Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Eleanor won church on Sunday


I was called as the primary chorister shortly after moving to Provo last summer. Primary has THE BEST callings in the church (except maybe camp callings). The cuteness factor is off the charts every week.

Anyway, this Sunday it was time for a 6 year old, Eleanor, to give the talk at the beginning of primary. She climbed up the stairs to the mic- tiny, but mighty- and stood in front of the pulpit. 20 seconds and no talk. Then a minute of silence passed. Her Dad was sitting behind her gently coaxing her to get started and saying, "you can do it." She started shying away and saying, "I'm afraid." Another 30 seconds passed. Her mom, the newly called primary secretary, came up from the back of the room and started coaxing her as well. There was Eleanor shying away from the pulpit with her parents behind her whispering words of encouragement into her ear. For an awkward 3 minutes things were quiet. The primary kids laughed a bit at first, but then were silent. This is not common. Usually there are lots of giggles and grunts and conversations going on. We could all feel Eleanor was in distress. Her parents kept coaxing her. I thought to myself maybe one of them should just give the talk with her standing next to them, it was getting really uncomfortable. I was afraid Eleanor would be traumatized from the event. I feared I was witnessing the moment a phobia of public speaking began for this young lady.

 

I was wrong. Her parents knew her better than I did. Eleanor finally began speaking. At first she whispered, but soon her words were more confident, and we could understand what she was saying. She testified of David and how he was 'small, but mighty' with the Lord's help. She used the word mighty a lot in her talk. Every time she said mighty, she flexed her little arm muscles. It was clear she had practiced this talk over and over at home. She was prepared and capable, ready to testify of the gospel. I realized I was witnessing a representation of how our Heavenly Parents feel. They coax us and encourage us from the background. They know how hard we've worked and prepared to face our challenges. They want us to succeed. They know we can succeed. They put their spiritual hands on our back to assure us they are there. When we figuratively shrink back, they stop us, sustain us, steady us, and tell us, "You can do this."

 

At the end of Eleanor's talk, she was beaming.  It was clear she was so proud that she had accomplished a tough task. The primary was silent. The spirit was so strong. The little 3-7 year olds might not have understood exactly what Eleanor had testified of; but they saw it represented in the scene they had witnessed as Eleanor was backed up and assured by her parents. The Holy Ghost enveloped the room and our hearts with a feeling of warmth and love.

 

It was one of the best church days and real-life lessons I've witnessed in a while. I'm so grateful for what I saw. I remembered the scripture I had read during the week about David's faith, but the meaning was deeper as I likened it to Eleanor, her parents, and our loving Heavenly Father: "David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee."

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Our Week in Review


Our week was great.  Highlights include:

1) Roger yelling out at church, "Jesus's blood!!  I spilled it!"  When he dropped his water during the passing of the sacrament. 

2) Reed and Roger beginning swim lessons with smiles on their faces

3) Eliza repeating swim lessons (again) with tears and anxiety, but by Wednesday lessons, something clicked and she finally remembered how to swim.

4) Davis helping me carry all sorts of items to a picnic area from the car for Eliza's Team Banquet (which I organized).  What a stud.  No complaints.  Sometimes boys are good to have around.

5) My sister, Erin was in town and we were able to spend lots of time together and the kids loved getting reaquainted with their cousins.

6) Deedles started his first week of his final year of Residency!! WOOHOO!!  We didn't see him much, but hey, there is only 1 more year left!

7) Popsicles.  Lots of popsicles in the hot 100 degree heat.

8) Sleeping in today as my dear husband finally has a day off.

9) Watching Olympic trials with my kids on T.V.

10) Carpools to gym.  Filling up the gas tank.  Listening to good music in the car.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Gymnastics Videos, Hoorah!!

Davis, Black Jack Meet (Las Vegas, February 2nd-- BIG National Meet)

Eliza, California Classic, March 10, FIRST Level 6 meet, SHE WAS SUPER NERVOUS!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Just grateful he's not a serial killer, cause this text is not pretty

the good doctor: I just cut out a dudes heart, liver, 2 kidneys, & pelvic vessel.  It was awesome!!  How did your meeting go?

me: Fine.  Please tell me the man was dead.

the good doctor: Gun to his head.  Spirit had departed.  Body is now an extra empty vessel.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Twin love

As Eliza was helping Davis stuff and label his class valentine's (a chore he ABHORES), I mentioned, "Davis, you are so lucky to have such an amazing sister who helps you with that."

