A First

An opportunity arose for Karissa to cheer with the Varsity Steelers at a USA Hockey's National Team match. It was a fundraiser for the Steelers during our off season. We just had to buy tickets for the game and a portion of the money went to the Steelers. It has been my favorite fundraiser so far! We got to support the Steelers by watching a hockey game and our girls cheer after one of the quarters. They had only one practice to get ready for this, so it didn't require much time for that either. They invited all the girls who will be on Varsity this fall. It was fun for Karissa to be with her future squad.

There were a couple of problems from our side, though. Austin ended up being sick, so he couldn't go. The other problem was that they were supposed to cheer after the second quarter, but ended up cheering after the first quarter, so I missed it because I wasn't there yet and Jason missed recording it because he didn't know they were going to bump it up either. I do have a practice recording from the coach, which is awful quality, but the cheer looks good after only about an hour practice. It was nothing complicated, but the girls looked clean. Karissa is in the middle/back in green.

That same day, Victoria had extra dance practices for her upcoming recital, as well as her first church sponsored Winter Formal Dance. Due to the fact that she had to go a little late to the dance, she missed getting ready with the girls in the ward, but was happy to go "fashionably late". She wasn't sure she even wanted to go dance with boys, with whom she's friends with, and was hesitant to dress up super fancy. Luckily, we had this nice dress from our cousin Natalie, so we didn't have to worry about finding a dress that she might think would be too fancy. It turns out, she wore the perfect thing!

Part of the reason I missed Karissa's cheering was because I had to pick Victoria up from dance class and wait for her to get ready, then drive her to the church (leaving Austin to rest at home). I'm glad Jason called me on the way to the church to tell me I had already missed the cheer, so I didn't have to rush over to the game and could just go home with Austin.

She always looks good, even if she doesn't want to dress up fancy!

Victoria and Rose

They go all out to decorate the church for these Winter Formals each year. 

Victoria did enjoy herself dancing with her friends, even with the boys. Karissa and Erik enjoyed the hockey game with Jason. Austin and I relaxed at home. It was the first time I got to sit down in something other than the car all day! I even got read my book!

Federation

Victoria, Karissa, and Austin participated in Federation, recently, for piano. All were pushing really hard at the end to get their songs perfected, except for Austin. He was pretty chill about it the whole time. He was prepared, and he knew it! The girls needed lots of practice and we weren't quite sure if they were going to get the Superior they needed for Victoria to earn a trophy for her final year and Karissa to stay on her Superior streak.

At Federation, Austin was pretty much flawless on both his songs. Victoria was flawless on one and almost on the other. Karissa was pretty much flawless on one, in fact it was the best she ever played it, in my opinion. Her other song, however, she restarted 3 times, and then played it with only a few mistakes. I guess her judge pushed those 3 starts aside and focused on the third time because she got a Superior! Austin and Victoria did as well! Since Victoria was "robbed" a couple years ago from her Superior, which I felt like she had earned, I feel like this other judge made up for it by giving Karissa hers. So Victoria will finally get her trophy and Karissa is on her way to another. Austin should get his first one next year, assuming he does just as well, or better.

I couldn't record there, but I got their songs at home. They were memorized for Federation, but they used some of the music for these recordings. Victoria messed up a couple of times on To the Garden when I was recording and didn't want to record again. She's so done with piano! I'm glad she's stuck with it his long, though! She has great talent for the piano, but she has other priorities now.

Karissa played Raindrops on my Roof  and Mauzrka.

Austin played Witches Brew (played at Scouts) and Nimble Fingers.

Victoria played Bold Attitude and To the Garden. 

I don't know why theirs didn't post right...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjNaIQxdh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAaNUVqbNcQ

I'm so proud of my pianists!

My Birthday

I like being in my 40's now. 41 is not old to me anymore. I finally realize how young people in their 20's really are! I also kinda like having a teenage girl, usually;). She really wanted to make my birthday special for me this year. She made Jason take her out late Monday night to get me some gifts of things she knew I wanted or love. She woke up at 5:15 Tuesday morning to make me breakfast before going to orchestra, and at her choir concert last night she surprised me with a little birthday message on the mic. Such a big heart!

