As the end of the year approaches I wanted to reflect on all the amazing things that have happened. As I have watched the temple being built across the road I feel blessed beyond words. Ashley just finished her cello recital, she did a wonderful job and is really starting to love her cello. My favorite thing is to hear her play while I make dinner. She just ran for student council and some how convinced all her opponents to run for something else, so she won uncontested. She is my little politician. I hope she always uses her influences for good. Rachel just finished the play "Peter Pan." She played the part of Wendy. She did an amazing job as wendy not only did she grow in confidence, but she sang her first solo on stage. I was so proud that I couldn't contain myself. Rachel also just had a recital playing her viola and has a gymnastics show tomorrow. She is learning a lot and growing confident and strong. Sariah was a mermaid in the play. She was the cutest mermaid in the play! She sang and danced and loved her mermaid costume enough that she tried to wear it every day. Sariah is doing amazingly well in her school work and gymnastics. She is reading so well and finds great satisfaction is doing well. She is my little artist and always likes to do things perfectly. She does not want to try organized music yet, but thrives in her little dancing world. She just started softball I hope she likes it. Brock has been spending a lot of time with his Papa Smith and his dad. They have gone fishing, watered gardens, golfed and played more than I can imagine. Brock learned how to spell his name count to 20 sign his alphabet and knows most of his letters. Sometimes I am blown away by how smart he is. I find myself trying to hold on to the moments he is little! My baby isn't a baby anymore! Our family is so blessed Jason and I feel happy just to be together!

Happy New Year It's February 8th 2009 and last month was quite a leap into the new year. We have been busy each week this year. I took 65 middle school kids including Sariah and Rachel to "Lion King" on broadway. Actually it was at Gammage ASU in Tempe Arizona, but it was the real broadway show. The kids loved it! I was very glad that I was able to take Rachel and Sariah with me, they made the trip worth coordinating. We also had quite a bit of time to spend as a family this month. We have been so blessed that both Jason and I have jobs that are pretty secure, but also allow us time together and with the kids. I only work during school hours and get to spend each lunch time with Brock who stays at Grandpa Smith's house or with DAD. We went to Tucson when I had a regional audition day and were able to visit the mall and spend time together on a day I was sappose to be working. Jason works 3 days a week, so Brock and he get to golf, work on the yard a little and spend time together. Ashley says that January was memorable because she had a friend that was here only for that month. Her name was Bridget Trenasky who was just inbetween moves. Rachel says that January was good because she got to go to Lion King. Her favorite part was the beginning when all the animals walked in. Sariah also liked January because of Lion King, but her favorite character was the little nala. the Character sure was cute. Brock liked eating lunch with mom and dad a jumbos. He also is doing great with potty training, luckily!!! January was a good start! I did horrible on losing weight this month, and am not more organized don't practice my instrument and cannot seem to find time to write music or train for a triathalon I planned this year, but still feel very blessed and successful. Probably because we are still hanging in there with the economy struggling and people feeling overwhelmed and down. The most exciting news is the temple ground breaking is February 14th. We can actually walk to the ground breaking, I can't even imagine being more blessed!

teleyshanfamily

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my semester being over! I'm thankful for a break from school! I'm thankful for my beautiful family, and my hunky honey! I'm thankful that my children are safe and smart and beautiful. I'm glad that we have a home that keeps us warm and let's us express ourselves in creative ways. I'm very thankful that I have the gospel with all it's blessings and truth. I'm glad to have friends that support me the way I am. I have a job that is enjoyable that allows me to be home with the kids and expands my capabilities in music each day. It really is a wonderful life.

This week we decided just to relax. After spending the week turning our family vehicle from a soccer mom van to a soccer mom suburban. We needed the break! Sariah had her soccer party thursday, we celebrated more than soccer, we celebrated the ending of coaching, yah! What a season!! We had a great season, but all being said we are very glad to be done! Ashley Rachel and Sariah are doing the play, so now we move on to making costumes!

This last week Jason had almost 6 days off a record for him, so we decided to go to the river. It was great fun! Everyone got muddy and we lost a shoe wading across the river that some call a stream. The kids acted like it was a day at the beach. They dug in the mud and made sand castles in the island in the middle. Jason was fishing for catfish. When he got one the kids were completely overcome with happiness, then the fish croaked at them. I told them that it was asking them to put it back and whoever did would get a wish, so we wrote another kids story to add to our collection. I will post the story tomorrow! It was a great day for our family. I'm going to try to post some of the pictures, knowing the girls will be angry with me, they were all in their underwear for the trip! Someday they will forgive me!

I still don't know how to fully use this blog, but I will get the hang of it! This week I had three concerts a little crazy, but it went rather well. The high school sounded better than I have heard before, the middle school is catching up with them and there are 85 beginnners in my elementary classes. The family is busy, but having fun. The girls are all in the play snow white. Ashley is weepy the dwarf, rachel is a bunny that talks and sariah is a deer!