New Beginnings.

Two Sundays ago I was sustained as a Laurel Advisor in Young Women. Yippee! I am super excited. Not to say I didn't love being the Building Scheduler last year (cough, cough), but it had much less face-to-face interaction and was much more time consuming than I had anticipated. I do have a new appreciation for that little calling! (I am still a Ward Historian, but hope to be relieved of that duty allow someone else the opportunity after the history for 2013 is signed, sealed, and delivered in March. This is my second year, and I've enjoyed the calling, but feel slightly overwhelmed at my abundantly scheduled calendar.)

The following Tuesday was New Beginnings. 

The theme was WHOOOOO Are You?

Such cute decorations (tons of stuffed owl favors made by the girls).

Such cute girls.

We have awesome young women in our ward and I am thrilled to be hanging out with them again.

Mauri found out on Saturday that she made the cast for the Spring Musical at her school.

95 kids tried out, and they cast the max they could at 65. Mar is a Doll. And I'm not just saying that because I am her mother (wink). That's better than a Guy (some girls will need to fill in), and it's better than the crew (her least-desired-but-preferred-over-not-participating option).

Practices started yesterday and will pretty much be after school every day (minus Spring Break) until show time May 1-3. She will be busy (I've already had to reschedule her ortho appointment 3 times due to "required" auditions and meetings).

You're going to be great, Mar!

I'm not supposed to say anything, or get Shi's my hopes up, but Shilo spotted her name on a BYU directory yesterday. She wonders if it means she got in. It was only posted for an hour or two, then all the kids-of-incoming-freshman-age were no longer listed. Weird. I'm pretty confident it means what I think it means, since Britta spotted her name on a BYU directory before receiving an official acceptance letter. I'm feeling super excited for Shi (and Cheyenne, and Bailey, and McKenna... if the list means what I think it means)!

Nice job, girls!

Mar was accepted to the CiMS chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

Since she missed the "How to Apply" meeting, and her application was submitted on the last possible day with only a few pointers on her essay from her mamita, this is good news.

A little more money... another schedule... it's all good, right?

I'm proud of you, Mar!

Today I feel grateful. 

For good kids who want to be good.

For sleeping pups.

For a flexible orthodontist.

For a hardworking husband.

For an opportunity to be with awesome young women.

For small but significant answers to prayers.