New Calling

17 Jun

On Friday last week, Nathan called me and asked if the second counselor in the bishopric could come over and see us the next morning. I said sure and we both joked about the other getting a new calling and what it might be.

I was completely surprised that morning when Bro. Bradley proceeded to extend me a calling to be the second counselor in the primary presidency. At first I was just shocked that it wasn’t a music calling. I have not had a non-music calling since 2005. Then I got really excited because I absolutely LOVE primary! I was the primary pianist in my last ward for three years and I learned so much just from watching those kids and seeing their testimonies grow.

Our new president is my next door neighbor, Trish. She is the sweetest gal, so full of energy and love. We had our first meeting last night and she let me know that the spirit confirmed to her that I was supposed to be serving in this calling at this time. She spent a lot of time praying and didn’t make the decision lightly. It means so much to me to know that! I was starting to feel really overwhelmed on Sunday with all of the responsibilities I will now have. I no longer have the luxury of a “Sunday only” calling. This will require many hours outside of church preparing, visiting, and praying. I was starting to question whether or not I could do it. Her faith in me helped me to realize that no matter how inadequate I may feel, I have the help of my Father in Heaven and with that I can do anything.

I did not know the other two women in the presidency until last night. I was a little worried at first that we wouldn’t gel as a presidency since we didn’t know each other very well. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even in the hour we spent together last night, I felt that we would all work so well together and be able to accomplish so much for the kids we are serving. The Gospel is true and I can’t wait to get to know our primary children better!

Feeding the Ducks

5 Jun

On our way to Grandma’s on Memorial Day, Nathan and I took the kids to Flowserve (where Nathan’s dad works) to feed the ducks.  It was so cute!  Kaisa was totally afraid of them at first, but she had her dad there to help her be brave.  By the end, she was chasing them!

Everett was happy just to watch them from a distance.

The ducks were as nervous about her as she was about them.

So much fun!

What a cutie!

Chasing the ducks back into the water.

I took some video of the fun too.  Watch it here.

April Showers Bring May Snow Showers?

5 Jun

This was what I woke up to on May 24, 2010.  Eeewww!  That’s all I have to say about that!

Joy School Graduation

5 Jun

This past fall and winter, I got together with some friends and taught Joy School to Kaisa and some of her friends.  (Thanks, Rachelle, for the idea & heading this up!)  We took turns teaching and it was fun to watch these girls learn and grow over the past year.  We had a little graduation ceremony for them in May, complete with diplomas and candy leis!  I think the ceremony was also for the moms, though.  We worked hard, some of us teaching with babies or while pregnant, and we made it all the way through the year!  Woo hoo!

Getting ready for the review.

Doing the Joy School cheer!

Kaisa hiding behind her pom-pom.

Emily made these cute caps for the girls!

Cheesy grin!

Getting their diplomas!

So proud of my little girl!

Disneyland Vacation 2010

24 May

At the end of April we took a little family vacation to California and went to Disneyland!  We also stopped at the beach and visited our friends, the Hobsons, while we were there.  We had so much fun and really enjoyed seeing my parents!  Melodie and Myles were able to come too!

Family picture in front of the castle.

Kaisa meeting Snow White!

Kaisa meeting Princess Aurora!

Meeting her favorite princess...Cinderella! It was SO CUTE how she ran up to her when it was her turn. I will post a video of that sometime.

Everett and Uncle Myles played swordfight while Kaisa shopped for her princess souvenir.

Riding the teacups with grandpa! He made us all dizzy!

Mom, Aunt Bonnie, and Everett on Dumbo!

Kaisa, Grandma & Grandpa on Dumbo!

She was so excited to ride the horsey...I promise! I guess she didn't want to smile this time.

Everett, on the other hand, was a bundle of smiles!

Kaisa doing the conga during the parade.

Goofy!

We actually convinced Nathan to ride a roller coaster! Here he is on the Big Thunder Mountain.

Getting wet on Splash Mountain!

Everett at the beach.

It was a bit too cold for swimming, so we built sand castles instead.

Everett and Grandpa. So sweet!

Kaisa & dad. She would not let him put her down!

Some mean people...let's say Melodie and Myles P...no M and M Porter...buried my son in the sand!

Riding the jeep at the Hobson's. We had so much fun with them playing, hot-tubbing, and grilling!