It is not end of school here. There I said it. It is not summer. I just want to put that out there.

Wouldn't it be cool if you were taking a hard math class and your parent was a teacher in that same subject?

I recorded a song this week. I was just the back up oohs and aahhs and harmony, but it was fun to see how it worked. We all wore headphones and he could up my level, or take the background music out so we could concentrate on fitting his voice more closely. We laughed through the whole session, because it's harder than you think to sing back up in the exact timing and nuance that the lead singer does. I have a major hang up with my voice. I'm a keyboard/piano player first and I'll sing back up all day long when it's live, but record my voice and I'm afraid people will really hear how average it is. BUT he did all of this magic stuff and when I listened back, it sounded fine! I was so relieved.

I'm also learning this small Regaletto Italian accordion and it is so awesome! I've learned the harmonica solo to Neil Young's Harvest Moon on it too, because it also can sound very similar to a harmonica when you play one note at a time. It's like a puzzle..trying to figure out which buttons to put my fingers on, made more complicated by the fact that if I pull out, a button is one note and if I push in, that same button is a completely different note.  I am playing it every spare second, which isn't very much, but it's now a decision between working out, reading a book, or playing the accordion. Right now, the workout is losing. Dang. Story of my life.  It's fun!

Ali rocked it as a wolf, napkin, townsperson, and dancer in Beauty and the Beast last night! Wohoo! I was so proud of her smiley self up there dancing away. This Gaston is Broadway bound. He was incredible. The sets, the costumes..there wasn't a weak lead among the bunch. It was really really great.

Syd just joined a girl scout troop. She might get some friends now who actually want to play with her after school. Really, I'm happy for her. I found out, now that we're in this troop that practically every girl in her class is in it and they do things all of the time and perhaps that is why Sydney has felt like such a loner this year. She is camping out tonight on our elementary school's lawn in a tent. She's excited.

I want some new clothes. But I don't want them to cost any money. So we'll see how that works out. Oh they have to look nice, not cheap either. Unique pieces with accessories. I'm going to have to figure out where to get those for free.

Baby's asleep...got to go play the accordion. oh and one more time, School Is Not Out Here.  e

Kate's life, chronicled by photo booth..

Important, important stuff to talk about

I've decided that I don't post enough about things I think about. I have realized that I am intimidated by people easily. I doubt that I have it together as much as they do. I am organizing cast dinners for Ali's school play. Cast and crew equals 80. SO, being a member of this lovely church, and having a friend named Si, I am getting more confident that I can pull together two dinners for 80 people. Plus I knew it would be a chance to get to know just one parent. I don't know anyone still. Honestly. So I decided it would be no big deal. I just need to assign it out.

Again, I am kind of intimidated by the people in this town. Most are type A doer kind of people, owners of businesses and such.

(but to be fair, their skirts aren't really that short) 

(well, not everyone is this young and attractive either. But still, you get the point. At least I hope you do, because googling these images is taking some effort and I don't want it to be wasted.)

So, to reiterate, I am, well, not an owner or business person. And I walk around barefoot a lot. And sometimes don't do my makeup. And like pajama pants and playing with babies. So, I am saying to myself, "Erin, you can do this. Just organize it. They're all busy and will appreciate it anyway." I do my best and have it all set up for next weekend during the run of the show. Then I get the email. You know, the one that tells me I must have been confused. The "I'm sorry Mrs. Blake, but you must have been confused by the dates we need these dinners.." email. They need the dinners for THIS weekend, as in TODAY.

WWWWWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT?!!!!

I won't go into the details of why I assumed the wrong dates, but I am new to this whole school and they weren't clear on dates. They never told me dates and I was darn right to be confused. But that's not the point! The point is, all of these busy put-together people then had to be emailed by me to tell them, my bad, they needed to bring those dinner items today, not next week. On this lovely holiday weekend. rrrrrrrrrrrrgggggg. I swear, I try. I really do. I will say that these kids and crew of 80 are getting In n Out burgers today (thanks to 1 generous parent) and salads and fruit and treats and drinks.

