This amazing picture is of my grandparents. My Grandpa Rex passed away in 1990 and my dear Grandma Katie followed on March 25, 2013.She made me feel like I was her absolute favorite (but I'm confident that my many cousins would beg to differ). It didn't matter what I did, she always acted like I was the smartest, most talented, most beautiful girl in the world. A few years ago, I gave her a picture that I took of a yellow flower. She had it displayed on her end table and would tell me how much she loved it and that it reminded her of me. Sometimes I felt like I was the only person in her world that mattered. She made us all feel that way. She had an enormous capacity to love. I want to be like that. I have the same picture in my house and it will continue to remind me of her, and that I should never stop trying to become the smartest, most talented, most beautiful girl. I don't want to let her down.
I think my lack of interest in blogging started when I was asked in ward council to make a mormon.org profile. That was months ago and I still haven't done it. I feel very intimidated by the idea. Frankly, I'm afraid of coming across like a stereotype. On the surface I feel like I don't have anything interesting to say. It's really made me think about who I am and who I want to be.
Life has been very busy for the past few months. The kids are growing and going. They've made me a proud mom in many ways. Brian's working, working and working on a new business that we are extremely excited about.
I started teaching ballet in September, and I am loving it. I feel like pinching myself every time I get to teach or attend a class. I don't know how I got so lucky to have found Robbin Elowe. I'm still learning pointe ballet, and I can't get enough of it. I try to stay after I teach on Mondays and practice, plus I attend 2 pointe classes per week. I still don't love the pink tights, but it's worth it. It's really hard. When I bought my shoes a year ago and went to my first class, I thought "there's no way I will ever be able to dance in these." It got easier, but I didn't think I'd ever be able to let go of the barre. Today I did pique turns all the way across the floor. Yep, feeling pretty good about it!
notable events since my last post:
Katy turned 12, got a cell phone, & started going to mutual. Oy vey.
Cam passed another grueling belt exam and is now in black belt training.
Halloween costumes: vampire, Luke Skywalker and Rambo. Cam: "none of the kids know who I am, but all of the grown ups do."
Katy danced beautifully in The Nutcracker.
Dal met Santa, and I don't know if I've ever seen this kid so excited.
This is my favorite one. My babies on Christmas morning, all snuggly in my bed before presents.
if it weren't for you,
I would have more money
I would do less laundry
I would get more sleep
I would hardly ever worry
but because of you,
I got the name "mom"
I have boxes of priceless artwork
I get an after-school hug
I laugh daily
I get to watch you grow
I get to be selfless
I have 12 years of memories
I have felt pure joy
Cam's birthday was in May, but it's been a little too hot to take his pictures here at home. I waited until we went to Idaho so I could use one of my favorite places, downtown Boise, as a backdrop.
This is the first of many baskets full of raspberries that I picked in my parents' garden last week. They are unbelievably good. The fruits of our labor: raspberry lemonade, raspberry limeade, raspberry jam, raspberry sherbet & raspberry vinegarette.... I think that was my favorite.
Other things there has been no shortage of:
*My dad's homemade ice cream (the kind that ruins lives) in these flavors: chocolate, after-dinner mint, pineapple, coconut & lemon.
*Badminton games. We're trying to invent a way to see the birdie at night. Our ideas so far: spray painting the birdies with glow-in-the-dark paint (the paint flakes off after a game or two), tying a 1-inch glow stick to the inside of the birdie (this hinders the birdie's flight quite a bit).
*Black trampoline toes.
We got to see my nieces Kelly and Abby dance in their recital, and of course the reason for the trip... Kelly's baptism. I'm so grateful that I was able to go and be a part of her special day.
Cameron earned his brown belt in Karate, which really, was no small task. Brown belt puts him in the "advanced belt" category, and they aren't just giving those things away. He had to pass a 2 1/2 - hour belt exam, which Brian and I got to watch. Running, jumping, push-ups, sit-ups, kicking, punching, sparring.... all with only two, 2-minute water breaks. Oh, and he had to perform 2 of his past katas, and his new kata, to the satisfaction of his instructors. It was brutal. When it was finally over, I could barely move after clenching every muscle in my body for 2 hours. Not everyone passed, but Cameron did and we are SO proud of him!
knuckle push-ups
kama kata
Cam recently took private lessons with Mr. Russell. He learned some Mantis style techniques.
Cameron & Mr Baker #1
Cam & Mr Baker #2
Way to go Cameron!!
Little Miss Katy just finished another great year of dance lessons at the Dance Barn. She was in all 3 recitals this year, performing ballet, jazz, & tap routines, and she was in the company production number. She did an amazing job, and enjoyed every minute of it! Year after year, I am amazed at her progression. She is learning and improving, and I love that she enjoys it so much.
Here she is backstage, looking lovely in her ballet costume.
I didn't want to use my flash, so the on stage pics aren't the greatest. Here she is doing her tap dance.
Blogger doesn't like me today, and won't allow me to upload a video of her tap dance. booooo.
Katy also participated in the 6th grade science fair at school. Thanks to her awesomely nerdy dad, she made a fantastic project on linear magnetic acceleration (which kind of goes over my simple head). It's basically using very powerful magnets and ball bearings in a sequence, causing a chain reaction that shoots a steel ball off the end of this ruler:
It's pretty cool to watch, and it dazzled everyone at the science fair.
Seriously though, a BIG "thank you" to Brian for helping her with this project. All I had to do was make the poster look pretty.
Dallan has successfully transitioned to his big-boy-bed. I don't have any photo evidence of this, but it's pretty adorable seeing him sleep below his big bro in the bunk beds. He is also excelling at running the entire household, and constantly putting us all in our place. I am one proud mama:)
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