State XC

Taylor and Braden both had awesome cross country seasons! They PR every race so it's fun to watch them get faster each time. I say we live in the running capital of Utah. The kids are crazy fast and the boys team is nationally ranked. Only the top 7 runners (varsity) go to State and Taylor held her spot at 7th for most of the season and was the only Freshman (boy or girl) to go to State for their team. Braden finished 13th for the team which is so awesome! To put it in perspective of how fast their team is, Braden would be ranked top 3 on almost any other team in the state. In fact, he would be 2nd for both high schools back in Herriman had we stayed so needless to say the move has been good for my kids running to train with the fastest kids in the state.

It was quite the experience to go watch Taylor race at State. I thought since we went to the Invitational with all the schools from the state with all their runners (probably close to a thousand kids) at the beginning of the season at the same venue it would be a much smaller crowd because there would only be a few hundred kids running. Boy was I wrong! It was insane! Who knew? We barely got there in time to see Taylor start. It took us almost an hour to park and we were literally running to the starting line. I felt terrible thinking we would miss the start but I got behind the starting boxes and took a picture of Taylor less than a minute before the gun went off. She was so happy to see us and I'm so glad we made it because the route was so full of people I'm not sure if Taylor would've known we were there or not while she was running because it was complete madness. Of course she knew we were coming but not being able to see her or talk to her before her race may have made her wonder. She had a great race and ran a 20:14. Another PR but she was sad because she really wanted to break 20 minutes. She finished 6th for Farmington and 150th in her division. Taylor 23rd for Freshman for the whole state! Couldn't be more proud of her and all her hard work. She however was very frustrated and emotional at the finish. A rookie mistake was that she thought it was the same route as the Invitational but it's different for State and no one mentioned it to her so she said she struggled to know where the finish line was so she could do one last kick at the end. This route abruptly ends after a hill so she literally climbed the hill and saw the finish line. I think it's all good experience and she'll learn and get even better from it. She has regionals in a few weeks and NXR in Arizona in a month. So with those meets and another 3 years of XC she'll have plenty of time to break 20 minutes and 19 minutes. I'm certain she'll do it.

Stake Conference with Gary E. Stevenson

A few weeks ago it was announced that we would have a "Special Stake Conference." We just had one in October so I was curious why we would have another one so soon. Then last week they announced that an Apostle would be there. We had the privilege of having Gary E. Stevenson come and speak to us. He explained that with the growth of the church if they had an apostle attend one of the scheduled Stake Conferences they would only be able to have an apostle attend each stake every 32 years but with having "Special Stake Conferences" it would happen every 3 years. He spoke for 45 minutes and shared his recent travel experience with President Nelson to South America. He talked about the clarity the Book of Mormon gives us from Isaiah's prophecies about the birth and atonement of the Savior and the privilege and blessings of the fullness of the gospel. He then talked about my favorite topic. I tell my children, my primary class, and bear testimony of it often that obedience brings blessings and blessings bring happiness. He promised the fullness of times will overcome the perilous times we live in and bore his testimony. He has a very tender spirit about him and I'm so grateful to know that he is an Apostle of the Lord and to learn from him. As we were leaving after putting up chairs he was out in the foyer and I we go to shake his hand and talk to him. I'm glad I could get a picture with him so they will always remember the sacredness of this day. 

Andrea Bocelli

A few weeks after we got home from Italy I got a call from Morag saying Andrea Bocelli was coming to Salt Lake City and was wondering if we wanted to go see him with them. Crazy since we were just in Verona the very evening that he was performing at the Colosseum and I was telling Andy how fun it would've been to have been able to sit in the piazza and listen to his performance. Unfortunately it was our last day in Italy and we had to be at the airport at 4am in Venice so we couldn't stay. Fast forward to almost a year later and I get another phone call from Morag saying if I remembered how we were going to go to the Andrea Bocelli concert?? Of course I remembered and then she told me they forgot and booked tickets to Europe and would be gone and would have to miss it but they bought 8 tickets that we could use. Eight tickets?!? They had never mentioned that before so I was shocked they got so many. We were able to go with the kids, Patrice, and my neice, Sophie. It was at the Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz play and there wasn't an empty seat to be seen. I also noticed as we were waiting in line there were no kids except ours.

