Idols LIVE!

I WAS THERE! If you've read the papers, you know that we Jazz fans stayed true to our reputation of being LOUD. Several of the singers commented on Utah's beauty (mountains) and on how loud it was in the E-Center. David Archuleta could hardly get a word in because the energetic cheering went on and on. We all just couldn't believe it was really him! All that gifted talentedness wrapped up in such a cute kid singing to you in the same room is pretty energizing. He gave many thanks for all the support, and put all he had into the performance as usual. He was overwhelmingly wiping tears away on his jacket sleeve by the end of the last song.

"Stand By Me" is a classic that he does so well...

For a while during the concert, I focused on trying to snap some good shots of the stars, especially when they came closer to our side of the arena. I had taken a few of Brooke White and others but knew they were far enough away that the quality wouldn't be too awesome. I did get a smiling one of David Archuleta walking toward us.

Later I decided to just hold my camera out and start snapping while look at David Cook directly instead of through a lens so that I could feel the emotion of the moment better. I didn't realize that the camera was still in video mode, so I got a good little clip of him singing with some of the ceiling at the end (oops).

THANKS MOM!!! What a great and unforgettable birthday present!

Fruitcake

I need to admit that I have been a little bit of a fruitcake concerning finances lately.
First of all, I let the Wal-Mart photographer convince me to settle for a portrait that I didn't love for my $7.99 package deal. This lead to me dishing out an unmentionable amount for the smallest package they offered (which, come to find out, is NOT as small as it was under the prior company's management). Plus I had to buy a six dollar black and white enhancement.
Justification: Desi looks BEAUTIFUL! And- I can't count how many sessions at Wal-Mart I have walked out of with plenty of great pictures for only 7.99, or less. But this splurge still had its bittersweet impact.

Next, I decided to try and preserve some of my youth after turning 30 by buying a pair of flip flops to replace the crocks that my cool younger siblings have deemed unfashionable. I had my sights set on a certain pair which didn't end up being as comfortable as I would have hoped. But there on the rack at Famous Footwear were hanging some brown "Rocket Dogs." I had never before heard of this brand but I am pretty sure it is hip. I tried them on and they felt SO COMFEY (for flip flops) So I CONSIDERED spending $39.99 for these things. No, I did not buy them- but I SERIOUSLY considered it. This is not like me.

Then yesterday, good old Petersen Produce knocked on my door with their delicious fresh crop of apples, oranges, and grapefruit. It was at a bit of a hectic point in the day as I was on the phone and in the middle of doing several other things. He kept handing me samples and assuming I was going to buy, and I did. FOURTY FOUR dollars for a three month supply. I like to try to eat healthy, and I like to encourage my kids to do the same. And I don't like yucky produce. This is YUMMY produce- which were my reasons for buying. When John got home and inquired about the overload of fugis in the front room, I was sheepishly quoting things to him like, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away, honey!" :) He was really nice about it, and said that he would take fruit for lunch more, but the conversation later that evening did turn to how our economy is shakey right now, and how things are costing so much more... I think he may have been throwing hints for his wife to turn back to her thrifty, financially prudent ways. So as I was FILLING my refrigerator drawer up with fruit and hauling the rest of the box down to cold storage I realized that it may be unrealistic for our family to use it all up before the peak of freshness has passed. I also realized that I think I must have convinced that good ol' salesman to sell me just half a box last year. Thus, if anyone is interested in splitting 10 or 20 dollars worth of this bounteous harvest with me, please call!
P.S. He said that the apples are $1.29 per lb. which is comprable to , or cheaper than supermarket price. I am not sure on the oranges, but overall it averages out to about a dollar per pound of fruit.

"You Can't Spoil a Newborn"

But can you spoil his mother? I have been so well taken care of for the past 11 days that I am starting to wonder! I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who has called, visited, brought dinner, given gifts, entertained kids, taken care of R.S. business, etc. etc, etc. I feel and see blessings being poured out upon us through you.

Here is my sweet Mom enjoying her fourth grandbaby. This was inbetween trips to the park, bathroom cleaning, dish washing, and reading stories with the kids.

