Josh's concerts

Last week, we attended Josh's concerts. He plays the bass trombone. He has played the tuba, the bass trombone and the trombone in Idaho and this new band director was thrilled when he discoved Josh's versatility. 

Josh came home one day and told me the band director told him he saved the trombone section. That was a good day for Josh.

We were at the concert on Tuesday when I heard the band director say the wind ensemble would play Wednesday. Because Josh plays the bass trombone, he is in the wind ensemble also. Just like that we went from attending one concert to two. We had a bit of rearranging to do, but we listened to him twice.

I don't know what is wrong with me. I didn't get any pictures of him dressed up. I scrambled Tuesday to find a black button down shirt for the concert that night. I had to guess at the shirt size. I got the neck right, but the sleeves are a bit long. Oh well. That helped me as I had to get him a white button down long sleeve shirt for the Stake Christmas Concert last Saturday. He likes the short sleeve shirts.

Josh's play list from Tuesday:

  

    Ukrainian Bell Carol arr by Saucedo

    Happy Holidays/White Christmas by Berliln, arr by Ricketts

    Winter Holiday by Swearingen

    We Need a Little Christmas by Herman, arr by Ricketts.

Playing the bass trombone means he is way in the back in the middle of the band. I had a good view of his hands and slide. He told me the other trombones have really good high tones and they are all impressed at his really good low tones. He loves the basement or the foundation of the low notes.

Wednesday he borrowed Boaz's bow tie and wore a white shirt. He looked very dapper, and again I didn't get a picture. My mom licence should be revoked. I don't have the play list for the Wednesday concert. Double shame on me.

Oh wait. I don't have the play list from the Tuesday night concert. The previous list is from Wednesday. I'm going to leave this just to show how unorganized I am.

Josh still misses the Blackfoot Band program. But he is doing well here. And as he said coming home from one of the concerts, he is the savior of the trombone section.

First Concert

I have been busy looking back recently with Boaz. His last Primary Program. His last year in elementary school. His last what ever.

I need to still acknowledge his firsts.

He had his first band concert last night. 

He sat with the Beginning Band and Played:

   

    Ode to Joy by Beethoven/Bullock

     Jingle Bells arr by Higgins

     Up on the Housetop arr by Sweeney

     A Christmas Sleigh Ride by Feldstein/O'Reilly

Josh told me that Sweeney is a great arrainger for middle school music. Josh was very much the proud brother watching Boaz with his trumpet. He realized how far he has come since he started playing 4 1/2 years ago. When the band director mentioned that they were playing eighth notes Josh didn't quite know how to respond. It was good for him to remember.

A blurry picture of Boaz, third in from the edge. His horn is at a good level and he was confident in his part. Every day he practices 20 minutes after school. He tells me when he learns a new note. He has enjoyed band.

After the concert I made him stand for a picture with his bow tie.

A silly face. I wanted him to take out his trumpet. I was outvoted - everybody to one. :) 

Laughing at me and Josh. I love  his smile. I love his humor. I love the way he sees life.

Wanting me to be done and go home to watch the show they are into right now. Giving me a smile and hoping it will be enough.

I love this boy.

Scripture

I have been reading the Old Testament again. As I been about this ponderizing journey, I have determined to find a scripture in my weekly (actually daily) reading. I am in Leviticus. Leviticus worried me. I read now looking for a scripture to use for the week.

With all the lists and feasts and rules in Leviticus I was worried that I wouldn't find a verse for me to use. My reaction was to plow through the chapters in hopes of finishing and getting that much closer to Dueteronomy. I'm sure I passed up many versed that would have worked, but I did find this one.

I see it as Heavenly help as I try a new method of scripture study. And isn't that what Heaven wants from us? A chance to teach us from the scriptures?

This scripture spoke to me about the crazy time in which we live. We are severed from the current culture and traditions. We still stive to find God in every day, hour and minute. We still believe in commandments and absolutes. We still believe in accountability and responsibility. We still believe in being holy and being God's chosen people.

This is what I want. I want God to claim me as His. I want His redemption. I want His mercy. I want His salvation.

I want to be His.

Learning to sing

I have sung in church choirs for decades. I love to sing sacred music. I feel connected to Heaven as I participate in choirs.

This stake has a wonderful music program. I went to practices and felt very loud. I have often been the lone soprano and have learned how to belt out the notes over the rest of the choir. I have gained confidence in my ability to hit the notes and read music.

This choir is different. There are many sopranos. Among the many, there are excellent sopranos as well. The director is simply amazing. She is a voice teacher. She hears all sorts of things that I never knew existed.

I went to a practice and sat by the best soprano. It had been a while since I had sung anything high and was working on a new skill of singing soft. It has always been very hard to sing high notes softly for me. So, every high note I was very uncertain. She complimented me on my lower register and suggested that I sing the second soprano.

I was careful not to sit by her agian. :)

It took me weeks, but I listened to the expert instruction, and I tried again and again to sing in a light, airy, soft voice and still hit the high F.

Yesterday was the Stake Christmas Celebration. I have certainly not mastered the skill, but I sang the soft lullabys and still hit the notes.

I am grateful for expert musicians willing to teach enthusiastic, if not intimidated, singers new skills.

The music uplifted me and strengthened my testimony of the Savior.

Truly the best part of Christmas is the music.

Full house

Last week, we were blessed to have Thea come for Thanksgiving.

I'm not sure why I am so late in posting this. Lots going on, but still.

It was so great to have her here. The boys love when she comes. She seemed grown up and wanted to just spend time together. We thougtht she would want all the Black Friday excitement, but she wasn't as into that as we had thought.

We spent time with food, cards, frisbee and soccer. We shopped a bit, but mostly just enjoyed her company.

We didn't take many pictures, but we did get a few.

All the kids. Boaz is still straining to not be the shortest. He'll pass Thea and I up soon.

Thea got a great shot of Boaz at the neighborhood pool. She was so excited for the sun. It was still a bit chilly. We all headed to the hot tub one evening and we ran into a neighbor who laughed at us, in a nice way. The pool is empty because it's winter, but we out of staters, still enjoyed the great water.

Craig, Thea and I spent some time Monday before she left at the pool. You can see all of our toes. I  still have to be careful in the sun because I burn so much. But Thea loves it.

My eyes are closed, but this is a picture she took to take with her back to Oregon. We feel a little diminished since she left, but are so grateful to have had the time together.

Hyperbole

My boy seems to love hyperboles.

He was doing core work on grass. I picked him up and brought him home where his dad noticed grass all over his back. Craig began teasing him about the source of the grass. 

Josh responded with, " Still, I've already shed a pasture!"

Scripture

How I get through some days. I know He knows me by name.