Black Friday

The big kids and I decided we would venture out for Black Friday again this year. Mario wasn't too happy when he found out stores were opening even earlier this year and now encroaching on Thanksgiving. So he thought we should boycott Toys R Us, Walmart, and Old Navy for opening on Thanksgiving. But the kids and I were too excited to wait until Friday, so we left the house around 7:30 Thursday night. We should have listened to Mario because when we pulled up to Toys R Us an hour early, the line was already really long. It took an hour and a half of standing in rain to get into the store (we had to continue waiting outside an extra half hour after it opened because of the fire codes.) When we finally got in, we decided there wasn't anything there that was worth standing in line. So we left to make it to Walmart for their 10 pm opening. There was a line to turn into Walmart a mile away. We cut in line near the entrance, but there was no where to park within a few blocks unless we wanted to park at Lowe's across the very busy intersection. I figured I would never get the Mother of the Year award if I made my two kids cross that intersection in the rain, in the dark. We decided to go to McDonalds for a snack and then try Walmart after some parking opened up again. We went back a half hour later and barely squeezed into a parallel parking spot on the street. When we got in there, I asked Eric to stand in line while Erin and I looked around. We could hardly walk. It was one huge traffic jam. After a half hour of hardly getting anywhere, we went to find Eric so Erin could purchase one $2.00 movie. Eric must have only moved 15-20 feet in that half hour. Again, not worth the line. So after 4.5 hours, we returned home with nothing. We should have listened to Mario and not gone out.

The twins had heard so much talk about Black Friday that they wanted to go out this year. So about 7:30 in the morning the whole family went back out to the stores. I begged Mario to join us because it is really hard to Christmas shop with all your kids with you. We spent the next 4.5 hours shopping and we got 80% of our shopping done. I can give a percentage because I have been putting cash in an envelope (thanks Dave Ramsey) every month since January. So when the cash runs out, the Christmas shopping is complete. Mario teases me and says I always find more money and buy more gifts. But I am going to try really hard to not go over my budget this year, unless it is to buy clothes for the kids. I take that out of my clothing budget and wrap the clothes so the kids have more to open Christmas morning. So I don't think that really counts. I would start buying the kids clothes for Omaha but the way they are growing, nothing will fit by next winter. So that will have to wait.

Never again will I ever attempt to go to stores when they first open. It was a nightmare. I got everything I wanted either online or on Friday morning anyway. Nothing (not even a 42 inch tv for $200) is worth those lines!

Omaha, Here We Come!

It's official, we are moving to Omaha. Mario's report date is end of February. But we are hoping he can stay until at least April because I won't be moving until the end of May. I am so excited to have a backyard with grass. It is something I always took for granted until I moved to Arizona. I am ready for a change! I will start counting the days.

Primary Program

I am the second (of three) counselors in our primary so I get the stressful job of putting together the program. We have 110 children (down from 140 before summer moves and boundary changes) so putting together a primary program for that many presents some challenges. For one, we have to bring 60 extra chairs up to the stand for all the kids to sit on. This year, we let the Sunbeams say a part, sing a song, and then released them back to their parents. So that helped tremendously with the reverence.

The program turned out beautifully. I have stressed over it for months (ever since the Bishop sat in my living room and asked me if I would accept the calling and that I would be over the program.) I only wrote in 18 speaking parts and 11 songs. The Bishop asked us to make it 30 minutes which I thought was a little short. But he said every year, the primary takes 40 minutes. So I timed all the songs and speaking parts and made the program exactly 30 minutes. The Bishop ended up with 15 minutes left to speak. I thought it was really funny because he got exactly what he asked for in length. He had to end Sacrament Meeting early and then sing a couple practice hymns to make up the time. I bet next year he gives them a 40 minute time limit.

I didn't give either of my kids parts but Zach filled in at the last minute when one of the parts didn't show up. It was one of the longer parts and he recited it flawlessly. I was so proud of him for stepping in for me. We had 8 violinist playing "If I Listen With My Heart," 2 flutes playing, "I Love to See the Temple," and an Activity Day Girl accompany the other girls on the piano. The Spirit was strong and everyone seemed to really enjoy it all.

For me, I am just glad it is over and I can concentrate on other things now.

Time Out for Women and Girls

Erin and I just got back last night from a Time Out for Women in Phoenix. This year, they added Time Out for Girls and invited all girls 12 and up to join their moms. It was my first Time Out for Women. We had a big slumber party with 4 other moms and 1 other daughter. We found a hotel, that offered a military discount, just a couple blocks from the convention center. So it was a perfect location.

The conference theme was "Choose to Become" as in decide today to choose to become a little closer to the woman you are meant to be. It was so much fun to go hang out with 3,000 women with the same values and beliefs. We each have our own set of challenges. So if was inspirational to hear about how other women deal with their individual challenges and what they have learned from them. We laughed and cried a lot.

