Happy Clean Living

He's Here! James Dalton

2012-01-27T15:25:00.001-07:00

I'm a Great Aunt!

January 26, 2012

James Dalton arrived

Weighing 6 pounds 7 Ounces

Proud parents: Jerry and Taylor

James is beautiful!

Both Mom and James are healthy and happy.

My Brother Lyle is Grandpa.

Lots of dark hair.

I'm so happy for their little family.

Taylor gets to take 3 months off of work to bond with her baby, which is such a nice benefit.

I'm hoping that when Taylor starts back to work that Aunt Sondra will get to babysit now and then. I can't wait!

Way Back Wednesday: When Snow was Fun

2012-01-25T23:20:00.001-07:00

I remember when we couldn't wait for it to snow.

My boys would go out and build a snowman.

Brady age 3 in Salt Lake City. It must be October because their are ghosts in the tree and ducks in the yard.

Brady is such a cutie!

Brady age 7.

Now .... when it snows we aren't that excited anymore.

We're old.

And we have to drive in it.

No more snowmen to be built.

*sniffle. ... they grow up too fast.

Sometimes it's not fun when your children aren't playing in the snow anymore

AND there aren't any snowmen in your yard.

Primary 2 Lesson 5

2012-01-25T22:58:00.001-07:00

Primary 2 Manual

Lesson 5

I Can Make Right Choices

Journal Page

Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right coloring page from January 2012 Friend here:

Coloring page from December 2008 Friend, PDF file page 13 here (print only page 13):

Choices Maze from the February 2005 PDF Friend, Page 26 here (print only page 26):

I liked this maze for making the right choice to gain Eternal Life, from the March 2007 Friend here:

I Am Accountable for My Choices puzzle from the February 2000 Friend here:

Choose the Right door hanger from the October 2002 Friend here:

CTR 7 Primary Class 2012

2012-01-23T10:34:00.003-07:00

The first day of my 2012 Primary class, I decided to take a picture of the children with their new binders. I had 9 out of 12 students there. Pretty good for a holiday, January 1, 2012

Shelby, Hyrum, Baron

Shelby is one of the youngest in the class and it's taking her some time to warm up to me. Finally during the 3rd class she spoke and had a smile. Yea!

Tyson, Seth and Brox

Jaylynn, Kendell and Lyndsy

We were missing 3 students. But Josey came yesterday and she is a darling little girl. Next week I'll remember to bring my camera and take a pictures of her.

This year I was warned that this class would be a handful and I would need a team teacher. However, they have been perfect. But, I am a very strict but loving teacher with set rules that must be followed.

I always start the first class telling them that they are not babies anymore. They have moved onto Senior Primary and they need to act that way. I told them that we are going to have a very special year getting ready to be baptised.

Then I tell them our class rules. and put a copy on the board. I had to make 4 rules this year:

1. If you want to talk, you must raise your hand.

2. Sit in your seat like ladies and gentlemen, you are not an animal.

3. Do not touch other people, stay in your own bubble.

4. Keep your clothes on - shoes and ties.

(I had to add #4 this because last year I had a young boy that would come to class and immediately take off his tie and play with it and shoes. It drove me crazy in trying to cure him of this. So, this year I wanted to make this rule up front).

I also have the badge system - here:

I have a picture of Jesus on the outside of the door and pick a different person to invite Jesus into our classroom each week here:

Warm fuzzy jar to earn our class parties - here:

I am absolutely loving this new class - and to think I had been warned about them - snicker. I knew I could handle them. It's going to be a great year!

Yesterday I sat around and looked at all the children in Sr. Sharing Time. This is the 4th year I've been teaching the CTR 7 Baptism class. Almost everyone in the room had been in my class and it is amazing to see how much they have grown (Valiant 8, Valiant 9 and Valiant 10 class).

I LOVE PRIMARY!

Primary Class Christmas Card 2011

2012-01-23T10:18:00.001-07:00

Here is the Christmas card our Primary Presidency gave to each of the teachers in our Primary. With their own class of course:

Back row: Mady, Davin, Teija, Lacy, Carson and Kade

Front row: Ella and Ben

Missing from the photo: Kyleah, Jacob, Kindra, Sophia, Reggie

Inside the card it said:

Sharing with you the joy

of this Christmas Season.

