WEEK TWO
So the second week of Ponds Park ward was much better! I was so pleased with how Molly did! She stayed mostly calm (aside from her random screeches that are really disruptive, don't get me wrong, they just don't last at all- still trying to find a cure for this) through Sacrament meeting. Didn't have to take her out in the hall at all! Then She fell asleep in Nate's arms in Sunday School and he ended up taking her to Priesthood which he finally got to go to! YAY! I think she was a good girl in there too. It was a nice Sunday :). I also loved witnessing Jonah's baby blessing. There was a really peaceful Spirit during and then when Travis held him up and I saw his cute little eyes looking upward, like babies do, the Spirit just poured over me! It was really sweet! I don't know that I've ever felt the Spirit so strongly during a baby blessing that wasn't my own baby. Very cool. During testimony meeting, none of my kids were getting up for the first half which is VERY unusual, and I started to worry that they just didn't feel comfortable enough in the new ward (which is also still very unusual) and then Charity went up and sat in the choir seats in preparation to bear her testimony. I was SO glad. Then Diane Hill bore her testimony and in the beginning mentioned she was glad one of the Maynes kids was up there because she was feeling like testimony meeting was missing something. Right then a bunch more of them ran up to the front to bear their testimonies too :). She seriously made my day. For the first time ever Bradley leaned over and asked me if he "should bear his testimony". I have a strict rule (for myself) that I not tell them to bear their testimonies in sacrament meeting. I have ALWAYS wanted it to be their own thing, their own idea. So I said, "If you feel like you should then I think you should and you are part of this ward so you are more than welcome to." I'm glad he took that the right way and went up there :). WE even got to hear from Luke who doesn't bear his testimony as often as the others. There was a lot of sweet peace during their blessings as well. One of the cool things about this ward transition for me is that I am usually VERY uncomfortable there and because of the discomfort, the peaceful feelings from the Spirit stand out and are much more noticeable than they are when I am comfortable and feeling at home. So that has been an interesting side effect. I am starting to get to know people and remembering a lot of names, which I'm proud of. They are still so welcoming and make us all feel special. It's nice. I wish I had a calling. I loved Choir practice! I feel like I've lost some of my singing talent because I've been hiding it under a bushel for the past 2 years... I'm glad we're back in the saddle again. Kelly came with me and it was a lot of fun- nice big choir! 9-4-16
PEPPERED SHRIMP ALFREDO
Another one for the books- Charity cooked a delicious Sunday dinner for us! She never ceases to amaze me with her initiative and her abilities!
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
When Jack wants to know how old you are he asks, "What's your number?" Makes me laugh. And think of Gataca :).
LABOR DAY
I was supposed to spend the day making potato salad, but I procrastinated and played cards most of the day instead. Charity worked on some homework for about 6 hours! Everyone else was using the revolving door and were in and out with their friends most of the day. It was a fun day. We had a good time. And I must say, it was a much needed break from life. I did however keep up on the laundry and dishes, so I didn't take a break from that :). 9-5-16
FHE
For Jack's lesson, I had him use one of my pre-made lessons from my old FHE group in Eagle Mountain. It ended up being a LOT of fun and he did such a cute job! He sure embraces the being in charge role. I'm glad he does. He loved calling on people to "pick an apple off the tree" and talking about making good choices. I loved that he shared his personal experience of sharing his toys with his friends. That was awesome. I love teaching him how to teach the Gospel. He's adorable. Nate passed out Fat Boys for the treat :). And Molly's activity was singing "If You're Happy And You Know It". She LOVED everyone's attention!! So adorable! 9-6-16
SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS
