Countdown to Christmas

I am so excited for Christmas. But I need a great idea for our Christmas tree. I've got a few bouncing around in my head so I will keep everyone posted on what we will finally present in our little home. Since this is my weekly update what else can I say. Ohh, please keep my dear husband in mind. He was in a minor car accident yesterday, which really sent my blood pressure all over the place. I was so worried but thank goodness he's fine. Sore stiff neck, back a little sore too, the normal which is good. And he's still clean shaven at the moment which is terribly handsome in my book. For a while he had a goatee, which looked really nice and I kept it up for him about 6 weeks. Then when I was about to shave him, he trimmed everything down....the goatee was gone! I enjoy giving my husband a shave. He doesn't really enjoy shaving, and I like making him feel good so shaving is a nice bonding moment for us. He's so blonde it takes a while for a mustache to show up, but once it does it's nice untill hairs start to hurt my face. Like you watned to know that. I guess I'm just more mindful of my hubby today cause of what happened last night. I will keep everyone posted about our little Christmas tree.

Season 9 Winner Donny Osmond!

I am a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. It's one of my favorite shows. I started watching when I moved in with my auntie back in 2005. I can't believe the show has been on that long, but it's charming and I usually know the stars who are in the cast each season.

I was very excited when I learned about that cast of this season. I will admit I made fun of Donny Osmond, but I can do that. My mom and I are part of the Osmond family, you didn't know that huh? A few years ago(my mom is only 28)she was really touched by these boys from Utah and started reading their interviews in the different teen magazines. She was very impressed they said 'Heavenly Father' not 'God' and really enjoyed talking about their family so much. Long story short it's how my mom found the church, so we are Osmonds. I knew Donny had the charm, knowledge about dancing and fan base to stay on the show for a while, but I was very surprised he made it to last night.

I was a bad girl. I cheated and looked online about 9, trying to find the results of the show. I couldn't wait for the west coast showing of the Season 9 Finale. I just had to know who was going to be the new champ. All day I thought it was going to be Mya, who's a knockout if I say my self, somehow those Osmond fans pulled through. And now Mr. Osmond has that huge silver shinny trophy. When will I get my call for being on the show? I'll just email my number to ABC after they are done cleaning up after Adam Lambert.

Who will talk first?

It's the battle of the wills in my house. I have two kids who babble and slip in English, Spanish, and other languages I've ever heard. Last night Grandma was over and she thinks that Nichelle will beat out Nathan in speaking so we can understand stand him. Nathan is doing really well with sign language and he's really big into phrases(What's that? Who's that? Oh no...uh oh...ect)so I thought he's be more into understandable conversation by now. The sign language has really been a blessing for both he and I. I'm learning a new language and he's able to tell me basic things that he needs/wants. Nichelle has started to pick up a few of the signs and so that makes things a little more calm at times. Nichelle does talk in paragraphs in her own language and I'm just waiting for the day when it's something I recognize.

It seems everyone in the house has a love affair with the mouse. My husband loves video games and the kids get free long distance talking to someone, who knows who. I've enjoyed listening to them talk to one another, and I'm sure they plan some kind of a take over that will happen any day now. Nichelle seems to talk the most between the two of them and Nathan seems to take action from the plan. I'll keep you posted.

I'm Applying for the Generations Project

I was watching General Conference Saturday morning(October 3,2009)and there was a program that came on as a sneak peek. It was called the Generations Project. It was a compelling story of a girl who is of Jewish Descent trying to find more information about her family and where they came from. It followed her journey going to Elis Island and meeting people who worked with her Grandmother. I was really impressed with the production of the show. They interviewed this young lady and really caputured her strong desire to know her roots. I didn't really think much about the show until Sunday when I was praying and getting ready to go to the Lakewood Stake Conference. By the way I met L. Tom Perry(yeah!). And I saw a commerical about the BYU channel taking new applications for this show. I was already so pumped to be about to go to conference but I said to my self...if I don't write these people an email. I just finished about an hour ago. I have done nothing but pray that someone will understand my growning strong desire to find out who I am(at least on my dad's side!) Everyone cross your fingers for me!