Thanks for serving n the Primary.

Merry Christmas.

Love the Primary Presidency

Primary 2 Lesson 4

2012-01-18T21:01:00.001-07:00

Primary 2 Manual

Lesson 4

I Chose to Follow Jesus Christ

Journal Page:

Coloring sheet from Behold Your Little Ones manual, Lesson 2 here:

I am a child of God activity from the January 2004 Friend here:

Instructions on the box: Cut around the solid black line. Fold on the dotted lines to make a box. Glue the end flaps. Fold the top end flap to close the box, but don’t glue it shut. Draw or glue a picture of yourself inside the blank frame. Read the scripture reference on each side of the box.

Cut out the scripture reference strips, and place them in the box. Each day choose a reference, and mark it in your scriptures. The scriptures will remind you who you are. Share the box during family home evening.

My Life Has a Plan from the March 2008 PDF Friend, page 15 here (print only page 15):

From The Friend January 1989 "I Am A Child of God"

Plan of Happiness from The Friend January 2005.

The Creation word search from the January 2005 PDF Friend, Page 23 (print only page 23) here:

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2012-01-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963.

Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Price Acceptance Speech

Be Yourself

2012-01-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Note: I didn't write this, I found this great motivation article on my Spark Team page - it didn't say who wrote it or I would have included the author. I thought it was great and wanted to add it to my blog.

It's quite possibly the most commonly used phrase in the history of advice: Be yourself. What do they really mean when they tell you to be yourself? And is it really as easy as it sounds?

Find yourself and define yourself on your terms.

Oscar Wilde once said with his usual wit: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. As humorous as this might seem, it's a basic summation of the truth. Yet, you can't be yourself if you don't know, understand, and accept yourself first. It should be your primary goal to find this out. Find the time to dwell upon what you value and take time to consider what makes up the essence of who you are.

Contemplate your life and choices.

Try to think about what kinds of things you would or wouldn't like to do, and act accordingly; finding out through trial and error helps more than you might think it does.

Avoid fixating on the past and not letting yourself grow.

One of the most unhealthy approaches to being oneself is to make a decision that who you are is defined by a moment or period of time, after which you spend the rest of your life trying to still be that person from the past rather than someone who is still you but grows with the passing of each season and decade. Allow yourself this space to grow, to improve, to become wiser. And allow yourself to forgive past errors and past behaviors you're not so proud of. Work on accepting mistakes and choices you've made; they're done and in the past.

Stop caring about how people perceive you.

Some of them will like you and some of them won't. Either attitude is as likely to be right or wrong. It's next-to-impossible to be yourself when you're caught up in constantly wondering "Do they think I'm funny? Does she think I'm fat? Do they think I'm stupid? Am I good/clever/popular enough to be a part of their group of friends?" To be yourself, you've got to let go of these concerns and just let your behavior flow, with only your consideration of others as a filter — not their consideration of you. Being a people-pleaser or always wanting every one's love and respect is a totally pointless exercise in the end that can harm your personal development and confidence. Who cares what other people say? As Eleanor Roosevelt said once, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" and what matters most is that you listen to your own inner confidence and if it's missing, that you start developing it!

Be honest and open.

What have you got to hide? We're all imperfect, growing, learning human beings. If you feel ashamed or insecure about any aspect of yourself — and you feel that you have to hide those parts of you, whether physically or emotionally — then you have to come to terms with that and learn to convert your so-called flaws into individualistic quirks or simply as basic, down-to-earth acknowledgments of your own imperfections. Be honest with yourself, but don't beat yourself up; apply this philosophy to others, as well. There is a difference between being critical and being honest; learn to watch the way you say things to yourself and others when being honest.

Relax. Relax.

Stop worrying about the worst that could happen. So what if you fall flat on your face? Learn to laugh at yourself both when it happens and afterward. Turn it into a funny story that you can share with others. It lets them know that you're not perfect and makes you feel more at ease, too. It's also an attractive quality for someone to be able to laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously!

