Mixed Feelings

What a crazy week this has been.

First (before I talk about basketball), I want to talk about Church.  Today I was released as Primary President after serving for over 4 years.  

***SIDE NOTE***I thought it was 5 years, but looking back, I was called the beginning of January but not sustained until the first week of February.  In my defense, I was the Cub Master in scouting less than 2 months after moving to Dubois (Aug. 2003) & the Valiant 11 teacher for a year, then on to Primary pianist for 2 years, Primary chorister for 3 years, & then Primary President for the last 4 years.  (I was Cub Master--& chorister--until a few months after I was called as president)  So I just know I've been in Primary for a very long time ;)   I guess the timeline just blurred together :D

I had a feeling in November that I was going to be released, but when it didn't happen (& that's when we plan 2014--the whole year & put together birthday presents), I thought maybe it wouldn't happen.  But last week the bishop called me in to let me know of the changes.  I had just one question:  who was the new Primary President going to be--because I couldn't turn the kids over to just anyone!  When he told me it was Carrie May, I immediately was relieved because she is such an awesome lady!  (Probably would have felt that way with most of the ladies I know)

So all week I was feeling a bit funky & anxious as I was trying to gather all the primary stuff I have & de-junk my primary bag.  As I was looking at all that I've been responsible for, I was feeling a bit panicky because I didn't get "everything" done/accomplished with the kids.  But I know that it's impossible to get everything done with most things.  And I know I've done the best I could--I just love all the kids so much & will miss being with them each week.  

I have felt happiness, sorrow, joy, confusion, peace, frustration, contentment & so much more the past years I have served with the various ladies & children in our community.  I also realized how many responsibilities & "hats" I have been wearing--especially the past 4 years as Primary President.  

So this morning was my last week have early meeting (Ward Council)!  I have to admit, it felt a little weird to be talking about upcoming Primary events & concerns about kids, families, etc. when I knew I was getting released in another hour.  I was able to finish out the day in Primary, so the new presidency could sit in & see how sharing/singing time runs.  I was able to bear my testimony to the kids & say good-bye.   I testified of Heavenly Father's love for each of them & how he knows them individually.  I also told them about feeling anxious during the week, but as soon as I was released, I had a peaceful, warm feeling come over me & I felt at ease--knowing that all of this is part of Heavenly Father's plan.  (I also identified that feeling as the Holy Ghost--something that is sometimes overlooked about teaching children what some of their feelings are).  And of course--I cried.

This is the little note/candy we gave the kids--trying to express our love.

So for at least one week--I do not have a primary calling.  I can't quite say I don't have a calling, because I am still the assistant camp director for the YW's girl's camp.  But I was told not to get too comfortable--especially in our small ward.

I still have some "responsibilities" this coming week:  Cleaning out the primary closets (at least 1/3 of the stuff in the closets are my personal stuff I have used since I was chorister.  some of the stuff I will just leave for the new presidency);  Meeting with the new presidency & letting them know of the many things they need to do (Cub Scouts alone as a member of the Primary presidency is a lot, not to mention being in charge of the 11-year old scouts, the Faith in God program, Priesthood Preview, ward council, and so many other things!).  But I know we are turning things over to a loving group of women & I am at peace.

5 Second Rule fun

 Pamela, Tiffany & Ethan spent the long weekend with us in Dubois.

 Tiffany & Ethan brought the game "5 Second Rule" so we sat down Sunday evening & learned how to play it.  We laughed & had a fun time naming 3 things in 5 seconds (whatever was on the card).

 Ben--I don't think that Tiffany & Ethan need any help kissing :D  We should have used the timer for these two ;)

 We also did a lot of wedding shopping & planning over the weekend.  Less than 8 weeks before the wedding!

 Ben wanted me to take of picture of him sleeping--ha, ha.  In his church clothes :D

 Callum, Brienna & Zane.  I tried to take candid shots of everyone playing the game, but Zane had to pose each time.

It has been a great weekend--and loud.  We have a small house so when 10 people get playing a game, laughing & talking, it's hard to find any peace & quiet!  But I love it!

Valentine's Day Weekend

 Since we didn't have school last Thursday, they made this past Thursday (the 13th) our parent teacher conference day so parties were moved up to before lunch since we had early release.  (We are on a 4-day school week)

 So I had already signed up to help with Emmalee's party (had a few games for them & a treat).

 This was the heart bean bag relay we played in the gym.

 They had to walk or hop with the bean bag between their knees.

 It was a lot harder than we thought, so we allowed them to put it higher between their legs.  But it gave them some time to get their energy out!

 Emmalee with her Valentines & treats.

 I wanted to leave early enough so I could be at Ben's party for the last 20 minutes or so, but ended up only getting there 10 minutes before the end of pre-school.

And they kids were already finished with the party & had their coats on to come home.  So this is Ben's Valentine treasures!

On Friday, Rusty got up early (as usual) & cleaned the kitchen for me!  I have been sick on & off the past 3 weeks, so things seem to pile up quickly.  That was the best Valentine's present ever!

