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With all of my attempts at creative posts lately (emphasis on attempts), I feel like I have not recorded many of the ins-and-outs, daily busy-ness around here.  This post is mainly for my own records.

1.  PTA:  I have been buried with PTA responsibilities, but have felt good about the outcomes.  We raised $1,750 this year thru Box Tops and I throw a popcorn party for the classroom that brings in the most.  This semester it was a 5th grade class – we played a type of BINGO with questions they answer about themselves, and they were delightful.  I love the label of "Box Top Lady"!  But I am passing that torch on to someone else for next year.  In addition to my normal job of VP over Membership, I took on the role of Nominating Committee Chair for the 2009-2010 PTA Board.  This has entailed a month and a half of e-mails, phone calls, and a tad bit of drama (some people wanting to oust the current President, but I didn't have the heart to do it so I found her an "aide").  Last night's election ends that responsibility.  AND I have been in charge of the annual Lifetime Membership Award.  Every year we choose recipients to receive this distinguised honor.  It involves buying the award, gifts from the PTA, banquet tickets, working with the family in secret to get pictures and bio info, and presenting it all at an assembly.  It was a neat thing to be a part of.  We awarded them to our PE coach and Music Teacher, who also happen to be husband and wife.  They are very deserving and were surprised.

2.  Girls Camp: I am over Programs for our Stake Girls Camp…a weeklong Church camp for about 200+ girls and leaders.  I mainly coordinate the evening "fun" and spiritual activities.  I LOVE Girls Camp!  I love being with the adult leaders who I respect and enjoy, and I love being with these young women who are so good and faithful and fun.  I'm so lucky to be asked to go…again!  I am writing (with the help of 2 other great leaders) a program called "Women of Light" based on the stories of women in the scriptures.  There will be actors, costumes, videos, music, etc.  My favorite part is that we will portray the parable of the 10 virgins with actual oil lamps.  And a choir of all the girls in the Stake.  It will be WONDERFUL.  I am sobered by the amount of work and by the awesome responsibility of pulling it off.  But I'm also very excited and feel lead and inspired.  I am also making necklaces (and learning some jewelry-making skills) for all of the attendees (they have an oil lamp charm on them).  I've also been busy making "tin can luminaries" because I've asked all of the girls to bring one to camp.  LOTS to do – but I'm having a lot of fun with it.

3.  Jacob continues to amaze us with his intellectual abilities.  His grades are outstanding…he got a perfect score on the Reading TAKS test.  I'm amazed at the power of his young brain.  Our challenge is helping him with self-control and self-discipline.  He has demonstrated a temper recently – particularly with his brothers.  And continues to struggle with thinking before he acts.  These things will come in time I think.  He's a good boy and loves being with his dad and I – I think he is maturing and enjoys adult conversation and contact.  He's excited about the piece he's learning in piano. 

4.  Caleb seems to have completely recovered from his tonsilectomy, but I don't think he's kicked the mono yet.  He still struggles with fatigue, headaches and dizziness.  How do you get a 6-year old to lie down and rest?  It's tough.  He's missed 11 days of school this year…we're hoping there won't be too many more.  He's really taking off with reading lately and is delighted by it.  I love listening to new readers when they start gaining in confidence…so fun!

5.  Samuel is doing so well in speech therapy.  We continue to have Ms. Kristen come to the house each Wednesday.  Samuel will try almost anything we ask of him now, which is a big improvement.  He used to shake his head and whine when we requested words from him.  We're currently working on trying to say two word statements "Go-choo-choo" (bo, do-doo), "Milk please", etc.  He'll spontaneously say "more, help, apple (babble), eat, shoe, no (mo), and go (bo)".  He LOVES to color and I recently found glue all over the couch upstairs.  He is social and pleasant and hungry all the time. :)  I love his angelic features and sweet demeanor. 

6.  Derek works out 6 days a week and has for 6 months now.  He is FIT.  I'm really proud of him.  The only downside is that his metabolism is at supersonic speed and he is eating every 2 hours – I can't keep groceries in the house!  He works from home quite a bit these days, since his boss and team are all in California.  It's nice to eat lunch together, and I can sometimes run errands while Samuel is sleeping.  He is always helping me with little projects for Girls Camp – I love how handy he is.

7.  I am attempting to reupholster a chair cushion using fabric from other chair cushions.  I am in over my head, to say the least.  Pictures to come…if I ever finish!

We are busy.  We are happy.  Life is good.