Mother's Day

Let's just say I had the perfect breakfast made by my companion....oatmeal pancakes from scratch topped with homemade chunky applesauce with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. He went without the ice cream but it's Mother's Day and I can eat what I want,right? The program at church didn't make me cry or get mad or feel anything except "I did my best and I'm pretty much done!" One of the speakers was one of our converts. Her mother came to our church today instead of the Catholic Church. Keith's wife came with their two little girls. We had 3 investigators in our Gospel Principles class.  An all around good Mother's Day. I'll be skyping with kids for the rest of the day.
The second photo is from an Elder who knew what kind of a week I have had. Finally the referral center in Provo, Utah recognized my system needs some upgrades and it really has been malfunctioning. I realize they usually think it is user error because these dumb old ladies who go on missions try to keep things up and running.
I went to a Women's Conference yesterday that was a joke. The cooking class I went to said onion chopping goggles are a must ! If I would have been in a different setting I would have laughed loudly! Are you kidding me? She also said it takes at least 2 hours to prepare every good meal. Well I have news for her. We have grilled veggies and fish or chicken in 15 minutes and we are doing just fine. Elder Taggart is looking good as he loses a few pounds and the two hour goggle thing....good luck with that on a mission. She doesn't like her mascara to run down her cheeks with the onion tears right before her guests arrive. I guess goggle rings around your eyes are preferable. I would never make it in Chicago.
The second class I went to was on the art of grandmothering. She has 7 and has had such an adjustment to what they should call her and how should she interact with them. She has read numerous books and has also taken two classes on grandparenting . My jaw dropped. Are you kidding me? Bond with them when they are babies, get down on the floor with them when they are toddlers, play games with them, do crafts with them, buy buckets of playdoh,read books to them, make up stories as you lay by them at bedtime. It made me homesick for my 25 grandchildren while this woman analyzed what a good name for her would be because she doesn't like grandma and how can she ever learn to relate to her 13 year old grandson. I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA!  I miss those little bugs, and the teenagers, and the things we loved doing together......without the benefit of classes.
So you see...I haven't changed much. Chicago is getting hot and muggy. I'm not sure which is worse, the frigid winters or the miserable summers. Why would anyone choose to live here?
Must run to talk to children. If you are close to yours, give them a hug. Kiss the chubby cheeks of your grandchildren. Enjoy listening and being a part of the lives of youth. Next week will be different but this week , this is all you get.
Love,
Sister Taggart