Spring Break Swim Fun!

Last week was spring break and my family got together because MaryKay's oldest daughter got baptized on  Saturday!  I love it when my family gets to hang out together! 

We went out for a birthday lunch for me and Suzanne because our birthdays are so close together.  It was just mom, dad, and all the sisters.  heaven . . .  We sat and talked for 3 hours at Brio and it FLEW by!  

 The next day, my dad took Kelsey to the Chandler Mall and helped her pick out a darling dress with all the accessories.  (Grandpa is SUPER fun to go shopping with!)  It was their own little date! 

 It was an awesome spring break PARTY!!!

It was so much fun having all the cousins play together.  We especially were glad that Suzanne and Tony could drive over from California to be there.  It wouldn't be the same without them.  (we did miss Steve and Ali, though :)  

After 6+hours in the sun, swimming, lots of sunscreen and then sunburns, hamburgers, hot dogs, rootbeer floats, etc. the kids all were wiped out.  So, we left them at home with the older cousins and the adults went out to dinner.  And there you have it . . . the perfect spring break day! 

Happy Birthday to my Best Friend!

Today my closest, most dearest friend in the world is turning 42 . . .

He also just happens to be the love of my life and my eternal companion.  How blessed am I?

 When I was a young girl, I used to dream about what my future husband would be like.  I would even make checklists of "must-have's" that fit, what I thought back then, made the perfect husband.    How did Tom match up with that checklist?  Well, actually he fit every wish I had.  He is tall, has dark hair, is very sporty, has a great sense of humor, honors his priesthood, is a return missionary, etc.  But the checklist that I can make for him now doesn't even compare in worth to me, with that checklist of years ago.    

 Tom is such an amazing father.  As the youngest child in his family, I expected him to know NOTHING about changing diapers, taking care of young kids, bathing them, etc.  Tom just picked up those skills like he had been doing them all of his life.  I have NEVER once heard him complain about having to do something for one of our kids.  He truly adores and loves them and would do anything for them.  Tom never complains about how the house may look or if dinner isn't quite the four-course meal.  For example, last night, I had been driving kids around for 2 1/2 hours straight, here and there, and had 15 min. to come home and make something for my family to eat.  What can I make in 15 minutes?  WAFFLES!  So, we had waffles for dinner.  Tom came home and said, "Hey, I love waffles!"  He knows that I haven't been laying around the house watching movies or shopping with friends at the mall.  That is NOT me!  He knows that I do my best to take care of our kids and they come first--the house doesn't.  Yes, we both love a clean home and I try to take care of it the best I can.  But, if it's a choice to help Spencer with his piano in the morning or do the breakfast dishes, Tom supports me 100% in helping Spencer.  (the dishes get done--just much later in the morning!)  Tom loves his parents and siblings.  I love to hear him talk with his mother and sisters.  They make him laugh and he honestly loves being with them and is always concerned about their well-being.

Tom is completely honest.  I have never known him to lie or deal falsely with another person or in our business.  Tom is SO smart!  I knew he was smart when I met him and heard the type of questions he would ask in our religion class at BYU.  But I had no idea how really smart he was, and at such a variety of subjects.  He graduated at the top of his class in dental school and was admitted into the Orthodontic Program at OHSU because of his high marks.  He can carry on intelligent conversations about history, politics, family life, business, etc.  The only subject he and I are not well-versed in, is pop culture.  We don't see a lot of movies or watch a lot of TV so we are a little out of touch with that stuff.  (and that's ok with us!)   Tom is such a great employer.  He truly cares about the well-being of each staff member and feels the responsibility of their livelihood on his shoulders.  Tom loves to be outdoors.  He loves riding his bike, camping, hiking, and just about anything that gets him out in the fresh air.  Tom is extremely talented.  I always hoped I would marry a guy who appreciated music, like my own father.  But, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would find a guy who could sing like Tom.  We have had some amazing experiences together with our music.  What a gift that has been to our marriage!

I really could write all day about the little things that I love about Tom. But, I think the thing I love most about him, is that his testimony of Jesus Christ is unfailing.  Because of his faithful testimony in Christ, his love for ME is unconditional.  He treats me like a queen, because he understands the covenants he made in the temple when we were married. We are completely unified when making decisions about our children that involve principles of the gospel because we are both adamant followers of Jesus Christ.  I have to say that I have never been more happy in my life than I am right now.  Life does have its rough moments and parenting has definitely given us a run for our money.  But, living this life with Tom by my side has made me a more confident, more faithful, and a much better person simply by following his example. 


 I will forever be grateful to my Heavenly Father that He placed Tom in my life - a guy whose "checklist" went far beyond the superficial ideals of my youth and now holds celestial treasure for me.  

