Jerika - District Voice

Have I told anyone lately what an angelic voice my Jerika has? I am pretty certain that everyone is tired of hearing that from me, but it is so true. She has had several recitals where mostly parents and grandparents come and listen, but this experience was way out of her comfort zone. She had to sing a song in another language and be judged. She did a fabulous job and I was so proud of her. She doesn't like to sing in front of people and it really makes me crazy, so this is really a step in the right direction.
We were so thankful for her painist, she agreed to play for her last minute.

She was very nervous, but we were in the auditorium and we could hear here, which isn't always the case.

This was the judge talking to her after she sang, giving her some pointers.

More pointers. She didn't make it State, but there are very few that do get to go. But that didn't matter to me, her proud mother at all!! She actually did it and that is what matters.

For those of you who don't know, but do care, Jerika will be tranferring to Madison next year. She is so excited and has so many friends there, so I hope her high school experience is better there than her freshman year at Sugar. I really wanted her to try out for the traveling choir at Sugar, but there are a few girls in the choir that are pretty creepy to Jerika so she didn't want to try out. We found out after we had decided to let her transfer that tryouts to the Madison choir were in a week and so I called the choir teacher and they let her try out. The have the Bel Cantos choir, which is both boys and girls and then the Musettes, which is just girls. She made the Musettes choir and I was so proud of her. She is so happy about it too and hopefully this will help her self esteem and she will feel better about her voice and performing in front of people. Go, Jerika!! Luv ya

Books I've read lately.

What with the stress I have had in my life lately, I have had to escape to book land quite a bit.  My siblings and I got mom a Kindle for Christmas this year and I must say that I have probably enjoyed this present more than her.  The reason being is that I also got a fabulous gift for Christmas from my wonderful husband, which was a Android phone.  With said phone I was able to sign up as my mom and download her Kindle books to my cell phone free of charge.  Well, come to find out there are a lot of free books on the Kindle than can be downloaded and I am taking advantage of that fact. 

This is a rather strange assortment of books, but I've read them all in the last couple of months. I'm not sure if this shows how diverse and well-read I am or if it shows a little bit of instability. 

I am still reading this one, but I am almost done.  I saw that one of my friends was reading it and I decided that since I have never read it I would give it a try.  I must say I am quite enjoying it.

I have to admit Anita is one of my favorite.  I think I have read all of her books, except for the series that deals with cancer (hits way to close to home).  This book is number 4 of a series , and I must say some of her books are a little cheesy, but they usually have a happy ending.  And right now, that is what I want, a happy ending. 

When I was looking through the free books on the Kindle, I saw this book.  I have not seen the movie, watched the play or read the book until this year.  As a result I had no idea at all what all the hype was.  I actually had no interest in watching the movie and have never had a chance to see the play.  I have to admit, I loved the book and now I think it is time to watch the move.  So, if anyone has it, let me know.

I love, love, love, Lisa Wingate.  She wrote a book entitled Tending Roses that my mom gave all of us girls a few years ago.  It really puts life into perspective and makes you think about what you are doing in your life.  Anyway, this book was a free download also, so I thought what the heck and I loved it.  It was a sappy love story, and yes it did have a happy ending too.

Another sappy love story and yes it was free too.  Young love at its finest, the bad thing is there is a book 2 and 3 and I think that might just be how they suck you in.  You put the first one in the series on there for free and then they charge you for the next two.  The other two books are only $5 each, but that is the only bad thing about having the Kindle in moms name, or maybe it is a good thing.  If I want to download anything that costs money, it automatically charges her card on file for my purchase.  So, I have to let her know and pay her ahead of time before.  But, right now I am reading some other things so book 2 and three of the Bella wedding series will just have to wait. 

So, those of you who know my sister KaReena, know that she is much smarter than I ever hoped of being.  She was valedictorian (which I am not even sure I spelled it right), does that tell you how not smart I am?  KaReena reads books that require much more intelligence than I possess, and this was one that she wanted me to read.  It is a classic also, so it was a free download, even though I had the book here, but was much easier to read on the Kindle.  Needless to say this book was much better than I thought it would be. 

I have decided that after reading some of these classics that they really aren't too bad and I am going to download more in the future.  I think my next adventure will be something by Jane Austin, and you guessed it, I have never watched any of the movies or read any of her books.  I really do need to expand my horizons.

I enjoyed all of them and the best part is that all of them were free, except for the Anita Stansfield book.  I did purchase that one and do have the series if anyone is interested in reading it, and others for that matter. 

