Well That Was An Adventure

Okay, I've just got to say. . . I am NOT happy with blogger's new design options.  Today I thought I would just go in and change the background on my blog, I was getting a little tired of the old one, and found myself completely changing the whole template, layout and everything just because of one little mis-click.  So frustrating!  I was trying to figure it all out and mistakenly hit the wrong button and had just about the ugliest template design.  I tried to go back to my old template but nooooo... that's impossible, you have to use a new one once you've changed from your old one. All this new jazz is so not user friendly, especially when you are not very tech savvy.  It took me an hour of trial and error to get it remotely presentable again.  Phooey on new technology! 

Update

Just realized I neglected to update my fans here that I will not, I repeat will not, be running the  Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay 2010.  I'm terribly sad about it.  I hate getting my hopes up and then having them dashed.  I guess I'll just have to take more initiative next year and find or create a team myself.  Bummer!

Catchin' Up

School's out!  Scream and shout!

And although school is out I need to catch up on some things that I wanted to post. 

The last week of school was a busy one. Lots of stuff going on and one of those things was a performance day/night.  Apparently, the 1-3 grade classes at our school had been putting together dramatic mimes in their drama classes and they had a day to perform their acts for parents.  I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to these performances because I happen to be subbing one day for a 3rd grade class (not Ethan's) when they were practicing their mime and I have to say it was painful to watch.  I guess I should clarify that a dramatic mime is not a traditional mime.  There are storytellers (narrators), actors with a few lines, kids that are props and kids that are sound effects.  Anyway, we watched Emma's performance during the day.  Her class did the story "Tops and Bottoms."  It was absolutely adorable.  I couldn't believe how well done it was.  Everyone knew exactly what to do and say.  The prop kids did fantastic and I was especially impressed with the sound effects kids because they had all these great gadgets to make sound effects and they were completely responsible with them and did their effects flawlessly.   Emma was one of three storytellers.

She did so well.  She didn't miss one line.

Ethan's performance was later that night because they combined their mime with a musical performance.  His mime was called "Pig, Pigger and Piggest."  Ethan played the part of Pig.  It was a take on the classic "The Three Little Pigs."  I was actually completely surprised by how well Ethan did.  He usually shies away from the spotlight and gets really embarrassed when he's asked to do anything in front of others.  But not this night!  He rocked his part!  It was so fun to watch.  The best part of their mime was at the end, Pig, Pigger and Piggest have gone to find the three witches in their mime (Witch, Witcher and Witchest) and when they find them they ask them to marry them because these witches make the best mud they have ever seen.  When they propose, Hannah, who is sitting on the floor right at the front, gasps, covers her mouth and then starts giggling in delight and says "They're getting married!"  The entire audience was laughing hysterically at Hannah and not the show.  It was so funny. 

Here is Ethan as Pig.  

Sorry the lighting is so bad - my camera's flash really stinks - but if you look close you can see the pig nose.

Ethan's on the end of the front row rockin' the musical performance portion of the show.

As a mother it's nice to have short kids, they are always on the front row.  :)

All the kids wanted to have a moment on stage. . .so here they are!

And this is how I watched most of the show.  

Good thing I got there early to get a front row seat or I might not have seen any of it.

The last week of school brought even more fun right to our front door in the form of a backhoe.

JayDee decided that he would use some heavy machinery to take out our next door neighbor's quaky stumps instead of the old shovel and back muscle approach he's been using for years 

and it cause quite a ruckus with the kids.

Just check out the excitement.

Just look at those faces!

Just can't get enough.

News, News and More News

Okay, so I've been waiting to share this news for about 2 weeks now and now I finally can.  It's probably a good thing that I had to wait to share because 2 weeks ago this post would sound very different.  Yesterday, I was released from my absolute favorite calling as a member of the YW Presidency and called to be the Primary President of my ward.  YIKES!   I was completely taken off guard with this calling because I had only served in YW for a year and a half, I wasn't ready to go.  In fact, after welcoming a new beehive into YW a few months ago, I told her younger sister that I hoped I would be in their house again in 3 years to welcome her into YW.  And I meant it.  There is just something about YW that I love - and will always love.  

So needless to say I was devastated when the bishop released me and  completely shocked with my new call.  I am always overwhelmed with the process of choosing counselors and this time was no exception.  I had a horrible week.  I know most of it was due to my lack of excitement so I decided to change my attitude and look forward with faith to this new adventure.  It took about 5 days and quite a few tears but I finally got confirmation of the Lord's will and can say with confidence that I am ready for this new challenge and really excited about it.

Sunday was a loooong day.  My presidency and I were sustained in sacrament meeting (which was a tear filled occasion by the way- the bishopric member releasing us and sustaining us could barely get the words out) we met with the old presidency right after church where they passed the baton to us, we were set apart and then JayDee and I had to run up to the Stake Center to meet with a member of the stake presidency.  Now I know you're thinking, the stake presidency has nothing to do with a new ward calling, and you would be absolutely right.  I walked into their office with a free spirit because I knew we couldn't be there for me.  I was only halfway right.  Our stake is doing a pioneer trek this summer and JayDee and I were asked to be a Ma & Pa for trek.  I was ecstatic!  A little background on this topic might be in order.   

