October 2013

October 2013

Cooper is almost ready to go to AMDA in Los Angeles, California.  How exciting is that??

Cymbre is still suffering with her migraine headaches, and trying different medications to see if something will work.  Currently the Neurologist has her trying Frova, and it's not making much difference.  She is going to physical therapy still too.  And we are constantly saying prayers.

We went to Women's night at the church bookstore, and we won the CD collection in the raffle.  It's a collection of 40 CD's featuring LDS artists.  It's always fun to win things!

General conference weekend is always a great time.  We call it jammie church, and we so enjoy listening here at home!  AND, I get a break from teaching my Sunday School class...always good.  Just saying.

Cooper went to Abilene to visit Bella at college before leaving for Los Angeles.  Bella left several weeks ago, and this is the last chance for them to be together until next summer.

Cooper is finishing up the last of her private ballet lessons.  Ms. Emily has been tremendous with her this summer.

Cymbre is struggling with getting to seminary what with doing all her therapy for her headaches first thing in the morning, but she is doing her make-up work and keeping up.

Cooper is going to be helping Andee with a tap trio for competition before she leaves for college, and then Cymbre will step in and be the helper.

Cymbre is starting to miss a lot of school with these headaches....we really need to figure something out.  The school is trying to work with her, but getting the work out of the teachers is next to impossible.

Guy s traveling to Los Andeles to take Cooper, and then will be going to Norway on business.

Stake conference is also this month.

Cymbre and I went to the Michael Buble' concert in San Antonio on the 19th.  Cooper also has tickets to go in Los Angeles.

We have been seeing the Dentist, and the Orthodontist this month.  Just cleanings and simple repairs.

Cooper went to schoo on the 14th.  Guy and her drove so that she will have her car, and then he came home.  She seems to be settling in, and has show and placement auditions first thing.

This physical therapy a few times a week for Cymbre is killing us.  It's a 40 minute drive, and then an hour therapy and then 40 minutes home.  It takes a big chunck out of the day, and she is constantly getting to dance late, or not managing to get there at all.

Guy is traveling to Buffalo, NY on business. 

On the 16th a lizard followed me into the house when I came in carrying groceries, and I just looked at him and said..."You know you don't belong in the house, so you just get right back out there.....he looked at me and went right back outside!  I couldn't believe it!

I have trapped a roach under the colander in the entry hall because he is annoying me.  I am hoping he will just die under there, but I highly doubt it!  Maybe I'll get the vacumn out and vacumn him up and then just put the vacumn outside and let Guy deal with it.

There is also a huge spider just outside the front door that has built his web and it's covering the archway into the house.  I'm going to have to do something, but haven

t decided what yet because I really have never seen a spider this big.  It's the size of the palm of my hand, and I'm not sure how he

s going to react to me knocking down his web, and since there are jumping spiders in Houston, I'm not sure I wnat to upset him. 

As for Sunday school lessons:

September 2013

September 2013

We are trying to get back in the rut of school, but this Mom hates the routine and so I resist every year!  However, we are trying to compromise somewhat.  I would be a terrible home school teacher.  We would never do any classwork that wasn't fun, and never science and math!

I started off the month with going to lunch with Patti Wienken.  She's a friend from church and has been a real blessing the last few years while I have really struggled with some family issues that were totally devastating to me, and with Cymbre's headaches and everything involved there.

Fall dance classes have started once again for Cymbre, and since she's doing off campus PE for dance, she will be living at the studio, and we will be driving by to drop off meals again this year.  We are really hoping that her headaches don't interfere with what she needs to do both at school and at the studio.  She spends lots of time in class herself, but she also helps with some classes with Ms. Andee and Ms. Amy so everyone say your prayers.

We have continued finishing up with doctor appointments and Cooper went back to Dr. Bacon on her foot and was cleared to dance on it again.  Thank goodness no cast this time.  This is a good thing because she is teaching both at APAC and Dance Central for teachers who have to be gone.  Her and Cymbre will be helping Ms. Andee with a tap trio for competition also this year.

Nate Ellis left on his mission to Brazil.  He's been in my Sunday School class for the past two years, and will be a tremendous missionary.  Spencer Wood also leaves for Brazil in a few days too.  Jordan Jones is in France, and Rachel Taylor is in Tahiti, Austin Metcalf in Spain.  It's so wonderful to see these kids who have testimonies go out to serve The Lord.  They will all be successful missionaries.  I look forward to following them through their moms to keep up on their missionary adventures.

Cooper is continuing with as much dance and voice lessons as she can fit into her schedule so she is prepared for school in October.

Cymbre is continuing with the physical therapy for her migraines.  Some days I think it is helping, and others to me it feels like a wash.  Nothing seems to help permanently.  She has been given so many priesthood blessings that she will recover, and still we wait.  That's the hardest part for her.  Living in pain constantly is terrible....I know, I do it with my back.

Dad and Cymbre went to the Moroni's Quest meeting.  That's going to be the Youth Conference this year for our Stake.  It sounds fun if they can pull it off.  The kids will need two costumes each. They will be camping like Nephites and Lamanites, learning songs, acting out the Book of Mormon stories and wars.  Sounds like a ton of work for leaders, but hopefully it will make an impression on the kids.  Don't know if Cymbre will go because of the camping issues and her allergies.

Cymbre ended up teaching turns and leaps on her own on the 23rd.  It's a good experience for her, but Ms. Traci really needs to pay her if she is going to be the only teacher in the room.  Doesn't seem fair to expect her to step in and get nothing for her time.

Cooper has been giving Tater private tap lessons in the home studio during the summer.  She is Bella's little sister, and wanted to try to get ahead a bit for fall classes.

I went to the cannery for our ward peanut butter assignment.  It began at midnight, and since I'm a night person it wasn't a big deal to stay awake until 4am.  I was the quality control person which met that I opened every so many jars to test the seal.  Then I kept the jars running through the labeler.  Charlie Pennington was my partner, and we had the best time.  He was a tremendous help when we had to pull all the jars off the conveyor and hold them because the labeler was out of order.

Cymbre got to babysit Ms. Andee's baby, Carver.  He is just new, and she LOVES to snuggle him.  She doesn't put him down the entire time she has him.

Tawna Wagley and I have set up a carpool for seminary.  We have split the days driving, and then we just take the girls on to school after seminary.  I'm not sure how this is going to work with Cymbre's headaches, but at least for now we are managing.

I went back to the Allergist, Dr. Schreiber, and he has totally changed my medications.  Maybe the new ones will work better.  I've been miserable, and my chest is hurting...he says I'm a mess.  Thanks Doc!

As for my Sunday School lessons....

The 1st was:  How Do The Commandments Help Me learn To Be More Like Heavenly Father?