My mother-in law just left without me being able to snap a photo of her with Nathan:( I guess I could take a shot of the full freezer, the sparkling tile floor, the empty hampers, the non-existent mending pile, the freshly baked banana bread, or the happy kids who are now playing with their Grandma toys. These are some of the ways she has shown us her love and support.

Maybe the best spoiling of all is this super snuggly, sleepy baby boy of mine! :)

Out of the House

At THREE DAYS! "What are you thinking?! You and that baby go back home and get some rest!" are comments that a shuffling new mother would hear at any place but one... the "jam packed at 9am", hospital phlebotomy lab.

You that have had to go through the heel pricking with your babies know exactly what I am talking about. This is my first time- and Nathan and I are not amused. What the heck is billyrubin anyway? I don't even know how to spell that word, but I will just give it FOUR LETTERS for short. "BILY" I know that it has to do with the liver and that brain damage can result from too much. And I am thankful for medical technology, but I don't want a big hard, plasticy, glassy, lighted piece of medical technology sitting here in my front room with a requirement to place my PINK little bundle of joy inside.

We'll see if my attitude does anything to help (or hurt) the results of today's testing. Wish us luck.

Nathan James

It has been a sweet 4 days of cuddling and caring for my new baby boy. We know that having this healthy little addition to our family is a real blessing. There are adjustments to be made and sleep to be lost, but we feel so much overriding joy. As helpful little Desi put it,
"He's ours, all ours :)

"And She Danced Anyway"

KIMI, my seventeen year old sister, just returned from Disneyland! She had souvenir shopped for the nieces and nephews, snapped candids of herself and so many high school friends, and ridden every roller coaster at the park. That will be the last for some time.

Kimi performed a solo in her recent dance recital where she wore the perfect tutu, landed every turn, and shined brightly in front of the crowd. That is, after she got over the stress of almost missing her entrance because the music wasn't turned up loud enough for her to hear.

On June 9th my sister will undergo a procedure where a non-cancerous tumor will be removed from her inner ear. The doctors will have to drill through her skull to reach it. She will recover for a few weeks and then return to her normal life, minus the ability to hear from her left side.

She has experienced gradual hearing loss on that side over the past several months, and has known about her specific condition of acoustic neuroma for a while. This trial of mortality has shaken our family as any similar thing does. There have been many worries and prayers as Kimi has gone through the process of acceptance of a life with partial deafness. There have also been many jokes about Kimi not hearing her alarm, not responding to her prom date's questions, or how she'd have been so in style back in the 80's when chicks were shaving off the bottom half of their hair just to look cool. Kimi has laughed the loudest at these jokes. Although her condition must be constantly on her mind, she has managed to pull a screamin' GPA, waitress, have a paper route, be involved in Young Womens, FBLA, cheer leading etc etc etc. - which is why I titled the blog, "and she danced anyway." Her faith and strength are admirable to me. So is her positive energy!Her unselfishness is a quality that is developed far beyond her years. I don't know if it is myself or my little girls who look up to her more.

My first question to the neuro surgeon when I accompanied her to an appointment was "What about pirouettes and back handsprings?" I was worried that her balance would be thrown off. He explained that sensory input comes through her hands and feet and other sources that will surely compensate for loss of hearing. So she can do anything she puts her mind to. And she will.

The recent lessons I've learned, and that all of us can learn by watching Kimi, are summed up in the words of this Lianne Womack Song...

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.

Never settle for the path of least resistance.

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance.

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,

I HOPE YOU DANCE."

Here Fishy Fishy

MEMORIAL WEEKEND FAMILY FISHING TRIP TO SCOFIELD:

The boys were out around 8 am in the thirty something weather. We girls chose to avoid the freezing tent camping and stay at the Nebekers for a sleepover Friday night.

After a picnic lunch the girls decided to brave the waters and Caroline's Barbie pole did it again!

John was content that the boat ran well, he rigged the mp3 player to blast eighties soft rock all day, and his family was having fun together.

Desiree had just finished about 1/4 bag of cheetos and several packages of princess fruit snacks. And now she was holding the pole. So many reasons to smile.

...And the grand finale...

I tell you my SHOULDER WAS SORE reeling this baby in. "Give it up for the mom!" We ate him that evening. All the kids tried a piece with lots of lemon pepper and John Nebekers special grilling touch.