Wicked

For our tenth anniversary my sweet, dear, kind, amazing, smarter-than-me husband took me to The Big Apple, also known as New York, New York.   I loved almost every minute but at the same time had a deep feeling of gratitude that this was just a short visit.  Relishing in the knowledge we would be returning shortly to our quiet, country town living.

While there we went and watched Wicked.  A broadway musical I knew nothing about and was slightly nervous of the title (not scary I learned).

I dreamed from the moment I watched this magnificent production of attending with my daughters.  I loved the message of the show and wanted to share it with them.  When it began touring and came to Salt Lake  I was extremely disappointed; the ticket price was outrageous.  It would almost be worth flying the girls to New York.

This year with Mary Dawn's assistance we had tickets in her cart.  I was ecstatic.  Short lived mind you.  She was delayed checking out and the tickets were dumped.  Never to be found again.  I was comforted that it wasn't meant to be and I would try again the next time it toured.

But blessings abound.

My mother purchased tickets and then found she would be out of state for the performance.  Through her great kindness I had the opportunity to take my girls to my favorite musical of all time.

We made it into a mini-vacation and used one of our free Marriott nights.  Andy swam with the boys at the pool and the girls and I went on a date.  They wanted to know what it was about.  I explained it was the prequel to the Wizard of Oz and that maybe Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West, may not be the evil person they have been lead to believe.

Magical -- the best word to describe it.  Both girls sat on the edge of their seats absorbing the fictional world being created.  Their eyes glistened, smiles beamed and there were giggles, giggles and giggles.  It was a night I will always remember and I hope they do as well.
  

T-shirts were purchased as souvenirs.  I really wanted to get them a "Defy Gravity" shirt (a message I hoped they learned) but their size was sold out.  

If dinner had been better the event would have been perfect -- perfection is over-rated though, really.  

Sunday morning we toured Temple Square as a family.  It was beautiful.  The grounds were serene, the temple had windows which were cracked open, something I would have never thought possible.  We spent a great deal of time in the basement of the North Visitor's Center viewing the interactive exhibits.  The spirit was strong and I felt an overwhelming peace.  

The whole deal was sweetened when I found I had captured this awesome photograph of my children.  They are my greatest blessing along with their father who happens to be my favorite, just saying.

Event occurred August 25-26, 2012

Pomp and Circumstance

With great anticipation, as of today at 9 a.m., Kyler is a kindergarten graduate.  In true Aysen fashion I say, "Yessssssssssssssss."

We made it!  He made it!

Kindergarten was a challenge for this little boy.  He is not Taylei nor Keanna.  Another moment in life that taught me he is his own person.

At our first parent teacher conference his scores were TERRIBLE.  40%.  I almost fell out of my chair with shock.  I didn't expect him to be the brain surgeon of the class but . . .

Things progressed, homework was given, learning occurred and we ended the year with an almost perfect report card.

I will testify the greatest help to accomplishing this, a little thing called the Book of Mormon.  Our family scripture study isn't perfect but I believe in the promise that reading this book together as a family will teach a child to read.  This helped this little boy.

As part of graduation, Kyler was asked to make a poster.  His assigned topic, "flowers grow in the ground."  I was super excited about the assignment.  The creative juices were flowing.  We had an extremely busy week and I kept delaying Kyler and his desires to work on his poster.

I came home the day before it was due and found he had taken matters into his own hands with clouds, dirt and a sun.  I was hit with an internal brick.  This wasn't my project.  This was my son's project.  It wasn't about how creative I am.  It would be much more impressive to see what his beautiful mind would create.

I let go and let him take control.

He chose out the paper and I used the Cricut to cut the flowers for him.  He arranged and adhered them.  I cut leaves and stems.  He once again glued them in place.  I loved doing this with him.  He has so much talent bottled up within his head, I'm glad he had the opportunity to use it.

The results were magnificent.

Mrs. Larsen was an amazing teacher.  Kyler had 28 kids in the class.  Wow!

I helped in his class on Friday's and I would usually leave shaking my head, completely bewildered.  She let them do projects I wouldn't want to try with just one child, example - paper mache.  They learned how different cultures from around the world celebrate Christmas.  The list of going above and beyond goes on and on and on.

Mrs. Larsen did all this and NEVER raised her voice.  She didn't need to.  The students listened and responded to her gentle command.  I need to take some parenting lessons from her.

