Family is Everything!

How do you spell lazy?

S - H - I - R - L - E - N - E

I mean, seriously, how hard is it to carve out a few minutes to update the blog? Time is currently one thing I have. No little darlings tugging on my pant leg. No rambunctious toddlers dumping cereal on the floor. It is generally peaceful and calm here between 6:30am and 3pm. So why the late posting of Melanie's Sweetheart's adventure? Why have I not posted our pride in Brigham's achievement of being awarded "Outstanding Senior" in the school of Engineering's Civil and Environmental department? Hmmmm? 

I don't know either. The proof of events, however, is in the photos.

 
 
 

and ...

 

 
   
 
  
   
  

Fever

I have it.

  

The good news is that it is this kind of fever:

 

And it's killing me! 

Too many late nights for this morning gal.

The end, however, will not come until the closing ceremonies.

Go USA!

 
 

Concerto Night

Logan High School has a tradition of excellence in music. Their orchestra program is truly phenomenal. Three of my children have participated in the strings program, while the other two have chosen the band route. However, our band geek's instruments are "cross-overs" so they have also played in the orchestra with the orchestra nerds of our tribe (flute/piccolo and french horn).

Last night was the annual Logan High School Concerto Night performance. Each year, many students audition with their chosen instrument (strings, wind, brass, piano, percussion, and voice) in hopes that their concerto will be one of seven chosen to be performed with the LHS Orchestra on said evening of musical wonder.

This year, our very own Melanie Lucille was chosen! She has worked hard on her violin concerto. Her work paid off! Her rendition of Baal Shem, Nigun by Ernest Bloch was OUTSTANDING (even if I do say so with motherly pride)!

When I figure out how to get the video off the handycam and onto my blog, you will be able to hear it for yourself.

Needless to say, we feasted on music last night in the Logan High School Auditorium!

Bravo!

 

Melanie with her EXTREMELY dedicated violin teacher, Marnae Gerszewski.

 

The seven soloists at the end of the concert. Melanie had to come out of the orchestra to take a bow with the rest since she was helping to accompany when it wasn't her "solo".

 

I love that Dustin participated in the orchestra (french horn) and so was there to support his sister.

 

Seven soloists.

     

Failure

I was going to turn over a new leaf this year and try to actually REMEMBER all family and friend birthdays. Sadly, it is now February 12th and my leaf turning ambition has crumbled into little crumbly leaf pieces! Already this month I've missed my brother-in-law's birthday (Jim) as well as those of two friends (Rexann & JoLynn - same day even). Tomorrow is my sister's birthday (Lynnelle). Have I mailed a greeting or gift? NO! Monday is my next-door neighbor's birthday. And I'm not even going to mention the ones I forgot to mention from January :(

Good intentions? Yes.

However, we all know what road is paved with those!

I'm doomed.

P.S.  I finally updated my "current read". No new photo albums for your viewing pleasure though. 

Literary Meanderings

I have just completed a three month journey with the Bronte sisters, Anne, Charlotte, and Emily.

 

I began my journey with Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

 

Then spent an amazing month with Charlotte's Jane Eyre.

Today, I ended my journey with Emily's Wuthering Heights.

 

For three spinster sisters they really had quite a view of life! I found each novel intriguing. I'm glad our book club decided to take this journey together.  I found characters I like, and several that I seriously dislike! 

I still prefer Jane Austen. Although she has some really, REALLY boorish characters as well, they aren't as mean as those the Austen sisters depict. I like nice people who behave nicely and stories that end nicely without so much anger and bitterness and betrayal! 

My opinion on the three Bronte's? All three are a "must read"! My favorite of the three novels? That's a tough one, but probably Jane Eyre.  Take time to learn about the sisters Bronte and their scoundrel brother, Branwell, as well :)

My next conquest? David Copperfield.

Wish me luck!

  

 
 

Found

I just found our long missing Kung Fu Panda DVD. The case has been securely stored in the DVD cabinet under the letter "K" for months now -- empty.

The cherished DVD has been missing so long that I finally purchased a new one.  Because, seriously, how can any DVD collection be complete without Kung Fu Panda? 

You'll never guess where I found it.

Never.

Under the washing machine.

Yup. Don't ask me what odd force urged me to clean under said appliance today. But lug it away from the wall and clean under it I did. And there, as a reward for my effort, the missing and now found Kung Fu Panda!

With two DVDs now, we must surely be the most awesome and attractive family in town!

 

Everyday Hero

I took Dustin to school today.  Melanie and Dustin usually go together, but due to a weird school testing schedule this week, this morning the job fell to me.

On the way to the high school, we pass an elementary school zone with flashing lights and an orange clad crossing guard posted on one of Logan's busiest streets.

Upon my return from the high school I came again to the school zone and as I pulled to a stop to wait for passing traffic and a signal from the crossing guard, I witnessed what I like to call an "Everyday Hero".  

The crossing guard is an older gentleman.  Probably recently retired, who drives an older model Ford truck. He waved a greeting to me, and then walked in front of my vehicle  and raised his stop sign and waited for three bundled-up boys to cross. The three boys each had their eyes downcast. I'm sure they were concentrating on just moving forward and enduring the frigid 18 degrees.  But as they came close to the crossing guard, each in turn raised his head and smiled and then gave our friendly guardian a knuckle bump as he passed. 

It was a small thing. 

A smile and a knuckle bump. 

But to me, this man was more than a mere crossing guard.

He was a friend to the children to whom he helps cross the street in safety.

To me he is a model of hope.

I imagined him saying, "Have a great day!"

A simple crossing guard doing his duty.

An everyday hero making a difference to three small boys.

And to me :)

 

Current Hiatus Photo Montage

Hanging with my brothers, Bill and David, in Beaverton, OR after the wedding of my nephew, Darwin. (I did not get ANY photos of the actual wedding. I really don't know why. Maybe it was PHTS - pre Hawaii trip syndrome!

 

The maiden voyage to the grocery store upon arrival in Hawaii ALWAYS includes the necessary Maui chips! (That double chin you see peeking out grew due to mass consumption of said Maui chips.)

 

What trip to the island of Oahu would be complete without a stop at the world famous Matumotos for a delicious shave ice WITH a scoop of ice cream in the bottom.  My favorite?  Lilikoi and Guava! Yum!! (Here with my peeps: Shelley, Lisa, Kami, and Kim)

 

A quick stop at the temple is always a must (we set the camera on the temple fence and used the timer for this shot).

 

And then I made the girls ooo and ahhh at my elementary school. Kindergarten through sixth grade done right here at Laie Elementary!

 

Again, I was a negligent photographer and missed several opportunities to photo my fellow travelers sunbathing on the beach and around the pool.  Or maybe you would just call me a really good friend :)
  
 
 

 

Re-entry forecast

The forecast for my re-entry into reality is:

turbulent 

with a chance of violent storms.

Proceed with caution!

 

After a 9 1/2 day hiatus due to a family wedding in Oregon and my annual jaunt to Hawaii, I've found myself trapped inside a sealed tornado tube and have not been able to find the escape hatch!

 

I hesitate to complain fearing those within my "hearing" will simply turn a deaf ear due to their own personal distaste and jealousy (yup, jealousy) of my recent jaunt.  But it must be recorded for all posterity. And so I continue.

The time change always kills me upon return. I haven't felt this tired since the first three months of each of my pregnancies (o.k. - maybe it's just been since my last return from Hawaii). Anyway -- I'm TIRED!

Add to that the PILE of laundry on Dustin's bedroom floor that greeted me this morning! So wrong! Dustin is my second tidiest child (get over it, Nicole and Melanie, I'm talking about a 15 year old level of cleanliness and yes, you have both improved dramatically with age - although Melanie's improvement has only occurred during the last four weeks) and so to find a pile of dirty laundry of these proportions on his floor is very DISTURBING! I approached Dustin and queried, (actually, I hit him with both barrels right between the eyes) HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?  His response was, "I don't know, Mom.  This always happens when you're gone."  I get it.  It is MY fault he hasn't been able to carry ANY of his dirty laundry up to the laundry room for the past ten days. It makes me wonder how I will be able to send him on a mission in 3 1/2 years.  Last time I checked, they didn't allow moms to go with their sons as they venture forth to serve.  So, future companions of Dustin Hicken, beware!  He is only tidy when his mom is around.

I'm still wading through ten days of mail and random papers that have magically appeared on my desk. Apparently, I am the only one in the family that knows how to sort the mail. I did make it to my Institute class this morning -- barely!  I didn't realize that I had chosen such an EARLY class start time. My class begins promptly every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 AM! Seriously! Well, 6:30am in Hawaii, that is:) I haven't unpacked yet, except for the "gifts" that were distributed last night. But I have faith that it will get done - sometime soon. Just maybe not today.

So, I will proceed with caution, because re-entry is always a dicey incident. I recommend you all do the same :)