Treat yourself as you'd treat your own best friend.

You value your friends and those close to you; well, who is closer to you than you are? Give yourself the same kind, thoughtful, and respectful treatment that you give to other people you care about. If you had to hang out with yourself for a day, what is the most fun/enjoyable/fulfilled/calm/contented type of person you could be, while still being yourself?

Love and accept yourself as you are now, just as you do for your close ones.

Be responsible for yourself and for boosting your self-esteem.

Tell yourself you're special, wonderful, and worthwhile.

When you believe these things about yourself, others will recognize that glow of self-confidence and begin confirming your self-affirmations in no time!

Priest Quorum

2012-01-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Brady was sustained as the 1st Assistance in the Priest Quorum.

The Priest Quorum President is the Bishop, and Brady is to help the Bishop along with the rest of the Priest Quorum presidency in serving the Quorum. He'll have to attend monthly meetings with the Bishop, Quorum presidency meetings, and call/communicate with the quorum members each week for the Wednesday activity.

When Brady was asked to serve in this position, I asked Brady if he told the Bishop how busy he is right now. He didn't tell him and doesn't feel like it's a problem. I know with the Lord's help he will be able to serve diligently in this calling.

They set Brady apart during church last Sunday. I was kind of mad that they didn't grab me out of Primary to attend the blessing to set him apart. When he has been in past Y/M Presidencies they have always grabbed me to attend the blessing.

I gave Brady and the Young Men's president (who is also our home teacher and friend) a hard time for not getting me.

I told them I only have "months" left with Brady before he is on his own - "not years" - and I wanted to be there.

I was half joking with them but half serious too. I'm sad I couldn't hear the blessing he received. I love Priesthood blessings - they are the best!

One last note... Brady hasn't completed his Eagle project yet either. He has until August to get it done. (One of the things I hate about being a single mother - getting this scouting stuff done).

Brady's College Acceptance

2012-01-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Brady is going to college!

He has been accepted to attend Boise State University.

However, somehow he didn't check the appropriate box to indicate we are an Idaho residence so he was accepted as a Non-Resident for the tuition. Yikes! I called them and now have to prove I'm a resident by filling out forms and taking it to their office with my state taxes. I guess using his transcripts that says he's attended Meridian High for the past 4 years isn't good enough. Oh well, if he selects to attend BSU we'll make sure we are an Idaho resident.

We have been instructed by Church leaders to send our children away to college prior to their mission. Attending BSU is our last option. I prefer that Brady leave home for a year before his mission so that he gets over his homesickness and learn to be on his own. That way when he is on his mission he is adjusted and can just get to work.

Brady has also been accepted by University of Utah.

We are in a unique situation where Brady is "in-state" tuition in Utah and Idaho.

His father pays taxes and is resident in Utah and I pay taxes and am a resident in Idaho.

I'm disappointed that his dad hasn't even let us know that he has been accepted. The acceptance letters are mailed to his address. Thank goodness for an email from the college or we wouldn't know he's been accepted. I've tried to call his dad with no response either. (shaking head). But, I KNOW he has the letter. I wonder why this isn't an important fact to let his son know he has been accepted by calling him or texting him.. (I'll get off my soap box now).

I'm also leaning towards having him attend UofU because he can hop on a plane and fly home instead of driving.

Brady has applied for Utah State University too. Unfortunately we are in the same boat and the acceptance letter is mailed to his dad's house. I'm sure he's probably been accepted - but so far we don't know. Waiting....waiting on some kind of acknowledgement that Brady is important in the life of his dad. OK.... I'm back on my soap box.

I lived in Logan, Utah for 4 years. I loved it. I loved walking around the Logan Temple nightly with roommates. I loved being in family home evening groups. It was a fun college town and I loved every minute of living there. I know Brady will love it too if he selects to attend there.

Brigham Young University

I would love Brady to attend BYU Provo - that would be my first choice. However he received a 24 on his ACT test and to be accepted you have to have a 26 -- even though he has straight A's all 4 years.

