Enchords - their final performance - Under the Willow

As a Mom, it brings such peace and joy knowing that your child has found their passion.  Music.  Music speaks to and comforts the soul.  I love it when Julia brings me to the computer to listen to a new piece she wants to introduce to the a cappella group she formed and directs, Enchords.  Her passion for music and choral directing is amazing.

Julia fell in love with this piece months ago.  It is breathtaking.  I wish we were in a better venue for the concert - it was a very moving piece.

Enchords singing Under the Willow by Foster.  (Julia is on the far right with the pitch pipe starting the group).  Quinn is in the center with some beautiful solo parts.  These girls are amazing.

I am sad to see Julia end this amazing chapter ... yet excited to see and hear of the wonderful experiences she will have at BYU.  She has touched many with her musical gift.  She will make an amazing music teacher and will bless the lives of many young minds.

I know I am overcome with just the beautiful notes - but listen to the lyrics too

Under the Willow

(Julia and Mikaela start off singing the first verse - far right)
Under the willow she’s laid with care
(Sang a lone mother while weeping,)
Under the willow, with golden hair,
My little one’s quietly sleeping.

Chorus:
Fair, fair, and golden hair,
(Sang a lone mother while weeping,)
Fair, fair, and golden hair;
Under the willow she’s sleeping.

(Quinn sings Ah - she is in the center)

Under the willow no songs a heard,
Near where my darling lies dreaming;
Nought but the voice of some far of bird
Where life and its pleasures beaming.

Chorus:
Fair, fair, and golden hair,

(Sang a lone mother while weeping,)
Fair, fair, and golden hair;
Under the willow she’s sleeping.

(Quinn sings Ah)

Under the willow I breathe a prayer
Long to linger forever
Near to my angel with golden hair,
(Julia and Mikaela) In lands where there’s sorrowing never.

Chorus: (Julia and Mikaela)
Fair, fair, and golden hair,

(Sang a lone mother while weeping,)
Fair, fair, and golden hair;
Under the willow she’s sleeping.

(Quinn sings Ah)

A quick basement tour

Here is a quick tour of the basement ... drywall is up so it looks more like a living space!

We don't have any lights hooked up in the ceiling so some rooms are a bit dark - although we do have lamps plugged in.  It was amazing how well the drywallers worked in poor lighting.

Editor's note:  I filmed this yesterday afternoon.  More workers came about 4:30 and mudded most of the seams and nail/screw holes ... and ran out of mud.  They are coming back this morning to finish up the small amount left.  I figure they will be sanding tomorrow and then texturizing!!!

Dust Me

Under construction.  Basement.  We passed our final "rough" inspections today (shower pan and drywall).  John did an amazing job -and saved tons of money- doing the underground plumbing, above ground plumbing and electrical himself.  We learned how to install custom made shower pan liners ... after hiring someone to do it and then firing him because of his incompetency.  I left Home Depot feeling like an expert after talking to their "professional plumbers".  Just think, our shower pan installer only needed to go there and ask how to do it rather than sound like he knew what he was doing.  I have learned that if you want it done right, do it yourself.

Hard to imagine that I dusted the piano (pictured above) not even 36 hours ago.  We have the cold air intakes taped up and the basement landing covered in plastic ... yet the drywall dust keeps creeping up.  It is only going to get worse because we still have to have the mudding, sanding and texturizing to be done this week.

I see a light at the end of the tunnel ... a very long tunnel.

Bucket List

Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Check.  Check.


NY is Chicago times 100. Amazing. Busy. Wonderful. Friendly. Inspiring.

John came home from work the day before I left and saw a purse on the counter. "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?" I laughed. I had just bought my first purse. I don't carry purses. I needed one for this trip to stash my camera(s).


Julia went to NY with her high school choir a couple of weeks ago.  Two other Moms and I shadowed them ... or as some might say - we were groupies.  I guess this is meant to be a demeaning term according to the Band Director who was less than thrilled that we were "shadowing" the kids.  Whatever.  I see being a groupie as "An enthusiastic supporter or follower".  We followed the choir to listen to them sing at different venues and we took in the sights along the way. 
This was my first "girls trip".  I survived ... John survived ... the kids survived.

My other groupie Moms were wonderful to hang with.  We mastered the subway.  We enjoyed the sites and sounds (not necessarily some of the smells).  We LOVED seeing the kids whenever we had a chance.

Teacher Appreciation

Julia and I attended a teacher appreciation night last night.

Julia nominated a teacher who was honored last night.  There were over 2 dozen teachers recognized last night and out of those teachers, 4 of them were music teachers.  The superintendent was in attendance last night ... hopefully she saw how important the arts (music, etc) are to these students.  Budget cuts really hurt the kids ...

Julia honored her choir director -  Mrs. Julia D.  Yes, they are both named Julia.  In fact, they are identical in almost every way.  Their passion for music.  Their personalities.  And they are both fun and beautiful.

My Julia takes school seriously.  She considers school a job.  She has a lot of respect for her teachers.   This year Julia is taking 4 music classes.  Three of them are with her teacher Mrs. D.  When Julia gets to know someone, her fun-loving personality really shines through.  Here is proof:

Here is a picture of the plaque from the teacher appreciation night last night.  When it was their turn to take their picture the photographer asked, "Are you sure you want this as your picture?" 

They both looked at each other and smiled.  "YES!"

(Mrs. D. put on the spectacles behind her from the display and Julia grabbed a book from the table center piece ... and struck a studious pose).

