It's Hot!

First of all, you now you are true Phoenician when you comment that it's feeling a "little" hot, and then you look at your car thermostat and realize its 116! There is something seriously wrong with that!! I don't remember it being this hot in June. I guess that's payback for a great May!
Tuesday I had to toughen up and run my errands, that would soon be backing up, if I didn't suck it up and walk around on my ankle. I finally made it to the book store to return The Holy Secret, for a new one. The first one I bought had several blank pages half way through the book, and I have been dying to finish it. The first half was better! OK...I still have the last quarter to go. Our next stop was Chick-filet. The kids all had a great time, including Sophia. Our next stop was Target for a quick return and some more pillows for the fire pit bench, and the final stop was Micheal's. I finally bought baskets to hold all of Aubrie's toys that were creeping out from under her bed. It looks much better now! Tuesday night Ben's sisters came over for some cards (they flew in Monday afternoon) and visiting. They left early, around 10:00. My ankle was hurting me pretty bad by the end of the day, and I was happy to get in bed and let it rest.

Spaghetti night!! Aubrie got the Special Plate to celebrate her recital (a few day's late).
HMMM!!!

Wednesday I didn't have mutual, which was a little weird. What to do with the free time? Hmmmm......I much needed some alone time and a pedicure, so Ben came home a little early, and I headed off to the nail salon. Aubrie begged to go, but Ben insisted I go alone! When I walked in, there was Ben's sisters and his Mom. What were the chances? So much for my alone time..LOL! It was fun visiting with the girls a bit, even though I didn't get to enjoy the massage (my favorite part), but since I didn't end up paying I can't complain. After telling the lady about the 4th of July theme I wanted on my toes, most of us ended up walking out of there with patriotic toes. I then rushed off to Sams for a few essentials, and then I swung by the house to take Boston to get a birthday present for his friend. It took Boston 30 LONG minutes in the Walmart toy aisle to figure out what to get Brigham. After he made his crucial decision (LOL) we swung by the game area of Walmart and I made a date out of it! LOL

Thursday Boston had fun at his friend's Pump it Up party, and we were excited about our new neighbors who were moving in across the street. Nothing like moving in 115 degree weather! They have a 5 year old and 7 year old, and are very friendly !! In the evening, we headed over to Ben's parent's for dinner and swimming. On the way the kids were complaining that their new pool was boring, and I couldn't help but laugh. They sure got spoiled with their old place. I knew they would end up having fun, and they did. Even Boston made lemons into lemonade, since he couldn't swim. He came out and just threw around squishy balls and played some basketball. After swimming and gifts, he danced for everyone. He was cracking them up with his moves! He has the greatest rhythm for a 6 year old boy! Sophia did very well, and went down at their house for a few hours, and then transferred wonderfully. Thanks, Sophia!!!:)

Friday we had the Frandsen kids over, minus Analiese (sure I just slaughtered the spelling). The kids have a great time playing with them. They are like family. Usually Ethan and Andrew play, and Boston fits right in with the girls. They spent an hour playing Wii and the rest of the time swimming. Poor Boston had to sit out, and I think he finally hit his breaking point. It was the first I heard him complain about not swimming. Friday night we had our first Ward Social. It was a mixer, and provided opportunities to meet a lot of new people. After the party, Ben and I got ice cream with a newer couple in the ward and hung out at their house for a bit.

Saturday stayed busy. It started with me rounding up all the kids for the Primary Pool Party. They had it at Sunrise Mountain pool. The kids love that place because of the big slide. Sophia was a big fan, so Ben came by and took her home early. The kids had a great time, especially Boston, since he could finally swim. The party was combined with Pleasant Valley, so I got to catch up with people from the old ward. I'll take any chance I can get.

Goodbye Chlorine! Splishin' & a Splashin' Waterlogged?Hard Run down the slide?

The party was over around Noon, and then I ran to Walmart to get a few things for dinner and my lesson. Aubrie and Boston came, and brought their wallets ready to buy something. After spending way too much time in the clothing department, Aubrie finally decided to save her money. The evening included; making dinner for a friend who just had her baby, getting to hold that baby:), preparing my lesson, more swimming, and another visit from Ben's sisters.