Tomorrow they are getting a taco bar with more salads fruit, etc. Please please let it work out. Erin, you are enough just as you are. You are a daughter of God. You have different skill sets than high achieving business owners. Remember the old Saturday Night Live Stuart Smiley? saying words of affirmation to himself in the mirror? ha that was funny. That will be me today as people growl and set down their quickly thrown together food. :)

Brett, Syd and Kate are going whale watching today.

Ali's at rehearsal for this play.

One cool thing about this. The guy who produced the movie and wrote the story! lives in our town. He came to the kids' rehearsal and told them how he did it. How they thought up the gold dress she would wear or how they held auditions and who was the motivation behind each character. He told them that at the beginning, they boosted the beast's voice with tons of bass and then added a growl at the end of his lines. Then as the show went on, they lessened that bit by bit so by the end, it's a tender, human voice. They did the exact opposite with Gaston. By the end of the movie, they bassed up his voice as much as possible and turned him into the beast. He told the kids about the mistakes they made hoping no one would notice. Like, in one song, someone sings "Ten Years we've been waiting..." alluding to the fact that they have been enchanted for ten years. Well, that would have made the beast 10 when the witch put the spell on him, which as we all know, he was not. Lots of fun details like that. He is moving to London this week to begin a movie with Tim Burton. That was really fascinating for Ali!

I have the whole morning free! I can't think of the last time that I had a whole Saturday morning free. Or any morning free. Not that I'm complaining. I pretty much love that little Kate! However, this morning I am going to go to the Y and take a class, and then kidnap Maddie to go see the new Woody Allen movie and lunch. That's only if she wants to spend time with mom. Let's hope she does. She mostly loves to do homework (ok not really), write in her journal and now drive in Simba by herself listening to music. She likes that a lot. One thing I am NOT doing this morning is cleaning one stinking thing or doing one piece of laundry.

No. Not this morning! Have a good one. e

Elder Blake's first week in the MTC :)

This the 24th day of May

I'm writing a post! I'm writing a post! I feel light and happy. Finally! Although I now know that Spencer's Preparation Day is NOT Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Monday.... we DID get a little letter in the mail. Yeah! Well, actually Kate got a letter. In it, he quickly told us he loved it there. With an exclamation point. He said his companion "is so tight!" and that he loves him already. His BYU bff, the one who greeted us at the curb, and Spencer have a mat where they leave notes for each other. Spence thought that was really funny. He seemed so happy. Lots of exclamation points and talking about how much he already loves the Russian people. Wow. I feel so good now. There is NOTHING here or at college that would make him as happy. The beach, sleeping in, watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air (I know, I know. He really did watch it.) or even studying for tests, or driving around Provo. I'm now really happy and can take a breath and look forward to his email. Hopefully today or tomorrow.

So, now I can also blog about stuff other than Spencer's mission. I know it's probably boring for anyone else to read, but it's really been all I have been thinking about, so I've kept the blogging on the light side.

I'm headed to Newport to pick out our family pictures. They turned out really really nice. Except I'm kicking myself for not sucking in my stomach, ha ha. Or just choosing to wear a shirt tucked in! Darn it Erin! Will you never learn?

We are still in school until June 16th, but I'm starting to see summer in sight. Another spinning class last night to get me in shape for France. Ali's play just around the corner. Both girls trying out for chamber today. Brett happy about things happening at work. Sydney just the best little 10 year old. I enjoy her so much. Kate. Well, Kate. I am playing about 5 gigs with this new band here, 4 of which are going to be in Utah at the Freedom Festival over the 4th. I'm excited! One every night for about 3 nights. This also makes me happy, because Brett's parents will be home by then, so we'll get to see them!

Ok. I've got to go tame this hair before driving down to Newport. Have a great week. The sun is out, and I saw bright green birds with red heads, about 20 of them, circling my house this morning and making a ruckus for about 10 minutes. I felt like I was back in Australia. It was so sweet. Have a good one! erin

My son is going here!

