The list is getting shorter

I am starting to see a brighter light at the end of a very long tunnel.  In fact, it is getting harder to be patient as the basement finishing project is getting closer to the end.

What's left? I think this is it ... (updated what is left to do on June 6, 2011 - need to do in RED).
Grout bathroom floors
Finish installing tile in bar area
Shower wall tile installation (purchase and install).
Find a great deal on vanities for the bathroom and install.
Light fixture in Jenna's bedroom
Light fixture in Jaley and Jenna's bathroom over vanities
Baseboards in the bathrooms and other areas that won't have radiant heat.
CO (done) and smoke detectors.
4 lights in the bar area.
2 light over the island in the bar area (won't do this until we eventually have cabinets)
Theater sconce lights (figure out what to do)
Basement landing sconce lights (figure out what to do)
Install tub in Jaley's bathroom.
Door and window trim (Jenna's window trim).
Fix the paint on Jenna's bedroom door (it ran)
Paint all door and window trim.
Paint theater room and Jenna's closet (oops, we forgot that!).
Fill in seams of concrete to make it level for carpet.
Clean concrete from drywalling mess
Seal concrete after cleaning it; before carpet is installed
Carpet (hopefully coming June 6)
Eventually the bar area cabinets...
Eventually install the radiant baseboards and heat.

Yes, the list still seems long .... but you should have seen it before.

Crossing our fingers ... carpet installation is set for June 6.

He's cookin'

Yep. Kendall is becoming a great cook.


30 seconds for 1 sausage

200 (two minutes) for 5 chicken nuggets.

His newest favorite ... corn dog. 44 seconds.

I just heard him go out the garage door (beep ... alarm system) and come back in (beep). Now beep beep beep (microwave) and clapping - as he watches his corn dog cook. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ZERO!!! Clapping again.

He's so cute.

Final Day

Today is the last day of school for the kids.  Jenna will be glad ... no more finals.   It is hard to believe Summer Vacation is starting tomorrow.  It's cold (in my opinion). 

Kerst had a class party yesterday.  The kids voted and picked Brunswick Zone.  The kids were surprised when a parent arranged for them to take a limo to their party.  These kids have been together for 2 years - they looped with their teacher.  Kerst joined in on the fun this year since he switched schools due to the move.

Kerst and his 4th grade class.  Kerst is back row near the middle wearing an orange shirt.

Summer plans?
Jenna has a life guarding job
Jenna and Kerst are on the swim team
Finish the basement (we are getting there!) and move Jenna and Jaley down there (can't wait!)
Clean up from the basement finishing dust/mess  (sigh)
I would love to work on the yard ... it needs help
Drop Julia off at BYU (sniff sniff)
Family Reunion
Family Reunion
Jaley EFY
Jaley/Jenna Trek

As I look at it, it seems like our summer is over before it even starts ... I know it is going to go by too quickly.

Graduated

Wednesday.  Julia and I left the house at 6:30 a.m. ... and had to go back. She forgot her flute. We still made it to the field before 7:00 - two hours early. It was cold. Damp cold. We could practically drink the air. It felt like it would rain any moment. The kids were being instructed on how to protect their instruments and what to do if it rained during singing. Ugh. 

I was able to take some pictures of her rehearsing the music number ... and being the funny spunky girl we know and love ...

Julia graduated with High Honors.

She should have received the NHS (red/white/blue chord) but didn't turn in her service hours in time.  She had the gold/gold chord for 3.75-4.0 GPA.  Pink Chord for Tri-M Honor Society.

The night before graduation she was honored for her All State achievement (All State Choir). She will have a ceramic plate/tile put on the wall of the High School with her picture and her honor on it. 15 students made the Senior Wall of Honor.

At the Awards Ceremony (and at graduation) we were told that this graduating class of 360 students was awarded 6.4 million dollars in scholarships! Impressive.

By 9:00 a.m. it had warmed up.  A little.  No threat of rain anymore.  It was overcast so perfect for pictures.