7:00 came early this morning! We rushed around to get ready for church and made it there in plenty of time for a soft seat! The kids headed my "warnings" I gave at FHE about their behavior during Sacrament meeting. They were sure to behave themselves, so they wouldn't have to sit on the couch, for an hour, at home!;) My lesson went well! The Mia Maids didn't have a lesson prepared, so they combined both of the classes. I was actually fine with it, because a lesson is a lesson. I didn't have enough of the cute little candles for everyone though..bummer! On my way out to the car, one of the teachers in Junior Primary got me aside and told me Boston was cracking them up today. He said that that the kids were all acting up during sharing time and Boston said really LOUD, "Hey, everyone stop talking and be reverent so we can get this over with!" Ha!! That boy is always cracking people up.

The box always ends up being the winner!

Ask and You Shall Recieve!

So this week I am believer! Ok...I guess I have always been a believer. But when you pray for something and you see those prayers answered, almost immediately, it's a nice feeling to know that you have a loving Heavenly Father watching out for you and wanting to help you with even your smallest desires.
As I have already posted, our great ward was split a few weeks ago, and we became a part of the newly formed West Wing Ward! So my calling in YW was no longer, and I was waiting in the trenches for my new calling. I must admit that I prayed several time that I could get the same calling (is that wrong?), and to be honest, nothing else really seemed right when I thought about it. Of course, that could do something with the fact that I LOVE Young Women's, but really it felt a little more than that. So on Tuesday, when one of the Bishopric came over to my house to extend me a calling, other than Young Women's, I was a little shocked and disappointed. The other calling worked with the Youth, but it wasn't in the same program. I accepted it, thinking that Heavenly Father wanted me to stretch my wings in other areas, and even started preparing a little. Really, it was a calling that I thought I would really enjoy. However, all night long ( I was very tired the next day) I just tossed and turned over the call. Just a quick side note. I have had other callings I wasn't necessarily thrilled about, buy I always felt calm and ready to serve in it. So anyway, the next morning I called that same counselor and after explaining some of my trepidations, he told me that the Bishopric prayed about it some more and they thought I should be a Laurel Advisor, the same calling I had before! One answered prayer!
As I was preparing my lesson for Young Women's, they didn't waste anytime, I wanted to find some great information to better help the girls understand a specific topic. I said a little prayer and within minutes I stumbled on a P-E-R-F-E-C-T Ensign article. Then I really wanted to find the perfect handouts (I'm a sucker for handouts) and I stumbled on the best deal of the century on little candles (see Matthew 5 for further understanding) and was so elated! Then the night before my lesson I said one last prayer that I would be able to impart anything he would want me to say, and instantly I thought of something I NEVER thought of before relating to the topic! More prayers answered.
Also, last night, I prayed that Sophia (and the other kids) would be good in Sacrament and the rest of church so we could listen to the speakers. I don't' know why I hadn't thought of that before. Of course, I've often found myself saying a silent prayer in the middle of the meeting that my kids would behave before I wrang their little necks (I really do LoVe them!;) but that never seemed to work. Anyway, wouldn't you know, the kids were ANGELS, Sophia made it all the way through Sacrament meeting (not completely quite, but just being able to keep her in there was HUGE progress) and to top things off, she fell asleep on Ben during Elders Quorum. If you know anything about Sophia, you would know that is a miracle within itself. That child will not fall asleep on you to save her life, and I think the last time that happened was when she was 7 months old! More Answers!!!
Ok...So these aren't the only prayers I have had answered in my life. He has answered so many countless prayers. I'm sure just as many in a week if not more than this one. But the difference is that this week I instantly took notice, and gave thanks! That's what's really important. When we, as parents, give our children things they ask for (or don't ask for), don't we want them to "take notice" and give us thanks! May we all take time to recognize his tender mercies. I know that I am committed to making a bigger effort!