Of Good Report

So today Estelle asked me when I was going to start doing PTA. "What exactly do you mean?" I wondered. She informed me that last year Sheryle Coray, the PTA queen, was at the school all the time. I informed her that I have spend several hours reading and sending emails, attending meetings, filling out paperwork, making phone calls, solving problems, refereeing, posting on Facebook, and attending trainings.  That is not the part of PTA she cares about. She wants to see me at the school. Sadly, because of my new job, that is not going to happen. It is one of the guilts I have of accepting the job.I had to tell her that there are other people who will be helping at the school and it is my style of leadership to let them. I will be at the school when I need to be, but when someone else needs to be there, they will. I will do my best to be there for her, but there is no way I can ever be Sheryle Coray.

On Friday afternoon at 3:30, Spencer sent me a picture of Sadie's paw with a text that her nail had broken off and it was red and swollen. It looked terrible. I called the vet from work and of course, it was Friday afternoon and they were booked. It was suggested that we put an antibiotic ointment on it and keep it wrapped so it stays clean and she doesn't lick it. Well, we put on about ten until Monday morning when her appointment was. They didn't last long; if fact, I didn't even bother with putting one on on Monday. Well, I showed the technician the picture who advised me to show the doctor. I did. He looked at her paw then proceeded to pull something off her paw and called it-----wait for it "jelly." What?  Long story short, her paw is fine, she is fine. She is now current on her immunizations and is as fit as an 11 year old shih tzu can be.  I told the lady when I was paying the bill that they could all have a good laugh when I walked out the door. ...

Today I took Estelle to my mom's to get her hair cut by Jessica. Every Saturday, David goes there to mow my mom's lawn. His family goes with them. They are all very kind. Estelle has been wanting a school haircut and even though school started two weeks ago, this was as soon as we could get it done.  When we arrived I noticed an ice cream container on the table. It was quickly brought to my attention that in the container housed a snake. I was informed that David caught it for Taylor's birthday. No way. I said that that would not be riding in my car.  I do not like snakes. My mom and David and Jessica did not really know what to do with the snake. It was a baby snake for your information. Both Estelle and Sarah wanted to take it to Taylor, they know how much he likes them.  I thought, "Okay, fine. We'll show it to Taylor then drop it off in the hills above our neighborhood like we do when he catches snakes in the 'hood.  Taylor was at a neighbor's h...

We are having a great start to the school year. The elementary kids are enjoying their teachers and friends and Emma is adjusting beautifully to middle school. Spencer is a little bit shaky as transitions are hard for him, but he will get adjusted. He has been getting himself up and ready for early morning seminary--success! If I can get Taylor out of bed in the morning, he is ready to roll, but that first step is a challenge for both of us. Yesterday as I was bringing Sarah home from her audition for the school play, she told me that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up because when she was the teacher she wouldn't be the one doing all the work.  Sorry, teachers, right now she just sees you as the givers of (home)work. Some day she'll understand. It might take her a while, but I'm sure she will get it--eventually.

Yesterday I was sustained to an additional calling, not a replacement. One of my friends, Corrine Prestwich was sitting in front of me and turned around and said,"So, I guess they saw five minutes left in your schedule and decided to fill it up." She knows of about my various hats I'll be wearing for the next year or more. I hadn't actually heard what she said so I just smiled and nodded, but Destry did and mentioned it when we got home. I had a good laugh mostly because she is one of the most busy, involved people I know.  Emma was sitting there listening to the conversation and piped in with, "Mom remember you have 5 kids too."  The kids had not known about the new calling, so hearing my name come across the pulpit was a surprise to them. They wanted to know if I was going to be released from Primary. I think my Primary girls like having me there. I said that I wasn't.  I have been thinking about her comment from the moment she said it, including a...

Admittedly, there is nothing that brings the Spirit into a home quite like a newborn baby does. Their pure spirits having just left his or her Eternal Parents are angelic and their eyes seem to look into eternity. They exude love. They are love. Everything they see and hear and smell and taste and feel they experience for the first time. Parental joy seems complete when their baby looks into their face and smiles for the first time. Every milestone is remarkable and looked forward to with joy and anticipation.  In addition to the elation there are sleepless nights, lots of messes and feedings and nose wipes. Lots of tears--which, incidentally, don't ever go away. There are illnesses and immunizations and doctor visits. Not to mention potty training. Babies are the best way to enter this existence. They make the adults around them weaker and stronger at the same time. Those babies grow and grow and grow. Until one day they are teenagers. It took a long time, yet in a blink of an e...

In December 2014, Destry and I were asked to be in charge of a trek committee for our you trek that was to take place the following July. I will add the full story of that experience when I complete it. For now I'm going to share a blessing that came because of it. It is not only a blessing, but a big change for me and my family, including our dog :)   During one of our packing days, Adam Drossart, a member of our committee asked Destry if I worked. He told him that I had gotten my real estate license in December, but that I wasn't very good at marketing myself--my words. As it turns out, Adam is a part owner of a brokerage in American Fork. He asked Destry if he thought I'd be interested in a position they had in their office. Destry and I talked about it and when trek was over I  interviewed with him and a partner, Ned Chidester.  A few days later they offered me the job. I had about a week and a half before he wanted me to start. I was glad for that. August 5 was t...