Her discipline system involved colored dots.  Each day a calendar came home with a dot colored for the day.  Green = good, Blue = warned but didn't correct behavior, Red = serious trouble.

I'm proud to report Kyler had one blue and all the rest green.  The blue dot was on the very first day the system was used.  We talked about respecting our teacher and following directions.  I'm glad Kyler adapted to the importance of this very quickly!

We once again enjoyed amazing support from our family as they came and watched him graduate.

(Why we had to have his popsicle in every picture I can not understand, why kindergarteners were given popsicles while in their Sunday best is a mystery as well.  I'm guessing this is another learning moment for me, something like seize the moment and don't fret about things a washer can solve).

With the recent change of address for Grandma Williams we also got to enjoy her presence.

I must take a moment to add how amazing she is and how much help she has been in our home.  I believe my children are praying against them having a timely completion of the remodel next door.  They love having her live with us, Grandpa and Jason are o.k. too.

Graduation pictures seem to be a great way to show growth.  I predict in the next graduation picture I will take the role of the shortest participant.  I'm not trying to wish any days away but these two boys are growing so fast, sooner or later they will pass me by.

The kindergarten class created self-portraits which were hanging on the walls for decoration.  I was in the classroom the day they worked on these and the personalities were shining through.  (I ended up loving all of the kids as well, each so different, each a spirit sent from heaven).  Uncle Jason was nice enough to agree to Kyler's request to attend and photographed the event for me.

I've always thought Kyler was a spitting image of my brothers but maybe he looks like his Uncle Jason as well -- they seem to have an uncanny resemblance.

Aysen spent a ton of time in Kyler's classroom.  He thought he was just as big as the students in the class.  He participated in stations, art projects and he even ran the Mona mile which is a pretty big loop around the playground.  Mrs. Wohlforth, the principal gave the students a flag.  Aysen was determined it was really his and by the time we made it outside we found Aysen had used his persuasion skills and convinced his father the kite needed to be flown sooner not later.

My little boys aren't so little anymore.  I'm so glad they are growing and learning but a few blinks and one year has past and then two and three.

As the words of the song so elequently express:  Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back;...life is quick in passing. 'Tis as a single day. ("Improve the Shining Moments," Hymns, no. 226).


And in the beautiful words of our holy prophet: Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of 'what if' and 'if only.' 

If I could only learn to live by those words.

Event occurred May 25, 2012

Morning Reflection . . .

Andy wakes up first in our home.  He will usually shower, get dressed and ready, wake up the girls and commence scripture study.  I regretfully admit I am not always in attendance.  Morning is still my least favorite time of the day and sometimes when it has been an extra rough night with Aysen the bonds of the bed hold me captive.

Aysen and Kyler join in on occasion.  Aysen sleeps quite well as long as there is a body he can curl up next to.  When he realizes he is on his own he awakens and voices his plea for rescue.  Kyler sleeps and sleeps unless he has something he is looking forward to and his internal excitement alarm goes off.

This morning Aysen joined the morning routine.  He may not say one word but he communicates quite effectively.  You know what he wants and how he wants it as long as you pay attention to his guiding finger and grunts.

Today he had a need to wear socks.  As I watched his dad's crew (mid-calf) socks reach the top of Aysen's thighs I was amazed.  He is so little but has also grown so much.  My thoughts raced to the future when he will be the same size as his father.  The years of schooling, scouting, athletics(?), other interests, a mission, college and marriage?  This was way more than my mind wanted to embrace.  He is only 21 pounds.  He doesn't say a word.  But Taylei was this small eleven SHORT years ago.  Time flies to swiftly.

Today as I complain about the cupboards he empties I need to remember this phase won't last long.  My dishes will stay where they belong and our hygiene items won't be strung all over the bathroom floors.

He will be able to eat on his own without requiring a call to hazmat to clean up the aftermath.  He will grow and someday fill his daddy's socks.

I need make a note to self to enjoy the hear and now, to embrace all the stages of life.  To smile and enjoy the journey especially after I find the 'splashing in toilet water' mess.

I also need to try and embrace a quote I once heard, "Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning Satan says, "Oh, %#*$! She's up again."  Right now I'm quite sure he just sits and smiles as I sleep away my morning . . .