Cherish the little things...

For General Conference this week, I made each family of the children in our Primary a little "Fun Pack." (Don't panic, that makes a grand total of 4 I had to make) They just have coloring sheets, words finds, etc. Crayons, pens and candy. Nothing exciting, but hopefully the kids will like them.

As I put together the Tennis Family pack, I had to put five of everything in there. All five of my kids are in Primary with me right now. (Gid is technically in Nursery, but since the Nursery leader is also the President, music leader, the Sunbeam teacher and his mother - well, he has to join us for Sharing Time as well. At any rate, I have all five of my little chicks with me under my wing. Some days it's a little too much, I'll admit. But most? I am the luckiest mother in the world.

I get to have my children's attention for one whole hour (two of them get me for two) while I over see their spiritual instruction. It doesn't get better than that. And don't think I don't use it to my full advantage. Believe me, when something is going on with one of my kids, I lean a lesson one way or another, hoping to reach them. We sing certain songs that I hope will touch their heart. It truly is a blessing.

Another wonderful thing is that the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency is over Primary. And we happen to need a little extra help, a lot of the time. While there are only 11 kids, this year they will turn 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,10,11,12. They are all over the board as far as what they are ready to learn and ways to keep them interested. So the 1st counselor is in a lot. Since there are only three of us running all aspects of Primary, we get a little burned out. (I know you're thinking, it's only 11 kids. But remember that whether it's 11 or 111, you still have to have all the classes taught, music time, sharing time, activity days, etc. It's very busy.) We have asked the Branch Presidency to teach the 4th Friday of the month, giving us a break from one of us doing two a month. Since the other two member of the Pres. are busy during Sharing Time, the 1st Counselor does it more often than not. So on those days, my kids get their mom AND their dad running Primary.

Last week as I watched Peter unpack his "Special Black Backpack" filled with all kinds of tools to help you follow the Prophet, I felt so thankful to be here. Where else do you get to see your dad sing Do as I'm Doing, hopping, turning, patting his tummy with his tie flying - in Primary? On a pretty regular basis? It is so fun for us.

Some times I can't wait to be released from this calling and have a break. (which I know a break won't happen in any calling while living here) It get's so tiring week after week trying to keep the kids entertained and listening, engaged and learning. Especially when over half of them are my own kids who hear me every single day of their lives.

But when I hear them on their own, in the back of the car, all start into one of the songs we're learning in Primary - I know it's all worth it. They are learning the gospel through music like never before, because they have to with me as their mother/music leader. They are learning to be great Priesthood holders and fathers because they see their dad teach and testify to them inside and outside of the home. (And find the kind of man that their dad is, Roo!)

Anyway. I just wanted to remember this time. Samuel will turn 12 in June, and that will be the end of the Tennis Family Primary. We really enjoy it. We laugh, sing, love, feel The Spirit, share, and grow together for a couple of hours each week. While we, of course, do much of this in our own home - there's something about being in Primary together. A charmed, magical, spiritual time. I am so thankful for the chance to have this experience and hope it is strengthening my kids as much as it is their parents.