SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Courtney was part of the Las Vegas Special Olympics this year through her middle school. She threw the shot put and javelin and did a pretty good job. We were so proud of her! There were kids from all across the valley, middle schools and high schools, and everyone seemed so happy to be there. It was such a wonderful day for the kids to feel like they accomplished something special and feel a part of something big. And it was. I cried most of the day as I watched the kids faces of pure joy as they were competitive with their piers and having the time of their lives. I hope she does it again next year!

Choir

Choir practice was successful this afternoon. At least no one got up and left. I take that as a positive. Next Sunday we are going to sing He Is Risen from the Hymn book (we are doing our Easter themed Sunday so the primary gets to sing their Easter song too). I figured singing a hymn was safe with one week's notice. Our other song is Be Thou Humble, not from the hymn book. It is a little difficult. We have a good group of men but very few women. Only two altos. I hope we have a better turn out next week on the women's end but I am very grateful for all those that came today. I hope I don't drive them all away with my boringness and inexperience.

Glad to be Home

Mitchell seems glad to be home and able to have slept in his own bed last night. When we walked in the door from the airport last night I thought that Mitch would join us on the couch for a few minutes before telling us that he was tired and wanted to go bed. Instead, he went upstairs to go to the bathroom and we never saw him again. It was before 8:00. I found his camera on the counter in the bathroom and downloaded all his pictures by 8:30. It looks like they had a marvelous time. I can't wait until I get the chance to hear the stories explaining the pictures. *note the date on the pictures is seven years off. Mitch said he tried to change the date and couldn't. Funny!

Katie told me this morning that I owed Mitch an apology because he didn't loose his camera the first day like I thought. But what I said was that he would leave something in the hotel room when they changed cities the first time, I just hoped it wouldn't be the camera. And I was right. He left his shampoo. Do I know my kid or what!

We are glad to have him back although now he will be a slave to homework and make-up work. We probably won't get to see him much. We are behind about 5 episodes of 24 because we have been waiting for Mitchell. Maybe this weekend we can get in a few episodes!

On His Way Home

Mitch and the other kids from the Palo Verde HS Choir are on their way home now. Yeah! Their flight right now is over Maine and they should be landing in Newark in the next hour and a half. I have been missing Mitch the last couple of days but I'm hoping that after being so independent the last two weeks that he won't mind being fussed over the next few days. He is going to be really busy trying to catch up on all his missed work (as of now he has missed 3 days of school) and I hope he doesn't give me attitude about reminding him what his duties are at home because of his resent independent streak. Time will tell, but for the record, I missed him. His sense of humor, his helpfulness and him just being there to talk to over the Easter break.

I can't wait to see his pictures and hear his stories. (I wish he wouldn't mind if I read his Italy journal.) I hope, actually, that his camera makes it back with him. I wonder what won't?

Exploring Venice

Yesterday and today the kids get to take a guided water tour of Venice and the area around it. They get to watch a glass blowing demonstration at the Ferro and Lazzarani Glass Factory on the island of Murano and then continue the Waterbus tour of Burano where they get to see the brightly colored houses and the lace that has been produced there for centuries.
Last night was their fifth concert and they got to visit Ducal Palace.
I hope their journals are full of thoughts and experiences that when they look back at it they will see what a unique and special experience they have had. Thank you Mrs. Ramirez!!

Verona and Venice

The kids get to continue moving today by driving four hours to Verona. They get to have a walking tour including a visit to the Arena. Then they board a coach and drive 2 more hours to Venice. My guess is that tomorrow they get to ride in a gondola. I don't think that riding a gondola at the Venician would be quite the same. I can't wait to hear all about it.

A Boat and the Green Eyed Monster

Each day as I look to see what Mitch will be doing, I realize that I am seeing the itinerary for the first time. Every day I read what totally awesome things he is getting to do and the green eyed monster is taking me over. I am so jealous that he is getting to do these things. Its not that I wouldn't want him to do it, but that I want to do those things too. Sooooo bad!!!!!

