And the winner is.........

In all honesty, I'm not really sure what a widget is. I do enjoy the rhyming possibilities of the word... fidget. Digit. Bridgette. Whatnot.

 

Supposedly, I could add a widget to the blog to show the random number generator results. But I don't know how to add it to a post. There. I admitted it. I'm slow.

 

But some things are better slow in life. A moped ride. A scoop of Rocky Road ice cream. A day on the beach. A dance to Unchained Melody.

 

However, traffic is not. Living in the Bay Area (Bless you motherland California) was heaven on earth... but the traffic and high prices drove us out. Now we enjoy blue skies, sagebrush and an abundance of people who find it acceptable to wear sweats in public.... which I'm almost there... almost.... almost... So is that a moot point? Not too law savvy. Also, rewinding the kiss scene in Bend it Like Beckham and playing it

slow-mo was not that great. The roomies and I in college tried it and it just lost it's magic.

 

I'm just trying to stall.... keep the suspense going...

 

...

 

Are you suspended? I used the dot dot dot...

 

...

 

Ok. I'll just announce it. It's not like it's a trip to Hawaii or anything. Then again, it is always fun to win something.

 

One time when we lived in DC during the hub's internship I was having a rough day. 1st pregnancy, 21 pounds lost because we didn't have a car, I had to walk everywhere and couldn't keep food down. We'd go to the movies and have to evacuate because of bomb scares.... I kid you not, that happened 5 times. There was lots of concrete. Mind you, there were a lot of great things, but one rough day after I'd experienced Lucky Charms twice for one meal I was out and about and happened to stumble upon some sort of fair. I don't remember the details, I do know that I won a free dunkin' doughnuts shirt with a cup of coffee on it. Anytime I need a pick me up, I wear that shirt. I think it's one of the only things I've won in life.

 

Not that I hope you're having a rough day, but I hope these books can be your Dunkin Doughnuts shirt......

 

#42 Cherrybaby said... One of my favorite kids books is "If you were my Bunny." It is a bedtime book involving new words to well known lullaby's. I also really like "My Friend Rabbit." I would love to win Squids to Squids. It sounds fun and I've never read it.

I'll email you STAT!!! Thanks everyone for your comments and participation!!! Hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Do you want a free book?

 

These are 2 of my very favorite books. Favorite doesn't even describe how much I love these books.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is just all about what it means to be like Christ. I don't even think it's possible for me to read it without getting teary eyed. This book is a fine addition to any family home evening talking about Charity.

Squids will be Squids by Jon Scieszka is off the wall and just my speed. I refer often to this book when teaching my own children or if asked to do anything in Relief Society. Case in point, there was an "Organize and Revitalize" type activity and out of desperation I was asked to speak on how I organize my house. Because I will tell you flat out, our play room is clean maybe 10 times a year. (I mean really, what's a play room that isn't used?) After I laughed a good 20 minutes, I whipped out this book to the story of Duck-Billed Platypus vs. Beefsnackstik. They argue who has better the better stuff (Duc- Billed is a mammal that can lay eggs, Beefsnackstik has soy ethorobate and food coloring #42, Duck-Billed has webbed feet and fur....yada yada) and finally Beefsnackstik yells out, "OH yeah! Well I have beef lips!!" The moral of the story continues on: Just because you have a lot of stuff, don't think you're so special. Hence, I tried to make the point, clean out your garages and be at peace. I also made a big push for people to relax, if the house doesn't get clean, oh well. Whip out some Bob Marley and do it later, just make sure it gets done later. But the question is, why am I not getting to the point?

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.... I'm having a giveaway and all you have to do is leave a comment with your name, contact info. and favorite book!

These are not brand new books, but they are in excellent condition. (They are hardback) I don't buy books new, I always buy used. It's not that I'm cheap, but I am.

Monday Night, I'll pick two random winners!!! Happy Books!! Woot Woot!

And the winner is....... drumroll.......

Jump for Joy Image courtesy Rzhou photobucket.com creative commons license

I went to Random.org and pressed the button......

(A couple people forgot emails, no worries! I counted both posts as one....) The winner is #21,

DORMOMMY who says, "I am still striving to learn the names of all the children I am called to love. I am trying to be better than my best by getting to know them as individuals, not just as classes, or as "the loud one", the "smart one." I am getting better. Thank you for your blog, it is an inspiration."

Thank you so much for your thoughts! I don't have your email though, so hit me up when you have a chance so I can send you your book! Woot Woot! Doesn't it feel fabulous to win something!! We'll have to do this again soon!

Thank you all for participating and sharing such wonderful ideas! You are amazing!!

