The Orchestra Concert and the Spelling Bee

Kindyl was in a Spelling Bee and neglected to tell me about it. She is such a low keyed kid. This is how I found out:

I get a call from my friend Melanie, I don't remember what we were talking about. She says, "I've got to go, I'm at the school to see Mariah in the Spelling Bee". About 5 minutes later I get a text from her: "You didn't tell me Kindyl was in it too!" This is because I didn't know, and I tell her that. She texts me back,"That little stinker! There are only twenty kids in it in the whole school!" Kindyl is in 4th grade, so it should kind of be a big deal to her.

She gets home, and I ask her about it. "Oh, I think I told Dad and told him to tell you". Ooooo Kkkk. Silly kid. How did you do. "well I didn't win, but I got pretty far." How far. "I don't remember there were a few kids after me. " Who won? "a sixth grader" Of course.

what word did she get out on? "mosque"

Can your ten year old spell "mosque" off the top of her head? Can you?;)

I heard from a couple of parents that she got a little gypped. Some kids that made it past her got much easier words. What can you do? Kindyl was unfazed. Cool as a cucumber.

Let me tell you what happened when I was chosen for a Spelling Bee in Elementary School. I think I was the only one chosen from my class. I was given a master list to study from. I studied from it a little, but intended to memorize the whole darn thing. I proceeded to procrastinate, a problem I have to this day. The day of the Bee I was mortified that I hadn't memorized it all. So I faked sick and stayed home from school. One of my regrets in life. And I was really annoyed about it too, because that was the day we got fake snow trucked into the school. I was really sorry to have missed it. Those are the consequences when you chicken out.

Good thing Kindyl does not have these same problems;)




That same week Rachael had an orchestra concert. I was tired and Ab was cranky and I was tempted to skip it. I ended up being really glad I didn't. I absolutely loved hearing her play. Music has the power to move me, and it is even more moving when it is your own child on stage. I was very thankful she has had the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.



Her first year in strings I talked her in to playing the cello. I love love love the cello. Its deep tones are so beautiful to me. And it is much easier to get a music scholarship with a cello because not everyone plays it.

But it was a serious pain to lug back and forth to school.

I had an aversion to violin music, and I'll tell you why. When I was a kid my little twin sisters started taking violin at the age of three. And they practiced. and practiced. And practiced.

Callie gave it up after a while and took up dance, but Cassie persisted. I want you to imagine a 5 year old playing the violin. Not songs, but chords and such. And she practiced. And practiced. And practiced.

As a teenager I had no patience for such things. I didn't like the violin. It was too high and screechy for me. No offense Cassie. She actually plays beautifully now. She has for years. She went to BYU and majored in music. She can pretty much play any instrument you hand her. She is amazing, and I love to hear her play in an orchestra.

I still had an irrational aversion to violins. But Rach did not want to play the cello anymore. So she has been playing the violin for two years.

I must say I was surprised that it didn't annoy me when she started practicing. She had very rudimentary skills at first, yet it still didn't annoy me. I loved it! I loved hearing her play music, and I still do.

It is funny how that happens. I think it is similar to changing your own kids' diapers. It is never as bad as changing someone else's kid's diaper. Oh Cassie is just going to love that analogy!;)

Something genetic makes me enjoy my children's music in all of it's forms. And the night was amazing.

This Could Have Been Me!

No, I don't know who this is, but it could have been me today. I was this close to a lovely day trip to Snow Bowl.

Hopefully I will make it up there later in the season. In the meantime, I will get to the gym and strengthen up these flabby legs. Then I will be up for more than a couple of runs.

Ah.... this could be just the motivation I have been looking for...

Warning: Sneaky Baby Alert!

This is a public service announcement:

The babies are getting sneakier! Be on your guard. There have been a couple of downright crazy miraculous pregnancies around here lately. (Not me! Don't even think it.) I've just sent Wendell out with an emergency supply of anti nausea medication to a dear friend who shall remain nameless. And who was finished with her family and using two forms of birth control.

Just earlier today I was talking to some friends about this crazy phenomenon. I thought Abigail was super sneaky, but these babies are getting downright crafty! You think you are too old? Nope. Other physical limitations? Whatever. they are coming anyway.

We are facing the end of days, my friends, and these little souls need bodies. There is always a reason.

If it makes you feel any better, I love my sneaky baby. She is so worth it. If I had to do it all again to keep her I would. Horrible rotten pregnancy and all.

If you'll excuse me now, I'm off to get my hysterectomy!;)

And Mom and Dad Can Hardly Wait For School to Come Again..

This part of the song "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas" has been running through my head for the past week.

Don't get me wrong. There is a lot to love about Winter Break. Sleeping in. Playing with the older kids. Having them around to entertain Brenley. Projects and general togetherness. Going to the movies. Going to the zoo.

But it is nice to get the kids back to bed at a decent hour. And certain children awake before noon. (Not naming any names...)

