A Week of Music

This has been quite the music filled week for us. It has been interesting to participate in as well. Monday started us off with a violin solo by Mikenzie. She is so excited to participate in a little competition ( w/o prizes, just comments from the judges ). She played Ode to Joy on her very out of tune and beat up violin. She looked so cute and serious as she warmed up and then played her number for us. Very wonderful to hear her progress.

Tuesday night was the much anticipated 6th grade concert. All of you beginner band parents know how exciting these concerts can be * wink, wink *. It is fun to hear Twinkle Twinkle played by all of the sections, all out of tune and out of time with each other. The kids are all so proud. Our band director came out in a bit of a huff and said " Too many kids in too small of a band room for too long. Let's get started " That was about all he said until the 3rd or 4th number. Kyle enjoyed the performance and we watched proudly as did all of the parents. I have noticed a decrease in video cameras as our children get older. We honestly enjoyed the 7th grade jazz band, they were amazing.

Just a little memory here-- When Alex played in his first concert he was so frustrated. He came out after the concert and told me " All of the trumpets were off and I had to keep playing louder and faster so I could correct them. But they just kept playing louder and faster. No one would follow me!! " I think all of the 6th grade trumpets said the same thing to their parents. It still makes me smile, it is so Alex.

Onto Thursday night, the 8th and 9th grade band concert. Jeremy's band was up first and they did quite a good job. Jeremy plays sax and loves it. He also plays piano and is learning to play the gee-tar. He loves music and is inspiring at how determined he is to learn to play--despite his parent's weak budget.

We had to sit through the South Valley's 8th grade band before we could move on to Alex's combined 9th grade band performance. It is amazing the difference a year can make. We did have to laugh at a fellow ward members son who was on percussion, tympani drums no less, when he lost not one, but both of his sticks. Poor kid, he was frantically crawling under the drums trying to grab them before anyone could notice. Alex did a great job, he always takes the performance very seriously. ( See above memory )

Friday night was the creme de la creme. Our generous and thoughtful friend Jodi called and offered tickets to the KC Symphony. We juggled a few kids around ( Kyle and Jeremy were heading out the door for the Klondike-- not an easy task to prepare for ). We hurried them out the door, pulled some frozen Chimichangas out of the freezer for the remaining children ( such a great meal ) and ran off the the symphony.

There was a world renowned trumpet player. She was amazing, as was the entire symphony. We felt very cultured and enjoyed the evening. As I listened to the last ( and very, very long ) piece, I thought of all the concerts I had been to in the last week. Starting with a sweet little 5th grader all the way to very professional and gifted musicians. It made me think of our path in the gospel and in life. We start out as little sunbeams and move all the way to qualifying for the Celestial Kingdom. It is amazing how little by little, day by day, we practice and learn to become who we were sent here to be. We are so blessed to have a patient and loving Father in Heaven who listens to each little recital and realizes that someday we too will be worthy to perform as part of a much grander symphony in the eternities. I could go on and on with this analogy, but this posting is long and you get my drift.

Be Grateful!!

I Love B!!

Baylie was home today with a nasty ear infection, so I was able to spend some one on one time with her. She is such a pleasure to have as a child.

We were driving along and while I was waiting at a stop light, I looked over at my sweet B just in time to see her use a tissue to keep her ear dry ( I don't want to get into too many icky details ). I looked at her crooked nose, her missing teeth and her lop-sided chest. I was feeling so sorry her ( and myself ) as I thought about the painful challenges she/we face in the near future.

We continued through traffic and she put her blond little head out the window to let the warm breeze blow her hair back and enjoy the sun on her face. She pulled her head back in just long enough to give me such a huge content, sweet smile.

I realized then that Baylie was enjoying the wonderful moment of a sunny, warm day and was making the most of it. She hadn't a care in world. She wasn't worried about future surgeries and pain, just the sunny day we had to enjoy together. What a sweet moment to share with a sweet little girl. If anyone can face the challenges head on, it will be Baylie. She has a strong spirit and a determination that are uniquely fit to those hurdles she will have to jump over in life. Knowing B, she will do so with flying colors.

I need to keep that eternal perspective and cherish the good moments in life as well. To realize this is a brief moment, one that was meant to be full of challenges to help us grow. Although these are not challenges I would have preferred, I doubt the alternatives would be any more appealing.

So, put you head out the window, let the wind blow in your hair and feel the sun on your face. Then smile like you are having the time of your life.

That's why I LOVE B!!

Gratitude Tuesday
Lunch al fresca

My friend Kelli came over this morning to give me scouting info for my new calling. We spent all morning talking and catching up. We had both just sent our kids to school, so we were both looking just lovely. Kelli suggested going to lunch at the Mexican restaurant on the square.

I was a little taken back, no shower, no make-up, sitting there in a t-shirt and running shoes. Sure, why not, I'm up for the challenge!! So off we went, in all of our natural glory and enjoyed a great lunch together.

It was fun having someone to talk to all morning and it was topped off with a spontaneous lunch that we both enjoyed. I am grateful for good friends, it is such a blessing to have sisters in the gospel to boost me up every now and then.

Be Grateful!!

FHE Fiasco

James was working late tonight, so I thought it would be a great idea if I loaded all the kiddos up and we went swimming for an fun family activity. Of course, the three older boys moaned and groaned, but I endured and insisted they were going to not only swim, but have a heck of good time while doing it.

Kyle gave me the most flack, he wanted to stay home, invite a friend, go run on the treadmill instead of swim, anything and everything he could think of to avoid the requisite participation. I held firm and he stomped around claiming he couldn't find his swimming suit. Luckily, I am super mom and can find anything, no matter how well it is hidden.

I finally had all of the kids loaded up and ready to go after desperate searches for goggles, flip-flops and the correct swimming towels. We arrived at the Community Center and the kids were getting a little excited as they saw a lot of other families coming to swim as well. I should have know this was not a good sign.

We all met at the pool area and the three youngest jumped into the smaller pool and before I knew it, the three older boys were by my side. They told me the big, almost Olympic size pool was closed for swimming lessons. I looked over at the pool and saw three kids and an instructor splashing around. I couldn't believe they closed the entire pool for three kids to have swimming lessons!!

Refusing to be deterred, I told the boys to swim laps or sit by me and watch the younger kids until the lessons were over. No sooner had the words fallen from my lips when some 20-something guy with tatoos jumps into the small pool, and tells my kids-- sorry the pool is closed until 7:30 ( 45 minutes away!! ). I was shocked. There were maybe six kids in the small pool, three in the huge pool and we were told sorry-- pool's closed.

So, I sat there with my six mostly dry kids, refusing to give in. Do these people not realize the effort it took to get six kids, three of which were highly resistant, down to the stinkin' community center??? Finally, after five minutes of occupying seven of the ten deck chairs, while the parents of the swimming students stood around looking at my family wondering what I was up to, and why we were hogging all of the chairs, I gave in and called it a night.

I said -- let's go, all the while praying Brandon wouldn't throw a fit, as he had been the most excited about the whole event. I cleverly and quickly annoucned we were going to leave, told the three boys to get Brandon upstairs ( I couldn't go into the men's locker room, so he had to follow them ) while I pulled The Beast ( a.k.a. the 15 passenger monstrosity I drive around these days ) to the front of the building. Thus, avoiding any and all melt downs.

We did have the benefit of a warm meal waiting for us when we came home ( gotta love those crock-pots ) and the kids were pretty understanding. I do feel bad, Alex said " Thanks for trying Mom, I apprecite the effort " and all I could do was mutter under my breath. So I owe Alex a bit of an apology. I was just so tired to begin with, had a major uphill battle, forced myself to grin through all the arguing, all to be turned away by some Louie Tatooie.

Better luck next time I guess.

Weird Observations at the Gym

Today was a very interesting day at the gym for me. Maybe I was just in an inquisitive mood, but I seemed to notice many a strange person today.

First off is my least favorite gym co-member. AGHHH, this guy is so gross. He shows up very day around 11:30 -- which is just about the time I was leaving today, luckily. I totally avoid being at the gym between 11:30-12:30 because of him. He wears these short shorts and a tank top. He has his favorite elliptical and he is beyond intense on this thing. He has it cranked up to the highest incline possible and races like a mad man the entire time he is on it. Now, I am all for intense, but his personal intensities seem to spill over into everyone else's personal space. I had just hopped on to a machine and so did two other girls around 11:15. We had been working away for less than five minutes when the gross guy showed up. All three of us literally hopped off the machines and headed for the treadmills.

Why did we all move clear across the gym? NO ONE wants to be stuck next to this guy. He works up a nasty sweat, which drips into puddles around the elliptical, he makes all sorts of sounds, snorts and " whoo ... whoo " 's . His eyes are wide open the whole time he is grossing everyone out. I don't think he blinks for over an hour. He is slinging sweat and who knows what else the entire time he is there. SOOO GROSS. I know I am not alone in this because I ran into a friend on my way out of the gym one day and she asked if it was busy. I told her no, but the gross guy was there and she knew exactly who I was talking about.

I have never had the stomach to wait around to see if he cleans up after himself, mops up is more like it. I can only imagine the germs he spits into his towel, I can only hope they are not lingering after a chlorine filled wash. I just avoid his "area" altogether.

Enough of him. Then there was the perky little 18-20 year old girl, waltzing around in her tight exercise pants and t-shirt. She hopped onto a treadmill and ran an effortless 5-6 minute mile with a smile on her face the whole time. She didn't even break a sweat!! She then hopped onto the rowing machine and seemed to be having the time of her life. I noticed her not only because of her overly jubilant attitude, but because her poor overweight and slow moving sister or friend was trying so hard not to look envious, uncomfortable or depressed about her 2.5 speed on the treadmill. I felt like leaning over my treadmill and saying " I feel your pain sister ". Life is so unfair sometimes.

