Arizona

Cole and Katie Babbit

Love you guys!

We just got back from a three day visit to Arizona! It took 2 days to drive there . . . but it was well worth the distance! My niece, Katie, was married on the 26th, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. It was a beautiful experience for everyone. She is such an adorable girl. I love her so much. I am so glad we were able to be there. I am so happy for her, and Cole, too! They are very cute together!

Her reception was wonderful . . . I will have to wait to steal some pictures of that -- I forgot my camera! The highlight (for me) was singing a duet with Charles, our song, Unchained Melody. Charles did amazing . . . I am hoping to get the video and post it. He has revealed a talent that has been lying dormant! It is time for him to awaken his voice! Sing, SING . . . my angel of music! ;-)

They had a video sign-in at the reception . . . snagged this one of Charles. :-)

We also had Thanksgiving at the church with over 150 people. It was really great. We transitioned from turkey, to decorating for the reception. It was handy to have those 100+ people to help! :-) It was beautiful! (I hope to find pictures!)

I had forgotten to take pictures, so I started snapping random ones right before we left!

Just to prove we were in Arizona . . .

On our journey home, we had a race. We wanted to see which route was faster back to Utah . . . going through Las Vegas, or going up through Flagstaff. Johnny and Mindy went through Vegas and we went through Flagstaff. Our road was windy, through mountains, and at some points we felt carsick. The other way (through Vegas) is fairly straight and smooth and freeway all the way.

My older brother said Vegas is shorter, my dad said Flagstaff. Well, the funny thing is . . . we actually MET UP in Beaver, Utah. I mean, we were driving along, and we looked to our left and there was my brother and family right next to us! What are the odds? We had gone hundreds of miles in opposite directions and there we were RIGHT NEXT to each other!

On our route we stopped for an hour at Olive Garden, and my brother stopped for about the same, potty, diapers, etc. maybe a little less. So, we determined that it is about the same travel time, though Flagstaff way may be a very little bit shorter. However, the Vegas way is much more smooth going -- if you are one who gets carsick.

Mindy and John . . . ready for the race!

So, after making it back to Utah on Saturday night, we still had to head home to Boise on Sunday. When we woke up Sunday morning, there was a bunch of snow on the ground and it was falling steadily from the sky! We then found out that I-84 to Boise was closed! But we HAD to get home! So, we decided to get moving towards the area of closure to see if it might open. We stopped in Tremonton, Utah for updates. We considered going up to I-86 by Pocatello. Then the update said 4x4 were OK for I-84. We had a rented suburban so we headed back on I-84, which we were told was open. We thought we were good to go until we saw this...

a line of Semi-Trucks and cars backed up for miles!

But we kept driving until we saw . . .

THIS . . . Yes, they actually put a gate down to stop traffic from going through!

So, we had to turn around (lame!) and make different plans. Now, this is where my new love of the GPS system began. The GPS got us through places we could not have gone without! Sometimes we could not see anything, but we still knew where we were! It was SO amazing. It also found a different route for us to take, up through Snowville to I-86.

Snowville was FILLED with Semi-trucks, hundreds of them just waiting there until the gait would go up. Some said it would not be until Monday morning!

Our view on the State highway . . . there was close to zero visibility.

Glad to be behind the snow plow!

We made it home safe and sound, thank goodness. I know that many were not so fortunate. It was really dangerous out there, and if we had not been in a huge suburban, we would never have tried to plow through the storm! So grateful to be home.

(Though I must say I miss the 70 degree weather in Arizona! Brrrrrr . . . it is COLD!)

Your Inner Voice

Lydia and Me

A few months ago I had a mother approach me and ask if I would be willing to give voice lessons to her daughter, Lydia. Lydia has the desire to sing in plays, including the Starlight Theater here in Boise. Lydia was singing in school choirs but felt defeated because she was not able to read music. But she LOVES to sing and she LOVES music. So, in exchange for free babysitting, I agreed to give it a try. :-)

The funny thing is, I spent my entire choir career (including swing choirs and honor swing choir) "faking" it because I could NOT read music! I could just hear the harmony and after a few times through, I could pretty much get it down. I even took a keyboarding class, which I "faked" my way through as well. So, I could understand Lydia's troubles. Musical theory just did not seem to have a place in my brain.

A few years ago, I taught myself how to do chording, and that is all I have been able to do. (Basically, playing the guitar on the piano.) I was just so thrilled to have a way to play for myself while I sing! It has been great for me. But, with a desire to "get it" I have been trying to teach myself (using the church piano program) to really play the piano. So, outside of proper timing, I have finally realized my dumb hang-up ALL these years! What was hanging me up? SHARPS and FLATS! Duh! I just did not get it! So, now, though I cannot play like I would like, I can at least identify the notes properly! Which is huge, for me. And if I practice, practice, practice . . . I might just get it!

So, as I have been teaching Lydia voice, I have also been trying to teach her some musical theory. Last night she said, "I have learned more in one session with you, then I had all year in choir." It was probably the best compliment she could have given me. Because of my weakness all of those years in understanding music -- I know what can be a roadblock, and I can help walk her through it. Sometimes when people just "get it" and it comes naturally, it does not make that person a great teacher. Sometimes when you know what it feels like to struggle and overcome . . . that is where true teaching-power comes from.

Lydia has improved 100% from when she first started. I told her ahead of time, I have no formal training in voice, but I can sing, and I KNOW what sounds good (and what sounds bad!) We spend an hour once a week, singing new songs, learning music, and picking songs for performances. I basically just try and help her have the confidence to "let it out". I think that is the trouble with most people -- they are scared. Scared of what is REALLY inside of them. I feel it is my job to help Lydia "get it out". :-) It is amazing to be a part of that discovery. Most people who sing fair just need to be told to, "LET IT OUT!!!!" All that stuff inside you -- set it FREE! Do not hold back!

Last night was Lydia's first time performing in front of others. She performed at the Young Women in Excellence program. I had her sing the song, "What a Wonderful World." She did a really nice job. She said she felt like throwing-up right before she sang. :-) And she said she was sorry for not sounding like she did when she practiced. (An audience changes everything!) She may have been nervous but I think I was even more nervous for her! AND once again, I found myself behind the piano, playing in public -- which to me is ridiculous! It was never in my stars . . . and yet, that was the second time I have played at a young women's program! (Last time I played and sang for myself.) Crazy!

It has been a really good experience for me (and I hope for Lydia, too!) I have really enjoyed helping someone learn to do something that I love. I love music, so much. It fills my soul with great joy.

I believe that our voices are a window to our soul. They come from inside -- deep inside of us. Even our speaking voice is an indicator of who we are. Some are loud and harsh, some soft and pleasant, some are soothing, others troubling, etc., etc. Next time you listen to someone speak or sing, consider how their voice makes you feel -- it is really interesting. I have always felt that singing is an outward expression of the inner spirit. And because of that, music is very powerful. In my life I think the very strongest impressions of the Spirit have been through beautiful music...

Just the other day I almost had to pull the car over because the song, "The Christmas Shoes" came on the radio. Tears were streaming down my face at the chorus:

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please

It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size

Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time

You see she's been sick for quite a while

And I know these shoes would make her smile

And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

- I love that song. I ALWAYS cry!

Music is one of the greatest gifts of God. I am so grateful for it!

It is the season of beautiful music.

May the spirit of the season fill your heart with overwhelming joy and gratitude.

If you sing . . . let it out!

(If you don't sing, you are just not trying hard enough!)

Allow your inner voice to come out!

Sing! Sing! SING!

It will make your heart happy.

(And those around you, too.)

SING!

School Pictures 2010

Daniel second grade: 7 years old

Sammi 4th grade: 9 years old

I sure love these children.

Sammi Sunshine

Sammi has always been followed by "Sunshine". It has been her nick-name from birth. She is a bright, shining light, that provides warmth and joy in our lives. I love her so much. She is growing so fast, it is starting to really scare me! My little baby is 9 years old. 9!!!! To put it into horrifying perspective . . . I was 19 when I got married! It is possible, possible, that in a little over 10 years my new title will be: GRANDMA!!! YIKES! Did I mention I have felt like I have been having a mid-life crisis lately? That is for another post, another day . . .

Sammi age 3 in Spokane. Our first "real" Fall. (Alaskan "Fall" is: Now you see it, now you don't.) I was AMAZED at the color, the amount and size of leaves, and the length of the season. What a beautiful time of year.