Julia marched on the field with her class and went straight to the Band. 

She played the Star Spangled Banner with the band and then walked up and sat on stage. A graduating student addressed the graduating class, a musical number (microphones weren't cooperating with her) another talk and then Julia's musical number. Amazing. I taped it. It is a little giggly because I used my monopod. The sound is beautiful so when you watch it, just close your eyes and soak it in.

 They sang "When You Come Back Down"   Mikaela M sang first.  TJ J. was the next solo.  Madeline G and then Julia had the last solo.  What a beautiful song (and I can hear Julia's beautiful high voice ...)

When they finished, they sat down with the rest of their graduating class and listened to the faculty teacher address them.

I liked what he told them. He said there are 3 types of people. 1 - the people who make things happen. 2 - the people who watch what happens. 3 - the people who say, "what just happened?" He wants them to be the ones who make things happen.  Julia will make things happen.  I know it.

Julia's name was called. And it was over. Wow. 18 years blew by just like that.

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day.  The end of one journey that leads to another.

Graduation.

Where did 18 years go?  Can I really have a graduating senior?  I have had a couple of friends in the area go through this experience with their oldest during the past couple of years.  It was hard on them.  They cried.  They cried frequently - their child's last Christmas at home, their last mother's day at home, their last ...

I learned from them.  I didn't want to do that. 

I learned from my parents.  I don't remember my parents pointing out it was my last _______.   I don't remember them being sad.  They didn't hold me back.  They helped me strengthen my wings so that I could fly on my own.

So .... I soaked it all in - Julia's Senior Year.  I enjoyed the last first day of high school (heading out the door with her clear backpack ... her trademark), the first day she drove to school in her car, the last high school Christmas break, the last high school dance, the last high school spring break, the last high school prom, the last high school musical (and boy did I love this), the last choir concert she sang in, the last time she directed her music group, Enchords, the last banquet ...

And now we are going to see her fly ...

Graduation announcement - front

Graduation announcement back

Open House announcement (business card size) front.  The back has the information - time, date, place with rain venue

This is the announcement we sent out to family and friends.  We opted to make our own and not do the normal Josten's announcement (at $2.00+/announcement!  It is a racket I say!).  I think they turned out beautifully!  We printed the top two pictures on a postcard 5x7 (front and back).  We then printed the 3rd picture on a business card for her open house invitation with the back having the open house information.

The open house is Thursday from 4-6/7 p.m. at Coyote Ridge.  If it rains, it will be at our ward building.  Yes, there is rain in the forecast this entire week.  It will still be a day full of sunny memories.

Dear Jules ...

Yearbooks are distributed to Seniors today.  This is Julia's LAST TUESDAY ever in high school.  The last day is Thursday.

Here is the yearbook tribute to Julia:

We are happy to claim credit for your intelligence, creativity, perseverance, perfectionism, commitment, music abilities, and good looks even if it means owning up to your stubbornness, criticality and burping skills. You have blessed our family with your music, your example, your smile and your faith. May you always find joy in all you do. Whether you are called Julia, Jules or Daeia, we are proud to call you our daughter.


Love,

Mom and Dad

"Just follow your heart, that's what I do." - Napoleon Dynamite

Enchords - the finale - for Abby

The last post I wrote mentioned that Julia's a cappella group, Enchords, sang for the last time together. 

The girls were asked to sing one last time. 

Today. 

For Abby.

It was a beautiful, moving finale

I know I am overcome with just the beautiful notes - but listen to the lyrics too (typed below).  So fitting ... as Abby has golden hair.  Abby passed away last Wednesday - she won.  Cancer didn't beat her down.  I was able to record this during their sound check. 

left to right - Lauren V., Madeline G., Madi S., Aubrey E., Sierra M., Quinn K., Mikaela M., Julia  (Julia is the high soprano ... oh how I love her voice)

Under the Willow by Stephen Foster arr LaBarr

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.

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.

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

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