You better watch out...

Lyrics by Allison:

You better watch out,
You better not yell,
You better not lose your purse,
You better always do that thing you do,
Santa Clause is coming to town.

Also,

You better watch out,
You better not scream,
You better not yell like a duck,
Santa Clause is coming to town.

These were sung as we decorated cookies last night. I guess she figures yell, scream, shout is all the same thing, so why not make the lyrics interchangeable?

Fourteen Fabulous Years

It's good to be married to your best friend.

baby steps...

In September, Jeanette and I started walking. A short time later, her friend suggested (challenged?!) us to run a 5k with her in December. I had been thinking running would be fun again, so I was thrilled to have someone to do it with. Jeanette found a great running program titled, "Couch to 5k in 8 weeks" which couldn't have been a better description of my cardiovascular state. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
And it worked! It was so easy to gradually increase our length and endurance. The payoff was finishing my first ever organized run with a time of 31:12. Increased length, endurance, and speed will come later. I'm just glad I started!

Can't start without stretching!



(That's Jeanette, me, Jamie, and half of Nikki)

Before the race at the start line.



(Me, Nikki, Jamie and Jeanette)

Jamie shows us how she'll watch tv if she gets bored. She took a lot of crap for the old school headphones...



Jeanette and I post race with our "anti-inflamatory" sports drink. I was glad to know I wouldn't burst into flames while drinking it. Then I realized it probably meant my joints wouldn't swell. Hey, I had just run a 5k, my brain was a little out there...



You can't complain running along the boardwalk of Venice & Santa Monica on a beautiful, crisp December morning. I will make this a regular part of my life.

God hears your prayers...and laughs

When Brent was called to the bishopric in June, we were assured I would be released as Primary President soon. And then August, September, October rolled around and I was still president. And it wasn't horrible, but there were times when I felt a little overwhelmed with Sundays. I suspected I might be released after the Sacrament Program. It was a huge stress, but we got through it and the kids did a fabulous job. The next week I got a call that the Bishop wanted to see me. And Brent. They weren't releasing us both, were they?! So we went in and I was released, and then called to be the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. What?! Isn't there a rule somewhere about getting a cushy job after a big calling?! Especially when your husband is supposed to be pulling some strings for you?!

The new primary presidency will do an incredible job. (Jeanette Zollinger is the new president, and her counselors are Christie Marksbury and Amy Rex, with Jessica Asendorf as secretary.) They are all so smart, capable and dedicated. I am already seeing the things I could and should have done better. So I will try to do better in Relief Society. I am the Enrichment Night Counselor, so I am expecting you all the tell me about the fun things you are doing in your wards so we can copy. I have realized this about myself: I am really good at re-doing something someone else has already created. So send ideas, please!

I learned so much in primary and had such incredible experiences there. I hope I can learn and grow as much in RS. One thing I've learned already, God apparently doesn't care so much for whining...

A parenting dilemma

One of the most difficult parts of parenting is knowing when certain behaviors cross the line. At what point does creative, exploratory fun turn into a dangerous or inappropriate situation?

Allison has been pretending to be a kitty lately. It's often annoying, but I let her do it because I figure I'm "letting her use her imagination" and "engaging in creative play" and all that other "good parenting stuff." Most often I want to tell her to sit down and knock off the "mrowwwww" crap. Especially when I'm trying to teach sharing time for the last time as primary president. (That's another post, hallelujah!) I try to keep the kitty time to when we're at home, but even that is getting to be too much.

Sunday night was a good example. She had done the kitty thing the whole time we were at a convert baptism. Imagine trying to feel the spirit with an obnoxious 4 year old kneeling in the back row, "mrooowwww! hissss! mrrrrrroooowwwwww!" By the time we had fought the bedtime battle and read stories, she was still going strong. And begging to sleep in a box like a real kitty. After a few minutes of arguing, I gave up. This is what I came back to, an hour later.





After a good laugh and a "serves you right if you wake up with a neckache" we moved her into her bed. The lesson learned? Never argue with a 4 year old.

So go ahead and turn us in to Child Protective Services for bad parenting. Just beware - they might appoint you temporary guardian!

Veteran's Day

The kids had no school on Veteran's Day. It was a beautiful day that was heading towards being wasted in front of the TV, so I threw the kids into the car with some snacks and we drove to Point Vicente Lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes.



There was a small museum with a display of some items from Marine World. We were all sad that it wasn't still open. It would be great to see ocean animals without having to go to San Diego.



They were also impressed with the models of whales and marine life.



After our tour of the museum, we went outside for a short walk. I was struck by how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful area. (Well, Long Beach is nice but to live in PV would be AMAZING!) I've been spoiled to live so close to the ocean for so much of my life, and sometimes forget that many people have never dipped their toes in salt water or strolled along the sand with waves crashing at their feet. I promise to not complain about living in southern California as much.

Of course, each of the kids wanted an individual shot of themselves.







Life is beautiful.

Pack Meeting

Nate's troop had a pack meeting in early November. The previous pack meeting had been in June, and Nate had accomplished a lot over the summer. (That's what happens when mom sends you to full day cub camp for TWO weeks. Mom's gotta keep her sanity.) So I took my camera so I could capture him getting all his pins, belt loops and Webelos badge. I took pictures of all the kids getting their awards, because that's what a good primary president does, right? So when Nate gets called up, whirrrr, camera battery is dead. Doh!

Fortunately, I did get one picture with him in it. He and his buddy Connor did the flag ceremony. Connor is Nate's friend in the neighborhood who has been coming to Scouts with Nate for the past few months.



Nate only has one or two more achievements to earn until he gets his Arrow of Light. I haven't even had to pull out any threats or bribery yet! Hopefully he'll continue on in scouting happily!