Kendall's first talk in Primary

Somehow Kendall escaped giving a talk last year as a Sunbeam. I don't know how he managed to do that. I don't think he would have been ready.

Kendall practiced and practiced his talk yesterday before church. He practiced it during breakfast. He practiced it in front of his Dad several times. He practiced in front of Kerst resting on the couch - he has a cold. He shared it with Jaley. Jaley beamed as she heard him share and "read" his talk.

He shared it with Jenna while she was wrapped in a towel in her closet picking out her clothing. She was shocked to see him holding a paper and reading his talk.

He waited for what seemed like FOREVER outside of Julia's door while she got ready. She too appeared wrapped in a towel to hear him share his talk.

The entire family attended Jr. Primary Opening Exercises to hear him give his talk. He had a couple of shy moments, but did a wonderful job!

Here is the paper Kendall "read".

I warned him not to put his mouth on the microphone ... his hands are helping him remember!

I love his look!  Such a cutie!

Thanks for taking the pictures Jenna!

Kendall asking how to say Liahonah

For Better or Worse

I didn't watch it live. 

This is inspiring.  This IS true love.

He is already a winner to me. 

And another ... and still waiting

Julia has heard back (and been accepted) to 4 of the 5 universities she has applied to.  Today she heard back from Idaho - BYU - accepted. 

We are still waiting to hear back from BYU - Provo (her first choice - mine too).  Why do they keep us waiting on pins and needles? 

Another Inspection passed

Our fire sprinkler inspection for our basement project was today. The fire marshall came out.  He looked at the basement and said, "Wow, you are really moving along".  He said the fire sprinklers look great.


One more inspection down ... too many more to go ;o).  It is nice to know everything is to code.

The window for Jenna's room just arrived as well. We will be working on installing that too ...

John is seriously considering adding radiant heat baseboards.  This means more plumbing.  I chuckle that he keeps adding more work for himself.   I admit, I am ready to move the girls out of the office/study, master bathroom and closet down to the basement in their own space.  I am grateful they are patient. 

I think I might see a little flicker of light at the end of the tunnel ...

The Hug

Sis. Ann Monson Dibb (the prophet's - President Thomas S. Monson - only daughter and second counselor of the General Young Women's Presidency of our church) was out here for the weekend.

She was the keynote speaker at the Women's Conference on Friday Night that I attended.

She did a RS and YW training meeting on Saturday Morning.

She was the keynote speaker at SOY (Strength of Youth) Saturday afternoon.

She spoke in a Sacrament Meeting at the same ward Julia and Jenna sang in last week ... not our ward.  Julia and I attended this special sacrament meeting on Sunday (Laurels from our stake were invited).

Sis Dibb then held a special meeting for the Laurels of our stake during the final 2 block hour of church.

Julia was able to have her own personal chat and hug with Sis. Dibb afterwards. Lucky girl.

Sis. Dibb is just like her father. Inspiring. Full of stories. Full of energy.

Subbed again

I was able to substitute again as Primary Chorister!   Two weeks in a row! 

I finished teaching all three verses If I Listen With My Heart to the Senior Primary; I have one more verse to complete with the Junior Primary.  I love how the children want to learn more and sing more.

I'm so glad I was able to start and finish an entire song with them!

Oh how I miss that calling.

Makes sense

I have done a lot of research regarding healthier eating ... for a healthier me.

I came across this article in the Reader's Digest from their Feb 2011 issue.  It reaffirms what I have learned over the last 6 months.  It is a great read.

Click on the image so you can read it yourself.  If not, please find a copy!!!

Here's to a healthy and happy 2011!

Stop Diabetes

A classmate of Jaley's is one of 10 national finalists for her video in a campaign to stop Diabetes.

She did a great job!  Check out her video and VOTE FOR RACHEL!

It was a GREAT day!

I was asked to substitute in Primary.  Can I say how excited and thrilled I was?!!!

I subbed yesterday (and will again next week) as the Primary Chorister!  Oh how I miss that calling.

I had fun.  We made it through 2 verses of a new song for the year.  I couldn't believe how they wanted to learn more and more.  I didn't know very many of the children, but that is OK.  I love teaching the children about Christ through music.

It was an even better day because Julia and Jenna sang their duet in another congregation yesterday morning at 8:00 a.m.  ... and then again last night at 6:00 at a fireside.  A man sitting next to me turned to me after the song and said, "I could listen to them all day."

Me too.  Me too.

Thank you - Kerst style .... again!

I look forward each year to see what Kerst has to write in his thankyou notes.  He doesn't ask for help with what to say ... he comes up with his messages on his own!