Also, Brady has been procrastinating the application - I'm sure due to his ACT score and because he has to submit an essay on "a challenge he has had and what he has done to overcome it". Brady can't think of anything to write about. I told him to write about how his life would have been better if he had a father in his home raising him. It's a good feeling that he feels he has a perfect life - the problem is he feels it has been a blessing to be raised only by me and not his dad. I told him not to think of a full time father as Maurice but a good dad/husband and what that would have meant to his life.

As a positive person who has an optimistic view on life, I always have a problem answering questions like this in job interviews. I don't look at life about problems I have had to overcome, I look at life as wonderful and happy -- always.

Brady does the same thing.

I don't like questions like this. Brady has promised to complete this application this weekend. I hope he comes up with a good essay response.

To be accepted at BYU, Brady had to have an interview with the Bishop of our ward and a member of the Stake President. When Brady met with a member of the Stake Presidency (who is our friend and former bishop) he wanted to help Brady get accepted to BYU because Brady is such a great kid. He said he would meet with BYU's office/councilor and let them know that Brady was such a great kid and see if he could help get Brady accepted.

He was in Provo last week and met with a BYU councilor. Unfortunately Brady hasn't completed the application. When Stake Presidency met with the BYU councilor, He couldn't do anything to help out Brady because the application wasn't completed yet. I'm embarrassed that our Stake Presidency took time out of his busy schedule to help Brady when the application is incomplete. Brady promised him he would get it done this weekend.

Brady is extremely busy right now. He is up late EVERY night completing homework (11 - 12 PM), due to his Hello Dolly play practises and his heavy school schedule. He is constantly going and going.

As an example: this weekend is busy. Friday play practise until 5:00pm then he attended a birthday party and was home by midnight. This morning he is off to play practise 8:30 am until noon, then he has a Men's choir workshop 1:00 - 9:00 pm. Somewhere this weekend he needs to complete his homework, complete BYU application, work on scholarship applications, attend church and rest.

Every day I pray that he can sustain this busy schedule. But, I know he is loving every minute of it. What a way to end his high school years - with a bang!

Way Back Wednesday: Baptism

2012-01-11T17:01:00.002-07:00

I pulled out my sons baptism photos to share with my Primary class. I shared with them my baptism, but didn't have any pictures to share. I wanted to share some pictures so I brought Jason and Brady's baptism pictures for them to look at and told them about their baptism too.

I thought this would be an excellent way back Wednesday post, since I already had the pictures out of the albums. Brady and his dad Maurice. Maurice traveled from Salt Lake City to perform the baptism. Brady had to be baptised 2 times. The first time he didn't go all the way under the water.

Brady and his mom, Sondra.

I was a single mom with Jason. Since Jason didn't have a dad with the Priesthood to perform the ordinances, he asked Uncle Kurt to baptize him.

And Jason asked Uncle Kelly to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were able to reserve the church to have a private baptism for Jason. They don't allow that today, but back then they let us.

Both baptism days were wonderful. I love looking at those cute 8 year old boys. Awe!

Motivational Monday: Gratitude

2012-01-09T09:03:00.007-07:00

Dr. Michale McCollough, of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Robert Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, say their initial scientific study indicates that:

Gratitude plays a significant role in a person's sense of well-being.

The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises (such as writing in gratitude journal) resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. Additionally, the gratitude group experience less depression and stress, was more likely to help others, exercised more regularly and made more progress toward personal goals. According to the findings, people who feel grateful are also more likely to feel loved.

McCullough suggests that anyone can increase their sense of well-being and create positive social effects just from counting their blessings. (The Osgoodfile, CBS Radio Network, July 12, 2002)

People who do not feel gratitude are only cheating themselves out of happiness in life. -- Adam Smith, theory of Moral Sentiments.

Gratitude is a quality I have found in every happy person I know. It is a quality that instantly makes a person more likable and more at peace. Where there is an abundance of this virtue, there is happiness. Where there is an absence of this virtue, there is often sadness, resentment and futility .... If we only look around us, there are a thousand reason for us not to be happy ... the more we focus on the things we don't have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become. -- Joseph B. Wirthlin (Live in Thanksgiving Daily, Ensign, September 2001)

Primary 2 Lesson 13

2012-01-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Primary 2 Manual

Lesson 13

The Gift of the Holy Ghost Can Help Me

When I explain that after Baptism we have hands placed on our heads and are given a blessing where they will become members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost -- I place my hands on top of each child's head. I always feel the spirit strongly as I do this. I feel the spirit touch each of these precious children and it is so quiet as they wait for my hands to touch their head.

