So, a couple of weeks ago we had a lesson on baptism. Mike demonstrated with Logan how it would be done when he turned eight. I just looked over, and Logan had Emma positioned just right and said he was baptizing her. Lol. It was cute. He pretended to dunk her under water and then Emma said, "Wait," and ran off. She returned with goggles and then Logan pretended to baptize her again. Now they are both wearing goggles. Lol. It's so cute.

So, I had a pretty bad cold for about a week and a half, but I'm much better now. Mike got really sick too so we weren't able to go to the ward campout... the kids were really bummed. So, we got a Redbox for them and Logan and Errolyn camped out in a tent in the living room. I found out that I will be playing with the professional Symphony again in their upcoming Planet's concert, so that will be fun. This last week I had a concert with my Symphony and it was a lot of really great music. Errolyn and Mike came and enjoyed it. We played Finlandia (otherwise known as Be Still My Soul), Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Bolero, 1812 Overture, and then a Phantom of the Opera suite. I've played the 1812 Overture several times before, but this time was the first time we played it with a choir. The choir wasn't very good at the beginning of the piece, but when the orchestra climaxed at the end of the piece, the church bells and cannon came in, and the choir came in singing "God save our sacred land," I was overwhelmed with emotion in both the dress rehearsal and concert. I'm thoroughly convinced that the composers of old who wrote such wonderful music were truly inspired of God. And when you're a part of such great music it is impossible not to feel the power behind it.

The big disappointment of the night was my violin. I was tuning, and somehow, my bridge completely snapped in half and broke. Every violinist turned my way in horror... every violinist's worst fear. Three jumped up saying they had an extra bridge I could borrow. But, upon further examination, my sound post had also fallen over, which is impossible to fix without a special tool. I was told I could still play without the sound post for one concert, but that it wouldn't sound very good and I would need to loosen my strings and remove the bridge as soon as I was done. I have a friend who works in a violin shop who also plays in the Symphony with me, so he took the violin back with him to his shop and fixed it for me. I picked up the violin on Saturday, just in time to play in a quartet for a wedding I was hired for. My violin sounds much, much better now... so I wonder if the bridge had been having problems for the last couple of months.

Cameron had an orthodontist appointment this week and is ready for braces. He will have braces on his bottom teeth and an expander on top for 5 months and then afterwards top braces. He was prepared to not eat chewy and sticky foods, but when they mentioned he couldn't have popcorn her was devastated. They told him to have a big popcorn party before he got his braces. Then Dr. Hulme came in, who we trust and know from church, and said Cameron would need some spacers in for about a week before he could get his braces. The assistant said they had time and could put them in right then. Great, one less appointment to make. So, Cameron got in his spacers, and THEN she told him the same rules for braces applied to the spacers, no sticky foods or popcorn. Cameron was crushed that he never got his one last popcorn party. Lol. Poor kid.

Friday, I went to enrichment and learned about self defense. I learned a few moves to escape from an attacker... watch out world. Saturday, we cleaned and then went to Malibu Castle with Carol since she had a Groupon that was about to expire. Emma was so cute on the go kart, thinking she was driving. She loved waving to everyone as we passed by them. And then on the bumper boat she was in charge of the sprayer and enjoyed shooting water at Errolyn and the others. We played golf... but quickly. 4 kids with golf clubs and balls is a scary situation, so we went fairly quickly through the course... lol. Then the kids used their tokens for games and got their prizes. Then I raced to pick up my violin and get to my wedding I had to play at. Afterwards, Mike and I went over to the Updike's and had fun playing games and talking.

So, we had the usual stuff this week: visiting teaching, dance class, Music Playtime, playgroup, and Cameron's writing club. Errolyn was also nominated to be on the morning announcements for the next 6 weeks. She was already the 4th grade reporter but had only been on a few times. Now she's the daily weather person and in charge of the camera and technical things needed during their broadcast. She's excited. Mike also went to Canada for a few days this week, but he's back now.

