Toddler Management

When we first moved into our new ward  (congregation) at church I was surprised at the lack of reverence in Sacrament meeting.  Over the last year or two it has improved, but there are still some families I want to shake and say "PLEASE stop sending YOUR toddler to every one else's bench.  Sit with your own child I already have my own to watch!"  or "Please put your buffet lunch away until later!  I'm tired of the crumbs and the noisy wrappers!"  or "The pews are NOT jungle gyms!"  But...I don't want to offend and really its not my place.

When I read this post today over at The Idea Room I wanted to broadcast it to the world ...or at least my ward!
So, if you have toddlers and are getting frustrated at church when you spend more time in the hall than the classroom go over and read "Toddler Management 101" and be inspired!

By the way, I'm not saying that my family is perfectly reverent, we have spent our fair share sitting in empty classrooms or in the hall.  I have broken out the candy when I just could not take another second of whining.  My kids have crawled under benches faster than I can grab their little ankles.  But we are trying and as they get older it gets easier....except for the moody pre-pre-teen.  But that is probably a whole different blog post!

The Funeral

My grandmother was a BEAUTIFUL person.  Her funeral was just as it should have been.  I feel like I should write about that day, but to me it felt like such a sacred day that I'll probably save my thoughts for my personal journal.

My mother gave the euology.  It was perfect.  I learned so much about her.  I had no idea that grandma was the family photographer.  Photographing the family for events and yearly pictures.  She turned her bathroom into a dark room and printed copies for all who asked.  I always assumed it was my grandfather's darkroom enlarger that they had given me, but it was my grandmothers.

The other day, Sarah, my 4 year old said to me, "Mom, I wish Grandma never died."
"Me too." I replied.
"I liked her."
"Me too, Sarah, Me too."

Monday & Tuesday

We left for camp an hour later than we had planned on Monday morning but we arrived safely and we weren't late.  I met the beautiful girls in my cabin and handed out all the extra supplies I was told I wasn't going to need but did.  Two girls (sisters) forgot their entire toiletry bag.  I must have been inspired to pack exactly 2 extra toothbrushes and full size shampoo and conditioner!

We made our camp shirt out of a M&M stamp I made using some craft foam and the bottom of a tape container.  (I'll post a tutorial later if anyone is interested.)

There were fun camp songs, skits and ditties.  By 10pm I was exhausted.  Just as I was falling asleep that night I was startled awake by what I thought was a mountain lion.  Turns out someone in our cabin snores...loudly!

Tuesday morning was spent at the tide pools. Tuesday afternoon I took a short nap and then chatted with my co-cabin mom until the Camp Director came in with her phone and a message to call home.  I knew what the call would be about, and I was right.  I didn't get my 1-2 weeks.  I got two days.  Grandma Vincent had passed away.  While I knew it was coming and it shouldn't have been a shock, it was.  Somehow I knew months in advance that she would pass while I was away at camp.  I think it was the Holy Ghost telling me "don't go to camp or be prepared to leave early."  But I didn't listen.  I went.  I wasn't really prepared to come home early, but I did. 

The women at camp were amazing.  Those who I chose to tell or were near by when I found out, jumped in to replace me in the cabin, help me pack my things and get everything squared away.  I asked them not to tell the girls why I was leaving.  I didn't mind them knowing, but number 1, I didn't want to be a downer on their camp experience, and number 2, I couldn't handle 100 young women and girls hugging me and telling me they were sorry. 

That night, we had a lesson in our cabin about being a virtuous woman.  There was a half carved statue of a woman wearing next to nothing close to the entrance of the camp.  After lights out we gathered up all the extra blankets and sheets available, snuck down there and dressed her! The above picture is the best I have for now.  I talked to the young women about modesty when we came back and about having virtue.  I bore them my testimony that they are LOVED daughters of God.  I told them that they were all born full of virtue and that we were they only ones who could let our virtue go.  It was a very touching moment that I will remember forever.

I didn't sleep too well that night.  And on Wednesday morning after breakfast, I drove the 4 hours home. 