I also explain the importance of the ordinance of becoming a member of the church and receiving the Holy Ghost. Sometimes we only stress baptism because you are dunked in the water, when receiving the Holy Ghost is also a very significant ordinance.

Journal Page

Story at the end of lesson 13, I made it a hand out for the children to take part in reading it.

Girl receiving the Holy Ghost coloring page from the August 2007 Friend here:

Boy receiving the Holy Ghost from "Behold Your Little Ones" Manual, lesson 26 here:

Another boy coloring page receiving the Holy Ghost from August 1991 Friend here:

A Compass activity for "The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth of all things" from the June 2010 Friend here:

The Holy Ghost crossword puzzle from August 2007 Friend here:

Fill in the blank Holy Ghost activity from the August 2005 PDF Friend, page 23 here (Print only page 23):

Names of the Holy Ghost word search from the June 2010 Friend here (I cropped the word search from the page - after scanning it in. Then re-sized to fit a full page):

The Gift of the Holy Ghost scripture "fill in the blank" activity from the August 2005 Friend here:

I always love these Special Witness, this is great! What Can I do to have the Holy Ghost with me? from the November 2008 Friend here:

I love Christms Time!

2012-01-07T10:12:00.003-07:00

The holidays are really busy for me and my work schedule. In trying to fit in all the fun I can along with helping my customers prepare for their celebrations with their friends and families, I get completely exhausted. After the Christmas season and putting away all the many decorations and getting my house back to order, I complete shut down. However, I can't complete shut down because I also needed to finish preparations for the first day of my new Primary Class on January 1st. I'm starting to come out of my total exhaustion and need to catch up on my blog/journal.

I started this blog at Christmas time, but never finished it:

It seems as I get older the less rushed I feel. I have more gratitude in my Savior Jesus Christ for his love and sacrifice for me. I'm thankful to know He came to the earth to show us the way back home to our Heavenly Father. His atoning sacrifice gives me hope that even though I am not perfect, he has paid the price for me to repent and try harder each day to be like him.

December 23: Last night as the fire was burning and all the Christmas lights were glowing .... I felt happiness! I love this time of year. I love being home and the comfort it brings to me. I love preparing for Christmas and sharing the joy with my children.

December 24: Jason and Sharon will come tonight and we will have a nice dinner of Heavenly Ham, crock pot cheesy potatoes, asparagus and home made rolls. They will stay the night and in the morning we will open presents and have biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

Brady has a flight that leaves to visit his dad at 3PM Christmas Day. We will miss church at 1PM to leave for the airport. When Brady arrives to his dad's he will have another Christmas there. It should be a wonderful time for him! He will be spending the next week with his Dad.

Christmas morning we woke up to stockings filled.....

and many presents to open.

The past several years Brady is always wrapped in a blanket, laying down and opening presents. He doesn't move from the laying down position. He is such a teenager.

Sharon helped pass out presents to open.

We are blessed! The abundance of gifts were overflowing. This year I decided that spending tons of money on computer/video games for Jason and Sharon was a waste of money - so I didn't purchase any.

I opted to purchase long term gifts like:

A tool box and drill for Jason.

A camera for Sharon.

Great gifts to start their life together with.

Even though these items were NOT on their Christmas list, they were a huge hit.

Brady was spoiled this year. He did receive 2 computer games (he's still a teenager).

But his big gift was a .......

Laptop!!! He would need one in the fall anyway for college. I thought it would make a great Christmas gift. Now we have more then 1 computer in the house to fight over. Maybe I'll have more blogging time in my future *grin!

Brady also wanted new advanced levels of Piano books. He scored!

He went right to the piano and started playing... I know that you thought he would immediately start playing with his laptop, but he LOVES to play the piano more.

