change is good

After 2 1/2 years of service, I was released as Primary President. It was a great learning experience filled with ups and downs but I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to serve in that calling. Last Sunday, our stake was reorganized. It was something that desperately needed to be done. (the wards were really small) We're in a new ward and new building, it'll be fun to meet some new people. Change is good...

stepping out of my comfort zone

This last weekend, we attended our ward campout at the Peralta Trails just outside of Apache Junction. One of our bishopric members does team building stuff for a living. We camped at this place where he does his trainings.

When we woke up refreshed and ready to go on Saturday (can you sense the sarcasm? I don't enjoy sleeping in a tent but I was a good sport) we did a couple of the high rope activities. One of them involved a set of partners where each person walks into the middle of this rope and then they help each other to get to the other side, while being suspended 15 feet in the air. Aaron and I made it through that challenge. (The whole time I kept saying to the church folk, 'I'm trying really hard not to vocalize any profanities right now'...if they only knew how hard that is for me when I'm freaked out)

The other challenge involved us climbing to the top of a 25 foot pole and standing on top. Braden was fearless!

These are the Superstition Mountains. Living here, I have a greater appreciation for how beautiful the desert is.

I love this cactus. It was so tall and the way it leaned to one side like that...I've never seen that before. A tall cactus with bad posture...it's built like me :)

Monday

Yesterday we had our Primary program. We had a practice/pizza party on Saturday so we could fine tune everything. I know those kids were just sick of me by the time Sunday rolled around. They did really well. I'm so glad it's over for the year... (insert sigh of relief)

I'm a little bummed that Toni was voted off Dancing with the Stars last week. (in my earlier post, I wanted her to win) Now that she's gone, my new choice is Brooke Burke. Paige has always had a crush on Derek Hough so we'll go with them.
A couple of weeks ago after DWTS, I watched "Samantha Who?" for the first time and now I'm hooked! I rented Season 1 so now I'm all caught up.
What are some of your favorite TV shows?

Thursday

Is it Thursday already? It's crazy how fast time flies, especially during this time of year. I've got to get the whole Halloween costume stuff figured out pretty soon. Paige wants to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, that'll be fun. It's hard to find modest costumes for young girls!

It's Conference weekend! I love Conference, it's a good thing. Here's a little packet I found on Sugardoodle that you can print off for your kids. I find these helpful.
http://deseretbook.com/conf.pdf

This idea out of October's Friend magazine sounded like fun, too:
http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3143&Itemid=406

Have any of you had your Primary Programs yet? Ours is coming up in a couple of weeks and I would love to hear how yours went. I applaud anyone who has ever had to pull one of these off. I have an awesome counselor that does a great job with the program.

Have a fun weekend!

Monday

We had a nice 3 day weekend. The kids had no school Friday and Aaron took the day off. It was cloudy on Saturday, perfect weather to take some pictures outside. The kids and I headed to Freestone Park in Gilbert. We made a deal that if they let me take some pictures, I would let them play at the park and take them to Sonic for a drink afterwards. They were patient with me:)

Braden made his 1st shot of the season at his basketball game on Saturday. He got the rebound, dribbled down and made a jump shot from the corner. A kid stole the ball from him early in the game so that fired him up.

We had 4 kids move from our ward this week. We have a fairly small ward (25 or so) so when we lose people, it's always hard. 2 of Paige's girl friends moved and now she's the only one in her Primary class. Speaking of Primary, I held a Primary Board meeting at my house last night. I prepared a teaching workshop and the only people that showed up were my counselors :( It's discouraging at times...

Anyway, enjoy some pictures and have a good Monday

Conference activity

http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1920&Itemid=405

Just wanted to share a cute little General Conference activity packet that you can put together for your kids and they can complete while watching Conference. This website, Sugardoodle. net, has been a lifesaver to me in my calling and for FHE.

Enjoy!

President Hinckley

Like many of you, I'm going to miss this man. What a great example he was to so many people.

I bawled my eyes out the first time I saw this picture and it was the first image that came to my mind when I heard the news of his passing. He will be missed...