Today is my mom & dad's 32nd wedding anniversary. I unsuccessfully tried to get a picture of them on their wedding day. However, I've been thinking about what a great story they have and though most of you may already know it...I'll tell it again. I sure hope I get this right...
My dad's family moved to Blackfoot and he started his Junior Year at Snake River High School. Grandpa Tew was the band teacher and there was a lot of talk about his 2 sons, Randy & Rick. One of the first days of school, my mom and her 5 little friends introduced themselves to Rick..."I'm Val, Val, Val, Becky, Pam, and Jane!" One day in choir class my dad slid onto the piano bench next to my mom and asked if she needed any help! What nerve. Then a few weeks before the Homecoming Game/Dance my dad approached my mom on the way to seminary and asked, "Do you have a date for Homecoming yet?" "No," replied sweet Jane. "You do now!" said Rick as he ran off. She didn't hear much more from him until he came to pick her up for the dance wearing COWBOY BOOTS! Tacky. They were pretty much inseparable from that time on.
My mom waited for my dad while he served a mission to Mexico. Shortly after he returned they decided to get married. One day when they were driving in the car, they stopped at a railroad track and my dad tossed my mom a little box with her engagement ring. That was pretty much how he asked her to be his forever!
They have raised 4 children and have taught us all what it truly means to love. We appreciate your example and wish you many more happy years together. We love you!
Today was also Spencer's Grandma's birthday. She passed away in 2003. Although I never met her I feel a little like I know her because I know and love her daughter, my mother-in-law.
Cameron's last game was Friday. On the way to the game he started chanting, "I think I can, I think I can..." I asked him what that meant and he said he thought he could make a basket this game. Although he wasn't brave enough to try, he said it was the "funnest game of all."
I was tagged by my dear friend Katy and since she said it's only fun if you play...I will play.
20 Years Ago--February 1988--I was a baptized member of the church, a 4th grader at Riverside Elementary (with a man teacher), nicknamed "Natalie-Momma" by my younger sisters, on my 4th year of piano lessons...
10 Years Ago--February 1998--I was attending Ricks College, majoring in Social Work, living with 6 other girls (we had an extra roommate due to some interesting circumstances), mourning the loss of Uncle Kevin...
5 Years Ago--February 2003--I was living in Logan, Mother of a 1-year old, wife of a student, I was a full-time employee of Cache Valley Limo's Airport Shuttle, I think we were home-owners at this time too...
3 Years Ago--February 2005--I was living in Blackfoot, a few miles from my parents, in the same ward as my parents and my brother, Gavin was 2-months old, we were very thankful for Spencer's job...
1 Year Ago--February 2007--I was packing our final boxes before our big move into our new home. (We moved in on February 23rd, 2007), mother of 3 darling boys, ages 5, 2, and 3 months old, piano teacher, babysitter...
So Far This Year--I accepted the Hinckley Challenge and am on schedule in reading the Book of Mormon, I teach 18 half-hour piano lessons and 1 full-hour piano lesson each week, I started this blog...
Yesterday--I worked at the Apple Treehouse for 3 hours, taught a piano lesson at 12:30, watched Dawson for an hour or so, went to Wal-Mart, taught the Taylor girls at their house from 3:00-4:00, taught two other lessons at my house until 5:15, made dinner, went to Sounds practice (the choir I am in), got home after 10:00 and crashed!
Today--I took Cam to school, went to the grocery store, loaded the dishwasher, and started blogging (I have so much to do still.)
Later Tonight--I'll teach 2 piano lessons, stop in at a friend's Mary Kay party, go to Cam's last basketball game, babysit Kaden, make dinner for the family and my parents...
Tomorrow--I'll go to a baby shower with my mom, practice a special musical number with some of my favorite ladies, thinking about doing a temple session with Spence.
This Year--I have no idea...I'd love to start finishing our basement, take on more piano students, get in the best shape of my life, become a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, etc...
