Days of Our Lives (the Sunbeam Version)

I don't think I could ever say it enough...how much I love my Sunbeams. The things they say just brighten my whole day. Here is another update on the happenings of my Sunbeams...

Adorable Miss Kenzie Hughes came into Primary today to sit with us and get the whole "Sharing Time" experience. Kaia was sitting next to me and then Kenzie sat next to her and Kaia looked very seriously at me and said "Don't worry Sister Nelson, I'll watch her for ya".

More Kaia stories for your enjoyment...
Sister Gorge showed a picture of the SLC temple and said "Where is this temple located"
To which Kaia answered "Far away" (In her best...DUH! voice)

Jacob turned around in his seat during singing time and told me very quietly "Uh Sister Nelson....I think I need to rest my voice". So sweet.

We watched a video of Jesus's birth today...one of those animated New Testament movies and at the part where the angel comes to visit the shepards Diana said "Oh! There's the fairy!"

Kalia informed me that her dad "Knows EVERYTHING!" (which is pretty useful)

And here is my favorite. Our very own soap opera going on in the Sunbeams class. Diana was using her feminine wiles today on Simon all through sharing time. She was swinging and flipping her hair all around and staring at him with her big baby blue eyes. However they were kind of lost on Simon (who has all brothers) and he just looked at her like she was crazy and then said "Diana....put on your shoes" (a bit exasperated). I guess it just isn't in the cards for these two. Usually Simon and Kaia are attached at the hip so I'm sure for Diana's sake it's probably good Simon doesn't return the feelings. Kaia would not be very pleased if someone was moving in on her "boyfriend" (as she calls him) and trust me...we all know when Kaia is not pleased by something. I thought perhaps this little puppy love going on between Kaia and Simon was over because they don't sit by each other or talk to each other as much in class. Today when walking to class Simon was getting a drink and Kaia bounces past him and says "Nice shirt Simon"....so maybe it isn't over quite yet. Oh the drama of Sunbeams.

When all is said and done words can't even express how much I love these kids. They are so sweet and they absorb all these stories and love to hear them. Yes, teaching 10 kids sometimes by myself is not easy and sometimes I go home wanting to quit. But most of the time I go home with a smile on my face because something one of them said or did. I am so proud of them and the progress they have made. They answer questions and I know they understand and get the gospel. Sometimes I think these kids understand the whole concept of the gospel better than we do. We let so much take our time and influence us. For them it's totally black and white. What's wrong is wrong and what is right is right. You help people. You work together. You love Heavenly Father and Jesus. You come to church. You read the scriptures. You listen to your mom and dad. Easy.
I have a feeling I will be released this week and I am VERY upset by it. I love the kids in Primary. They teach me more than I teach them. So once again thanks to all the parents who let me have them for those 2 hours each Sunday and for all you do in teaching these kids at home- it makes my job easier!
I love each and every one of them.
Caroline has a heart of gold. She is a trooper and just so sweet.
Diana has the funniest giggle that you have to laugh at. Sometimes she can tell me a whole story and I have almost no idea what she said but then she laughs so of course I laugh too.
Jacob is one of the sweetest boys. He listens and gives me his full attention. He is full of questions and also answers to my questions.
Kalia is a bundle of energy. She comes each Sunday ready and rearing to go which helps us get excited too.
Katie has a great sense of humor. She is just so silly she can really get me laughing.
Kaia that girl has a sense of who she is and she is not going to let you change it! I like that about her. She is strong willed and it will help her get far in life.
Simon is so intelligent. He knows all the answers to my questions and he remembers everything I tell him. I love watching him learn.
Layton is just so adorable I want to steal him. He has these chubby cheeks and red hair and freckles and when he smiles at you...your heart melts. I love when he answers a question and he gets the answer right and then gives me this smile.
Morgan loves activites and stories and she loves sharing her own stories as well. She is very loving and she also loves singing us new songs she has learned.

I will miss these kids terribly but I know that they are going to do great in Primary next year! I know our Heavenly Father loves these kids so much and I'm happy to have been entrusted with the responsibility of teaching them about Him.
I hope we can all learn something from these amazing Primary kids.