In every stocking was a sack of coal. We were naughty this year *giggle.

This was Brady's post in facebook:

So, I was gone last the week after Christmas and didn't have access to my wonderful Christmas stocking. Through all the candy inside, I stumbled upon a strange object last night... Apparently my ~~mom~~ Santa has had this for 3 years and kept forgetting to give it to me every year :P But now it's official, I've been somewhat naughty this year *sexily raises eyebrows*

He makes me laugh!

I received many wonderful gifts too. The one Jason was most excited to give me was "Love you Forever" book. He told me that when he read it he started to cry. He remembers me reading it to him when he was a boy and me crying and barely getting through the book.

I love when your children get older and they see you through grown up "real eyes". They begin to love you more, as they remember the good times they had growing up (of course with a fantastic mom like me (sooo humble huh?) - LOL).

I sure love my boys!

I received a tri-pod for my camera. I hope that it will help me improve in my picture taking skills this year. I'm soooo jittery.

After all the presents were open, Jason made us breakfast.... Biscuits and Gravy. It was a wonderful Christmas morning. At 1:00 pm I took Brady to the airport to visit his dad for a week.

Jason and Sharon stayed until 5:00 pm and then my house was empty. I busily started to clean up the house and prepare for a busy week of after Christmas cleaning for my customers. I also was busy putting together items for my Primary class.

It's been a wonderful Christmas season. My home is back to normal and I'm starting to recover.

2012 is here and I look forward to a fantastic New Year!

Primary 2 Lesson 3

2012-01-04T15:04:00.001-07:00

Primary 2 Manual

Lesson 3

I Am A Child Of God

In this lesson, I give each child a glove to take home. Usually the glove is a see through kitchen glove or medical glove - something simple like that and something I have on hand already. They love it! With the see through glove you use in the kitchen, I say that our spirits look just like our bodies.

Journal Page:

I Am My Heavenly Father's Child coloring activity from the February 2005 Friend here:

I Came to Earth as Part of a Family from the February 2009 Friend here:

I Am a Spirit Child of Heavenly Father coloring sheet from the January 2009 Friend here:

I Am A Child of God, And He Has A Plan For Me coloring sheet from The January 2008 Friend here:

"You are Special" word search activity from the November 2008 PDF Friend, page 27 (print page 27 only) here:

Primary 2 Lesson 2

2012-01-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

Primary 2 Manual

Lesson 2

I Can Choose The Right

Journal Page

What Does Jesus Christ Want Me To Do? activity/coloring sheet from the September 1997 Friend here:

"If The Savior Stood Beside Me" from March 2008 Friend here. I will most likely sing this song during the lesson too - here is the song.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and I will follow Him from the March 2008 Friend here:

I thought this would be a good coloring picture to "follow Jesus' teachings" from the October 2007 Friend here:

Primary 2 Lesson 12

2011-12-28T22:59:00.006-07:00

Primary 2 Lesson Manual

Lesson 12

I Can Prepare for Baptism

I should mention that I demonstrate with each children how their father/Priesthood holder will place their hands during the prayer, cover their nose and dip them like they are going under the water. It's fun to practise and the children really love this when it is their turn. You can also ask a Priesthood holder to come and demonstrate this for you. I just find it easier to do it without having to find someone to come during that part of the lesson - do what is best for you.

Journal Page:

Handout from the lesson:

Coloring page from June 2007 Friend here:

Coloring page from "Behold My Little Ones" Nursery manual here:

Coloring page from June 2011 Friend here:

Coloring page from January 2011 Friend here:

Coloring page from May 2009 Friend here:

Coloring Page from the August 2008 Friend here:

Prepare 6 large footprints for the footprint activity at the end of the lesson "We Can Prepare Now For Baptism". This year I have 12 students and wanted them all to participate. I decided to make a footprint with the question and a footprint with the picture. The picture idea would work with younger children who can't read too.

A crossword puzzle on Baptism from the August 2008 PDF Friend, page 26 (print only page 26) here.

The question and answer page from the August 2008 PDF Friend, pages 24-25 is very helpful for this lesson too. Here is the link.

