Summer Beginnings

It is finally summer.  The month of June seemed long for my boys who were very anxious to be out of school. 

The last day of school I was trying to get a picture of the boys walking to the bus stop for the last time before their much-anticipated summer break.  They were being stinkers and were walking while facing me and would not turn around.

After school Bowen had a few buddies over for an "End of School" party.  I fed them pizza, chips and juice and they played games and had a great time.

It's on days like this that I'm very grateful for a big vehicle.

We've set up Cadence's little pool and she's spent many hours enjoying it.

Ashton checked out some garage sales one Saturday and came home with a huge bag of lego for his sister.  Such a great big brother.

A favorite activity to beat the heat is to head to the library.

SUMMER IS OFF TO A GREAT START

Year End Recital 2018

I probably say this every year, but I really can't believe how quickly this past music year went.  Before I knew it it was time for the year end recital.

It was a great recital.  My students performed so well.  We listened to great piano, guitar and vocal selections.  Ashton and Bowen both played the piano, and Cadence sang Twinkle, Twinkle.  It was Cadence's first recital and she did awesome.  I sang Crazy.

After the performances I had a little luncheon for everyone.  I served sausage, cheese and crackers, veggie tray with dip, fruit, and chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodle cookies and homemade toffees for dessert.  I missed my mom's help so much.  I think it was the first recital I hosted without her.  I was pretty exhausted by the end of the night.  I was very grateful for my family's help though. 

I enjoyed visiting with my students and their families.  It will be nice now to have a little break before I'm back at it in September.  The summer goes so fast!!

Beautiful flowers from one of my students.

We didn't record Cadence at the recital and of course she was a little distracted at home.  But here is a little taste of her performance.

What a joy music is to my life and I'm so blessed to be able to share it with others. 

Tyler James Bach

I don't quite know how to write this blog.  I still can't believe it's happened.  Last week Jason's younger brother Tyler passed away.  On Thursday, June 14th I was watching Jill and Ty's kids while Ty went into the hospital for a day surgery.  Unfortunately, there were complications after the surgery and they spent a few days valiantly trying to save him, but he passed away on Monday, June 18th surrounded by his family.

My heart is just broken for his sweet little family.  Our children loved their Uncle Ty very much, and I can't even explain how devastated Jason is losing his brother and best friend.  His memorial was Sunday.  It was very nice.  Jason spoke and I played a piano solo - "Morning Has Broken".  I was so honoured that Jill had asked me.

We will do our very best to support his family.  It will be a hard journey for them without their husband and father.

Jason drew a portrait of Ty to give to Jill.  It was really hard for Jason to do, he kept putting it off, but it turned out beautifully.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

You were an amazing man, kind, thoughtful, funny, a wonderful husband, father, and friend.  You will be so dearly missed.  Til we meet again.

Make Over

I feel lately I've maybe been neglecting myself a little bit.  Money is tight, and we've been busy so it had been a really long time since I've gotten my hair done.  I haven't cut it or highlighted it for a couple of years at least.  It was looooong overdue.  I probably hadn't worn my hair down in public for at least a year because it looked so terrible.  So for my Mother's Day present, I headed to the salon.

Before - yikes!!  The colour was terrible, so long and stringy.  Definitely time for a big change.

So I told her to chop it off.  I'm so happy with the results.  It looks so much thicker.  I can wear it wavy, curly, or straight.  I love the colour.  I've had so many compliments and I've appreciated that - but it also makes me realize just how awful it was before.  Hehe!

After

I feel like a new woman!

Most Improved

Year-end celebrations started last night with the boys' band concert.  We were lucky and both the Grade 6 band and the 8/9 concert band performed in the same concert.  We had a bit of a hiccup when we arrived.  Ashton's saxophone broke last week and the spare was being used by another student so it was arranged that he would borrow an instrument from someone in the jazz band but he brought his own mouthpiece.  He was letting Cadence look at it while we were in the truck.  We get in the school and he discovers one of the brass pins is missing.  After grilling Cadence she admitted she had tucked it under one of the cushions in her car seat.  He was able to find it (along with some barrettes, lego and other treasures) so crisis averted!!  She has been such a little menace lately - stinker!

The concert was great.  Bowen's band has improved so much since starting last year, and the 8/9 band was awesome. I really enjoyed it, despite the heat in the theatre.

Bowen received a "Most Improved" award.  He was very excited and we were all very proud of him and his hard work.  He really does play the clarinet very well.  He is torn as he loves the clarinet but is thinking about switching to the Oboe next year.  He's going to rent one during the summer to see if he likes it as much.

Ashton has one more year of band in middle school and then he'll decide if he wants to continue to play in high school.  I'm happy my boys love music and are enjoying their experiences in band.  What a great night!

Who Ya Gonna Call

I finally remembered to take pictures of Ashton's finished lego.  He wanted it made clear that he didn't take this long to put it together.  It was actually completed within a couple days.  He figured maybe 9 hours or so.

It is actually a pretty cute set.  I love the little rooms inside.  I love miniatures.  Ashton is definitely running out of room to display all his lego in his room.

