Finding Balance

"Faithful Saints cannot afford to look upon children as an interference with what the world calls "self fulfillment." Our covenants with God and the ultimate purpose of life are tied up in those little ones who reach for our time, our love and our sacrifices."
~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks

When I was in college, as you may know, I studied music. Music is my passion. I played and performed and practiced constantly. I had some professional gigs and offers that were challenging and exciting. During my senior year of college, our first son Josh was born. I have not played professionally since then. (except for playing in church, nursing homes, etc.) I chose to put on a different hat and teach. I have been teaching privately for 10 years now, although I did have students prior to that in high school and and in college as well. Teaching private violin has been a GREAT blessing for our family, as it provides a good income from the comforts of our own home. Both of our mothers worked outside the home when we were young, and Joseph and I have always wanted something different for our children. Luckily, teaching accomodates our financial needs, and our children's emotional needs. I have however, missed performing...

I have been contacted many times by the Idaho Falls Symphony conductor over the years, and good ol' George had all but given up on me. It seems to me that I either have energy for teaching or rehearsing/playing with an ensemble, but generally not both while I have a young family to take care of.

Then I saw the 2009-2010 concert season for the Idaho Falls Symphony: Beethoven's 9th Symphony. It's one of Beethoven's greatest works, if not one of the greatest symphony masterpieces of all time: "Ode to Joy" with full chorus and symphony. When would another opportunity come along again in my lifetime? The Mister and I discussed it, and we thought it would be a great opportunity, so I'm back in the thick of rehearsals. As if that weren't enough, I also committed to play with the Teton Chamber Orchestra as well. Jenny Oaks Baker is coming to perform with the TCO, and I have enjoyed following her career over the last several years, so...I am rehearsing with two great community orchestras and I have felt like an important, yet dormant piece of my heart has been revived again. It's been great. However, I couldn't do it if I didn't have such a stellar husband who also happens to be a tremendous father. The kids don't seem to notice much that Mom is gone a couple of nights a week. *He took all 4kids to Home Depot last night to purchase supplies to build the girls a bunk bed. Wow. I thought it was a feat to take all 4 to Super Wal-Mart where I at least have a shopping cart with straps...

However, I must say that I am exhausted, but with performances Oct. 24 for TCO and Nov. 6 and 7 for IFSymphony, it will all be over for this washed-up old player soon enough. I told both conductors to let me sit in the back of the sections, as I can't commit to every rehearsal on the schedule. It's been great so far. (Although I'm still faking some rough passages in the Beethoven! Sorry, Ludwig. Love ya, man.)

What I can't figure out is this: All week long, I dread rehearsals because it means I'm away from my family in the evening. And I get home late and have to get up for 5:30 a.m. students...I'm just plain tired. However, when I'm playing in the rehearsals, I love it. What does this mean?

I recognize that there is a season to everything, and the Lord who loves music perfectly, just as he loves the good women of the world who bear and rear His spirit children, will inspire me to know when the time is right to pursue other interests and hobbies. For now, one concert agenda is enough. And I feel whole.

For anyone interested in an enriching musical experience, but with different styles of music, here is the ticket info:

Jenny Oaks Baker and the Teton Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Civic Auditorium Oct. 24 @ 7:30. Tickets available at Dale Jewelers in Idaho Falls for $12 each.

Idaho Falls Symphony and ISU Collegiate Chorus will perform the Beethoven 9th Symphony on Friday, November 6 in the new Stevens Performing Art Center at ISU @ 7:30, and again Saturday night at the Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls. (Contact the Idaho Falls Symphony ticket office for more info).

I have two best friends from high school that are still my best friends. This is Danielle Crosby. You know the kind of girlfriend you can go weeks or months without seeing or talking to, but somehow when you reconnect, you can carry on the conversation right where you left off previously? That's my Danielle. We've been through it all together-- cool boyfriends, not-so-cool boyfriends, college, full-time missions (she served a ASL mission in San Diego and Washington D.C. at the same time I was serving in Kentucky), marriage, child-bearing years, and of course in those pre-mission days, summers working and camping in Jackson Hole and college years working for her parents at Zina's Sandwich Shop. It's funny how we still laugh at the same things in between changing diapers as opposed to the summer nights on the banks of the Snake River 18 years ago. She helped me find my testimony and I helped her...well, let's just say I introduced her to 'life less structured.' She has an amazing life story, and I have so much admiration for her. Through thick and thin, as the saying goes, she's in it with me.