The other good thing about a teenage daughter is that I finally have someone to share shoes with!! When I was younger, I couldn't wait for my feet to become fully grown so I could share shoes with my sister. She always had cooler shoes than me and a pair of boots that I so wanted to wear. I could always make the shirts work out and some dresses, but never the shoes! Well, she wore an 8 (her feet have since grown even more;)) and I got up to a 6 1/2 and I never got to share shoes with her! Now, Victoria wears 6 1/2 and we recently bought a pair of church shoes that we're going to share. I'm so excited! She's been borrowing some of my clothes the past year and now she's letting me borrow some of hers. It's way too much fun for me!

Some of my gifts were a Vitamix blender (I knew about this one since Jason and I got it for a good deal), an awesome travel Osprey backpack, an art tile from Karissa, lavender soap, chocolate, and a sign from Victoria, and some surprise packages and cards in the mail from family and friends afar. I felt very spoiled!

My boys were funny, particularly Austin. That morning, as Jason was leaving for work, he mentioned my birthday in the prayer. Austin asked, "It's your birthday?" We said yes. He said, "I thought it was yesterday," as he stared at all the packages and gifts on the counter. And then said nothing! No, "Happy Birthday, Mom!" He just went on his day. I had to remind him later on that it's polite to wish people a happy birthday when you discover it's their birthday that day, even if it's your old mom!

I got to be the mystery reader in Erik's class and then Austin's right after. Erik was sure to tell the whole class it was my birthday and how old I was. I sure enjoyed reading to their classes though. I choose some great books, if I say so myself;)

My breakfast, with flowers from Jason.

My new sign.

After the concert. 

We always love birthday cake!!

I loved her songs this concert! Here are a couple of them, including her little surprise for me!

Pictures That Wouldn't Post From the World Sabbath Post Below

At the Mosque

Delicious Middle Eastern Food!

World Sabbath Interfaith Experience

Victoria, Karissa, and I had the opportunity to play in a little orchestra at church a couple of weeks ago. We have a very talented lady in our stake, who used to be in our ward, and put together this  group, mostly of people from my ward, who play a string instrument, and a couple of flutists. She composed I am a Child of God and Teach Me to Walk in the Light for the cello, viola (which Karissa plays), the violin (1st and 2nd parts, Victoria played 1st and I played 2nd), and flute. There were 4 cellists, 3 violas, 6 violinists, and 2 flutes. It was beautiful and such a great experience for me to share with my girls. We went to a couple of practices and didn't have to practice too much at home, so it was doable! Our performance in sacrament meeting was nice and fulfilling for me!

The other reason this group was put together was so that we could participate in the World Sabbath event that was held at the Islamic House of Wisdom last Sunday evening. It was An Interfaith Experience of Music and Prayer. We added some youth and primary kids to sing I am a Child of God while we played, so Austin got to participate in that part. Erik and Jason attended and we all got to experience the beauty of music presented by other religions in our area. It was a great cultural and faith-promoting experience! The other religions were Jewish (they sang some songs and blew the Shofar), Muslim, Hindu (they blew the conch shell in addition to their songs), Christian, Zoroastrian, Amma, Baha'i, Jain, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. At the end, we waved some pieces of fabric as a sign and pledge of peace among the religions. It was great to be around so many people who still believe in God. Even though parts got a little long, I think my kids really did enjoy feeling the connection with other religions. They learned, as did I, that we have a lot more in common than we think. The best part was the opportunity we had to share our testimonies in our music. We were one of the shortest numbers, but also one of the ones that had the most effect with all of our instruments. It turned out at this even that Karissa was the only viola because the other two (mother and daughter) were at the hospital. The daughter (Evelyn) had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I played a little bit of the viola part at the beginning with Karissa, but she held her own and did great!! When it was over, we were treated to some Middle Eastern food (some of my favorite)!!

I'm not sure if our church will be participating in it next year, but it will be hosted at the North Congregational Church. They been doing these for 20 years now! Our church has participated in it here and there. I guess it depends on who holds the Public Affairs calling as to whether or not we participate in it.

Here's the video clip. Austin is singing the second from the right, Victoria is on the right of the man in the middle, and Karissa and I are on the left. You can hear Erik in the background and his funny noises!

(Now this week, my pictures aren't posting... sigh)  Maybe I'll post this and then try the two pictures I want to put up on another post.