Happy Birthday, Super Brycie!

Bryce turned 3 on October 18! He is such a fun little boy. He is full of energy, and his heart is full of love. We have had so much fun with him. He has been 'all boy' from the time he was tiny. He was born loving trucks and balls! Two of his first words were basketball hoop. It came out more like 'backybow boop' but we knew what he was saying! He is a smart little boy, and a particular blessing for us is his incredible memory. We could tell even when he was still a baby that he remembered us from visit to visit. As soon as he could talk a little bit, we knew it for sure. (When he was 14 months old, they came for Christmas. They came again 3 months later, and as soon as Bryce came in the door he headed down to the family room and looked expectantly towards the corner where the Christmas tree with the train around it had been. "Where's the choo-choo?" he said.) Ever since he was really little he has had a special tender spot in his heart for his 'Boppy' , as he dubbed David when Grandpa was too hard to say. I am his 'Gammy'. He lets us all know that he loves us, and loves to come and visit. He decided several months ago that he is "Super Brycie" and began introducing himself that way. So of course he needed a super suit. We love our Super Brycie!

Happy Birthday Little Lissie

Cute little Alyssa is 1 year old! Her birthday was August 28. She loves to go outside, and will go with anyone who looks like he is headed that way. She likes to go to the park the best, to swing, slide, see the ducks, and play in the reflecting pond. She understands lots of what we are saying, and can say quite a few words too, but she is a little shy....so she usually whispers them. We love her kisses and her big smiles. She is just darling and we love her very much.

Kristi's Family

Our grandchildren are so precious to us. I wish we could see them every day. Sometimes Dad and I feel so envious of those of our friends who have theirs close by. But we also count our blessings. Kristi comes home 4 times a year, so we get to see them more than most people who live across the country from each other do. Bryce is gifted with an incredible memory, and even as a baby seemed to remember us in between visits. Alyssa has a small shy streak, but they are both friendly, open, and engaging little children. They freely respond to the love we have for them. On one visit, Bryce said to me, " I wuv a come a Boppy and Grammy's house." On this most recent visit, Alyssa charmed us by giving us lots of kisses. She purses her lips, leans forward and says "mmmm" for a kiss. It is sooo cute!
The best blessing of all to us is that Bryce and Lissie are so well taken care of. It would be terrible to feel worried about them. Kristi and Jimmy are wonderful parents: loving, involved, firm and structured. They are dedicated to the Lord and their family. We feel blessed that our precious grandchildren are in their good hands.

My Sons

"And they were young men,
and they were exceedingly valiant for courage,

and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-

they were men who were true at all times
in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."

As I was reading the scriptures for Sunday school, Alma 53:20 reminded me of my sons. I could write on and on about any or all of my children, but here I want to say just a bit about these guys. I must say that there have been times when I have not fully appreciated their courage, strength and activity! We have patched up plenty of evidence of those qualities around our house. And going on excursions with them, to lakes, cliffs, canyons, rivers, gulches, gorges and the like, always produced an equal amount of anxiety for their welfare as it did admiration for their courage, strength and activity! Their dad, whom they can thank for these traits, has always loved their energy and adventurousness. (I have too, if only they would be a little more careful.) They have filled our home and lives with their great spirits. Their physical courage, strength and activity have also showed spiritually as they have gone on missions, faced the trials and vicissitudes of life, and made important decisions for themselves. I love them, I feel so blessed to have them as sons.

Little Loves

Young Sopranos

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart;
Yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me,
and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

D&C 25:12

My daughter Rachael and my daughter-in-law Laural both study classical voice. Laural is a multitalented young woman who will soon graduate from college in graphic design. Although she did not choose a music major, she is an accomplished pianist and has a lovely voice. Rachael is a sophomore in college, and hopes to be accepted into the vocal performance program this year. I love to hear them sing, and one of my dreams is to hear them perform the Flower Duet from Delibes' Lakme. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8
Rachael's teacher is Rosemary Mathews, who is a retired operatic soprano. (Her voice is still powerful and rich!) As Rachael's voice has developed color and depth Rosemary has encouraged her towards the operatic soprano sound. The problem is that Rachael, like many other people, doesn't like the sound of most operatic sopranos (too much vibrato, too heavy, too melodramatic) and doesn't want to sound like them. So she struggles to make the most of her voice and tries to learn everything she can from her wonderful teacher, while still liking the sound she is making. We have listened to various sopranos to find sounds she likes, and they tend to be the younger singers, like Anna Netrebko and Nicole Cabell. And Rachael has converted her dad and me to liking a sound from the sopranos that is lighter but still very impressive and beautiful. We like opera in general, but among the people who are not fans of opera Rachael has found some stronger opinions! Once a group of her friends was singing along with Phantom in the car, and they all complimented Rachael by saying things like, "I usually don't like female opera voices, but yours is really beautiful. You should go for it!" Rachael was singing Christine, and not full-on opera soprano, but that was the sound her peers really liked.
That made me think.....what was Andrew Lloyd Webber saying with Phantom of the Opera? He juxtaposes Christine, the light, sweet voiced ingenue, against Carlotta, the caricature of a diva, and whom do the masses love? For my own personal taste, Christine's voice is a little too light, a little immature. Her voice ought to be richer and more colored. But I get the point! Christine is pleasant to hear, and Carlotta is dreadful. Male opera stars tend to have a lot more fans than their female counterparts. Maybe it is time for a new sound style for operatic sopranos.

My Mom and Dad

I count myself among the fortunate people of the earth. I frequently reflect on the blessings I have that make me feel this way, and they are many. Today I'd like to write about two of them, my mom and dad. We are all human and no parents are perfect, but what a great blessing it is to be raised by loving, consciencious people like my parents.
I feel that in large part my faith in my Savior is based upon my mother's faith. She taught me from my earliest years about the Lord: that he loved us, that he died to make up for our sins, and that we pray and keep his commandments to show our love for Him. I knew that Mom believed with her whole heart by the way she spoke of, and to, the Lord. This has been the greatest gift she could have given, for my own faith in Him has sustained me through difficult times and given added joy to the happy ones.
My dad's greatest gift has been his generous love. Dad is a Christ-like person, kind and patient with the problems and follies of others. He loves to walk and rock babies to sleep, tease and play with children, and is friendly to everyone. I think his long hours alone in nature gave him a spiritual depth that has become very evident in the years since our family found the Gospel, providing leadership and service opportunities as well as blessing his family.
And my parents are wonderful grandparents! My kids joke about being 'the favorite' grandchild....but they know that their siblings and probably all their cousins feel that way too! Grandma and Grandpa are just good at making each one of their grandchildren feel special, that their unique personalities and talents are not just appreciated, but celebrated and treasured.
I love my MOM & DAD!