His reply, "I know."

I followed up with another question, "Why were you guys so lucky to be born together as twins?"

Eliza hardly even caught a breath then replied in a very matter-of-fact manner, "Because we were best friends in heaven."

SO CUTE, RIGHT?

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Growing up

On Monday during Roger's gym class, another mom asked me about potty training.  Her son will be 4 in a couple of months and she's having a devil of a time getting him trained.  I gave her a few helpful tips (although I prefaced them with the fact that I have NEVER had a kid potty trained over the weekend, or in a week, or in a month, for that matter).  She expressed some frustration with her mom and sister who had, if we basically boil it down, told her she is a terrible potty trainer and her son should have been potty trained a year ago.


My anwer to this comment was this:  I have, in the past, dubbed myself a 'sleep-nazi' mom.  When a mom has expressed concerns about their kids with napping and getting up at nights, my answer was always, you just need to let them cry it out.  If their kid won't take a nap, they have obviously not let them lay down long enough to get to sleep. My motto was: Leave them alone, they'll go to sleep.  My only problem with this is that I have recently proven my own assumptions are wrong.  You see, Reed won't take a nap.  For a couple of months now, I put him down for his nap and he plays for an hour, maybe two.  I kept telling myself, "Just leave him alone.  He'll go to sleep."  But, alas, my own tried-and true methods don't seem to be working.  I really think the kid has given up a nap! At 2 1/2 no less!

My assumptions have all been blown away.  Maybe all those years I thought those mom's just weren't being diligent enough, I was wrong.  Maybe all those years I thought they were too soft-hearted, I was wrong.  I was wrong.  I WAS WRONG?!?

Isn't it just natural to assume our way is the best way? Don't we all make little judgements every day. Lately, I've gotten frustrated that the same 10 people seem to be volunteering at the school.  It is the same 10 people who've been volunteering since Kindergarten.  Why don't the other parents step up?  But with my new-found knowledge (sometimes, I AM WRONG), I can't help but wonder if my resentment is unfounded. Maybe those parents are working all day and can't spare a day off.  Maybe those other stay-at-home moms are struggling with issues I can't even fathom.  Maybe, I should just joyfully serve at the school and be grateful I am in a position to do so.

I mean, I've been the brunt of someone else's judgements.  At a very uncomfortable work function for D last year, I got the cold shoulder by some other Dr.'s who didn't know what to say to me.  I felt ignored.  I felt like they were looking down on me because I don't work (for money, that is).  I felt like they thought I was stupid, and a stay-at-home mom by default because I had no other talents.  I wanted to get up in their face in their faces:  I have a Master's degree in Microbiology!!  I've written research papers!!  I've had those same disgusting goggle lines on my face from hours in a chemistry lab!!  I AM LIKE YOU!!

As I've been thinking about these judgements, I am forced to ask myself, "Do I have the same type of pride I accused those other's of having?"  The answer, unfortunately is a resounding, YES!  I have judged people based on their worldly accomplishments, too.  I have labeled people just like I felt labeled. What is the matter with being a Mom- regardless of your pre-child resume?  Am I somehow better than other Mom's because I went to college? It is uncomfortable to realize I am a decidedly imperfect being.  I can't help but remember what my mom told me when I was a teenager, "If you can spot it, you've got it."  I didn't understand what she meant then but, I am starting to.  Any time I've made a judgement about someone else, it is because I, too, had the same imperfections.

Jesus Christ taught,"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in they brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:3).  A quick search of this verse brought a very interesting translation:
And why beholdest thou the mote ... - A mote signifies any "light substance," as dry chaff, or fine spires of grass or grain. It probably most usually signified the small "spiculae" or "beards" on a head of barley or wheat. It is thus placed in opposition to the word "beam." Beam is the the word used here signifies a large piece of squared timber. The one is an exceedingly small object, the other a large one. The meaning is, that "we are much more quick and acute to judge of small offences in others, than of much larger offences in ourselves." Even a very "small" object in the eye of another we discern much more quickly than a much larger one in our own; a small fault in our neighbor we see much more readily than a large one in ourselves. This was also a proverb in frequent use among the Jews, and the same sentiment was common among the Greeks, and deserves to be expressed in every language.
I can hardly believe it has taken me over 30 years to actually apply this scripture to myself-- in specific circumstances.  I've read it before.  I thought I understood it.  But I didn't think about myself and my own assumptions and judgements. I guess I should be grateful I am finally figuring this out, but honestly, I am sure I'm still holding on to lingering assumptions it might take me another 30 years to figure out I WAS WRONG!!

