MHS Choir

Participating in Choir as been a blessing and a highlight of Brady's senior year. I'm glad he decided to do it - which accidentally happened because the other classes he wanted to take were unavailable with the classes he DID want to take. That is why I say it was a blessing! 

Monday, May 14th MHS Choirs held their last concert. It was right after they returned home from Choir tour. Brady was nervous because they hadn't practised the songs for this concert very much - they were working on the tour songs. But the Choirs pulled it off and I absolutely loved this concert! It had a bunch of fun songs, soloist, and even a couple of dancers.

I usually work on Monday night and almost made the choice to work and miss the concert. LUCKILY I re-prioritized my schedule to "enjoy the journey" as this was the last high school event I would be able to watch and support Brady. I had to go and support Brady and was happy I did.

This was the one concert I SHOULD have brought my camera to and I didn't. Darn!

At the beginning of the concert they played a slide show of the choir's students through the year. It was a bunch of fun to watch - they have had some fun!

During the change between Concert and Treble Choir, a bunch of young men called a girl out of the audience and had her sit in a chair while they surrounded her and sang "Longest Time". The girl was a great sport being called up on the spot. The boys were a hoot as they did loving actions toward the girl as they sang the song.

I also liked that the Treble Choir sang the Adele popular song "Rolling In The Deep".  I think I just enjoyed all the songs because they were "good" songs and they never sing songs we know - which I have never understood. I know that the purpose of Choir is to teach song techniques, but I have never understood why they couldn't be taught singing songs the kids AND the audience would enjoy. Luckily this was a concert that I loved AND attended!

Brady is in A Cappella Choir and they sang a "Michael Jackson Medley". The first thing the choir teacher did was put on a silver sequent glove like Michael Jackson wore back in the day. They sang a lot of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and featured lots of soloist. During "Thriller" Danielle and Kara did the "Thriller" dance dressed up as zombies. It was great. They ended the medley with "We Are the World".

After the concert Mrs. Jones the director gave out Choir certificates and awards.

Brady received a plaque as an Outstanding Choir Member. One of the reasons is because Brady created a "Facebook Choir page" where he posted the songs the choir was working on. He posted each part - soprano, alto, tenor, base etc. so the students could work on their part at home. He put a lot of time into this project throughout the whole year. He went above and beyond to help the choir have the tools to perform at the best of their abilities.

Yea Brady!

As I mentioned, the choir was on tour May 10th, 11th and 12th.

They were fantastic! Each choir won a first place and one also received a Superior. Everywhere the choir performed during the tour, they were constantly praised at how well behaved our school was. MHS has awesome students!

I know the pictures are out of order, but here are some fun shots Brady and his friends took at Silverwood.

Girls: Kara, Amber, Danielle

Boys: Brady, Andrew, Mark

I have to say that Brady is looking pretty cute in this picture. *smiles from a proud mama!

Their silly picture.

Brady sat with Amber on the bus - I'm not sure about laying on Amber - what silly kids.  

May 10th at 5:30 am we arrived at Meridian High School for Choir tour. Here is the schedule of the tour:

SPOKANE TOUR - 2012

Thursday - May 10 Depart 6 AM

University of Idaho 1:00

Easter Washington 5 - 7:30

Dinner

Hotel - 9:00 PM

This is the choir shirt all the students wore. It was a sea of orange. There is a picture with all the kids in their shirts that I saw during the slide show at the concert. It looked really cool.

Brady is to the right of the kid showing his belly (in the center).. oddly enough another red headed kid.

Friday - May 11

Ferris High School 8 AM

Shadle High School

Lunch

Witworth College

1:00 - 2:30 PM

TRIPLE PLAY
Dinner included 4:00 - 9:00PM

Back to hotel by 10:00 PM

Brady roomed with 4 boys in the hotel. There was 2 twin beds and a futon which 2 boys slept in.

Here are a couple of shots of the choirs.

You can barely see Brady - but I'll try to explain where he is:

In the front there is a red headed boy. A couple rows back there is another red headed boy. Brady's head is just peeking out from the 2nd red headed boy. Hard to see  - but he's there.

Saturday - May 12

Leave hotel by 7:00AM

Coeur d'Alene - Adjudication Event

SILVERWOOD PARK - 1PM - close (6:00PM) **Lunch included

Dinner

Spokane Jazz Concert

Head for home all night (sleeping on bus)

Arrive at MHS 4 -5 AM? Sunday Morning  (It was around 6AM)

This is our Choir Director: Mrs. Jones and I believe the Principal Mr. Stands (I'll confirm with Brady)

Choir tour was a blast! Brady had a great time - definitely a highlight of his Senior year!

They will also be performing at the Graduation commencement on May 23rd.

Car Attack - In a Good Way

A few days after Prom, Emily attacked Brady's car.

