Primary is the Greatest Place on Earth

Yesterday was our ward's Sacrament Meeting Presentation by the Primary on the year's theme of "I am a Child of God". We've practiced hard all year, we've rehearsed and memorized, and here it was time to present. Our meeting is first thing in the morning, so I was busily collecting pictures and notes before heading to the chapel. The bishopric counselor over the Primary met me in the hall with a funny look on his face. "So," he says not-so-casually, "did you know Sister Lifferth of the General Primary Presidency is in the congregation?" Not realizing that he had said "General", I said, "Oh, yes, you mean Sister McLean, the Stake Primary president?" "No," he said. "I mean General, as in 'top of the class', 'head of it all', right up there with the General Authorities!" I think I said, "Holy Cow!" Is that bad to say in church where one of the General Primary presidency may hear you?? Yes, there she was, sitting next to an awestruck Stake Primary member, in her adorable tailored suit (can you even be a member of the General Auxiliaries if you don't own a tailored suit?). Our program was precious, as I knew it would be. The children were reverent, happy, assertive, courageous, beautiful, angelic, eager, and well prepared. I cried as they sang, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me", because He was there, standing beside them. I got goosebumps as one of our Young Women played her violin to "I Love to See the Temple". I couldn't stop smiling when some of the priests came up to sing "Called To Serve" with our older boys. I just wanted to hug them all and kiss the tops of their adorable heads. Dear Sister Lifferth came up to me after the meeting ended, and with arms outstretched, gave me a big hug. She was gushing with compliments. What a sweet woman! She said it was one of the best programs she has ever seen or heard...and I'm sure she's seen her share of them! It was one of those epiphany moments, where you wish someone was engraving your feelings and emotions on a gold tablet to remember forever. I was so incredibly proud of my kids, and I felt such an overwhelming love for everyone in Primary, from the tiniest nursery baby to their leaders to the music people to the teachers to my wonderful presidency to every single child. How blessed am I! I've got the greatest calling in the world!

A Dream is a Wish...

My cute little A family are on their way to a grand vacation, and it all begins with Disneyland! I wish I could see their faces when they have lunch with the Disney princesses on Sunday. It will be perfect. Have fun, you four cuties! And we'll see you at the end of the road in Washington...

Random Wackiness Tag!

Isn't Mary E. the best?

Okay, this is for my "wacky" daughter... You gotta love her.

Rules: State 7 wacky things about you on your blog. Tag 7 more people (I don't have 7 blogging friends though! yeah, some of us are real fuddie-duddies) by posting a comment on their blog.

1. I am the oldest of 5 kids, so my "alone" time was usually in the bathtub. As a kid, I loved to pretend I was someone else, and would play the part when I was alone. One night, I was pretending to be "Kit O'Connor"--the equivalent of Nancy Drew--and I was having "tea" while taking my bath. I had left the door unlocked and my brother sneaked in and caught me play-acting. That was the beginning of the end! But I always think about "what would Kit do?" She was brave, smart, beautiful, and rich. Oh, yeah!!

2. I sucked my thumb until I was 7 or 8. Wore out several blankets with satin trim by pulling them through my fingers while sucking my thumb. Ah, talk about comfort!

3. I'm of the "disco age" (yeah, I'm old!) and I loved to go dancing. Yes, I could boogie with the best of them. One night, I got mad at the guy I was sort of "dating" and danced with all his friends instead. As my girlfriend and I were leaving, Harry ran out to the parking lot, pounded on our car, and screamed at me, "Don't go! You're breaking my heart!", just like a nut job in the movies. I ignored him and let my friend take me to "drag State Street" instead. (How did we live past 17??)

4. I love to play volleyball. I played on all the church teams until I was past 30! I always chose the number 13 for my jersey...Lucky No. 13! Wacky? Maybe not, but I could ace a serve and spike the ball in those days.

5. When I was a freshman at BYU, I was walking across campus one day, late for my next class. I accidentally tripped a person coming the other way, and he stumbled and almost fell. Without thinking, I said, "Sorry, Charlie!"...and found myself looking right in the face of DONNY OSMOND! He kind of gave me a dirty look and kept walking. Oh well, my one brush with fame...

6. I worked in an ice cream shop during high school. We had to wash the sundae dishes (yes, we used glass ones) in those big industrial-size sinks. One of my friends and I would have water fights until we were soaked or the boss caught us. I liked the boss's son, and it seemed like he would always show up when I was a soggy mess. We also had whipped cream fights, but the boss started making us pay for the cans of whipped cream we used. Hey, I was only making $1.60 an hour--I couldn't afford that!

7. I have a group of "writing friends" who actually encourage me to do wacky things in my old age! We were having a sleep-over at our cabin and giggling in the wee hours of the morning over silly jokes. Just when it was finally getting quiet and I thought we were settling down to go to sleep, one of the girls started singing national anthems! And not just the US anthem, but anthems from other countries! Holy Cow, I've never laughed so hard. These are the same girls I have an annual Olive Garden Christmas lunch with, and we always flirt with the cute, young waiters. Yes, we're a wacky bunch!

Okay, I really had to stretch to remember 7 things. I've led a very sheltered life! But YOU CAN DO IT! Now, I tag Colleen, Joleen, Cynthia, Sonja, and Lindsey.

Photo Tag!

This is how it works: Find the fourth file of photos in your picture file, and choose the fourth picture in the file. Then write a post about it.

Chelsea tagged me...and look what picture came up!

This picture was taken on one of our visits with Chels and Rob and L-Bubby. We were trying to get L to giggle, so Chels is tickling him. Yay! We got him! Look in his hand--he found the Cinderella toy from the play house. He loves all the little toys, especially when he can shove them into the doll van and drive them around the room. I'm sure there's a ball around beside him somewhere, too. This boy has the arm of a pro! Love BOTH those smiles...

October Again

Put up the Halloween decorations tonight. For some reason, they are starting to look more tired with each passing year. Could it be? I love this little witch from my favorite artist, Mary Englebreit. Halloween will be different this year, since we'll be in Washington with my sister and family. But different is GOOD! Can't wait! Happy Halloween-ing to all.