What's new

I guess I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I'd record a few things that are going on in our lives so far this summer.

Tonight is the rehearsal for Madeline's recital tomorrow. She has to be downtown at the Aronoff by 4 this afternoon. Bari is taking her because he has become the official recital photographer for the studio. I was looking forward to going because this is the first year I won't be a Back stage helper. This year I am free to watch all the performances. I like the rehearsals because it is so chaotic. Now, this is not normal for me. If you recall, I don't like going to the Christmas party because of the chaos. Who knows why I can deal with one and not the other. Anyway, I'm blogging partly because I am trying to keep busy since I don't have to get ready. Soooo- Madeline has 5 dances this year (oh, I wasn't going to start with Madeline- - - -pardon me as I switch family news to another member). - - - Bari is shooting this event tonight and tomorrow night. He is also working tomorrow(regular job) until noon, and then helping another friend-photographer with his event. THEN he'll meet us downtown. Bari is deep in Senior portrait season. It can be a bear, but the kids are fun most of the time. He sometimes thinks his bosses are pushing him out of the studio and that they will let him go in the fall. Besides all the financial challenges, I can't say I hate the idea. Anyway, he's holding his own for now.

I'm getting a lot of 'how's Katy?' She and Josh are doing well. If you haven't heard, they have a new puppy, a Yorkie named Chewie (like Chewbaka in the Star Wars). Katy only calls 3 or 4 times a day. Sometimes it is work, sometimes a manners question (do I need to send Uncle Randy a Thank You if he sent a card and no gift?), mother-in-law venting (her's -not mine), and my very favorite- . She'll tell me something Josh did 'just to help' that really wasn't any help at all. Yes, we all love our husbands when they 'think' they are helping. Anyway, all is good as rain (?) (what is the saying?. Katy is happy and that is all that counts.

Not many of you know my son Joey. He is 21, just 2 years younger than Katy. Joey gets himself into trouble now and then. And, he makes poor choices most of the time. The worst of his choices lately is his ex-girlfriend. I won't get into details, but just so you know my weeks aren't all fun and games (ha) - I'll let you know that last week, Wednesday was his trial. He and his ex had a fight (not physical, but she said menacing). After weeks of pre-court dates, it finally came down to this, Joey is on probation for 2 years. During this time he cannot speak, text, call, or send messages through a 3rd party to her. He will have random drug/alcohol testing, alcohol/drug counseling, anger management classes and have to report to a probation officer. The judge looked at Joey's prior record (not good-not terrible) and told Joey that he needed someone to check in with and report to. I was sooooo happy to hear this. Joey needs to be accountable to SOMEONE, and he won't talk to his dad or to Bari. I was also happy with the anger management classes. I hope he really learns something from this. Now, if he breaks his probation, he would have to serve all the jail time he has avoided until now. That could mean a year in jail. On a positive note, he called today and said he had met with his probation officer, and she seemed nice and reasonable. If he checks in regularly in the next couple of months, and starts taking his classes, she'll only want to see him every 3 months. I want her to see him every week, but I guess that isn't possible. Soooo that is the Joey story. I have always worried the most about him. My prayers are always with him.

Bari Ray, boy is he happy school is out for the summer. He has his summer reading to do, and has already started on it. Infact, the kids have a mandatory 1 hour reading session every morning this summer. So far (3 weeks into summer) it has been very successful. I hope I can keep on top of it. Next week is Boy Scout Camp. He is looking forward to the new camp. Sometime this summer is will probably try to make a trip to Tenn to see grandparents, but we'll see how that goes. He is thinking about the Air Force, and a Mission. I'm proud of his choices. When I get frustrated, it is because he is acting like a typical 16 year-old boy, and not the cute, happy, wanting-to-please kid I've come to know and love.

Like I said earlier, Madeline is at her rehearsal tonight. She has 5 dances, ballet (it is beautiful!), tap small group (dr's and nurses routine), tap large group (Undead, zombies routine), jazz small group (shimmy-shimmy, fringe and all), jazz large group (disco fever, yellow shiny bell bottom hip hugger pants). I've seen all the routines at competitions except the ballet. There is no sign of stopping or slowing down next year either. She wants to add a lyrical class, and a duet or trio. Last Sunday she had a small performance. It was for students who wanted to create their own dance and then perform it. Madeline choreographed a lyrical dance for 3 friends and herself. The parents and other teachers were really impressed with what they had come up with. It was beautiful and sophisticated. This summer she has 3 one hour workshops, a 4 day (all day) dance camp, and a competition performance in Gatilinburg. I guess she dances pretty much all year round. I don't want her to get burned out, but it is really hard to stop her when she wants to do this, and does it so very well. She, also will (maybe) take a trip to see family in Tenn, but it will really depend on her schedule.

