Music Therapy and R.S. Conference

Saturday I drove down with my kids and a music therapy colleuge to my parents house. We dropped them all off and headed to Primary Children's Hospital for the UAMT conference on Self-care. Devin picked the boys up on his way down to Cedar City for Don and Aliene's speaking assignment before they go to Moscoe Russia! Because our Primary program is really soon and the two conferences on Saturday I decided to stay home with the girls.

I feel so enriched after attending both of these conferences. The music therapy conference we had four different workshops, Dance Therapy, Professional Marketing, Chakra Toning and Quantum Touch, and MARI Assessment. I had fun reconnecting with music therapy friends. Some I have not seen for a long time. I had a great time visiting and catching up at lunch and in between workshops. The title of Self-Care for the music Therapist really fit what I needed. Sometimes we go through life taking care of everyday things, mothering, our jobs, cleaning, church callings, fun activities, but we forget to take the time to do our own personal care. I believe everyone needs time to decompress and reconnect with who we really are. If we don't do this we get burned out and are not effective in serving others. The ones we love the most are neglected. This conference gave us some ideas of things you can do. Some cost lots of money, some are time-consuming, and others are very simple and no-cost.

I personally have committed in doing better to find time to do my spiritual self-care. I would like to be more regular in reading my scriptures. I was reading my journal a little while ago and I saw in several entries a similar goal of reading the scriptures. This is something I have always struggled with. I keep setting goals and time escapes me and I've gone back to my bad habits.

Relief Society General Meeting is always a highlight for me. I especially enjoyed Barbara Thompson's words. She is so genuine and good natured. I'm impressed with her wisdom and great attitude about her purpose in life. I re-commit to relish where I am today. Relish the ages of my children and the fun stages they are in. I do not want to wish for tomorrow. Tomorrow is only built on what we do today. I also want to be a better Visiting Teacher. I felt during the meeting that I could do much better in serving and loving my sisters. Even though I am serving in the Primary right now I want to feel more connected to Relief Society. I will try to put more energy into visiting teaching and work hard to support the activities R.S. has. It has been a great weekend for me. I'm really looking forward to more spiritual feasting next weekend.

Just a side note. Traeden's Primary teacher was called to be the new Y.W. pres in our ward and she told me today that last week in class he asked her thoughtfully, "Does this mean you're fired?" She said "I guess it does." She has been a wonderful teacher for him and we will miss her in Primary.

Lessons to be learned

I don't know about you but I'm always falling short and making little mistakes but this week I did a big mess up. Well last post I mentioned that we got our curbing done and then the rain ruined it. I called the man who did it three times and just was so sick inside and kept thinking that I should cancel his check. When I didn't hear back from him I decided to do it even though Devin didn't think we should. After I did it I felt so much better. He called us at 7:00 pm and left a message on our phone and said he left his cell phone at home and just got my messages. He was upset that I stopped the check and said he would come out and look at the curbing, and for me to call him back. I felt so bad. I called him back and told him everything I was thinking and he was so understanding and could see my point of view and I think forgave me. I just felt terrible because he did his job and it wasn't his fault that it rained. He had no idea it would have come down like that. In looking back I really should have given him the benefit of the doubt and trust that he would have called me back and we would resolve the conflict. I think more then anything I wish I would have prayed and been more sensitive to the spirit at a time when I really could have used direction.

He is working with us and we pulled out all the curbing and he will come back and redo it for a third of the cost which I feel is reasonable. I took some pictures of all the kids and neighbors who just came to help without us even asking. We have the best neighbors!

This weekend we were able to go to the Temple Open house in Day Break. It was absolutely beautiful. Devin's dad and my mom came with us and we had a great experience. I'm excited that we all can be apart of the dedication. I think it's a neat idea to have a few sessions so families come. We have already approached a neighbor to exchange babysitting so we can attend with Traeden who is old enough to go.

Don and Aliene just got their mission call! They are going to Moscow, Russia. We are so happy for them. They will be serving with the CES program. We speculate they will be working with the Seminary and Institute Program. How neat would that be!

Our Overly Family reunion has been canceled because Grandma Hyatt is in her last days of life. She is an amazing women in her 90's. The last month she has struggled with her health more then usual. Our family feels really good about the last visit we were able to see her this last Easter. She talked with us and the boys shared their musical talents with her which was really special. Aliene has been a rock for her mom the last few years, emotionally and physically. I think this would be a very hard time to lose your mother, but she seems very positive and at peace.

Have a great week!