Last year some of the notes cracked me up - Kerst's note - Julia's note and my note.

This year Kerst is just as cute as ever ... and I think he's asking for it too!

Dear Gma and Gpa P.

Thank you for the season of

happiness it really was happy! (smiley)

From Kerst M.

P.S. Send us some tickle bugs next

we don't get any any more but Kendall.

For those who know my Dad ... Kerst is asking for it!

(The ty notes will be in the mail soon ... still waiting on one final toe-dragging teenager).

And More Boots

Kendall has been lining the boots up by the back door.

Ski Boots

and

Sledding Boots

He only likes to sled and asks everyday if Jaley can take him sledding.  She is such a wonderful sister!

Julia and Jenna sing

You will wish you could have been here.  Yesterday Julia and Jenna sang in Sacrament Meeting. 

Don't worry.  I audio recorded it so you could enjoy it.

If you happen to be in the area next week, they have been asked to sing it again.  Twice.  A High Councilman heard them and asked them to sing in the ward he is speaking in next week (8:00 a.m.) and they have been asked to sing that night at the Stake Fireside (6:00 p.m.).

Here am I; Send Me.

Jenna starts out ... and then Julia.

Julia sings soprano; Jenna sings alto.

They switch off singing solo.

Here Am I; Send Me

 Jenna sings

Julia sings

Julia and Jenna sing together

The love of God

Has followed me all of my days.

There is no greater happiness

Than walking in His ways.

I’ve known the joy of serving,

The peace that speaks within,

The sweetness of repentance

Stealing sorrow from my sin.

For this, I know God lives.

But a world without faith

Is a world in chains;

As the darkness deepens

How can hope remain?

Who will bring the light,

The truth that maketh free?

Who’ll reflect the love

That the Savior guaranteed?

Lord, here am I; I will go.

Here am I; send me.

Where sorrow dwells,

Where emptiness wearies the soul,

I’ll gladly share those heavy cares

As Jesus bore my own.

I’ll seek the hearts that hunger,

Yet wander, lost in fear,

And teach them of their Father

Who longs to draw them near.

For this, I know: God loves.

Where would I be today,

If not for others long ago

Who sacrificed time and life,

So that I could know?

So that I could know?

That a world without faith

Is a world in chains;

As the darkness deepens

How can hope remain?

I will bring the light,

The truth that maketh free,

And reflect the love

The Savior guaranteed.

Lord, here am I (I am here); I will go.
(listen ... Jenna sings I am here, I will go when Julia sings the first "I")

Here am I; send me.
Send me.

Digging Out

We were hit with snow.  SNOW DAY!  In fact, the kids still aren't awake ...

Why couldn't we have had the snow for Christmas?

Last night we sent the kids out to shovel the driveway.  I went out to check on them after 20 minutes or so.  I heard laughing.

They had found the sleds and were sledding down the driveway.

Good ol' John went out later and worked on it ... and then again this morning.

What a difference a day makes

Lots of snow

Snow Day

And it's cold - Chicago Cold. 

Well, maybe not that cold, but it is in the teens!

Compare the tree in the picture in the post below!

I SPY ...

Kerst shoveling our crazy driveway.  I know there isn't much snow, but the van is not up the driveway and can't make it up yet ...

Boots

I have these boots next to our back door.

John took some of the kids skiing down our back yard.

Count down to "Boys' Night"

Kendall is excited.  So is Kerst.  Every morning Kendall asks what day it is.

He knows Friday is special.  Daddy said so.

Daddy took the boys out earlier this week and went to the discount aisle in Walgreen's.  They bought TONS of candy from the left over Christmas stash.  I mean TONS.

The boys are going to hang out tonight - eat candy, watch a movie, and do a sleepover in Kendall's room.

Fun times

Laundry = fun

I helped Kendall do his laundry.

He had: 
7 pairs of underware
5 1/2 pairs of socks
1 pair of jeans
1 shirt 
5 pairs of pj's

I think he had a very fun week ... of relaxing.

DEAR MOM,

YOU'VE BEEN BLOG HACKED AGAIN!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHA
Just a little reminder that I love you... oh wait, I mean you're fine. :)

(signature should not be necessary)

Resolutions for thought

My Mom is always finding and sharing neat thoughts and stories.  She found these New Year Resolutions on-line.  I thought they were great.

From the Deseret News website


1. Ignore the mirror: Let's be honest, most of us aren't super models. But the truth is you're much better looking than you think are. In fact, you're actually quite beautiful. You're not as plump as you imagine, and your nose and teeth are just fine. You're divine, and those who love you agree.

