Nate - an update

Nate has been a busy boy so far this year.

He started cub scouts back in October. He has earned his bobcat badge & several "belt loops". He is working on getting his Wolf Badge now. In January he participated in his first marble shoot tournament. He didn't do as well as he hoped & was quite disappointed (he can be extremely hard on himself). So our lesson learned was how to accept defeat without it being a reflection on what kind a person we are. A hard lesson to learn/understand when you are 8 - we'll keep working on that.

February was the annual Blue & Gold celebration/dinner - it was extra special this year since it was the 100th anniversary for Boy Scouts. The fathers & sons were supposed to make a cake - each cake got an award & was then served for desert. Nate & Dan's cake won "Best Cub Scout Themed Cake". They did pretty great I think.

Next up is Pinewood Derby - Nate & Dan have been working a little each weekend on their car. It's starting to take shape & looks really cool - hopefully it will race as well as it looks!

Nate is making good progress with his reading (it's something that's a big struggle for him) and as usual he's excelling in math & science. The Science fair is just around the corner & he's already talking about doing a project & he's not required to do one for 2 more years. He loves doing his math homework & kicks it out in a flash & almost always comes home with a 100% on his math tests, I think only once has get gotten less than a 90% - WAHOO NATE!

Nate is also doing great in Primary. He loves his new teacher & is doing much better in sharing & singing time now that I'm not in there - which is good for both of us (I guess). Dan & I were talking about Nate the other day & he said something about being worried about Nate (I can't remember what it was about) but it made me think (& did share this with Dan) how grateful I am that Nate knows he can count on us. For example - When a friend at school has a birthday & has brought in treats that aren't safe for him to eat he asks for permission then calls me & asks me to bring something in for him to have. It's not always convenient & I'm not always thrilled about doing it - but I am glad to know that he understands he can count on me, no matter how big or small that I am always there for him - his dad too. If we can give him that foundation where he knows that he can depend on us no matter what then I truly believe that the rest will fall in place. He is such an amazing son & big brother he has truly blessed our family & oh the lessons we've learned because of this sweet boy. Don't let his activity level fool you, it fools most, take the time to really know him & you'll see the most kind/caring/loving/sensitive 8 year old boy I know.

I am grateful that for a son that is not only a good example of pure unconditional love but is the best big brother ever! I couldn't imagine a better fit for me as a mom than a son just like my Nate the Great!

2010 - the year for big changes

As most of you know (or should by now) the biggest change to our family will come at the end of April this year, but the year started out with another big change for me. For the last 5 1/2 years I was the primary president for our ward - it wasn't always easy & it took a lot of time, but I loved being with & teaching the children in our ward. Teaching & loving them was the easy part for me. Anyone who is LDS will know that 5 1/2 years is a long time to be in a calling unless you are a bishop or something along those lines. 2-3 years is more typical for other callings (or so it seems). I had no regrets or bad feelings I really did love doing what I was doing, but things must change for the betterment of all. So the first Sunday in January I was released as Primary President & put in as a Faith in God for Girls/Activity Day Leader. It's a huge change for me. Some of the differences:

I love to teach about the gospel - I loved teaching sharing times & class lessons. Activity Days is more about fun  learning - but not so "lesson" based. I'm not a crafty person by nature & these girls love to be active & crafty - a HUGE change for me to adjust to.

As Primary President I was BUSY every Sunday and often several days in the week. Activity Days is only twice a month but sometimes it feels like just as much work. It really does take a lot for me to be "creative". Sundays are still a struggle for me - I want to go be with the children. Sunday School & Relief Society still feel awkward to me - like I'm not really supposed to be there. Not sure where I fit in - a whole new dynamic for me. In talking to a friend the other day I realized that Dan & I have never (since we've been married) had the opportunity to attend Sunday School together. We've had a Sunday here or there when we moved into a new ward & before we got a calling but since we've been married (12.5 years now) one of us has always had a calling that took us away from Sunday School. I think I would really like to be able to go together - it would be nice to come home & discuss the lesson together - I would really enjoy that - maybe someday.....

A couple of weeks after I was released the Primary Secretary came & pulled me out of Relief Society & asked me to come to primary. I was afraid something was up with Nate or Abbie. Instead they had me come to the front of the primary room where they presented me with a quilt (made my the new Primary President - now she's talented/crafty!) that all the children had signed and some potted plants. The children sang me a new song they had been learning & I cried like a baby. I (again) realized just how much I loved these little ones & how much they had changed me. I LOVE PRIMARY!

Some picts of the quilt & some of the signatures (by far not all of them)

I am learning to love working with the Activity Day Girls & Abbie is anxiously awaiting turning 8 so she can come with me. I love being with the girls, that part is easy - I'm hoping I get better at the having fun together part. I work with a great new partner (she's new to the church & has grabbed on with both hands) I've enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her better - I think it will be good for both of us.

As one of our early activities we taught the girls to loom knit & had them make baby hats to take to the hospital for the new babies. Some of the Young Women in the ward joined us for the activity. We are officially wrapping up this project at the end of March. At this point the girls (& leaders) have turned in over 50 hats! What a fun project it turned out to be!

I am grateful for new opportunities and learning experiences & I hope that I can always appreciate them for what they are.