On January 8th I was released after serving for 4 years as our ward Primary President.
Such a bittersweet feeling. I'm totally missing those primary kids and all the people I got to serve with, and it's weird not being in there with my kids anymore. But it is really nice having more time with my family on Sundays now. No more getting up super early for ward council, no more getting to church early to set up the primary room, no more meetings after church, no more evenings of primary emailing, no more planning presidency meetings. I feel like I've been given my time back! I'm loving getting to hang out with James during 2nd and 3rd hours of church. He only has a few more months left before he'll be in nursery so I'm totally milking my last chances of using him as an excuse to get out of class, being able to visit nursery with him, and just getting to snuggle my baby.
It's weird being in Relief Society. It's hard for me to sit still and I don't really have the attention for it. And my new calling as assistant RS secretary is interesting. I'm not exactly sure of my responsibilities. Kinda feels like I'm just the go-to person right now. The week after getting released I ended up doing the music in primary 2nd and 3rd hours. The Following week I taught in RS about the power of the Book of Mormon. The next week I spoke in Sacrament meeting on Revelation. The week after that Spencer and I taught Madi's primary class 2nd hour. Not much of a break eh!? Truthfully it feels like a huge break compared to how busy primary kept me. It's nice to be able to check out and I am enjoying my moments of free time.
Aside from church stuff, our January was busy with getting back into the swing of things from being gone for Christmas break. Back to violin, piano, basketball practices, tumbling, dentist appointments for everyone, eye appointment for Madi, play dates, birthday parties, baby shower, and even a wedding reception (for Sister Johnson - now Watson)! Back to real life!
Below are a few moments from January that I want to always remember. Moments that I want burned into my brain so I never forget my kids at this stage of life. Time is moving so quickly and Spence and I are always talking about how we're going to blink and our kids are going to be all grown up. I have such a good life and so much to be grateful for. I never wanna forget any of this.
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Inauguration of President Trump was definitely a moment to document - home with my boys that rainy Friday morning, watching history happen.
Cal playing out in the rain . . .
Cal's daily "snack plate" and watching a favorite show (Wild Krats) while I shower and James naps. As I made Cal his snack plate this particular day (salami, pretzals, cheese, apple slices, and a PB&J) I started to get sad - thinking of him going off to school all day and not being home to hang out with me anymore. I have loved having Cal home in the mornings. Everyday (no matter what we have going on) we play at least one game of UNO, and read 2 Bob Books. It's a small bit of time that I truly treasure.
Brother bonding time is the best!
I love sneaking in at night to watch my kids sleep!
Bike rides with my babe are pure bliss for me!
"Mom, look at my happy face!!"
Elle was so anxious to get to share her brothers at school!
In-N-Out while waiting to pick Elle up from a birthday party.
A Saturday afternoon swim . . . yes, in January! I LOVE living in Southern California!
I let Madi skip her violin class this particular afternoon because the kids wanted to go for a walk and then play tennis at the park. It was such a gorgeous day we just lived it up!
Celebrating Grandpa Al's birthday with cousins!!
Madi's art work on my white board that I had to snap a picture of before erasing.
