KidSing

My girls attend a music class together once a week. They learn about classical music, how to read notes, and sing all kinds of songs. Twice a year they have a concert to share what they've been learning. Last night was the final concert for the school year and the theme was patriotic songs. I wish you all could have joined us because it's always hilarious! The video below will give you a small taste.

My Really Awesome Weekend

Aside from getting married and giving birth I had the most amazing experience of my life this weekend. I have a friend from high school named Rob Gardner who is a composer. He has written several sacred oratorios, one of which is titled Joseph Smith the Prophet. It is an hour-long program with narrators, orchestra, choir and soloists depicting the life and legacy of Joseph Smith. He was asked to perform this work in the Salt Lake Tabernacle this weekend. I couldn't pass up the chance to sing in the Tabernacle so I made the trip up to Utah.




Friday night about 15 minutes prior to the start of the show President Monson and President Uchtdorf walked in. For those of you who have never been in the same room as the prophet I will tell you that it is a profoundly spiritual experience to witness everyone in the room silently stand and watch as he walks in. Just as he arrived at his seat someone began singing We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet. At the conclusion of the song President Monson waved and thanked us. President Monson just became the prophet a few months ago and while I have believed that he is the prophet I feel I have not had the same conviction with regard to his calling as to President Hinckley's, whom I grew to know and love over so many years. I can say without doubt after feeling what I felt when he entered the room that Thomas S. Monson is the man God has called to lead our church and the world at this time. I know that what he speaks is God's will for us and I am grateful for the blessing of this experience that has solidified my testimony of his calling.

Once we started singing I found myself overcome with emotion several times throughout the performance. It just seemed so surreal to be in the Tabernacle singing The Spirit of God and Praise to the Man with the prophet in the audience! How is it even possible that someone like me (somewhat musical but nothing to write home about) is lucky enough to get to sing in such an historic building for such an audience as this? It was remarkable and something I will always treasure. I am extraordinarily grateful to Heavenly Father for the gift he has given to Rob Gardner and for putting him in my life's path. Rob's music continually strengthens my testimony and comforts me in difficult times and I have seen the workings of the Spirit in other people's lives as well as they participate in and listen to Rob's music. I wish you all could have been there with me!!

Happy Birthday Grace!!

My baby turned 8 on Friday and I can't believe it! She had a really fun birthday that included a pedicure from my sister, an American Idol karaoke party (complete with a microphone cake that my friend Amy and I spent three hours making. I almost cried when I cut it.) and a family dinner at my parents' house. What eight-year-old could ask for more?

For those of you who live far away and don't know Grace like I do, here's what I love most about her:

She is a really great big sister. Usually when Jenna gets disciplined or hurt she runs to Grace for comfort. I often find them snuggled in a corner together reading. I love that for the most part they really enjoy each other's company.

She loves singing. I can't wait until she's a little older and we can really share our love of music.

She is unbelievably smart. I think she will put me and her dad to shame someday. She also loves to read and I can't wait to pass on all my favorite books

She's very creative and loves to do crafts (also something we can enjoy together as she gets older) and write stories. Her teacher tells me she's quite the little author.

She really tries to do what is right and I find myself learning from her spiritually on a fairly regular basis. She's usually the one reminding us to read scriptures or say the blessing.

I can't imagine life without her. Now that we've had trouble having more babies I consider the two that I do have even greater miracles than ever. We love you Grace!!

A day at the zoo

Last week I accompanied the second grade on their field trip. Grace and I spent the day wandering the zoo with five of her classmates. It was significantly more pleasant that I was anticipating but I was quite exhausted by the end. The kids loved it so that made it fun and the weather was beautiful. We were really lucky because Grace's teacher has a connection to one of the zoo directors so the kids got up close and personal with the tortoises. We went behind the exhibit where the kids were able to touch the tortoises on the head and watch them eating carrots. It was great! We also saw a peacock with its tail fanned out, which was amazingly beautiful. Unfortunately I was too slow getting my camera out so I don't have a picture of that one.

I've discovered that the older my kids get the more I appreciate opportunities like today. It won't be long before Grace prefers that I stay home from her field trips. It was well worth the annoying stuff (like riding on the bus with 60 exceptionally loud 2nd graders) to enjoy a day with my daughter!

My new online addiction

Check out freerice.com. This website donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program for each vocabulary question you answer correctly so you can fight world hunger and improve your vocab at the same time. Snopes says it's real.

Have fun!

Joke For the Day

This, of course, came from Jenna, our little goofball.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Orange.

Orange who?

(repeated three times)

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Banana.

Banana who?

Didn't I say orange?

Another Jennaism

Today Jenna said, "Guess how much I love you Mom."

The answer: "a googol fillion."

Randomness

Yesterday Jenna said, "Mom, I know what word starts with 'dir'--'dirt'!" She was quite proud of herself and I have no idea where it came from.