Sammi age 9 in Boise. Our yard is COVERED in leaves. We have 2 HUGE trees in our yard that provide plenty of Fall foliage.

Sammi has been having an interesting time with Boys. From rings to stuffed animals -- the boys keep trying to be her "boyfriend". (4th grade, oh what fun.) We, of course, have had many LONG discussions on this topic. She has had to tell the boys she is too young and cannot date until she is 18. One boy actually said, "Yeah, that is probably a good idea." I am not too worried about it though . . . braces, glasses, a bad haircut, and baggy overalls -- should do the trick. Worked for me! (Ok, I did not have glasses.) ;-) I have been teaching her Karate . . . so glad I took Martial arts. Just bring the stinky boys to me . . . Hi-Ya!

Sammi was selected from her classmates and teacher to be a tour guide at the Bown house. She guided people through the historic Boise home. She had a little script and everything -- so cute. She was SO excited about it. She even got a special T-shirt. (She was thrilled about that!)
Sammi loves the Bown house . . .

Sammi and I spent Friday night as "girl's night" while Charles was on a Boy Scout camping trip. (He goes once a month.) He took Daniel with him this time, so it was just me and Sam and William. (Will fell asleep.) Sammi and I spent the night watching Princess Diaries. I was wearing P.J.'s and so Sammi went to find a matching outfit, had to take a picture. (William took the picture.)

Sammi and her Bodyguard.

Just a matter of years before you can call me Grandma . . . Shudder.

Mid-life crisis post to come soon . . . :-)

I LOVE my Sammi Sunshine!

I'm Back!!

I will be brief right now, but I look forward to being less brief, later. I have been without the internet for 3 months! OUCH! (Charles had to take it to his office.) But now... I am back! Hooray! I wanted to get some pictures up and then, later, I will write more . . .

Autumn has been especially beautiful this year here in Boise. We have all been enjoying the weather and the beauty of the season!

Mmmmm . . . yummy. William likes to help mommy make cookies. :-) Mommy likes to eat cookies.

I often find Sammi in her room cuddled up with a good book. Some people read Harry Potter --Sammi studies it.

Our pumpkins for 2010 Halloween. Mine is on the left, Charles on the right. We tied this year. :-) (I usually win, but Charles was determined to show me up!)
I found an old hat that belonged to my Grandma Lindquist. At the last minute, I thought maybe I should dress up for Halloween. (The kids were begging, too.) So, I found her hat, put on a dress and called myself Rosalie from Twilight (when she was human and not a vampire.) Yeah, far cry from her, but hey, I can dream, right? (By the way . . . I totally think hats should come back into fashion, maybe if I start wearing them, everyone will follow??)

We did Trunk or Treat this year on Friday, since Halloween was Sunday. Pictured: Mary Jo, Suzette, Me, Rachelle. (Thanks for letting me steal your picture, Sue.) ;-) We spent Halloween Sunday night with our good friends the Harlins. We ate good food, lit a fire in their fireplace, and watched a movie together. Lots of fun. Later that night, we drove down to Harrison Boulevard to see what all the "talk" has been about for trick or treating. It is an old historic lane with huge homes. It was CRAZY! There were over 3000 people who passed through the area. Some homes had 50-100 carved pumpkins on their stairs, there was a carnival, and TONS of people. It was fun to drive by and watch all the excitement. Apparently, the people who live in those homes spend between $500-$1000 on CANDY! Can you imagine???

Image from Harrison Blvd. photo from KTVB.

On to the cute ones . . .

William was Peter Pan this year, and I must say, he looked the part.



Sammi was Hermoine in her second year at Hogwarts. :-) (She was first year last year.)
Daniel was a stellar Jack Sparrow. He was pretty funny trying to act the part, walking all crazy. :-) It was super-hard to get all his eye make-up off! The next day, it looked like he had been punched in the eyes! I tried to scrub, really, I did. He could not take the pain. That is why women wear make-up, and not men. No pain, no gain.
More to come . . . Do you know how GOOD IT IS to be able to use the internet again??!!! What a blessing! If you have it (which you obviously do), give it a big HUG! :-)