Vocal Point High School Workshop

Exactly one week ago today, Vocal Point came to our high school, Campo Verde, and gave an incredible vocal workshop to our choir students.  It was over and above what I imagined they would do!

First, they performed a few numbers to set the stage.  It let these students know that they are professionals and extremely talented!

Then, they split up into groups and each member taught the group of kids part of a song, "Your love is lifting me higher."  Some kids learned the melody, some the harmony, and some the bass and rhythmic lines.

(some of my friends, Taylor, Dani, and Kaylee)

(more of my cute friends:  Tara, Natalie, and Hannah)

To be honest, I was skeptical on how they could get 60+kids to sing harmony along with them.  But, they were fabulous teachers and really motivated the kids to sing out!

They taught them the difference between opera style singing and pop singing.  The kids were loving it!

Then they had a beat box workshop where some of the boys gave their  best shot at making drum sounds with their mouths!  It was hilarious!
Look at these smiling kids!!!

I love the posters they made:  CV loves VP  (Campo Verde loves Vocal Point!)  -  I am on the right in my yellow sweater.  I even got Kohler out of school so he could hear these guys perform again.  After the workshop, I treated the guys to Jamba Juice and Kohler came with us.  He loved talking to them and I felt like it was a good experience for him to be there with me.  

After Jamba Juice, we headed over to the Gilbert Temple construction site.  

The missionary couple serving at the temple site begged the boys to sing a song for them.  Graciously, they agreed and sang "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul."  It was the Rob Gardner arrangement and one of my favorites.  While they sang, the Spirit could be felt so strongly and I realized again that THIS is why BYU sends out performing groups.  

Afterwards, we said our goodbyes and Kohler and I got back into the car.  I asked him how the guys sounded, even with all of the construction noises in the background.  He said, "Mom, I didn't hear any of those noises while they sang.  I just looked over at the temple and I knew that what goes on in that building, is true!"  I have to admit, that as a mother, I was SO grateful that he was there with me to experience that moment, instead of in class learning geometry.  Math can be made up at another time, but feeling the Spirit with a singing group like that, was a once in a lifetime experience.  

OK - time to catch up!

Wow - last week was one of the busiest I've had this year so far.  BYU's Vocal Point came to Mesa on Tuesday, Feb. 28th and I've been planning that show for over one year now.  That show, combined with a high school choir workshop, Hailey's Kindergarten Musical, the Kid History Movie Premiere, my birthday, meeting with the mall leasing agent for our possible new business, and my dear friend's daughter's wedding, all made for one crazy week!

So, let me show you how my week began (after my birthday)---I woke up to find this letter on the counter.

 It seems that my little kindergartner has a major crush on Dale.  He is a darling boy that our family has become friends with through our recent play, The King and I.  Dale played the oldest crown prince, Chulalongkorn.  

This is Dale, Hailey's little heart throb!

He just turned 14 on Saturday but is as tall as Spencer.  Poor guy---but anyway, I had to have a little talk with Hailey about when it's appropriate to write notes to boys, etc. etc. etc.  Ha!  Dale never got the letter but he knows exactly how Hailey feels about him.  He calls her the little "leech" because she doesn't leave his side whenever we see him.  (we've had a little talk about this as well!)


Alright - on to other things.  The same day as my BYU event, Hailey also had her kindergarten musical.  We couldn't attend the evening concert but I came to the afternoon assembly.  Those little kids are so darn cute!

Hailey's class is on the far right.

They are the butterflies!

She is the cutest BUG in the bunch!

On to the performance - around 5:30 the kids and I headed up to the Mesa Arts Center.  Tom was driving like a mad man from San Diego to make it in time for the show.  He had a 5 day orthodontic study-course over the weekend.  He made it just in time to hear me give the last announcements before the prayer! 

Here are Kohler and Kelsey eating dinner with some of the guys from Vocal Point. They were so cute to talk to my kids and ask them a bunch of questions.

This is Tom Duford (our service coordinator), Kohler, Kevin Hunt (our food coordinator) and his niece.

 This is the Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Arts Center.  This is where I booked the concert.  I was really torn between a high school theater which was quite a bit cheaper, or this venue which cost more, but seated a lot more people and was an incredibly beautiful place to perform.  I am SO glad that I made the right decision.  We completely SOLD OUT the theater and made a ton of money to give away as replenishment grant scholarships to Arizona BYU Students. In the 10 years I've been hosting BYU groups, this is the first time we have had an excess over our expenses like this.  Usually our alumni chapter makes about $500 or so.  I expect to bring in well over $12,000+.  I can't wait to see what the bottom line will be in the next few days!

 Here is Jake, one of the lead singers and the famous face of the TV show, "The Sing Off" where Vocal Point performed last season.  Spencer is so lucky that Jake signed his shirt!

