Crazy Child... I mean, Crazy Day!

Acadia has been looking forward to Jr. High for a few reasons, and one of those being Spirit Week!  Opportunities to dress up in school/class colors, PJs, and other crazy clothes.  I don't remember all of the spirit days from earlier this month, though I do remember that the Tuesday theme was college/sports teams.  She was planning on wearing her BYU sweatshirt.  The night before, I was watching the Pats play Miami and told Cadi she could also wear her Brady jersey under her sweatshirt.  But she told me that the last time she wore her Pats jersey, she got teased.  (I told her to respond by asking who THEY cheer for?  The Seahawks???  And if they say yes, to just LAUGH and walk away.  Nuff said. ;)  )  So, as the game began, Cadi said that if the Pats won that night, she would wear her jersey.  And of course, they didn't just win, they CRUSHED Miami!  So she wore her jersey, and her BYU sweatshirt the next day. :)

One of the other spirit days that week was Pajama/Crazy Day.  I think you're supposed to be able to choose whichever you want to dress for.  Well... Cadi dressed for both!  It kind of evolved and kept getting more and more crazy, as you'll see in the pics.  (She started out just wearing PJs inside out and backwards, then began layering... and then layered some more inside-out PJs and accessories. lol)  She wore two shoes while outside, but once inside school, she switched one shoe for a slipper and went around with one slipper/one shoe.  Her hair was crazy enough, but at school she added pens and pencils (which you can kind of see in the last pic). 

So, she was embarrassed to wear a Brady jersey, despite the fact that he is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the NFL, but she was happy to leave the house dressed like this?



Crazy Child, indeed!

Paul Cardall

Today I went to a book signing for Paul Cardall.  When he first sat down there really weren't very many people there, so we got to talk for quite a bit.  He was so nice. :)  He gave me a hug and we took a picture:



I've wanted to meet Paul for years so I'm so glad I was able to this time!  He actually came to our stake center to do a fireside a few years ago, but I was out of town that weekend. :P  But it worked out this time. :)

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UPDATE:  And this is a big one!!! 

In our talking at Deseret, we talked about several things, where I was from, our kids (Rori is close in age to his daughter), his music, etc.  I remembered to ask for a hug, I remembered to tell him that Live to Love is one of my favorite songs and never fails to move me when I hear it, I remembered to get a picture taken with him, I remembered to have him sign a couple cds, his new book, and a songbook... but I forgot to ask him something I've been wanting to ask for years!

I've been on the hunt for a piano solo arrangment of How Firm a Foundation.  It is my favorite hymn and has so much meaning to me.  A large part of my testimony is summed up in the understanding of this hymn.  It has been my strength in times when I have been afraid, felt weak, overwhelmed, etc.  I. Love. This. Hymn.  But there are just no piano arrangments for it.  I've looked, and bought/tried everything I could find.  They are all either 1) super easy, like for beginners, 2) the more traditional melody, not our LDS version, or 3) meant for choirs and the accompaniment is not good for a solo.  Disappointment.  Many years and dollars later (I seriously buy any copy of How Firm a Foundation I see, just to see if this could possibly be the one.), I still have not found an arrangement that would work for me.  I've not given up though, I still look (and buy), but I've wanted, for a long time, to ask someone, specifically Paul Cardall as he is one of my favorite LDS artists and primarily does piano solos, to consider composing one.

And with all the time we talked yesterday, I totally and completely FORGOT!  I remembered as I was in the car heading home and was tempted to turn around but thought that might be a bit much since I had already talked to him for so long and there were others visiting with him now.  I had my chance... and could only hope for another one, someday.

When I got home, I uploaded the picture I took and shared it on FB.  I tried to post it to his FB page, but I think his page doesn't allow that (understandable), but I did tag him in the pic on my profile.  Then some of my friends made comments and I also commented about my unasked question/request.  This morning I checked my e-mail...

AND PAUL CARDALL RESPONDED!  He commented on the pic and said he would work on that song for me!!!  I realize he is busy, probably has many projects to work on already, this could end up being something he forgets or simply never has time to get around to.  And if he does, it may be years down the road... I'm telling myself this so I don't get too many of my hopes up. lol  But, there is a chance!  And he at least has heard my request and said he'd work on it!  Reading his comment totally made my day!  I was giddy like a school girl, literally ran down the hall to Ryan, giggling and jumping up and down.  (I want to say it's because I was still waking up and pretend like I wouldn't have been so childish if I had been more awake, but let's be honest... I totally would have! LOL)

So, here's to hoping!  And here's to Paul Cardall, I'm telling you, he is AWESOME!  (For so many reasons!)

Now, you may have noticed up in that pic that there was another person in the background... yeah, that garnered a few comments from my family and friends. lol  And so my friend, Heffalump, worked some magic, and now one of my best friends was there at Deseret with me instead!  ....



I admit, I much prefer this version! lol

"We love you, but please don't share your cold or flu with us." ~ Bishopric member, at the beginning of church today.

As I sit in the 2nd row, sick with a cold. I wouldn't have come - any other Sunday of the year, I probably would not have been there. But I could not stay home! So, I drugged myself up to keep the coughing, sniffling, and sneezing to a minimum (which worked - I didn't sneeze at all and only coughed once or twice, no runny or stuffy nose, so hopefully far fewer germs spread) and went to church selfishly.

Today was Aurora's first Primary Program. And today was Acadia's last Primary Program. I also think that today was the best Primary Program I've ever been to! The children sang every song loud and clear, they sang from their hearts, they knew what they were singing and meant it! It was powerful!

The Primary opened with one of my favorites, a new song this year, called, "I Know That My Savior Loves Me".

