The month of April

Meet Kate Vera Shelley.  She was born on May 6 and weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces.  We all love her tons and tons!  Rakay was there to help with her birth which we were all very happy about!  Lily wasn’t too sure about the whole thing and wouldn’t let her mom out of her sight for a few days.  Now Lily is her mom’s biggest helper.  April finally got Lily to hold Kate a few days ago.  Kate actually let April sleep for 4 hours straight last night.  Ah, the joys of being a new mom!  I took a week off of school to help out.  That was pretty fun.  

This last week all of the kids had to take the AIMS (Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards) test which was not too fun.  Sam didn’t have to take the AIMS test this year.  The 9th grade took the Stanford Achievement test which he said was EASY.  We are coming upon the month of May which in some ways is busier than December.  Bring it on because then school will be out.  Sam performed in the PCC Gala which was a fund raiser for the choir so they got to sing for their supper (in a manner of speaking).  The Gala is PCC’s big fundraiser for the year.  I’m grateful to his voice teacher for hauling him over to Phoenix for all the rehearsals.  His next voice recital is May 5 which is the day before April’s birthday on May 6 which is the same day that Kate will be blessed.   She is wearing April’s blessing dress.

This weekend it has been HOT-- like 102 hot.  I am not looking forward to the long hot summer.  Sam and I went to a really great concert last night while Gary went to the ballgame.  We saw a group called, The Real Group.  They are a vocal jazz group.  He and I really enjoyed it.  It’s amazing to me how they make all the different cool sounds with just their voices.  Sam made the top two choirs at Mountain View for next year and he will only be a sophomore.  I know I am bragging, but I am truly amazed at the talent the Lord has given him.  It is pretty awesome. 

Our April Teachings for our Times lesson was Elder Holland’s talk, which I really liked a lot.  We have really great Relief Society teachers on our ward so Relief Society is a pleasure to attend.

Tax season is over.  I always wonder how Gary makes it with so little sleep and such long hours, but he does.  Now it is baseball season, so I guess that makes up for it.

Stephen and Chris are still working away.  Chris got his car fixed and new tires to boot.

Happy May.

March Happenings

Apparently, Kate could arrive at any moment.  She has, however, chosen not to, so we will have to wait until she is good and ready.  Kate’s room is all ready.  Lily isn’t quite sure about all of this.  She says the baby is going to live at our house.  I definitely don’t think that is going to happen.  Lily and April both have the stomach flu, so we hope they GET WELL SOON and please don’t give it to us.

We have had a wonderful March and I hope we can look forward to an even nicer April (weather wise I mean).  I have enjoyed walking and riding my bike and can happily say that I did not waste the good exercise weather this year.

Grandma and Grandpa were here this weekend.  Stacie and Boyd had dinner on Sunday.  Stacie made some scones that were pretty much to die for and Erin made some equally great rolls.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Yesterday I got a cortisone shot in my back to take care of a pinched nerve that has been killing me.  They said it might take 5 days to work, but I feel better already and am greatly blessed by modern medicine.  The shot wasn’t too comfortable but so far the result has been marvelous.

Sam is getting ready for the huge Phoenix Children’s Choir Gala.  The tickets are $125 a piece and they sold out.  It is supposed to be quite the grand event.  Sam has lots of rehearsals in two weeks to get ready.  Sam didn’t make all state this year, but just wait until next year!

Chris got rear ended on the freeway.  He said at least it was a nice day to be stuck waiting for the highway patrol.  The picture of his car didn’t look too bad.

It’s March so Gary is working every minute on tax returns.  I don’t know how he keeps the hours that he does, because I would be dead.  Baseball starts soon.

My Aunt ReNee died a couple of days ago.  She was one of my favorite aunts.  She tried to teach me to play the piano, without much help from me because I didn’t practice much.  She played the organ for Gary and my wedding and made the best dipped chocolates ever.  She was also quite the story teller.  She came to Arizona with my mom when Chris was born.  She was regaling us with hilarious story after hilarious story and making me laugh so hard things started to hurt.  I finally had to beg her to stop.  She had a wonderful life with challenges as we all have.  I’m sure she and my Uncle Ralph are very happy to be together again.

