Billings symphony chorale

"Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim."    Tyler Knott Gregson

A few weeks ago I tried out for the Billings Symphony Chorale.  Some friends of mine in our ward told me about it.  They're actually in High plains chamber group which is what I wanted to be in, but after speaking to the conductor over the phone multiple times, he thought I should try out for this.  There's about 65 members, and we sing Latin, Italian, traditional, folk, all sorts of stuff really. IT. IS. AWESOME.  It was scary to try-out.  When my audition time was confirmed, I went out to the garage and dug out all my old music from college and found Caro Mio Ben and another Italian piece.  I was pretty nervous.  I u- tubed some versions on my phone and sang along to the accompaniment and recorded myself singing it acapella on my phone and practiced it whenever I could.  I ended up singing both pieces for the audition and then sight-reading in solfege which I haven't done for a really long time.  It was pretty low-key and you don't have to be amazing to be in the choir but there are some really great singers in the group and I love singing with them.  I'm still learning the music and its intimidating sometimes since I'm so out of practice and I joined a little late, but such a great experience.  It really feeds my soul and makes me so very grateful for the gift of music and for the chance to experience it.


Michael's job at St. Vincents in GI doesn't start until October 12th, so I've been subbing like crazy.  I sub in all different age groups, mostly elementary.  I thought I'd enjoy that the most but honestly its been a lot of work.  My job is definitely easier when I come into an organized room where there are lots of procedures and organization, and if I ever taught full-time, I would definitely want to be one of those teachers but I don't know if I have it in me.  Elementary teachers have to be so organized and it requires a ton of energy.  Michael has been holding down the fort at home but I still feel constantly like I'm behind in everything.  I'm taking 2 online classes for keep  my PTSB certificate current.  I'll be glad when thats over.  Stetson is in flag football, Janelle started preschool, I have rehearsals every Monday, I play vball at the Y on Wednesdays--there's just a definite hectic nature to our lives that I hope subsides after Michael's job starts and I'm home.  I don't know how working moms do it.  Wow.

Dry head

Stahle turns in one!

On September 22, 2015, our baby Stahle turned one!!  I remember vividly thinking the first week of her life, how it would seem like a blink and all the sudden we'd be celebrating her first birthday and I was right, this year FLEW by.  We enjoy Stahle so much and can't imagine life without her.  We get lots of surprised faces when we tell people how many kids we have and how close together they are and life is totally crazy but I cannot picture life without any of them.  I am so very glad we had this baby and I treasure her and relish in her perfection, especially when I have watched some friends experience miscarriages and stillbirths, I know that these babies are really miracles and I am certainly blessed.

Uh, cake making is not my thang.  But it is Michael's.  I worked all day on Stahle's b-day so he offered to make the cake, which was delicious, and Stahle had no problem digging right in and eating her cake.

 We had Jacobsen's over.  We love them and are grateful for friends.

 Stahle's new trick is standing in her highchair.  It was very alarming to Michael and I at first and we used to rush over to her and try to "save" her, but in true bad parenting, we sort of let it slide now.

 Some things about Stahle:
*I know every mom thinks her baby is THEE cutest, but I have to say, I get so many comments in public places whenever Stahle is in tow.  She is a charmer and likes to flirt and engage with all sorts of people, only from a distance though. She's particular about who gets to hold her.
*She's been weaned for a few days now.  This was bitter sweet for me, mostly bitter though.
*She is a great eater, enjoys yogurt, lots of cheese, water, whole milk, pretty much whatever we give her
*She folds her arms during prayer (Michael taught her)
*Puts her arms out and squeezes her little hands when she wants something
*says ma ma and other short sounds
*loves to put her finger in me and Michael's ears when we hold her.  Weird.
*Loves to touch all our facial features, really.  Our eyes, eye brows, nose.  Some of my other kids used to put hands down our shirts when they were babies, not this one, just up our nostril :)
*loves stroller rides
Happy birthday blondie!

Chico hot springs

I wanted to go somewhere for Labor day.  Michael wanted to stay home, I won.  Chico is actually in Pray, MT which is just a couple hours from Billings.  It was a great day, nice weather,  beautiful scenery and fun to explore.  It'd be a nice getaway for couples, not really a kids dream destination but still fun.

Stahle melts my heart and always steals the show.

Travis' bday at horseshoe bend

This was such a great day!!  Jill always plans the funnest parties for her kids, this one being no exception.  She'd invited us to Travs bday party at Horseshoe bend but it was the day Michael took his boards so I'd originally thought we'd stay home but I thought it'd be way more fun to go boating than stay home!  The drive down wasn't bad, and when we got there it was boating/beaching heaven!  Weather was great, I got to ski (got up the first time which is a huge deal for an old lady), kids all got to tube, Janelle kept giving a thumbs up to go faster, Stetson tried to ski.  I think he thought it looked pretty easy but he was discouraged and scared after not getting up after a couple tries.  He did get up for a second the 3rd time but got scared and "sat" back down.  After lunch, Christian took me, Stahle, Stetson and Kandace down the canyon for a scenic trip.  It was so pretty.  Now I want a boat.  Amen.

Stahle-bay!

This is Stahle helping shuck some corn we got from grandma and grandpa Asay

This is Stahle at Janelle's 4th b-day party

and here she is at Janelle's 4th b-day party with mom

sweet baby we love you.

First day of school!

Kids started school end of August, and I'm not gonna lie, after a whole summer of being a single mom, I was ready.  Stetson's teacher is Lauren Riehl, a newer teacher and Kandace's is a very experienced one, Melanie Kimmel.  They are both liking school so far and doing well.  Kandace sings all the songs she learns in music and regular class, and Stetson is working hard on math, adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers.  They both started piano, this time with a new teacher, Carole.  They're doing well.  We always have our struggles though where they don't want to practice and mom almost pulls all her hair out, but Michael is a huge support and we started bribing, er, using incentives for good behavior and practicing the entire time (30 mins a day for Stetson and 15 mins a day for Kandace).  It is A LOT.  I think the piano teacher does about 5% and I do the rest.  Its a lot of work but so rewarding I think!  I am excited for them when they progress and I see them enjoying it.

Michael graduates

Well I am only like 100 years behind in blogging but baby steps, right?  So on August 22nd, the very much anticipated day arrived when Michael graduated from Rocky mountain college in the Masters of physician assistant program.  I am proud. That pretty much sums it up. Michael has worked for and EARNED every good thing in his life and I am proud to be his wifey.  I won't rant and rave about the hard times, but there were plenty of them.  Heavenly Father helped us through this and I'm glad we made it.

 

This is Sarah Mills and I.  Her husband, Jaren was in the program and he came over like a week after we moved to Billings to help Michael build shelves in our garage.  She is a SWEETHEART.  She would come over during like the priesthood session and we'd just visit.  She watched my kids, she helped me clean my fridge when I was 39 weeks prego with Janelle.  Her and Jaren struggled with infertility and miscarriage and they are HUGE examples to me.  I am sad they live in Utah now.

Stahle was MIA back at home with the babysitter so we could sit through the program.

These were the 3 LDS guys in the program: Andrew Swensen, Jaren Mills and Michael

wifeys and photo bomber Janelle

 After the program we had pulled pork sandwiches, salads and cake with some family and friends to celebrate Michael's huge accomplishment.