pray for us

For a church that advocates abstaining from the consumption of alcohol, we sure know how to lead a woman to drinking.* That's right, it's "church ball" season once again.

You may recall the excitement of last year. It is with great trepidation that I announce: Greg informed me that tonight's (first game of the season) game might be against that team. He also informed me that if it's true, he will be sitting this one out.

Mom will be proud; we've finally learned to avoid compromising situations. At least when they happen at church(?).....



*You realize this is extreme sarcasm, right?

on motherhood

I may not be a mother to children of my own (yet) but I consider myself a mother of sorts to 70+ 3-11 year olds every Sunday when I "teach" music to them at my church. I did, however, feel a tiny glimpse of motherhood's joy when one of my little friends brought me this for Mother's Day:

What a charmer. Girls, watch out for this one!

deef

This post by Meg inspired me to share the following...


We sat side-by-side on a church pew; we being me, he, and he's girlfriend. I don't remember what the man standing at the pulpit was saying. All I remember is that he said, "deef," and as soon as the words escaped his lips, me turned to he and he to me in unison, both wearing a look of utter confusion. I think we may have mouthed "deef" to each other and then, unsuccessfully, tried to contain our laughter. Meanwhile, girlfriend sits clueless outside the connection forming between me and he. He later told me that moment brought a thought, "You should marry a girl like Wendy." Little did he know what the thought really meant, "You will marry Wendy."

singing time

I'm having dreams about primary singing time every night and I've even heard Greg humming primary songs on multiple occasions. It's officially taken over my life.

shuffle

Shuffleboard, anyone?

We went to California* for a few days in February with the Willis crew and Grandpa Willis taught us to play shuffleboard. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU WOULD THINK. (Read: I wasn't very good at it :) It was fun though and as Grandpa would say, there's nothing funnier than a bunch of 80 year old men swearing up a storm while they play. These people are serious about their shuffleboard. I wish we could have seen one of their tournaments. Matching team outfits and all. Hilarious.


*Sadly, the reason we went was for Grandma Willis' funeral. It's times like these when we lean on our beliefs for comfort. We know Grandma is in a good place and we will see her again.

mario at church

The children were extra wiggly during singing time last week so I had everyone stand up for a little bit of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." We started out by singing it soooo slow it was almost painful. Two quicker renditions later I told the kids we were going to sing it "Really, really fast. Like......super mario fast." It just fell out of my mouth that way and the kids ATE. IT. UP.

I have a feeling this one is going to stick.


P.S. They decided that "super mario fast" is when Mario gets a star item and becomes invincible.

noted

Note to self: Never ask primary children how old they think you are. It's not good for your ego.

P.S. I'm the primary chorister in my ward now. Still doing the cub scout gig as well.

approaching fisticuffs

Last Friday was the first CHURCH BALL game of the season. I think that explains the title of this post.

In my experience, church ball is an anxiety-ridden drama inducing ulcer factory. Maybe there's something wrong with me, but I really enjoy it. Do you think growing up with five brothers, two of which played high school hockey, has anything to do with it?

Last week's game was particularly "exciting." Spoiler alert: no punches were thrown, but the wife of the elders quorum president sitting next to me was worried her husband would be the one to start it.

The start of the game was very promising when my good friend Meg announced she had a veggie tray in her purse and her intention was for us to eat it. Um, yes please. I, being impressed with what I thought was brilliant foresight on her part, complimented her on bringing an excellent snack.

Meg: "Oh, I just happened to have it so I thought I'd bring it."

Wendy: "I can't wait for the day when I just happen to have a veggie tray. I can honestly say that has never happened to me."

Things turned south quick when I realized which team "we" were playing. The jerk team. The jerk team, as I apparently call them, was the one we butted heads with last year. The one with the scrawny know-it-all with the 80's haircut and the seven foot 35 year old stuck in the glory days who seems to think this will be the game he finally gets drafted. I admit a bias. They really did cause problems when they tried to steamroll the Tuesday night pick-up games at our church house last year. Sure their gym was under construction and they've had the Tuesday night ritual for years, but this is our turf! Choose another night. Geez.

On with the game. We were getting a lot of fouls called on us but from what I could see both teams were playing rough. It's usually a good thing when one of the refs is from your ward (he plays on the geezer team), but not this time.

Munch, carrots.

We have a Polynesian WSU football player on our team who can appear quite intimidating but is the biggest tease. I look up from the sugar snap peas to see him getting escorted into the hall by a player on the other team. I hear something about him being the stake athletic director so he can make calls on the court if he wants to.* Our team member eventually gets a technical and the job of score-keeping on the sideline.

Munch, munch celery.

At one point the refs stopped the game and both teams huddle to regroup. Two members of our bishopric were there and went on the court to tell our team to cool it.

Munch, munch, munch cherry tomatoes.

The next thing I know, Greg is saying "That's the best call you made all night!" After which he stormed off the court in my direction, grabbed his coat from my lap, and headed for the door. In my confusion I asked, "What's going on?" "We're leaving." That was my cue to get up and get out.

Apparently Greg got kicked out of the game. It looked like he just decided to leave from my seat.

Saturday morning came and Greg started to worry a bit.

Greg: "In my parents' stake you have to talk to the stake president to get permission to play again if you get kicked out of a game."

Wendy: "For real?"

Greg: "I just hope I don't get called into the bishop's office tomorrow."

9:00 a.m. Sunday came with great apprehension.

Much to Greg's relief, he got slaps on the back from all. The first counselor in the bishopric complimented Greg on "the best comment of the game" and a member of the stake presidency had a good laugh about it with us.

I guess we'll be at the game tonight after all.


*This is where I took [biased] paraphrasing license

of late

Been wondering what we've been up to? I thought so.

Greg is killing it at work and school. Here's the latest review of a microsite he created for a marketing campaign at work.

As for me, I've been pouring on the charm with the nursery crowd. Remember the boy who asked his mom to let him wear cologne to church for me? He graduated to Sunbeams two weeks ago but he almost had me in tears when he came running up to me after Sacrament Meeting yesterday. In other news, the Pinewood Derby is this month. Vroom!

And we got new curtains for our living room.* Life's good.



*We're tackling the decorating one room at a time. The living room is coming together nicely. Come check it out!

Elder Bob

We (Mom, Dad and I) took our Bob to the MTC yesterday.

Curb-side drop off is ideal.
I no longer harbor resentment towards the MTC.

So proud of my baby brother, although he's being a goon in this picture.
Typical. But the power tie makes up for it.

Say hello to 'Winston' in the background.
He's Dad's English Bulldog (I'll probably get corrected on that) yard sale find who now takes a prominent place in the living room.

Love you Dad.

bowed heads

From the mouths of babes. This stuff gets me every time...

A few weeks ago at church, during the passing of the Sacrament, the boy (4 years old-ish) sitting in front of us said (not in his 12" whisper) to his mom, "Everyone is sleeping!" After a whispered explanation from mom he exclaimed, "Oh, they think about Jesus by bowing their heads!"

I supressed a giggle but I think it's safe to say that child will bow his head the next time he thinks about Jesus. I realized I witnessed the planting of a seed of faith in that young boy. Small miracles.

bob

Video coming soon of Bob (my not so little, anymore, brother)

opening his LDS mission call to...

the Canada Edmonton Mission

He's ecstatic.

And not just because we have family in Edmonton that will make sure he's well fed :)

So proud of you my little Bobby-poo (How embarrassing :)

Nursery III + Cub Scouting

I'm feeling so hot right now.

One of my nursery kids came to class last week (his mother dragging him through the door) but obviously wasn't very happy to be there. His mom didn't know what had happened because all he had talked about that morning was going to nursery and playing with Sister Willis. "He even put on cologne just for you," she said. I was flattered.

And...

My newest adventure is Cub Scouting. Yes, I'm experiencing children related church calling overload. Last week a boy I hadn't met showed up at den meeting. I overheard him say to another Bear, "Our new teacher's cute." I pretended not to hear it though I chuckled inside. Greg's response: "Oh, they don't stand a chance."

Nursery II

Conversation with nursery child whose mother is pregnant...

Me: Are you going to have a new baby in your family?
Nursery child: Uh-huh.
Me: Is it a girl or a boy?
Nursery child: [blank stare]
Nursery child: It's in mommy's tummy!
Me: You're right, the baby is in your mommy's tummy.
Nursery child: Do you have a baby in your tummy?
Me: No, I don't.
Nursery child: Why?
Me: Ummm

I'm now accepting suggestions of an explanation I could have shared that wouldn't elicit further questioning from a 3 year old...

Nursery

A few weeks ago in Nursery:

I was giving the lesson about "Sunday." Why it's a special day, what we do on Sunday, etc. We talked about going to church on Sundays and that our church building is a special place.

Me: Do you know what else is a special place?
Nursery child: The home!
Me: (Impressed by the child's response since it was to be my next comment) Did you read the lesson manual?
Child: (Nods) Uh-huh.
Me thinking: This is why I love being in the nursery. Even if some weeks are really hard.

That one guy

I've been a huge blog slacker. Maybe this will spice things up a bit:

At church yesterday a little boy approached the podium to bear his testimony. He happens to be the son of one of the members of the bishopbric in our ward. He began with the usual "I'd like to bear (which always sounds more like "bury" when little kids say it) my testimony. I know the church is true..." Then he continued with, "I know that (LOOOOOONG PAUSE) that one guy buried the plates made of brass." I, along with most of the congregation, couldn't hold in my amusement at hearing that statement. I was laughing so hard that I doubled over and missed seeing him turn around to ask his dad what "that one guy's" name is. I tuned back in just in time to hear him say, "Moroni" and conclude his testimony.

