Double Take

Alyssa really did want two things for her birthday. She wanted her driving permit and...


hair extensions.

These are the clip in variety and she loves them.

You can get a completely different look in just a few minutes.

Seminary Graduation

It's the final countdown to the end of the school year.

And since Court is a Senior, it's the final countdown of his last days in the public school system.

It's also time for those who have attended Seminary for four years to graduate and get their diploma.

Sunday night was Seminary graduation.

And Court was having a HUGE conflict of interest.

He has followed the TV show "Lost" for all 5 seasons and is a rabid fan. The finale of "Lost" was Sunday night. This was the final episode of all. The show was ending.

Court had determined in his mind that NOTHING would hinder him from watching the final episode of "Lost", even Seminary graduation.

So here is how the evening was looking: Seminary graduation @ 7:00, "Lost" @ 8:00.

As Boyd and I entered the Tabernacle Sunday evening, I found myself hoping and praying that this would not be a long, drawn-out program.

I did not want my son to stand up and walk out in the middle of the graduation ceremony as he had threatened to do.

The program started out and went so smoothly that before we knew it the graduates had all received their diplomas and were back in their seats ready to listen to the remainder of the speakers.

I'm not sure how it happened but the entire program ended at 7:40. From start to finish it was 40 minutes!

We even had time to scope out refreshments. They had slushies with ice cream and it was fantastic.

And Court made it home in time to watch his beloved show.


And snap a picture.

Congratulations, Court!

15 beautiful years

As of Sunday my baby is old enough to drive, with a learner's permit, and with a licensed driver.

Anybody willing?

All she really wanted for her birthday was to drive the van. Boyd took her up to the church and had her drive around and around and around. She went up and down the aisles, practiced pulling into parking spaces and learning the basics of a gas and brake pedal.


After doing so for about 1/2 hour she looked at Boyd and said, "this is easy".

Just wait until you are on the freeway, honey.


After a loving lecture on NOT texting while driving or even TALKING on the phone we went home to peach cobbler decorated with ice cream. It was delicious.

Of course, her mom forgot to buy candles so she couldn't blow out any candles for her birthday.

I'll think she'll survive. Somehow.


We opened a few presents. Mostly Alyssa just wanted money. It doesn't take a lot of wrapping paper for that gift.

The boys went in together and wrote her the most thoughtful card. She was very touched by their kindness. Plus it didn't hurt that they included some greenbacks inside the card...


Here are 15 reasons why we love having Alyssa in our home:

1. She keeps us young...or old depending on how you look at it. She reminds us frequently that we are old. Then suddenly she'll tell us we are young.

2. She loves doing nails. She does fantastic pedicures, even better than the pedicures I've gotten at salons. I just pay her now.

3. She loves music. She always has music playing in one sort or another...piano, ipod, radio, computer.

4. She has a gentle spirit. She just doesn't argue or get mad very often.

5. She has a fantastic smile that lights up the room when she walks in.

6. She has a great talent for making friends. Kids enjoy hanging out with her.

7. She is very organized. She keeps herself busy but still stays on top of most things.

8. She has a zest for learning piano and is better than I am.

9. She loves her brothers, who in turn love her and are VERY protective of her.

10. She and her sister, Kalie, have a tight bond. She is looking forward to spending time at her sister's home.

11. She types faster than anyone I know.

12. She is extremely obedient and does whatever I ask of her.

13. She will do odd jobs for me that I can't get to, especially if I pay her.

14. She loves to do hair and wants to go to school to learn all about hair and nails.

15. And the last reason we love to have Alyssa in our home is because she is a gift from God sent to our family.

We love her.

Loser Mom of the Year Award...

...goes to me!

Yes, I've done it again.

I have been a loser mom. Not completely, just halfway.

Alyssa had a piano recital on Saturday morning and in my haste to get there on time I ran out the door without a camera.

So. We were on time, but we have no documentation of this event. No pictures that will show evidence of hours of piano practice. Not one image of Alyssa's recitation about Debussy's life. Nothing.

Alyssa did consent to play her piece for me to record so here it is...at our home...on our out-of-tune piano.