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love..."
Mosiah 3:19

Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam...

How many times can I possibly say that I adore my Sunbeam class? This was one of those weeks when I was kind of bracing myself for church today. I haven't been feeling well (that sinus/allergy stuff that makes your head feel like a balloon and no amount of blowing can solve....) and so the idea of going to church and dealing with 10 kids who only want to roll around and tell me stories about bad guys, fires, swords, things blowing up (seriously...these kids are kind of morbid)....it just didn't seem like something I was particularly interested in today. But I went in and the minute you see these kids with their smiling faces your heart literally melts. Our sharing time was a video that Gordon B. Hinckley was in and it was a special one for primary kids about the north star being like the church and Cathy Gorge was asking them questions about what President Hinckley said and my kids knew all the answers! I was so proud! Usually they try to finagle the answer out of me so I will whisper it to them so they can answer but this time they did it all by themselves! And as usual our class was filled with funny moments....here are a few of my favorite Sunbeams quotes...

Layton: "No snacks! Snacks are for babies!" (he was very adament about this...)

Caroline: "Did you know that I am 12?"
Kaia(to Simon): "Don't listen to her Simon she does not know what she is talking about"

Jacob came up to show me the card he made for the bishop and Kaia pats him on the head and said "Great job Jacob!"

Katie: "One time I was blowing out birthday candles and the fire went all the way up my hair and to my forehead" (this is a favorite story of hers...I hear it at least 3 times a month)

Kaia: "I have a scripture about Harry Potter"

These kids are awesome. We learned about how we all need to use teamwork at church and they really got it. I just love them! So thanks to the awesome parents who by teaching them at home make it a little easier for me each week when I teach them. They really are special spirits!

Paging Dr. Nelson

Ok...so I'm not a Dr...yet. But you're looking at the newest member of Community North Hospital's PSP program. That's right...it's official ladies and gentlemen. I was officially offered the position this morning. I'll be working night shift in the Ortho/Neuro unit starting out part time but hopefully they'll have the need for me to be full time soon. Orientation starts October 6th!!! What a relief to know that in a couple of weeks I'll be making more money AND having full health benefits. My Heavenly Father really took the reins on this one...and I couldn't be more grateful. To find a job that is going to open so many doors for me and provide me the education I need as well...oh life is good.

In other news...we had our Primary Program yesterday in church and let me tell you...WHAT A RELIEF! Trying to corral 10 Sunbeams on the stands is not an easy task. The kids loved being able to talk into the microphone but while waiting for our second part they got a little restless. Katie Marble wanted to sit on my lap (then she wanted to sit with Kalia, then she wanted to stand up, then she wanted to go sit with her mom....) she is such a sweetheart though. Then there was sweet sweet Layton McMahon who has the most precious face he can melt your heart in .3 seconds. He has a fascination with his mouth in the sense that he was licking the chair in front of him, eating my sister's bracelet (sorry Calah), and when it was his turn to say his part he promtly stuck the mic in his mouth....nice. Nathan Battraw is just a bundle of energy and wanted nothing to do with the whole thing...poor kid...I felt his pain. The kids' part was to tell something they are thankful for and I have to say Jacob Griffiths was probably my favorite...the delivery was the best part. Clear as day he proudly says "I'm thankful for cereal" oh Jacob aren't we all??? Kaia Wilson is a force to be reckoned with and when she says something she means it...so when she adamently told Diana Talbot that "it is NOT our turn to sing!!!"...she meant business. Diana was heartbroken and I looked over at her and her big blue eyes were welling with tears...every nerve in my body went into panic mode (Abort! Abort! 4 year old about to cry....)so I quickly had her come over to me and assured her that we would be singing shortly. All in all...it wouldn't matter if the kids all shouted and screamed and ran around the stage the entire time (which they didn't...thankfully)...I would still adore them. It is impossible to be frustrated with this bunch because they are really and truly just so fantastic. I have so much fun with them and love being their teacher...there is just something about those Sunbeams.
Well that's all for me...I have a day off work so I'll be able to get a lot done (ie watching Beverly Hills 90210) :)