My Activity Day Co-Leader had the flu so I was on my own yesterday. I was in charge of the activity so her absence didn't alter things much except that I enjoyed interacting with the girls more because I wasn't concerned with whether she was bored or not (she tends to yawn). I ended up talking to the girls about goals for the new year and gave them papers to fill out that helped them figure out what goals they wanted to set and how they're going to achieve them.
Then I had printed out a nice cardstock frame-kind of paper to have them write their 4 goals down (spiritual, mental, physical, and social goals). They LOVED it! They were all so excited about the goals they set and several of them chose to read the Book of Mormon this year so I printed them some reading schedules, and you would have thought they hit the jackpot. (Randy got home just as I was going to take the girls home so I had him take this picture of us.)
When I got home, Randy had brought in the mail (that's 2x in like 4 days, lucky guy) and had this very cute thank you card from Melinda. Thanks!
I also got an actual letter today! Alison sent me the nicest letter ever. I think I may have to start carrying it around in my purse with me as a mood-booster because it was so nice. Thanks Alison!!! I was "high" after reading it. I really appreciate you taking the time to write to me.
{This was the leftover Activity Day Goals paper, that Whitney turned into art.It says "Tomorrow I am going to Emily's house!"}
**What warms your heart?
When was the last time you wrote an actual letter?
Was AI painful for you too?**
Happy Birthday Kacey!!
When was the last time you wrote an actual letter?
Was AI painful for you too?**
Happy Birthday Kacey!!
28 comments:
Good mail definitely warms my heart -- I got a letter from Alison too! I can't remember the last time I wrote an actual letter, rather than a short card. Quite a treat, really.
I haven't watched AI yet because Marc was gone last night, but I would say the audition process is always pretty painful. There are a lot of deluded people out there.
I turned on & quickly turned off AI last night...too much to be done at my house & I was too embarrassed for the people trying out (even if they weren't - geesh!).
I write letters to my husband often, but *mailing* a letter hasn't happened for a long time. How fun for you to get one!
And those Activity Day girls are Lucky to have you! The brand of attention you give will surely make more than their day...branded for life, I'm sure.
I got a note last week from a new friend that I met through you and it truly touched my heart!
I love that you are also reading the whole BoM so that you and the girls can check up with each other! That goal-setting activity is truly great, and could be done with any age, even RS!
Catching up... thanks for the book quotes, I haven't read Mrs. Mike in years and may have to pick that up again! Also, I appreciate your take on VT this month.
I love writing letters, and I have a few "pen pals"... even though my best friend, Schultz, and I talk on the phone a lot, we write each other these MONSTER letters every once in a while. (I'll kind of miss it when she is back in NY!) I'm glad you enjoyed it! As for AI, I never follow it, but any kind of bad audition situation gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, I pretty much audition for a living, so watching other people bomb makes me NERVOUS FOR THEM. On the other hand, it is hysterical.
Ai was painful for me. Usually I get kind of a kick out of the auditions, but for some reason it just seems cruel to me this go around. Maybe it was because they hardly showed any of the good ones. And at the end they usually do a montage of all the "winners" running out of the door, and they didn't do that this time. They just showed the really bad performers again. I'm not sure I'l watch it again until the auditions are over.
This morning I was mad at Jeremy and I was crying (a typical anger reaction for me). Kaitlin saw me, and threw her arms around me and said, "I can give you a hug, Mom." Now that's heartwarming.
i seem to only write letters when i can't express to someone how i feel with words... i need to write more letters.
i actually turned AI last night and have not watched it since the first season. i just don't like all the putting down of people. this goes back to me being over sensitive. I feel so bad for those people. Even though they are trying out and are getting put on because they are extremely bad, i just don't think it is ok to say, "you are the worst singer ever" mainly because they have never heard me sing.
Your the perfect woman to have that calling. You're such a great influence to those girls. They are lucky. You will be one fine YW president. It such a cute photo of all of you.
It has been a while for me since I wrote an actually letter. I think it was probably to Adam. Does that count? I have written some cards in the last week. :)
Sorry Jill that was me. My comment posted twice.
What warms my heart? When I hear GOOD things about my kids. I just got my son's report card yesterday. It said his behavior is much better and he's an *excellent* student (and he is) and will be greatly missed (since we just moved). Ahhh, it was so nice to read that!
I think you are the perfect person for the Activity Days calling! I would love having my girls in your group!!
AI - I have it recorded and am hoping to watch it today!! Have a great week!!!!
Ok, maybe I'm the only one out there that enjoys watching the American Idol try-outs. I think it is so great! Rejection is hard, but on the other hand wouldn't you rather have someone tell you that you can't sing at all than go on believing that you can make a career out of it? Yes, Simon can be brutal at times, but I think what it comes down to is that he is trying to get these kids to realize that this is not for them and they should focus their attention on something that they can be successful at. It can be painful to watch sometimes, especially when they have had their heart set on this.
I actually watched AI in half the time. I just couldn't take some of the people so I just kept fast forwarding. Gotta love dvr.
Good Mail warms my heart too, I love it. I smile just thinking about it. I am not a great letter writer. I did write my brother on a mission and it was hard (it was before email was allowed).
We haven't watched AI yet, but we will.
Did you change your blog? I have a different icon than I used to....
Many things warm my heart. Especially letters from my kids and good mail too!