Then I did piano lessons for Ben & Emmalee (which doesn't happen as regular/often as it should) & got ready to go to town.  Emmalee really wanted to come with me (claims I never take her to town--which is true) so I warned her it would be a day full of shopping.  She insisted she wouldn't complain so I brought her along.  I went to Chesbro Music store to find more piano music for my students.  I was done in about 1 hour (Emmalee did get a little tired/bored there, but I just had her sit by my feet while I looked thru the books).  Then we went grocery shopping at WinCo--hadn't been there for about 2 months!  Afterwards we met up with Pamela at Wal-Mart where we were supposed to meet up with Ethan & Tiffany.  But they were running late (Ethan forgot to pack the night before so had to pack after his class) so Pamela & I were just in the check-out line when Ethan & Tiffany made it to IF.  

So we all went to Michael's, Zurchers, & the other Wal-Mart to wedding shop.  We got flowers & a lot of the stuff we'll need for the wedding.  Tons of fun but super tiring (especially since I'm still not 100% from my numerous illnesses over the past month).  Made it home around 8 & spent an hour putting stuff away.  

Another great Valentine's present--the kids cleaned the living room & vacuumed (which I must admit hadn't been vacuumed for at least 2 weeks).  

Rusty & I went on a date on Saturday after Emmalee's Little Bobcat basketball.  We went to Famous Dave's BBQ--which was yummy, but not as delicious as Texas Roadhouse (can't beat those rolls) & it was pricier.  Afterwards we went to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things & then went to the "thrift store & thrift movie".  Gotta love DI--found an outfit & a few other treasures.  Then we watched "Catching Fire" & headed home.  I did give Rusty some starbursts (he's the star of my life) & Reese's pieces (I'd go to pieces without him) & he gave me some sugar-free candy (you don't have to have sugar to be sweet).  

Emmalee--Little Bobcat & Birds

 Emmalee has good form!  She is loving playing Little Bobcats!

 They will finish up with Little Bobcats the end of this month.

 The other day I saw a few different birds in our backyard.  Here is the blue jay.

 Stellar Jay

 The blue jay on the sunflowers & the stellar jay on the top of the fence.

And we had a flicker that chased the other birds away.

Video--Clark Co. vs. North Gem JV Game

Not sure if this video will work or not, but this is Zane at North Gem in the JV game (he is #33 in black & traps a N. Gem player causing a turn-over & then makes a 3-point).

We only ended up playing 2 quarters for the JV game for a few reasons:  1--We only had 9 boys able to dress down for both varsity & JV.  And 2--We were late getting to the game.

The reason we were late getting to the game?  The bus broke down about 30 miles from Bancroft (North Gem).  They were able to pull into the Flying J at McCammon & Stephanie Eddins called me.  I was just south of Pocatello (about 15 minutes away) & she said with me, there were 4 vehicles with the bus & they might try to carpool the boys there for the game.  I had just finished grocery shopping & had loaded all my non-refrigerated stuff into the back seat.  But a few minutes later, Stephanie called me back & said that North Gem was actually going to send a bus to pick our boys up.  Jill Grover was already heading down from Dubois with a replacement bus, but would be at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  

I acutally would have been about 5-10 minutes late for the JV game because I was running late from the shopping I had done.  Plus I had planned on stopping at McCammon to gas up (couldn't make it all the way to the game & back there without filling up).  I had the Jeep because of the snowy weather--and I'm glad I did.  Especially coming back.  I had it in 4 wheel drive until the interstate & then put it into part-time.  From Sage Junction to Dubois, the roads were pretty much snow covered.  Plus I was extremely tired & my eyes were strained from driving in the snow for so long.  I was thankful to make it back home safe & sound. 

The bad thing about being home so late (about 12:30 am) after a day of shopping is that I still had groceries to bring inside & fridge/freezer foods to put away.  But I was finally finished & ready for bed about 1:30 am.  It was a long night, but so worth it to watch the game.  Zane has played so well--especially the last 3 games.  The JV team won, 31-21, & the varsity lost (barely) 42-45.  Last time we played North Gem (at home), we lost by about 20 points (in each of the JV & varsity games).  So it was quite the turn around to beat them (JV) & be so close in the varsity.

Misc--Travel, "Beard", & More Basketball

 Pictures I found from our trip to/from Wyoming over Christmas break.  Emmalee all snuggled up in her blanket.

 Brienna reading

 And Zane driving.

I crocheted a few "beards" the past month.  I made one for Ethan (since he can't have a real beard, he can wear his crocheted one during the cold winter walks to & from class).

 And this is the one I made for Ben.  He loves having a beard!

 Ethan said this is how it was after a snow storm--since there was only sheets of ice under the fresh snow.  Winter in Rexburg is giving him quite the challenge of keeping on his feet!

 Emmalee playing during half-time at the boy's game.  This is the Little Bobcat program.