I just looked and tomorrow they get to take an excursion which includes stops to Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere in the Cirque Terre region. So they get to sail around an island off the west coast of Italy.

You see? Jealous!!!!!!!

Am I the only one that's jealous here? Come on, fess up!

David

Today, Mitch and the choir kids get to visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David. I don't know what else there is, but I'm sure it's old and fascinating. They get to take a walking tour of Florence today and then pack up to go to La Spezia tonight after their 4th concert at Chieza Evangelical. They are doing such wonderful things. I hope I'm as lucky someday. I also hope they are getting enough sleep, they sure are keeping busy.

More Travel

Today the kids will do a bit more traveling. They get to tour Livorno and then travel another 30 minutes to Pisa where they get to visit the leaning tower of Pisa. Can you believe it? Pisa!
After all their touring is done for the day, they get to go to an open music lesson at Guiseppe Bonamici Music School in Pisa. After dinner in Pisa, they will drive back to Florence.

I'm so glad that this isn't just a tour, but that the kids get to continue their music education while they are there as well. It will mean so much more to them as they are learning something hands on.

Mrs. Ramirez said that the kids send their love and that we would have been proud of how fantastic they performed last night.

I'm grateful for any information!!! :)

Mixed Feelings

You are now reading the blog of the Lakes Ward new choir director. I have mixed feelings about this but am somewhat excited for a new challenge. Maybe that is one of the reasons that I liked being Primary chorister so much. There is a new challenge every week. No two Sundays where alike.
I have learned from my past that I can be a little overly ambitious and I have these visions of me (being the ward choir director) leading a youth choir and even a volunteer primary choir as well as the regular adult choir. I am probably biting off more than I can chew and I already know that I am getting ahead of myself because we don't even have a pianist. It's pretty hard to have a choir without someone to play the piano. I have already picked some music, all with the same topic, that I can make a final decision on once I have heard them. At least I have two weeks to figure this out. Just another reason to miss Mitchell. He could at least roughly play all three songs for me so I can have a better idea with what I'm dealing with. Only once he gets back, he will be so busy trying to catch up that he won't have any free time for anything except making up homework.
I hope we have a good turn out once we start practices. (hint, hint)

Palm Sunday

The kids get to make their first hotel switch today so that means that Mitch will be down one item that he forgets in the room. (I hope its not the camera. He will really miss it.) Of course this is just a theory, I'm just going on what I know of Mitch. :) Today they get to tour Scavi di Ostia for five hours. It must be fascinating if they are giving it that much time. Just another thing he will get to tell me all about, hopefully with lots of pictures. Then they get to go to Hard Rock Cafe Rome for an early dinner before they sing at another mass in the evening. What a wonderful experience they are having. After mass, they get to do a 30 minute concert and then board a bus to take them four hours to Florence. They will reach their hotel at 1:00 a.m. Rome time.
Mrs. Ramirez posted a message on their choirs website that said that they are having a wonderful time. One of the students has had a medical condition and will be home soon, but that the rest of them are well and that no news is good news until the next update.

Vatican

Today, Saturday, March 25, 2010 Mitch and his choir after some much needed sleep, get to go to the Vatican and visit St. Peter's Square. He took the book Angels and Demons with him to read on the plane and I hope that he was able to get far enough that he can enjoy what he is seeing. I hope he takes tons of pictures! It will help me to visualize it better.
That night they get to perform at a mass. They have worked so hard learning new music for Italy. I am really proud of them. I am also glad that Mrs. Ramirez has them keeping a journal of their travels and tours. I plan on grilling him for information the second he gets home. I miss him.

And Their Off!

They are on their way across the Atlantic. I hope they can get some sleep for their full day of touring tomorrow. They start in Rome at the Colosseum and the Forum. I hope he takes enough pictures (enough for me, that is).

Touchdown #1

They made it to Newark and now have a layover before the long flight to Italy. I'm soooo excited for them!

My World Traveler

They are now over Iowa. This technology is so cool but I feel a little like a stalker. I wonder how many games of cards he's played?

