Who Knew?

I have known my mom for all of my life!

She is an amazing person - creative,

kind, thoughtful and sensitive are only the beginning.

Apparently there are still things that I don't know about her....

She reads the sports pages...

(following the Jazz and their play-off competitors)!

Happy Mother's Day!

Grateful to be a mom to these three!

Grateful for my mom!

Grateful for Craig's mom!

Grateful for the women in my life and the life of my family.

Moms Rock!

Who is that?

It is a good thing that we knew when to expect her on stage,

otherwise we might not have recognized her.

It is Lily St. Regis from the musical Annie

and her grandparents of course!

She says she is just acting - but think I should be worried.....

She's Back!

She is home!

She is amazing!

It is hard to believe that her first year of college is over.

I hope the next three years don't go quite so fast!

Look at all of that stuff :)
thanks g'pa b for all of the help...

False Eyelashes

sephora.com

Did you know that false eyelashes are actually

made from real human hair?? The label says the hair

has been sterilized...

Yikes!

Guess who is wearing false eyelashes this weekend?

Guess who forgot to tell her mother until late the night before?

Guess who lovingly drove her to CVS?

Guess who has no idea how to help her put them on?

:)

Tech Rehearsals ...Part ? (l've lost count)

wikipedia.com photo

Any ideas?

?

?

Hector Berlioz...

If you only think of French music as charming, witty and elegant, hold on to your seats. The Berlioz Te Deum was inspired by the composer’s hero, Napoleon, and it is indeed music of imperial grandeur. Scored for large orchestra, organ, two choirs and a children’s chorus, only in a setting like Washington National Cathedral can this masterwork be played to maximum effect. That is equally true of its companion piece on the program: Saint-Saëns’ Third Symphony, better known as the Organ Symphony, or as one French conductor called it, the “goosebump symphony”. In the hands of our Cathedral organist Scott Dettra, both works provide a glorious realization of the fullest potential of the “king of instruments”.

write-up from (http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org/)

I sat in on a full-rehearsal last night. It is going to be amazing!

I Heart Edline

http://www.edline.net/

This my friends is a wonderful thing!

My own children and my seminary students disagree but

this website gives me access to grades, assignments, etc.

It is like being able to peak into your children's

teacher's grading books.

Technology

is

a

wonderful

thing!

The Nightingale

Preparing for her role as a

Story Teller

in

The Nightingale

This is the advertising write-up about the production:

The Nightingale, by Imant Raminsh, is an opera in which the children's chorus plays a primary role. Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the story recounts the familiar tale of a Chinese emperor who fancies a mechanical nightingale over the real one, and comes to regret his choice. The composer observed that this classic tale “is one of the most appropriate stories for an opera – truly a parable for our time, with its celebration of the natural and real as opposed to the artificial and contrived, and in its recognition of the power, even over death, of song.” First performed in 2005, The Washington Post called that performance “... a thoroughly professional production in every respect.”

My Review:
performance ........wonderful

costumes........amazing

music/singing.......moving

lighting/sets.........beautiful

director..........superb

It took a small army of friends to help E get to all of her tech rehearsals and performances in DC while I was gone - much thanks.

Graduation...continued

The official graduation picture.

Isn't she incredible?!

Pink shoes - you knew she would find a way to add her mark to

an outfit that required her to wear something officially named "drab".

That is the color of the School of Business tassel.

Special thank you to grandparents who traveled to

see Alicia graduate. Craig and I flew in from opposite coasts.

How wonderful to be reunited for such a special occasion.

Special thanks to Regan and Vanessa who

endured a seemingly interminable number

of accounting graduates to see their niece walk across the stage to receive

a BS in Hotel, Resort & Hospitality Management!

Thanks also to Shar for spending the day with us.

Congrats as well to Lindsey and Tyler!

Not an end but a fabulous new beginning...

Pres. Monson was the commencement speaker he reminded the graduates to:

Remember the past.

Live in the present

and

Prepare for and enjoy the future.

Alicia,

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

She's an SUU Alum!

Could not be any prouder!

Congratulations, Alicia!