2. Walk more: Don't commit to walking 40 miles a week or even an hour a day. Just commit to walking more than you did last year. Park at the back of the lot every time you're at IKEA, Wal-Mart or your local mall. Before you know it, you will have walked a marathon.

3. Eat better: Can you still eat fast food? Sure you can. Just make a conscious effort to skip it now and then. Next time you have a hankering for a hamburger, grab a salad instead. Next time you're jonesing for a soda, grab an ice-cold bottle of water.

4. Pray more: I had a friend tell me his key to success was kneeling in quiet prayer no fewer than six times a day. Six times? I'm delighted when I get two on my knees, one at my desk, one in my car and one on a golf course. If you feel distance between you and your Father in Heaven, step closer through prayer, but don't keep a pie chart. Just pray more than you did last year; the results will astound you.

5. Be more charitable: Are you slow to say thank you? To open doors? To forgive? Make charity a verb by seeking out small moments every single day to lift someone. Will you still get grumpy? Still have bad days? Still find yourself occasionally annoyed at people around you? Sure, but not as much as you did last year, guaranteed.

Perhaps more than anything in the year ahead, let's remember that New Year's resolutions aren't about being perfect; they are about being better.

They are not meant to transform us into someone else; they should simply mold us into a better version of ourselves.

That's the key to happiness 2011.

Do you have the grapefruit syndrome?

My Mom reminded me of a favorite short story I read back in 1993.  I thought I'd share it ...

The Grapefruit Syndrome...by L Walters

My husband and I had been married about two years—just long enough for me to realize that he was a normal man rather than a knight on a white charger—when I read a magazine article recommending that married couples schedule regular talks to discuss, truthfully and candidly, the habits or mannerisms they find annoying in each other.  The theory was that if the partners knew of such annoyances, they could correct them before resentful feelings developed.

It made sense to me.  I talked with my husband about the idea.  After some hesitation, he agreed to give it a try.

As I recall, we were to name five things we found annoying, and I started off.  After more than fifty years, I remember only my first complaint: grapefruit.  I told him that I didn’t like the way he ate grapefruit.  He peeled it and ate it like an orange!  Nobody else I knew ate grapefruit like that.  Could a girl be expected to spend a lifetime, and even eternity, watching her husband eat grapefruit like an orange? Although I have forgotten them, I’m sure the rest of my complaints were similar.

After I finished, it was his turn to tell the things he disliked about me.  Though it has been more than half a century, I still carry a mental image of my husband’s handsome young face as he gathered his brows together in a thoughtful, puzzled frown and then looked at me with his large blue-gray eyes and said, “Well, to tell the truth, I can’t think of anything I don’t like about you, Honey.”

Gasp.

I quickly turned my back, because I didn’t know how to explain the tears that had filled my eyes and were running down my face.  I had found fault with him over such trivial things as the way he ate grapefruit, while he hadn’t even noticed any of my peculiar and no doubt annoying ways.

I wish I could say that this experience completely cured me of fault finding.  It didn’t.  But it did make me aware early in my marriage that husbands and wives need to keep in perspective, and usually ignore, the small differences in their habits and personalities. Whenever I hear of married couples being incompatible, I always wonder if they are suffering from what I now call the Grapefruit Syndrome.

... when my Mom posted this on our family website two days ago, it reminded me of what Julia and I heard on the radio a month or so ago.   The topic was "Top 10 things that men do to bug women."   One of them was about men quoting movies.   Julia turned to me and said that this study is wrong.   She loves it when movies are quoted (the Smith boys are PRO at this and always gets a good laugh out of my girls).   In fact, Julia and Jenna are constantly quoting movies back and forth to each other.   Not quite as pro as the Smith boys with voices, etc.

It made me think.   Why didn't they do a study on top 10 things women love about their men.   Why make a person come up with the negative.   There is enough of that in this world.

What are your top 10 things about your man (or woman)?

Not a Sunbeep

Each January, the Primary children (ages 3-11) move to a different class in church.  Last year Kendall was a "Sunbeep" aka Sunbeam.  Tomorrow Kendall will be a CTR 4.

In preparing Kendall for this change, I was telling him about CTR (Choose the Right). 

Kendall:  You mean this hand? (He shows me his right hand).

Me:  No.  CTR - choose the right - means to make happy choices.  So when we make happy choices, what are we doing?

Kendall:  Choose the Right.

Me:  What happens when we make a sad choice.

Kendall:  We choose the left.

I love that little boy!