I just checked on Mitchell's first leg of his trip to Italy. They are over Denver right now on their way to Newark, NJ. I am so excited for him, but also very nervous. Typical Mom emotions. Wish I could share this experience with him but then I would be nervous for the kids I left behind. Moms really can't win but to have faith.
We were joking last night how Mitch needed to save room in his suitcase for souvenirs and Kyle told him I wanted a pair of Italian shoes. Of course I do, but I wasn't sure I wanted my 14 year old to pick them out for me. Mitchell said we would have to give him more spending money. :) Wish I had been thinking "shoes" when I was at the currency exchange office!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Matthew who turned three this week. He is definitely my most challenging three year old out of the four, but I have learned more about myself from him and have learned more patience. Love him, love him, love him. Wish me luck this year potty training!

ITALY, Here He Comes!

Mitchell and his choir are leaving for Italy in 5 days! Performing in Vatican City, moving on to Verona, Rome, Venice and more. 12 long and wonderfully busy days singing and going to the opera, the Colosseum, museums. Man, I am soooooo jealous!

Thank you to those who bought See's Candy, every fundraiser helps.

Next we just need to work on the Eagle Project!

A Wonderful Christmas!!

We had guests on Christmas Eve. Kate and Cora Alder got stranded at the Las Vegas airport and came to stay the night. We were glad to have them with us and it was fun to have a baby in the house again. Matthew was smitten with Cora from the first moment he saw her. Everything became, "Cora" this, and "baby Cora" that. For a week. It was so fun to watch him want to take care of some one smaller than him.
Kate is the bravest woman in I know. Traveling with her baby six weeks after having three vertebra fused from the accident last summer that killed her husband. She was so happy and gracious while she was here. I hope Kate will count me as her friend because I will always do what I can to help her in any way. Again, the bravest woman I know.

The kids had a great time opening their presents. Matt got loads of Disney's Cars cars and all the kids had fun playing with them. Courtney got a fish tank from Santa and we spent the day after Christmas picking out fish and plants to put in the tank. We are now the proud owners of seven tropical fish and four new babies. Two Tails, Flame, Pooper, Pongo, Purdita, Sunshine, Sword Tail, and four baby Nemo's. They have been a lot of fun. So far.

Mitch got a guitar and Spencer got a wall ball and four DS games. All around a great Christmas.

It is wonderful to know that through all the gift giving and hustle and bustle and hassle, that what it is really all about is that Christ came to the earth for us. And we, if we are obedient, can live with Him again.

We had a great time at M&M World over the Christmas break. We took the kids on a little outing with my brother and his family when they came to town for the Las Vegas Bowl. We had a great time. The kids loved eating M&Ms. Yummy!!!!

The primary children did a live nativity this year at our ward's Christmas party. Spencer was a shepherd. (And it boggles my mind that he is my only child in primary until next year.) They all did a wonderful job with the songs and with being reverent in the moment.

Well, then Santa showed up and I guess that Courtney will be my only child with an aversion to him because it is quite obvious that Matthew is very comfortable being on his lap and showing a bit of personality. He is the spark in our otherwise relaxed, yet busy lives. I am learning patience, slowly. But he loves me more than I deserve and "lets" me be the one to help him with EVERYTHING.

We all had a wonderful Christmas this year and we know how truly blessed we are to have each other, the gospel and the Savior in our lives.

We always have a great Thanksgiving with the Court side of the family on black Friday. It's nice to know that everyone will always be there and not at in-laws. Grandma always takes care of the girls and has coloring books, puzzles and bingo. The boys always play basketball and other ball games in the gym at the church (where we always have Thanksgiving dinner). Dani, Bethany and Courtney are very happy to be there, and Matt was excited to be able to get dessert.

We had a wonderful time at Grandma Clingo's surprise birthday party at Thanksgiving time. So many family members were able to come to show her how much we all love her and appreciate her. David sang, she opened presents, we ate a lot of food, and she cried a bit. Her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends were there just for her. What a fun evening we had together.

Mitch had a solo/duet this year in his school's Gershwin program. He did a fantastic job singing 'I've Got A Crush On You'. We were so proud of him.