Master, The Tempest (in my soul) Is Raging

I got called to the YW presidency today, and released from Relief Society. On Mother's Day.

I am feeling all sorts of emotions.

I am going to miss serving in RS so much. Mostly serving with Melanie and Holly and Christina, but also feeling a part of things and involve in the ward. It was been a single Sunday, and I already feel disconnected. They had the primary children sing for Mother's Day. They sang "Give, Said The Little Stream," one of my favorite songs. All three of my children were there, for the last year ever: Calista enters YW next year. But they didn't sing it in sacrament meeting. Nope. They went into Relief Society, towards the end of the lesson. And I didn't know. So I didn't get to see or hear it. My babies, for the last time together. And, now that I think of it, the first time, too, because of Covid. I missed out on that. And I hate it.

And then there's my issues I've had simmering with the YM and YW themes, and how the Bishopric should focus on the youth but are over only the YM, specifically.

I mean, when they changed the YW theme to say "I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents" - Father and Mother, I rejoiced. And when they announced the YM would have a theme, too, I rejoiced: why shouldn't the boys have inspiring words like that? Except... "I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do."  Wait, what? 

Are the boys not sons of parents, plural? Should they not hear, every week, that they have parents, plural? Or, and I hate to think this, was including Heavenly Parents in the YW theme just meant to mollify the feminists of the church? Was it just all just talk?

Let's not forget that "[the Bishop's] first and foremost responsibility is to care for the young men and young women of his ward. The bishop and his counselors direct the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums and the Young Women classes in the ward." (President Nelson, October 2019) Great! Wonderful! The youth are our future and deserve  But... the Bishopric doesn't attend YW classes on Sunday. They only attend the YM classes. They attend YW activities only when they are combined with the YM. It seems that the Bishopric is more over the YM than over the YW. It seems like the boys get more of their time and focus.

I do understand that there are safety reasons for some of this. But it rubs a small blister in my skin, never healing, only slowly growing larger and more pronounced. I wonder if soon I won't be able to ignore the discomfort and pain, if my blister will burst and perhaps become infected. 

Ultimately, I need to choose to have faith, choose to be obedient, and choose to be patient. 

But patience isn't always my strong suit.

Spring Break 2022

Spring break started, perhaps predictably, with snow.

This meant we spent quite a bit of time inside. 

Grammie and Grandpa Come To Town

For Craig's baptism and all just to see our family for the first time in a couple of years (except, of course me. Yay, Italy!), my parents came to visit us in February.

Of course, Craig's baptism was an important part of their trip, but it wasn't the only part.

Our big outing was going to Jasper. We had the kiddos and Kyler take a day off midweek and went to visit Jasper for the day! 

I had never been to Jasper in the winter, and my parents hadn't really been to Jasper at all. It was great, and surprisingly warm. I think the high was something close to 10 C / 50 F, which for Jasper in February felt pretty amazing!

CTR belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ!

On February 5, Craig chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Prior to his baptism, Craig and I went on a date to take some pre-baptism pictures in his new suit. He requested we go to Muttart Conservatory, the same place Calista went for her pictures. It was quite cold outside, 

so we were grateful for the indoor space! 

Holly and Jolly, 2021

Our pre-Christmas festivities included a trip to see the zoo lights. 

The sparking lights were pretty fun, 

and watching the red panda and the serval cat have the zoomies was pretty great, too.

This was the first year that all three kiddos participated in the same Christmas concert, but it was virtual. Craig and Calista sang and performed so well. Caleb... mostly just spun in circles rather than sang.

Of course, we put up the Christmas tree

and dressed in fancy clothes in front of it.

After we put up the Christmas tree, Caleb asked every day for weeks if it was Christmas - and Jesus' birthday - yet. And finally, Christmas came!

The kiddos absolutely loved their matching pj's.

They all said they were so soft and comfy. Plus, you can't really tell whose leg is whose. 

On Christmas morning, Calista woke up early and so she got to help make cinnamon ring roll, using her great-great-grandma's recipe.

I love passing on the tradition.

Our biggest Christmas present win: probably Craig's circuit set. 

The colors, light, and sounds were all a lot of fun for them to put together and switch on and off.

Our biggest Christmas present fail: probably Craig's "Don't Read This Book Before Bed."

It spooked him out too much and he couldn't read it at all, much less before bed.

After Christmas, we went and visited Kyler's family in Raymond. It was super cold, so we spent lots of time just hanging out, 

although we did have a family party that included Chinese food, piano and jokes, 

and generally mayhem and running around with cousins.

(The acoustics weren't great, what with the general chaos and the fact that the piano hasn't been tuned in a while. After we got home, we recorded their pieces in a more controlled setting. Enjoy.)

There were only a few times we got to go outside during the break: once for sledding and once on a walk. 

I'm pretty sure we regretted it sledding because the wind chill was still pretty nasty, but the walk was good. 

Even if the kiddos did keep trying to throw snowballs at me while I took their picture. 

The kiddos got a surprise extra week of vacation - thanks Covid - but it was still pretty cold out, so we spent a lot of time making crafts and food, 

going to the library, 

hanging out at home, 

and being silly together. 

All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks.