I recently read a blog post of a friend's with the exact same title as mine. She said she had dropped her kids off at a relatives so she could get some things done. It was obvious she was feeling guilty that she wasn't able to do it all, all on her own. I read and thought about how its okay to get help...
Then that same day I was telling my mom about my crazy life, a big event at my home, and all the things I needed to get done. She offered to come pick up the kids the next day. I thanked her but said no I was fine. At 9:30 that night, I called her back after feeling overwhelmed, remember the post I had read and reminding myself it is okay to get help. I told my mom I realized I really couldn't do everything and she (my sweet mother) had already offered to help... and it was okay to accept that help! After all I'm not superwoman!
My wonderful mother came the next day, took the kids to the park, then fed us lunch (which she had brought with her), read stories with Hannah and folded my laundry! Wow! I couldn't have accomplished everything without her... at least not sane and happy! Too often I try to do it all, all by myself and feel so guilty when I can't do it all perfectly, with a smile, and with my kids hair done and acting like angels! I'm thankful to an angel mother for her help and for a friends reminder that no, I'm not superwoman... and I'm not the only one.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Seriously?! Whose stuff is this?!
So it all started one afternoon, the door bell rang, but I was in the bathroom and unable to get to the door in time. When I did open the door, there sat a huge black garbage bag full of cute fleece blankets. I just stood there staring at them. I hadn't the foggiest idea where they had come from and why they were on my porch. I went inside and closed the door, leaving the blankets there... hoping I would either get a phone call soon telling me what to do with them or if I left them there, the person who dropped them off would realize they had left them at the wrong house and come back to pick them up.
Eventually they were brought in... but still just sat in my front room, not sure what to do with them. It took about a week but finally the mystery was figured out and they were taken to their rightful home.
So I finally get rid of the blankets and the next day I open the door to find a stack of diving magazines. This time the door bell never even rang (at least not that I'm aware of). There was no note, no explanation. They went into the garbage.
About a week later, which happened to be yesterday morning, I open by front door to find two kids magazine and one of those Hollywood gossip magazines. No note, no explanation! The kid magazines, okay, maybe someone thought I'd be interested. But the gossip magazine?! Not really my cup of tea... or punch... or whatever.
Then again! Yes, again! Last night, I came home in the wee hours of the morning (from watching the midnight showing of Eclipse!) to find a little backpack full of random things (like wallpaper, a Bratz puzzle, old decorations...) and an old 10-key calculator sitting by the garage door. What?! Are you joking me?! Someone would have had to drop it off between 10 pm and 3 am!
Where is this stuff coming from?! Whose stuff is this?! Is it being dropped off at the wrong house? There has to be an explanation! Is this some kind of practical joke?! Seriously people! I've got enough random stuff of my own... certainly don't need anybody elses! (Anyone else in the neighborhood getting random stuff dropped off?!)
Eventually they were brought in... but still just sat in my front room, not sure what to do with them. It took about a week but finally the mystery was figured out and they were taken to their rightful home.
So I finally get rid of the blankets and the next day I open the door to find a stack of diving magazines. This time the door bell never even rang (at least not that I'm aware of). There was no note, no explanation. They went into the garbage.
About a week later, which happened to be yesterday morning, I open by front door to find two kids magazine and one of those Hollywood gossip magazines. No note, no explanation! The kid magazines, okay, maybe someone thought I'd be interested. But the gossip magazine?! Not really my cup of tea... or punch... or whatever.
Then again! Yes, again! Last night, I came home in the wee hours of the morning (from watching the midnight showing of Eclipse!) to find a little backpack full of random things (like wallpaper, a Bratz puzzle, old decorations...) and an old 10-key calculator sitting by the garage door. What?! Are you joking me?! Someone would have had to drop it off between 10 pm and 3 am!
Where is this stuff coming from?! Whose stuff is this?! Is it being dropped off at the wrong house? There has to be an explanation! Is this some kind of practical joke?! Seriously people! I've got enough random stuff of my own... certainly don't need anybody elses! (Anyone else in the neighborhood getting random stuff dropped off?!)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Park with Cousins
The week of youth conference Nic's brother's family, Aaron and Daishan, were in town. Although I couldn't enjoy them the entire time (preparing for and being gone for youth conference), as always it was super fun to have them here.
We were able to go on a fun outing to the park! I think all these cousins enjoy one another!
We were able to go on a fun outing to the park! I think all these cousins enjoy one another!
Look at these two! I think they'll be best buds!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sulfur Creek
Youth Conference 2010
Rock Solid!
It has been nearly a month now and I am just now recouping from youth conference. Okay... not really, but I was extremely exhausted! Our entire youth group (ages 12-18) headed down to Capital Reef for 3 days. The first night we camped in tents. The next morning we went on an awesome 5 mile hike through Sulfur Creek (yes, through the creek). It was a long, hard and very fun 5 miles. The next night was spent at a motel (a surprise to the youth). Although it was a lot of work to camp just for one night, I was sure grateful for a shower! The youth were able to swim. We also went to a local church building for a testimony meeting.