At the beginning of this year as our YW Presidency was looking forward to our upcoming year, trek was big topic, and it just so happens that a counselor in our presidency is the wife of a member of our stake presidency so I took the opportunity to make it very clear that she could at any time mention to her husband that the Gunnells would be more than happy to serve on trek.  Unfortunately, our bishop had other plans.  He wanted our ward to do a beehive camp this summer and he wanted it to be the same days as trek so the beehives (who don't get to go on trek) would not feel left out.  Well that dashed my trek dreams real quick because I am the over the beehives of our ward.  I tried to tell him that I couldn't go to camp those days because I had other plans . . . I would be on trek.  But alas, I had to eventually give in and accept that I would not be going.  I watched as many great couples from my ward were called to be Mas & Pas and listened to many discussions and announcements about trek and I felt okay about not going.  Then I got released.  Suddenly I was available that last week of July where beehive camp used to be and the stake presidency got word and BAM - I'm going to be a Ma on Trek 2010!!  
The Lord sure works in mysterious ways. 

P.S.  I just got word today that I might be able to run the Wasatch Back Relay this year with my sister.  That would be awesome.  I've always wanted to but it's not a for sure thing yet.  I'll keep you posted.  :)

Diaper Free

So we've hit a milestone at our house. . . NO DIAPERS!!!  It is so glorious.  I was thinking about it the other day and realized that we have needed diapers in our house for the past 9 1/2 years.  They just sort of became part of the landscape and an automatic purchase at the store, but no more.  The other perk to this situation is that Isaac has been the easiest child to potty train.  He actually kind of did it himself.  All of a sudden he just started telling me he needed to go to the bathroom, I'd take him in there and he'd go.  We've only had 2 accidents (including nighttime and nap time) and they were really more my fault than Isaac's.  I know I am supposed to cherish every moment of my children's childhood but this is one phase I'm glad to see go.  :)

I wanted to post a picture of Isaac sitting on the potty (the big potty by the way,  he's a big boy he doesn't need a little potty chair - his words) because it is just about the cutest thing, but I didn't want anyone to feel like they needed to report this blog as having inappropriate content.  So just picture this adorable little blondie sitting on the potty, pants around the ankles, bum halfway to the water line, concentrating really hard then smiling that dazzling smile because he "did it!"

I Am A Mother

The reason I call myself mom.

I know I'm a bit late with this post but part of being a mom is being very busy and boy have I had a week!

Nevertheless, I had a fantastic Mother's Day.  One of my best actually.  I truly enjoyed the whole day.  

It started off with great gifts from my children that they thoughtfully prepared at school.  And I mean thoughtfully. . .they made me all teary.  Gift #2 was that everyone got ready for church without incident and we not only made it to church on time but we were early!  9:00AM church people!  Gift #3 was when I sat down in the chapel and had a look at the program to see JayDee was speaking.  He kept that little jewel a secret for a whole week. If I had to choose favorites that would have been my best gift of the day. I just love that man!

Later in the day we went over to my mom's house to celebrate with all the other mothers and future mothers in the family.  I always love being with my family, and for those of you who know them you know there is never a dull moment.  On this day, all the wonderful, reverent and new feelings of being a mother were brought in a tiny 6lbs. 15oz. package named Eden Burns.  My sister BriAnne (the newest mother in our midst) came with her almost week old baby girl, Eden.  That girl is one loved baby!  But honestly how can anyone resist - just look at her.

This picture was taken at the hospital the day she was born.

Everyone just couldn't get enough of this miniature BriAnne, especially my future mothers Emma and Hannah.

Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I do feel loved on a regular basis but there is something about a day set aside to honor the sacred call of motherhood.  I feel so blessed to be a mother.  And although I am far from being the poster mom for motherhood, I'm making progress in my own way to being the mother my children deserve and that my Heavenly Father wants me to be.  It's the absolute best journey I've ever taken!

Hannah's 5!! - May 6, 2005

Well it's been a long time coming . . . 5 whole years, but she's now finally 5.  Hannah's been counting down the days and I don't think she was disappointed at all about how her day turned out. 

Dad surprised Hannah by taking her to breakfast - just the two of them.  She absolutely loved their one-on-one time together.  After breakfast she opened her presents before Ethan and Emma went to school.  We didn't think we could handle Hannah's lack of patience all day and really why wait! 

Her favorite gift was the soundtrack to "Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel."  This girl is our little songbird.  She always has a song on her lips and a groove in her hips.  There is no holding her still if there is music playing.  Usually there is no lack of music because she's singing it.  I love that about her!

We were the hosts of preschool Thursday so we decided that we would combine preschool with a party.  We did a little learning and had a little party fun as well but no presents. Hannah loved that because it's her off year for friend birthdays.  We only let our kids have a friend birthday party every-other-year on the even years (4,6,8,etc).  Part of the festivities was letting the kids decorate their own cupcakes and I think every cupcake at the table had about an inch of frosting on top.  :)

If you look close you can see chocolate smudges on everyone's faces.

I love this picture of Hannah!  It captures the true her, scraggly hair and all.

And just look at that candle - she had to have it even though it was almost as big as the cupcake itself.

Hannah received birthday wishes all day from grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and  friends.

Hannah is so full of life and never misses a chance to notice the little things in life that bring even the smallest joy.  I love this girl!!  Birthdays really bring back lots of memories for me, being a mom is awesome!