The making of a musician

I think this post is more of a motivational speech for me than anything! 

My mom once told me that if you are impressed by a musicians talent you should walk right past them and congratulate their parents because it was really them that created the musician.     When I think about my Grandma Morrell I only think of sunshine, kindness and sweetness.  My mom would beg to differ with stories about my Grandma ruling with an iron fist  locking her  in the parlor at 6AM each morning to practice her piano for an hour.  As my mom got older and more advanced my Grandma sacrificed her time and drove my mom 3 hours every other Sat to Provo for lessons with a more experienced teacher.   By the time I came along it was well know that my mom was considered a gifted musician who shared her talents freely and little was mentioned about the hard work behind it.  My grandma didn't really mention much about the sacrifices and work behind it.  But looking back I also remember my Grandparents were always in attendance when my mom was asked to accompany or perform for programs and I'm sure my Grandma was ever so humbly deep inside reaping the rewards of pride of all the sacrifices she made along the way.   I was also touched deeply with my mom's tribute to her mother at her funeral thanking her for all the sacrifices she made to allow my mother's gift to flourish.  It was very motivating for me to be that type of mom.

I'll tell you what though the struggle is real in the trenches of getting kids to learn instruments.  It takes a lot of determination from both me as the mom and my kids as the learners.    Consistent daily practice is often a power struggle that I'm continually figuring out how much independence can I give them as well as a lot of brain power to stay ahead of them with incentives.   Not to mention the money for all the lessons as well as the time on my part.    The first year I signed Emily up for Suzuki camp I was surprised to discover that it wasn't a drop off and see you at 5 type of camp.  They expected the parents to stay, take notes and implement the strategies at home.    While waiting for the next session to start I made friends with another mom and we both started talking about the time and money commitment this camp was.  She had many kids she had put through Suzuki  who were successful teenagers working into adulthood and wisely said "I just tell myself it's better now than having to pay for rehab later in life". 

I've also read a few posts on Facebook talking about the intellectual benefits of learning music as well one about how to raise good kids and I was struck by a phrase that said "Sign your kids up for orchestra/and or band because that is where the nicest kids are found."    I've really found this to be true.   I sent Emily off to a middle school with over 1500 kids in 3 grades with a nervous heart wondering how you ever find yourself in such numbers. (Something I never experienced as a small town girl)  What I've found is she's thriving and has found her people.  She's got such a great group of very nice and kind friends.  Where did she meet them?   Honors classes and orchestra.  Enough said right?


In the end why do I drain my wallet each month and pressure my kids each day.    Do I expect my kids will be concert musicians?   I'm sure that would be amazing if they did and if it leads to that hallelujah I'll be the beaming mom in the audience but really I do it for them to understand the value of hard word leads to accomplishment, pushing through hard things including a nagging mom and finding self confidence along the way. 


Here's a few recent pictures of my kids performing.

Quick cast of Christmas..

It's been a while since I've blogged but Bart's been non stop on the computer getting ready for Sundance.   Here's a quick summary of our December happenings.


Zoey the Elf came on Dec 1st with her traditional wrapped advent calendar for each kid.

We also hit up a live Bethlehem and live nativity in Pleasant Grove this year

All my girls (YW)  came over for a fun Christmas party sock exchange!

Our ward went all out for a Who-ville Christmas breakfast.  YW in charge of whoville do's for all.

We went Caroling with the Youth at the Wentworth Nursing home

Met my other ladies (bookclub) for our traditional Christmas dinner at the Grand America.

Somehow Bart and I volunteered last year to host the neighborhood white Elephant exchange.   Good idea last year.  Stressful idea this year.    One thing it did was motivate us to do some deep cleaning/touch up the walls.    In the end it was deep belly laughs as always and the bore's head got a make over courtesy of Bishop Simpkins.   Luckily we missed the bullet picking the beautiful candy jar that was housing a poem from Bella the Bore and it made it's way off our wall.

The day of the party the kids  Pauline and John were nice enough to take them for the day and have a sleepover with them.  

Suzanne treated them to an afternoon at the Children's Museum

Ooey Gooey Chex mix for my neighborhood gifts this year

Christmas Sunday Pictures.

 Gingerbread  house decorating

 

We made a quick trip down to Annabella for a Sunday dinner with the Pace's.

Christmas Eve at Papa and Nona's.  Nona had all the kids making their own rock art manager scene

Jammies for all.

Christmas morning opening.   Not many pictures this year.  Living in the moment I guess.   (Sorry Jane I don't know how I missed you opening a present.)

Whew it's over!

The real reason....

It's a busy Saturday and I've got a few hours to finally get my Christmas decorations up.    I've also got 4 eager hands to help.   I'm trying to keep it all together and hands are pulling things out of boxes and things are getting mixed up and I'm  nervous things will start to get broken.    When I feel like I'm about to lose it and send their helpful hands away.  I look down and notice Spencer like this...

 

He had discovered the box of a compilation of old ceramic nativities I've rounded up over the years, mostly from Deseret Books  free gift with purchase.   All of my kids have man handled these to death and what's left is a variety of pieces some half broken.   There are 2 or 3 figures of the baby Jesus (you can never have enough of the baby Jesus,  he is the first to walk off and end up somewhere else.  One year I spent a long time getting him out of a ceramic house that a little finger and masterfully shoved through the window and then became distraught realizing he was stuck)   Spencer caught my attention with his mooing sounds and then I paused and watched and noticed his conversation to himself.   Here are a few phrases....

While holding the baby Jesus he showed him to all the other nativity characters and said to each one "Jesus loves you."     He also said "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" as well as "in the name of Jesus Christ Amen"  over and over again. 

It was one of the teaching moments for me and brought me back to Matthew Chapter 18:1-3 which says

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

There really isn't anything sweeter than a 2 year old playing with a nativity set.   Spencer taught me that even in the mist of the chaos of the season if only we pause and remember the Savior we can feel the true reason and spirit of the season.  This Christmas I've been trying harder to do that and have found that as I'm doing the same busy things such as Christmas cards, wrapping presents, shopping, baking, activities with the youth,  etc...  when  I pause and think about the Savior, the spirit of giving feels my heart and these simple tasks don't feel so heavy and I feel a little like the phrase from the song  Oh Holy Night "....a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices."