A Mother's Hallmark Moment

Today I played the piano for Zachary and Tamara to sing a duet for sacrament meeting and again for Chelsea to sing a solo in her singles branch. What a moment for me.
I have to tell you though, it was really entertaining to listen to Tam and Zac, during our run through, talk about the best way to turn the music pages on the podeum. I kid you not, for about 4 minutes they debated all the ways that would be best and in the end, they sounded like a married couple who knew how to work things out together. It had me smiling. Chelsea was so nervous, shaking in her skin but sounded like an angel. She sang " In this very room", a familiar song and perfect for her voice.
I just needed to mention how much I love them and their desire to serve in the church and benefit others with their talents. That just happened to be the lesson I gave in my primary class today as well. (Talents)

Ooh! Ooh! Pick Me! Pick Me!

Okay, cutest little story I have to share. I was walking home from Branch Prayer, nearing the playground a few blocks from our house, and a little boy was riding his plastic trike down the sidewalk in my direction. He then stopped in front of me, walked over, and handed me the head of a sunflower. I smiled, said thank you and continued my way home. As I was walking the little boy shouted to his mother in the yard, "Mommy! Mommy! I gave the lady a flower and she said thank you!" I smiled and waved at his mother as I passed her and he shouted again saying, "Mommy! Mommy! That's the lady!" I thought it was the cutest thing ever. It totally made my day.
In other news, I have been called to be a member of the single branch's choir, and I am also an F.H.E. coordinator. And, oh yes, I sang in sacrament meeting today. The song was "In This Very Room" and with all the compliments I received I'm guessing I did pretty well. A sister in the ward told me I didn't look nervous at all. I told her she should have watched my knees behind the podium. She laughed and added that's what they're there for.

Allen and Rosemary Visit Salt Lake

I enjoyed the sealing session with Jeremy and his family this week. Jay and I were sealed at the Salt Lake temple. It is just as beautiful as I remember. I think it would be great fun for our family to do a session there soon. So many of us have memories at this temple.

Allen and Rosemary, and we can't forget Stephen, were just fun to be with. I was so glad they were able to spend a couple of days with those of us in Utah County. Stephen spent the night at our house. Tami played him a game of Battle Ship, Charlie decided he was his new wrestling pal and I just enjoyed getting to know him. We watched a late movie, laughed and enjoyed being together. I wasn't able to raft down the river with them the next day, but Mitchell made it a foursome and Rosemary braved the ride. Once again, Lynelle hosted dinner at her house. Thank you Lynelle. On day three, we met at the Zoo. Amazingly, the heat was bearable and the trip was well worth it. Charlie is loving his family and as a side note -we just want you to know how greatful we are that he has cousins to play with.

So it's 12:18 am...I go to work in approximately 10 hours...and I can't sleep. Charlie is overhead snoring quite loudly, there's a train that's passing by at the moment, and all I can think about is how in the world I'm going to make sure I make it through my last year at Snow College. Then I start thinking ok, I'll study...shut myself in the library all day long...and have zero fun. How boring is that! Not to mention socially and then soon to be mentally painful. I'll honestly just start talking to myself and wonder how I got in that mess in the first place. Soon enough I'll start answering my own self, and we all know that's not good. So option #1...exnae. Option #2...Balance my schedule, but always do my studies before play. Easier said than done my friends...easier said than done. How do you motivate yourself to do something (like homework) that you really don't want to do. I suppose in my case it's my last chance to prove my responsibility and maturity to myself and my parents especially, but I suck at test taking, so in that case that means I don't know how to study well. But I hate studying with someone else because either one of us is usually unfocused and I'm either at a faster or slower pace. And in the middle of the whole school process I don't want to loose my drive or my focus to be there in the first place. Mom says I do it often. I start something with vigor and then just shut off or quit trying or have a lack for trying after a while. What's wrong with me? Nothing really I know, but how do I fix it? See? I can't even stay on the same subject. Hahaha...well at least now I'm feeling a little sleepy. Good night.

Oh where, oh where has my summer gone?

Summer has been full of adventure. We just returned from our Gibb family reunion. I loved it! Jay and I rented a camper and found out what a nice way to go that can be! I must say, it was the first time I felt relaxed and able to enjoy all family members. The scenery was beautiful, the lake a fresh retreat, and the golf for the teenagers made the stay wonderful. Dad put on wonderful nightime gatherings. We listened to family stories and ideas, laughed and even tried a little "Knot" tying. (You had to be there to get that pun.)

Eldon knows how to throw a party! He had canoes, four wheelers, and bikes. I was worried that the kids would not be able to stay occupied. What was I thinking? I lived at the beach for 10 years and I forgot how the water and sand can keep a child occupied all day! Grandpa took the little ones on an adventure hike around the lake. Those adults who tagged along had a good laugh when it more time was spent taking pictures on the hike than the hike itself! I loved our fishing lessons from Dan. The kids were very enthused when trying to throw lines out to the coolers on the lawn. It was fun entertainment to hear how everyone designed their family flags. We have quite a creative family.

Thanks mom and dad for your efforts to keep the reunion going. I think my favorite part was the service project. It was a neat thing for me watching all of us working together, helping to make others lives a little better. What a wonderful memory. Until next year!