Insights

Whew! Maddy's last volleyball game was last Tuesday (they lost every game they played, but she loved playing.) Every time she had to serve, I was very nervous for her. She is so small and has spaghetti noodles for arms, she rarely got her serves over the net. She never did during a game, but she improved markedly from where she started. She came very close to getting it over.

Courtney had her final band competition in Everett on Saturday. After the prelim competition, she was not happy with her performance. She said she had dropped all her tosses and she felt it was her fault that the color guard didn't score as high as they should have. I think I held my breath for ten minutes during her show in finals. I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Every time she threw her flag, I clenched my hands around an imaginary pole, hoping that my actions would somehow make it so she would connect with her pole. I desperately wanted her to do well. Not because I wanted a trophy, I just wanted her to feel like she had done her best. When I saw her after, she was beaming. The band went home with a fourth place trophy. Courtney went home knowing she had done her best show ever.

This may seem like a stretch, but these two girls got me thinking about my own Heavenly Father. I believe he is watching me, rooting for me to do well. I picture Him desperately wanting me to do well. Not for any earthly reward, He wants me to feel like I have done my best. He knows that I will be happy if I follow his guidance. When I think of the love that I have for my children, I am suddenly awed by the love that He has for me. He is not an angry, abusive father. He is patient and loving. He knows who I need to be to be happy. That gives me hope to keep trying to hit it over the net.

I will keep making lots of mistakes, (I am good at it) but I will keep trying to do better. I know HE loves me, just as I love my kids, mistakes and all.

Video from Courtney's last band competition

A band Mom posted this video on You tube and I thought I would share it. Mostly for our families benefit, unless you are a huge fan of marching band. Enjoy!

Music Everywhere!

This past weekend was filled with music!

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Seeing these girls faces when we got to the Opera House was Music to my eyes.

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Waiting for the show to start and the excitement of my daughter, was music to my heart.

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Hearing their excited chatter as they waited to get autographs from "The Phantom" and "Christine" was another sweet song from the weekend.

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Of course, the music the band played wasn't half bad either.

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Hearing all the details about her weekend from this daughter, and laughing at her misadventures, seared another wonderful tune in my mind.

I am going to be playing these melodies over and over for a very long time.

The Phantom was AMAZING! We all loved it. Maddy, as always, was really hoping it would end differently this time. (She has a thing for Eric. aka The Phantom) The special effects had us wondering how they did it. The performances were great. I had never been to a professional play before. I was blown away by the talent. They allowed people to ask some questions after (we went to a matinee) and introduced some of the cast. Maddy, Court, and Kenna all had something signed. I took pictures of the girls with the actress who plays Christine; it didn't turn out. Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera and only had my cell phone. That explains the quality of the first two pictures on this post. For the rest of the day, "Phantom" was all they talked about.

The band did well. They competed with seventeen schools and won first place in the AA division and placed third overall. They also won best percussion in their division. We thought we might freeze to death. Thank goodness for hot chocolate and hand warmers!

What I hope to remember about this past weekend

What an insanely, great weekend I had. Last Saturday was Cavalcade ( a local band competition, which I am co-chair of concessions), and my niece got married.

Tom's family arrived Thursday night. I was again reminded why I am so grateful to have married into this wonderful family. We managed to find beds for two of his brothers and their wives and one daughter and grandson. The accommodations may not have been five stars, but they were most gracious and appreciative of Cam's double bed and the airbed we put in Court's room.

Friday, my very talented sister-in-law, did a photo shoot of my nephews family. I tagged along, hoping to learn from her. She has a good eye for what looks good in pictures. I wish I could spend more time with her learning from her and getting a better grasp of what makes a great photo.

I snapped a few pictures behind my sister-in-law. This is one of the few that turned out pretty cute. Their daughter Olivia, is soooo much fun! I wish they lived closer.

On Friday night we helped decorate for the wedding. If you notice in the back, their is a bouncy house for the kids. Tom's sister Janna is such a good grandma. She was thinking of the kids and how to make this wedding fun for them.

I told the coordinators of Cavalcade I would not be there, but I would help with all the prep work. I picked up the potatoes, got the health permit, called Pepsi and had the drinks delivered and with the help of two hard working, wonder women, did the shopping for the event. So, when Court called and said she needed money, I jumped at the chance to run down to see how things were going. In my five years of doing Cavalcade, I have never had a health inspector check out the concessions. Shortly after I arrived, I noticed a lady with a clipboard talking to my friend and taking notes. They passed with flying colors! Whew!

After helping with the bridal shoot for a little while, we changed and headed to the church for the wedding. Tom performed the ceremony and was very nervous. He thought he was shaking so hard that everyone could tell. His words were sweet and loving. He talked about the legacy of love that they have come from. The groom's family are not members, but enjoyed the words he gave to the new couple. It was a small wedding, mostly family and close friends, it was what they wanted and was very nice.

We were able to get back to Cavalcade in time to watch Courtney perform. One of Tom's brothers, his wife and daughter came also. Their show is getting better every time I see it. Because our school was hosting the competition, they didn't compete. They did their show as an exhibition performance.

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This weekend is another exciting and exhausting one. Tomorrow we are going north to fulfill a dream for my twelve year old. We are going with the band, to see The Phantom of the Opera. Maddy is very excited. We get to meet the cast and she is bringing her phantom mask to have signed and also the phantom sweatshirt we got her for Christmas last year. On Saturday is Courtneys first competition. We are looking forward to cheering our favorite flag twirler.