Wow, that is a lot of books in the last 5 months, isn't it?  I have taken a few trips this year and I try to read during dance and voice and on my lunch hour now that my hours have been cut, I actually have a full hour lunch.  HAPPY READING!!

Kinlee's School Program - Idaho History

Here are a few pics from Kinlee's Idaho History program at school.  They did it at 2:00 in the after noon so that mostly just parents were there.  It was a cute program, but looking at these pictures I decided what I wouldn't give to be in Kinlee's head for just one day.  Her facial expressions sometimes just push me over the edge.  I have been on the receiving end of some those looks and let me tell you, it is just a little scary.  But, that is just her personality and I guess that is what makes her who she is.

I am pretty sure right here she is a little irritated with someone.  She is really good about doing what she is supposed to at things like this.  Also at her dance recitals and any public thing.  So, when other kids are naughty (in her eyes) or not doing what they are supposed to, she pretty much tries to keep them in line.  Which I am pretty sure doesn't go over very well with her peers.  I think that she has been in charge for so long at our house that she should be the boss everywhere else also.  Just ask Jerika, we try not to upset her too much around here, because it makes life miserable.  If anyone has any suggestions on how we can fix that, I am all ears!!  Or if you would like to keep her for a few weeks during the summer to straighten her out, just let me know.

Lots going on....

Life really has been pretty crazy around here lately and I do have pictures to download and blog about, but every time I sit down to the computer to download pictures, it won't work.  This is only picture I could get downloaded today.  It is a picture of Ray and his Granny on her birthday.  Hopefully I can get this stupid computer to work later and I can download the rest of the pictures from her birthday.

It seems like life the last few months has just gone by so fast!!  We have had a lot going on that I haven't even posted about yet.  Some of those things have pictures that I will try to download today and blog about.  The one thing I didn't take pictures of was my trip to Utah with my parents the first week in March.  It was not a fun trip and that is why I didn't take any pictures.  My cousin's husband in Ephriam died and so we went there for his funeral.  His name is Brent Banta and his death was a huge shock.  He is younger than my parents and they believe he had a heart attack.  My kids just loved Brent (and his family) and because of that they wanted to go to Utah with us.  So, we all left on March 3 to pay our last respects to Brent.  My cousin Ann was such a trooper the whole time, but she is such an amazing woman that I wouldn't have expected anything less from her.  We stayed in Salt Lake for a few days and just hung out with Shelby's family and then came home on Sunday.  It was nice to see family, but the circumstances didn't make for a happy "family reunion".  Ann and her family is constantly in our prayers and we thank Heavenly Father for Brent and for his example in our lives.

Kinlee's 1st Volleyball Game

These are not the best pictures, but I didn't have both lenses to my camera, and we were not sitting in a very good place to take pictures. Kinlee's first game was in Ashton. They have a total of 5 games each Saturday, they play 3, ref one and then sit one out. These games started at 12, so we got done about 3:30. They play for 15 minutes on each side and don't keep score, so it isn't very competative, since they are just learning. Kinlee served underhand this game and made almost every serve over. The thing they really need to work on is the returning stuff. But, for her first year, she is doing really well. And....she loves it, thank goodness. I love sports and was hoping that one of my kids would like something, so I hope she continues on.

This is her, she is number 2.

Team cheer. I will have her tell me what it is on the next volleyball post.

Grandma and Brayli came to watch. I know, that isn't grandma, but I guess I didn't take a picture of her. So, here is silly Jerika, who tried to convince us that this is her real smile. Kids.

 If you look really close you can see that Kinlee is watching us instead of listening to what her coach has to say. All in all they did a really good job for their first game. They are a good group of girls and her coach is a little quiet, but I guess not everyone can be loud and bossy like Kinlee's mom. And the girls really love her so that is what matters.

Oops, a little out of order.....

These are pictures we took at the hotel the day before the farewell, so that is why I said they are a little out of order.  We rode to Utah in KaReena's car and we filled it.  There was grandpa and grandma, KaReena, Lydia and Dax, and Jerika, Kinlee and I.  We all had fun, except maybe grandpa, but secretly we all know he loves spending time with us.  Even though he and Dax were surrounded by girls.  Blake and Cindy and their kids met us at the hotel and then dad and Blake went somewhere, I think a gun show or something and we hung out at the pool.  I thought I took more pictures of that, but I guess not.  This is actually plenty, I know, but that was just a little dialogue with myself trying to figure out where they might be.  Ok, sorry.

