I think it's safe now...2 hush hush items

#1 - July 1st I started a new job at Maricopa Unified School District. It's been more than a week and I haven't wanted to quit yet so that is a good sign right? ha It's the district that I have wanted to work at for a little over a year now but it's tough to get hired on...luckily I had a couple of friends that put in a good word for me after I interviewed. So it's part time 8am to 12pm Mon - Fri which is perfect! I'm a payroll clerk doing payroll for all the schools & district employees. Over a million dollars in payroll every two weeks for little Maricopa...yes I'm amazed too!

#2 - On the morning of July 6th I was released from my calling as the RS Secretary along with the entire RS Presidency, the Young Men's Presidency, the Primary Presidency and Young Women's Presidency. It was kind of a shock especially to our ward that afternoon, but one that I totally know was inspired. It was funny because Jenna Scoresby (2nd councilor) and I had discussed it twice before within the past 3 weeks...weird huh? Sunday morning as I was praying I had a feeling that I was going to be released and have to turn over my box of attendance books etc. I'm so thankful that I had that bit of a warning because when it actually happened it wasn't as big of your heart dropping to your stomach feeling. It's a bitter sweet release. My calling was taking about 20 hours a week of my time and although I've complained a time or two about it; it truly was fun for me and one that I thoroughly loved. The new RS President has asked me to stay on for a week or two so things flow properly, attendance is done correctly and training of the new secretary & assistant secretary....which I'm happy to do.

We went in to the Bishop's office last night as a family for a new calling and saw about half of our ward there...no surprise when you release all of those presidencies. :o) So if you were wondering it wasn't for me! Bishop told me that they don't have a calling for me as of yet because they felt like I had one of the toughest in the ward and deserved a break and thanked me for doing such a great job. Wow...what a surprise! That was very nice to hear but I know their callings are much harder and demanding. I'm so thankful for all of the men and women that volunteer their time and talents to callings within our church. I've learned alot in this calling and feel extremely blessed to have had it for 10 months. I know the new Presidencies will do a great job and I will help out however I can.

Heavenly Father blesses us in so many ways....I lost 20 hours a week in a calling but gained 20 hours a week to a job so I guess I know what I'm doing with my extra time. ha ha I think it's Will that is going to have a bit less time now a days with his new calling but he's very excited about it! I guessed it before hand so I was WRIGHT I mean right. :o)

Donuts....remember these????

So we were really poor growing up but I'm not sure if that really mattered or not maybe back in the day everyone made donuts out of those can biscuits you buy in the refrigerated isle of the grocery store. All I know is I had gotten a ton of them with coupon sense for 39 cents a can and they are expiring this month so last night I was making taco's and thought I should fry up some tortillas and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on them for a dessert which I did. While doing that I had another great idea....make donuts with those biscuits like my Mom use to make. So I did and wow they were as good as I remembered when I was a kid! :o) Not pretty but very good, cheap and easy! Everyone loved them so much I made some more tonight. :o)

If you are what you eat, then I'm fast, cheap and easy! ha ha (I made a vinyl sign for my sister that says that since practically everytime I call her she is ordering take out at a drive thru...hee hee....Love ya Brandy!!) But add sweet because we've gotta have our sugar and she really is sweet!

So were we the only ones that ate these cinnamon sugar donuts or did your Mom's make them too??? If yes did you like them and have you ever made them??? Will & I are curious and have a little bet riding on your responses if any. :o)

Are you a teenager or an angel????

I posted about Calvin and the milk now I need to post about McKenna my tween. About two weeks ago McKenna and Calvin were arguing as usual or so it seems. Anyways I come out of my room to see what all of the yelling is about (see the yelling I'm passing on). Both of them begin telling me their side of the story at once all the while both crying. I tell them very loudly to "LISTEN (see I do scream that word alot) to me...we need to lower our voices" all the while lowering mine and then ask them to explain one by one. Calvin goes first and to be honest I have no idea what they were evening arguing about now but it was obviously very important because we had a serious melt down. ha

So after hearing what happened I start to tell McKenna that she needs to listen to what I had told her 15 minutes ago and this would have never happened (I told her to get in the shower) and before I could continue my sentence she yells at me, "you NEVER help me out!" and stomps off to her room.

I have to admit I was a little taken back I was still talking and she just talked back to me and walked off while I was still speaking and then shut her door. Had she slammed the door I think we would have had a serious problem in the house because I would have LOST my temper. Normally this would have made me extremely mad, caused yelling and maybe even cursing but for some reason it seemed a bit surreal....a bit funny....and a bit sad all at the same time. My 10 year old was acting like a teenager already.

So I sent Calvin to time out because he did deserve it but she didn't wait for that otherwise I think she would have been satisfied that I was helping her out.

