Crawling out of the Black Hole that I call "Busy-ness"

Wow. What a week! Call me a chicken running around with her head cut off...just in time for the Harvest Season.

Why is it sometimes that the hardest word in the English language starts with a "N" and ends with an "O?" Such a simple word...and yet sometimes so hard to say. I think I had better start saying it...at least a little more. It seems easier to say it when it's in duplicate: "No, no, don't touch that hot stove." "That's a 'no, no.'" See, simple.

Yet when the question is, "Unless you help with the book fair, we won't have it. What do you say?" You say "Sure," because you love books. You love kids to love books. You love the book fair and can't bare to see it disappear. You say, "Sure." You don't say, "No." If only you understood before you uttered it just the amount of weight that "sure" carries..."

Could you help with scouts...just one week?" "Could you help out so-and-so who is in need?" "Could you spare a few minutes to talk with someone...like your kids?" "Could you sub for so-and-so who is sick?" How can you say "No?"

My neighbor taught me a nice little gem: "Sorry, my plate is full." Maybe it will work?So, if you have found ways to avoid the black hole of "No"...let me know. I'm all ears...cuz that may be the only body part sticking out of the before mentioned black hole.

Why I Love Conference:

1. Ok, first...there's the spoken word. You can't beat it. It's amazing how some talks touch you to your very core. They give you the strength to be better than you were before the day began. It's truly nourishment to one's soul.

2. The music...sometimes I wonder if it's just me or if some songs awaken something deep within you. I love to hear the harmonies. The power of many voices to make one whole sound is mesmerizing to my brain. Some songs are just received as nice and pleasant. However, there are others that speak directly to my soul. Today when the Tab Choir sang "O Divine Redeemer," I didn't know if I was going to be able to recover. Words cannot express the emotions I felt in that song.

3. Mormon Holiday: We get to spend the WHOLE Sunday as a family...at home...in our PJs...getting spiritually fed...enjoying one anothers company...being creative. I love it. It's the stuff memories are made from. Here's some pictures from our day:

A Future in Sales??

Our school is selling cookie dough as a fundraiser. When Jason realized that the deadline was tomorrow, he felt the need to take action. Two weeks ago, he had goals of being the top seller. Procrastination took place and in the 11th hour, it was time to call the grandparents. They were generous and supportive, but he knew he needed to sell more. So, in his desperate hour, he knew just what to do...

In his backpack, there was a postcard with his "emergency numbers." Apparently, THIS was an emergency and he knew just who to call. Sure enough, his "emergency" people came through for him (what kind aunts and uncles!).

I have to admit: I was pretty impressed with Jason's independence in taking matters into his own hands and making phone calls (something his older brothers are NOT fond of doing). Matt came to Jason's aid and was his scribe. I did chuckle a bit as he read the flavors to his customers, sometimes mixing up the names (Chocolate Chunky [chocolate chunk], Mackerdoodle [snickerdoodle], etc.).

When one of his "customers" asked what he was selling cookie dough for, he replied, "To get prizes." Matt quickly put him on the straight course that they were selling to earn money for the school. (However, we were pretty sure Jason was just in it for the prizes.)

Watching all the action from his puzzle work, Trevor declared, "I don't ever want to be a salesman." I'd have to agree with him.