Primary 2 Lesson 1

2011-12-28T22:56:00.002-07:00

Primary 2 Lesson Manual

Lesson 1

Happiness Comes from Choosing the Right

Journal Page:

Hand out from the manual:

CTR Maze from March 2004 Friend here:

Coloring page February 2006 Friend here:

I will always Choose the Right maze from the October 2005 Friend here:

CTR Game from the January 2012 Friend here:

Primary Music: Oh, What Do You Do In The Wintertime?

2011-12-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

Primary Music

Oh, What Do You Do In The Wintertime

Page 245

(The Song is from "Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime")

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime

when all the world is white?

Is that what you do?

So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the wintertime

when all the world is white?

Is that what you do?

So do I!

Christmas Seminary Devotional

2011-12-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I should be the energizer bunny during December. Going and going and going.

There is a lot to do all month long, decorating, shopping, wrapping, Christmas parties, devotionals, work, college applications, scholarship applications, school functions.. I'm tired, but I love it.

Brady gave his seminary devotional on Tuesday the 20th, the last day of school beforeChristmas break. I love seminary devotionals !!!! We just rotate through the devotionals we've done the previous years. Here is a look at what Brady has done for Christmas seminary devotional here.

I made reindeer candy canes and the book mark that explains what the candy cane represents for each of his seminary classmates - 24 this year.

And I make star sugar cookies.

It was a success and the kids loved it.

After school Brady and his friends got together and went to lunch and had a secret Santa party .

Brady received:

A Tangled piano book. He's been playing it the past few days and it getting really good. We are addicted to listening to the soundtrack to Tangled and I love hearing Brady play it on the piano too!

Primary Class Christmas Party 2011

2011-12-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

This past year has gone by fast! I can't believe I'm ending another Primary class and sending my children onto a new class. Before I send them off we had one more party - our Christmas Party.

7 out of 11 children in our Primary class came to the party. I'm always a little nervous about having a party at Christmas time. My house is decorated everywhere and it's hard to move stuff around to fit a large class. I tried to fit them all in the kitchen around our small table. It worked and they all had room to do projects.

The projects were: Puppets as shown above, wooden ornaments to color, beaded candy canes, and foam ornaments.

We ate pizza, cupcakes and cookies. I try to make it easy, especially around the holidays. The party only lasts 1 hour. I've found that if it is longer then an hour they get bored and get into trouble. 1 hour is plenty of time.

I let them eat and create until it is almost time to go. Then I had them go into the living room for their Christmas present.

I pick one child at a time to pick a package from under the tree. I wrap the boys with one type of wrapping paper and the girls with another type. Then I let them choose a present at random - I don't attach names to the packages.

They cannot open the present until everyone has been able to pick one.

Then I say .... 1 ..... 2 ...... 3 ...... Open presents.

My tradition is to give them a journal. During the whole year I give them journal pages to write in and start to journal their lives. Now that they are leaving behind our Primary Class and their binders, they all need a new - grown up journal to continue writing in a journal.

The party was awesome and the boys and girls were great! I sure love each one of them and will miss them as they move onto the next class.

I know that my new class is big again this next year - 12 children with 1 of them inactive. I understand the new class coming in is difficult to handle, so I have a team teacher.

My goal is to watch them grow this next year and learn how to act in Primary, prepare them for baptism and teach them the gospel so they will be ready for their special day.

I love teaching CTR 7!

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

2011-12-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Friday night I attended Meridian High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.

2011 - 2012 Officers:

President: Sarah (above in picture)

Vice President: Cody (above in picture)

Treasurer: Brady (in picture)

Historian: Christy

Senior Representative: Jen

Junior Representative: Danielle

Advisor: Mrs. Parshley

A short video of Brady giving his part on Service.

It was a very nice ceremony and the officers did a great job.

Meridian Idaho Temple Location Announced!

2011-12-19T22:23:00.001-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the site for its new Meridian Temple.

The new temple will be built at 7345 North Linder Road, a few blocks north of the intersection of North Linder Road and Chinden Boulevard.

The Meridian Temple is the fifth in Idaho, with other temples in Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Rexburg.

