Relief Society Birthday

I hope the ladies had a nice time last night.  It's hard to tell when you're running around like a maniac.  Luckily my two favorite things seemed to be everyone else's too. The centerpieces and the cake.  In all my planning and blog surfing, I always end up on wedding blogs for ideas.  This has to be the cheapest centerpiece ever.

 Glass pie dishes, a little potting soil, food storage wheat sprouted, and 2 bunches of daisies, $4 each.  Now what to do with all this wheat grass on my coffee table.

 The day before the event the bishop's wife, a saintly lady with the same name as me, and I spent all day working on this cake.  It was huge.  16 inch bottom layer and 12 on top. I made chocolate with chocolate mousse between the layers and ganache over the top.  She made white cake with peaches and whipped cream between layers and white ganache over the top.  I got the emblem printed at the bakery, edible ink on edible paper.

We kept running into legal issues. After trying to get around it, I found it's surprisingly easy to get a copyright release from the church. Like they're going to sue a bakery for a Relief Society cake! Anyway.  The other Helena wanted the state/relief society flower, the sego lily, on the cake. Some wild bulb that won't bloom if you try to plant and whose flower is illegal to pick.  She made some out of marshmallow. They worked better than the ones I spent many hours on.  Tracing with royal icing.

So let me know if you need sego lilies or wheat grass.  I've got them coming out my ears.  Along with table cloths that need to be laundered.

Family History Bug

Brian and I have got it.  I think we were pretty much set up for it.  Our mothers both gave us some amazing records, Brian works for familysearch.org (a new assignments is to actually research genealogy a few hours a month on the clock so he understands the needs of those using his programs), and his calling at church is to teach the family history consultants, who in turn teach the people in the ward how to research their own family history.

Brian got excited when he found records to go back another generation thanks to a 1920 New Mexico census.  I'm currently thrilled because I asked my sister in Switzerland, who in turn asked an uncle for family pictures. This morning's email was full of amazing black and white pictures of people I've never seen, but are obviously relatives.  I would love to find some stories behind them.  Still trying to figure out who they all are.  I'm sure it only matters to my sisters and me, but I'll include some.


 My grandpa Max who died 10 years before I was born.

And his father Balthasar sitting in the middle with a mustache. I like how the only things on the menu behind are wurst and beer.











And  his mother Berta, she looks so sweet.  My favorite thing is the little boy in the eidelweiss suspenders.

It's amazing how easy computers are making this research.  Not long before Esme was born I waddled my way downtown to the family history library, the best one on the earth and had a traumatizingly fruitless day.  Hours hunched over a microfiche machine, getting dizzy, trying to read records in strange hand-writing and figure out 1800's Swiss abbreviations.  I searched the possible church records and stopped when the lady said next was a census, taken door-to-door.  No alphabetical order, just a guy walking down a street, stopping at each house to find their information.  I walked away knowing only that "Jh." was short for Johann and that this must be why it's usually only old people that do this, they have time and, aparently, much more patience.  The volunteers helping me were experts, I'm grateful for that.

Not to daunt anyone. Luckily many American records are online and keyword searchable thanks to all the indexing volunteers that read records and type them (which is done twice and checked a third time for accuracy) so census' and such are easily searched.  That's how Brian found a new generation of great-great grandparents in a matter of minutes sitting on the couch.  I wonder if it's more fulfilling to find information that way or the hard way.

Speed Friending

So being the Relief Society Activity Leader is my biggest calling yet, and last night was our first event. "Speed Friending." I have been stressing about this for a month.  Anytime a thought about the activity would cross my mind, my stomach would do that nervous jump like when you're zooming down a steep hill on a roller coaster.  To put myself at ease I tried to prepare as early as possible. Writing lists, party blog surfing, food planning, making decorations.  This ended up adding pressure. I came across so many good ideas I wanted to do them all.  Luckily I stopped short of fringing the streamers like this, but I was seriously tempted.  I just felt like the ladies would have a better time if I would just put some extra effort into it instead of throwing something together last minute.

I was totally wrong.  All I would have needed was a timer, couple of plates of cookies and water to drink.  Instead I showed up with 4 bags full of junk. I made paper flowers (from here), confetti, felt bunting, set up a "photo booth", cooked up hot chocolate from scratch with various toppings (chocolate shavings, cinnamon, mint and peanut butter chips, and I whipped cream [after looking at the ingredient list on Reddi whip] for goodness sakes) and nobody even used them. Well, I pressured a couple of people into whipped cream and luckily the Relief Society President talked a few people into pictures.  Okay. I think I'm done venting.  The ironic thing is that one of the main reasons I picked Speed Friending was because of how simple it is.

The activity was a success, thank goodness.  The ladies really seemed to enjoy themselves, judging by their smiles, animated talking, and how nearly impossible it was to get them to switch partners after the timer went ding.

I have definitely learned some things. First, groups of women need no entertainment, they're just happy talking.  Second, don't plan more than one or two things. Getting everyone to be quiet and switch gears is a painfully slow process, and they were even surprised at how assertive I became.  Third, don't stress about the fine details, they won't even notice them. This surprised me since I thought women have an appreciation for niceties.

I'm glad I learned this before the next activity. Supposed to be one of the bigger ones of the year. The Relief Society Birthday, for which I must make 130 formal invitations, figure out a sit down dinner (potluck not allowed), and invite the Stake RS President. Ahhh!!

Ideas Please

I have a new calling at church, and I'm pretty excited about it. I was new to the Enrichment Committee in Relief Society and a couple of weeks ago they called me as the leader. I'm looking forward to it  because I have tons of ideas -copied- that I think all the ladies will love. I already have the year planned, I think (haven't had a meeting where they explain my calling yet) there are 4 big activities and small monthly ones as well as special interest groups, like playgroups, walking groups, a book club, etc.

The first big activity (AND THERE WILL BE BABYSITTING AT EVERY ACTIVITY! even if I have to bribe the husbands with cookies) will be speed friend shipping, thanks for the idea Anna!  It will be perfect for our not-so-friendly ward that has lots of people moving in and out. Us old-timers will actually learn about the ladies we've said hello to in the halls for years, newbies will meet everyone, and shy people will have a reason to talk.

Apparently a summer social is a tradition and I'll have to figure out a super-Saturday craft day before a Christmas something.  Maybe going out and volunteering instead of sitting around listening to the Christmas story.

I would love to stress learning new things for the monthly get-togethers: canning, sewing, crochet, knitting, gardening, etc. There are lots of talented/older ladies that can teach and plenty of newly marrieds/young moms that would like to learn.

The main reason for this post is to ask for your ideas. If you've had any fun/educational activities, please let me know.

My First Super-Saturday

So, my new calling at church is on the enrichment committee, planning activities and crafts for us ladies to do once a month or so. They asked me to come up with something inexpensive for the "Super-Saturday" (craft extravaganza) and I decided on this Matchbox Advent Calendar by Martha. I made one a couple years ago for Anna and never got around to making one for my own family. I found a talk on lds.org and wrote up little devotionals for each day.

Amy amazed us all when she came up with this design. I could barely copy the simply lines of the Christmas tree.

So for $2.50 they went home with a meanful new family tradition and about 800 matches.

It'll be fun watching Eli's eyes bug out as he opens one drawer each day to find a new treat. 

Just Another Trip To The Fair

Nothing special, really. Just a Monday night visit to the State Fair. First came the all-you-can-eat ice cream ($3) tent, then the mini farm, then running into the prophet, and onto some bunny rabbits.

That would be the back of Eli's head in the second to last picture. He gave President Monson his usual I-don't-know-you frown and ran back to me. AHHHH!!!! Curt was more friendly.

Lesson of the day: You never know who you'll run into in the pigeon exhibit, so don't skip it.

Friend Home Evening

So us mothers of this trio of troublemakers have decided to get together Monday nights for FHE. We all have husbands that work late and need to get in the habit of weekly family time with a lesson and activity. We all grew up in strong LDS homes, but somehow family night is hard for us to accomplish, so getting together with friends and sharing responsibilities should be the perfect thing to get us going.

I'm kind of a coordinator, times, activities, assignments. My job is easy in Utah because lots of places (libraries, museums, etc.) have events planned for families on Monday nights at 7. Last night was our second time getting together, this time for a magic show at the library.

I was pretty excited for the bunny.

After the show the boys ran around recklessly

While us girls had cinnamon rolls.

We feel good at the end knowing we can check something off our to-do list, got the boys (and girls) out to see each other and have fun, as well as having important teaching time with our kids.

Why Do I Try So Hard

Apparently I'm on the activities committee at church. I did not know this for a year and a half. That big Christmas party a couple years back must've pooped the old activity leaders right out into inactivity. But the new ones are gung ho and Saturday was our first event. What do they assign this sewaholic with basic skills? Kids games. What do I do all week? Sew a fishing game and bean bags. Last minute I drew the line at making my own bubble solution, only after buying glycerine, which is aparently the secret ingredient for long-lived bubbles. (Just in case you were worried, there was more to do thanks to my partner, an elementary school teacher, who raided the recess closet at school.)

Anyway. The bean bags, with my first attempt at embroidery, went untouched. The fish were a HUGE hit for kids of all ages. One boy was so enthused he decided they needed some water (i.e. bubble solution) in the empty kiddie pool. Right now Eli's happily washing and squishing them out in the sink for me.

I know I'm crazy about homemade, but I only went to all this trouble since I could keep them and have fun kid games on hand for future family home evenings or birthday parties.

I'm already brainstorming carnival games for the summer activity in 3 months.

