Cameron and I accompanied the choir in church on the First Noel/ Pachelbel's Cannon piece. One of Mike's friends from work played the other violin part with us.
Christmas was good. We acted out the Nativity with the kids a couple of days before Christmas... that is always fun (and crazy) with kids. Kevin came and stayed with us for several days; it was good to visit with him. We also took the kids to the dollar store and let them buy presents for their brothers and sisters, Kevin, and Mike and I. They were SO excited to watch each other open their gifts to each other. Later we went to Carols and saw Carol, George, Grandma, Jim, Kathy, Brian & his girlfriend Jennifer, and Janet's family. We all had a good time eating, opening presents, and just visiting with each other. We almost went caroling to a Nursing Home on Christmas day, but I was in the middle of a bad cold, so we decided not to go... although we did go last year and enjoyed it.
And today... is our 15 year Anniversary!!
Yes, we celebrated a couple of months ago, but we still went to dinner and a movie last night (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty... we'd already seen everything else good). It was surprisingly clean and a descent movie, although I was expecting to not enjoy it at all. I've had some friends look back on their big anniversaries and say they don't feel like they have a good marriage and they are disappointed. I have to say, I have a good marriage. I have a wonderful husband, who although has different hobbies than me, is still so similar to me in action, thought, belief, and general likes and dislikes. He puts up with my weaknesses and compliments my strengths. I love him so, so much and am so excited to spend the rest of my life and beyond with him!
Today, Mike and I sat on the couch with all of the kids and had them ask us questions about how we met, some of our dates, when we knew we loved each other or wanted to marry the other one, etc. I think the kids enjoyed finding out some more details, although they wanted no part in finding out about our first kiss, lol.
Today was Emma's last day in Nursery. She'll be in Primary next week, but Logan is moving up to Senior Primary so she'll be alone. It's weird to think Logan and Emma are far enough apart in age to be in different Primaries.
Errolyn is reading Divergent and for the first time ever has been non-stop reading and can't put down the book. I'm glad she finally found a book that she likes that much. Cameron and I want to read it when she's done, and we also want to read Mortal Instruments since we enjoyed the movie. Yesterday, I went through Mom & Dad's records and had a blast playing my favorites for the kids all day. I have many, many memories with those records and am excited to listen to more of them! I'm sure there has been a lot more happen that I've missed, but such is life.
Update: I have a cold sore healing on my mouth. Emma looked at it and said, "Did you hurt your mouth?" I said, "Yes." She asked, "Did a Zombie hit your mouth?" Lol... I have NO idea how she even knows what a Zombie is.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
After only 6 weeks on our "Eat to Live" way of eating, Mike's cholesterol has gone down 65 points! This is the first time he has not had high cholesterol since we've been married! So happy for him!
Cameron is having his friend Christmas Party right now. They are all having a blast playing laser tag. So glad he has a good group of friends!
Update: Mike actually said his most recent test before the diet was much higher, I was quoting a test before that, so his cholesterol actually went down almost 90 points!
Cameron is having his friend Christmas Party right now. They are all having a blast playing laser tag. So glad he has a good group of friends!
Update: Mike actually said his most recent test before the diet was much higher, I was quoting a test before that, so his cholesterol actually went down almost 90 points!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
So, every year in Relief Society we have a lesson on simplifying our lives during the Christmas season to focus on what's most important. I've done that... we don't do our adult Christmas party anymore, we only make one type of cookies when caroling and we go to less houses, I buy the majority of my presents online in October and November... and yet I still feel bombarded with everything.
Maybe it's the four choir concert's Errolyn has had this week, or the three orchestra concerts Cameron has had this week, or the 2 dozen cookies required for Activity Days, or the side dish for the ward party, or the dozen cookies and book for Cameron's GT party, and the doughnuts for Errolyn's party, and the fruit tray for Logan's party, the Christmas Pageant at Emma's school, the side dish for the High Council Christmas Party, the teacher and friend gifts for four different classes, and the practicing for the church Christmas program... on top of the last minute presents, Christmas cards, and regular grocery shopping and teaching violin. It's just too much. Honestly, everything would have been fine if we didn't have to waste 4 nights for the SAME choir concert just at different venues, 3 for orchestra concerts, and 3 for church parties... that's a lot of wasted evenings where I could be getting things done. We can't back out of the orchestra one's because they are a grade, but I think next time we will tell the choir teacher that Errolyn can sing in one concert and he has to choose which one... it's just too much. Next year we'll have to simplify more.
Thankfully all of the school parties, church parties, concerts, etc. are over after tomorrow and then I can relax, get some sleep, and spend some time with my family. So excited for Christmas break... seriously!
