It's a Wonderful Life

Instead of listening to Jim Brickman playing Rocket to the Moon on my blog, press pause on the music player and you can listen to Jesse playing it instead in the video above! Way to go Jesse!

Last Saturday morning I got up at 4:00 am and drove Joseph, Peter and Libby over to my nephew Ethan's baptism! I was so tired that I had to stop at a rest stop and sleep in the car for awhile (I don't know if that's very safe, but safer than driving when you're tired), and we made it just in time to walk into the Stake Center three minutes ahead of time! Angie was so glad to see us! We were the only ones there from the her side of the family, so we were glad to be there. Lots of Rodney's family was there, and it was good to see them. This picture was taken that evening in their apartment.

At one point Joseph said to me, "Mom, I feel really old. Ethan just asked me if I was a returned missionary. And then Caleb said, 'No, he has a baby!'" Ha ha We laughed about that. We figured out that Caleb is to Joseph and as Joseph is to Jarom, as far as cousins go on my side of the family. That put things into perspective for Joseph. Angie and Rodney's apartment is so cute with all their Christmas decorations up! We will be praying for them that the sale of their home will go through and they can find another home soon. Ethan, congratulations on your baptism - we are very proud of you!

The four of us traveled home Sunday morning, and I got to Church in time to go in and teach my first class of CTR 5! They are Libby's age, but the age group is split up into two classes, so she's in the other class. But they are all her friends, so it's fun to teach them. Even though the trip home was tough, I had many, many blessings along the way, and I am grateful we traveled safely!

On Monday night Jesse played in her Middle School Choir Concert. She played a Jazz version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town for the choir. She did awesome! It was her first time accompanying an choir. Then she sang also, and they did a fantastic job.

Hint: Play Hallelujah Chorus on the Music Player.

Josh was next with the High School Madrigal Choir on the same night. What beautiful music! Their last number was singing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, and the tradition is that anyone that knows that music can come from the audience and sing with the choir.
Of course you know Bruce and I were up there in a flash! Jesse came up and sang also. I LOVE singing the Messiah. Love it, love it!

Hint: Now play Kiss the Girl on the Music Player

After the Madrigals sang, Josh and four of his friends - Jansen, Connor and Braden, sang an accapella quartet of "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid. It was a total hit! Josh did the running base line, and he said it was a hard song to sing because he only had two eight rests the whole song. He had to suck in breaths between counts!

Josh also performed three numbers with the Show Choir. They did a marvelous job! On the last number, he only sang backstage, because he couldn't learn the dance while he had his broken leg, but he'll do it in the spring concert.

Amidst all this activity, all of our Christmas decorations are still lying in heaps in the living room, and we are one of four houses on the street that doesn't have their Christmas lights up. The other three don't put up Christmas lights.

And there won't be lights anytime soon because Bruce twisted his ankle pretty badly on Tue night in an indoor soccer game. Ah well. Just keepin' it real.

Merry Christmas!