Master of the shoes

Jane was getting ready for school and came up to me and ask me to tie her shoes.  I sat on the bed and began to tie and Jane sighed and said "my teacher told our class that there are so many kids who need there shoes tied that she would really like a "Master Shoe tier"  I wish I could be that person."    One of the beautiful things about afternoon kindergarten is not feeling rushed to get out the door first thing in the morning.  So I told her I could teach her.  Jane got so excited and we spend the next 15 or 20 minutes practicing tying her shoe.  I was amazed at how fast she picked it up and before she left for school she had tied her own shoes.  She was just as giddy when she got home telling me about all the kids shoes she tied that day as the "master shoe tier"
A few days later she informed me that it was very important she learn how to tie a double knot because if she doesn't all the kids shoes keep coming undone.  Once again she picked up on it so fast and left for school equipped to tie double knots.    
Oh how happy it makes me to see my kids confidence grow even with small things.  I'm also once again impressed with the craftsmanship of her most positive kindergarten teacher to motivate my Jane to tackle a hard task!!

Bart got the Job!!!!

Yesterday Bart officially found out he will be heading over to All State Insurance as a claims adjuster December 1st.  We are thrilled.   The benefits will be so much better.  Bart's excited to be in a position that is a "pay for performance" type of job.   The hours should be much better and hopefully Bart is home in the evenings.  I'm way excited for better PTO.  I'm already thinking California vacation next summer. 

Most of all I feel incredibly grateful that prayers are answered.  A couple of years ago I started praying that an opportunity would come to Bart that would be better hours so my kids and I could see him more.  Soon after he was transferred to the Sandy store which being 1mile away has been a huge blessing but he still continued to work 7 to 7 a lot of days.   So I continued to pray that he would find work that would be better for our family.  Each time I prayed I felt the spirit tell me "Just be grateful there are many men who don't even have a job"  I think the Lord was quietly telling me to be patient.  Anyway now that Bart has this job I feel so grateful that I'll have a little more help with the kids from Bart and that Heavenly Father once again heard and answered my prayers!!!

Some things never change

When Jane was just little I posted https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3186183793554300387#editor/target=post;postID=4416380649282150540;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname about her "early bird" personality.    Boy has this not changed.  Each morning when I slip out to the gym or work I tip toe around the place thinking "Don't wake up Jane, don't wake up Jane"  More often than not that girl is by my side in the blink of an eye ready for the day.

Last Saturday was no different.  As I was leaving for the gym around 6:30 Jane appeared all excited saying she looked out the window and there was snow!!  She started rambling on about all the fun they were going to have making snowmen.  I tried to calm her down saying that a skiff of snow is not enough to make a snowmen.  I told her it's too early to be up and to go get back into to bed.  I then left for the gym.

When I got back Emily was all in arms complaining about how Jane woke her up at like 6:45 wanting to play and it's Saturday the day she could have slept in!!!

A couple days later Aaron went to bed really late.  The next morning after Emily was off to school Jane was ready to play with her "buddy" and stormed in his room to wake him up.    I came running after her to stop her from waking her brother but it was too late.  I had to laugh as Aaron laid there, kicked his legs, rubbed his eyes and said in his crackly early morning mad voice "Jane wake up".  Meaning Jane woke me up.  He was not happy with her.

Duet

This past Sunday Emily had the privilege to play a duet  "Baptism" in the sacrament primary program with her Grandma Becky.  They didn't miss a beat.  I was so proud!!!!

Did you know Zoombies play Violas

Emily's school as an optional (meaning parents pay for it) early morning orchestra.  It's meant for 4th and 5th graders but when I asked about it the teacher said she'd love a 3rd grader that has prior music knowledge.  I was so happy when Emily said she'd love to do it.  I really wanted her to play the Cello but she wanted nothing to do with it.  Instead she chose the Viola.   So every Monday and Friday morning Emily is at the school at 7:45 with her Viola.  Every night after she practices the piano she picks up the Viola and screeches Oh I mean practices that too.   I remind myself that musicians had to start somewhere.

On Halloween she had her first ever orchestra concert.   They played all sorts of spooky numbers.  I thought it was very clever how they combined the school choir with the orchestra.  The choir sang the phrase "something's creepying through the house" and then the orchestra all played a note that sounded like something screeching through the house.    

One things for sure.  Emily makes the best zoombie musician/bride.