Only about 40 more days left of school.  Yes!

P.S.  Kate arrived on April 6 at 11:51 a.m.  She is beautiful and we love her.

Michelangelo?

I was going to Arizona Mills the other day to do some shopping.  Stephen said to me, "Hey, Old Navy has Michelangelo shirts.  Could you get me one?"  Of course my mind goes to the artist, the painter of the Sistine Chapel, David, etc.  I thought maybe they had a shirt like this one with a fig leaf place in a strategic location.

So, I'm looking all over for a shirt like this.  Couldn't find one.  I finally gave up and decided to check out without the shirt.  As I'm ready to check out, I asked the clerk about the Michelangelo shirts.

He replied,  "Oh, Michelangelo, the ninja turtle."  Duh, I should have known, Stephen, Chris and April watched that cartoon every day. (April would HATE it when they would call her April O'neill.)

Stephen is now the proud owner of a Michelangelo t-shirt.

January Happenings

When last we corresponded, April was writing the newsletter while I was busily making Christmas cookies.  I love December, but I like January because it is like the calm after the storm.  

We all had a very Merry Christmas around here.  It was especially fun to watch Lily.  We went to church.  Sam sang a solo.  Chris gave me a Kindle Fire which I have had a lot of fun with.  Especially since I can take it to church and it has all the scriptures plus the George Albert Smith manual.  No more heavy scriptures for me.  It also has the internet.  What more could I want, oh yes, games and books!  I love technology.

We started off January with our anniversary--31 years.  Gary and I took a trip to Sedona and stayed in Oak Creek Canyon at a bed and breakfast called the Canyon Wren Cabins.  Oak Creek Canyon is one of my most favorite place in Arizona, probably because it reminds me of Utah.  We went hiking and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  The weather was perfect.  We had a fire in the fireplace in our cabin every night.  The breakfasts were yummy.  We got a homemade brownie every day.  We found some great restaurants in Sedona--Mexican, Italian, and a sandwich shop that had the most delicious soft bread ever.  Fun times.

Sam jumped right back into PCC.  This Saturday is singing regionals for school.  Sam has been working hard on his solo and sight reading. His voice teacher has been a huge help.  Good luck to Sam next Saturday!  Break a leg!

April and I got Lily some new spring clothes.  She is insisting on wearing them now however, even though the weather isn’t totally cooperating.  She also insists that the new baby’s name is “Cake” even though all of us have tried to tell her that it is “Kate.”

Tax season has started for Gary, so he is getting very busy.  Lily likes to help him with the garden and loves to eat the broccoli.

I jumped right back into school also.  The second graders have been working on “carrying and borrowing.”  The new term is regrouping.  Whatever it is called, some of them are having a hard time.  They almost had me convinced that 2 is greater than 9.  Needless to say, we have some work to do with a few of them.

I must say this whole Relief Society President thing is a little weird for me.  Nothing like getting a new calling to see oneself in a whole new light.  I see my strengths, but I also see things about myself that I wish I was a whole lot better at.  I have to say my favorite part is feeling the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  Anyway, I’m sure the more I work at it, the better I will get with the Lord’s help. 

Bad Behavior at Frys

April, Lily and I went to Frys on Thursday to pick up a few things for dinner.  Lily loves to ride in the car attached to the cart.  As we were walking to the store from the parking lot, we observed the following:  Apparently someone in a truck accidentally almost ran over someone or simply got to close to them.  All of a sudden the "f" word starting flying along with the middle finger salute.  As the woman in the truck was backing up, one of the men standing there hit her window and challenged the woman in the truck to a fight.  (By the way, the truck had handicapped license plates on it.)

I have to wonder--what were they thinking?  Does swearing and flipping the bird make one tougher?  Why are some people so aggressive?  I don't know, but they looked liked total idiots to everyone standing there watching them.  And I wonder why some of the kids at school act the way they do.

Ending 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As Christmas quickly approaches we are franticly trying to prepare for it’s arrival. This week will be spent doing some last minute Christmas shopping and will be very filled with baking for Carol and April. Every year they prepare plates full of numerous goodies for neighbors and friends.

