I survived!

This past week has been one of the craziest weeks that I have had in a long time. Every night except Friday night I had some where to be. Monday night (the only annoying night) I had to go to traffic school. Much to my surprise it was entertaining and what was suppose to be 90 minutes was more like 70 minutes, so the time flew by. The cop teaching the class had a great sense of humor, had great clips and funny stories to tell. I did learn a few things so that's always a bonus. I also am way more conscious about my speed while I am driving. Starting on the 16th of December, I'll have a clean driving record. Tuesday night we had enrichment. I always enjoy enrichment when I go and this past year I've been a lot better about attending however it's always hard to convince myself that I want to leave my warm house and walk to the church. Same lesson learned, I went and had a wonderful time. The enrichment committee put on a Christmas program, with a lot of singing for us. I love singing especially at Christmas time so it was a ton of fun. After the program we had treats and wrapped presents for families in our ward who don't have as much as we do. I'm always humbled by the amount of families in our ward who need help at Christmas time. There were a lot of presents that needed to be wrapped. I often think of how poor Louis and I are and it's hard for me to imagine that anyone could have more struggles financially than we do. Well, these thoughts were quickly wiped out of my mind when I thought of others. Lou is always there to remind me that we're not poor-poor but we are student-poor. Lou and I are very blessed, we are never in want we have been blessed to have parents who take care of us, we qualify for grants, we receive financial blessings always when our situation seems most dire. We live in a great condo, our kids have their own rooms, we have three floors, our car is paid off, we're not acquiring student loans or credit card debt, so although we have to live very humbly, I know we have it very good. Enrichment is always so peaceful and nice, it's fun to talk to the sisters in our ward, I've been trying to talk more to sisters that I don't know as well, I'm not always the greatest at but I try. I love that women need women, it's nice to gather as women and talk about our days and everything else, I love that the Lord saw it fit to organize the Relief Society my life has been truly blessed by it.
Wednesday night Lou and I had to go to the Stake Center and renew our temple recommends. It's nice that you only have to do that every 2 years now. It was fun to be able to just sit and talk with Louis while we were waiting for our turn. It was like a mini-date. Our Stake President, President Woolsey is a great man.
Thursday night was the cookie exchange at Hannah's house. I loved it. I didn't know too many of the people there but it was fun to talk and feel very comfortable with everyone who attended. It was nice to get to know Michelle and Jill better in person and meet some of the women in Hannah's family. It's also nice to have treats to bring to neighbors and friends. I didn't think I would have time this year since I leave on the 12th and get home the 23rd. Today when the kids get up we'll take some treats to the neighbors and friends.
Friday we had the night off! Saturday night we were able to go to the temple, they needed to do couples to do sealings so we decided to do that. What a great date night to go to the temple with Louis. The sealer was very insightful, after each couple did some sealings he would share bits of information with us, things that I had never thought of before. There was such a peaceful feeling to be in the House of the Lord, I didn't want to leave. It did however put me in the perfect spirit to go home and finish preparing my lesson.
Sunday (today) it's been my landmark date for such a long time now, I thought about a month ago if I can make it through the 10th than everything will be just fine. Today was very busy for me. WE had our Ward Choir Christmas Program, we had to meet at the church at 8:10 am. For anyone who knows me as of late, that is very early for me to be somewhere, when my alarm went off at 7:20 I felt as if it was the middle of the night. I don't know what's happened to me since having kids, I used to wake up early every day now maybe since there isn't a need I just can't do it anymore. The program was very successful. Our quintet sang beautifully, all the choir numbers were good and I think I did a good job on the piano for "Oh Holy Night". I love participating in the choir, there is something so special about singing praises to the Lord with other people. I will miss practicing for our Christmas program. I also had to teach this week. It was the 23rd Chapter in the Wilford Woodruff manual. The lesson was on unity. I felt the spirit strongly throughout the lesson and there were so many comments from people that the time just flew. I love teaching the sisters in our ward, I really look forward to it every month. I know that the Lord puts words in my mouth, things that I never would think of saying that we need to hear. I always learn so much from the sisters in the ward the weeks that I teach, I often think I get more out of it than I give. So tonight is our Stake Christmas program, our ward is singing 3 songs including "Oh Holy Night" so I get to play the piano again. I'm going by myself, it starts at 7, so the kids will be in bed and Lou has to get ready for finals this week. It will be fun to sing Christmas songs again tonight.
Tomorrow we have bookclub with our book exchange and Tuesday night I leave. I am almost done with all my shopping so tomorrow I plan on shopping, cleaning and doing laundry and finishing a few gifts I am making. Tuesday I'll pack and that night I'll take the red eye. I'll miss Lou and the kids so much, I am however excited to see my parents and my sister. I can't wait till we can all afford to fly out. So my crazy week is almost over, I survived most of it and with sick kids and a sick husband.