One year older and wiser too...

It's been an interesting few days in our household.  Gearing up for school has been a little intense this year.  There have been some big changes and some small ones too.  This year Matthew started Jr. High.  He is excited, nervous, and ready for whatever comes his way.  He has to catch his bus (first time bus rider) around 7 am.  What is with that!  Man I really have to get my sleep schedule adjusted.  Anyway, he was ready to go in his red shoes that caught his eye the moment we walked in the store.  I stood on the porch in my robe to see if the bus would show up since there was NO information for bus students available at the school.  We asked around and figured an approximate time.  When I saw it drive by at the end of the street I figured he was on it.

Adam is in third grade.  He has had a rough week and I can tell that he has been anxious.  For some lame reason the school didn't have a back to school night until tomorrow.  Seriously lame.  Adam needs that time to familiarize himself with change.  Instead he has been worried and stressed.  I took him to his classroom and mentioned to his teacher that he was anxious but he did great.  He found his desk and friends and gave me a wave to let me know it was going to be okay.  He looked so handsome!

Erin, well this kid has a little of me in her.  She walked in found her desk, and started chatting away with the boy next to her.  She is going to first grade and is in full day school.  No nerves.  No concerns about lunch.  Annoyed that I was there hovering around and telling her to pay attention.  I just have to shake my head.  The super shy, stoic baby has transformed into a confident, expressive little girl.

Brenna, well she doesn't start until next week.  She does not want to wait for preschool

Pictures to come soon.

Summer Vacation 2010

Initially we were headed to Yellowstone for vacation this year but due to late planning we were unable to find lodging.  With the recent bear attack and my bad back we decided that camping probably wouldn't be a good idea.  Someone at Peter's work has a condo in Steamboat Springs Colorado and offered us a great deal.  So last minute we changed plans and off we went.  We had a great time in the mountains.  Here are some pictures of what we did while we were there.  One memorable event happened when the boys went tubing down the Yampa river.  The pictures were taken just as they were starting.  About 20 minutes later a huge thunder cloud rolled in over the mountains and just let loose.  Lightning, thunder, and pouring rain for about 15 minutes.  I figured Peter would pull the boys out of the river onto the bank.  I drove up and down to try and find them but had no luck.  Peter later told me that the lightning was very close, so they got onto a grassy bank, and put their tubes up over them in a triangle.  He said that Adam had big tears in his eyes and Matthew was really scared.  He asked them if they wanted to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father for protection and comfort.  With a big Yes, they said a little prayer.  Both boys calmed down and the storm passed quickly.  They got back in the river and finished the ride.  It warmed my heart to think of my boys huddled under the tubes in the driving rain, saying a prayer.  I have good boys.

Off they go...

Showing off for the girls

The kids loved the walk to the waterfall

This horse let all the kids pet it.  He could sense they were nervous.

Alpine slide

Slot canyons at Dinosaur National Monument

Soothing The Soul

Today, I really miss playing my violin.  At one time I was a pretty good violinist.  If I had practiced more, I probably could have been much better.  But I was content just enjoying where I was with my playing.  I also sang alto in choir after choir.  For so many years in high school and college, my life was full of music.  I have music in my life today but it's so focused on the kids that I forget to put something on that soothes MY soul.  One of my clearest memories performing was when I was entering high school.  I was on tour with the Granite Youth Symphony.

 I was a "pre-soph" which was the bottom of the totem pole.  But I was happy to be there sitting in the back of the 2nd violin section right in front of the percussion and more specifically the tympani.  We were performing at an international educators conference in Oregon and the piece was "Mars. The Bringer of War" from The Planets by Gustav Holst (listen to Mars here). Listen to it, close your eyes.  It's intense, and even more so when you are sitting in the middle of it.  It was one of the first times I experienced going into a zone of sorts.  You really have to focus because parts of the music are in 5/4 timing.  So you focus so hard and only see your music and the conductor, listening, getting swept away in it. Like tunnel vision I suppose. When the piece ended,  I remember standing up toward the roaring crowd, with chills, and teary eyes, allowing the emotion to sweep over me, the sensation to engulf me.  I think everyone needs to experience something in their life that makes them feel the way I did that night.

In college, I played with the USU symphony orchestra.  I had another amazing experience like the one above.  It was the orchestra combined with the choral and several soloists performing "Ode To Joy"  Beethoven's 9th symphony.  There is a part at the end that builds to almost a frenzy and I remember seeing broken bow hairs flying from several players.  I still weep every time I hear it.  This is a picture of me before a performance in my concert black.  Yes, yes, that is very big hair.  Teased to perfection!

Today, I miss playing my violin.

Application

Well, I officially submitted my application for employment.  Its been awhile.
What I am feeling:  nervous, excited, just a little overwhelmed.
Its one of those times when things line up and the right things happen...I feel blessed

We need to go to Arizona

Today when Erin was getting ready she came to show me two shirts that she was considering.  She asked me which shirt I thought was cute.  I picked the one that matched the Sun dress she was going to wear to church.  She showed me the other shirt and the rest of the conversation went like this...

Erin, "But Mom, this shirt is better because it has these flowers on it right here".

Me, "Yes, its a cute shirt, but the other one matches your dress"

Erin, "But I like the one we got in Arizona. We need to go to Arizona to get some more cute shirts"

Me, "Erin, we didn't get that shirt in Arizona"

Erin, "Yes we did, just look at the tag, it says Arizona"

Me, "Arizona is the name of the company that makes clothes, including that shirt"

Erin not convinced, "Oh, well, we still need to go to Arizona"

Me, "Yes, we should go to Arizona"

After this Erin skipped away satisfied and put on the other shirt that matched her dress...

My Little Dancers

Both girls took dance this year.  I remember as a kid always wanting to take dance.  I think I did once, but the truth of the matter was that my parents had 8 kids and it just wasn't in the cards.  I was not deprived mind you, I had 10 years of violin lessons, and got to take community classes like gymnastics, or basket weaving (yes, I took this and it was fun), but dance is a yearly commitment and it can be expensive.  I decided that while my kids were young I would let them try a variety of things, and then let them focus with their talents.  This year's dance recital was so fun.  Both girls loved performing.  Erin's group actually won a competition for their age group at a dance competition earlier in the year.  They were the two youngest groups and they had no fear.  They got out there and loved every minute of it.  Best of all, both pairs of grandparents came and that made their night.

Who lives in a Zoo?

We visited the zoo recently, sometimes I'm not sure if I belong in or out.