Classic. Kudos to that kid for giving Moroni a shout out in fast and testimony meeting - I don't think that happens often.

Stay tuned for more funny stories about kids in our ward. AKA I recently got called to be a nursery leader...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY GREG!!!

28 years ago this adorable baby boy was born.

[The day after he was born]

[Blessing Day - November 1980]

[Look at those cute chubby feet :) ]

[CLASSIC 1980's photography - 2 years old]

[Sooooooooo adorable - 4 years old]

[Looking gooood]

[Bobcat!]

[Take a CLOSE look at the shirt and pants - NICE.]

[Graduation May 1999 - Bonneville (clap, clap) Lakers (clap, clap) - just for you Greg]

[Dancing (?) in the MTC - on his way to the Philippines]

[Soooooo hot.]

[Grendy - December 2007]

*editorial sidenote: this was taken the day of our first kiss :)

[Engaged]

[Married]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!!!

*Wendy's sidenote: I realized that I had never seen a baby picture of Greg so I riffled through all the photos Mama Willis could throw at me and these are just a few of the gems :)

*Warning, this post contains random dribblings from Wendy's brain. Be afraid, be very afraid.*

What is it about blogging that makes it so, I don't know, cathartic? I think it's partly because I've always had a 'thing' for writing. Not so much that I consider myself 'good' at it but rather that I've always been drawn to it, in a sense. I guess I just like getting my thoughts on paper (the computer screen, etc.) to see if they make sense outside of my head. Writing this is making me wonder why I've never been much of a journal writer...probably because I have so much to say anytime I try that it just takes too long. Maybe that's because I tend to be detailed. I'm sure I've driven many of you who will read this crazy because I just can't seem to spit out a story without lots of unnecessary details (Sorry Greg, I know you're often the victim of this one. I love you! :)


I have an even bigger 'thing' for words than for writing in general. In fact, the improper use of a word during a Sacrament Meeting talk led to Greg's first thoughts of becoming "more than just friends" with me. Or so he claims. I know he was actually in love with me long before that (Thanks again for the over-inflated confidence Dad!). What I'm saying is this: good words used well will always win bonus points with me. One of my most prized possessions is my dictionary (set), no lie.

Another reason I enjoy writing is that I love reading. I'm currently reading (studying) Jesus the Christ and it is incredible. I'm embarrassed to admit I hadn't read it until now. Talk about a book with words I have to look up! I'm eating it up. I'll post more thoughts on this later.

I also enjoy blogging because I love reading what others are thinking about. Chances are if you're reading this, I've probably already checked to see if you've updated your blog as well--so keep it coming! :)

A Willis Summer (Part I)

A few highlights of my first Willis summer (aka what we’ve been up to as of late)…

APRIL

We’ll start back in April with a few honeymoon pics:

We did a little shopping. Here is Greg modeling the argyle ensemble. No, the matching shirt and socks didn’t come in a package together; we just have an eye for style :)

We went for a hike at Zion National Park.

Weeping Rock (please excuse the bulky jacket tied around the waist)

Looking up Hidden Canyon Trail.

Hidden Canyon wasn’t so hidden after all.

The only pictures we took from our day trip to Vegas were at the Temple. Probably a good idea.

The St. George Temple

Benja became our favorite place to eat, possibly ever. (This was our first attempt at using the timer on my camera. Not too shabby Greg!) We love us some good Thai food!

In fact, we loved it so much we ate there twice while in St. George. This is us being really excited to eat there again. Sidenote: we had the same waiter both times, it was pretty funny. Another sidenote: both pictures are from the second time we went there just to clarify. We didn't wear the same clothes all week :)

To be continued...

Jade

Last week, Greg's #2 main babe (Jada Pinkett Willis aka Jade) went to kitty heaven.

(Jade's 1st time at our new house.)

Greg adopted her from his good friend Scott Renberg and, if you recall this post, he loved her only slightly less than me.

(Wendy & Jade)

She got in some kind of accident (no one knows for sure what happened) that resulted in her tail getting pretty messed up (for lack of better words). The real problem was that the break was really close to her hips and it started to affect her walking ability. The sores that resulted were getting really bad as well. She couldn't even lift her tail.

We didn't get a chance to say goodbye as she has been living at Ma & Pa Willis' as of late (long story short-she scratched up our new bed and I was ticked) and we didn't find out she had been "sent to kitty heaven" until after the fact.

(Jade causing mischief...)

The cute part of the whole story is that Greg was reading "Answers to Gospel Questions" by President Joseph Fielding Smith last night and he reminded me that Jade will be raised in the resurrection and we can take care of her then. How cute is he?