Sunday

Recently I was called to be the new primary president in our ward.  This was the first week that I would take over the position.  It was a little chaotic.  People who usually are known for the punctuality were 5-10 minutes late.  I didn't know anyone's name and I wasn't quite sure on how long the music portion was suppose to go.  Other women who had been there longer than I filled in when I was at a loss.  Its amazing how perceptive women can be!

I talked to one little boy before primary started.  He and his brother are not well known for being reverent.  I asked him if he could do me a BIG favor, if he felt like he could.  I asked him if he could help me out by being a good example today, because some of the other kids weren't being very reverent.  He enthusiastically agreed.  When his older brother overheard or conversation he volunteered to help too!   I have never seen those two boys sit still for so long.  It was amazing.  I was sure to thank them after primary.

Sunday evening my mother called to let me know that my grandmother, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago, was not doing well.  The hospice worker estimated that she had 1-2 weeks left.  I cried a little and said a prayer that she was comfortable.

I finished packing all my bags and then stared at the ceiling until midnight.  I love knowing that I have a long day ahead of me and not being able to sleep.

Update since last post

I did run out and did a little bit of shopping before I got a frantic and firm call from my husband telling me to drop everything and come home NOW.  I walked in our front door to what looked like a horror film with blood covering walls, towels and my bed.  My youngest daughter somehow managed to drop a pretty heavy ceramic lamp on her head.  Husband threw daughter in the car and said, "GO!"

So off I drive to the nearest urgent care, which closed 45 minutes earlier.  I drive another 8  minutes to the next urgent care which had closed earlier than the door said it should....dumb door!  Next stop, hospital Emergency Room.

I have driven to this hospital at least 5 times and have driven right past it at least a dozen more.  But this time, I made every wrong turn imaginable.  By the time I got inside, I gave them the wrong daughter's name, the wrong birthday and my mother's telephone number when they asked for mine.    I've decided that all of this information (including a map and operating times of all close emergency centers) needs to be written down and in my purse at all times.  I'll be working on that next week.  They asked me if she had lost consciousness.  I told them I don't think so, but I'm pretty sure my husband did.  Then we sat.

Four hours and $5 in vending machine pop tarts (which I had a case of in my car but couldn't go out and get lest I missed hearing her name) later, they finally called her back, cleaned up her 1 inch head wound and glued it back together.  This whole process took less than 10 minutes and cost us a $50 co pay.  I could complain about that copay, in fact I did, but at least I had insurance.

Overall she was a trooper.  Didn't cry once while they were scrubbing her cut ( I almost did).

She was asleep before her head hit the pillow that night.  My husband had cleaned up all the blood, a giant feat for him, and had it all in the washing machine before I got home.  I had to run out to the grocery store to finish my girls camp shopping, which included food for the week I was gone so my dear sweet husband wouldn't starve to death for 5 days.

And thus concludes night number 1 of 8 of not having any sleep whatsoever.  To be continued.

Girls Camp

For the first time in 14 years I get to go to my church's Girls Camp!  Girls camp is only for girls 12-18.  It usually lasts for a week and consists of both "camp stuff" and "spiritual stuff" (both technical terms).  They asked me to go as a co-cabin mom for one of the 2 year cabins.  I'm so excited that the other cabin mom is a fantastic woman and one of my new good friends.

We are leaving at 8am Monday morning.  Which means, that if I need to go buy anything like soap holders, green nail polish or bug spray I have to do it today (since I don't shop on Sundays).  I was planning on going when my wonderful husband came home from work so I didn't have to drag my beautiful angelic children with me, but he just called and told me he'll be a work until midnight......

.....SCRATCH THAT!!!  He just walked in the door!  I'm so out of here!

I LOVE My Family!

5 Minutes after church.

3 Minutes until guests arrive.

1 tri-pod.

1 Todd, who just came by to drop off some scout papers, got the pleasure of hitting the shutter 45 times.

It all adds up to this beautiful family portrait!