No small feat

Hello my dear friends & family! Happy Halloween to everyone of you.

My friend Michelle did the impossible and captured my not so little family in an orchard on Wednesday. As you can well imagine, this was no easy feat. Feat as defined in Websters as 1.a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness, skill, etc.

She has just launched her website and has us featured in the portfolio section under families. She has a gift for capturing light, charm and beauty. If you are ever in this neck of the woods and want some magic, book her soon. Details are on her site.

Happy Haunting!

p.s. thank you aunt Lindsay for helping tame those crazy boys of mine. We couldn't have done it without you!

Max who?

Matthew knew exactly what he wanted to be for Halloween months ago.

"I want to be Max Hall," Matthew said.

"Max who?" I replied.

Brett chimed in his two cents, "Oh Claudia! He's the BYU quarterback, of course."

Well duh, of course!!! Brett's heart went pitter-patter when he saw his oldest son come down the stairs in all his Max Hall glory.




Matthew and his awesome piano teacher Bridget

We warned Matthew that given that we live in a predominantly "red" (70/30) area, he might catch some slack for wearing blue. He didn't care. He was just thrilled to be able to take down his brothers with all his pads on.

Here he is at his piano recital performing Halloween Hoedown. Wonder what Max Hall would think about that?


(I have no idea why this loaded sideways! Oh well, at least you can hear it. Kick back, tilt your head and enjoy the music;)

Tennis anyone?

If you can't brag about your babies on your own blog then where can can you?

So, indulge me a minute while I brag a little about our sweetie pie, Lisey. She played #1 Junior Varsity for Skyline this year as a freshman and had a fabulous season. Out of 15 matches she only lost one. At JV Region's she took 1st place and within the Skyline JV tournament she also took 1st. She had some tough competition and grew immensely as a player. As her coach pointed out during the finals at Region regarding her opponent, "that girls a fool to hit it to her back hand".

One of the reasons I love tennis so much is because it mimics life so closely. You learn patience, balance, consistency, sportsmanship and strategy. You have to find something deep inside to keep you going when your down. Analisa has developed all of these skills and more. We are so proud of her accomplishments not only in the game but in life.

Keep swinging sweetheart. As dad would say, "YOU ROCK!"

Our Belle sings Home

This is for you Crystal and Moni - two of Sarah's biggest fans. I put clips of Brett and Brenda doing My Fair Lady on his blog. What would we do without Ward Roadshows? Enjoy!

Music Therapy

Every once in a while we find that a piano, cello, violin, or voice lesson provides us with much more than just practice playing notes or singing a pretty song. Quite often lessons provide us with what I call therapy, music therapy. Lessons take place in a safe place surrounded by mentors that truly get our kids. Frequently lessons provide an environment where they can express frustrations or joys through music and leave feeling lighter, happier, and cleansed.

As many of you know, my sweet Sarah has had a tough go with her transition to the big ole' scary Skyline High. Girls who were once considered best pals have turned downright mean. Gossip, rumors and jealousy have all shown their ugly heads. At the beginning of the school year she'd come home from school and beg to be home-schooled.

"Sorry, I don't do Honors Chemistry or Honors World Civ", I informed her.

Lately, her plea has been to transfer to a different school.

"The same problems will exist at any school", I keep telling her. "Find new friends, look for the good in people and dismiss people's insecurities. We are all fighting in the same battle here."

Things are improving, ever so slowly, but they are improving.

One of my favorite things to do as a mom is attend lesson's with my kids. I especially love going to Sarah's voice lessons. Due to a change in scheduling, I ran Joseph to guitar while Brett sat in on her lesson. He called me on my cell on their way home to tell me all about how awesome it was. While rehearsing Home, from Beauty and Beast for an upcoming talent night, passion and spirit filled the room and all 3: teacher, parent and student were left in tears. Her anxiety and frustrations with school were expressed and released in a song. She left feeling cleansed, ready to face another day.

I am so grateful for the beauty of music in our lives. When nurtured by those who understand it's power it can be a force for good, to uplift as well as heal.

Listen here.