I decided to not do or say anything to her about it until I had more time to evaluate this situation and think of how to best handle it....so I finished the laundry. It was towels and so I took a stack into the bathroom where she was showering and put them away and as I was walking out she said, "Mom?" and I said, "yes", she peeked her head out of the curtain and said, "Mom, I'm really sorry that I yelled at you and stomped away especially since you were still talking to me...I didn't mean what I said, you do help me all of the time and Mom, I'm really sorry." I said, "thank you for apologizing, that means a lot". She then gave me that cute little smile and said, "I'd hug you but I'm wet and in the shower". With tears in my eyes I walked out of the bathroom wondering are you a teenager or an angel? :o)

It was a real eye opener.....ONE - that I might not survive the teenage years but TWO that my baby girl is maturing and much faster than I want her too. I know there is going to be many more of these type of conversations in the future, I just hope that they all end the way this one did and that she still cares enough to ask for forgiveness and to forgive me as this is a learning situation for both of us.

I wish all kids came with detailed instructions for their parents sometimes and I'm sure I'll be wishing that even more as we approach the teen years shortly ahead.

I love you McKenna!

Don't cry or yell over spilt milk........

Ok so first thing this morning Will had already left the house to go show houses. I was reading the new Ensign and really enjoying that while the kids slept in. Calvin got up and came down stairs and decided he was starving, so he proceeded to get himself some cereal...no big deal. So I continue reading about our amazing first presidency and then I hear a huge mess. I jumped up to see what happened and Calvin spilt about a half gallon of milk all over the table, himself, the chair and all over the floor. My first thought was to yell, "what were you thinking...you know you can't pour a full gallon of milk?" but because I had just been reading something spiritually uplifting thought twice. Luckily I didn't say a word because when I looked down....my little Calvin had the biggest alligator tears you've ever seen running down his face. Instead of yelling I found myself trying to stop him from crying. I told him lovingly it's OK, it was an accident don't cry, I'm not mad at you and got a two towels. The tears were streaming down his cute little chubby cheeks of which I'm so thankful he still has, because I just love chubby cheeks and it was me trying to convince him not to cry over the spilt milk. I was proud of myself for not yelling because unfortunately that is something that I tend to do more than I'd like to admit and without hesitation. (I'm working on it) I gave him the other towel and we both cleaned up the milk. He actually spilt so much that he was soaking wet, so he had to go shower before he could even eat poor little boy. I needed to mop the floor anyways right? :o) I should have stopped to think how many times I've spilled milk and especially when I was little. Why sweat the small stuff?

The Name Game

Scattergories
I like the game Scattergories but have not played it in forever so here is a mini version of it. You have to use the first letter of your name to answer each question.

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each question:
1. What is your name? Leslie
2. 4 letter word: love
3. Vehicle: Lexus
4. City: Las Vegas
5. Boy Name: Leroy
6. Girl Name: Lily
7. there was no seven from the person that tagged me
8. Occupation: Lecturer
9. Something you wear: Long undies
10. Celebrity: Leona Lewis
11. Food: lemon meringue pie
12. Found in a bathroom: Lotion
13. Reason for Being Late: Leslie is my name Late is my game
14. Cartoon Character: Lilo
15. Something you shout: LISTEN
16. Animal: Lion
17. Body part: Leg
18. Word to describe you: Likable
19. Something you like to do: Laugh
20. Place you'd like to be: London

I tag...everyone. :o)

Swimming at Pecos Park

Yesterday we went to the Pecos Pool in Ahwatukee which is about 18 miles from our house, closest public pool with some friends from the ward. We went last week and had a great time and yesterday was no exception. :o)

Here Calvin, Kenna & friend Matthew racing to the water

So refreshing since it's 110 degrees outside!

Lots of cute things for the kids from babies to big kids! I went down the yellow water slide and actually had my stomach flip! I guess I'm turning into a big wimp!! I thought it was fun but a little more scary than I expected...granted I laid flat on my back and got to going way too fast and at the last turn almost flipped over (that's when my stomach flipped). hee hee

After about an hour they needed a snack break

Hey cheap thrills for $3.00 we had a great day of fun & swimming with friends. Our backyard above ground pool has been awesome this summer but we don't have the fun water slide.

Fun Summer Memories

Our Two Little Missionaries

Sister Wright & Elder Wright

I think anyone out there would be crazy to not open their door and let either of these cuties in their home to teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Today there was a Primary activity at church where the kids had a fun going to a mock Missionary Training Center and then off to their indivual missions. Calvin & McKenna both were sent to Tennessee, but said they ended up getting to go to Germany also. So proud they've already served two missions! :o) They got to sample a lot of different foods (mostly desserts) and had a blast. What a cute idea! Thanks Primary Leaders!

( McKenna hopes she gets sent to Hawaii or Utah and Calvin wants to go to France so he can learn a new language but I think it's because he thinks Fergie lives there. )