In  the hymn book, find me a hymn related to a commandment, or keeping the commandments.  You cannot use Keep the Commandments.

They came up with Choose the Right, O My Father, How Gentle God's Commands, I Am A Child Of God, etc.

Then I had them tell me how these songs help them understand and live the commandments.  They told me some personal experiences, and also some ways  they have shared these hymns with friends.

Since the lesson is built around when we keep the commandments we become closer to our Heavenly and more like Him, I used this object lesson:

I had a paper clip to which I attached 18" of thread.  Then I had a big magnet and some tape.

I taped the end of the thread to the podium.  Then I told the class that the paper clip represents us...you know spiritual beings having our earthly experience!  The magnet represents the gospel...you know the framework for helping us to be our very best selves!

I took the magnet and caught the paperclip and raised it to the full length of the thread.

Then I explained to the class that when we live close to the gospel by obedience to the commandments of God, we are supported by the gospel principles which we are living.  We are supported in our efforts to become like our Heavenly Father.

Then I pulled the magnet a little higher, and the paper clip fell to the podium.

I told the class that when we stray too far we fall.  We are warned in Proverbs 11:14 that "where no counsel is, the people fall."  We also learn in 1 Corrinthians 10:12 that no matter who a man is, or what level in the gospel he is at, he should "take heed lest he fall."  It is critical that we stay close to the gospel teachings so that we can be supported and strengthened in our journey to exaltation.

We talked about some of the consequences of not staying close to the gospel principles, and how hard it is to regain our progress if we let it slip.  We decided that it is probably best to not slip in the first place.  Hence, here's where to reiterate that we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience.

I finished with we must stay close to the Savior to be able to walk along the straight and narrow path in the world today.  There are so many things that try to pull us away from our eternal goals.  It is essential that we are worthy to listen to the Holy Ghost speak to us in order to keep us where we are wanting to go.

the 8th was:  How Can I Help Others Understand My Standards?

I turned the lights off for this lesson.  That get's their attention!

We started by talking about how we talk to our friends about our standards, and why we do certain things and don't do other things.  We discussed how hard it is sometimes to stand up for what we know is right:  Modesty, clean language, word of wisdom issues. Then I guided the conversation to we need to not be ashamed of the gospel and to be able to speak up with confidence.

Remember some of the prophets who were persecuted for speaking up?  Well, chances are that you won't get stoned in today's society....maybe ridiculed a bit, but not tarred and feathered!

I brought out that in D&C 11:21 we learn that The Lord will help us know what to say if we listen.

I brought in the missionaries to help answer some questions the class had in dealing with questions their friends have asked them.

Then I finished up with the purpose of turning off the lights in the first place....the object lesson.

YEs, some of them asked why no lights, and that too plays into the object lesson.

I used a glow stick, first an unlit one.  I asked the class who much light the unlit stick was providing.  Was it something we wanted to gravitate towards?  To seek out?

It was unanimous that it wasn't.

So I lit it up.  The room suddenly had light, and we could see much better...a major point that I made clear!

Then I told them they were the glow stick in the lives of their friends.  AMAZING!!  Some of them had never thought of themselves as a light to their friends of the way the gospel influences our lives.

I told them that just like this glow stick in a dark room, you can stand out to your friends and strangers as someone unique.  Someone who has light!  You can bring a source of light to others, cause them to take notice, and maybe even seek out and join the church because of your influence.

There were looks of amazement around the room on some faces...they FINALLY GOT IT!!  They need to be out there setting the example, spreading around the light of Christ....you know, being the good people!!

SO for the handout I gave them each a glow stick with this tag:  You can be a source of light to others as you maintain your standards, keep the commandments, and set a good example.  The Savior desires nothing less!

And then my email burst with comments from moms who had learned of what we did in class, and then had family home evening lessons around the glow stick I sent home.  OOOKKK!  Well, I guess the Spirit was at work today!

the 15th was:  How Does Keeping The Commandments Affect My Ability To Learn The Gospel?

The point of the lesson was:  Learning the gospel requires the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

I told the story of Abraham and Isaac.  How hard it must have been for Abraham as a parent to obey, and prepare to sacrifice his son.  Even without telling Isaac, and dealing with the boys questions during all the preparations.

We discussed that we are always blessed for our obedience.  Thank goodness, because sometime obedience comes at a real price!

I asked the class for some experiences they have had in receiving inspiration because of their obedience.  They had a hard time correlating the two.

So, I talked about blessings in general, and how usually they come after we have done something right...kept a commandment, lived the word of wisdom, didn't cheat on a test, etc.  Then they saw the correlation.

I told them that if we live worthy, we can receive "flashes of light, or inspiration" straight from our Heavenly Father in our everyday lives.

For the object lesson this time I used a broken flashlight.

I had Slade bring a broken flashlight with him.  Then I had him stand up and tell us about his flashlight.  It looked great, but didn't work.  So, it was prepared to give us light, but didn't have all it's working parts.

Then I showed them my flashlight, and told them it was a brand new flashlight with fresh batteries and bulb. I tried to turn it on...nothing!

The class said, yeah right Sister Flanagan, it doesn't have batteries!  So I opened the flashlight and took out the top battery...sure enough it has batteries!

I tried the light again...nope

This time they said that maybe the bulb wasn't screwed all the way in.  I called up someone and had them make sure the bulb was tight.  Sure enough.

Again I tried to turn it on....NOTHING AGAIN!

By now the class is laughing at me and saying that I don't know how to work a flashlight.  (Remember that I have a class FULL of priests)

I asked them if that meant they thought I didn't know how to receive inspiration?  They wouldn't answer that one?  Guess we'll move on...

Then I tried one more time shaking the light...nothing.

I talked to them about how when we want to receive inspiration, if there is just one tiny thing that's out of place or wrong, it doesn't come.  Talking to our Heavenly Father is a privilege, and receiving inspiration back from Him an even bigger one.  We have to be worthy in EVERY way to receive it!

Then I opened the battery compartment, and showed them that one of the batteries had a piece of tape over the connecting end...thereby breaking the connection.  So NO LIGHT!

We then talked about how we cannot receive the "flashes of light" or inspiration if we don't have every working part in order.  Are we in tune?  Have we read our scriptures?  Are we listening?  Did we ask in faith, nothing wavering?

I took the tape off, put the flashlight back together, and WHA LA!!! It worked.

Totally effective in illustrating my point!   Score one for the teacher!!  Well, actually score one for the Spirit that woke me up in the middle of Saturday night and TOTALLY CHANGED my lesson!

The handout was a small flashlight with this tag:  Just like a working flashlight shines a beam of light, when we are keeping all the commandments, living worthily, and asking in faith, we can receive "flashes of light" directly from our Heavenly Father!"

I  am living proof of that statement this week!

the 22nd was:  How Can I Inspire Others To Obey The Commandments?

How have you been influenced by the example of others who were obedient to the commandments?

We learn the importance of being a good example and the power of pure testimony from the scriptures.

As teachers, we need to fast, pray, keep the commandments, and listen to the Holy Ghost in order to teach with the Spirit.

It isn't me being the teacher, it's the Spirit.  I am just the vehicle the Savior uses, and the Spirit causes the testifying of truth that happens.

and finally the 29th was:  What Blessings Does Heavenly Father Promise If I Obey The Commandments?

What do we get if we keep the commandments?

Tithing - windows of heaven open
  Word of Wisdom - greater health
Family Home Evening - kids won't go astray
Morally clean - eternal marriage
Food storage - physical prepardness, no need to worry

I told them the story of Moses telling the people to look on the brass serpent on a stick and they would live.  Many didn' t do it because they had been bitten by the serpent before.  So it was a hard commandment to obey..

I also had Frank  and Jacob share with the class a sections out of the For Strength Of YOuth  pamphlet and share the blessing they saw in their lives from obedience to that section.

The handout was a small rubber snack glued on a stick with a tag saying: Look on the serpent and live.

Adam came up after the lesson and wanted to take home my visual aide serpent on a stick.  I gave it to him.

August 2013

August 2013

This month was a very busy month!  It seems like our summers come and go and it's just been a day or two, and in reality it's been three months!

Both the girls are involved in the summer dance classes at APAC.  Cooper is just filling her time with as much dance and voice lessons as possible because she leaves for AMDA in October.

We got tickets to go to the Broadway show Wicked again.  Cooper LOVES that show, and it's in Houston again.  We always go to the Saturday matinee as a family.  It's a fun afternoon.

Cooper is also doing lots of substitute teaching for different dance teachers at different studios.  She's early a good chunk of cash for school.

We went to lunch with friends a couple of time, which is always fun for us.

Cymbre's physical therapy is continuing, and some days we make some degree of progress.  It's a slow process, and Cymbre is always hoping that it will work and relieve her pain.

Cooper went to Austin with Bella for just a quick trip.  They had a ball.

Cymbre is continuing to work on her solos.  Her Senior Dance Intensive was the 12th-16th.  Cooper is going too.

Cooper is also continuing her voice lessons, and doing some private dance lessons for ballet and tap.

My Dad has been developing a lung fibroid disease that is terminal.  They have him on oxygen, and he isn't a happy camper. It is caused because he had rheumatic fever twice as a child.  It's progressing, and the doctors are saying we probably won't have him at the end of the year.  Guess we'll see.  At any rate, I took the girls to Denver on the 23rd - 25th to visit their Grandparents.  It was a fun trip, although hard to watch my Dad suffer with his chest burning and panting for breath.

Cooper hurt her foot, so I took her to Dr. Bacon yet again.  Just a bad sprain, and she has to rest and ice.  Thank goodness no cast this time.  Cooper was really upset!  This made it necessary for Cymbre to step in at Dance Central and help Andee with some dance classes.

School started on the 26th, so that meant we had to get Cymbre to seminary and then to school, and pick her up at 1:30 each day.  Can I just say I hate the school routine?  Seems like I just get something going and I have to switch gears, or I get somewhere and have to hurry home to pick her up.  Love that kid, but I will be very happy when she has her driver's license and can take herself all the places she needs to go!

We finished up more doctor appointments so we don't have to miss school for them.  Seems like all I do is take the girls to doctors.  Just had to finish up the allergist and dermatologist and dentist.

We fed the missionaries on the 31st, and that's always a fun and laughter filled evening.

I took my Sunday School class to the temple a couple of times to do baptisms.  We were learning about temple ordinances, and it was summer, so why not go.  Not very many kids ended up going, because their parents had other plans, but those that did had a great time.

As for Sunday School lessons:

The 4th was:  How Will Keeping A Personal Journal Bless Me And My Family?

I used 1 Nephi 1:1-3, Mosiah 6:5

What are some people in the scriptures who have been bledded by keeping records?

Obviously the Nephites, King Benjamin's people, 2000 Stripling Warrior parents...

Then we talked about some of the blessing these people received.

I took the lesson over to writing our personal journals gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives and recognize the blessings God had given us in our daily lives.

The 11th was:  Why Is It Important To Learn About My Family History?

Object lesson was Starburst candy.  I called Cooper up and asked her to unwrap and eat the candy without using her body in any way.  Of course she couldn't do it.  Then I had Slade come up and help her.  He unwrapped the one she wanted and put it in her mouth.  Therefore, she was able to obtain the candy.

I likened it to there are temple ordinances that our deceased ancestors want, and need, but they cannot do them on their own.  We are the ones that have to help them here on earth to receive those temple ordinances, so that they can have the satisfaction of partaking of the eternal ordinances they need.

So, obviously the candy represented the temple ordinances.

It went over big time!

Then I spent time having them fill out family group sheets and pedigree charts.

The 18th  was:  How Can I Explain The Importance Of Marriage And Family To Others?

I took these sources:  Preach My Gospel, For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet, Family Proclamation, True To The Faith Book, Scriptures, Missionaries, Personal Testimonies, Church Websites.  

I told the class they could use any of these sources during the lesson time.

The object lesson I used was:

I posed as a non-member who had questions about why I needed to have a "forever family".  The missionaries came in and tried to help the kids with scriptures and doctrine, but what the kids learned is that they didn't really know how to answer the questions people commonly ask.  Then the missionaries took over the rest of the time, and helped us sort out scriptures, and teaching techniques we could use in teaching our friends.

It was a GREAT lesson!!

The 25th I did not teach a lesson as we just had Sacrament meeting because the Spanish Stake that meets in our building was holding their Stake Conference, so they needed the entire building with no overlapping.

Guess that's it for August 2013!

July 2013

July 2013

This month started off with a bang as the girls went to EFY in San Antonio like the first day of the month for a week.  That left Dad and I here on our own for a whole week!  We managed to fill it with Doctor appointments, haircuts, and working on dance costumes.  We also fit some date nights in there too!



Our BIGGEST News is that Cymbre got her driver's permit, and so Guy is in the process of teaching our LAST one how to drive.  He is going to make her learn to drive the mini too since it is a standard transmission.  She has to learn how to drive it before we sell it and get Cooper an automatic car to take to school in Hollywood in October.

As soon as the girls got home from EFY, Cooper and I had to leave for Tap Kids in Burlington, Vermont.  Cymbre stayed home with Dad, but then they later joined us for Cooper's Tap kids show.  They had a Daddy Daughter road trip, and seemed to have a good time doing things on their way.  It was a surprise for Cooper as this may be her last show.  Then we turned it into a family vacation to drive home.

