Another Change of Position

First of all, a little housekeeping.  I love getting comments so much!  And I'm not sure what happened, but for the last several weeks when I go to publish a comment, it disappears!  The only thing I can think of is that I'm doing it from my phone and this somehow sends the comment into oblivion.  So I apologize if it appears that I am ignoring comments--I'm going to just save publication for when I am on the computer!

Anyway.

So I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had been so sick for a long time.  During this time I discovered that some new treatment I've been doing (which I will likely blog about later) has resulted in my immune system being weakened.

This treatment is likely to continue for the next several months and among all of the thoughts that went through my head was what am I going to do about my nursery calling?

Well, apparently Heavenly Father answers nonverbal prayers because as the next Sunday approached, I found out I was being released.  While meeting with a member of our bishopric, he told me that he wasn't sure why but that he just felt like it was time for me to move on from nursery.  I then disclosed all that had happened in the last month and told him I felt like it was truly an inspired release!

The few days leading up to being released, I wondered what new position I would be called in to.  It wasn't even a subtle feeling: I knew I would be an Activity Days leader.  This is a calling I've held twice before, but which I felt like I had never truly magnified to its fullest.  So I wasn't surprised at all when I was called to be an Activity Day leader.

I figured out that I have served in nursery for a total of 6 years.  I was in nursery with both of my children, and, though we haven't moved in four years, I have served in 3 different wards in that time frame.  Needless to say, it was time for a change.  Awhile ago I was feeling a little glum that I wasn't given the opportunity to serve elsewhere and I realized that there was probably still something that I needed to learn.  It was after this that I truly started thinking about why we have nursery.  Sure it is a convenience for parents to be able to attend their own Sunday classes but then I also realized that nursery is really a child's first exposure to Sunday worship and also a time when they are developing independence from their parents.  After this I looked on the calling with a bit more appreciation and that I wasn't just 'Stuck' in there.  These feelings and realizations all really just developed over the last few months and so, therefore, I am even more convinced that my time serving in that calling was more about my personal development, faith, and testimony--just as it should be.  I had finally learned what I needed to and it was time for me to move on.

I'm excited to serve with older girls now.  Activity Days has to be one of the funnest callings offered in our church.  And it has been so nice going to classes on Sunday with 'big people.'  I was nervous about how Boy would react when he realized I was leaving and he was staying, but he's done really, really well!  But there is also a part of me that actually misses all of my little friends and the relationships I formed with the other leaders and parents.  I am grateful to be able to look forward to new friendships!

Rock Walls and Waterfalls

We had an ambitious project for our yard this year that was a result of us simply wanting to get our garden in.  As S and I tried to plan the layout of our garden boxes, we realized that the slope of our terraces was too great and would eventually lead to erosion.  After running various ideas past each other, we ultimately decided that we would have to add a third layer of boulders to our existing walls in order to bring the grade up.  While we were at it, we decided to have our water feature installed so we wouldn't have to worry about it later.  As it turns out, the water feature ended up being the major project and raising our walls was almost secondary.

Boy loves tractors right now so you can imagine he was in heaven for the few days S and his friends were working.

The beginnings of our waterfall:

You can probably tell between the first picture (with Boy) and this following picture the difference in elevation.  S and I are really happy with the results.  I would say I wish we had done it that way to begin with but then we probably would have never gotten around to doing our waterfall...

...which turned out incredible.  The light is really harsh so it's hard to tell the detail from the following picture, but it looks (and more importantly, sounds) amazing.  I can't wait to get the surrounding landscaping finished.

Bean and Boy have wasted no time going and digging in their new 'sandbox.'  And Boy was elated when he discovered he could throw rocks in our new river, just like the one at the cabin.

Bean Starts Kindergarten

One of the biggest recent changes in our lives has been that Bean started Kindergarten!  I still can't believe it!  I don't know who was more excited for her to start: her or me. I just remember loving Kindergarten so much and I couldn't wait for her to have the opportunity to go.  

Our first day was a little more emotional than either of us had expected, I think.  S was working which was kind of a bummer, but Bean bounced out of bed that morning exclaiming: "MOM!! I get to go to school today!"  

Things were fine for me until (and I know this is silly) I saw the crosswalk lights blinking and I realized this was really happening and, yes, I got emotional.  I'm glad I was sitting in the front seat of the car with sunglasses on.

Things were fine for Bean until it was time for her to go into the playground.  She clung to me like I have never seen before.  She wanted me to walk her into her class, which I couldn't do.  I helped her line up with the other students and as I went to take a picture of her in line, she turned her head and I could tell she was crying.  Then she ran up to me and, in the tiniest little voice, said, 'Can I tell you goodbye one more time?'  It was so sweet and heartbreaking all at once.  I watched as my little girl walked off to her new great adventure.  She seemed so small to me all of a sudden.  

But it has a happy ending.  Fast forward 2 hours to pick-up time and I was so excited to see her.  Bean in this time had forgotten I existed and, when she finally noticed I was there to pick her up, refused to come out of the playground.  I finally had to go get her and tell her it was time to go, which made me the least popular person in her mind.  So I guess when I say she had a happy ending, I mean rather that she adjusted to Kindergarten really quickly!

July in a Nutshell

July was a busy month for us!  We started off the 4th of July weekend by going to one of my favorite places in Utah: Fish Lake.  (Pictured below is actually Johnson Reservoir, which is just north of Fish Lake.)  Our friends invited us to go up with their families to do some camping and fishing.  It is so beautiful up there.  It was S's first time going and I was really excited for him to visit the area that I had been to so many times while I was a child.

We found out that the small town of Koosharem, not too far from Fish Lake, was having their 4th of July festivities.  We went and watched their parade in the morning.  I love small town parades...

I posted this picture on Instagram and, only after someone commented on the hilarious mistake I made did I notice it.  I looked at this picture several times before I put it on Instagram and didn't notice anything funny about it...  Anyway, I love this old firetruck and volunteer fire departments almost as much as I love small town parades.

Unfortunately the night of the 4th I started getting sick and, unfortunately, I would remain sick the rest of the month.  Our second camping trip had actually been cancelled already and, after being so sick, I was really glad.  It felt good to just stay home and rest.

The day after we got back from Fish Lake was Boy's second birthday!  As I said, I wasn't feeling well that day, but it was kind of nice to just lay on the couch and watch Boy open his presents.  After presents were done I watched the Lego Movie with him and Bean.  It was actually a pretty great day.

The best present that Boy received by far was his bubble-blowing lawn mower.  He and Bean played with it ALL morning..

That night we went over to Gma/Gpa H's for dinner where Boy received his other favorite gift:

So this has been the post-birthday scene at our house:

I would say Bean really lucked out as well!

Towards the end of the month S had a great opportunity to go on a road trip with his dad and brother to see their team (the Pirates) play the Rockies in Denver.  I was so happy that he was able to go and I hope they continue this tradition every year.  I might be the slightest bit envious, but only because I love going to baseball games.

Our change of plans for the month of July allowed us to make it up to the cabin a few more times than we were planning on.  No complaining here!  It's sad that our season up there is almost over.

On one of our trips we took the kiddos up to see Provo River Falls.  In between falls there is this great little place for the kids to play in shallow (AND COLD!) water.

It wouldn't be July without a few fireworks.  After an impromptu barbecue at my in-laws, I broke out sparklers for the kids.  It was Boy's first time and, if this was any indication, he is going to be fascinated by fire, just like his daddy.