Sharing Time Update

I think Sharing time went well. The message was "reading, watching, and listening to wholesome things helps keep my mind clear." The manual had only 2 paragraphs to fill the 15-20 minutes I have to teach this concept. Seriously, it wasn't enough.

I found some great ideas from this blog and used the Sunday Savers book. I had two glasses of water, one with mud and gunk in it, the other clear. I asked if they wanted to drink from the muddy cup, and one boy in senior primary ALMOST did...gross. Then we talked about how we want our minds to be clean and clear. Then we had several scenarios where you either had a good thought or a bad thought. We separated the thoughts into happy and sad bags. For the kids to pick out of the bag, they had to wear my goofy glasses. I found some giant sunglasses at the dollar store, popped out the lenses (you couldn't see through them anyway...) then I taped ears onto the side. I even had a hat that I taped a "clear mind" to. The kids absolutely LOVED it!! They didn't want to stop playing when time was up.

Anyway, I think it went well. I already love those kids, and now I just have to teach them. I think I'm going to be okay.

(Oh, and Kim, I'm not so sure teaching would have worked out for me....I don't have much patience past an hour or so of time. ;)

Nerves

I've got them in BUNCHES.

Tomorrow is my first Sharing Time. I'm not too worried about the kids, I already love them and know most of them....but I'm worried about getting my point across. I've got all sorts of props and things, but I want the kids to remember past church what I'm trying to teach....too much to ask?? Probably.

Not only do I have nerves, but Cameron does too. He starts school back up on Monday. (I'm doing the happy dance...I can't wait!) He's excited to go back and even MORE excited because this year they have a pet bunny. The kids are going to vote on a name for the pet, and he really hopes his choice is picked. He is still thinking of a name, but either way, he's happy to be able to take care of such a cute critter.

Jake's a little bundle of nerves as well. He was very disappointed this week when he didn't get to take his "school supplies" to school. He thinks he's big enough to go to school too. I've promised him that we will have our OWN school at home while Cameron is gone. He's okay with that, for now. I just worry that he'll see right through my non-knowledge and want real school anyway. So far I've got him flash cards, videos, a workbook, and some crayons and other goodies. He's SO ready to go to school, even though he's only 3.

Wish us all well....we may very well need it. :)

Help Comes To Those Who Ask

I've been given a HUGE blessing in the form of help with Sharing Times. My cousin, who is SO wonderful, has given me many websites with TONS of help. I'm going to post them on my sidebar, so we ALL can share in them.

I'm just grateful for people who are creative and make ME look good. ;)

New Jobs....Old Loves

A few weeks ago (while I was out of town) I was called to be in a new calling at church. Since becoming an adult (18 years old...) I've held MANY callings: Primary teacher (11 year olds and 5-6 year olds), Primary chorister (twice...two different wards), Cub Scout Den Leader, Visiting Teaching Coordinator, and Relief Society Meeting board-member. They've all been challenging in their own way, but my love was (and still is) Primary. I love hearing the kids bear sweet testimony of the gospel basics. Don't get me wrong, I've absolutely LOVED being in the adult classes, but found staying awake in class a little difficult. *giggle*

Anyway, new calling, right? I'm now in the Primary Presidency. I had a feeling it was coming when the previous counselor announced that it was her last Sunday. Then that same day, I went down to our Primary room for my calling, and realized that it felt comfortable. I KNEW that calling was coming, but I didn't say a word. Not to anyone....

Then, when Brother R, from the bishopric, called to come and visit with Steve and I, we began discussing why he was coming. Steve started saying, "I JUST got my calling (he's teaching the 9 year old kids, he is struggling, but seems to like it well enough.) It can't be me!"

I calmly looked at him and said, "It's for me."

He huffed for a minute, and then asked me why, and I said I'd discuss it with him after the calling came.

Sure enough, it was what I had thought and I accepted it (I think I'd accepted it when I felt like it was coming the previous Sunday).

I have been anxious about it since receiving the call...mostly because I've never been in a presidency before and don't really know what to expect.

After a quick run-down from the Primary President (a VERY good friend) and spending this last Sunday in Primary I'm no longer worried. I'm excited and ready for the current challenge. When I was set-apart (a special blessing given to those who are called, giving them the rights and blessings associated with the new calling) I was reminded over and over that Heavenly Father WILL hear and answer my prayers. He will guide me and help me say what the children need to hear. My family will be blessed, and most importantly I will be blessed (both spiritually and physically) as I serve.

I'm hoping to share some Sharing Time ideas on my side-bar, just like I did with my singing time ideas. Sharing is my best kept secret. I'm not that creative on my own, really....but I can play up someone else's idea like you wouldn't believe.

Mommy Has a Potty Mouth

I have a confession: I never swore until I had children.