Graduation Preparation

She graduated once before...

Can't wait to see her do it all over again!

Love you, Alicia!

May Madness

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What do steamers and birds have to do with one another??

Clues:

Upcoming Performance

Theater Wardrobe Room

Me


Answer:
The Nightingale

Whistles

Sometimes while working as a social worker for the state of Texas

I used to think that Toll Booth Operator might be my ideal job.

You wouldn't take your work home with you

You probably wouldn't worry about your clients (I still might have...)

No long-term relationships

Everyone going through the booth is fairly compliant

Not as many tears (theirs or mine)

No going into sketchy neighborhoods

All of that folding and counting of $$

I could get a lot of thinking done

How hard could it be - really?!

You are probably catching on...

But now I'm thinking

(after watching the crossing guards every morning)

that I would like a job with a whistle...

E and I brainstormed some possibilities

crossing guard

police person

coach

p.e. teacher

band major

dog trainer

gem miner

government or corporate corruption exposer

*bonus points if you can explain the last two!

Cookies and Purses

Cookies

and

Purses

Can anyone have too many of either??

April Cookie of the Month

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

*finished with ribbon and "thank-you" card...

Sunday Fireside

Guess who is going to be a

handcart pioneer?

One clue:

She looks darling in bloomers :)

Saturday is a Special Day...

Quick trip back from PA. The pictures are on someone else's camera. I will post a few asap!

Greatful for:

GPS

Fast Pass

Sonic

Family

Not necessarily in that order!

Dance

Quick trip to UC for a

UCDC Dance Concert!

Loved it!

Miss it!

Love her!

Miss her!

California Rolls

pic from What's Cooking America

I don't have a picture of my own...

but I learned how to make California Rolls today!

Not only did I learn how but I also made some myself.

It was fun and they were so very tasty.

Next time I will take my camera....

thanks, Y!

Earth Day

Favorite Place on Earth

it truly is zion...

Scholastic Book Fairs

What isn't to love about

Scholastic Book Fairs?

Yes, I am on the committee again and

I've been hit with a small wave of nostalgia because

this is probably my last book fair.

Honestly not sure whether to be

happy

or

sad!

My list of responsibilities includes

posters

publicity

backpack info.

getting lots of random info. from random teachers/staff

opening/closing

etc.

Fortunately it is not for a few more weeks...

Mystery Monday

About to finish this book by one of my

favorite mystery writers...

P.D. James!

She is fantastic...

Nothing better on a

rainy,

cloudy,

foggy,

miserable,

Monday!

Serving on Sunday

I spent this afternoon/evening at the LDS Barlow Center (great Georgetown location) preparing food for mission presidents from the NE region. Someone mentioned that they were there from as far north as Maine, as far south as Virginia and as far west as Indiana. Fortunately I wasn't in charge - just provided helpful willing hands.

Rice and Creole Shrimp

Spinach/Strawberry Salad

Rolls

Desserts (including our yummy Texas Ice-Box Cake)

Honestly, I really don't mind being told what to do!

Saturday from A - Z

Jenny Oaks Baker




Saturday began with

A

for authors, Maureen and Scott Proctor (Women's Conference)

and ended with

Z

for sweet Zola

in between...

J

for Jenny Oaks Baker (Violin performance @ Women's Conf.)

K

for Kim

O

for Opera Camp (Em)

S

for a Stake Dance (Em)

T
for Tabasco's

V
for Vietnamese Banh Mi

The Menagerie Grows...

A couple more animals to add to my

Advent

Calendar

Parade!

Shepherds, Angels and Sheep, Oh, My!

Instead of working on my ever lengthening to-do list, I have been having fun

tracing,

wonder-undering

cutting

sorting

cutting some more

ironing

and

applique-ing

these felt squares for the Christmas Advent calendar I am making.

Purchased - Needles and Pins

Pattern - Plum Creek Collectibles

4/15

Although our lives no longer revolve around 4/15 like they once did... this day doesn't come or go without at least some reflection - often humorous, sometimes serious and occasionally stressful!

Here's to surviving another one :)

The real post should come on 10/15!