Presenting "Golliwog's Cakewalk" by Claude Debussy:



Please don't mind Court talking in the background. I couldn't holler at him to be quiet, nor did I want to make Alyssa play this piece again.

Pops Concert

Last week Alyssa had a final Rhapsody concert...held outside.

I was a little worried about freezing to death because it hasn't been warm by any stretch of the imagination.

I came prepared with a warm jacket thinking I would be fine. And I was.

All of the choirs did 3 numbers each, one at a time and rotating through all the choirs.

First number: Being outside, + being a capella, + being extremely difficult = quite possibly the worse arrangement of "Africa" by ToTo I have ever heard.

No offense...just keeping it real.

Even the kids knew it was awful. They laughed or grimaced through much of this piece.


"Trashin' the Camp" from Tarzan. Cute.


Getting ready for the final number, wearing 80's exercise clothes.

Hey! I lived during the 80's and wore those clothes!!! And let's all have a moment of silence due to gratitude. We no longer have to wear those nasty outfits. Leotards, tights and leggings ...frightening!




"Eye of the Tiger". You might remember this from Rocky II back in the good ole days. Rhapsody did a great job and made me laugh out loud.


The man who recorded all of this concert for DVD is coming to the school and rerecording Rhapsody singing "Africa" around the piano.

And because of his willingness to do this, they will be able to redeem themselves.

Can't wait to hear the GOOD version.

Topsy and Turvy

I have always been intrigued by the concept of the topsy-turvy tomato planter.

I wondered if it worked.

So,I bought this back in March and have waited to plant a tomato until it is warm enough outside for plants to grow.

And waited.

And waited.

Finally, I thought it should be safe to plant a tomato without fear of it freezing to death.

Just so you know, this is definitely a two-person job. I employed the skills of Court to help me pull the plant through while I held on to the planter. Then after adding tons of soil he hung it up for me.

Now we will see if this concept is really worth the effort.


I'll keep you posted.

When I am Old, I Shall NOT Wear Purple

Purple is NOT my favorite color.

In fact, I will go to great lengths to make sure that I am not wearing purple on my body.

However, there is nothing quite so charming as the purple flowers that grace my yard in the spring.


I have a hard time not breaking into song when I see these:

Little purple pansies touched with yellow gold, growing in the corner of the garden old....


And sunscape daisies? They make me smile.


So while purple is not my favorite color, I do have moments when I love it deeply.

Family, the Extended Version

Every so often my mom and all my sisters get together.

I have four sisters.

Which means my mother had five daughters. How did she survive all of us?

Quite well, I guess. She looks pretty good for having lived through 5 pubescent daughters and 3 hormonal sons.

This last get together we met at Rainbow Gardens. Rainbow Gardens is a fun shop that has novelty items that you don't see anywhere else.

Matt found a train that he dragged around behind him. It was so funny to watch him drag the train every where he went.

There is also a wonderful restaurant inside called "The Greenery". They have great food there. They also sell Mormon Muffins, those great bran-filled muffins served with honey butter. Heavenly!!

A few of us eagerly anticipating our meal.


Matt was so excited about his train. He showed it off to everyone.


My niece, Maria, found this tie for her brother that is on a mission. It is a pillow tie. There is a little blowup pillow inside.

The slogan says, "It is better to sleep in church than not go at all."


My mom and sister, Heather.


After getting our fill of Rainbow Gardens we drove over to "My Heritage". It is a little quilt shop at the 3 points area in Ogden.

They had a fantastic selection of fabric. I even broke my promise to myself...no more fabric until I finish the projects that I have already purchased fabric for.

I couldn't resist. I got some fantastic grey fabric with splashes of yellow. I think I'll make a skirt for myself to wear this summer.

Wish me well. I haven't sewn clothes for a long time...

This teepee stole the show. It is the perfect size for young children to play inside. Matt and Kit had a blast playing in and around the teepee.


You can actually make this teepee with some fabric and some PVC pipe. It's portable and fun for little kids.

Maybe I had better buy the pattern.