My sweet Sammy. He had a pretty busy couple of weeks. Today was his last day of his Summer Reading Program. It was only 2 hours a day, and he love it. He wants to do it again next year (funding is only for 3rd - going into-4th graders). It kept him busy, he felt like he had something to do too (like his bro and sis). I wish the class was closer to the end of summer, as a refresher before school starts again. Well, they didn't ask me, did they? Last Friday Sam had his first appointment at Children's Hosp. for his Autism assessment. We met with a really nice doctor who asked a lot of questions and told Sam he wouldn't have any shots that day. Sam said he had prayed for that (and indeed he had! the night before, it was Sam's turn for family prayer, and he added "please help me have a good day at the Dr's tomorrow, and no shots." Don't you love that?
Anyway, the Dr is sending Sam to see a Speech Pathologist, and a Psychologist. Unfortunately, the next appointments are not until November. I have to keep calling to find a cancellation. After the next appointments, we'll meet with the Dr again, and make some kind of assessment on his behavior. Hang tight, this is just the beginning.

So, between dance, dr's, judges, brides, husbands, kids, and my regular job, life just gets better and better. So, how can I summarize this ? I do love my life. I love my family. Everytime I'm at a wedding and they pronounce the bride and groom married until death I cringe, and then say a prayer of thankfulness that I do have the gospel, and the temple, and a loving, adoring husband who is my husband FOREVER. Could my life be better? I don't know, it would help if we were a little more financially stable. It could be better if Bari had more time to spend with us. We do alright. Yes, life is good. I am thankful.

Yes, I have a testimony

I just want you all to know that I do have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This past month has been stressful in many ways, but challenging my testimony is not one of them. Well.....that isn't exactly true. I want to know something. How can a loving God in Heaven give to women, mothers, daughters of God, HOT FLASHES ?????? This has challenged my testimony. Yes, I know you are ALL too young to understand the complications of such a seemingly innocent body function. But I ask you, have we not already sacrificed a week of our lives every month since we were at the tender age of 10? Sacrificed sanity, water gain, white jeans and swimming? I don't understand. What more can I give? Well, apparently, I can give a little more. In the middle of the night (3am to be exact), I can give up my sleep, covers and any modest pj's. Is that enough? NOOOO.....IN the middle of the day, a slow sweat drips down my back, as if I am sitting in the middle of a beach. I am not on the beach.
I LOVE the Lord, but if I ever get the chance, unexpected hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and hair growing in all the WRONG places!!!! I will make a change or two.
This isn't over yet.

Sometimes . . . . .

Sometimes we have to do really hard things in our life. Things that we don't choose to do, but things that we know are the right thing to do. Or we are prompted to do. Life is not always easy. Sometimes we just have to do hard things because no one else can do them. Not because they don't want to, but because they are paralized and can't do them. Last weekend was one of those times.

I gave the eulogy for my little niece on Saturday. I have no idea how many people were there. (Lots). I got really nervous as we were driving to the church. It was one of those things that no one wants to do. I felt compelled to speak for the family. (And I was asked by my brother-in-law).

I am grateful that I have had a lifetime of service in the church, teaching and speaking, that I wasn't paralized, that I could express the love Maddy had for life, and her family. It was the most difficult speech I have ever given, I cryed, but got through it.

Most importantly, the family was appreciative. They knew I spoke for them, through them to everyone else who was there grieving.

Prayer made it possible. Prayer is beautiful.

The circle of life - - - -

The circle of Life - or- 2 funerals and a wedding.

My (Bari's) niece died this morning. She was 9 years old. She had Cerebral Palsy. The last couple of days of her life were spent with loving members of her family holding court at her bedside at Children's Hospital. We have spent the last couple of days also with the family. Some of the family are holding up pretty well. It is a difficult time burying a child. The grandparents are not coping well with the loss. It seems that those who have some faith, even a little bit of faith, are dealing with grief much better than those who do not. Maddie really did change those around her. She had a marvelous life. She saw and did many things for such a young girl. I think she was tired of missing out on all the dancing at the weddings she has gone to. We love you Maddie - - - dance on!!!!

Maddie's funeral is Saturday at noon. Bari and I are photographing a wedding at 3. It is a contract for another photographer, and we can't get out of it. It will be difficult, but we'll manage.

There is another funeral on Monday, in Chattanooga, for Bari's Step-Mom's father. Bari's dad (also Bari), and step-mom Linda were on the way here on Tuesday, they got as far as Knoxville when they got the call that Linda's dad died. Bari and Linda went back to Chattanooga, made funeral arrangements and Bari drove back up here. Linda and other TN relatives will be driving up tomorrow for the funeral Saturday. I guess it will be a caravan back down on Sunday morning. Bari and I (my Bari) will also be driving down on Sunday and returning on Monday after the funeral.

Throw in Dance photos, Seminary graduation, scout camp outs, birthdays, modeling shoot, wedding rehersal meeting, and regular work stuff and it could possibly be even crazier than normal. And our normal is pretty crazy.