“We feel this new temple will be a great asset not only to members of the Church but also to the people of the surrounding community, who will benefit from the peace and beauty a temple brings.” said Craig Rasmussen, Idaho spokesman for the Church. “Temples are where members participate in the highest sacraments of our faith—where we make and renew promises to God and to our families.”

Once construction of the new temple begins it is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

For more information about the temple, visit www.meridianmormontemple.org.

Unexpected Thank You's

2011-12-19T22:11:00.001-07:00

There was an unexpected knock on our door the other night. Brady answered it and told the person to come in - I was making dinner. I came around the corner to see our Relief Society President , Karri holding a HUGE Poinsettia.

She was giving it to me as a "Thank You" for helping out with the ward Christmas Party. WOW! I do things to help out ... not expecting such a lavish gift. I felt very honored. She also gave me a thank you card below:

I felt the love .... I couldn't believe it!

The Poinsettia was huge! I had to figure out where to put it in my already over decorated and small living room - LOL! (Not a bad problem to have - ha ha)

I decided it could be placed on the floor next to my Christmas tree... there was perfect spot just waiting for a huge Poinsettia!

Aaaahhh the love!

I also receive another note in the mail from someone in our ward - Ann. People are so nice ... especially since I thought Ann didn't like me - wow! (due to a fall out when I was Primary President - which happens sometimes with issues, complaints and not being perfect) I guess sometimes I misjudge people - because I thought she really, really had bad feelings toward me .. isn't that how it is when you don't have an on going friendship with someone you feel comfortable with? (now I feel bad for my judgements). It was really kind of Ann to send me a thank you card out of the blue.

I'm blushing from all the love!!! For me, thank you notes always lift my spirits. It's something I need to do more often to others.

I thought since I had a camera in hand, I would shoot a few pictures around my living room.

The village and nativity below.

A beautiful Nativity on the piano.

From my home to yours .... Merry Christmas!

Motivational Monday: "Thoughtful Gifts"

2011-12-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Why did the Wise Men give Joseph and Mary gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

May people believe that it's the thought that counts when it comes to gift giving. Maybe that's because the thought behind the gift makes it more than just a useful or interesting object - it makes the gift a symbol of the gift - giver's love or consideration for the recipient. Some gifts also mean more than the thought behind the gift; these kinds of gifts have widely accepted symbolism that adds even more significance. When a gift has all three -- practical utility, personal value, and symbolic meaning - it may be the most thoughtful and appreciated gift of all.

Consider the thought behind the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the Wise Men gave to the Christ child (see Matthew 2:11). The Bible doesn't say why the Wise Men brought these particular gifts, but all three gifts had practical value and perhaps symbolic meaning for the Son of God and His earthly parents.

Gold

Practical use: For a young couple who would soon have the expense of traveling to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod, the gold would be an invaluable gift.

Symbolic meaning, Jesus as King: Gold is the typical gift for kings (see 1 King 9:14, 28) because it symbolizes kinship and royalty -- a fitting gift for the "King of kings" (1 Timothy 6:15).

Frankincense

Practical use: Aside from its considerable monetary value, frankincense was used as a sweet-smelling incense and perfume.

Symbolic meaning, His priestly role: Frankincense comes from a sweet tree resin and was used in priesthood ordinances, in burnt offerings (see Leviticus 2:1), and in oil for anointing priest. Thus, it can represent the Lord's priesthood and His role as the Lamb of God to be sacrificed on our behalf (see John 1:29)

Myrrh

Practical use: Myrrh, a bitter oil from a tree resin, was also economically valuable but probably more beneficial to Mary and Joseph for its medicinal uses.

Symbolic meaning, His atoning sacrifice: In the New Testament, myrrh is usually associated with embalming and burial because of its preservative qualities (see John 19: 39-40). Myrrh's medicinal uses can symbolize Christ's role as the Master Healer, and its use in burials can symbolize "the bitter cup" He would drink when He suffered for our sins (see D&C 19: 18-19).

Through the gifts from the Wise Men the divine mission of Jesus Christ was foretold.

By Rebekah Atkin, New Era, December 2010 here: