Making Cents

I have never been one to save a few cents with a coupon. They always seemed like way more trouble than they are worth. If I ever found a deal inspiring enough to move me to clip it out before it hit the trash, it would sit in my purse until months past the expiration date and when I would finally pull it out, the only purpose it served was to make me feel guilty that I missed out on the big savings.

BUT...

Lately, many of my friends have been talking about how they are saving a fortune with this new coupon clipping website, so I decided to take on the challenge. The website is www.grocerysmarts.com and the passport is g84rcm. Jodi Gardner taught the class and she was so cute! She got so excited talking about how much money she is saving...I hope it works as well for me. I ordered 4 subscriptions to the Sunday papers so we can have four times the coupons. It supposedly pays for itself very quickly and my only real regret is that I joined too late to get the big deal of the week...Electasol gel paks for .09 cents a box. Oh well, something to look forward to I guess. There are many free items and really great deals...wish me luck and let me know if you hear about any great deals!

Shaylie's Baptism

Xtreme Yoga Volleyball

I let my family talk me into joining our Ward volleyball team. It's been at least 16 years since I played my last game, in college I'm sure. I thought I knew the game well enough, even though my "remembery" is very short these days...according to my mom, I was the star player on my high school team after all. :)

But the game we played was a very strange mixture of extreme ballet, yoga, tag team kid chasing, with a little volleyball poured over the top. I'm sure I struck the "dog flies over the moon" pose at least once in my many valiant efforts to save a ball from bonking a toddler on the head...and if we scored a point, all the better.

Anyway, it was fun! I can't move now...in fact, I'm writing this post from a traction rig I set up in my living room. But if I take plenty of Tylenol, set up my physical therapy schedule, and drink lots of water...I should be ready to play again next week. (If you don't hear from me soon, call for help...I'm probably stuck in traction!!!)

My New Calling

I was called yesterday to be the, and I quote, "Ward Bulletin, Ward Newsletter, Ward Website Person." I accepted the call gladly, but I would like to humbly request an official title change. Whenever I am asked what I do now, by the time I finish saying it, they don't care anymore or they know more than they really wanted to in the first place. I think Ward Communications Liasion would be good. Or Ward Public Relations Facilitator.

Either that or everyone else should change their titles to be more along the lines of mine: the Bishop could be " the Ward In-charge of Everything Person" and the Elders Quorum President can be the "Ward Mover & Orchard Assignment Person." The Ward Chorister can be the "Ward Song Singer and Arm Waver Person." And, of course, the Primary President can be the "Ward Run Around Like a Crazy-Person Person." And don't forget the Relief Society President or the "Ward Really In Charge of Everything Person."

Anyway, I'm excited to take on this new challenge. It's a good job for me since I have the SKILLS and I enjoy working on my computer. It is going to require me to know more than I usually do about everything going on in the Ward. This could be a good thing, since I usually am pretty oblivious. Hopefully, I won't have to chase down too many people for filler. I've already had a couple people email me with info. So, Yay! Unfortunately, Julianne (my predecessor) did an AWESOME job and is leaving me with high expectations...but I'm okay. Everything will be All Right! And now she gets to be the Ward Leader of Song Singers in Very Small Numbers Person...!

Blog at you later...and feel free to tell me what your calling is...

So, I haven't posted in a while...not feeling too brilliant lately! I think I'm having some kind of Mid-life Crisis...but it's too boring and depressing to write about...so I won't.

Today was my first day at church as an Ex-Primary President. It was weird. I actually cried in Sunday School. We were in the overflow right behind the Primary room and I could hear the kids singing and it just hit me that I wouldn't be there every week singing with them. I almost wish I had my new calling already, so I could concentrate on what's next. I still love Primary and probably always will and I don't want to jinx myself, but I don't want to be out-of-service for too long!

My girls activities are picking up this week. Taylor is starting Piano Lessons. She is trading babysitting services for her tuition. It is a good way for her to pay her way. I am so floored by her musical talents. Just another way Taylor makes us love her!

Shaylie is beginning a new Girl Scout troop...the leaders she's had for the past two years are moving up to the Junior level with their girls, but Shaylie is still a Brownie. She was a bit sad to be left behind, but I think she'll have fun with the new group.

We are also gearing up for her Baptism this week! I can't believe it's already here! We are so proud and excited for her. She's really wants to be baptized and is so excited for the weekend to come! She has Activity Days too from now on...she'll enjoy that too!

