Human Copy Machine

I volunteer every Tuesday at the school. I swap weeks between Victoria & Glory's classes. I love being in their classes, seeing their friends, chatting with their teachers and helping out where I can. The girls also LOVE that I get to eat lunch with them each week. I'm enjoying it while it lasts! ;)
On my weeks in the 3rd grade, I have become somewhat of a human copy machine. --In the fact that all the 3rd grade teachers use my services to make their Math and Reading copies for the next couple weeks. I am in the break room for a couple of hours. Holy Moly- I'm sure I kill several trees by the time I am done. There was one time that I was bored so I calculated how many copies I made. That day I made 3906 copies!!!! I'm pretty sure that today I blew that number out of the water! Today, I finished all  the packets for the rest of the year. So my copying days may be complete! Good-bye big black machine!

Summer Service

Our family had the opportunity to do a little service this week. A friend of ours was on vacation so we went out everyday to feed her dog, Lucky! The kids were in heaven. We also went out one night (and part of another day)  to do a little yard work. The kids helped mow, weed whip and spread mulch in the flower beds. It turned out pretty awesome! Way to go, Team!

Arrow of Light Service Project

In order for Justice to earn his Arrow of Light Award the weekend, he needed to complete an "Leave No Trace" Service Project. His Den didn't get around to one so we did it as a family instead. We've meant to clean up around the apartment for weeks now. (But Brett's been traveling and it has either been way windy or icky weather) But it turned out that in light of this morning's crazy events, it was the perfect day for it.
Our whole family helped out Larry & Missy to tidy up the yard. I think we filled about 4 bags with garbage, dead plants and cigarette butts. Now it looks pretty snazzy!

Then the kids discovered that filling the gloves with water was way cool! They are so funny!

Best Moving Friend EVER...

...or Most Annoying, Bossy Friend EVER! [It depends on your perspective. LOL]

My best Helena Friend moved today. ;(
Jenny and I became instant friends. We are like long lost soul mates! LOL We like so many of the same things. We organize the same way. We're friendly, we craft, we sew, we serve, we collect. I told her her the first time I officially met her that I was an awesome "moving" friend. She was confused but I think now she knows what I meant.
I believe that in the last few days (plus a couple days in September) I have spent 27 hours at their house helping them get moved. I was there de-junking boxes with her, packing rooms, cleaning out fridges, packing trailers, directing traffic, scrubbing the entire upstairs floor on my hands and knees, and waving goodbye at the curb as they drove away. Due to me being there all the time and my DIRECT nature (I prefer that over the MEAN adjective people tried to use), I became the official fore(wo)man of the project. My favorite was when Kevin [Jenny's hubby] told one of the ward members, "I don't know what to have you to- go ask Shay." I got teased a lot about it! .....Seriously!!!!! I don't' mean for that to happen. It's just ingrained in me to take charge if someone needs to be. LOL I did feel bad about the time that I yelled at Kevin. Oops! I was almost finished with the floor. Remember how I scrubbed the entire upstairs hardwood floor on my hands and knees? Well, Kevin was on the phone and started wandering around. Unfortunately, his wandering led him right down the hallway and into the kitchen IN HIS DUSTY/ DIRTY COWBOY BOOTS. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! I was not a happy camper! I did apologize later to him and he hugged me goodbye so I guess it all worked out in the end.


There was tons of things they ended up not being able to fit in the trucks. I was able to inherit a couple projects that she never got around to. I'm very excited!!! Not that she had to leave them but that I can refinish them and then always have a reminder of her. I got a little bench, a few chairs to recover and my favorite is this old wooden oversized chair. I LOVE it!!! <<<<<Isn't it gorgeous!!!?


Another thing I inherited was a humongous box of old levis. Jenny's been collecting them for years. She was so sad to leave them behind. So.. I told her that I would keep them and make her something from it for her. I've spent some time sorting, tossing, cutting and sewing. A mutual friend, Grandma Lay came and helped me sew one day. The quilt has turned out so fun! It's cute enough that I've contemplated keeping it for myself. ;) However, it has become my Titantic Project. Let me explain... Jenny and I met, became dear friends and parted in a very short time span. I took a couple  of "hideous, sweaty moving ladies" pictures on my phone but other than there is no proof {except in her heart} that I even existed. LOL This has become my momento for her so that she will have proof that she actually met me and I am real. I love it!

A few more things about the Burtons and then I will let them move on. ;)
Liberty became great friends with their daughter, Sadie. We got them together several times before they left. One of my favorite was when the Three Amigos got together here at our tiny place and played Sherwood Forest. Sadie and Micah have been lifesavers for Liberty transitioning to Helena.
How cute are these girlies???

They put me in charge of finishing up a few things that weren't done as they drove away. As crazy as it's been, I am sad that it's almost all taken care of. Mainly because it means they are really gone. ;( Best of Luck in your new adventure, Burton Family. You will be missed so much! Thanks for the fun memories. XOXO

Bishop Thank You

Victoria and Glory's Sunday school classes got together today to say Thank You to Bishop Campbell for all the service he gives to our Ward. It was a bonus because I am teaching one of their classes so I got to be there. We got to see pictures of him when he was their age and learn a little about his favorite things. The kids all signed a Baseball Home Plate thank you card for him [The Lord hit a HOME RUN when he called you to be our Bishop] and got to share some of his favorite cookies. Each class also made gifts of service they are going to do as a gift for the Bishop. It was very sweet! What cute kids!

In the Service...

I am in desperate need of friends! With the craziness/busyness of a move, you don't usually have a lot of time to think about what it will be like on the other end. After the initial part of a move, you are busy exploring the new area, unpacking and getting everyone settled. But once the dust settles then you are left to wonder "who's bright idea was this anyways"?! LOL
I am a big believer in the fact that people need people. Friends are an important (maybe even essential) part of life. And making friends isn't just for the kiddos. But let's face it- as adults it may even be trickier.
I recently came across this quote- "If you go looking for a friend, you're going to find they are scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere." -Zig Zigler
So, I made a decision. Be brave! Put yourself out there! Find someone to serve! And that's what I've been trying to do. I've been making friends by de-junking attics, packing boxes, painting bedrooms, cleaning things, setting up a wedding reception, serving food, and lending a listening ear. It's been a lot of fun!