Those girls are lucky to have such a great leader. I had that calling a few times, but was burned out after about 6 months. (probably not a fun leader).
I was doing stuff around my house watching AI on and off. I always like the first part of the show because I am blown away at how bad people really are. Sometimes I wonder if they know they are bad and just want a moment of fame. But I will say they are pretty harsh. I felt terrible when that girl came in looking and singing like Jewell and they ripped her to shreds. So sad.
I also felt bad for that rock star (the one that came back and had to sing Abba). SOunds like Seattle didn't get much better. Guess we'll have to stay tuned tonight :)
I only tune into Idol towards the end because I just can't watch them being so mean.
What a great activity you had. i am glad the girls took to it so well.
I love letters and wish I wrote them more often. I frequently write notes to people, and I write my husband letters, but I haven't mailed one in a while. My brother is on a mission, but we send him emails instead of letters.
I think it is so great that the girls are reading the Book of Mormon, what an awesome goal for primary girls.
**What warms your heart? chocolate, typically melted!
When was the last time you wrote an actual letter? does our family xmas letter count???
Was AI painful for you too?**the reason i didnt end up watching it..it gets old watching the same thing OVER and OVER again..i wait till the 12 or less are picked..then i start paying attention..
I couldn't watch all of AI last night. It just got to be too much. Some of the people really can't be serious going in there, and just want to be on tv. But then there are some really tender souls who, for whatever reason, really feel they can sing and this is their dream. And those kill me. While I do think they need to know the truth so that their dreams and energies can be redirected into something they can succeed in, I just sometimes feel like there has to be a kinder, gentler way to do that. It just hurts my feelings for them.
I love the photo of you with your Activity Day girls. I think they are blessed to be yours. My daughter has a fantastic leader right now, but that wasn't always the case. I'm sure they (and their parents) appreciate you putting so much into your calling, and really making a difference with the girls. That warms my heart!
After learning to type, writing letters is painful! I wrote my brother one letter in the 2 years he was gone. But thanks for the labels. My first ever labeled good mail is on its way.
American Idol can be rough, but I think people are too hard on Simon. Would you rather people lie to you (which is part of what got them there in the first place)? I am very fond of hoensty (but that's easier said than done).
I love getting mail that warms my heart! Yes a cliche, but an accurate one! I think that little notes are some of the best ways to make someone smile and to let them know they're loved. Also, what a fun activity for the girls! It sounds like you do a really good job at connecting with the girls and making sure they do something productive yet fun. Kudos!
Those are lucky girls to have you as an achievement day leader.
I really can't remember the last time that I wrote an actual letter! In this digital world I think it is easy to forget about what it is like to receive a real letter in the mail. At the same time it reminds me how grateful I am for email and skype which make it possible for me to communicate quickly and easily with friends and family while living in a foreign country.
Lots of things warm my heart, but I love getting any kind of good mail, especially when it is from an old friend.
I haven't written a real personal letter in years - probably since I first got on email, like 12 years ago. Good grief, can that be possible?
I did watch AI last night. I do enjoy the auditions. I'm not mean-spirited, but those folks make me laugh. I think sometimes the judges can be a little harsh, but some of these folks obviously need a wake-up call.
thank you for the birthday wishes! I did not watch AI.. I have not watched any of the previous years so I decided not to start this year. I can handle the criticism better in the early stages than I could the end.. how sad!!
Acts of kindess warms my heart :o)
I used to be the letter writing queen. I wrote to so many friends on their missions, and to just about everybody. Now I still write but much shorter - to my sister at BYU.
I wasn't going to watch last night, but John wanted to, so we did. I was so embarrassed for some of those contestants that I just had to cover my face. At least those poor people don't realize how pathetic they seem. Hopefully they can redirect themselves, but sometimes I doubt they will.
We watch Idol but only by TiVo. It is the only way I can survive most shows. I bought "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" today with a gift certificate I got for my bday. I am excited to start it.
I don't write a lot of letter, but I do write thank you notes for most anything. It is something my mom instilled in me from an early age.
What warmed my heart most recently was the post on my blog that my husband surprised me with on my birthday. I had to reread it tonight because I was angry with him. I wanted to remind myself that he can be sweet. :)
Idol- Don't people know that you go out the right hand door. That was too funny!
Good mail, chocolate, snuggles with my kids, and chats with friends warm my heart.
I haven't ever been activity day leader and am not sure if I would do to well with it. I have a hard time with callings that include my girls. I was in nursery once for nearly 2 years because Mackenzi never wanted to go back after I got released the first time so they caleed me back. Being Maci's teacher this past year was a bit of a challenge to try and leave my "MOM" role at the door and not get upset with her when she didn't listen. You sound like a great leader for the girls.
AI was so bad. Over 10,000 people and only 17 made it. I just can't believe some of these people think they can sing. Most of the rejects sound like me and I'm not up there auditioning.
Hi Jill,
I found your site from Kelly's site and thought I'd say "hi."
I don't really watch AI. I have trouble with all of the "feedback" from Simon. I guess I'm too sensitive.
I love getting good mail, I can't remember when I last wrote a full letter, I usually send out cards or call, then I'm usually on the phone for an hour.
I don't watch AI, it makes me way uncomfortable.
Thoughtfulness warms my heart and shopping.
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