A Sunbeam

Today was Eli's first day in primary. We were worried since the last few weeks of nursery he'd started screaming, not wanting to go in. He even cried on the way to church the last time we drove, recognizing the intersections and telling me to turn the other way. Today was better, he was even excited and insistent on wearing his tie like dad instead of saying "stay home" at the mention of church.

Brian took him early so the tearing-Eli-off-him drama would happen before the other kids got there. Surpringly Eli didn't act out to his fullest capability since Brian promised him Gordon if he didn't have a fit (sorry, Ciril, we lost him the Gordon you gave him), which will happen the Sunday he goes peacefully to primary.

It went well once the screaming was over and he sat on his teacher's lap. I spied, of course, and even took pictures. Eli was especially enamored with his toys and snacks in sacrament since his grown-up class doesn't give him those anymore. Hopefully the promise of a train will work as well as it did for potty training.

No Time To Lay Around

Since being a mom, general conference is not a chance to sit around at home in my pajamas and watch church talks on TV. It's double duty time, listen to church leaders speak and do work in my pajamas (for this reason there are no pictures of me).
Last year we painted the back room green while the boy still took two naps. This year I was cutting out yards of diaper fabric, pinning, and trying to sew (for a couple minutes until it made more sense to let Anna do that). On Sunday we were doing mounds of dishes, making homemade mozzarella and Brian made his famous Brazilian banana bread. The boy was peaceful and content, as he always is when Brian is around, and did many picture-worthy things, like eating watermelon under the coffee table and yelling on two phones.
We should have done a better job listening, apparently.

2 Church Sunday, Chocolate and Vanilla Please

Brian was invited to one of his student's church services Sunday at the Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake where she was to be recognized in front of the congregation for her outstanding achievement in getting 2nd place in forms at Soo Bahk Do Nationals in August. Eli and I went too. Everyone was friendly and smiling, asking our names and shaking hands. We felt so welcome.
The music was joyful and made me want to dance, which I did after looking around to see what the others were doing. I told Brian to bring home a Gladys Knight CD if he runs into one at work.
Everyone was so vocal and fervent in their beliefs, even teenagers. It was a good lesson for me, for whom church usually involves 3 hours without much speech or emotion. These people were so happy just have the chance to wake up and worship on Sunday morning.
The diversity in the membership was another highlight for me. In the middle they had all visitors stand and introduce themselves. There were people visiting for a university public speaking class, some were in Salt Lake because family members were at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, others were faithful transients, and even a newly-elected Congressman was there to say Thank You to the congregation for all the work it had done after Katrina, taking in, feeding, and clothing some of those displaced by the storm.
Brian was honored to be invited and I was happy to attend. I will take many things away. I admired how they supported their youth, were unashamed to praise God, took local action to help others, and were warm to newcomers. I guess we found out where all the nice people in Salt Lake are.

Sunday, September 14- Independence Day

For the past 4 months I've been in nursery with Eli (playtime for 18 month to 3 year olds at church) because he started crying inconsolably when I left. I just decided to always stay so he would feel comfortable rather than worrying about me leaving. It's also hard because the teachers alternate Sundays and its hard for him to get to know them. At first he was clingy and wouldn't get off my lap. As the weeks went by he needed me less and less. Last week I asked the one girl that is always there to make friends with him (they usually leave him alone because I'm there). This week I got the feeling I could leave after a few minutes. I got his attention and told him I was leaving and that I would be back. He made it just fine! I was the one worried, waiting outside the door half the time to listen for his cries. I asked other parents for reports and he was perfect the whole time. Good timing Eli. While he was in class I was asked to be a primary teacher (for the kids that are 7 and 8) which means I would not have been able to be in with in there him anymore.

If You Grill It, They Will Come

Or maybe it was the Halo tournament that accompanied Brian's gourmet grilling that brought 10 or so boys to the new Young Men presidency's first Tuesday night activity. (This is a good turnout considering 1 of the 17 boys on the list sometimes comes to church.) Brian loves the new church calling. Sunday was his first official day and he taught the Young Men's priesthood class and sunday school. Last night, with our rickety grill, he worked barbeque magic, turning out the juiciest, tastiest chicken, tri-tip, and steaks Bobby Flay would be jealous of.
Eli liked being around all the neighborhood kids and friendly dogs. He wanted to sit and eat on the porch with the rest of the boys. I was a bit more nervous, keeping a constant eye on him. I learned that if Sandy has a rough side, this is it.
The boys were appreciative and helpful. They wouldn't even let me take out the trash and one felt bad about me pouring his drink.
Brian has said that he likes teacher callings best, you just prepare your lesson and teach. No meeting after church or stuff during the week. This new calling has all of that, but he looks forward to it. He likes the challenge and hopes to connect with the boys, especially through Soo Bahk (if they're interested). He already has plans of going out early on Sundays to get the boys out of bed and to church.