Primary Program...and then some

This is a random and certainly non-cohesive post about my random feelings.....enjoy :)

This weekend was crazy.  On top of the regular stuff we had a program practice, Ainsley's recital, Trunk or Treat, the primary program, and John worked most of Saturday and even Sunday evening after church.  I have been a bit of a negative Nelly lately.  I think I'm just tired.  With John being gone all of the time I think I just dread all that I know I have to accomplish on my own each week.  How do single parents or people with husbands that always work tons do it!?  I've been struggling trying to get everything done.  Every week it's something else I dread doing alond, this week I'm dreading getting the yard all taken care of and ready for winter by myself.  I'm more than a little anxious for his trial to end. 

I've been negative about my calling lately too.  I would say that being in the Primary presidency is a busy calling, but it's no where near as demanding as Young Women's or Relief Society.  Which makes it even more pathetic that I'm such a whiner.  But within the last 3 months the primary chorister and every member of the presidency except myself has had a baby.  We have 4 newborns in our primary right now.  Not to mention the other babies that are with some of our teachers.  Needless to say my primary load has been more demanding lately as well.  I can honestly say I've never been so close to asking for a release, maybe not a release but a change.  In my opinion we do not currently have  a functioning presidency.  We are all just barely getting by.  Everyone is trying, but some things are just out of our control.  Every Sunday morning I secretly hope for a phone call saying our presidency has been released.  It has yet to come.

That brings us to today's program.  All in all it went fine.  But for some reason I came away from the experience feeling sad.  I sat by Owen during the program.  I sat there embarrassed while he was naughty during the whole performance.  It's hard having the naughty kid.  I sat watching John wrestly Emmie in the chapel.  She was just plain naughty as well.  I also sat teary eyed as Ainsley stood to do her part and had the scratchiest/frog in throat voice I've ever heard.  She's had a cold and sore throat but nothing serious enough to keep her home.  She stood at the microphone and tried to start her part over and over and she just couldn't clear her throat.  The poor girl had to say the entire 4th article of faith in a crazy voice.  She's a trooper though.  She finished proudly and didn't seem to let it bother her much.  She even got a sweet anonymous note from someone in the ward telling her she did a good job.  And for some reason it made me sad and teary.

And then on top of that, the primary program and watching the kids sing just fills my heart and makes me cry. But this year it was bitter sweet.  Maybe because my attitude about primary for months has been far from stellar. Maybe because I feel like my load at home and at church is more than I want to bear right now.  I honestly wish I was one of those people that just went about working and never complained.  Unfortunately, I guess I'm a natural born complainer.  I need to find a way to re-light the fire.  To be excited about the fact that I get to turn every gospel principle into a game.  To be happy when I pick my kids up from school and look forward to my evening with them instead of dreading the long hours that I know are ahead of me.  I want to be one of those people that are just naturally positive and happy about life.  Maybe this should be a goal of mine.  Because honestly, right now I feel like I'm doing a poor job in all areas of my life, instead of making the best of it and enjoying the ride.

Trunk or Treat 2012

I'll save my soapbox speech about Trunk or Treat for another day.  For today, here are our few pictures of this years event!

This classy picture of Owen is being included to forever remind us of the 30 minute fight he and John had about his pants.  It was a good one.

He's obviously still grumpy about it here, but it fits with the whole pirate thing so we'll go with it!

 

 Ains especially always wants me to dress up.  So I did this year.  It was actually kind of fun.

 

Ainsley's Recital

Ainsley has been taking piano for 2 months now. She has already moved out of her primer book and is doing great! She had her first recital this weekend. It was a casual recital and the kids got to dress up in their Halloween costumes. The recital was at my parents store so that was kind of cool too. My niece Bria started piano this year as well so these girls will get to perform together all year! And here are the two best pictures of the night. Seriously....these were the best.

On a bit of an unrelated note: John and I often say that our children are the worst behaved at any group gathering. this night proved no different. Emmie was a huge pain (I'll blame it on the fact that we had been running all day and had gone straight from the primary program practice to the recital, but still!) The moment when both Owen and Emmie tooted *loudly* was the moment I wanted to stand up and leave. Children are embarrassing.

5K

I ran a half marathon while I was in college.  It has been over 10 years and I haven't run a race since.  While never want to run another half marathon, I've wanted to run more...shorter...races. With a little bit of coaxing I convinced a friend to run a 5k with me.  It was just a small race at a new park right next to my house.  I think the nice/safe thing about 5k's is that most people could complete one without too much effort. The only training I did was doing a long run at least once a week.  I ran 4 miles a couple of times and so I wasn't too worried about this race.  I'm a REALLY slow runner though.  I run at the pace of a turtle.  So I was happy that my official time was 28:20.  Anything under a 10 minute mile is great for me!

The last stretch. I'm obviously a bit tired.  Probably because I ran so freakishly fast!

And now a happy shot, happy because we're done!  Now I have my eye set on a 10K this spring.  We'll see.  That one would take some training effort on my part.  Anyone want to join me?

They had a fun run following the 5k for the kids.  They got to run about 3/4 of a mile. Kort and Dan came so that Bria and Bailey could compete in the event.

 I love this picture of them finishing.

I especially love that they told us that they stopped half way through their run when they were offered water at the water station.  I can just picture them stopping and drinking for a couple minutes. And that makes me smile.



I also love that they all got medals and Owen wore his all day.  Literally.  Afterwards of course there were plenty of bounce houses and games.  It was a fun morning.

I was kind of bummed that John had to work and missed the day with us, but I was happy that my parents were able to come and have fun with the kids and I.  And I think my dad did an awesome job getting the action shots.  Stellar photography Dad!

Back Yard Baseball

John has been in the middle of a murder trial at work and the hours we are used to seeing him each week has significantly decreased.  But I love that he usually comes home and tries to enjoy some time with the kids.  I especially love this because by this point I am usually ready for a break from the kids.  On this particular night it was a quick game of baseball in the backyard.  I love that I married a great Dad!

 

A glimpse of our weekend.

Conference was actually a bit more successful for us this year.  Just a bit.  It could be in part due to the fact the my children are getting a little older.  But I like to think it was due to the fact that I copied this awesome "game" from my friend.  Owen and Ains actually sat and watched all of Sunday conference with only a small amount of fighting. 

Every time they heard one of the key words they got to choose a snack out of that bowl.  I learned that they say 'children' a lot in conference.  I had to take that bowl away after a while.  It was fun and no one bugged me for a snack all day!  Except for maybe Emmie who had no interest in the game.  Maybe next year.

Emmie's First Fieldtrip

Emmie isn't old enough for preschool this year.  But lucky for us....there is a Joy school group in our neighborhood and they invited some of the younger kids to join them on monthly field trips.  This month was a trip to Linder Farms.  I think Emmie had a lot of fun.  It was strange for me to just have Emmie and not a baby strapped to me.  Good strange :)

There was a petting zoo there and Emmie loved it!  She wasn't scared of the animals at all. There were goats, sheep, bunnies, pigs, chickens, and ducks. She loved all of them.  She was so cute running around to all the animals and petting them and calling after them.  I hate to say this but she might be the child that one day convinces me to get a dog.  Maybe.

 

Here is our little group heading out on our hay ride through the corn and pumpkin fields.  I think the quote of the day was when after riding and being surrounded by corn for quite some time one kid spoke up and said, "Hey, there's corn."  Ah, kids.  Their level of observance never ceases to amaze me.

Emmie chose a great pumpkin don't you think?!