Later on Shelby and his family showed up, which you already know from the previous post about who we had dinner with Saturday night.  We had a really fun time!!  The kids all got long really well and played so good together.  Even the teenagers, oh thats right, we never have any trouble at all with our teenagers, they are all perfect, because we raised them to be fabulous people.  I bet you expected a lol or something right there, but I am pretty serious about that one.  In the grand scheme of things all of our kids are really good.  Yes, we have the usual little issues with them, but as I look around lately I can't complain at all about the 22,000 texts my daughter sent and received last month, because she is a good girl.  Ok, I did complain about it and took her phone away and cut her usage, but if that is all the problems I have with my kids, I am going to one lucky mom.  I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

Shelby & Dax

Mom, Ashlin and Anita

Cody, Natalie, Cindy, Peyton and Carter

Kinlee with her groupies, Dax & Lydia.

Yes, it is me, hey maybe that camera is where my other pictures are, I forgot I took 2 cameras with me, even though that is what I usually do.  Wow that was a long, run on sentence.  (Don't judge me Jana).  These pictures are from my little camera, you know the one that went swimming in the snake river and still works.  I better go do some checking, but rest assured I will not post anymore of this event unless they are really good.

Kelsie & KaReena

THE END.

Luncheon at the Browns after Adrian's "Farewell"

Who knew it would be so easy to love so fast.  Of course we all knew, at least I did, that I would love Adrian the first time I met him.  What I didn't realize, however, was how much we would love the family that raised him also.  I know I have it before, but the Brown's are so amazing, when we all hang out, it just feels like members of our family are with us.  That includes Natalie, we love her too.

We were all invited over to their house after church on Sunday.  It was so nice to meet their extended family and we were all so glad they made that possible.  Jerika and Adrian really hit it off from the beginning and were actually texting each other daily before he left.  Kinlee thought that Natalie was awesome and Adrian too, but she really took a liking to Natalie.  What a blessing all of this has been for all of us.  Good luck Elder Brown.

Sydnie, Kelsie, Adrian, Jerika, Ashlin & Code down in front.

Natalie, Carter, Dax Kinlee, Cody and another little cousin (don't know her name)

Grandpa and Brycen.  Look at those blue eyes he has.  Isn't he cute and isn't my dad cute too.  I should post some of his old photos he really looked like Elvis in his younger days.  Maybe he is what Elvis would look like now if he was still alive.  Love you dad!!

Adrian and his two dads.

KaReena & Adrian

Scary aunt and Adrian.  I really can't catch a break in pictures, but I posted it anyway.  I am destined to be the worst photographed person ever or at least on this blog.

Dinner the night before Adrian's farewell

Some of our family was able to go to Utah to listen to Adrian talk before he left on his mission.  It was so nice getting to spend more time with him and get to know him and his family better.  I know I have said this before, but the Brown's are so amazing.  Blake really could not have asked for better adoptive parents.  We also just love Natalie, she is Jerika's age and they had a lot of fun together.  Me and my two kids rode to Utah in KaReena's car with KaReena and her two kids, and mom and dad.  We were packed in, but we had a lot of fun.  We all stayed in the same hotel as Blake and Cindy and the boys and that was fun too.  Shelby and his family live in Utah so they were able to come hang out with us and come to church with us on Sunday.  Jerika actually stayed at Shelby's house, so our hotel room wasn't as crowed.

Jerika (I really wish I could her to act normal for a picture), Cody & Natalie

My two amazing nieces Sydney & Kelsie.

Peyton, Cindy, Brycen and Ashlin

Carter, Daxton & Lydia

Kinlee & Aunt Annie

Shelby & mom - he actually cooperated this time.

Dad and KaReena

Brycen, Ashlin and Adrian.  I think we were all seated by the time Adrian came in, so this is the only picture I got of him, I know I am a slacker.  I took a whole bunch on Sunday that I will post later.

Blake & Cindy and Neil & Cheryl Brown

Missing Rexburg man - please look, he is my friend. Thanks!!

You have to click on the link below that says share to see the information.  Please foward the article to anyone you know.  He is the one of the nicest people!!  Please help!!

share

FINALLY.........2011

We spent New Years eve at the Carlsons.  We had so much fun, even though the power was out for a few hours and it was below zero (not a good combination.)

Allisa & Brandon

Us with Brandon's light so we could see.

Ray had a head lamp and it was everyone's favorite.  DeAnn does however look a little irritated or something.  Maybe she just didn't want her picture taken in the dark or she didn't think we could see her face in the dark.  Thank goodness for the flash, it catches everything.

Even Kinlee's cross eyes, silly kid.  Mya's hair is getting so long.

Allisa's computer was still charged so the kids were able to watch their movie on that.

Wow, that is a little blurry, but you get the point.

Peyton, Kinlee, Reece