 She wanted to say "thank you" for all things he did to make Prom a really special experience for her.

 I asked Brady how they got into the car to fill it with balloons, and he confessed he gave the keys to the car door to Emily's friend with the stipulation that they couldn't do anything that would block his vision.

 I thought it was pretty fun. I'm glad Brady was able to go with Emily.

 Emily said that she was extremely grateful to go to the dance with Brady because this was by far the best dance ever. She was so happy that she could share this experience with Brady.

 She couldn't believe all the planning and fun they had during the 2 day Prom date.

She enjoyed the breakfast at Celebration Park, taking pictures, exploring cave and taking funny pictures posed with Brady.

She loved the amazing restaurant where the food was delicious and the scenery was just beautiful.

 I am glad that Brady has been able to enjoy these positive experiences during his Senior Year and that he made such a great friend with Emily.

I was happy that she left areas on the windows clear for him to see through as he drove.

 The car was packed with balloons and he had to pop a bunch just to be able to get home.

 Emily made no bake cookies for him - which were yummy and a cute note (which I share a few tidbits with you above).

I'm happy that Brady's Senior year has been such a fun experience for him with lasting memories.

Prom 2012

Meridian High School's Prom was held April 28th.

Prior to the Prom, there is a lot of planning to pull off a great Prom experience.

Of course there is the typical preparation to ask the girl (Emily) in a special way here.

Then Brady receives an answer back in a special way that can be read here.

The young woman must find or sew a modest dress (an almost impossible feat). Then she has to let the boy know the color of her dress. Emily gave Brady a sample of the material her dress was made out of. It was light blue - and I assume her mom or Emily made/sewed the modest dress.

Then the young man must order a Tux.

(If I had it to do again - I would NOT have him rent a Tux - it was a total waste of money $112 (and that was with a $50 off coupon) for a 1 day rental. I wish we would have put that money towards a black suit for his mission instead of throwing away money on a rental - shaking head. Then we would only rent a vest and tie (matching the girls dress) at a lower cost and had something of value by purchasing a suit instead of renting a Tux - which would have been good enough - I don't know why a Tux is needed. I'm too frugal to throw away money and won't do it again.)

We ordered a corsage. She ordered a boutonniere.

The group of kids were all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). So, good clean fun was arranged for the day. This is what they did:

Thursday, April 27th, all the couples got together at a local church building and were taught some fun dance steps - like the swing, the waltz (real dancing). They all had a great time together. Plus, it was a great example of "good" "clean" "fun" dancing instead of the typical grinding that goes on at normal Proms.

The young men from the group of kids going together to the prom held a planning meeting.

They put together a great day of events.

Yes - a whole day of fun.

Here is what they did:

The boys got together a 7:00 am Saturday morning and met at Ammon's House to prepare breakfast for the girls.

8:00 am: Leave and pick up the dates.

8:45 am: they ate breakfast at the "Breakfast place" ??? I don't know what the Breakfast Place is, but Brady said it was in a park. They borrowed our folding tables and chairs for the breakfast.

9:45 am: Leave for Lake Halverson for a day hike. (pictures are coming)

10:45 - 11:00 am - Arrive and hike. They also had lunch at the lake. Each boy brought a sack lunch for their girl and them self.

(It had been raining the whole week prior to the hike. I was worried it would be muddy - but it was OK. I made Brady take a first aid kit and 2 emergency blanket in his back pack - which he did with an eye roll. I don't know where the Scout "Be Prepared" motto went - but I always want to be prepared if I go hiking in the mountains. While hiking around a cave and rocky area, Ammon fell off a ledge and fell really hard and got scrapped up. The fall was really lucky in a way - he just missed falling on his neck and breaking his back it was a total scare for all the kids. But luckily someones mother sent a first aid kit and they were able to patch him up. "Be Prepared!" -- smiles).

12:20 - Hike out

12:45 - Leave /drive to drop off girls

1:30 - 2:00 - Drop off everyone

2:00 - 4:30 - Prep or get ready for the Prom and pick up girls again

4:30 - 6:30 - Pictures at the Boise Depot (pictures coming in another post)

6:45 - Dinner at the cottonwood Grille. Brady loved the food. He ordered Pheasant and loved it - I was surprised. I'll have to add what Emily ordered later.

8:45 - 9:00 pm - Leave dinner and arrive at the Dance.

11:00 - Leave Dance

11:10 - Dessert at Brady's House

I made:

Mrs. Field Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies (recipe coming)

Chewy Ginger Snap Cookies

Cherry Cheese Cake/Pie

Chocolate Silk Mouse Pie (recipe coming)

12:00 - Be home before the Holy Ghost goes to sleep.

(Brady said this at the planning meeting and the other boys had never heard this. I was surprised, I've always said that and made midnight our curfew. The boys loved it and kept that wording on the schedule. Don't you tell your kids that? - OR am I the only one who says that?)