 I was able to help out the past 2 Saturdays for Little Bobcats.  It was a lot of fun, but tiring.  (I guess it didn't help that it was while I've been sick!)

 Callum (#10) warming up at the Mackay game.

 Shooting!

He was able to make a basket during the game & shoot a few other times.  I don't have a lot of still pictures of the kids playing basketball because I video their games.  I guess I should try to take a few still shots during the games too (now that the season is almost over--ha, ha!)

I'm debating on whether or not I should go to Zane's last out-of-town game tomorrow or not.  Callum has a home game at noon, & then Zane's game is about at 6 pm in Bancroft (North Gem) which is about 2 1/2 hours away.  I'm just not sure about the weather.  

It would be nice to go (Zane wants me to go) & then it would get me into town for shopping (haven't been for 2 weeks now & starting to run low on quite a few "fresh" things).  

MORP, Blessing of our Fast, & My Awesome Hubby!

Feb. 1st was MORP for our kids.  Brienna asked Chuy by putting ducks in his locker.  One the bottom of each duck was 1 letter of her name.  A bunch of the kids went to Rexburg (I think there was 12 of them) to play laser tag & eat at Pizza Pie Cafe.  Brienna didn't take any pictures, so I'm glad Lindsay took one that include Brienna in the background!

 I have been "sick" for the past couple of weeks.  I first thought I was getting bronchitis (it was in my chest, had a dry cough, & sucked on a lot of cough drops to keep my throat "wet".  And I was tired/lacked energy quite easily) so I decided to get my essential oils out & start treating myself with them.  I used Tea Tree oil & Peppermint oils & it seemed to help.  I felt better for a few days.

When I'm sick, I love my orange juice!  So when I started feeling yucky again on Sunday, I had Zane bring in 2 more cans of frozen o.j. from the freezer.  Found out it was the last 2 cans :(  But like I said, I drink a lot of o.j. when I am sick (the vitamin C really helps me).

Then on Sunday afternoon while I was watching the Super Bowl (which was quite lame, btw), I could feel a head cold (sinus cold) coming on.  I even slept for a while during the last quarter!  By Monday, I had the full-blown sinus cold & didn't do much that day (except drink orange juice, make creamy chicken noodle soup & bread).

 Sunday our church members fasted for moisture.   We have so little snow it's scary for all our ranchers & farmers in the area.  We had hardly any snow on the ground & not a lot in the mountains.  (I rode the bus to Mackay last Thursday & they hardly have any snow on that side of the mountains too).

 So Monday we started to get the snow!  And it snowed all afternoon/evening.  WE got about 1/2 foot or so.  But then the winds picked up.

So the interstate shut down Monday night & school was closed on Tuesday.  It was cold--the wind was from straight from the north.  Tuesday I was full-out sick.  It didn't help that all the kids were home, but I did get a lot of rest & laid in my bed most of the day.  I finished up the orange juice (sad) & ate the chicken noodle soup from Monday.

Wednesday the kids had school, but it was super cold--wind chill was about -35 all day.  So cold  that the kids had to be bused to the other school for lunch (our lunchroom is in the elementary building).  I did a little bit of house work (dishes, laundry, general picking up...) but still don't have a lot of energy.  Thursday we had school cancelled since it was even colder.  The winds did die down by afternoon, but it only got to about 4 above.  (this was the temperature around 8:30 Thursday morning--16 below but felt like 45 below).  All I can say is that is COLD!!

I thought that I was over being so stuffed up/nose draining today, but this morning I was all plugged up again.  I slept in until after 8 & then made some pizza dough so we could make pizza for dinner.  I didn't do much more than that except take a shower (which felt great)!  I really wanted some orange juice, so when Rusty walked to get the mail this morning (crazy guy--the wind chill was still in the -20's), he stopped by the store & bought me some more!   I have been drinking it all day.  

I think I am almost over this, because I have finally felt like doing a few more things--like blogging, & I crocheted a bit.  I haven't felt like crocheting for the past 2 weeks so I haven't made hardly anything!  I hope I am on the mend!

Basketball Game Spectators

 The family at one of the many basketball games.  (Emmalee on the lower left, Ben, Tiffany & Pamela)

 Callum & Tiffany

 Brienna & Ben

 Ethan's beautiful Tiffany :)

 Goofy Ethan & lovely Tiffany

 Grandpa Stewart & Tammie

 Ethan, Tiffany, Pamela, me, Rusty (and Emmalee in front of me with her back to the camera)

Ben's "selfie"

I have tried to make it all of Zane's basketball games.  There have only been a couple that I have missed.  I enjoy watching him & the rest of the team play.  WE have a great group of kids!

Zane's Basketball--Part 2

 Zane & Cody after the Ririe game.

 cousins playing against each other :)

Zane shooting a free throw.

 Playing against North Gem.  

Zane is the big man on the court.  I still find it hard to believe that Zane plays post--& is one of the bigger boys on the team.  He has been scoring about 5-10 points a game.  Usually at least 1 three-pointer too.