Jessicarrot

I always look forward to General Conference weekend.  Aside from the many beautifully prepared and presented talks, its a time to be together with my family, a stress-free Sunday where I can sit and listen and have my cup filled.  I’ve tried to make it fun for the children by making a special breakfast, usually cinnamon rolls.  Today, as I listen to the talks and busy myself with work I can do with my hands while watching, I’m thinking of my sister-in-law Paige who lost her daughter only 6 months ago Sunday morning right before the spring General Conference.  I had made two pans of cinnamon rolls to share with the families that I expected to gather at the Smith home.  Those cinnamon rolls were never touched.  It was a defining day for Paige and her husband and their children.  And a defining day for all of the people who love them.  The moment that terrible news was delivered in shock and hurried disbelief, I think some part of each of us knew that Kraven was gone.  My thoughts are with Paige today as they celebrate their second daughter’s birthday.  It is sad that such a good thing (General Conference) also serves as a reminder that a member of the family is missing.  Paige has endured these past 6 months as an inspiration to everyone around her.  She is not defeated, nor has she let herself been given over to dispair.  She’s mourned, and hurt, and missed her daughter with the same characteristic cheerfulness and faith that she’s been known for all her life.  It is hard to believe it has only been 6 months, and at the same time its hard to believe Kraven is really gone.  I am so glad to have the opportunity to listen to these talks today.  Six months ago I asked for people’s prayers for Paige and her family and I’m asking again today.  If you could take a moment, I do think that prayer helps to comfort and lift those who need it.

A blogger friend of mine has been off gallivanting in Europe and yet still had time to blog and post pictures of her whirlwind trip.  I on the other hand have been right here between my house and the kids school mostly.  I signed up for a project that the school has done for the past few years.  The idea is to give children the gift of giving.  Before the holidays they have a little gift shop where the children can come to buy gifts for their families and they are wrapped there on the spot and labeled.  Parents can send in money with their children, or if they are unable the children are given “reindeer bucks” to spend at the store instead.  The challenge for those who have put it on is to come up with enough gifts (and the goal has been to have everything handmade) for a budget of $1000.  That seems like a lot, but when we’re looking to make or beg over 5000 gifts, it becomes a challenge.  We do have community support and parents who donate gifts every year.  But the bulk of the inventory is generated by a core group of a half-dozen people.  I signed up to be one of them.  Well, I guess I just showed up to a planning meeting and became part of the project.  I wanted to help this year because I thought it was so sweet to see Asher excited about the gifts he had picked for his family last year.  Plus I’m cheap and crafty.  My assignments have been to 1) come up with gift ideas using trash, or more politely–recycled goods.  2)Be the treasurer of our precious $1000.  The first weekend I could hardly sleep my mind was just buzzing with ideas (some of them quite ingenious, if I do say so myself).  Most of my ideas involve plastic grocery bags, film roll cases, baby food jars, and lunch bags.  If you have any ideas for craft items for MEN especially that can be made for under .30 PLEASE share!  I’m also volunteering in Asher’s class twice a week to read and do centers.  I’m excited to be completely out of my comfort zone.  I’ve had to communicate with people through all of this.  Most interactions have been pleasant, but some have not been.  Its good for me, I think.  And I’m enjoying being a person again.  I get so annoyed when moms complain about losing themselves to motherhood, but it really is true.  It does happen.  I didn’t realize it until I thrust myself into a different environment and rediscovered that I do have talents and creativity and organizational abilities worthy of the praise I’ve gotten over the past few weeks.  Its nice.  But there is also the balance.  While all that praise is nice and working on this project is good, I still have to notice when Gabe and Hannah feel neglected and take a day off of nonstop errand running and back and forth between home and school.  (I take them with me, if you are wondering.  Asher’s teacher is really great about it, in fact she encouraged me to.)  Today I’m home and Hannah is getting a much needed long nap in her crib.  I sent BJay to read to Asher’s class.  They will love him!  So that is what I’ve been up to the past few weeks and why my blog has been so neglected.  Can you believe its already October?  Where does the time go?