Here are pictures of Brady picking up Emily - courtesy from Emily's family.

Brady putting on Emily's corsage. We ordered it with a keepsake bracelet. I thought it was beautiful!

Emily putting on Brady's boutonniere.

I thought her dress was pretty. I loved the bead work.

They had a wonderful time. Brady loved doing all the new dance moves with Emily.

The tickets:

Fast Fact Friday: "Story of Jason's Birth"

When I was 8 months pregnant I moved back home to Pocatello to deliver my baby. I was living in Logan, Utah at the time and my job was going really bad. I decided to leave and have the support of my family while I gave birth to my baby as a single mother.

In the picture above is my dad, brothers and sisters. Lyle and Richard were visiting from Texas and my dad arranged a family reunion barbecue at Ross Park.

back row: Christine, Lyle and Richard

front row: Sondra, my dad Grant and sister Cindy

 Comparing bellies with my dad. "Whose tummy is bigger?"

A few years ago Jason interviewed me about his birth. These are the questions he asked:

1. What was the weather like the day I was born?

It was stormy and getting ready to rain.

2. What kind of pains did you have?

I didn't have much pain. It was just like small aches in my back. I had these small pains every 10 minutes. My sister couldn't believe I didn't have to practice my breathing. During my doctors appointment that day, the doctor told me to go up to the hospital because I was dilated to 8 centimeters. When I arrived at the hospital, he broke my water and then HARD labor started. It lasted 3 1/2 hours and then Jason was born.

3. What did you think about while you were in labor?

Aunt Cindy and Uncle Kelly were suppose to bring up my camera because I had forgotten it. They didn't come up to the hospital because they thought I would be in labor a long time. I was worried they would not make it in time. My mom was in the labor room helping me. She didn't like seeing me in that much pain and kept leaving me. I didn't want her to leave me. I felt all alone, no doctors or nurses came to check on me and I was sure I would have my baby all by myself - alone. I was scared.

After 3 1/2 hours of natural labor, Jason came into the world screaming and peed all over the doctor. They put Jason in my arms for a short time and then Grandma went with him for his first bath and check up.

(first time holding my newborn baby after the delivery)

 4. Were you surprised I was male?

Very surprised. All through my pregnancy I thought you were a girl, the doctor told me the heart beat sounded like a girl. I bought all these pink dresses. When the doctor told me you were a boy, I was in shock and told him I couldn't believe it. I told him how all my baby clothes were pink. My doctor probably thought I was really weird.

5. Where was my dad?

Larry was suppose to fly to Pocatello, Idaho. I was going to call him when I started labor. He lived in Grants Pass, Oregon. When I called him, his mom told me his was in Portland looking for a new job. I was really disappointed because he was suppose to be moving to Pocatello after you were born. I was sad because he had lied to me.

 6. What did I look like?

You had a lot of dark brown hair and your head looked like a football - pointed.

Grandma was really nervous about it and told me I needed to have you sleep on one side of your head and then the other to shape your head to normal. But after a couple of days it was fine, you were beautiful.

(side note: Grandma didn't really know what newborns looked like because wayback when she had children the mothers were pretty sedated and out of it. She didn't have natural child birth. That is why she didn't like being in the hospital room with me during labor - she had never truly experienced it.)

 (picture above - we are getting ready to go home from the hospital)

7. What happened after you had me?

They put me in a recovery room. It was kind of like a hallway with curtains. That night a bunch of babies were born because it was stormy weather. It took them a long time to bring my baby to me because they were so busy. After they took you again, they made me try to go to the bathroom. I couldn't go because of all the trauma. When I tried, I passed out. After they took me to my room, they gave me a cafetiere to drain my bladder.

8. What day was I born?

July 25th, the day after pioneer day.

8:25 pm.

7 pounds 13 ounces and 20 inches long

When Jason was 6 weeks old, we took our first airplane ride to Medford, Oregon to see his dad. We flew from Boise, Idaho to Portland Oregon, then took a very small plane to Medford. Mom and dad fell in love again and decided to try and work it out. We drove back to Pocatello as a family. It only lasted 3 months and then Larry left after Christmas that year.

Jason had the chicken pox on December 11, 1984, when he was 5 months old. It was a very mild case. Jason started to crawl March 5, 1985. I took away his bottle on July 5, 1985 (20 days before he turned 1) and he also took his first step on July 5th.

The headlines on the day Jason was born were:

Presidential Elections: Regan (R) vs Mondale (D)

USA Getting Ready for Olympics, held in Los Angeles, Ca

Soviets Boycotted the Olympics

Some of the events in 1984: The President was Ronald Regan; Movies: Rambo with Sylvester Stallone and Back to the Future with Michael J. Fox. We found out about the starving children in Africa and all the popular musicians made a record called "We are the World". The money earned from the record went to the starving children.