However, on the way to Vermont Cymbre and Dad both got sick and made stops at Urgent Care Centers.  So they ended up showing up early and sick.  Dad sounded like he was dying with his cough!  They slept while Cooper danced...I just did my Mom thing.  They both made it to the show, although Dad still wasn't feeling very good



On the way to Vermont, Dad and Cymbre saw these things:   Shenandoah National Park, Smoky Mountains National Park, Battlefields, Knoxville and Philadelphia Zoos, For McHenry, Appomatax, Edison National Historical Site, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Cloud Canyon State Park, Flanagan homes from when Guy was growing up.



Once we met up, as a family we saw these things:   Teddy Bear Museum, Covered Bridges, Joseph Smith's birth place, Mystic, Plimoth Plantation/Plymouth Rock, Rock of Ages Quarry, Sugar Mill, Salem Mass., Sargus Iron Works, Topiary Gardens, USS Constitution, Segway Tour of Guildford, Conn., Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory.  We had a tremendous time.

Cooper LOVES coming to Tap Kids.  It's one of the only places she gets really challenged in her tap dancing, and she enjoys the chance to dance with other kids who can keep up with her.  Andee does a great job in teaching her and staying ahead of her, but it's nice to have a whole room full of kids to dance with sometimes.

While we were gone on the trip Terri White stayed in our home in Houston.  The first night after I gave her explicit instructions in a message, she managed to not use the instructions and set off the burglar alarm, waking the entire neighborhood and calling the police in the middle of the night when she arrived home from the dog show!  Good thing our neighbor knew she was supposed to be there, or she would have been arrested.  She was embarrassed to call and tell us, but we just laughed!  It gave her a place to stay instead of a hotel while she was in town.  And she's family, so it wasn't a big deal.

Cymbre is continuing her physical therapy for her migraines.  Some days it gets rid of the headache, and some days it just lessens it.  I sure wish we could find the solution for her.

I came home from the trip and managed to have strep...probably got it from Dad and Cymbre.  So I spent a few miserable days....not a good thing right after a trip!

Cooper and Cymbre attended a Matt Shields Master Tap Class at Dance Central.  They loved the class, and now they have yet another contact in the tap dance world.  That's a good thing for Cooper especially.  Cymbre loved the fact that he wore a fedora, and she wears them too.



Cooper and I went to Austin for a few days to attend a Dance Intensive that Cooper had been invited to come too.  It was held at the Dance Spot Studio, and she ended up getting a gift card to spend at the Capezio store they had on location.  She bought a fancy tank top.  The director of the workshop, Quinton, invited her to come when he saw her at competition, so we went.  He wants her on his company, as usual.



Cooper also attended the MET Summer Dance Intensive in Houston.  A couple of weeks of going downtown to the studio for all day classes.  The teachers are more challenging, and they too want her on their company.

Cooper is again doing her voice lessons getting ready to go to school in October.  Sister Pennington is working with her.

We are working in all the doctor appointments for the girls in addition to the headache doctor appointments for Cymbre.  Seems like all we do is go to some doctor!

Got a new dryer...the transmission wore out on the old one.  Seems like every time the appliance dies, it's a major issue and we end up having to replace the thing.  Now the dryer matches the washer again.  We bought the Whirlpool Duet dryer.

The girls are attending summer dance classes at APAC when they are around for them.  It's always a good thing to keep dancing during the summer, and they are working on solos with Andee too.  Cooper is doing a new solo to take with her to school in case she need one, and Cymbre is doing her two for competition next season.

I've started dance costumes for competition next season....seems like a never-ending necessity.  I bought all the parts, now just the altering, Rhine stoning, and hat making to do.  I have to make a hat with netting for Cymbre's dress dance this year....but I can't find millinery netting in the right color.  Guess I will try to paint the stuff.  It's plastic, so spray paint ought to work I hope!!

As for Sunday School lessons:

July 1st was:

The 7th was:  How Can I Deepen My Understanding Of Covenants?

Always remember to honor the covenants you make with The Lord.

Ordinances and covenants go together.  You can't have one without the other.  They cannot be separated.

Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are.  They remind us of our duty to God.  The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life.  When we honor them, He strengthens us.

Elder John A. Widtsoe:  "An ordinance is an earthly symbol of a spiritual reality.  It is usually also an act of symbolizing a covenant or agreement with The Lord."

I used a coin as an object lesson:

Which side of a coin is more important?  Neither one

Can you separate the sides of the coin?  No

Covenants and ordinances are inseparable, just like the two sides of a coin are inseparable.

Ordinances and Covenants are necessary for admission into God's presence, just as coins are sometimes needed for admission to events.

I gave them a handout with a coin attached, and the quote:  "Ordinances and covenants are necessary for admission into God's presence, just as coins are sometimes needed for admission to events."

I had a substitute for the 14th and 21st because of going to Tap Kids with Cooper.

The 28th was:  How Can I Prepare To Receive Temple Ordinances?

We went over the First Presidency Message in the front of the For Strength Of Youth Booklet.

Before we go to the temple we need to prepare:

Live worthy of a temple recommend

Listen and follow the prophet - general conference is an excellent source of instructions from the living prophets

Be spiritually clean

Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-17

Object lesson using a water filter:

If our water supply is dirty (show dirty water in a water bottle) we filter it.

We have to filter out earthly things in order to be worthy to receive spiritual things.

(Show clean water in water bottle)

Brother O'Neal came in and answered the classes' questions regarding temple recommends.

Handout:  Big #2 with this quote:

"Those who understand the eternal blessing which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price to heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive these blessings.  There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure.  They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our HEavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort."

Guess that about wraps up July 2013!

June 2013

June 2013

June 1st starting off with a bang!  Caleb and his family came to visit for Cooper's High School graduation festivities!  We had tremendous fun with those Grandbabies!  We got the toys out of the attic, stocked up on treats, and the Aunties were as excited as Grandma!

Cooper's open house was the 2nd, and our house was standing room only for several hours as people came and went to congratulate her.  Dance, school, and church friends, Guy's business people, church members, neighbors etc. all came bearing gifts for her.  We set up a cookie bar, had candies, and had sandwiches and fruit salad.  It was a tremendous party!!

Seminary Graduation was on the 2nd, and we took the family to that...took forever, but Cooper got a great photo with the Stake President there.

Guy and I helped to serve the cake for refreshments.  Gave us something to do while Cooper visited with her friends.

The girls had to go for recital photos, but we hurried to get back to the family.