I loved dropping him off. I loved the last two weeks we spent getting him ready. Elder Luke Nelson, one of his absolute best BYU friends was there to greet him and be his host for the day, getting him settled in the MTC. Spencer couldn't get out of the car fast enough when he saw him. 

Although I keep finding myself smelling his clothes and sitting in his room, I am excited for this adventure. I think I'll feel better once I get a letter from him. Right now, his larger than life happy presence in our home is just missed. But it will all be OK. I'm so happy for him. AND his room is now clean! That alone (clean spaces) makes me feel good. 

It's Monday night. We have had a great few days. Our family met with the Stake President last night as he set Spencer apart as a missionary. He is now Elder Blake. The Stake President let us each bear our testimony and talk to Spencer. Wow. Cryfest. In a good way. It was so great--I will never ever forget the feeling in that room.

Our open house on Sat. was good too. I always always stress getting ready for stuff like that, especially when food is involved. How much food do I make? How many people in our ward will come? Will people feel obligated to come or excited to come visit? How much meat, how many drinks, etc. BUT once the first person walks in the door, I am so happy. I love being with people. For about 4 hours, people came and wished Spencer well. I kept looking around thinking how great they were for supporting us and especially Spencer who has been at college the whole time we've lived here. They came anyway. It was such a good night.

On Sunday after his talk and the girls singing the EFY medley with all of the youth (I know), we just had Mark and Julianne and about 10 of Spencer's friends here for the remains of the food. It was perfect. Casual, relaxed, and fun. We celebrated.....

ALI'S BIRTHDAY!!! Happy 15 to Ali! It really seems like she should be turning 16, not 15. She wasn't crazy about the idea of not only having a Sunday birthday, but also sharing it with Spencer. But I have to say that many friends really came through for her, visiting, bringing stuff.... Julianne made my favorite cupcakes and we all ate them and played games. They also got Ali some cute jewelry. I think in the end it was a memorable birthday, because she got to share it. I'm so grateful for her and the action she brings into the home!  I love her!

We went to a fireside last night (and took Spence who is now our companion.) A couple in our ward spoke to our stake about living through the L.A. riots in 92. They lived right in the middle of it. Pictures of people with guns right outside their house! Also, their home was besieged by MUD during the fires and floods here in La Canada last year. So, the theme was BE PREPARED. I love talks on preparedness--not because I am prepared, although I do have my water and lots of wheat..
When I get this 19 yr. old off to Russia this week, after the mourning period every single mom has told me comes for a week or so, I am going to pull out the 72 hr kits, food storage, etc. and focus on preparedness this summer. They recommended that you should have lots of small bills and change in your house and you should always keep your gas above half tank. In the riots and again during the flooding, they had to evacuate quickly. There were long lines at gas stations and people being beaten up several times while trying to get gas. Anyone who knows me knows that is a little bitty prob of mine. I am always trying to drive just 3 more miles before the car runs out of gas. So, I am changing my ways! Organization, Preparedness..this summer.

THE SUMMER OF PREPAREDNESS 2011!!

Hey, maybe that can be a new blog segment. I'll become a preparedness guru. I need some inspiration, because I am just not feeling the blog right now. I'm busy with lots of things, but just have a hard time writing about it.

Well, I'm off to pack up this guy before we fly to Utah tomorrow to drop him off on Wednesday. It will be great! We just had him record all of our cell phone and home answering messages. I'm exhausted. Good night.

The Cookie

I had an epiphany today. Today, bright and early, Kate and I walked into my kitchen. On the counter was a paper plate with one remaining chocolate cookie, brought by home teachers, from the night before. As I was carrying her to the table for breakfast, she yelled with delight, "Cookie!" I said, "Yes, that's a cookie." Well, of course she began saying, "I want cookie! Cookie!" I said, "After breakfast Kate. We have to have eggs first and then we'll have the cookie." Kate began to cry. Well, when I say cry, I am understating it a bit. She had a little fit...a 22-month-old fit. I knew this was the first of many teaching moments--you know, those moments where if you make a wrong decision, it can affect her personality for life.

