to do with me. It was because I've been watching these kids all year long learn about the Savior's Love for them, and today they got to share what they learned with the adults.

This year's theme for Primary was "I know that my Savior loves me." We've spent the year learning about what the Savior did, how we can follow him, and the blessings we receive through that. The music was wonderfully choosen. Every year we get a booklet with 6 songs to learn through the year, then I pick two, so there's 8 in all.

I could sit and tell you about what we did in our program, but I imagine that most of you have seen similar programs in your own wards. Leading up to this day was kind of crazy, the practices with all the kids (our primary is 90+ kids, most in junior primary.) Wondering if they'll remember the words, or the order, or will even sit still long enough. In the end, the worry is pointless, because the kids do fine and the spirit is always there.

Three times I felt the spirit the strongest:

1. The opening song they sang was "He Sent His Son."
2. Near the end of the program the senior primary gave testimones they wrote themselves while our pianist played "I know that My Redeemer Lives". This led into us singing "I Know That My Savior Loves Me." I often get tears in my eyes from the Spirit when the kids sing this song, but the two things combined... well, it was really hard to keep it together. (I managed to do it, but even now, if I think about this, I get all misty.)
3. The very end because they all did an amazing job, and the spirit was so strong, testifing to the adults that what these children and learned and said is true.

One proud parent moment:

1. Sariah's first speaking part in a primary program "Obey My Parents" said into the mircophone loud & clear.

I love the primary program because it gives the children an outlet to show what they've learned in church this year and then express it. For some of them, its the first way they can bear their testimonies. I know I felt their testimonies when they sang today. They remind me how important it is to strenghthen my own testimony of the Savior.

Today I have the best calling in the world. Today I feel like the primary chorister of the best primary in the world. And this afternoon I get to start working on the music for next year's primary program... not because I have to, but because I want to. I'm working on it because I can't wait for them to share their beautiful spirits with me again.

10

10 Things about 10 Month old Bryson:

10: Favorite foods are pears and green beans, but he loves to eat almost anything, as long as the family is eating it, too. No baby food for this baby anymore!

9. Likes trains & trucks. He's not so interested in driving them around, just how all the parts work.

8. He wants to be big like his sister. They already spend some time playing together. He usually wants what she's got. If its a toy, or a blanket, or whatever, he wants it.

7. Loves swim lessons. Both my kids are fish.

6. Usually sleeps through the night, although, sometimes his night ends at 4:45am...

5.He's got 5 teeth, and one more coming in...


4. Likes to "monkey" across the furniture, but not that steady on his feet. He a speedy crawler and made it half way up the stairs the other day.

3. Hates the sippy cup. He doesn't want anything to do with it. Yet, he's often too distracted for nursing. It makes it hard to get him to drink anything.

2. Speaking of distracted. He loves to observe the world around him. I like to watch him as he finds new thing. You can almost see the gears in his head whirl around as he explores.

1. He's my cuddle bear. When he's tired or if he's just gotten up, or doesn't feel well, he lays his head down on my shoulder and cuddles. Its the best thing ever.

Screen Names

When you log on to websites (facebook, twitter, email, message boards, etc.), do you use the same user name? Do you have a handle that is distinctively yours? I've got two.

The more recent one I got on my mission. Most of you know it because its my email address. It seemed pretty straight forward at the time.

The other one is quite a bit older. See when we first got a computer and the internet back in the nineties, it was a much simpler time on the internet. The first website I ever was really interested in was a collection of information about the 60ies show The Monkees. They had episode info, and pictures that took forever to load, and midi files you could download of most the songs. I thought it was totally awesome.

There was also a message board & chat room. I knew nothing about screen names at the time, but as I talked to other fans about the Monkees, a new screen name for me was born. I'm not going totally give it away esp. since if you google its kind of embarrassing, but needless to say, it has to do with the Texas Prairie Chicken.

I don't really know much about the Texas Prairie Chicken, but in the later episodes of the show Mike would sometimes refer to a campaign to save the Texas Prairie Chicken. So since I was from Texas, I somehow became said chicken. I was cool with that.

As the internet evolved and I moved on, I've kept the handle for some things. Its silly, but I like it.

And that's your pointless story for today...

Bubbles

(Just a random little post I started yesterday...)

I had Doug pick a random number and this is the picture that matches up with said number. This is Sariah on our vacation to Utah last June. We had gone to the Hogle Zoo in the morning (hence the bright zebra shirt, good for not losing your child in a crowd) then that evening we had dinner with Doug's parents, Aunt and Grandparents.

Aunt Karen brought this bubble thing for Sariah to play with. She loved it. This is her first real attempts at blowing bubbles and eventually she succeeded. She was totally cute doing it, too. She had a fun day that day and often talks about that trip to Utah. Hopefully we'll get the chance to visit again soon, or at least go on another vacation!

Vampires

Apparently, the vampire look is all the rage. I wouldn't know. Personally I'm not really into that. I did read the Twilight saga, but it was like gouging my eyes out. (I personally think Bella was less annoying once she became a vampire.) I think the movies are just awful. I don't like the other vampire TV shows or movies, I don't even care for Count Dracula (I'm okay with Count Chocula and The Count on Sesame Street.)

But now I've found a vampire look I can get behind. Check it out:
BEST. VAMPIRE. EVER.

Bryson sported this look for a good month. I took this picture after the trunk or treat on Oct 29th, and now his two front teeth are growing in. I still think this is my favorite look so far.

Worth It

Today I didn't do the dishes, even though my sink is full of dirty ones.

Today I didn't fold the clothes, even though they all got washed and half of them need to be put away.

Today I didn't clean a bathroom, or make a meal plan, or go grocery shopping, even though we've got food, but none that goes together.

Today I didn't get around to packing that sack lunch for our playdate.

BUT...

Today I danced with my daughter.

Today I got to watch my kids play with friends they love while I talked with great women.

Today I worked on a sewing project while I explained things to Sariah.

Today I had a tickle war with my kids, I got down to their level and crawled with Bryson, played peek-a-boo, got covered in blankets.

Today Sariah drew me a picture, Bryson put his head on my shoulder and gave me snuggles.

Tonight my husband volunteered to go to the store with the kids and grab a couple of things so we can have a tasty dinner.

Tonight I get to go sing with a choir.


I didn't get a lot of "important" things done today, but today was totally Worth IT.

Family Home Evening

What do you do for FHE? Lately we've been going through the 13 Articles of Faith and discussing them and singing the corresponding Children song. Tonight we're on number 7. Speaking as one who barely managed to get the Articles of Faith memorized, I'm hoping to get the whole family to have them memorized eventually.

Sometimes though we've been doing fun family activities. Sometimes FHE lasts for a quick 5 minutes, but it gets done. That's the important part.

So, I'll ask again. What's your FHE like? I could always use the pointers/ideas!