Happiness Is...Volume 3, Part 2

Happiness is...
* Getting A's on my assignments
* Adding smiley faces on our family chart
* Getting together with old friends on a short notice
* Ezril's laugh when his brothers do something funny
* My boys' naive humor with a whoopie cushion :)
* Uncle Cabot taking Salem to school
* Getting the railing put back up on the porch (after two long years)
* The fact that it's starting to get dark earlier...easier bedtimes.
* Darrell telling me that the pasta I made was fantastic (first time in our 8 yrs of marriage)
* Getting a turtle sandbox for free
* My boys having a blast with the sprinklers and slip-n-slide this summer
* Salem making fossils with chalk & leaves
* Oaklen's imagination and sound effects
* Salem collecting rocks...just like I used to
* Ezril being old enough to go to nursery
* Being able to talk about my studies with my husband
* Darrell fixing our van and the guys at the shop being impressed with the good job
* Email communication (Have I said this enough?)
* Being able to pay bills online
* Feeling needed by family and friends
* Friends and family asking for advice because I've already "figured it out."
* Ezril understanding how to pray
* Ezril knowing to get the Book of Mormon when it's family scripture time
* Salem getting upset one day because his brother (Oaklen) couldn't play with him. He said "But mom, he's my best friend."
* Oaklen being excited to do laundry and fold napkins
* My boys playing "TV" with a big box
* "Firecracker tomatoes" exploding in your mouth
* Going to the Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, it's free!
* Being able to clean the Salt Lake Temple one night. I vacuumed all the spiral stairs up to the top of the 8th floor and under the 4 spires.
* The boys taking Costco field trips with Grandma & Grandpa
* Oaklen singing Take Me Out To the Ball Game "Buy me some crackers and cracker jacks..."
* Salem building his Lego pyramid during the first part of the summer then saving it all summer for an activity to do for his birthday party.
* Spending the summer outdoors with my family

Same Difference and Third Time's a Charm

I wanted to quickly update and let you know our new church callings...

Same Difference - On July 4th, Darrell was released as 1st counselor in the bishopric and then called as the 1st counselor in the new bishopric.  He is now the veteran bishopric member and is still enjoying it.

Third Time's a Charm - I told you a few months ago that I was released as Primary President then immediately called to be the Music Director. A few weeks ago I was released and called to be the Relief Society Secretary.  That calling only lasted a few weeks since yesterday I was called and sustained as the Stake Primary 1st Counselor.  So, I guess third time's a charm. :) I expect to be in this calling for a while.

It's an interesting story, the lady that they called to be the president doesn't know many people in the stake. To help, the stake presidency provided her with a list of names to choose as counselors.  She went through the names and prayerfully chose her counselors. After I was sustained in sacrament meeting, we went to be set apart and I met the newly called president. She seems like a nice lady and I'm excited to work with her.  She truly was inspired. :)  PS - If anyone has any advice for primary on a stake level, let me know!

Salem's Seventh

Happy Birthday Salem! We love you so much!

Nerdy couple alert...

This summer has gone super fast and it's hard to realize that Salem will be back in school next week.  We've done many things that I should have blogged about but this picture will explain the typical night for me:

School! Every time I get on the computer it's to do homework with an occasional bill paying and trying to keep up with my email, rss reader and possibly 5 minutes of facebook (since that's the only way I get updates about certain things.) Anyway, Darrell and I are successful at school, getting A's and have even made the President's List. (Well La-de-da, who cares.) We are scheduled to be finished next May or June, so next summer we can breath a little more. Ta ta for now!