Brenley has come into my room twice this last week saying,"Mom? Can you please take me to school now?" How sad is that? Little kids don't really like it when you mess with their routine. She has had a certain sense of calm today since the older kids have gone to school. She is looking forward to pre school tomorrow. And so am I!;)

The Blessing of Abigail Rose

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I have to say both my family and Wendell's really stepped up. I warned them all to come a little early, because my ward filled up the chapel quickly. Not only did they all get there early, but half of them got there before we did! And we were super early to save seats.

Keep in mind that includes my brother's family from Tucson, Wendell's brother's family from Payson, his other brother in Gilbert, and my sisters in Gilbert. And the rest of our family that may live close by but still had to get themselves and their kids to my church early and deal with their own church obligations as well.

I was happily surprised. And so was half my ward when they realized their regular seats were already taken;)

It was an amazing meeting. As I watched my brother and brothers in law all heading up to the front of the church and gathering around my baby I got a little choked up. I couldn't help but feel their strength and support as these men surrounded Abigail filled with the power of the Lord's Priesthood. My father is gone, but I feel like my Heavenly Father has helped make up for it with the support of these strong men.

I thought about how this power will help her and her siblings throughout their lives. It is such a crazy world right now, and it is a little bit daunting to bring a new child into it. But I can't help but think if we surround our children with love, support, and the gospel that they just might make it. I felt a confirmation of that while my Abigail was being blessed. I feel another confirmation when I look at my older nieces and nephew and see how good and worthy they are. They are a great example to my kids.

I am truly grateful to have the gospel , I am grateful for a strong supportive family, and I am grateful that our Heavenly Father has made it possible for all of us to have the Priesthood in our lives.

Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve means a reading of the Christmas story from the bible, which we all love. And new Christmas pajamas, of course! I love having all of the girls match. But I've been inspired by my sister Jannalee. She makes her kids' pajamas, and they ALL match, including the boy. This can be done if you use a nice blue, or green, and I am determined to try it next year.

Christmas morning, we open presents:

And then head out to a big Christmas breakfast with my family. This year we had it at Mama Ginger's house, because my mom is in Germany. And we only had a few of our families instead of our usual huge crew. It was a lot of fun. The kids love playing with cousins Christmas morning in their PJ's.

Kylee making Abigail smile.

Mama G got the little kids (Brenley's age) some vintage Polly Pocket sets. They were Awesome! Rebecca and I had fun playing with them, and trying to decide whether or not we were really going to let the toddlers actually keep them.

Around 4 we headed over to the Grunyons for Christmas dinner.
This tends to be kind of a Thanksgiving part two, with a couple of honey baked hams substituting for a couple of turkeys. And one little turkey. Don't forget my mom's famous cheese ball. It wouldn't be Christmas without it. If we can't have our mom for Christmas, at least we can have her cheese ball! (I think I am getting new insight into my food issues;)

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The kids are always more interested in playing together than they are in the food. As it should be!

Christmas Cookie Exchange!And Some Random Christmas Favorites

I've been a blog slacker. I need to finish up Christmas. So I will start by telling you about my cousin Lauri's awesome cookie exchange!

I'll admit this was my first cookie exchange, making me a Cookie exchange virgin. And a cookie exchange retard! I didn't understand the concept. So I didn't really bring the right thing. Luckily, Lauri was over prepared and under judgemental so it worked out.

In case there are others like me that aren't familiar with the concept, I'll explain. Each person makes a ton of the same Christmas cookies, about a dozen per attendee. Then you get together and exchange. This gives you each a variety of pretty Christmas cookies to make gift plates with without having to make a bunch of different kinds yourself.

I didn't have a plan and ended up making the frozen cookie dough that I sometimes make as neighbor gifts. It is delicious dough, and from what I hear doesn't often get made into cookies(because people eat it as dough before they can bake them). We give it out frozen and that way people can keep it in their freezer until they feel like making them. The idea is that people don't have to eat them at Christmas time when we are bombarded with sweets. It is an O.K idea for neighbor gifts, but it stinks to bring for a cookie exchange.

But Laurie had A TON of stuff! You wouldn't believe the spread. For lunch she made a ham, my favorite cheesy potatoes(funeral potatoes), cheese and crackers, cheese ball, shrimp cocktail, and about a thousand other things. Including my favorite cream puffs, homemade caramels, and about ten kinds of homemade Christmas cookies.She even made wassail, which made the whole place smell amazing.

And she made these cute boxes for all of us to take our cookies home in. (pictured above)

She even gave us each a little gift;

The whole thing was totally over the top, and totally FABULOUS! Lauri had an abundance of Christmas spirit, and her whole house looked fantastic. And we were lucky enough to get an awesome party out of it. One of my Christmas highlights for sure.

Here are some of my Christmas favorites around the house:




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My favorite nativity, purchased on our honeymoon



Brenley's poinsettia hair bow. A seasonal favorite. Abigail has one too, but it wasn't as cute, and wasn't worn in public.


My new Noel. Made at Super Saturday. And my olive wood nativity that my mother brought me from Israel. I love having a nativity made from wood that comes from the land where the Savior actually lived and preached.

I love Christmas, and all of the little things that make it special.