I didn't know what to expect from the concert as far as guest performances as well if the songs chosen would be more of his contemporary songs which we love or his classical opera songs which we were less familiar with. Either way it was a once in a lifetime chance to go see him and we knew it would be amazing. The concert started with the orchestra and a choir and then the conductor walked to the side of the stage and escorted Andrea out to the center of the stage and within 2 seconds he started singing. He sang a few classical songs that were unfamiliar but the power of his voice was amazing. The first guest performer was Larisa Martinez and the minute she started singing I knew there had to be another guest performer because her voice didn't seem the right fit for The Prayer duet that I knew had to be sung. For sure the right voice for Time to Say Good-bye another song I was anxious to hear. There was a violinist Caroline Campbell who was amazing. During the intermission Braden commented that Andrea hadn't spoken to the audience and I had noticed that too but didn't know if he would? After the intermission the orchestra started with a Stars and Stripes medley and then Andrea came out and sang Maria from West Side Story. Taylor looked at me with a giggle because I've sang that song on occasion. He probably sounded just a little better. ;) He sang his new song If Only which made me a little teary eyed. It's beautiful. Then he went right into Christmas songs--Ave Maria and Adeste Fideles. Chills for sure on that last one-O Come All Ye Faithful. Everything just sounds better in Italian. The last guest performer was Pia Toscano who sounded exactly like Celine Dion and sang All By Myself. He sang a few more songs and then it happened. He spoke to the audience and said something about his love of Utah and his fond memories of singing with "Our Choir" some years ago. He said he would never forget our affection and was escorted around the stage to wave and take his bows. The standing ovation was something to behold. I don't think I've ever experienced one quite like it. It was so so loud but in unision of respect and adoration. He came back for the first encore which I was so happy about because The Prayer, Time to Say Goodbye, and Vivo Per Lei...not sung. He sang The Prayer with Larisa Martinez and left the stage to then come back for a second encore with Tia Toscano to sing Time to Say Goodbye. Right when they started singing  a video of the Grand Canal in Venice appeared on the screen and the tears just flowed. That's the song from our dating days and was sung at our wedding reception. Andrea Bocelli is a big part of our dating memories because Andy was the one who introduced me to his songs and we had fun singing the duets together as I messed up all the words and didn't have a clue what they were saying but it didn't matter. Fun memories and then to have Venice staring right at me on the screen. Another place so dear to my heart I couldn't hold back the tears. We'll celebrate 19 years of marriage in a few weeks and right there, holding Andy's hand with the kids on each of our sides my heart was so full. A spritual moment for sure that God is so very aware of me and my heart. I've said it before but this year has been a year of stretching and change. Accepting God's will when it didn't line up with my plans and moving has been harder than I ever imagined in so many ways I didn't expect. It has made me stronger but it has also brought me to my knees and has had Andy holding me while I just cry. That song and the flood of memories was such a special moment that I'll never forget. The final encore was Nessun Dorma. It was a wonderful evening. Thanks to my parents for the tickets. I guess since they missed the concert we'll have to take another trip to Italy!

Thanksgiving

Andy's new work schedule call rotation falls during Thanksgiving for the next few years. I was invited to go down to St. George to my parent's house. Kim, Jen, Jason, and their families were going to be there too. I was sad to be away from Andy but the kids were really excited to be with Grandma, Papa, and their cousins so I decided to make it happen. Braden was also excited to drive and did great. We went and saw Wreck-it Ralph 2, spent lots of time in the kitchen prepping for Thanksgiving dinner, the older kids went to the St. George Temple for baptisms for the dead, swimming, playing games, watching football, Black Friday shopping, and relaxing. Andy missed us terribly as did I but I'm glad we were able to go. As we are in transition with lots of things in life right now and somedays it's hard for me to always feel grateful for all the changes. I'm so grateful for my little family that are my world and the reminder that they are my greatest blessing. I am very blessed and have much to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Nutcracker

We had the opportunity to go see our cute neighbor girl, Lydia, perform in The Nutcracker at the performing arts center at WSU. They were so excited to go. We went with the Kleins and all our girlies had such a fun time together. We were on the 2nd row which was amazing! The soloists were so good and it was fun to have a live orchestra sitting right down in front of us. Great way to start off the holiday season. 

Braces!

Taylor and Braden have been waiting patiently for almost a year for braces. When we knew we were moving I decided it would be best to wait and start after we moved which hindsight wasn't the best decision. There are only 2 orthodontists within 20 minutes North/South of where we live that accept our insurance and after consultations with them I wasn't feeling good about either option. As I was expanding the search I decided if I have to drive 30+ minutes why not just go back to where we went for Ella. While talking with a friend back in Herriman about this decision she told me about an orthodontist in South Jordan that would be closer and it has turned out to be great. The drive isn't bad and their next appointment is on a day they don't have school so I'm hoping that it will be worth it in the long run. It also helps that Braden and Taylor are going together and Ella will probably start phase 2 in January so having 3 all at once makes it more efficient. What I wasn't expecting was how much pain they are in. They both have deep bites so they had to put bite blocks on the back of their front teeth which makes it impossible for their back teeth to touch so eating has been quite a challenge. I'm hoping that after a few days it will get better but I keep reminding them that it will all be worth it when they have beautiful straight teeth!