The Singing Heart

Rachel has always sung. She has been singing since or before she could talk. My neighbor used to love to listen to her sing as a little girl while balancing herself on our red rocks. But, she has never been in choir. I have pushed, persuaded and then just let her do her thing. Well, Mr. Bills, asked her to join choir and about 2 minutes later I think she was down at the attendance office changing her schedule. Thanks Mr. Bills!

So, this was her first choir concert. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was lovely. I love and know a lot of these kids and that helps too. It was a wonderful night and for all the seniors, it was an emotional one too. Their last concert. Rachel has oodles of senior friends, so she was sad too. But, she will be there in choir for two more years and I coudn't be happier to purchase her the dress, shoes and jewelry for that reason. :)

Serendity women's choir.

Friends a plenty and Mr. Bills

Group shot!

Two good senior friends. Thanks girls!

Sanderson Sisters. :)

Mothers

Happy Mothers Day! I know so many wonderful mothers. I know it is the very most important job in the entire world. Nothing can replace a Mother in the home. I am surrounded by beautiful, strong women who know the value of being a Mother. They give me encouragement and stength. Some advice I have been given by some wonderful friends:

Let them dress themselves even if they don't match.

Hug and kiss them every day.

Praise, encourage and cheer them on. The world is a tough place.

Make your home a sanctuary.

Love them unconditionally.

When you are physically with them, remember to listen to them...pay attention!

Spend more time playing with them than cleaning.

Never leave them home alone overnight. Never.

And my favorite:

"Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Matt's Senior Pictures

Can he truly be a senior? A graduating senior? I am so happy, excited and sad all mixed into one! Matt and McKenna finally went and took some senior pics of him. McKenna edited them and they turned out so fantastic! Thanks McKenna! I did gets tears in my eyes when I looked at them. They laughed, but my baby boy is growing up. It's a strange thing....but I like it.

Matt has many wonderful opportunities coming his way. I will try to stand back and let him live....I will try not to smother him or mother him too much. That's all I can do, is try.

My New Life

This is a must see! :) Enjoy.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Rachel had such a great experience and opportunity to be in this cast. She did an excellent job and the kids are just amazing. I apologize for so many pics but I have over a hundred. :) I'm that Mom that goes to every performance and I have to hold myself back on taking pictures. So much of our family and friends supported Rachel.....thanks to you all! Rachel's teacher, Mr. Bills, is so talented and the kids love him. We all look forward to more plays and music over the next couple of years! I can't believe her sophmore year is almost over. Good job Sally!

Rachel's cast with Mr. Bills

Snoopy loving his house.

The young women and teacher that came! Aren't they adorable?

Aunt Sheri and cousins Hayley, Jenessa and Kaloni

Grandma and Grandpa Frandsen

Group hug on closing night!

Matt and McKenna O'Driscoll

Sisters!

Grandma and Grandpa Paulson

Sally and Snoopy

Lucy, Sally and Peppermint Patty

Grma Ann, Rachel, Matt and Emily

Aunt Kara and Uncle Alan

Assassin

The kids in our chuch ward have been playing a game called assassin. Curt got this started with them last summer for a fun activity. Each participant received a name....a person they are suppose to "kill"....with a rubber band. The only catch is that there cannot be any witnesses. You have to be alone with your person and then shoot them and hit them with the rubber band. So, the game has been going since last June and he finally wrapped it up in March. Emily was the winner killing 9 people total. She was very tricky, even sitting in a truck with Curt for almost 2 hours waiting for an unsuspecting young man to get home from work. She has a blast tricking people and "killing" them. They just started a new game for the summer. We will see how she does this time....there are a lot people who want to get her!

Emi and her rubberband gun.

She even got a medal!

Student Council

Emily ran for student body again this year. Rachel helped her come up with this slogan and it fit her so well since she is Mommy to 26 chickens. :) After the voting, she made it in! I am so proud of her. She is an excellent student and a good friend to all. She has a great confidence about her and I can't wait to see what great thing she will do next. Way to go Emi!

I made her do this! :)

Poster at the school.