I am blessed!

This week has been exciting and busy!

Elder Brandon Porter was set-apart as a missionary, and entered the MTC on Wednesday.  He will learn Russian for the next 2 months, before flying to the Ukraine to teach about Jesus Christ for the next 2 years.  We are so incredibly proud of him!

Brynlie and Lindsey had a choir performance at a local nursing home.  They were so stinkin' cute, singing their Americana songs!  Brenda does such a fabulous job with the Upbeat Music choir.

Last night was supposed to be a Fathers and Sons campout, but it poured buckets of rain yesterday, so the campout was cancelled.  I had already planned a fun night with my girls, so we still hit the town.  Christine and her girls joined us for dinner and ice cream at Steak and Shake, and a movie at the theater.  We saw Soul Surfer, which had a great message and kept the girls thoroughly grossed out when a shark bit off an arm. 

I volunteered for Field Day at the girls school.  I got to follow Lindsey's class around to all the fun activities.  I wanted to help her teacher, since I've helped Bryn's teacher much more this year.  I have volunteered in the school library at least twice a month, as well as helping with every class party.  My girls are so sweet when I show up to help, and I'm always welcomed with lots of "hellos!" and hugs from their little friends.

Logan had his end-of-the-school-year preschool carnival, where he got to say goodbye to his teachers, play games, eat yummy food, and throw a fit on the floor when I told him it was time to leave.  Gotta love that kid.

I don't think I've ever mentioned something that I think is a very big deal.  At the beginning of the school year, the kids in Brynlie's grade were allowed to run for Student Council.  It was talked about for a few weeks before the deadline.  On the very last day before the election, Brynlie decided to make a run for it, without even telling me.  What do you know?  She was elected to be the female Student Council representative, along with Cade Campbell, a boy in our ward who (shhhh) Brynlie may have a *crush* on.  A match made in Student Council.  Anyway, because Brynlie was the Student Council rep, she was required to run a booth at the school fundraiser carnival last week.  Which means that her mom had to come up with the idea of a fishing booth, make a fishing pole, construct a partition and buy a bagillion prizes to give away.  Oh, and stand behind the partition all night, hooking prizes onto the end of the fishing pole, while Bryn helped the kids throw the pole over the partition.  She must have a super cool mom that she will love forever and always appreciate

Ryan and I met with our financial advisor one day, so I could figure out what investments we have, and where our money goes.  It was good for me, because Ryan and I have always had very distinct lines about what each of us takes care of.  I balance the checkbook, budget and pay all the bills.  Ryan does all our investing, savings and taxes.  It's worked perfectly for us, but we have been trying to help each other understand a bit more about what exactly it is we do.

Ryan took the Young Men to a campsite last Wednesday, so they could collect firewood for the campout that got rained out last night.  While finding firewood, Brevan had a large tree branch fall on his head, knocking him out for a few seconds.  He got a large slice on the top of his head, as well as many scratches on his body.  By the time he got back to the church, he had drenched many gauze pads.  So we ran by SuperDoctor's house (Brother Napier), who reassured us that the wound wasn't too deep but that head wounds just bleed a lot.  So I now have 3 children (Logan, Lindsey and Brevan) who have large scrapes on their heads.  Hopefully DCFS doesn't come calling.

I was in charge of Young Women's on Wednesday night.  I have been trying to finish up the blankets the Primary children have been assembling for the homeless shelter, and am just overwhelmed (but very happy) about the amount of material that was donated.  The Young Women and their leaders agreed to help, and we finished up 13 more blankets in 2 hours.  After I assembled a few more on my own this week, I think there are only a couple more to make before I can deliver them to those in need.

Today we have been attending graduation parties for some of the kids Ryan used to teach in Seminary.  I had never heard of having graduation parties until I came to Missouri, but every High School graduate has a big party at their house, where people bring gifts and sit around eating food.  Tonight I'm heading to one of my favorite restaurants (Crepes on the Square) with some of my favorite girls - the Book Club group!  Then we are going to see the movie "Water for Elephants."  That will be 2 theater movies in one weekend for me!

Almost 2 weeks ago, I signed up for Weight Watchers online.  I don't need to lose a lot of weight, but I'm trying to be healthier by making wise food choices and exercising very regularly.  The WW point system is turning out to be the best way I've ever tried to stick to a healthy plan.  I feel SO much better, both physically and mentally, and have already lost 5 pounds.  I've been doing some sort of exercise every day, either running, doing a P90X video or even just playing frisbee with the kids.  It makes a world of difference for me when I'm being active and paying attention to my food choices.

Besides all that, I've cooked for the elders, driven kids all over, tried to keep my house at a workable level of chaos, and felt proud of us for reading the scriptures as a family most days.  I am so blessed!