So, I had a good birthday week. Sister Johnson posted "happy birthday" a week early on Facebook and a bunch of my friends saw her post and thought it was my birthday. So, I got a lot of "happy birthday" messages a week early. One friend even gave me a present on Thursday with a cute poem saying she was sorry it was late. I felt bad telling her my birthday was on Friday and she was early, not late. But, it was still sweet.

Mike took off from work on Friday for my birthday. We started out the day going to the Kindergarten Fiesta Float Parade. Logan made his float with a solar system on top... he's really into planets right now. Then Mike took me to get a pedicure and out to eat at Stonewerks. It was fun to just have fun with him all day. In the evening, Jim and Grandma stopped by to have cake with us. Then we rushed Cameron off to his Sports Banquet to receive his tennis certificate and I took the other kids to the Scout Fundraiser. Errolyn volunteered to set-up for Cameron and help out at the fundraiser since Cameron was going to be late. Errolyn also made some cute necklaces and bracelets to auction off, Cameron donated tennis lessons, me two piano lessons, and Mike an IT Security consultation to setup firewalls, virus support, etc. We bought a CTR shield shaped pillow for Errolyn and some cake pops Cameron wanted. Boy Scout Camp is SO expensive, so I'm glad they had the service auction to help out. When we got home, I opened presents and we had my birthday meal (Taco Salad) today.

I woke up sick this morning with a cold, so today was uneventful. I went to Logan's t-ball game in the morning, but when I got back I was even worse and had a fever. Cameron went to a youth service project this morning and Mike went to help set-up. Mike and the kids went to the Updike's house for their Book or Mormon Party in the evening. They had a blast and I was sad I was too sick to go. Logan and Errolyn sounded stuffy when they went to bed, so I'm betting only half of us will make it to church in the morning, but we'll see. Dad called this evening and I enjoyed talking to him and most of my siblings called yesterday to wish me a happy birthday.

So, we had our General Conference review, led by Errolyn, for FHE and it turned out really good. Cameron and Errolyn took some really great notes. I taught Music Playtime again on Tuesday and then in the evening Mike and I had to divide and conquer. I took Emma to Cameron's National Junior Honor's Society induction and Mike took Logan to Errolyn's choir concert. Then we both dropped them off at the church for Scouts and Activity Days.

On Wednesday, I had my yearly OB appointment (NO, I am NOT pregnant), but the doctor got called to an emergency surgery so I was there quite a while. Mike had to come home at lunch and pick up Emma from playgroup because I was there so long. But, I was able to read a lot in my Stock book so that was good. Later that evening I sorted music at some of the church libraries. Emma had her dance class again and did much better this time at paying attention and actually... dancing. On Friday morning, Emma and I went to the elementary school to see the Science Hat Museum. To help the 5th grader's prepare for the state Science Test coming up, they assigned a science word to every child in the school and they created a hat based on the word. They displayed all of the hats, with the science word on the front, in a "museum" at the school. Logan had "condensation" and built a really tall palm tree on his hat with condensation drops on the leaves. Errolyn had "thermal energy" and built a giant volcano off the top of her hat... needless to say, our kids had some of the tallest hats, although many of the hats were very creative.

The kids had early release on Friday, I went to a Farmer's Market, and then the Scouting activities began. At 6:30pm Cameron's friend Josh came over so they could do their assessments for their Personal Fitness Merit Badge again. Then at 7:30pm all of the street friends and several from church came over for a Geohunt Cameron had to do for his Geocaching Merit Badge. He hid 4 different bags of candy and they went on a treasure hunt with the GPS coordinates. Then at 8pm, he built a fire and had a program where people told funny stories, jokes, skits, and did crazy cheers for his Communications Merit Badge. It turned out well and the kids all enjoyed themselves. We were worried about the burn ban, but the fire marshal told us the guidelines for building personal fires, so we just had to build up the fire pit a little taller and then Mike built a metal screen for the pit. At the end, the kids all had s'mores.

On Saturday, Cameron went to a Merit Badge Workshop and finished his Communications Merit Badge. Logan played a t-ball game and hit and threw really well. Mike and I went and saw "Oz, the Great and Powerful" last night and I enjoyed it. I expected it to be hokey, but I ended up really enjoying it and it had a good ending. The kids all want to see it now, but they are saving up money for their movie tickets.