Lily is VERY thrilled to have Santa come and visit her. She is certain he will bring her a princess for Christmas. We are also prepping her for sleeping over at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. She loves sleeping in her bed but anywhere else is questionable.

 Gary has been busy with tithing settlement and is all finished. He and Carol have also attended two parties for his work. One was a catered event at a museum and the other was held at a Brazilian restaurant. Carol had some very “exciting” things happen this month. She was called to be the Relief Society president in the ward. All of the information and duties are very intimidating at first but she will do awesome. She has some very good counselors and secretary to help her out as well.

Sam is counting down the days until he gets out of school for the Christmas Break. Only two more days full of finals left. Sam has been extremely busy with all of his singing and all of the concerts he’s been in (as have Gary and Carol). A big group of us got to attend one of his Phoenix Children’s Choir concerts, it was very enjoyable. He had another concert with school called the "Holiday dinners." They perform at a local vocational school where they have a culinary program. So Gary, Carol, Stephen, Chris, and April all went, ate dinner, and watched Sam sing. At the end the alumni get to join the students and sing two songs that they sing every year. So April went and stood by her “little” brother and sang with the choirs. He is also singing in church on Christmas.

 Stephen is still working hard. He is the one of the Gospel Doctrine teachers in his ward and is excited to be teaching about the Book of Mormon next year. He is also co-chair of the ward Home Evening Committee. The name of his ward was changed to the Mesa YSA 3rd Ward in anticipation of the forthcoming YSA stakes in Arizona. Lily loves to come over and find Stephen and then play with all of the stuff in his room--especially when they get to play with animal puppets.

 Chris has been pursuing a new hobby. He goes rock climbing with a friend about three times a week. He is getting pretty good at it and has been acquiring as much equipment as possible so he can do outdoor and indoor climbing.

Sam and April did not attend his work party since all it involved was riding a bus around Phoenix and bar hopping. Sam would like you all to know that The Dear Leader, Kim Jung Il passed away ascended into heaven escorted by a multitude of cranes today. Praise Allah. Anyway, yesterday Sam held his first "Operation First Class." He’s developing a way for the boys to get a lot of the basic requirements up to first class scout out of the way so they can work on more nitty gritty stuff. It went pretty well. April is relieved that she made it to the end of the year with enough teachers in primary and is excited to start the new year fresh with only one teacher short. She’s also excited to get the new babies room all cleaned out, organized, and eventually painted. Lily loves to tell stories, we understand some more than others and her newest word is “hypothesis”. She learned it from her new favorite show Dinosaur Train.

 Well that’s it for us. See you in 2012!!!

School--First week

So I made it though the first 3 days of school, but not before almost dying on Thursday because it was so humid. Yuck.

I am helping in a kindergarten class for the first two weeks of school. Very interesting experience. One little boy cried ALL day on the first day of school. Believe me, that takes effort. He would stop when something interesting was happening, then realize he wasn't crying and start wailing again. Then there's the poor little girl who speaks NO English. She doesn't have a clue about what is going on. And here's the thing. This little girl will be expected to perform as well as English speaking kids on tests at the end of the year. I ask you, is that fair? Talk about setting someone up for failure. Just my opinion.

Here's some things I took for granted working with first graders: they know which part of the paper is up, they know how to hold a pencil, they know that we read from left to right, they can follow directions, they have known how to write their names for a long time, they know what to do in the cafeteria, and they can listen for more than 3 minutes.

I really miss my teacher friends in first grade. I miss my friend Sheryl because I won't see her as much this year.

And yet, I came back because I love the kids and it is a pleasure to see them learn and grow.

I also decided that I needed to get up at 5:30 so I can exercise every morning because I am way too tired after school. So I go out to the swimming pool and do water aerobics. It is quite pleasant out there at that time of the morning. I just really don't like to get up so early, but since I do, my new bedtime is 9:00.

Sam started high school this year and so far he seems to enjoy it. He is at Phoenix Children's Chorus camp this weekend in Prescott. Lucky him. Gary and I took him up yesterday and it was so nice!!! Chris and I are going to pick him up tomorrow and listen to his choir sing. Lucky us!