Music Recital

I finished up my music class for the semester last week and I'm kind of sad. I absolutely LOVED getting to have these children in my home and it was so much fun watching them learn and enjoy music so much. I have decided that I will not be doing the classes again in the fall :( I feel that with my new schedule as a college student and mother of 4 may make it a little hard to be a good music teacher. Maybe another year...

We had our recital to finish off the semester last Thursday and it was adorable! The kids did so well in practice but I was a little worried about how well they would perform when there were other people watching...but they did great! I thought I would burst with pride at how well they did, especially when they sang Tingalayo and Tomorrow. Here is the whole group together - I will miss those Wednesday mornings!

Birthday Pictures

Madlyn's birthday was a few weeks ago and we got some cute pictures but hadn't been able to upload them...but the problem has been solved!!! So here are some of the highlights:

the birthday girl

we did a polka-dot theme and here are the cupcakes
the whole gang...the girls really did have fun, despite the looks of things!
we did some fun activities outside
We had such a fun time & Maddie was so spoiled by all her friends - good times!

Crazy For You and other Notes

We had a fun weekend in the mountains with my family. My two youngest brothers, Stanton & Lincoln, were in their high school's production of Crazy for You, we celebrated my nephew Braedon's birthday, and then my brother Buchanan blessed his new baby boy Cardsen. My grandparents were able to come from UT and we had a great time...although we really missed Colbran's & Camilla's families since they couldn't come.

Stanton was the lead in the play, Bobby Child, and did an awesome job! He had to learn how to tap dance during the past few months, and passed it off quite nicely. He has an amazing singing voice and did a great job in that area too! It was a little awkward for me to watch his stage kisses, I guess I'll never get used to the fact that my little brothers are growing up on me. :)

Lincoln was an Englishman and his first debut onto the stage was in a safari outfit, complete with too-short shorts and long socks to his knees. I didn't expect that, and it totally cracked me up! He did a great job and even had to sing some solo lines and got to sing a little duet with his big bro. The kids really enjoyed watching their uncles perform and I'm so grateful that they have such good examples for them.

In other news, my mother-in-law just told me that it used to be big to give married couples the following advice: When you say goodbye in the morning and greet each other when you come home, you should give each other a 15-second kiss. OK, 15 seconds is a LONG time for a little goodbye kiss. We've been trying it this week and it's kind of funny...I think we are both counting the 15 seconds down in our heads. BUT, it does make his coming home more exciting than ever! I will say that those high school kids have got us beat - I probably saw 10 long kisses during the play, each of which were at least 15 seconds and some were more like 30-40 (no kidding!) No wonder I was so uncomfortable!

I learned over the weekend that my blog is more far-reaching than I expected and I'm glad. I do worry sometimes about the public nature of it, but I am also grateful for the chance it gives me to keep in touch with past friends and even past YW leaders! So to all you who read and I don't know it, thanks for stopping by and feel free to drop a line any time! I'll be checking you out too!

No Pictures Today...

We have been having camera issues so I haven't been able to upload any of the pictures I've taken recently but I felt the need to post something so here's a few things that have been going on in our lives lately....

1) MADLYN celebrated her 5th birthday last week and we had so much fun. We had a total of 3 birthday parties and by the end of the week, I was exhausted. I can't believe my little girl is already 5 (although sometimes I think she is 15)...it seems like only yesterday she joined our family. Maddie is such a sweet girl and I feel so privileged to be her mom. I swear sometimes she is more unselfish and mature than I am and I love her for it!

2) I am TIRED. Like I said, last week was a busy one and I was ready to take a little break this week...but Monday brought some sick boys and a sister-in-law in town with her kids. Who can take a break with cousins in town? We had cute Anna stay at our house Monday night and she got to go to preschool with Madlyn on Tuesday (thanks Kristy)! Yesterday after music class we headed into Mesa to hang out with the family and Maddie & Cole actually braved the swimming pool. It was soooo cold that I couldn't even put my toes in, but they swam for quite a while. We are heading in again today to hang out before they have to leave tomorrow - we will miss them - we really wish all of our cousins would move back, PLEASE!

3) I am SICK. Yesterday morning, I woke up with a little cold. By the time I got home last night, the only thing I wanted to do was take a hot bath and some NyQuil and get in bed. Of course, NyQuil was out of the question since I'm pregnant but Jeff did draw me a nice bath and I soaked for almost 2 hours while reading a book. I am feeling a little better today so off to town we go but I really think I might sleep tomorrow.

4) I MISS my husband. It was bad enough that he had to be gone 12-13 hours a day for work but he recently started a class that keeps him away from home until 11pm 2 nights a week and for half the day on Saturdays. The other nights he has tutoring sessions, I have meetings, and he studies. I have a hard time going to sleep without him in bed so I keep myself up until I can't stay awake; I've been keeping busy with a new puzzle, crocheting, reading, and of course, checking out everyone's blogs.

5) I just joined COUPON$ENSE and am so excited to see the savings! I get my first batch of Sunday papers on Sunday (I am getting 5 sets) and I am counting down like it's Christmas! I am really hoping to be able to save in the grocery area so that we can put more away into our savings account every month. Thanks Deanna for the motivation!

6) I need to load my dishwasher, fold a load of laundry, and vacuum my floors before I leave in 25 minutes...do you think I can do it? On my mark, get set, GO!!!

Disney Princess

You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

My Red Letter Day!

When I woke up this morning in Madlyn's bed, I was a little worried about the kind of day I was going to have. But I trudged out of her room to begin the day and came in to check my email (I've been waiting for a special email and so I have been checking very often). I had two fun surprises waiting for me...

a good friend of mine announced her unexpected (at least for me) pregnancy. To me, having a baby is about the best news anyone can have anytime. Yay Heather!

then I got the email saying the pictures of my brand-new nephew (born Sunday) were posted on my SIL's blog...isn't Cardsen Buchanan Davis a cutie?

I had to go about my motherly duties then, so we got breakfast and got ready for the day. When I came back from taking Maddie to preschool, I checked my email, AGAIN. Yes, still waiting for the special email. It was there!!!

I got accepted as a PILOT STUDENT (open applications are not accepted yet) in the brand-new online bachelor's program at BYU-Idaho! I about cried right then and there, but instead I called my wonderful husband who, I am proud to say, is so excited for me and might even be more happy than I am (although I doubt it)! Then I called my mom, who has been waiting with me for this exciting news! I am not sure what I am getting into but I have hardly ever been so excited in my life! I have almost 90 credits already so I shouldn't have too much longer to go but I have been looking for an online program to do and praying...this almost fell right into my lap and I feel so grateful and blessed that I will finally be able to finish my degree...all the while being a stay-at-home mom, which is my first love and priority!

My day just got better as I was able to wash, fold, and put away about 7 loads of laundry (getting it all done in one day is an almost impossible feat at my house).

I spent the rest of my day playing puzzles with the kids, watching them ride bikes outside, blowing bubbles, and I hardly even lost my patience all day. Now, it is 8:30, the kids have been in bed for 30 minutes, I'm working on a project for Madlyn's room, and life is looking good. It was a good day.

Have You Ever Done This?

OK, so Jeff took the kids to Chevron this evening for a little treat. My job was to start getting dinner ready while they were gone. I came in to check my email and found myself checking blogs instead. Of course, I sat in here for more than a couple of minutes...that is, until I heard the garage door opening. I honestly don't know if I've ever moved so fast: out of my chair and into the kitchen to pretend like I had been working on the meal instead of blog-stalking for the past 20 minutes. Somehow I managed to pull together a decent meal and Jeff was not the wiser for it...uh-oh, now he knows my secret.