Here are some of the highlights and a few of my favorite pictures. (Some of them are courtesy of a few other leaders.)
I didn't get a picture of my car load of youth. The youth rode in the same yehicles the entire time... and that was quite often. I really enjoyed getting to know the young men that were in my car and was grateful to have the Lukin girls too. They were a fun and active group!
Picture of our lunch stop on the way down:
Camping, playing signs and our fabulous chefs: 
(I get to work with these fabulous women!)
The hike!
Respect, gratitude, trust, and a helping hand. The bishop talked a lot about having respect and gratitude, for our surrounds and for leaders, each other, etc. These things had a huge impact on the outcome of youth conference. I was also so impressed by the helping hands that were always offered by youth or a leader to help everyone get down a steep rock or climb down a bumpy path.
There were a few waterfalls to slid down a long the way! Watching the youth, it looked painful, but I couldn't not do it! I was able to coax a couple other YW leaders to do it too! Then I climbed up to do it again! It was great!
I had to tell my young women leaders thank you for being so fun! No matter how great our youth are, it would be super hard to be involved in activities such as these without great friends/leaders to be with! We had so much fun together... and I have to admit our tent was probably one of the noisier ones as we were rolling with laughter from one thing or another!
(Notice all the water we are standing in! That's what almost the entire hike was like!)
At the motel, playing missionary tag. I love this picture of a Mia Maid and a Beehive linking arms.
I am so grateful for the Poulsen, called specifically to be over youth conference, the Swains and Parkinsons, for cooking, and our great bishopric. They made it much easier and less stressful for the rest of us leader. (A million thanks!) However, I could not believe how exhausted I was when we were done, not just physically, but emotionally too. It is a lot of work and a lot of pressure to feel (and be) responsible for this many young women... to make sure they are safe, not alone, included, know where they need to be and when, help them find their glasses and shoes, uplifting them spiritually, emotionally and physically. I do love these young women. I can't imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel each day as He watches over them and tries to help them to not be alone and feel loved, to know where they need to be, and to grow spiritually.
Our theme was Rock Solid Helaman 5:12! It was perfect. This experience helped the youth... and me be more rock solid and to gain a stronger testimony, unity, and appreciation for all we have!
Rock Solid!
It has been nearly a month now and I am just now recouping from youth conference. Okay... not really, but I was extremely exhausted! Our entire youth group (ages 12-18) headed down to Capital Reef for 3 days. The first night we camped in tents. The next morning we went on an awesome 5 mile hike through Sulfur Creek (yes, through the creek). It was a long, hard and very fun 5 miles. The next night was spent at a motel (a surprise to the youth). Although it was a lot of work to camp just for one night, I was sure grateful for a shower! The youth were able to swim. We also went to a local church building for a testimony meeting.
Here are some of the highlights and a few of my favorite pictures. (Some of them are courtesy of a few other leaders.)
I didn't get a picture of my car load of youth. The youth rode in the same yehicles the entire time... and that was quite often. I really enjoyed getting to know the young men that were in my car and was grateful to have the Lukin girls too. They were a fun and active group!
Picture of our lunch stop on the way down:
Camping, playing signs and our fabulous chefs: 
(I get to work with these fabulous women!)
The hike!
Respect, gratitude, trust, and a helping hand. The bishop talked a lot about having respect and gratitude, for our surrounds and for leaders, each other, etc. These things had a huge impact on the outcome of youth conference. I was also so impressed by the helping hands that were always offered by youth or a leader to help everyone get down a steep rock or climb down a bumpy path.
There were a few waterfalls to slid down a long the way! Watching the youth, it looked painful, but I couldn't not do it! I was able to coax a couple other YW leaders to do it too! Then I climbed up to do it again! It was great!
I had to tell my young women leaders thank you for being so fun! No matter how great our youth are, it would be super hard to be involved in activities such as these without great friends/leaders to be with! We had so much fun together... and I have to admit our tent was probably one of the noisier ones as we were rolling with laughter from one thing or another!
(Notice all the water we are standing in! That's what almost the entire hike was like!)
At the motel, playing missionary tag. I love this picture of a Mia Maid and a Beehive linking arms.
I am so grateful for the Poulsen, called specifically to be over youth conference, the Swains and Parkinsons, for cooking, and our great bishopric. They made it much easier and less stressful for the rest of us leader. (A million thanks!) However, I could not believe how exhausted I was when we were done, not just physically, but emotionally too. It is a lot of work and a lot of pressure to feel (and be) responsible for this many young women... to make sure they are safe, not alone, included, know where they need to be and when, help them find their glasses and shoes, uplifting them spiritually, emotionally and physically. I do love these young women. I can't imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel each day as He watches over them and tries to help them to not be alone and feel loved, to know where they need to be, and to grow spiritually.Our theme was Rock Solid Helaman 5:12! It was perfect. This experience helped the youth... and me be more rock solid and to gain a stronger testimony, unity, and appreciation for all we have!
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