My Favorite House

Going up to Cache Valley gives me the opportunity to take a drive past one of my favorite homes.

I love the friendly ambiance that radiates from this home.

I love the porch that spans the entire front.

I love the dormer windows.

I love the front door.

In the summer they have hanging baskets in between the pillars, making it even more inviting.

One day, maybe....

Best. Mother's. Day. Ever.

I have a wonderful husband.

He spoils me way more than he should.

But I don't mind.

In fact, I enjoy it.

So when he asks what I want for Mother's Day and I tell him I don't need anything, that answer is not acceptable to him.

His husbandly instincts kick in and he tells me that I need something, and that something cannot be a new appliance.

So I started with this:

After all, my Rose of Sharon tree died and we dug it out. Therefore we HAD to fill the empty space. It is a peace rose tree. Can't wait to see it bloom. Hope it's good.


Next on the agenda was this:

Kalie's friend had a fire pit and I fell in love. I imagined all sorts of wonderful scenarios that involved fire pits. And we found one.

The kids and Boyd all kicked in dollars and bought it for me. And then Boyd suggested the winning idea: A wienie roast for Mother's Day.

I couldn't wait.

If you ever want to see a child willing to help you out with a job, go ask them to start a fire. The willingness is startling.

Before I knew it the girl's camp and scout camp knowledge had kicked in and we had a teepee.


Alyssa struck the match and then we had FIRE. All I could think of was Tom Hanks dancing around his fire in "Castaway" and yelling "I have created FIRE!"


We put our carefully selected "Nathan's" hot dogs on our hot dog sticks and began roasting them over the coals.


Even though everyone had a scowl on their face, they were really enjoying the experience.

Maybe it was because it was a little smoky. We all smelled like smoke for the rest of the day. But it was so worth it. Lunch was completed with watermelon, potato salad and s'mores.

Wienie roasts are one of my favorite activities. Thanks for the suggestion, Boyd.


And the day was made complete with this:


My oldest baby is having a baby. A boy. So excited to meet him.

Happy Mother's and Grandmother's Day.

Conversations around the piano bench

Sometimes when I teach piano, I have heard and seen the funniest things. Here are a few. Note: names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Me: Hi Jimmy! What's going on with you today?
Jimmy: We had maturation today.
Me: Oh!
Jimmy: I am so mad. They didn't hand out deodorant. But my dad said that he would buy me some deodorant.
I want the most expensive and nicest smelling deodorant I can find.
Me: Well, you know. Deodorant is really not that expensive. But tell your dad to buy Axe. The Phoenix variety...
Later.........Dad comes up to me. "Jimmy told us we HAD to buy Axe deodorant, just like his piano teacher said."

Me: Hey Suzie. How are things going?
Suzie: My legs hurt.
Me: Why?
Suzie: I shaved my legs for the first time this morning and they are covered with nicks and cuts.
Me: (alarmed) What type of razor did you use?
Suzie: A disposable one.
Me: Oh honey. Tell you mom to go buy you a Venus razor. Even Oprah recommends them...

Me: (as I am looking through piano books, a swimming magazine falls out)Hi Kristi, how are you today? I see you have a swimming magazine here. That's cool. Hey. It even gives tips on swimming strokes.
Kristi: Yeah. I really like this magazine. It has the latest swimwear, shows the right way to do strokes and everything.
Me: I see. Well the breaststroke that is pictured here doesn't look like how the swimmers really do it.
Kristi: Oh. It really does. See. (she points to the picture and explains)
Me: (the lightbulb coming on) Oh, I see.
Kristi: It looks like this........(she then proceeds to do the breaststroke on the piano bench, complete with all the torso contortions required for the stroke)

Me: Hi Matt. It's good to see you today.
Matt: Hi. (he proceeds to start playing the piano)
Me: (noticing a rather large bump underneath his shirt) Hey what's that bump under your shirt? (at that moment the bump started moving)
Matt: Oh. I decided that I wanted to bring my bird to piano lessons. (bird starts struggling to get out of shirt)
Me: (trying not to laugh)I think you had better run home and take the bird back to his cage. I'll wait for you...