 Here are the guys warming up in the green room.  It was really cool to have my kids participate in the "before-the show" scene.  The director got all the performers in a circle and invited my kids and I to join them.  He asked us to close our eyes and imagine all the great performers who have been on this stage.  (even the Republican Debate was held on this very stage one week ago from this show)  He asked us all to picture in our minds the patrons that would come to the show, to think about their desires, and how they could touch the lives of those in the audience.  Then, they offered a prayer.  It was a very powerful experience for my kids and I was so thrilled they could be a part of it.  

Afterwards, I told my kids that they just experienced what their dad and I used to do when WE toured with BYU groups.  I hope that they could see a tiny glimpse of why we love talking about our performing days with such adoration.  Those truly are fond memories for us.

(from L to R) Ross, John, Landon, Trevor, Robert Jake, McKay, Jake, and Tanner


Tomorrow I will write all about the incredible workshop they put on for the choir students at Campo Verde High School!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turned 42 . . .  I just can't believe it.  Some days I feel much younger than that and other days I feel much older than that--ha ha!  I am just so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to live at least 42 years on this earth with a husband that I adore and four wonderful children that fill my life with complete JOY.

This is my little family, five years ago.  It's amazing how much we have all changed in just five years!

Today for my birthday, I have decided to do:
1.  Something I really should do
2.  Something I really like to do
3.  Something I've needed to do
4.  Something I love to do and hardly give myself time to do it


So, I after the kids went off to school (and I convinced them that they really couldn't stay home with me even if it was my birthday!--two of my kids really wanted to though!), I checked off #1 and went to a one hour Body Pump weight lifting class.  I like going but it's not at the top of my list of favorite things to do.  But, it's something I really should do and I was glad I went because my sister, MaryKay, ended up teaching the class and it was SO much fun to talk to her afterwards!


Then, for #2, I really wanted to go for a bike ride.  I got home and all of a sudden, this crazy windstorm came on hard and strong!  It's actually still going on outside.  So, my bike ride will have to be postponed for a while because I don't feel like swallowing dust and bugs on my bday bike ride.


#3 - Something I've needed to do---I finally, at age 42, scheduled my first mammogram.  (cheers, applause!)  I am going to get my test done on Thursday.  The receptionist said there was availability for today, but getting my girls squished flat is not on my list of fun bday things to do!


#4 - I love to play my piano.  I try to sit down and play at least once a day but I am so task oriented that laundry, emails, and other chores seem to take precedence in my mind and I neglect the very thing that brings me so much joy.  So, today, before my kids get home, I am going to sit down and play my heart out.  I can't wait!


Tom is still in San Diego at a fabulous Orthodontic Course.  He has been there since Friday.  I miss him so much but I'm so glad he is learning a lot of great stuff for our practice.  We decided to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday night when he gets back.  My kids felt bad this morning that there were no birthday plans for after school.  But I told them, that the best birthday present I could ever get on my special day was that EACH one of them were righteous, kind, honest, fun, and loving children.  I couldn't have asked for a more happy life than the one I am living right now . . . and that, right there, puts "the icing on the cake" for me today.  

Melt my heart

This morning, after our scripture reading, Kohler asked me if he could get a ride to school.  (not because he wanted to spend quality time with me, but because the truck was running really low on gas! ha ha)  I actually used to love driving him to school.  It was my own personal "Kohler time", even if it was only 15 minutes---I cherished every minute.  Before he got out of the car today, he gave me a hug and said, "I love you Mama!" Those words just melted my heart.  I am so blessed to have such a good boy as my oldest son.  He truly has a big heart and an even bigger personality!  I love him so much!

Cast Party

Wow - this weekend was a whirlwind!  We hosted a cast party at our home, I taught Sunday School and Relief Society, we had a trek meeting for our stake, and I have had my mom visiting me last week---- which has been SO much fun!  I just love having her around.  I wish we could see both her and my dad more often.  But, my wish will come true---they are coming back next month for Maya's baptism.  Yeah!!

Here's grandma giving tips to Spencer on how to make the world's best scrambled eggs.  They were SO delicious!

Here is the amazing cast of "The King and I."  

We decided to host the cast party at our home last Saturday night and we had over 65 people show up for dinner and lots of music!  

 Here's the director's son, Chris Okawa, and Sonia Bria.

 Here is Kohler "wowing" the teenagers with his piano skills!  

 Some other Copperstar friends, Jana Hanson, Rebecca Barney, and the director's daughter, Shanti Okawa.

Almost all of the adults stayed and sang great musical theater songs until about 11 p.m.  It was a musical family's DREAM party!  Really, it was so much fun.  I am so glad we had this time to relax with these great friends we've made!