Britni came for graduation on the 6th, and Guy took the grandbabies to the zoo while Grandma got some things done at home.  Shyla came for graduation and brought her babies, and we LOVED having them around too!  It's so fun to have all the kids and their kids here.  We are just missing Shyla's Russell!  Boohoo...

The 7th was GRADUATION!  We have spent hours and hours getting everything ready...making the birdcage for her cards, decorations made, cookies baked, candy bought, sandwiches picked up...it was a huge party!!  And Cooper absolutely loved everyone coming to see her!

Cooper spent some time each day going to her friends graduation parties.  Nate, Spencer, Kandice, Bella, Madison, Ragan, and Megan all had parties.  Shalyesse Bennett had her missionary farewell and Cooper represented us there too.

Caleb and the kids left on the 9th, but we still had Shyla and her girls for a few more days!  It was wonderful to have some time with them as we don't get to see them very often.  In person is so much better than skype!

On the 7th, we had a big family graduation party.  Guy's family came in for Graduation the night before, and I had snow cones from Bahama Bucks, we grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, potato salad, and baked beans.  What a fun time we had with family.  Wish my side could have come.

Cooper taught some dance classes for Andee and Amy, and is so enjoying the little ones.

Now it's time for all the summer doctor appointments....orthodontist for Cymbre, Dr. for Mom and physical therapy for Cymbre's headaches.

Cooper was excepted in the MET Summer Dance Intensive, so she spent the week from the 24th to the28th dancing downtown all day.

The water softener is not working again....so the repairman came and fixed it again.  Some part is broken, so he replaced it.

Cymbre got her haircut, and the girls had dress rehearsal for recital.  That always takes forever, but it should be a good show.

Recital was the 22nd at Morton Ranch High School.  Traci made sure it was at a time that Cooper could be there since it is her final year at the studio.  The girls danced all their solos, and class, and company dances.  It seems liked all we did was change costumes!

I took Cooper to Austin for the Matt Luck Dance Intensive at the Dance Spot studio.  Turns out he wasn't there teaching because something came up, but Cooper enjoyed all the classes anyway.  She won a gift card for her work, and she spent it in the little store before we left.

Cymbre started her tap solo for next year with Andee...we like to get started early because sometimes it takes her a bit longer to pick up the choreography.  AND it give Cymbre something to do for the summer.

Dad did his home teaching, and the girls had a Quad stake dance in Klein.  They love those as there are so many more kids!

ADD SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS HERE

6/2

The lesson was How Can I Participate Effectively In Councils In The Church?



We discussed:  Priesthood leaders are called to labor with Priesthood Authority, love, and compassion.



Everything we do needs to focus on the spiritual well-being of the Church Members.



As Church Members, we need to love and support our Priesthood leaders, and try our best to do the things the ask us to do to the best of our ability.



6/9



Bishop Bitter taught for me because I was doing something, which I can't remember what.



6/16



The Topic was:  Why Is It Important To Follow The Counsel Given By Priesthood Leaders?

We talked about how our priesthood leaders receive revelation for ward members--they help us stay close to the Savior.



We need to follow their counsel, and sustain them in their responsibilities.



We did a skit about Naaman Learn To Obey - a scripture story.



6/21



Topic was:  How Do Women & Priesthood Holders Work Together To Build The Kingdom Of God?



We discussed that all members are called to labor in the Church.  Men and women work together to accomplish whatever need to be done.



6/27



Topic:  How Can Using Scripture Study Skills Help Me Learn More About The Priesthood?

We talked about what scriptures we could use to explain the Priesthood to women who was investigating the Church.



We looked at how to use the Bible Dictionary and Topical Guide to find the scriptures we are wanting to use.  Also talked about the footnotes noted at the bottom of the pages and included in each
scripture verse.



We talked about D&C 121:34-46



We played Priesthood Jeopardy!  They LOVED it!



Treat were:  Box of NERDS, because the nerdy person always wins at Jeopardy!



We are keeping Cymbre on the prayer roll, and also my Dad, Larry Jay Petersen  because of their health.  Dad is suffering from a lung condition that is where he is growing spidery fibroid tumors in his lungs, and there is not cure.  It was caused by his rheumatic fever when he was young.  So, since his parents didn't know that this was happening, they couldn't do anything about it.



Cymbre is constantly struggling with her migraines.  She has cervico genic migraines complicated by occipital neuralgia.  Means lots of pain centered right behind her left ear.  And lots of tight muscles in her neck and back, so we do lots of physical therapy, and pushing on trigger points, and rubbing her muscles near her spine.  Botox is also something they are talking about.  It's becoming a very long drawn out situations without much progress in pain relief!

May 2013

May 2013

May started out as a very busy month.  

Voice lessons, solos, ballet privates, in addition to Showstoppers Dance Competition.

Cymbre is finally officially caught up with all her absences for headaches, and I have written confirmation from the Asst. Principal, Mr. Chacon.  Now she doesn't have to go to tutoring unless she doesn't understand something.  I think she will continue to go for math for a few more times.

We had to take the girls to Austin for Showstopper this year, as they had to dance on Sunday in Houston, but in Austin they didn't.  They needed to compete because you have to compete to qualify for nationals, and we sort of were thinking about doing Nationals since it's Cooper's last year.  Terri and Morgan came and watched, and we had dinner together.  It's always fun to see them, and they really enjoy watching the dancing!

INSERT AWARDS AND PHOTOES HERE

Entouch came and hooked up the wireless burglar alarm in the new windows, and the guy to fix the water softener came and fixed it, and the Air Conditioning people came and services the air conditioners all on the same day.  A busy morning but now everything is taken care of.

We seems to be having lots of Doctor appointments...Cymbre for bronchitis,  Dad to get his medicines refilled, and Cooper to get her teeth cleaned.  Mom also got my teeth cleaned.

Cymbre's physical therapy continues, and Brian is helping a little bit.  She does lots of exercises at home, but still headaches daily.

Cooper went to the Dr. and got medicine for a sore throat.  I saw Dr. Ermac for medication renewals.

On the 3rd just as we were coming from dinner out, Guy opened the garage door and at the same time lightning struck just above the garage in a big ball and a VERY Big Bang!  We all just sat in the car looking at it.  Guy was angry.  This was the second time for lightning at our house, but when we went inside everything seemed to be in working order!  Thank goodness it didn't explode the garage just as we were pulling inside!!

On the 8th we discovered tiny black ants in the pantry.  What a mess!!  We took everything out, threw away all the stuff with ants in it, and sprayed and put everything back.  Then again a few days later we did the same thing again!  Needless to say, we are not stocking up!

We enjoyed FHE with the Maloney family, and enjoyed playing some get to know you games.  They are a new family in the ward, and their son is in my Sunday School class.  We've had to put off meeting with them two times, but even though Cymbre wasn't feeling her best, we went to night.