Then, the most disappointing of all. These two middle aged men came in and loudly lamented Obama's glorious new plan to save the ailing housing market. Again, I wanted to lean over to the other side of my treadmill and say " Amen my brothers ". To my dismay, these two seemingly nice, intelligent men started picking away at their wives for the next twenty minutes or so. Who knows how long they went on about their very flawed wives, I left before they were done. What a sad thing to have to listen to. I don't even know these men, and have never seen them before, but talk about a loss of respect in an instant. I should have leaned over my treadmill and said " You guys are a couple of ..." Well, I am too much of a lady to say what I wanted to. It was a good principle to reaffirm to myself though.

Enjoy your workouts-- there is always something interesting to see. I had gross, annoying and disappointing all rolled into one hour today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Gratitude Tuesday

This morning was such a fun one. Brandon is Star of the Week in his class, so we spent most of the morning putting together items requested by his teacher. Interestingly enough, he wants to be a professional pianist when he grows up. Who knew? His favorite food is roast beef with mashed potatoes ( don't forget the gravy!! )

We enjoyed the time together and it was fun looking at photographs and sharing experiences together. Just a good morning over all.

I am also grateful for my ability to use this body of mine and exercise. I jogged/walked three miles today. It was a mental challenge to get down to the gym, it always is, but I am glad I went. It was one thing I was proud of today. I can't say I am always proud of loading the dishwasher, not a great accomplishment on a daily basis -- you know what I mean.

I also had a sweet second with Baylie. She was doing her homework and needed a pencil. She was absolutely delighted to find a never before used pencil in the box. She had such a sweet smile, all over finding a new pencil. Such an exciting and humble discovery, and a fun one to watch.

I am also grateful for the fun memories I have with my mom. I am giving a lesson in Relief Society this week on President Monson's talk titled Finding Joy in the Journey. He mentions The Music Man, which brings back such a funny memory that it still makes me laugh and I am going to mention it in my lesson.

We were driving from UT to PA so James could interview for his residency. We arrived in Gary, Indiana and I had to pull over and call my mom. We pulled into a grungy old truck stop and I called my mom on an even more grungy pay phone. I said " Hey Mom, I'm in Gary, Indiana!! " Then I waited a second and heard " Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana "( add music here so it is as funny as I remember it ) from The Music Man. I knew if I called her, that would be the response I would get. She couldn't resist singing it outloud. That's my mom for you. I have been having a few laughs over that all morning. Good memories.

Be Grateful!!

My Sweet Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings are usually not the best in our house. Now that we have church at 1:00 and James is home in the afternoons, they have become a little more enjoyable. Today I stayed home to take care of my sick Mikenzie. She goes from pale and ghost white to flushed and red cheeked. It is kind of cute. I have been home alone with her, and it has been rather pleasant in an odd way to spend some one on one time with her--miserable as she is .

But Brandon had me laughing this morning. He was dressed and ready for church, which was not an easy task by the way. Brandon has always resisted going to church, since he was just a toddler. I have used every form of bribery, manipulation, threat, anything and everything to get this kid to church on an almost weekly basis for the past five years. As soon as he found out Mikenzie was staying home from church, the whole cycle started over again. I finally convinced him to get dressed and he was somewhat positive about going to church today. I told everyone to load up and head out. On the way out the door, Brandon found his homework folder on a table by the front door. He grabbed it and told me he was going to go put it in his backpack. Then he stopped and said: Wait a minute!! It's time for church, what am I thinking? I mean... whats more important church or a folder in your backpack?!! It was so funny-- I guess he is coming around, finally.

Just the other day I had another special moment with Brandon. He was looking out our sliding glass door early in the morning. The sun was just starting to rise and the clouds were starting to break after a few days of grayness. He called me over and said: You know about the first vision right? I'll bet that is what it looked like. It is amazing to me the complex thoughts kids can have sometimes. I would have never guessed he would even have that on his mind.

We are so blessed to have these valiant spirits in our home. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother to each of my precious children.

Gratitude Tuesday

Okay, it's Tuesday.... hmmmm, need something to be grateful for. I spent the whole day packing pasta into 5 gallon buckets and boy, did it pile up fast!! That I am thankful for, it has really boosted our food storage. We have been very blessed with the free pasta we get here.

I was also thankful for the visit I had with my RS Pres tonight during our VT interviews. She has been a good friend and a fun person to work with not only in RS but also the time we spent together in Primary.

I am thankful for the opportunity to write to my congressman and express my opinions to him. Hopefully, my message will be heard. I must admit, it is becoming discouraging. Somedays I think we are living in a parallel universe. Although times are tough, I am so thankful for the blessings of the gospel, to guide us through these latter days.

I am thankful for my family. My wonderful husband and my fabulous kids. We drive each other crazy, we love spending time together, and hopefully, we will all be in the celestial room together. That would be a perfect day.

Be Grateful!!