Well, I’m glad we had already decided not to move before we heard Elder Ellis’s talk.   It’s been an interesting week. The kids had been planning April Fool’s Day for a while, so it was a fun day, not.  I woke up with my door taped closed and the words “Beware” taped on the door. They took the batteries out of all of the remotes, hid my cashews in the crock pot, hid Mike’s wallet, put a piece of tape under Mike’s mouse so it wouldn’t work (although that backfired because he didn’t use his computer all day andE rrolyn was the first one to use it and didn’t remember what she’d done when the mouse wouldn’t work), and then Logan gave me a plate of brownies… but they were really brown letter “e”s that he’d cut out in school… brown-“ee”s.  My only prank was to tell Cameron that Emma messed up his “Scratch” game he’d been programming all month… he was crushed so I quickly told him “April Fools.” 

On Tuesday, I took Emma to Music Playtime where I taught singing time.  She had fun, but is still getting used to it.  The kids had their State Test this week and think they did well, but they were a little stressed out.  On Thursday, I took Emma to her dance class.  She spends half the time looking in the mirror instead of dancing… (rolling eyes).  Lol. But, when she does dance she’s cute and she has a good time.  On Thursday, I think I lost my brain completely.  I was running late for my symphony rehearsal and grabbed my socks, violin, music, purse, make-up, and then I ran into the car and left…… and I forgot my shoes!!  My rehearsal is an hour away so by the time I realized I had no shoes I was 30 minutes down the road.  Mike looked up a Big Lots right around the corner from my rehearsal.  I ran inside in my socks and was actually able to find some cute, but cheap sandals… whew.  I also had trouble counting during the rehearsal… my concentration was completely off on Thursday for some reason.

On Friday, I took my van to the dealership to be checked out because Honda had a recall on the airbags in my Odyssey.  They said it would only take 5-10 minutes, so Emma and I headed inside to help ourselves to free doughnuts.  We walked out with our doughnuts and a huge, black bird flew out of a tree and took a bite out of my doughnut.  He then started swooping down at me over and over again trying to take my doughnut.  If I’d been thinking I would have thrown down the doughnut, but instead I sat there holding on for dear life while fighting him off with my other hand… lol… so stupid. Three men jumped up and started fighting off the bird so Emma and I could run inside.  Needless to say, I had to throw away the doughnut because of all of the bird bites and black marks on it.  I guess I should be grateful it was only one bird and not many, or that it attacked me and not Emma… but it was an interesting experience.  All day, anytime Emma or I saw a bird, she would walk really far away from it and yell, “Crazy bird.  Don’t take Mommy’s doughnut.”  Lol.

Mike and I saw “The Host” last night.  The book was good, but not great… same with the movie… good, and fun to see, but not great.  Even so, I still enjoyed it.  J Logan had a t-ball game this morning.  We took him and he had two really nice scoops off the ground and some great throws.  After about 5 minutes he walked off the field.  Mike went to see why he was leaving and then Logan threw up all over the ground.  So, we took him home and he’s been sick ever since.  Cameron and I went shopping at Sam’sClub because on Monday I will be making 4 months worth of freezer meals.  Normally I won’t do more than three months, but I felt I needed 4 months this time around. So, don’t call me on Monday unless you want to come help with dishes or watch Emma.   

I had an eye doctor appointment today.  She said I don’t qualify for Lasik and she wouldn’t even recommend contacts because one of my eyes is perfect and doesn’t need a contact. She said I need glasses for an “as needed” basis only, specifically when I’m playing the violin and can’t see the music or I’m driving at night.  Cameron’s orchestra teacher is creating four new levels of orchestras and had all of the students re-audition… Cameron made the top orchestra again.  Errolyn was assigned a small solo in her choir and she’s very excited.  Cameron was also selected to join National Junior Honor’s Society and will be inducted this week.  Other than that, conference has been great today; a lot of talks on marriage, family, and tolerance.  It was fun to hear President Ellis speak.  J

Our home teachers came over last Sunday and we had a good visit.  We colored Easter eggs for Family Home Evening, albeit a couple of days later than FHE.  On Wednesday, I finally had a "ME" day during Emma's playgroup and it was nice and relaxing.    Emma thinks anytime she gets dressed she's going to playgroup and gets super upset when it's only the store or another place.  It's tough being three.  I've been reading, "The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing" by Jason Kelly and it's been really informative.