Maybe it's the four choir concert's Errolyn has had this week, or the three orchestra concerts Cameron has had this week, or the 2 dozen cookies required for Activity Days, or the side dish for the ward party, or the dozen cookies and book for Cameron's GT party, and the doughnuts for Errolyn's party, and the fruit tray for Logan's party, the Christmas Pageant at Emma's school, the side dish for the High Council Christmas Party, the teacher and friend gifts for four different classes, and the practicing for the church Christmas program... on top of the last minute presents, Christmas cards, and regular grocery shopping and teaching violin. It's just too much. Honestly, everything would have been fine if we didn't have to waste 4 nights for the SAME choir concert just at different venues, 3 for orchestra concerts, and 3 for church parties... that's a lot of wasted evenings where I could be getting things done. We can't back out of the orchestra one's because they are a grade, but I think next time we will tell the choir teacher that Errolyn can sing in one concert and he has to choose which one... it's just too much. Next year we'll have to simplify more.
Thankfully all of the school parties, church parties, concerts, etc. are over after tomorrow and then I can relax, get some sleep, and spend some time with my family. So excited for Christmas break... seriously!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Not much time, yet I'll probably still write a lot...
We have two churches on board with the multi-faith choir I'm spearheading, a local Baptist church and a Presbyterian church. Hopefully we can get a few more on board.
Cameron's orchestra played in the lobby of the "nice" seats as people were getting seated for a pro basketball game. After they played they were able to sit and enjoy the game. Cameron had a good time with his friends. We also dropped off our van to be repaired on Wednesday and surprisingly got it back less than a week later. Last Friday we saw "Catching Fire." I really enjoyed it although I could have done without the elevator scene. Errolyn had her last volleyball game on Saturday, but Logan's soccer game was cancelled because of the weather. Logan had a soccer party later that night and I had a good conversation with his coach about the Messiah and United Voices for Christ since he sings.
Thanksgiving week went well. On Monday and Tuesday we saw Carol, Grandma, and Heidi and the kids. Tuesday night we had the missionaries over for dinner and Cameron and Errolyn babysat David & Heidi's kids. Afterwards, I took them to see "Catching Fire." Wednesday, I packed, cleaned, went visiting teaching and then left to go to Houston. We had a good time visiting with everyone in Houston. There were a lot of people so there wasn't much one-on-one time, but it was just nice to be with everyone. Mike and I ate our special diet for most of the break, but did cheat a couple of times. We thought for sure we'd gain some weight, but we both lost two more pounds when we got home- yea! I am finally the lowest I've been since having Emma, but I still have a long way to go.
While in Houston, we mostly just ate, talked, and refereed kids, but most of us were able to sneak away to watch "Frozen," which I loved, and then we ate out at Los Tres Ranchitos. One day, Dad, Janet, and I took the kids on a walk around the lake and it was nice. Mom and Dad's new house is super nice. I'm so glad they are able to enjoy something nice after sacrificing to raise all of us kids. I bribed my kids and Janet's kids to do a Harry Potter re-enactment of a puppet show my kid's love watching on Youtube. It was fun to watch. :)
Saturday, I helped Mom do a little sorting and packing. Once I got over there and saw how much there was to do, I wished that I had taken some time earlier in the week to help more than I did. On the way home we stopped at Janet's and talked for a little bit.
In church yesterday, I subbed for the choir in the morning. Mike stayed home with Emma who was so sick and crying that we didn't dare take her to church. Logan bore a sweet testimony, although my ears did perk up a bit when he said, "I know that Joseph Smith restored the Kirtland Temple." Lol... I also bore my testimony.
Errolyn bore a funny, but good testimony and she got compliments all day about it and two mentions in other people's testimonies. She started by saying that she started off the day not fasting, but now she was. She explained that she had put top ramen in the microwave and just before it was done her mom (me) had reminded her that it was fast Sunday. She described how good top ramen was and how difficult of a choice it was and said, "I mean, who wouldn't want top ramen?" Lol, it was cute. But then she went on to say that I told her it was between her and the Lord if she fasted or not and that I would support her in her decision if she prayed about it. She prayed about it and still felt it was her decision. So, she decided to eat the top ramen. And then she described how every bite she took of the top ramen made her feel worse and worse about the decision she'd made. So, then she decided to stop eating and start her fast. It was a great story on repentance and agency and she told it in a humorous yet still spiritual way.
