Some Random Thoughts

THOUGHTS ON GENERAL CONFERENCE

This morning I read an article in the March Ensign about preparing our families for General Conference. It was really interesting to me because that is something I think about a lot every 6 months. It is something that I really struggle with as a mother, teaching my kids about the importance of conference, and making them watch part of General Conference, and teaching them about reverence. We are so blessed to live in this day and age with all the technology to be able to watch conference from the comfort of our own homes, but it is kind of a double edged sword, because it also makes my kids not act as reverent as they do in church when they are all dressed up and sitting on a bench.
Anyway, one of the ideas given in the article was a Mom who said during conference, they made a tent to sit in and talked about during King Benjamin's time, they pitched their tents toward the temple to hear King Benjamin's address, and that we have the same opportunity during conference. Then they watched from their homemade tent and even made a picnic lunch to eat during the session (which I'm sure was also to keep them quiet for a minute). There were a lot of other good ideas, but I think that this year, we will try that one. I think the Monday before conference, we will have a family home evening to learn about King Benjamin and prepare for conference.
There were so many good ideas in the article for families of all stages. I recommend reading it!

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THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

Duct tape really does remove warts. I tried it this week, and for me that is a great discovery, because it is way cheaper to buy Duct tape than to visit a Dr's office.

We have a really great ward that really is like a family. It is one of the things we love most about Roosevelt. I have watched so many people pitch in and help a good family this week who are struggling in these tough times, and it has been a beautiful thing.

We should not be so judgemental of each other, especially in the church. Sunday, one of the speakers in Sacrament meeting said something that really struck me. He was reading a statement from Elder Oaks about how we need to prioritize what we do with our children and family activities. Then he said that this doesn't mean every family in the church should be the same. we need to prayerfully decide what is best for our families and then not judge one another in our decisions. What is best for our families, may not be the best for someone else, and really it is not our place to judge. This is something I really need to work on.

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THINGS THAT BUG ME
Melissa posted on her blog a few weeks ago different things that bug her. he tagged me, but i never did it, but this week I have been thinking about it. I am modifying it thought to things that bug me as a preschool teacher.
It bugs me that people take advantage of me. This week I had a mom call while I was in my morning session and leave a message saying she had an appointment in Vernal and wouldn't be back until 45 minutes late. Could I keep her little girl til then. Well I didn't get the message in time to call her back, so I was stuck. And, she showed up 2 hours after school was over. After school, I want to be my kids mom, not your free sitter.
It bugs me that people don't read the information sent home, and then get mad at me because they didn't know.
It bugs me when people bring their kids to school 20 minutes early and pick them up 15 minutes late. I do have a life outside of preschool.
It bugs me when I have to chase down payments. I don't charge a lot for preschool, but I would like to get paid. Would you not pay your other bills until somebody bugged you? I hope not.

Those are my rambling Friday thoughts.

Temple Open House

We took our kids to the Draper temple open house on Valentine's day. What a neat experience that was. They really learned a lot I think and felt the spirit. Before we went up to the temple, we watched a video about the purpose of temples. Tyson leaned over to me and said, "Mom this movie makes me feel good inside!" I explained to him that it was the Holy Ghost telling that temples are special places!
The kids were so reverent and respectful through the whole temple. They were good about climbing all the stairs and walking for so long. Afterwards, they had a lot of questions and we did our best to answer them. They all commented on how good they felt inside while we were in the temple. It was such a neat experience we had together as a family!

Build a Bear

We took the kids to build a bear to redeem their gift certificates they got from Uncle David for Christmas. I love build a bear because their personalities really shine through. Aubree got a High School Musical Bear she named Sharpay which she dressed in a fancy sequined dress and shoes with sunglasses. It also says different phrases from High School Musical.
Kaden got a Koala named Nigel (who is a guy on his favorite Dinosaur show). It makes a magical sound and is dressed like an Army Ranger.
Brennen picked a Panda Bear, and then lost interest in the whole process. So Bruce picked a red football jersey for it. He asked me what should the name be and I said just put something in. Well he named the bear Paul Kruger after his favorite Utes player. And the kicker is he taught Brennen to say Kruger, so I guess that name is stuck!
Tyson's was my favorite. It was a black bear with a roar. He put a green frog t shirt on it with shamrock boxer with black army boots (he called them tap shoes). It is also holding an American Flag. He first named it Silly Bear, but then changed it to America Bear after Aunt Shannon asked him what the American Flag was for and he informed her that his bear is the President of the United States!!
Thanks Uncle David for the fun present!!! We love and miss you every day!