Wednesday afternoon, I went to hear Cameron's orchestra perform at their UIL concert.  They did a great job and received straight Ones.  On Thursday, the missionaries came over for dinner and then Mike went to Stake PEC.  He's been having to go to a lot more Stake meetings lately.  On Friday, the kids didn't have school.  We cleaned for a little bit and then Cameron's friend came over so they could do some Scout stuff.  We all watched Big Miracle... which had some language I didn't care for.  On Saturday, we mostly did yardwork, cleaning, and organizing.  We had some friends come over for dinner and the kids all enjoyed playing together.  Today was Fast Sunday for us, which I originally thought was weird, but it turned out to be a wonderful meeting with many really good testimonies about the Savior and the atonement.  Afterwards, we went over to Grandma's and talked with her, Jim, Carol, Kathy, and George for a little bit.  We'll be having our own Easter dinner as soon as the mashed potatoes are ready. 

Someone in church today shared something I thought was neat.  She said she feels like it's easier to teach her kids about the true meaning of Christmas because it's easier to tie in Santa Claus (who gives) and Christ.  Also, people traditionally act out the nativity and sing hymns, etc.  But she has always struggled to tie in the Easter Bunny to Christ... of course.  So, when they have their family Easter egg hunt each year, there is one egg that when found only has a single, small, white cloth in it and nothing else.  She said this egg represents the tomb and the white linen that was found when Christ had been resurrected.  Whoever finds the egg gets a $25 budget to buy whatever they think will help the family draw closer to Christ, whether a book, making cookies for neighbors, etc.  She says her kids get more excited about finding this one egg than all of the candy eggs because then they get to plan out what the family gets to do.  Anyway, I thought it was a neat idea.

"Ideals are stars to steer by; they are not sticks to beat ourselves with."
--Barbara B. Smith, Ensign, March 1976

What I say now is not meant to cause contention or debate, but to merely be a testament of the things which I believe.

I believe that all human beings, male and female, are created in the image of God.  I believe that each person is a spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.  I believe that gender is an essential characteristic of our mortal and eternal identity and purpose and was determined before we came to earth.  I believe that I have a loving Heavenly Father who sent me to earth to gain experience, to be tested, and to learn how to return to him.  I believe that God has a plan for each of us to enable us to return to him.  I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman which union culminates in the creation of family which is central to God’s plan for us.  I believe that the sacred act of procreation should only be used between a lawfully wedded husband and wife.

I believe that God lives.  I believe that he loves us and wants us to return to him.  And as such, I will do everything, to the best of my ability, to return to him.  I am married, I have four beautiful children, and I try every day to be a little bit better with the hope that I can return to my Father in Heaven with my family by my side.  And as a mother, who also wants her children to return to live with God, I will do everything in my power to teach them how that they can return to him and how to keep God's commandments.  I will teach them that marriage and the creation of children is sacred and part of God's plan and as such can only be fulfilled between a man and a woman.  I know these things to be true and as I ponder them today, they bring me peace.  Peace to know that my Heavenly Father loves me.  Peace to know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me.  Peace to know that if I follow God’s plan that I can return home to him.  Peace to know that my family can be there with me.

(Some references courtesy of: http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TheFamily_AProclamationToTheWorld_35538_eng.pdf)

So excited for my next concert!  We will be playing:

Ravel Bolero
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Sibelius Finlandia
Tschaikowsky 1812 Overture
Encore will be Phantom of the Opera.

They had the audience vote on various pieces that we've played over the last 10 years for a "fan favorite" concert and this is what they chose.  The only pieces I like better (off the top of my head) are Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Dvorak's New World Symphony, and Holst's The Planets... but these other pieces are wonderful too!