During the presentation, Julia's tribute was read.  At the end, both Julias hugged each other (My friend Wendy would have made sure EVERYONE hugged).  They were the first hug of the night - and towards the end of the program. 

Julia's tribute: 
Mrs. D is an inspiration to me because she is more than just a teacher to many students: she is a friend. Her classroom is always full of students because of the warm, welcoming environment she has created. It's obvious that students are drawn to her when kids that aren't even in her class frequently visit the choir room. Her passion for choral music makes choir just as exciting for her students as it is for her. She has shown me how exciting music can be and has influenced me to pursue a career in music education. I hope that one day I can be half the teacher that she has been for me. Thanks, Mrs. D, for all you've done for me and everyone else that admires you.

Thank you to all of the teachers who have touched and inspired Julia.  You hold the whole world in your hands ... our children and the future.

Sandy and Sonny collecting leaves - musical

Here is a progression of a clip in the scene from Grease where Sandy (Julia) and Sonny (Cameron) leave the stage to collect leaves for biology.  The final show had some fun extra energy ... take a look.

I. Need. Water.

John found some great deals at a going out of business sale this past weekend.  He came home with a much needed new refrigerator.  The fridge that came with the house freezes our food in the refrigerator - even when set on the warmest setting. 

John installed the new refrigerator but did not hook up the water line to the ice maker and water dispenser since the line on the old fridge was leaking.  We moved the old fridge into our entryway until we can move it into the hopefully soon-to-be finished basement (this would usually drive me crazy, but since we don't get any surprise drop-in visitors at our new home I didn't come up with a better option ... we are not conveniently located for drop-ins and solicitors)

We were sitting at the kitchen table with our friends Scott and Lorena P. when Julia got up to get a drink of water.  Out of habit she attempted to get water from the water dispenser from the newly installed refrigerator.

"Mom, Dad, the water doesn't work."

"Dad hasn't hooked it up yet."

Julia turned.  I started to laugh as she passed the other water sources: kitchen sink and then the bathroom sink. I knew exactly where she was headed.

"Julia, that fridge doesn't have water either.  There is no waterline running to it."

Granted, she was a little tired after prom.

Jazz Choir Auditions ... Jenna

Jenna auditioned for Jazz Choir (the top choir in the High School) on Monday.

She received word last night that she had a call back this morning.

We just found out that she made it!  10 boys 12 girls

Super excited!

In the news

Julia was in an article in the High School paper regarding her roll in the musical, Grease.

THE DATE ... Prom Photos

Julia's date, Cameron S. is a really funny and sweet young man.  He reminds us of some great friends in UT.

His facebook status after prom was really sweet ...

Amount of stars viewable right now - amazing
Challenger as my car for today - heck yeah
Seeing my date all fancied up and beautiful! - jaw dropping, amazing, incredible, unforgettable, heart stopping... The list goes on and on ;) go prom 2011!

The group for photos at a local golf course (the only place that is green at the moment)

The traditional scared date photo

Julia and her best friend, Madeline G.

The fun couple

And some more "serious" pictures ... this is what happens when you have a paparazzi Mom

They had so much fun!  What a way to end your senior year!!!

THE DRESS ... PROM 2011

Prom was this weekend.  Thankfully I got her dress "modest-ified" a couple of weeks ago because last week was super busy!  Her Dad had the sweetest reaction ... seeing his little girl looking all grown up and beautiful.

So here is what you have been waiting for ... the dress ...

Here are her nails - they remind Julia of the flowers in the movie Tangled - her new favorite Disney Princess

Julia's favorite

My favorite ... Julia on the rock.  Our backyard has some great spots for pictures and I have to admit, I did an okay job!

And we have to include some of her personality ...



Julia - The Little Mermaid



Cheese ... she will never change :)

Our Jules - Senior Hallway for after prom

Our school dedicates a hallway to the graduating seniors at the after prom party.  The senior hallway is a highlight for all who attend the community open house for the after prom party (while the kids are at prom, we check out their after prom set up).

Each family is asked to put together a picture collage for their student.  The senior hallway has a theme.  I was given a piece of paper (8.5x11) that I needed to use.  The instructions said that I could have some of the pictures/embellishments hang off the edges so I took advantage of that opportunity.

I used the photos my sister took of her during her Senior Photoshoot.  Two favorite little kid pictures of her, a family picture and some musical pictures.

Here is Julia's ... I think it turned out great! I did it on my photo editing program (Microsoft Digital Image Suite 10 ... I really need to learn how to do photoshop).

She will get to see it tonight for the first time when she attends her Senior After Prom party

A Nightingale Sang In ....

Barkley Square Central Park

Julia's choir took a trip to New York.  They were able to sing in Central Park.  After they were done singing, one man asked for them to sing another song.

For Mikaela .... musical

Mikaela M. played Jan in our high school musical Grease.  She did such a wonderful job!  Her facial expressions were priceless.  I have tons of photos of that ...

wish you could see her up close in this video clip.

Here is a favorite of mine from the musical with Mikaela.  Mooning Over You.  It starts out with Roger (Matt) and Jan (Mikaela) talking about cheese burgers and drinking coke.  Then Marty (Jessica) and Danny (TJ) have a conversation.  Matt starts to choke at :47 - on purpose when Danny says he tried out for the track team.   Enjoy the rest of their conversation regarding Roger's famous reputation ... and the song!

She's sweet

16!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest 16 year old out there!  I love you Jenna-yen.