Maybe I need some kind of activity! Or some other creative outlet...it seems like as a mom, I'm always concentrating on my girls personal development, but all my best days are behind me. That can't be right! Can it? Oh well, so much for not talking about my Mid-life Crisis!

I'll try to do something fun and creative this week...then I'll have something more fun to blog about in the future!

Officially Released

As of today, I am no longer the Primary President for the WF5th Ward. Our presidency was called into Bishop's office last Wednesday and we had a great meeting and we all feel sad but good about the changes that are happening. I came home that night and wrote this entry into my journal. I wanted to put it here as well:

"This has been an amazing experience. I have loved serving as the Primary President in this ward. I am sad to move on but at the same time I am excited for new opportunities. I know whoever replaces me will continue on with all the inspiration and love and support that I have received and will grow as much as I have.

"I am grateful to have made such amazing friends on this journey. We have developed a great love and bond which I pray we will never lose. Melanie Hancock has been such a boon to my spirit. She was my go-to girl if I was ever feeling overwhelmed or inadequate and she always said the right thing to lift me and strengthen me. She loves the Primary children and she carries her testimony and love of the Gospel with her constantly.

"Annette Belnap has been my inspiration and my motivation. She is always full of great ideas, new ways of trying things and endless energy. She is an amazing mom and teacher. Her love for her own children is the same for all children. She has patience with me as I have run to catch up with her and her love of our Savior is apparent in everything she says and does.

"Jill Fullmer is one of the most loving, compassionate people I have ever known. The names on her many lists were never just names--she has always seen into the hearts and minds of every child in need. She always kept her focus and mine on serving and loving the Lord's children. She has also strengthened me with her love of the Gospel and her testimony.

"I am so grateful that the Lord sees in His infinite wisdom how we women need each other...to serve together is to love each other, bring each other support and to cry and laugh and live as He would have us live!

"The children of this Ward have also been a great source of testimony to me. How they love the Savior! Their love and need to do what is right is so powerful. If we could all be like these little children, the kingdom of God would spread like wildfire! The Lord has seen it too and asked us to be like them. There is nothing so pure as the faith of a child!

"I pray that I can continue to learn from the things I have seen and done in this calling. I know the Bishop has been inspired to make these changes. I am grateful for his love of the Lord as well. He and Brother Massey have both been such a great help to me. They have loved the Primary and I am grateful I had for the chance to work closely with them and the Ward Council.

"It is hard to let something so influential in your life go--but when the time is right it is time to take what lessons can be gleamed and apply it to the next challenge ahead.

"I love the Lord! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ--I pray I will keep my faith always and put my strength to the best use as He sees fit. This is my prayer and testimony, in His name, Amen."

I would also like to add my gratitude to Lisa Loris, Jessica Miller, Jennifer Riddle, Lyndee Leavit and all the many faithful teachers who have dedicated themselves to service. Each of them has had their own special and unique gifts to share and I'm glad to count them among my friends.

Good luck to Alicia Christensen and her counselors! I know they will be equally blessed by our Heavenly Father for their service and love!

Puerto Rican Paradise

We had such a great time in Puerto Rico. The training was okay, but I really enjoyed getting out and seeing some of the beautiful world we live in. Everywhere we went I saw miraculous evidence of God's love for us. The sand, the waves, the sky, the clouds all seemed so perfectly harmonized that I could only see it as proof that our world was created with a purpose and a plan.

Especially the night we went to the Bio-Bay, I have to admit I had a moment that brought tears to my eyes. I know the girls would have laughed at me since I cry all the time, but the moonlight and stars and the glowing water were just so profoundly beautiful that I couldn't help myself. It was truly a spiritual experience.

It was also a very romantic 16th anniversary excursion. We kayaked across the bay and into a dark tunnel of Mangrove trees. As soon as the darkness closed in, the luminescent plankton started to glow and both Scott and I were captivated. The guides called the kayaks "divorce boats" because he says couples can't help arguing with each other once they climb in. I was proud of us because we did remarkably well. We found a rhythm and worked very well together. As we came out of the tunnel onto the Laguna Grande, we both ooohed and aaahed. There was no place I'd rather have been that with my honey on the moonlit lagoon. It was hard work but worth it in the end...a little like marriage, I suppose....so it was fitting.

It has also whet my appetite for traveling. I would love to see more of the planet. I hope we get a chance to visit more places. It was one of the best experiences of my life!