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!

Waning Weeks of Summer 08

It is always amazing to me how quickly time goes by! At the beginning of the summer, it seemed like we had endless days of activities: camps, holidays, visits, and reunions! But now, here we are at the end of it all, and it was one of the quickest summers I ever remember. We did have a lot of fun including some unplanned things which are always nice...a trip to the Shakepearean Festival with my good friend Polly and her daughter Amanda and an impromptu trip to Seven Peaks with my Dad and Pam.

Next up is Puerto Rico. Then School. Wow...I think this summer has been a success. I will actually be a little sad to send my girls back to the routine since we've had such a good time together this year. Maybe we always do but as the girls get older, I realize that these fun summer days won't last forever and I better enjoy them while they last.

Taylor especially is growing up exponentially. She has always been amazing, but her talents are increasing on a daily basis it seems like and she is discovering new ways to just be Taylor. It makes me take my time with Shaylie a bit slower and less stressfully. It makes Tay crazy, but I tell her she should be happy that I'm learning as a parent. It's just too bad I used her as my testing ground. She'll understand when she's a mom someday.

So as Summer winds down, we'll get back to our usual routine, but I will try to take some of my Summer Lessons with me: time flies, family time is fun time, and it never pays to be stressed out since it will all be over wlay too soon.

Happy 38 and holding...

Tomorrow is my birthday! I've decided that this is probably the last birthday I'm having. It's not official yet, I may wait until 39 to stop aging, but I'll let you know for sure. My family went shopping tonight so I'm excited to say that the car isn't my only birthday present! But then I knew it wouldn't be, my family always spoils me. Taylor is even baking me a cake! And, on Wednesday, my friends Annette and Jill are taking me out to celebrate. Who knows what else is in store?

I have to say that I'm so happy with the way my life is turning out. My family is wonderful. I've got everything I could want and I have high hopes for the future. I'm grateful to everyone who has loved me and helped me to get to this point in my life. It hasn't always been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. I'm so blessed and I'm positively looking forward to the next 38 years...so on second thought, maybe I'll keep having my birthdays after all!

A Brand New Car!

Well, almost new! A 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe and buying it wasn't horrible either. (This is new for me...if you know me, you have probably heard my car buying horror stories.) I could feel my blood pressure drop by several degrees just driving it off the lot. It was somewhat of an impulse, though I have been researching vehicles for weeks. I didn't really plan on buying anything today, but we came away with a decent deal and a very nice car.

There and Back Again and There Again

The girls had a blast at camp...visit www.thetechfamily.com for pics! We sang camp songs all the way home and both girls were full of stories. We also got to visit with Grandma J and Papa Strong on the way back. Dad gave me some precious bits of family history to go over. I've been working on my 5 Generation chart and I was missing everything on his mom's side. I also got some names that Scott was missing from Louise...Scott's grandmother. It's a start.

Taylor is already gone again...she went back to Holden with my mom. We'll catch up to her on Thursday after we send Shaylie off to Camp AGAIN...this time with her troop to Trefoil Camp. She had so much fun last week, that she is super excited to go again this week.

My 20th reunion is this weekend! Yikes!!! It doesn't seem like 20 years should be able to fly by in the blink of an eye. I will be glad to see if the years have abused all of my friends the same as me. I'm sure we're all much better for the wear and tear....on the inside if not the out. I'm on a mission over the next couple of days to find something to wear...no easy task, but there it is. I've had a new hair color and cut and I'm trying to avoid the last superficial, vain, pretentious, utterly female step...putting on fake nails. For one thing, I never wear them anyway, so it is the height of pretention. But I'm willing to do it because I'm afraid to admit it probably will bolster my confidence a bit. Weird. Whjat's a girl to do?

We'll probably come home Sunday and then next week Tay's off to Girls Camp...her first. Summer has definitely been full of adventure for the Jesienouski's this year.