Nate picked up a catering job with Emily's Dad for the Sons of Utah Pioneers. It's been a long time coming and he's been really anxious and excited for it. We worked SO HARD Tuesday (well, and Nate had really been working on it for a LOT longer of course, but this was the big day for it). I was making potato salad ALL DAY. I really didn't stop for most of the morning. Once I had made enough for 132 ice cream scoop-fulls, I stopped. It ended up being about 80 potatoes, 3 bottles of mayo (kinda gross), 4 jars of pickles, 9 cans of olives (proabably should have used more), and 30 eggs. I thought it turned out great, but the whole time I worried that my Grandma Mottishaw's delicious potato salad recipe, the only potato salad I will (happily) eat, might not be enough. Hopefully it was though because I couldn't bring myself to change it in any way :). It really is the best, it's just not all that fancy :). It does lack in the crunch department. Anyway, Nate was definitely running on nerves near the end, but pulled it off!! I was so proud of him! We even got the food there, right on time! From what Emily said, they liked it! And passed on Nate's info to a few even! So that's cool! Well done, babe! 9-6-16
MOM
While I was making potato salad, my mom stopped by and kept me company for the afternoon. That was nice. 9-6-16
LACROSSE
We've officially started back up with Lacrosse! Kelly decided at the very last possible minute (okay, maybe an hour and a half before the late registration coupon expired) to do Fall Lacrosse. She started practices this week and seems to feel like a pro this year- it's kind of nice to have her loving it and being comfortable from the first practice. 9-6-16
AMAZING RACE
The girls went to their second YW activity with the new ward this week. They seemed to enjoy it enough. Still having their reservations. I don't blame them. This ward is doing so much to help them feel comfortable though, so hopefully it comes with time at least. I keep praying for them. 9-7-16
PRESSURE COOKER
Wednesday I got my free pressure cooker :). It was fun to open it with Jack and Will :). They were so thrilled about it all :). I don't think they knew why. I signed up for Viewpoints FOREVER ago and just a few months ago started receiving emails with surveys to sign up to receive free samples of products to review. This was my first one. It's a REALLY nice pressure cooker. Something I NEVER would have bought myself. I found some good recipes and we have eaten out of it a few times already. I really love how fast it is. That I don't have to plan ahead to cook in it like the crock pot. Super easy too. I did my review so hopefully I got points for that too. I hope I get more free stuff :). 9-7-16
PTA PRESIDENT ELECT
So last week at the PTA breakfast, I gave Natalie the word that I would be the President Elect, but that I was hoping to find someone to do it with me. I couldn't talk Emily into it (rightfully so), but Jami did take the bate and on Thursday sent me the "I'm in" text. Then Friday at the vision screening, I signed something making it official! We'll see how it all goes. I'm a little nervous, but feeling pretty confident that I can learn enough this year to pull it off next year. I'm interested to see why Mr. Denhalter was so persuasive. We'll see. 9-9-16
LISA'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH
I got invited to go with Emily and Lisa to Cafe Rio to celebrate Lisa's birthday. That was fun. Nate let me leave Molly home so it was just Jack with me. He was such a good boy. I love how he holds my hand still :). It was a great time chatting it up with my friends. Stopped at Bountiful Park after for a few minutes and I got to carry Jack out of there kicking and screaming so that was lots of fun :). 9-9-16
LISA'S PASSION FOR POPCORN
Different Lisa :). I had called Lisa's Passion for Popcorn earlier in the week to see if they would want to donate something to use as motivation for the kids for the Fun Run fundraiser. I was thinking maybe a gift card or something and the guy I talked to was anxious to give us something more tangible for the kids, that they could get excited about so he offered a few gift baskets! I had no idea they would give us what they did though!! I picked up two giant boxes of three HUGE gift baskets full of fun food. I couldn't believe their generosity!! I'm feeling weird about having asked for it, but how cool! We might end up dividing the baskets up... not sure, but whatever. 9-9-16
SULLY