Aurora was the very first speaker and I'm not sure anyone knows what she said, despite the fact that we've practiced every morning for the last 3 weeks. lol Hopefully they caught enough words to figure it out (John 3:16). lol She did really well with the songs though, sang along and knew most of the words. She needed a bit of help staying reverent near the end, which I suppose is to be expected since she is a Sunbeam and isn't used to being up on the stand for so long. Overall, she did well though. She has a new Primary teacher as of today and I am excited for her! Though, I'm offering extra prayers for the teacher... she'll need them! But Rori's getting better, learning how to be more patient, channeling her energy better, etc. ;)

Acadia had two speaking parts and sang in two special musical numbers. One was with all of the Activity Day girls, singing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" and the other was with two boys in her class singing "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus", they sang the lines of the verses as solos and then the rest of the primary joined in for the choruses. She sang beautifully and several people commented on how lovely her voice is. *trying not to be too proud, but it's hard not to be!*

I shouldn't have been there but can't bring myself to regret going. It was a wonderful presentation and I'm so glad I was there for it! :)

*I did leave right after the program and I'm going to take a nap now before Ryan and the girls get home. ;)

2nd Annual RS Beach Retreat

We have started what we hope will be a new tradition in our ward, to have a beach retreat in October for the ladies in our ward.  Last year, we had 9 Relief Society sisters.  This weekend, we had 14.  The idea is catching on and it's great! 

We had watched the forecast and expected rain for pretty much the entire time, but we were pleasantly surprised to find Friday rain-free during daylight hours!  It was overcast at first, and we thought ourselves lucky, then the sun came out and we felt a little spoiled! lol







During our first walk on the beach, we spotted a large log being tossed in the waves.  From afar, it looked like the Lochness Monster playing in the surf!  So naturally, we named it Nessie and when the tide went out, leaving Nessie firmly fixed on shore for at least a few hours, we had fun climbing and playing on her. 



As more of the Relief Society ladies arrived, we went back down to the beach for another walk.  The sun was still out a little, but the clouds were gathering, and the wind was picking up.  We still had fun!







Susan and Christi were like little kids: jumping on sand dunes, splashing in the water, and chasing the seagulls. lol



That evening, the rest of the ladies arrived and we enjoyed great food, fun games, and lots of laughter!  It was so much fun!!!



The next day was rainy, but that didn't stop us from heading to the beach one last time.  While there, we came across what appeared to be an injured bird.  One of the ladies tried to notify the proper authorities but could only get a voicemail.  :S 



In the meantime, said our good-byes to the beach and started back home to our families.  It was a great retreat and once again, I can't wait for the next one! :)

That Kind of Faith

My sister posted on her Facebook status: "Are you going to take this experience with grace? Are you going trust me?" 

Then she went on to explain:  This is what a lady I know heard Heavenly Father say to her after she'd been robbed at gun point and shot at in her own driveway (a few blocks from me) this week. "You're on," she said.

I don't know anything else about that situation, but I kept thinking of this song, "That Kind of Faith", by Hilary Weeks:




We are not likely to be asked to sacrifice our child, but like my sister's friend, we often find ourselves in hard situations.  They can be painful, horrific, and sometimes we think there is no sense of it.  But if we will trust God and take it with grace, He can turn any situation into one that we realize we needed and are grateful for. 

That is the kind of faith I am striving for.

That Kind of Faith lyrics:

He rose up early in the morning, light of day breaking through the dark.
He was headed on a journey, so afraid that how it ended would surely break his heart.How could he break the news to Sarah?  Afterall, Isaac was their only son.
How long they both had waited, for a hundred years they'd waited, just to have it all undone.

Surely, God wouldn't make a promise he would break,
And Abraham, with that kind of faith, obeyed.

Three days journey to Moriah, Abraham knelt before the Lord.The sacrifice in place, he looked into his son's face,
Never had he doubted before.

Surely, God wouldn't make a promise he would break,
And Abraham, with that kind of faith,
Came to the alter, turning his will to the Father,
Finding the courage somehow, he raised up his hand,
To follow God's command, trusting beyond every doubt.

"Lay not thy hand upon the boy", those precious words came from above.
"I promise he will live and in blessing I will bless thee; forever worlds to come."

Surely, God wouldn't make a promise he would break.
And Abraham put him to the test.
Heaven above, please show me the way,
That I may live with that kind of faith.
Oh, that I may live with that kind of faith

Horse Fail

Rori climbed on my back and told me I was her horse while I was laying on the bed talking to Ryan. After a few minutes, she climbed off and offended, said, "Horsies don't talk!" and began to leave. I answered, "I'm going to talk... but I love you." She said, "Love you, too," and I resumed talking to Ryan. Again, I hear her say, "Horses DON'T talk!" "Rori, I'm going to talk." "THEY DON'T TALK!" ... and she stormed off.

Better Together

Yesterday, Ryan and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary.  I love him! 

On my birthday, back in July, my friend and neighbor, Kaitlyn, made me two friendship bracelets.  She does this occasionally and I'm always happy to wear them.  This time, she made me two: one in greens, the other in blues.  You see, she knows me well!  The green represented me, the blue represented Ryan.  Typically, these bracelets stay on for about 2-3 weeks before they fall off.  But this time, I asked for them to be tied onto my wrist together, in one knot.  It has been almost 3 months, and they are still there!



I have a theory, of course. 

I think that when these two bracelets were tied on together, the knot became stronger, enabling them to hold on 10 times (so far) longer than one bracelet normally holds on by itself.  And I think it's mighty appropriate!  I know that I am far stronger and much better when I'm by Ryan's side.  He makes me a better person, and if I do say so myself, I think I make him a better person, too.

Simply put: We are Better Together.