Cooper had Sister Gesserick do her hair all fancy, and her make-up for prom.  She looked so beautiful.  It was worth the money!  Her date was Landon Badoni, a fun young man she met at EFY.  The two of them had a group, and they took her Mini Cooper car, and had a ball.  Her dress was a royal blue with rhinestone trim we got from a website and I altered it so it be modest.

Her group posed for photos in one young mans house, and they had a ball taking photos.

Cooper attended friends graduation parties.  Seems like we never see her anymore, between all these parties, and dance classes, and dance teaching, and school.

I am in the midst of making decorations, and preparations for Cooper Graduation open house.  She's invited tons of people, and they will probably all show up making the house standing room only.  I probably should have used the church....but I just didn't want to clean it up.

We are doing her party the week before graduation, and ordered sandwiches from Costco, and we will made a fruit salad, and tons of cookies for a cookie bar.  Lemonade to drink and water.  

We've done all kinds of coordinating decorations, even decorating the bottoms of the candy hugs and kisses.

Cymbre got the VOE  (verification of enrollment) form from school so she can start Driver's Ed in a box with Dad....she will do the online classes over the summer, and then in July she will get her driver's permit.  Then a year from now, our final teenage driver!  WOOHOO, that means Dad and I can retire from chauffeuring!

Cooper and Cymbre helped Andee with auditions at Dance Central.  Andee is pregnant, and she is using them as demonstrators.  They LOVE it!!

The girls also had auditions for APAC Dance Company again....it's just a formality for them, they always are on the competition company.

As for Sunday school classes:

On the 10th the lesson was:  What Can I Learn From Living Prophets and Apostles?

ADD LESSON NOTES HERE

Guy and I made a Prophet Family Feud game, and the class really enjoyed the competition of the game.

The treat was a $100,000 candy bar...everyone got one for playing the game, and the handout was a prophet bookmark.

On the18th the lesson was:  How Can I Improve My Scripture Study?

ADD LESSON NOTES HERE

I took water color paints and had one of the students paint me a picture of a temple.  He did a fairly good job without practice.  The point of the lesson was:  scripture study takes practice, then we learn better what the scriptures are telling us, and see different meanings.

The handout was a set of water color paints and some paper for each of them with the tag saying:  Just like painting a beautiful picture, scripture study requires practice!

the 25th the lesson was:  What Can I Learn From President Monson About Following The Spirit?

ADD LESSON NOTES HERE

Guy and Cooper also made a quick trip to College Station for Courtney Whites graduation party.  She graduated from College.

I think that's about it for May...

April 2013

April 2013

Cymbre's headaches are continuing to be a daily issue.  She spends several hours doing exercises and stretching and we hold muscles and use heat and cold, and we are still having not much luck!  Physical therapy is still coming along, but its a very slow progress!  We will keep up the stuff!

Tap and ballet privates, and voice lessons are still happening every week, and somehow the girls are managing to keep track of everything and be where they are supposed to be.  Cooper is always so excited when she comes home from singing with Sister Pennington about what they did, and Brother Pennington says I should come over and sit in his office and just listen.

Ms. Andee is keeping them busy with their solos and duet for competition, and trying to throw in some harder tap steps in the private time she has with the girls.

We went to Thunderstruck Dance competition, and the girls did well again this year.  

Sister Margaret Mayo went to the competition with us, and we all had a tremendous time.  She's in her 80's and just enjoys life!  The girls duet won the whole competition!

MOVE competition was also this month, and the girls did tremendous there too.  Their duet, Mr. Pinstripe Suit is winning everything at every competition.

We went to Ladies Night at the temple bookstore, and as usual, I won something in the drawings.  It was a CD this time.

General conference is always a delight.  Jammie Church as we call it is fun to just listen to at home without the hassle of getting to church on time.

I returned again to the oral surgeon, and again he shocked my face to see how the numb nerves are doing.  Still numb, but it seems to be over a smaller space...more waiting, more slobbering, more funny words in Sunday School lessons!

Guy went to Norway for a week and a half on business.  I really hate it when he has to be gone that long.  Everything goes wrong, and everything brakes, and someone always gets sick.

Cymbre is carrying on with her tutoring before and after school.  If we can just keep up going in the morning and afternoon for a few more weeks, she will have her excessive absences made up and it won't be a problem.



On the 13th, I was trying to fix where a screw was coming out of the family room wall, and was trying to glue the piece of wall back on top of it.  Well, it didn't work very well as I super glued my fingers to the wall!  Had to rip skin to get it off...pretty dumb...just saying...



On the 17th, Cymbre saw Dr. Holick for a follow-up appointment.  Things are not worse, but not much better...continue physical therapy, and she talked about starting a daily preventative medication to see if that makes any difference.  We will decide next visit.



We tried to get Taylor Swift tickets, but didn't have any luck...I think they were sold out before the released them.



The girls had Young Women In Excellence and displayed some of their stuff...they both have their medallions but they wanted something from them.



 On the 23rd,
I went back to the Endodontist for a another root canal that was on a tooth with a crown.  He repaired it, and  hopefully, I don't have the same issue as the last time.



I took the girls to Raleigh, North Carolina for Tap University with Mark Goodman.  They love that man, and he loves the girls.  He does a terrific workshop thing over a long weekend, and the girls have gone every year for years.  They LOVE it!



On the 27th, we were coming  home from shopping, and just as Guy opened the garage door, there was a flash of lightning, and it was right over the top of our garage.  A loud boom, and we thought the garage had been hit, which would have made it twice for our house to be hit by lightning.  Guy was really mad, but we soon discovered that everything was ok...how it was is still a big question in our minds, but let's just say Heavenly Father was on our side that day!



Cooper taught some classes for Ms. Josie, and loved it.



We took the girls to Hall of Fame Dance Competition, and they always do well there!  That competition loves tap dancers!  And there is no fuss for not dancing on Sunday.  They work with a lot of Mormons when they go to Utah, so they understand.  The girls won First  Overall with their Duet yet again!




I went to the APAC Dance Company Parent Meeting.  There wasn't really anything new, but Traci always has the competition schedule for next years.  Then we can plan around dance things for the year.



The girls went to a youth dance, and as always enjoyed the evening.



The last day of ballet class for this year has come, and because the girls are not doing the recital in that class, they only have to attend the Saturday ballet technique classes for the rest of the year.

Pella Windows came to replace some windows in the sewing room and scrapbook room.  It's always a mess!




As for Sunday School lessons:



On the 13th the lesson was:  How Can I Liken The Events Of The Apostacy And The Restoration To My Life?