Better Than Our Best

(Michael Phelps image courtesy google search... source not found to accredit to)

A couple weeks ago I was called to be 2nd counselor in our Primary. I had the privilege of doing a couple fun months as Relief Society Meeting Coordinator (whew... mouthful) where we sang karaoke at a rest home, did a taste of world cuisine progressive activity (instead of dinner, tasters... bless you Costco) and I was hoping to get a star gazing/ astronomy class in there- but I was then called to teach the Valiant 8 and 9 year olds. Talk about exceptional children, even though we only had 2 months together!! (We're having a Old Testament party that I'll post details on later.)

Babble some more Sofia. Long winded, anyone.. anyone?

Point: I am the first to admit I have so much to learn. I have to do so much better than my best.

I was reading and came across a couple quotes I wanted to share in regards to learning and life:

"Thomas Edison was a lifelong learner. He is reported to have said, "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeed in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."

"We spend our lives doing better than our best! Our best today is not our best tomorrow. Our best today is never our best tomorrow, for what we learn and do today changes our capacity. Our progress depends upon doing better today, even though yeterday's "better" seemed all that was possible at that time." (quoted from Return by Elder Robert D. Hales)

He then goes on (of course more eloquently) to talk about Michael Phelps and how he set records one year and then broke them the next. How his records shattered those who had swam multiple years before him. We get to this point where we do our best and then ask, what now?

"As we stand atop any peak, let us enjoy the moment of satisfaction in the present. Look at the remarkable view and the progress we have made. Then turn around to see what new peaks are now in sight and set a course to climb higher in the future. When we do this, we see clearly how the achievement of one goal paves the way to higher achievement in the future. Looking back and contemplating the sacrifice and hard work that were required to achieve past goals, we gain confidence and determination that we can do more and climb even higher. The real meaning of lifelong learning takes shape in the cycle of past, present, and future-with each old step becoming a foundation for the new." (again quoting from Return by Elder Robert D.Hales)

I'm excited to being going on my 8th year in primary. I know that I have sooooooo many things to do better and I'm just grateful that through Christ, anything is possible if I put my trust in Him. One thing I'm really going to be better at is consistently fellowshipping inactive primary children and eating less chocolate.

I gobbled up Return and feasted upon a true buffet of doctrine and soul satisfying goodness! Now it's time to cash in my points at Deseret Book and share the love with those I love most!!! YOU!!! (Well, first Heavenly Father and Jesus, then my family and then you... please don't be disgruntled, I don't downplay my love for you but feel I should clarify)

Post a comment with something you plan to do in your life to be better than your best and a way to contact you. I'll choose a winner November 1 through one of those random number generator thingies.

My First Giveaway!

I love getting free things! And I realize I've been stingy, I mean really... it's Christmas!

So I'm not really going all out.

Forgive me.
I drive a 95' Buick and 2 of the windows don't roll down. Or up for that matter.
If I had more I'd giveaway a $1,000 shopping spree to Barnes and Noble.
Please re-read that sentence, key word if.
But the giveaway is for one of my ALL TIME favorite books!

What does this book have to do with primary?
Absolutely nothing!

However, the main character in this book reminds me of all the many wonderful and kind souls who leave such beautiful messages and thoughtful words! You are all Stargirls to me! Except the men, obviously. I will try to figure out the whole random number generator thingy, but if not, I'll be honest and just choose a number from a hat. I'll choose a winner on January 1, 2010!

So just leave a comment on what you're looking forward to in primary for the upcoming year and a way for me to get a hold of you when you win!

And I just thought I'd mention, I'm actually no longer in Primary. I'm the Relief Society Meeting Coordinator... I know, mouthful right? But I still plan on doing monthly ideas, so yeah. That's it. Thanks!

Update Jan 1. 2009 10:10 PM:

** THE RESULTS ARE IN **

I went to random.org and used their number generator thingy...

the winner is (poms poms up!)

Katie !!

" What I am looking forward to this year in Primary is everything being new and exciting. I was just called to be the Primary President (I have never served in Primary and was the RS President right up until I was called to Primary) and I have great counselors. Our Branch just split and we are part of the new Branch that was just organized in our home town...we're so excited not to have to make the two hour round trip to church every Sunday. We've had one Sunday in our new callings and two weeks to think, read, plan, study and pray about things and I am so happily overwhelmed at where to start. I had no idea how much work goes into Primary- it is unfathomable. What a blessing Primary workers can be in the lives of children. I am so grateful and humbled to be a part of this work. This is going to be an amazing year."
December 26, 2009 9:11 PM

And can I just say I love your phrase "happily overwhelmed"! It's vocab fresh!

but because I just happen to have a extra, I again punched into the number generator thingy and....

Michelle !!

"I am truly looking forward to teaching sharing times focused around Christ and his love for us. I love the gospel and desire to share it with the children in our ward. We have such wonderful, precocious children in our primary that every week is a new adventure to find."

Thanks everyone for participating! We'll have to do this again soon! God be with you the upcoming year as you teach and inspire by the spirit!