So to all you mom's out there who are having trouble of one kind or another and you think someone else doesn't understand, they probably don't  (even if they are the neighborhood potty-training queen or sleep-nazi).  Love youreself.  Do your best. Try to do the same to another mom.

--Camilla

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Simple things to be grateful for

Today I am happy because:

1) The twins told me they played tag together at recess yesterday.

2) Roger told me on the way to preschool he knew how to spell go, "G-O."

3) I got the kids to school 5 minutes EARLY!!

4) Reed has been playing with toys by HIMSELF for the last hour without complaint!

5) I am having a good hair day!

6) Roger spontaneously took a run around Subway yesterday when I told him if he finished his sandwich, he would run faster.

7) Davis was featured in USA Gymnastics magazine: http://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/usagymnasticsjanfeb2012_3?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222  (it is a tiny picture on the bottom right of page 32--have fun playing where's waldo).

8) D likes his job even though he is overworked and underpaid.

9) Eliza and I spent an hour yesterday making up a fantasy floor routine in the church gym (have I mentioned that little girl's got moves? SO FUN to choreograph with her!)

10) I took an hour nap this morning after getting the kids to school (Reed watched Mickey Mouse).

11) I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ

(You can pick out Davis better in this photo. . . .  .his team at his first meet on Saturday)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Cell Phone Pranks

Text coming across D's cellphone: Hows the prettiest girl in the world doing on this bright sunny christmas eve?

D's reply:  I wouldn't know.  I'm a short, middle aged, ugly, fat man that's Jewish.  I think you've got the wrong number.  Happy Hannukah.

Text reply:  Sorry about that . . .  . happy hannukah

Mrs. Claus is a chicken

Earlier this month, I got a letter from Santa asking me if he could use a little garage space to store toys because kids these days are just getting greedier and he didn't have room at the North Pole to store the gifts. My reply was, "Of course.  There is an empty spot in the back corner of the garage that will do nicely."

Tonight I heard the garage door open and thought I'd take a peek.  Just then, I heard a blood curdling scream coming from the garage-- and it was a woman's voice!  I rushed outside to find Mrs. Claus, who let me know she had just gotten the scare of her life!

You see, she informed me, Santa has been at the hospital all day, so Mrs. Claus offered to help with deliveries. All the stress had finally caught up to her, though, as she was picking up the toys from the garage to carry them in.  She heard a creepy voice right behind her and screamed so loudly the neighbors even opened the door and asked if she was all right.  Luckily, the creepy voice she heard was merely an Elmo toy which had decided it was just the moment to start singing and dancing.

I calmed down Mrs. Claus, invited her in, and helped her with the delivery. She said Elmo has always bothered her and now she knew why. 

My advice to you if you see Mrs. Claus is don't sneak up on her unless you want to hear what pitch glass breaks at!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Greetings from the Millars!!

Hello and Merry Christmas to any droppers-by who got our blog address from the Christmas card!! Sorry about the lame postcard, and the late send date. You can thank Eliza who prompted the whole process by this comment, "I just feel so bad that everyone is sending us Christmas cards and YOU didn't make one, Mom."  Also, I just found a page of addresses on the floor of the van, so some of you friends never got a card!!

Since there was no current family picture on the card, I will post a few from Thanksgiving in St. George with D's family. One of the best parts of St. George is definitely the nice weather so you can go hike off some of the pie following the feast.  Thanks, Jodi, for taking photos.



Davis, Eliza and cousin Macy

 Roger overlooking a crest (this is my favorite photo because Roger looks like his head has been photoshopped over a mountain and he is a giant)
 Davis and Roger showing off their guns
 Roger and our dog, Izzy
 Roger, cousins Dezzie and Macy,and Eliza
 Cousin Power!!  (little Reed looks like he is going for the M in the YMCA song).
 More Cousin Power!!
 Reed-O
  LOVE YOU ALL!!!