It was mostly using the story of the First Vision, and the class really enjoyed the part where I was describing the story and stopped and said to them "Can't you just see Satan sitting there on a log in the grove just waiting for Joseph to start praying so he could pounce on him.    Satan had to know what was going to happen sense it was a revelation being fulfilled straight out of the scriptures.  He knew that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were going to start the Restoration so there was no way he was going to miss out."



On the 27th the lesson was:  What Does Joseph Smith's Example Teach Me About Learning The Gospel?



We talked about how Joseph prepared himself even though he had no clue what would happen.  He read in the scriptures, pondered what he read, and then exercised his faith and simply asked Heavenly Father his question.  I asked them how being prepared can help you when you finally ask the question.  Are you more receptive if you've put some work into the asking, or is it easier if you just wing it?



Then we played a Joseph Smith Trivia game that Guy and I had made...always a fun time in class.  I always have to prove that I am still smarter than the kids in class, and they always think they will know all the answers...not true...just saying.



I know there are other lessons, so I will have to look them up on the big computer.



Tap University was also this month in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The girls LOVE to go because they get to see Mark Goodman and tap dance for a whole weekend!  They learn so much, and Mark is such a great mentor for them.



Guy spent some time in Utah seeing Caleb and Holly and the kids, and stopped by to see Shyla, Russell and the girls.



Guy has been published in the EAEG First Break Journal.  He wrote a technical paper.  I'm so proud of him.

March 2013

March 2013

This month is a busy one for Cooper, seems like she has something every day.

The girls have Tap Group for competition rehearsals.

Cooper is continuing her voice lessons.

Dr, Holick has decided that Cymbre might benefit from doing physical therapy for her headaches, so I am trying to get that set up for her.  They have a migraine therapist at Texas Children's, so we will see how long it takes to get a time to see him.   Maybe this will help!

We went to her physical therapy evaluation, and the man, Brian Scully, has said he can try to help Cymbre.  We set up therapy once a week for 12 weeks,, then evaluate to see where we stand.

Cooper seems to be teaching for Traci, Amy, and Andee on a more regular basis.  It's ok, she can use the money.

The girls have Spring Bread, but we are just sticking around home this year.  With therapy and such, we just aren't able to get away right now.

Cooper and Bella Cruz went to the Maroon 5 concert and had a great time.

Guy spent some time in La Jolla, California on business.

I enjoyed going to lunch with my visiting teachers and the other ladies they visit.  We sort of made a lunch group visit out of it, and we all enjoy it.

Solo and ballet privates continue weekly.

My face is still numb from the oral surgery last month...it get's old really fast.  Just saying!

We are having some new windows put in to replace the worn out ones we have and a broken one upstairs.  That's always such a mess!

The girls had Youth Conference.  They went to San Antonio to the temple and stayed at a ranch out there.  They spent some time in an old folks home putting together family history binders for the people, and both girls say they had a great time.

I took the girls to the Young Women's Broadcast, and then we went over to Maren Pearson's surprise baby shower.  She was surprised, and we enjoyed visiting with some friends there.

Cymbre's headaches are still a daily occurrence, and we are hoping this medicine will kick in son and start making a different.  She's missing seminary and school almost daily.

In Sunday School we did a few things of note:



the 16th was How Can Relying On The Savior's Grace Help Me Become A Better Teacher?

The object lesson was a broken clay pot....The Savior used us even with all our flaws to grow a thing of beauty.  Just like the clay pot will still grow beautiful flowers, the Savior uses us for His purposes.



the 22, How Can The Book Of Mormon Help Me Strengthen My Faith In The Atonement Of Jesus Christ?



I gave them a Meaning Of Easter FHE lesson to share with their families.  It contained scriptures and a carton of plastic eggs containing this of the Savior in each one.  Things like a cross, crown of thorns, etc.



The class obviously loved that one, as several parents emailed to comment on the wonderful FHE they had had from what the kids had brought home.



The 30th was How Can I Use Comparisons To Teach Others About The Atonement?



For this one I took all kinds of household objects and we discussed how we could use that object to teach someone about the Atonement.





For their treat I took Peeps Smores.  Then I found them in the kitchen using the microwave to make them before YM/YW.

Get out and find someone who needs you to serve them.

Love you.

Mom

February 2013

February 2013

The month started off with a bang with COOPERPALOOZA!  It's Cooper's birthday, and she celebrates for weeks!  She had a big party, went to dinner with friends, got presents,  and in general made sure everyone was celebrating and wearing their "Cooperpalooza" shirts.  

Cymbre headaches continue, and we are going to see yet another neurologist to see what can be done.  This time we are going to Texas Children's Hospital West Campus.  I've been leery about taking her there, as you hear horror stories of wait times and such and never seeing the same doctor twice, but I guess we will give it a try.  At this point, we are willing to do just about anything to get her some relief.

She will be seeing Dr. Holick a pediatric neurologist.  Guess we'll see...

The Doctor gave us some headaches medicines to try, and then call her to let her know how things are going.  Here we go again....

The girls went to the temple for youth baptisms again.  They love to go with their Dad.  He takes them to Burger King when they are finished.

Cooper has some things entered in an art show at school.  She's painted some pictures, so we will go see them.  I'll try to post photos here.

Cymbre has been missing quite a few of the first three classes with her headaches, so she is going to have to spend some time making them up in tutoring after school.  The AP at school and I are in contact, and we are doing what Mr. Chacon says to get the absences made up before the end of the year.    She struggles because she's in pain almost all the time.

There was a youth dance in Katy that they girls enjoyed.

Cooper has been doing some teaching for Andee so that keeps her busy, and she so loves the tiny ones.

The girls were going to go to the Move Dance Competition, but since we don't dance on Sunday, the competition will not allow them to dance on Saturday or Friday, so Traci pulled them from the competition.  We will go to a different one.

We got family tickets to go see Toby Keith at the Houston Rodeo.  It was a good show.

Cooper is starting her voice lessons in preparation for college.  

The private ballet and tap lessons are continuing as usual.

That looks like about all for the calendar stuff, so I'll have to do the Sunday School lesson stuff later as I don't have that stuff with me at the moment.

As for Sunday School Lessons:

One week was Why Is Learning An Important Part Of Heavenly Father's Plan?

I took the class outside and had them use sidewalk chalk to draw team plans of salvation on the sidewalks.  There were several kids on each team.  I told them they can't use their phones to look it up, use their scriptures, or as an adult for tutoring.  It was amazing to see the detail they included.  Then we discussed the need to be able to teach someone about the plan of salvation without scriptures, or an adult helper, and needing to be comfortable in doing so.

Another week it was:  What Is The Role Of Agency In Learning The Gospel?

