Welcome to YW

Today I was called to serve in our ward as the first counselor in the Young Women presidency.  I haven’t been a part of YW since I was in high school, so I am really excited! I meet tomorrow with our YW president to discuss my responsibilities.  So far I know that I will be spending a lot of time with the Mia Maids (age 14 & 15) and that the advisor (teacher) I will work with is fantastic. I feel a bit like I’m playing house right now, and wonder if I’ll ever feel like a grown-up.

This is a huge responsibility that I have been given.  I know it will take a lot of time, but also be very rewarding.  I feel like the teen years are the most important in discovering who we are and how we will live out our lives. I am so grateful for the organization and doctrine of our church that has such an emphasis on the success of the children and youth with the Primary and Young Women/Young Men programs.

I really feel like this church embodies the idea of “it takes a village to raise a child.” I recently had a conversation where we discussed how great it was growing up knowing that there were other adults (besides our parents) that felt responsible for and cared about us. And now as a parent, I have been so appreciative of the Cub Scout program for Hunter.  There are adults who care enough about him to teach him and make sure that he stays on track to fulfill the requirements of his den each year.  It feels more important to Hunter because he is getting encouragement from these adult leaders who show such dedication to him.

I recently had my friend’s children over to play while she worked on preparing a talk for sacrament meeting. She happens to serve in the Primary presidency and spends a great deal of time preparing to teach my children. So if I support her needs, she is better able to serve my children. It is such an amazing cycle to me. I will undoubtedly need help with my children while I plan or attend YW activities, and I know that there will be someone there to offer help. This turned into a bit of a ramble, but I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ has service at its core. I am a better person because of the requirements I have placed upon me as I serve. What a blessing.

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Sweet 16

I was remembering some of my past birthdays, and thought it was great to read about my sixteenth. I know I have a picture from this somewhere, but haven’t found it yet.

From my journal April 3, 199?:

Only 6 days until my 16th birthday! I’ve been counting down the days for 2 months. Now I’ll probably be disappointed. Denine called me to babysit tonight. I have a small feeling that it might not be babysitting. I’m probably wrong, but everyone’s been acting weird the last 2 days.  The phone’s ringing a lot and Erica always gets it. I’m just wishing- so “don’t expect anything” I tell myself….

From my journal April 13, 199?:

…There was a party for me on the 3rd. Only it wasn’t at the K—‘s house like I thought; It was here. Jason and Jared said that they were going to Modesto for errands but they were really decorating at my house.  When they came back about an hour and a half later, they stayed around for like 20 minutes before they brought me home.  When we got here they said they would walk me to the door. I opened the door to see my buddies! I was so surprised! I was shaking all night and half of the next day. MaryLynn, Joel, Jason, Jared, Dalen, Sergio, Jason M, Roy, Jay, Therese, Cory, Stephanie, Amy R, Adam, Rebekah, Erin, April, Robby, Jennifer, and Cynthia were there.

We played murder in the dark, Taboo, and broke a pinata. I got all kinds of cute “16” presents: Kisses, date book, car key with keychain, and a toy car. It was pretty fun…

My birthday was pretty fun. Mom and Dad sent me flowers at school. I got a song in 5th period and a test in 6th period. Lisa, Cory, Jessi, and Stephanie gave me little notes all day and a final clue that led me to my present in Mr. Riley’s room. It was a scrapbook! Pretty cool! Mom and Dad gave me an awesome camera. Erica gave me a locket with our pictures in it. Chris gave me a pair of shorts, Matt gave me a car air freshener and a tape holder for the visor – no car though. Pa, Grandpa, Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Dan gave me money.

It’s not really any different to be 16...

That last line cracks me up because I have discovered in my thirty something years, that age does not make you feel any different. Neither does marriage or parenthood. I’m still the same goofy girl that thinks things are “pretty fun.”

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Beauty Parlor

I recently discovered some hair blogs and today gave some of the more adventurous styles a try.  Here is Hannah’s French Braid Halo and “Messy Bun” (I guess that is the technical name for it) inspired by this hairdo. The girl in the picture has way more hair than Hannah, but I think it turned out pretty well for a first try and no special hair products; just water and hairspray. It did take me about half the length of “Lady and the Tramp” to finish it though.

Sabrina wasn’t quite as easy to please. At first she really wanted the same thing as Hannah, but then it took too long just to comb it out and I had just started braiding when she said, “I want something different.” I knew she would never sit still long enough for me to finish, so I tried out this Knotty Chain with a Half Ponytail inspired by this post. I was trying to go for the chain effect, but Sabrina was wiggly and I thought it looked cute this way too, so I just left it. Oh, and she also insisted I give her bangs a “shortcut” this morning. I’m telling you this girl has an opinion on everything!

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Documentary of the Morning

Oh! I dropped my purse!

Uh, oh!

Daddy, will you help me pick the money up?

D’oh. They’re stickers! April Fool!

The girls and I set this up while Rob was in the shower. Hunter and Emma also brought some of these stickers to school and put them on people’s desks and the floor. I tried to think of a good blog prank to pull this year, but since I got so many of you last year, I couldn’t come up with anything you would buy. Happy April 1st!

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