He Spent It All in One Place

Ashton has been saving up to buy a specific Lego set.  He's been wanting to buy the Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters set.  So for the past 6 months any money from babysitting, chores, or working in neighbours yards he's been setting aside.  After a babysitting job this past weekend he finally had enough.

So last night we headed to the Lego Store at the mall.  He was so excited to finally be buying the set.

At first he thought he'd wait until the long weekend to put it together, but he was already working on it last night.  I'll be sure to post a picture of the finished project.  I'm proud of Ashton for setting a goal and working towards it.  Enjoy your Lego Ashton!

Girls' Weekend

This past weekend my sister Rachel and her daughter Freya came up for a girls' weekend with Cadence and me.  Who would have ever thought with Rachel being 11 years younger than me that we'd have little girls 6 months apart?  It is such a blessing. They came up on Thursday night and after playing for a little bit the girls were off to bed.  Rachel and I stayed up too late watching TV and talking.

Friday morning we took the girls for brunch at Cora's.  Always a yummy breakfast.  Cadence loves eating at restaurants.

After breakfast, we went to the library for awhile so the girls could play.  The library by our house has a huge play area with lots of different activities.

The girls put on plays on the stage.  I think Cadence was inspired after seeing Bowen in his school play.

When we got home we put a movie in for the girls and Rachel did their nails for them.  I think this was what Cadence was looking forward to the most.

My fabulous husband offered to babysit so Rachel and I could go out for dinner and a movie.  We had a great time.  We went to Milestones for dinner and then to the movie Game Night.  I laughed so hard.  I love spending time with my sister.  I'm so grateful we have a close relationship.  I hope our girls are always best friends.

Saturday, Jason made us a nice breakfast and then we did a bit of shopping (the girls got new shoes) before Rachel and Freya headed home. I hope this girls weekend was the first of many!!

In Memory of Kenneth David - 10 Years

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the stillbirth of our precious baby boy Kenneth David.  I spent a quiet day thinking of him.  I burned a candle in remembrance and brought out his picture Jason drew and his little teddy bear the hospital gave us.  I looked through his memory box and had a little cry.

Jason was away on business this week so on Sunday we sat down as a family and talked about Kenny and what we were grateful for.  Since it has been 10 years we came up with 10 things.

In Memory of Kenny - 10 Things We Are Grateful For:

1. Grateful for no outward physical disformities other than his clenched hands, he was perfect.

2. Grateful for the months that I could feel him in my stomach and bond with him.

3. Grateful for the memories of his burial in Champion.

4. Grateful for his pouty little lips and chubby cheeks, looked so much like his brothers.

5. Grateful for the strength gained from the experience.

6.  Grateful for the bonding Jason and my dad had (building the casket together, etc.)

7. Grateful that I was able to carry him long enough that we were able to bury him.

8.  Grateful that we could have his baby sister to complete our family.

9.  Grateful that we didn't watch him die or suffer.

10. Grateful for the love felt for a little brother that he never got to meet.

It felt good to express our feelings and support one another.  We finished up with celebrating what would have been his birthday with cake.  The boys wanted to know why I bought pink!  Ha ha!

I can't believe it has been 10 years.  The memories are still so vivid.  Time, or probably more so perspective and strength from our faith has lessened the grief and pain.  I'm grateful for his short but meaningful life.  I know where he is, I know he is with our Savior and that someday we will be reunited as a family.  What a blessing to have this knowledge in my life.  So grateful for my family.

30 Reasons Not to Be in a Play

Last night was Bowen's final performance in his school play.  These school plays are such a huge commitment.  Auditions were in October and they have been rehearsing 2 - 3 times per week since January.  Bowen loves every moment of it.  This week consisted of 2 matinees and 3 evening performances.

The play was called "30 Reasons Not to Be in a Play".  Explaining the pitfalls and bad experiences to be had if you ever were in a play.  It was pretty funny and we all really enjoyed it.  It was great that my cousin Sheri was able to join us.  I know it meant a lot to Bowen.  Bowen was in 3 scenes.  It was a huge cast with 55 kids from Grades 5 - 9.

Bowen was really pleased he got a little monologue that he presented on stage by himself.  I asked him to say it for me last night so I could record it.  He felt really weird, but I finally convinced him.

I'm very proud of my performer. Til next year's play!

John

They gave each of the performers a flower - such a nice thought.

Update on Cadence

Our Cadence is such a joy to me.  She says something every day that makes me smile, or usually laugh right out loud. 

The other day Cadence was asking me when her dad was going to fix something of hers, and I said she had better remind him, that he'd probably forgotten.  She says "right, him has a lot of stuff in his head", then looks at me and says "you just have a little".  Not quite sure how I'm supposed to take that.

Cadence asked me once who Jesus' wife is?  Always thinking.

Cadence has discovered a new favorite place to eat.  There is a noodle place close to our house and her and I always share a steak pho.  I love that when her broth gets low that she asks me for more soup water.

Our ward had a little carnival the other day.  Jason did face painting for the kids.  Cadence loved hers.  She had wiped it off a bit before I got a picture. She cried when I washed her face before bed.

One of Cadence's favorite activities is puzzles, and playing with Adam.

Love that girl of mine.