I Love My Husband!

Last night we had an enrichment night all about strengthening our marriages. Our spouses were invited, so it was kind of a date night I guess. Anyway, one of the exercises the sister who was speaking had us do was to think of two things we love about our spouses and give specific examples. Ever since than, I can't stop thinking of all the things I love about Bruce, and how amazing he really is as a husband and a father. Here are some of the things, just a few mind you, I have thought of.

I appreciate how he takes the garbage cans out to the street on garbage day and then brings them back in later. I totally hate doing that.
I love how when he sees something that needs done or cleaned, he just does it. Sometimes it makes me feel guilty that I didn't do it, but I appreciate him doing it.
I love how he totally puts up with my emotional diarrhea. Especially now that I'm pregnant.
I love how patient he is with me and with the kids. He really is our calm inside our storm.
I love that he watches American Idol with me. Enough said.
I love that he lets me go out to the scrapbook expo with Holli every 6 months.
I love how service oriented he is. For as long as I have known him, he is always serving someone else.
I love how strong his testimony is. Sometimes I think I rely on him too much.
I love how he just takes care of us. he works so hard, and I don't give him the credit he deserves.

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending this amazing man into my life. I don't know whether or not he will ever even read this, but if you do Bruce, I love you with all my heart!

25 random things

So i do these little lists on Facebook all the time, but I decided to start posting them to my blog too, so people not on facebook can read them.

This one is just 25 random facts about me.

1. I asked my husband out the first time on a dare!
2. I love to watch Sesame Street.
3. I hate cold weather (Why do I live in Roosevelt?)
4. I like to scrapbook.
5. I LOVE my birthday!
6. The best gift I ever received was a cruise from my husband for our 10th anniversary.
7. I used to chew my nails, but stopped when my husband told me he liked long fingernails.
8. I own my own preschool.
9. I have two Bachelor degrees, one in Special Ed and one in Elementary Ed.
10. I did a zip line through the jungle in Belize.
11. I love to bargain shop.
12. My favorite food is Lasagna.
13. My favorite dessert is brownies.
14. I want to be on the show "Don't Forget the Lyrics".
15. I am the oldest of 6 kids.
16. I hate dogs.
17. I am the worst typer ever.
18. I don't know how to swim, other than to survive.
19. I have taught an Aerobics class.
20. I met my husband in Ward Council meeting. He was the Elder's President, and I was in the Relief Society Presidency.
21. I don't know how to text.
22. My husband is a Utes fan and I am a BYU fan.
23. My favorite band is Daughtry.
24. I love children's books and have over 500 in my collection (Go Scholastic!)
25.I am allergic to waterproof mascara. It makes my eyes swell shut. This is bad because I am a crier.

Bunk Beds

I know I have been posting just random things lately, but my kids are too funny and I want to record what happens to them so i won't forget. This morning the boys were in cleaning their rooms and all of a sudden we hear a scream and Tyson comes running in screaming "Kaden needs help! Kaden needs help!" Kaden is pretty dramatic, but Tyson is usually not so much, so we went into the bedroom. Well Kaden had been sitting on the bottom bunk showing Tyson how strong he was and lifting up the top bunk mattress. Well the mattress came crashing down on him. He honestly thought he was going to die. Bruce lifted the mattress off him, and then we went into our bedroom and laughed and laughed!

Peaceful Shopping Day

So today is Friday and on Friday's I take the two little boys and go grocery shopping and do errands. At the grocery store they have the little trucks that they like to ride in, so I popped them in and off we went. About 1/3 of the way through, I looked down because they were being so quiet, and Brennen had nodded off. I kind of chuckled and went on my way. About 5 minutes later, a lady grabbed me and told me to look at the boys. Lo and behold, they had both fallen asleep. It was so precious. I wish I had a camera to capture that moment. Everyone in the store was laughing and admiring them, and I had the most peaceful shopping trip I have had in 9 years!