We talked about the need to actively seek out learning.  The scriptures can't help us if we don't read them!  General conference talks can't help us if we don't listen to conference or read the Ensign.

The Holy Ghost is a great testifier of truth, but be need to be in tune to receive that revelation from him.

We talked about how we need to be better active learners, and some things we could do to do that each day.  Joseph Smith said that the best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer and ask.

I think that's it except for adding pictures.  I'll do that later.

Love you.

Mom

January 2013

January 2013

OK, So since I am a year behind, I am writing just the highlights, and then posting for 2013 a monthly post.  In the meantime, I am writing for 2014 separately and will post them when I get this caught up.

A word of advice...don't let your blog get behind...just saying!

So, here goes:

January 6th church times changed back to the 9am slot.  I prefer that to 11am. I'm still teaching my class of 16-18 year olds, but the curriculum has changed to be the new program, Come Follow Me.  There is a topic for the month, and the lessons center around that topic in different aspects for Sunday School and YM/YW all month.  So for instance, the January topic is the Godhead, but the Sunday School is focusing on the Holy Ghost.  Great, 4 weeks of this and these kids are going to be bored stiff. I must keep my thinking cap on to spice this up a bit!

Cooper has taught some dance classes for Ms. Andee and seems to really enjoy the tiny Babies!  Those 3 yr olds just steal her heart!  I think she secretly loves it when they call her Ms. Cooper, and a real ballerina.  Feeds her ego!

Cymbre's headaches are starting to be really bad again, and we are trying to figure something out.  Dr. Gill is being wonderful in seeing her and trying medicines.  She's had a blessing that we will be able to figure this out, so hopefully we can make some progress for her soon.  Currently, she is missing lots of school while we try things to get rid of the headaches.  Say your prayers!

I had oral surgery on the 21st for a root canal that didn't work.  I was growing some pretzel shaped infection thing in my jaw and it was eating away at my bone.  So after seeing two specialists, and at the recommendation of the Endodontist I went to the Oral Surgeon, Dr. Bachoura, who says he can fix it, but we have to take care of the infection first.  So double antibiotics, and surgery scheduled.  Guy took me to the office, and waited while they fixed me, did a bone graft, and cleaned out all the infection in my jaw.  A heavy dose of steroids, and pain medicine, and he took me home.  The next morning when I woke up, my right side of my face was totally numb.  We called the Dr. and he said to come in...we went, and he said they probably stretched some nerves, and did some testing to see if I could feel him shocking me, and I could, so he told me it would take some time, but would wear off and be fine.  There is not way to know how long it will take.  GREAT!...Does he realize that I teach a class of 27 priests and laurels, and I can't talk without slobbering on myself?

We just got home, and the water heater guys came to replace both our water heaters.  So Guy was trying to feed me something to keep my blood sugar where it needed to be, and drugging me at the same time.  I was miserable, but that Vicodin is terrific stuff.  However, at the end of the day, the water heaters worked, and I was still drugged in the bed.  Guy slept on the couch with his phone alarm set to wake up and drug me again.  He's certainly a keeper!  And he's all mine....and no, I don't plan on sharing!

The 26th was the Jump Dance Convention, and the girls attended the Master Classes associated with that.  They really enjoy the tap guy, Mike Minery!  He challenges them, and they take the stuff back to Ms. Andee to use.

Our BIGGEST and MOST TREMENDOUS NEWS is that our Britni took her RN Boards, and she PASSED the FIRST TIME!!!  She is so excited, and we are so PROUD of her.  Here's a photo of her diploma!!

Cooper took some of her artwork to the Houston Rodeo art contest, and came home with a 2nd place ribbon and 2 medals, and a Rodeo Scholarship application.  She can't use the scholarship because she will not be attending a Texas College, but the awards made her day.  Her pictures were of her Mini Cooper car full of clowns, and a pickup truck, and some spoons.  Who knew Cooper could draw so well?

The girls are taking private ballet lessons to work on their skills as they are a bit more advanced than in the class, and Cooper wanted to push herself in preparation for college.  Ms. Emily has been great to give them privates.

Ms. Andee also gives them private Tap lessons.  They are the most advanced tap students at the studio, and they LOVE Ms. Andee.  She is a wonderful mentor for them.  They are so blessed to have her.

Cooper attended Priest Laurel conference and had a great time.  She loves the dances the most!  It also doesn't hurt that she dances every dance with a different boy!

Both the girls dyed their hair red.  Cooper's is darker, and Cymbre's is brighter.  It looks good on both of them.  People are called the "gingers" now.

We are trying to clean out some things that we haven't been using and organize things around here.  Seems like there is always organizing to do, and I never get to it as quickly as I would like.  The problem is I have too many other more fun things that get in the way.

We all went to the dentist for cleaning and stuff.

Second trip to the oral surgeon reveals that this numbness is going to last up to several months.  Tremendous!  I'm going to threaten my class if they laugh at me!

As for my Sunday School lessons this month:

The First Week it was How Does The Holy Ghost Help Me Learn?

We read several scriptures, and the object lessons was a paper sack with several objects that represent things the Holy Ghost can do for us.  

Q-tip - speaks in a still small voice that only you can hear
Lifesavers - He will warn you of danger
Band-Aid - Has healing power in your life
Ribbon to tie on finger - He will remind you of right from wrong, good from evil, truth from lies
Soap - Can cleanse and sanctify you through repentance
Candle/flashlight - He will inspire you and light your life path as you go through life and help you understand sacred things
Sock - He will guide your footsteps back to Heavenly Father
Small bottle of glue - He can strengthen your hold on the iron rod
Heart - He will let you know in your heart that God lives and that He loves you
Picture of Jesus Christ - The Holy Ghost can testify of Christ.  That He died for us so that we might gain eternal life


I just put it all in a small paper bag.

The second week was How Does The Holy Ghost Help Me Teach The Gospel?  The object lesson - a mirror with the quote "No amount of time in front of the mirror will make us as attractive as when we have the Holy Ghost with us.  The lesson talked about how the Holy Ghost helps us teach others about the gospel, and we discussed that people can see the Spirit in someone else's eyes.

The Third week was How Can I Learn To See Heavenly Father's Hand In All Things?  The lesson deals with recognizing the tender mercies of Heavenly Father in our daily lives.  Object Lesson was a piece of plain pound cake, no frosting, no decorations.  This represents life without recognizing the tender mercies of God in our lives.  Then a very fancy cupcake is the other side of the object lesson.  It represents our lives recognizing the tender mercies we receive daily, and the blessings we receive when we use those gifts from Heavenly Father to accomplish His purposes.

The handout was a fancy cupcake to eat!

The last two weeks I didn't teach because of my oral surgery, and my inability to control my face!

That's about it for January 2013