The first evening, the mothers and daughters were together. Laurel Christensen spoke about her challenges of not getting what she thought was her "Plan A" in life. She talked about how your "Plan K" can actually become your "Plan A" when you understand the power of faith in your life. She was one of my favorite presenters because even though I don't feel like I have veered from my "Plan A," I do have a pessimist attitude. I always seem to think in "worst case scenerio." My friends were laughing at me on the way home when Erin thought she left her Kindle in the hotel room. I immediately said, "Well, if you did, we won't ever get it back because I am sure no one will return it." They reminded me of Laurel's talk and I immediately realized what they were referring to. I crawled to the back of the van and rummaged through the suitcase and found the Kindle.

Saturday morning, the girls went to the their own class. They were lucky enough to hear from Brad Wilcox (he spoke Friday night to the women too), Mercy River, Carmen Rasmusen (American Idol), and Hank Smith. Erin's favorite was Hank Smith. She got to sit next to him all morning and afternoon and he was very kind to her and introduced her to the other presenters.

The women had Matt Baldwin, Kris Belcher, Mary Ellen Edmunds, Linda and Shawni Eyre, and Hilary Weeks presenting. They were all really good. I especially enjoyed Hilary Week's music and testimony. Kris Belcher was phenomenal. She lost her eye and her sight 8 years ago to cancer. She wanted to die despite having two small children. She had to find a way to access Heavenly Father's power during her trial. She talked about how focusing on the darkness in your life will never lead you to the light. Solutions don't come to us in darkness, only in light. After we have endured our trial, it is easy to look back and see how Heavenly Father was with us throughout the whole thing. But sometimes during the trial, we tend to forget this.

I look forward to BYU Womens' Conference next April. I hope I get to go again this year. These conferences are great faith and testimony building experiences for me. I had a great weekend with Erin, Rachelle, Heather, Allison, Tammy, and Kayli. I am so glad I took this opportunity to take time for myself and be spiritually fed.

Advice on Staying Alive

If it's hard to read, this is what it says in his own words and spellling.....

If you are going trick or treating, then here are some rulles to stay alive.

1. Have a flashlight

2. Have holes in your mask to see

3. Only eat candy that is raped (wrapped)

That is how to stay alive.

Pam

Pam is Ian's mom. I haven't met her yet but I think I would really like her. I can tell she loves her son very much and she worries about him everyday. She often emails me to ask me how lessons are going. She feels so guilty taking my time, but I try to assure her that I have 4 kids so I know what it is like to be a mom and worry. Here's a portion of an email that she sent me after I told her that I found a way to tutor Ian for 2 hours a day.

"You are the best. Ever time I get an email I want to hug and kiss you, jump for joy and cry all at the same time."

I love listening to Dave Ramsey's show. He always talks about how important it is to have a job that your really love. He often plugs the book, "48 Days to the Work You Love" by Dan Miller. I feel bad that Mario goes to work everyday to a job that he can't wait to retire from. But, for me, I can't think of anything else that would be more rewarding than tutoring dyslexic students. I honestly feel guilty about getting paid for it because it just seems like the right thing to do and it brings me so much joy. If it weren't for having to drive into town, I really would do it for free (but then Mario would be all over me especially for students who can afford it.) When we were first married, I wanted to go to law school but only to do pro bono work. Mario refused to pay for law school for me to turn around and give away my services. I can't really say I blame him. Maybe Eric will eventually go to law school and I can live my dream through him. Although, I am sure he won't be doing anything for free or at least not until he gets all his student loans paid for since Mario and I won't be paying for his schooling. He better work harder in Geometry so he can get some college scholarships.

My Dad

My mom dug up a copy of a talk I had given in 1995 (one year after Mario and I were married) for Father's Day. I will post it here.

I am grateful for this opportunity to honor my father on Father's Day. It gives me a chance to reflect upon my life and to remember all the wonderful things my father has added to my life.

My father is a great example to me. He has taught me many valuable lessons that I will never forget. One lesson I learned was to honor the Priesthood and to never settle for a husband who does not hold it. Also, my father has taught me to work hard for the things I want and not to be dependent upon others. This was not always easy for me because I used to feel that he was responsible for putting me through college. But he knew I would appreciate it more if I paid for it myself. My had has also shown me how to be charitable through his example. Whenever someone calls him for help, he always seems to drop what he doing to go help them in an emergency.

My father has spent countless hours of proofreading my English papers for school. He also has rescued me many times when my car has broke down.

His advice is always good. I can go to him with any problem I may have and he always has an answer. He's always been supportive of my decisions especially when I got married. He accepted Mario as his son-in-law. He was not as upset as I thought he would be when I told him I was getting married.

My father has done so much for me. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with a father than has been so good to me.

Halloween

Piano Recital

Eric and Erin played a duet for the piano recital. It was beautiful and I was a proud mom!

It was a Halloween theme so the kids all dressed up in costumes. We haven't figured out Eric's costume yet.