That is the real deadline deadline - for the extending extenders.

You will not be surprised to find out that....

I spent today putting together a quick photo book of our Spring Break fun. Collecting the photos from three different cameras in two different states took some doing but once everything was together it wasn't too much effort to

sort,

organize,

upload/download,

determine layouts,

pages,

covers,

and

text.

Numerous phone calls and emails back and forth made the day complete!

Unfortunately the coupon code that should have made the book free didn't work - so I'm working on a plan B at the moment.

I'm so glad that there isn't a rule that all of the sheets and towels used by company have to be sorted, washed, dried and folded before you can enjoy the photo memories! I would much rather relieve last week than do laundry...

The End

General Conference was savored.

Company was welcomed.

Sight-seeing and shopping enjoyed.


Company is now gone.

Easter has been celebrated.
Sleeping in is over.
School begins tomorrow.

Spring Break '09 is officially over...

Happy Easter

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Cousins

Our house is too quiet.

We did laugh for a quite a few minutes when we

found one of our balls in the neighbors yard.

How could that have gotten there??

We lost 8 but fortunately gained 1 (from PA) for the Easter Weekend!

Love the cousins picture...

Friday Fhoning...

Just in case Big Brother is listening in on my phone calls and can't figure out why my most frequently called numbers (cell/home/car) haven't been called this week... it is because we have been sitting next to each other...

on the Metro

in the car

at the restaurant(s)

on the couch

at the kitchen table

I think you get the picture.

Sadly, I am back to calling...

Terrific Thursday

No pictures of the day - my camera batteries went to Gettysburg with Em and a Suburban full of adults and kids (mostly kids - and adults who really are kids at heart).

As soon as the Gettysburg bus departed we went to the...

Offray Ribbon Outlet

Someone who will remain nameless was out-of-control!

Great Stuff by Paul

Had a great conversation with Paul!

Needles and Pins (Quilt Shop)

Great shop - great purchases including the fabulous felt Advent Calendar below!

Wonderful Wednesday

We were fed today - body and soul!

Gadsby's Tavern (body)

Torpedo Factory Art Center (soul)

Guapo's and Kristi (body and soul)

Hi Ho Cherries O

thanks Kristi...

Spring - what's not to love!

DC Day

...that is Kate in the white shirt with one of the little guys, John to the left...

While visting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, we noticed some general hubbub (extra policemen, camera men, sound guys, etc. and realized we were sight-seeing along with the

Gosselins from John & Kate + 8

I've got to be honest... I'd take sight-seeing with Cristin + 7 any day!

Spring Break Round II

As exciting as waiting for this....

Only different.

I'm counting down the hours until:

Laughing

Fun

Sight-seeing

Cousins

Eating-out

Heart-to-Hearts

Remembering

BYU jokes (oops - no BYU, no Twilight, no politics, right)?!

Did I mention laughing...

Conference Weekend

I heart

General Conference!

I would love to some day attend

at the Conference Center.

Until then, I will enjoy it from the

comfort of my home, where I am surrounded by

reminders of why the gospel is so important to me!

Book Group/Ouch!

It is good to believe in something.

It is good to be able to express your beliefs.

It is good to be open to the views of others.

It would be nice if they were open to yours.

Seriously Too Funny!

I have been following the posts of TAMN on her blog, Seriously, so blessed! for a while now and would have to say that she is possibly the most entertaining LDS Mommy Blogger I have ever read. Her ability to poke fun at us (LDS Moms/Bloggers) and some of our cultural peculiarities is, as the English say, spot-on!

She will make you laugh out loud.

Mahler's Third

Emily's Children's Chorus of Washington performance

with the National Symphony Orchestra (last fall)

is being replayed on http://www.weta.org/ tonight! (9:00 pm edt)

Gustav MahlerSymphony #3

National Symphony Orchestra

The University of Maryland Concert Choir (Edward Maclary, Director)

Children’s Chorus Of Washington (Joan Gregoryk, Music Director)

Birgit Remmert (mezzo-soprano)

Iván Fischer (conductor)

It was/is amazing!

Enjoy