I firmly said over and over, "Kate, stop crying. We're having breakfast first. Then a cookie later." Scream scream, arch back, pound fists on my collar bone. So, I told her if she didn't stop crying, we would have to go in her crib for time out. It was the first time I had used that word, but I think she got it. I gave her one more chance to stop crying, but when it was a no go, I calmly put her in her crib and said, "Mommy will sit right here and when you stop crying, you can come out."

As she was crying, Heavenly Father spoke to me. That's really how personal revelation comes to me. I know that what I am thinking at the moment is not from me. It's internal, it is my voice saying the words, but some inner knowledge knows it is not mine. It is a teaching moment for me.

The thought came -- Look how calm you are watching her cry. She knows you're here and you are completely confident that you are doing the right thing. You know that you are doing the best thing for her even though she doesn't see it. She shouldn't have the cookie. She should have breakfast.  Remember this lesson.

I won't forget it, because the lesson is really for me. He knows what's best for me even if I don't at the moment.

I have also been thinking about these.

 I took my first spinning class this week. The class was an hour class. I lasted 1/2 hr. In the class, my fellow bikers were going up simulated stinking MOUNTAINS, standing on their bikes pedaling slowly through the grueling course for very long stretches at a time and I just sat and pedaled. Dying. Literally my legs were dying. Finally, I stood up after a half an hour, bid the class adieu, and tried to w  a   l   k to my car. My legs were having none of it. I was complete jello. It was funny, actually, how they had no power to get me down those stairs to my car. Not to mention the general area that sits on the bike seat. Um, ow.

So, I decided that this is a problem. I get to go on this trip with Brett in July to France where we are bicycling for about 30 miles a day through Provence. It will be sooo cool, but let's do some math. 30 miles, for about 6 days. That's....let's see....(6 x 0, move that over, that's 18 and then put the 0 there, and just a sec)....that's 180 miles. Needless to say that will obviously have to be my first of many many spinning classes if I want to not just survive the ride but ENJOY it! I also have to brush up on my French. So I bought this...

I took French for two years in college. Then I took Spanish for 3. To this day, my mind still says Je instead of Yo. I think belle instead of bonita. So, I'm excited to begin these CDs and exercise my brain a tad. If I could listen to Kings of Convenience during the spinning class, that would put me in the zone too.

I am loving having Spencer home. We had a great weekend at a rented beach house and invited the girls' friends down for one night. We are running errands every day to get him ready. Yesterday it was buying P-Day clothes and shoes. Today will be toiletries, towels, sheets and a blanket. We have to get a missionary photo of him, family picture on Saturday, buying food for his open house, also on Saturday. These errands I am stressing over, I'll admit, but they are made more fun because we're having a good time together.

Maddie's AP tests are this week, both on the same day. Yuck. Ali is juggling the school musical, dance and end of term homework, which is killing her, but somehow she is making it! I'm proud of her. Sydney is playing more. yeah! I am being more conscientious about encouraging her to invite friends over. So hopefully it will continue to get better for her. She has struggled the most. Kate is talking soooo much! She came up to me with her arms outstretched and pumping up and down to emphasize these words...."Mom. I NEED more grapes. I NEED more grapes." Every time we run errands, she grabs Spencer's neck. She now gets that he's going on a mission. When I ask where he's going, she whispers "RUSHHHAAAA!" as if she totally gets that it probably should be said like that.

Well, I need to run. I'm going to go sneak a cookie in the kitchen and then make breakfast. KIDDING!

Windows of Time

Spence is home.

He got a personal tour of the Mars Rover thanks to the actual rocket scientist who actually built the actual thing actually. He is in our ward and is s m a r t.

Dug out seats at the Dodgers game thanks to Uncle Mark.

Thanks Mark. Yes, Julianne really looks like that all of the time and is that photogenic. These were taken yesterday after only one day recovered from his wisdom teeth out. Pretty light recovery thankfully.

He's took Kate swimming. yes.

He has come in very handy for me also. I can actually go actual places while Kate is awake or even actually asleep, because Spencer is actually in my home and can actually watch her.

He went here tonight..

Wish I could have gone with him!