I remember accidentally saying "damn" when I was younger and I felt SO embarrassed and horrible that I promised myself I would never say a bad word again...

That worked, until I had children. And when I say "children" I do mean MORE than one. I didn't swear until I had TWO kids.

Now I'm a big bad swearing machine. I say words I don't want to say and feel horribly guilty after I say them.

Today I was chewing the boys out for making a mess of the living room and leaving their toys strewn across the floor. I said a particularly poopy word about 5 times. After the fifth time and my guilt growing each time, I said out loud, "I need to STOP saying that word!"

The boys just looked at me with questioning eyes....

Then I randomly said, "DOG POOPY!"

Both boys cracked up. They couldn't STOP laughing. Pretty soon they were chanting, "Dog poopy!" Followed by uncontrollable laughter.

I told my boys that if I say that potty word again, they had my permission to say "dog poopy" and stop me in my tracks.

Internal Language.....and Other Things to Think About

So my Girls' Weekend Out was FANTABULOUS! The theme of the trip was "You are Beautiful." I'm SO glad that it was, I really needed it (as well as a few others of us.)

On Saturday we all took a class that was entitled "You are Beautiful," and it was taught by 4 LOVELY ladies, who I look up to. One of them talked about changing your internal language to positive thoughts. She talked about her own personal journey, and encouraged the rest of us to do the same.

She talked about sitting on a rock for 4 hours and contemplating who we are....I hope to do this sometime soon.

She said that when we're having particularly negative thoughts, to write them on our hand (the negative on the left hand and the positive on the right.) Then we can choose which one we want to keep in our mind.

And she talked about figuring out our own personal internal sentence that defines who we are and make it something positive if it's negative. I have come back to this many times since she first brought it up. My first thought was to find my negative sentence, and I found it pretty quickly. It isn't necessarily something that I always entertain, but when someone sincerely compliments me and my first thought is negative, THIS is the sentence that comes first: "I'm fat, and fat is ugly."

I know, pretty harsh, right?

So then I was thinking about what I wanted my positive sentence to be, and realized that I already have one. On my happier, and more positive days I have a sentence that I think when someone compliments me: "I'm happy to be me, and I will not accept your criticisms."

I was pleased to know that I DO have some positive things to combat all those negative voices that sneak in.

That night we were having a special testimony meeting, and one of my most favorite people got up and talked about something that I've come to LOVE! She said that we needed to think about a woman we know who has the traits that we look up to and list them. She asked us to think of four traits (because that's her lucky number....) then she gave us time to think. I thought of a wonderful woman in my ward, one I love and have actually told that I want to be like her. My four traits for her were: 1. She's a happy woman. 2. She is confident. 3. She is hilarious (she ALWAYS makes me laugh.) And 4. She is kind.

After we'd thought about our traits, my friend said that those traits we listed are things that we have within ourselves. We can recognize them because they are apart of us. They resonate through our whole lives.

After hearing this thought, I realized that it was true...not necessarily at all times, but those ARE who I am.

My weekend taught me SO much about myself, and how to truly love others that I had misjudged. I want this feeling with me ALWAYS.....

JUST What I Needed

I had an absolutely WONDERFUL weekend:
I got to see friends that I've never met in real life (and we totally clicked!)

I laughed until my cheeks and belly hurt.

I ate fantastic food.

I got to sit in the temple with my best girlfriend.

I stayed up talking until 4:00 in the morning.

I felt the Spirit.

I learned that I can love myself and that is a GOOD thing.

I learned that I shouldn't make quick judgments.

I found out that my family is okay to be without me, for a little while anyway.

I am rejuvenated and can't wait to do it again.

So Frustrated.....And I'm Going to Leave....

The last few days have been VERY frustrating for me. While trying to see some paintings on Monday night, Cameron had an utter and complete melt-down. I had to literally DRAG the boy out of the building while he was screaming and carrying on. It was SO embarrassing.

Then yesterday I kept yelling and yelling until I was ready to lose my voice. Cameron would not do a THING I said. I was beginning to lose my mind.

At first, I thought it was because I'm SO excited to get away this weekend. (I'm going on a Girls Weekend Out...I've been looking forward to this trip for a VERY long time, and I figured that I was just super excited to be gone....) And while I AM excited to see my friends, and play without being bothered by little kids, it wasn't the reason I was going nuts.

Last night, right before I went to bed, I checked Cameron's pill container....he has NOT taken his pills for the last 2 days. I was SO SO SO mad. I was ready to pull the boy out of bed over it (but I didn't...) Whenever I had asked him if he had taken his pills, he lied and said he had. Then he continued to act out and not listen.

Today I remedied the situation by WATCHING him take the pills.

Here's hoping the next day is happy, and he's behaving well for daddy while I'm gone.