Nate and I went to see Sully Friday night. The movie about the pilot landing the plane in the Hudson. Pretty cool show! I loved hearing Nate commenting on things during it. The NTSB and the ATC viewpoint... hits a little close to home. I loved it too. Even got a little emotional thinking about how that would have been to be in their shoes. It's crazy to think that saving 155 lives could be misconstrued as bad. I'm glad things worked out. We went to Panda Express after since Nate hadn't eaten all evening. He was suffering with a lot of pain in his stomach from the antibiotics for his tooth infection. Poor guy! Hopefully the yogurt we got him helps. It was a MUCH needed date night! SO glad we finally got to be together and alone! It's been at least a month and a half! 9-9-16
"RUNNING"
Charity, Kelly and I started "running" in the morning. I call it that because it's probably more like jogging, but we're wanting it to be running. We started this training program to work up to becoming better runners. I have to say we have done REALLY well! Getting up at 5:00 in the morning all week except Wednesday when Charity left her running shoes at school. It's been difficult but I must say I really enjoy it! And I noticed a huge change in my mood and emotional health, the day we didn't go was my down day and I don't think that's a coincidence. Physical health seems to have improved as well. My body is incredibly sore during and right after, but I've been shocked at how it's helped my hips!! They feel better than they did before! Kinda like when I started riding my bike. My theory is correct, this is a pain that is cured with physical activity, not hindered. It's pretty awesome. And I must point out what a miracle it is that my feet have been doing so well! They hurt like crazy during and right after, and of course my shin splints are INSANE, but in the morning, when I get up to go, my feet feel brand new! No pain, no tightness, no soreness at all!! This is pretty miraculous considering my feet and my past. I don't think I've been "running" since 1998. Yep, that bad. I haven't tried or wanted to since then. This whole running thing came to me as kind of a personal revelation recently and I'm SO glad I decided to start on it this week. It's been remarkable to say the least. I feel so much better. I hope we can keep it up- 9-10-16
TALLEST
Noah and Jack were standing face to face on the bench at the table and Jack moved in closer and said, "Who's the tallest?" HA!! Noah is a whole head taller, so he slid his hand over the top of Jack's head, toward him, his hand touching the base of his neck and answered, "I am." As if he was surprised at the results :). Funny boys. 9-10-16
MAGIC TRICKS
Noah has been mastering some of his magic tricks, finding new ones on YouTube all the time, and teaching his tricks to some of his siblings. The other day he was showing one to Jack and I heard this conversation:
Noah: When I die you're going to keep showing them [his magic tricks] to people.
Jack: I don't want you to die.
Noah: I'm not going to die right now.
Jack: Yeah, cuz you don't grow.
HA!!
9-10-16
LACROSSE
Erika went to her first lacrosse... practice? I'm not sure what to call it. It's kind of like a clinic. She's too young to have games, but she does have a two hour practice on Saturdays. She seemed to really like it! She's definitely one of the few that takes it more seriously than some of the other girls :). Doesn't surprise me. She looked so cute out there though. I'm glad she is doing something she wants to do. It was fun when everyone else showed up (it was in Sandy so we drove two cars and traded with Nate so the rest of us could head on up to Park City for Kelly's game) and was watching her and giving her attention. She loved that too.
Kelly had her first game. It was a lot of fun to watch and got me all excited for the new season. They didn't win, but maybe when they all learn each other's names and get few more practices under their belts, they'll do better. They only lost by three and it was supposedly one of the best teams, so that was encouraging. Kelly did great! Even got in trouble for screaming in the other teams' faces on defense. Apparently that's illegal. Oops. Better luck with the next refs :). 9-10-16
PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
The kids earned a movie night this week. We went to the dollar store for treats and came home and watched, my choice, Phantom Tollbooth :). I've been making the kids suffer through some of my childhood movies every month or so. We were supposed to watch Chipmunk Adventure, but this was plan B. They seemed okay with it. Nobody fell asleep and nobody hated me afterward. Some of them actually liked it too. It was fun to see it again, myself, and catch so much more than I ever did as a kid. Funny show. 9-10-16
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