The Messiah dress rehearsal was kind of crazy... it always is. The choir and orchestra were great, but the solo rehearsals were just ok. I'm hoping that everyone was just tired from being there so long and that everything will smooth out by Friday. I think this year's orchestra is the best we've ever had! The choir is also great. I think they get more volume than last year's choir even though they're a little smaller (120 vs 135). We aren't doing the Trumpet piece which is everyone's favorite because the trumpet player has two Air Force concerts earlier in the day and won't have the air for a long solo like that. Next year. The choir numbers are great as usual and I'm excited to conduct again! The children's and youth choir pieces are awesome! I think it's the best youth choir we've had and I like the song selections this year. Cameron and Errolyn are playing in the Youth Sting Orchestra which is playing one of the prelude pieces. Logan and Errolyn are singing in the Children's Choir and Cameron is singing in the Youth Choir. Mike is working the soundboard and I'm conducting, so we'll just have to find someone to watch Emma. Excited for this weekend!
We have two churches on board with the multi-faith choir I'm spearheading, a local Baptist church and a Presbyterian church. Hopefully we can get a few more on board.
Cameron's orchestra played in the lobby of the "nice" seats as people were getting seated for a pro basketball game. After they played they were able to sit and enjoy the game. Cameron had a good time with his friends. We also dropped off our van to be repaired on Wednesday and surprisingly got it back less than a week later. Last Friday we saw "Catching Fire." I really enjoyed it although I could have done without the elevator scene. Errolyn had her last volleyball game on Saturday, but Logan's soccer game was cancelled because of the weather. Logan had a soccer party later that night and I had a good conversation with his coach about the Messiah and United Voices for Christ since he sings.
Thanksgiving week went well. On Monday and Tuesday we saw Carol, Grandma, and Heidi and the kids. Tuesday night we had the missionaries over for dinner and Cameron and Errolyn babysat David & Heidi's kids. Afterwards, I took them to see "Catching Fire." Wednesday, I packed, cleaned, went visiting teaching and then left to go to Houston. We had a good time visiting with everyone in Houston. There were a lot of people so there wasn't much one-on-one time, but it was just nice to be with everyone. Mike and I ate our special diet for most of the break, but did cheat a couple of times. We thought for sure we'd gain some weight, but we both lost two more pounds when we got home- yea! I am finally the lowest I've been since having Emma, but I still have a long way to go.
While in Houston, we mostly just ate, talked, and refereed kids, but most of us were able to sneak away to watch "Frozen," which I loved, and then we ate out at Los Tres Ranchitos. One day, Dad, Janet, and I took the kids on a walk around the lake and it was nice. Mom and Dad's new house is super nice. I'm so glad they are able to enjoy something nice after sacrificing to raise all of us kids. I bribed my kids and Janet's kids to do a Harry Potter re-enactment of a puppet show my kid's love watching on Youtube. It was fun to watch. :)
Saturday, I helped Mom do a little sorting and packing. Once I got over there and saw how much there was to do, I wished that I had taken some time earlier in the week to help more than I did. On the way home we stopped at Janet's and talked for a little bit.
In church yesterday, I subbed for the choir in the morning. Mike stayed home with Emma who was so sick and crying that we didn't dare take her to church. Logan bore a sweet testimony, although my ears did perk up a bit when he said, "I know that Joseph Smith restored the Kirtland Temple." Lol... I also bore my testimony.
Errolyn bore a funny, but good testimony and she got compliments all day about it and two mentions in other people's testimonies. She started by saying that she started off the day not fasting, but now she was. She explained that she had put top ramen in the microwave and just before it was done her mom (me) had reminded her that it was fast Sunday. She described how good top ramen was and how difficult of a choice it was and said, "I mean, who wouldn't want top ramen?" Lol, it was cute. But then she went on to say that I told her it was between her and the Lord if she fasted or not and that I would support her in her decision if she prayed about it. She prayed about it and still felt it was her decision. So, she decided to eat the top ramen. And then she described how every bite she took of the top ramen made her feel worse and worse about the decision she'd made. So, then she decided to stop eating and start her fast. It was a great story on repentance and agency and she told it in a humorous yet still spiritual way.
The Messiah dress rehearsal was kind of crazy... it always is. The choir and orchestra were great, but the solo rehearsals were just ok. I'm hoping that everyone was just tired from being there so long and that everything will smooth out by Friday. I think this year's orchestra is the best we've ever had! The choir is also great. I think they get more volume than last year's choir even though they're a little smaller (120 vs 135). We aren't doing the Trumpet piece which is everyone's favorite because the trumpet player has two Air Force concerts earlier in the day and won't have the air for a long solo like that. Next year. The choir numbers are great as usual and I'm excited to conduct again! The children's and youth choir pieces are awesome! I think it's the best youth choir we've had and I like the song selections this year. Cameron and Errolyn are playing in the Youth Sting Orchestra which is playing one of the prelude pieces. Logan and Errolyn are singing in the Children's Choir and Cameron is singing in the Youth Choir. Mike is working the soundboard and I'm conducting, so we'll just have to find someone to watch Emma. Excited for this weekend!
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