A sampling of my life the past few weeks!

I have had a very busy few weeks. I had my Grandma Barnes pass away unexpectedly on Oct. 30th. So I took an unplanned trip to WA to have an unplanned but wonderful family reunion with all my cousins and aunts and uncles plus all my Grandma's siblings. I think it was exactly as she would have liked it to be. It was a loving tribute to her.
When I got back from my quick trip to WA we had my sister and her family come to visit. It was so fun! We were so busy and really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them. Amanda and I worked on quite a few adorable hair bows for our girls.
We did a quick day at Disneyland and the kids loved it! Sam was so cool with wanting to go on Space Mountain. She definitely takes after her dad and not her mom in her fearlessness!
I forgot to mention that during this entire time I was busy prepping for my COMPS. It seems like when it rains it pours.
I took my COMPS about a week ago and I feel that they went well. I haven't thought much about them since then so hopefully that is a good sign.
I was called as the primary chorister in the middle of all this. It is going to be good. I really had fun conducting on Sunday. I think it is fun to be able to use my teaching ability on General Ed kids as something different. I also really enjoy coming up with ideas to teach songs. Did I mention I have never known how to lead music. We are very lucky to have a nice pianist who is understanding of this. Thank Goodness! I don't know what I would do otherwise.

COMPS

I take my comps today. Wish me luck! Lindsey

The Incredible Grandma Barnes

My Grandma Barnes was an incredible lady. She lived an incredible life and was an incredible example. I could spend hours going on and on about her wonderful example and what I learned from her but instead I am just going to say a few key things.

Grandma made the best cinnamon rolls one of my favorite memories of her was when they lived in Cheney and we went out to visit. Her cinnamon rolls were not ready yet and it was time to go home. I didn't like this at all. I devised a plan to stay the night at grandma's house just so I could have some! (I didn't admit to my mom till the next day the real reason I wanted to stay was the cinnamon rolls)

Grandma always had candy and olives. I think all the grand kids were shocked when grandma and grandpa admitted that neither of them liked olives but they had cases in their basement just to please the grand kids. Grandma always had smarties and red licorice in a "hiding" place which every grand kid pretended not to know but would go sneak it before dinner.

Grandma was always there to cheer me on. I can't imagine it was fun to sit through my plays in high school or 2 graduations on the same day (My mom and I graduated High School and College the same day) but she was always there with her camera to take pictures of those things. She was at my college graduation and cheered me on so much in getting my Master's Degree. She always told me how proud she was of me for sticking to it and getting my education. I actually would usually send my grandma important papers to look over and comment on. She was a great editor.

Grandma and grandpa were able to come for Kaylie's baby blessing. She loved to see Kaylie so much and loved holding her. It was so neat. The last time we saw her was at the Barnes Family Reunion this past summer. She made sure to cook some of our favorites, her baked beans, cottage cheese with green onions and radishes, and of course her world famous buttermilk dressing. (Mine just isn't as good as her's was)

She was a good woman who loved her family, loved her genalogy and loved serving the Lord. She will be greatly missed and I am a better person because I had her in my life. Thanks Grandma. You will be missed.