She was in Idaho visiting her family over Conference weekend and they graciously stopped by to visit. (I still want those chicken eggs, girl!)
This is the infamous Randy and Zina Peterson. You know, any of you acquainted with Rexburg, theee Zina Peterson of Zina's Sandwiches. Randy and Zina hired me through college to work at their sandwich shop. Danielle and I had way too much fun when we were scheduled to work together. No need to get into specifics here. I love them like family.

3-Ingredient Sweet 'n Sour Chicken

My very favorite sweet & sour chicken recipe:

Place boneless chicken breasts or tenders in 9 x 13" baking pan.
In separate bowl, mix 1 small Catalina dressing bottle, 1 can crushed pineapple (slightly drained), and 1 C. brown sugar. Mix thoroughly and pour over chicken. Bake @ 350 for 45-60 minutes. Serve over rice! And don't forget to savor the baking smell in your cozy house...

"What a Character!"

My son, age 4, gets dressed by himself every morning. Trouble is, he wears his underwear on the outside of his pants. (Pants is indeed plural, as you can see.) I ask him why he does this and he says he is "Nacho Libre." Nice.

He always sleeps on his floor. I can't figure out why. We obviously don't need his bed.

Here are some memorable quotes from Nacho this past week:

(Praying) "And thank you that I can say "oopsies" after I spit on somebody."

"Hey Mom! I remember that Joseph Smith was handsome!"

(Praying) "Thank you that we could have blessings; thank you that we could get created. And thank you for potty treats."

Quote of the Day...

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

~Bill Cosby

Happy Birthday to me

Fresh flowers (thanks, Kim D.), cookies and chocolate (thanks Kim P.), foot cream (thanks Heather H.) and cards.
Dinner with the in-laws at Big Jud's...a MUST eat in southeast Idaho...featuring the famous one-pound burger and fries! Delish. Nevermind the fact that eating there lowers my life expectancy by 7 years. See the wall o' pictures behind us? That's anyone who has ever eaten a one-pounder by themselves. Ugh.
My favorite thing about my birthday...coming home to find a sweet surprise tucked in the door...(Thanks Cynthia and Heather!)
Caleb and me on the greenbelt earlier in the day.
Hungry, obstinate seagulls and ducks unsatisfied with our meager spread...
Elizabeth and Caleb at the river.
Some girlfriends out for a night on the town...Julie Meldrum and I celebrated a birthday last week and tried to get a few girls together for dinner. (Yikes, I look like I need a gym membership for my birthday in this photo!)

I had a great birthday. It fell on Friday before Labor Day and I had NOTHING scheduled. I woke up to the celestial scent of bacon frying. JP made me whole wheat pancakes with home maple syrup, bacon and juice.

It was beautiful weather, so I started out by taking my youngest two to the river to feed the ducks. The screeching seagulls were deafening, literally. I could not believe how loud they were, but it was great. Then the kids and I went to Pizza Hut for lunch, and then later that evening, we went with my in-laws to Big Jud's in Archer. (Just south of Rexburg in the cun-tree.) We had also invited my parents and my sister, but my sister was very ill, so they couldn't make it, and JP's sis Anne, who had to work. Sarah swears she has a Tres Leches cake for me still, however:) Right, Sarah? Later that night, JP rented "The Soloist" which we watched together. It was a hard movie to track down, but he did it, even though he didn't have a strong desire to watch the show. I love that man.

But my favorite thing was the random little treats, gifts and cards and phone calls I received throughout the day. (I miss you Danielle!) (Love to my brothers who called as well and sent gifts.) I feel so blessed to have so many caring friends, family and neighbors. Thank you, everyone. Turning 36 isn't so bad after all...

First Day of School 2009

Josh is in 4th Grade and Emma is in 2nd grade this year. They are genuinely excited!
Josh and Emma ready for a great year...am I?