I Tag--Jana, Julie, and Megan!
This morning Cameron informed Spencer & I that he wouldn't be going on a mission. This came completely out of the blue and I realize it's way to early in his life to even be concerned. However, if any of you would like to give him a little encouragement, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Okay, so I participated in my first ever spinning class this morning at 6:00 AM...What was I thinking? For those of you who have never been on a spinning bike or don't even know what it is...link here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_(cycling). Two of my cousins (Betsy and Monicka) go to the 6 am spinning class every week and invited me to join them. They told me it would kick my bootie and boy, were they right! The instructor kept wanting us to increase our speed, RPMs, and resistance and kept saying "You know where to go" as I was thinking, "Yes, off this bike!" I think Betsy could tell my bootie hurt immensely when she turned to me and said "If you stand up, it relieves a little pressure and makes it easier to continue." Great advise to any of you that may try spinning in the future. Anyway, I completed the entire 20 miles (a personal victory) and really feel great! I have a great appreciation and level of awe for those of you who faithfully attend a spinning class or two each week. I will continue and I'm sure it will get easier.
Although I don't have any pictures to prove it...Spencer and I both participated in our Ward Talent Show! Spence sang the Star Spangled Banner with the teacher's quorum (he's the advisor) and I played a piano duet with another piano teacher from our ward. It was fun to participate in and we're already thinking about what to do next year. My little boys felt left out since they didn't get to perform so they'll be in the next one for sure! My camera was in the car but the ward historian took some pictures and said he'd e-mail them to me. I'll post him when/if he does.
Emily's birthday was actually yesterday but I couldn't find any pictures of her to post on my blog. I finally ran across the pics in the slide show below from when I was in college and she was a teenager! Luckily, Callie had a couple of recent pictures that I was able to add and I did find a few from my wedding too. A lot of the pictures are of the 3 sisters--Callie, Em, and me--because we really are great friends. We love you and hope you had a great birthday.
The roads in our subdivision are terrible! Or should I say "were"? Idaho Falls doesn't plow in subdivisions...and they barely plow the main roads. But today (while I was teaching piano lessons) the snow plow went right past our house! I was teaching Colby & Mattie and their mom, Monicka (my cousin), was waiting in the driveway. I was so excited that our roads were actually getting plowed until I noticed how much snow was pushed into the bottom of our driveway. Monicka was completely blocked in by at least 18 inches of snow. Lucky for me, she shoveled while I finished teaching and by the time she was finished, we were finished with lessons. Thank you so much, Monicka!
Picture taken from our garage...
Picture taken from our neighbors...that is Monicka's car (and she is hiding behind the garbage.)
This is my best attempt at an "action shot." Look at Monicka go!
I hadn't posted anything new for a while because I really didn't think anything had happened. But I was just looking at the pictures I had taken and realized I never posted anything about Owen's owie!
I'm not sure if it was a blessing or a curse this morning but they closed school today due to weather conditions. We have SO much snow and today is (supposed to be) windy. I honestly don't remember the last time we had this much snow but the boys LOVE it! Cam insists on wearing all of his snow clothes (hat, gloves, coat, and snow pants) to school. I don't know if that's the "cool" thing to do but it keeps him warm and gives me a little peace of mind. This is a picture of him yesterday, ready for school.
I am a busy person. I recently acquired my 20th piano student. I teach piano every weekday...before and after school. I babysit 3 little boys 2-5 days each week. I am a busy person. But I have wanted to do something for ME...thus, my new adventure. I now work 3 hours/week at Apple Athletic Club in the Treehouse (or nursery.) This pays for my membership so I can now go work out as often as I want. (Some may wonder when I'm going to have time to work out...6 AM!!!) I am so excited!
I just received an invitation from my friend, Shannon, to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days to honor President Hinckley. I thought it was such a great suggestion and opportunity. Here is the link you can go to to read more about the challenge and sign up. http://hinckleychallenge.com/