The music of my life

First, I must say a heartfelt apology to all of your who read this and find me talking about music all the time. My poor children somehow put up with it and so I think everyone else can too...

My whole entire life has been surrounded with music. That part in Mr. Holland's Opus when he and his wife are sitting on the ground, headphones in hand placing it in range of the baby's ears is how I picture my mom before I was born. My early years of my musical life were filled with that great genre of soft rock songs of the 80's, Michael Jackson of course and a great foundation in LDS Hymns. When I was old enough to decide what instrument to try and learn in the 4th grade I choose the clarinet. Not a good choice, but I can still play Hot Cross Buns. 5th grade rolled around and somehow I convinced my mom violin was for me! All 25 girls in the class but it was for me! During those early orchestra days, my teacher asked for volunteers about the cello. This thing was huge had low notes....nah not for me. But like I said 25 kids...everyone wanting the violin. I said hey why not. And thus began my love affair with the cello and everything that goes with it.

I played cello all the way through high school. My teacher Mrs. Nancy Dosch, I think is an angel. I have been in love with her and that short hair cut of hers for as long as I can remember. She always thought I had great musical talent, and should have private lessons. Although being an only child people believe you get EVERYTHING you want....private lessons wasn't going to happen. I'm sure we could have found a way(Mrs. Dosch told me of a scholarship program) but I didn't think I was talented enough to take that journey. I was lucky to be able to rent a cello all those years and I can fondly remember playing cello in the summers awaiting the school year so I could start playing again. When my mom was married to her last husband I got some fantastic instruments as Christmas gifts. Including a cello. When we move from this nice little townhouse we have....I've made a resolve to start playing again. I know I'll be horrible but hey at least I can try.

I was thinking to my self about the struggle I had learning that this way going to be my talent through the LDS church and the rest of my life. My mother has shared with me a few times that my father has a wonderful natural talent for music. He took piano for a few years and played organ in church until he left. Learning this, and having my tender hurt feelings about his absence only fueled my distaste for knowing some day I might play piano like him. I know those of you who know I can play are like"April you have talent, stop complaining..." but for how sad I was about his not being there...blah blah it was hard realizing that I might one day play in church.

I claim no talent what so ever on piano or organ. I've struggled, prayed and cried in public at those two powerful instruments. If anything I play is able to be sang too, I give all credit to Heavenly Father. I had to try really hard to ask for forgiveness in being so selfish as not wanting to explore the natural talent my mom was able to see in me. I think Heavenly Father has been gracious enough to acknowledge my journey numerous times in my life, but I think my most favorite example happened on Sunday. I think I am a super UBER FAN of Music and the Spoken Word. If I don't see it, I go crazy. Of course I want to play that beautiful grand Tabernacle Organ one day...but that's a different story. I was getting everyone ready for church when I noticed something. Nathan was listening to the song, he was swaying to the music...always on beat of course. He was just looking at the tv, there was a point in the song were is was getting quiet to add drama to the end of some phrase. Somehow Nathan could sense that and started to conduct it. He turned his hands over and lowered them as if he was conducting the choir. I am still in shock. And as the music start to get louder again, he turned he hands palm side up and started "conducting" the music again to make a grand crescendo. I tear up thinking that he can sense music like that.

I am so glad I can praise Heavenly Father through music and be able to find reverent Hymns to express those sacred feelings I feel for him and His beautiful son. I'm so selfish and say that if someone wrote a song about me, like they do for Jesus...I wouldn't let anyone touch me cause I would be FANTASTIC! And then Sunday happened and I was speechless. Just able to praise the creator of our bodies, the ears we hear with and our eyes to see with my little mini me; it is and was and always will be AWESOME! I can't wait to encourage my kids to sing and to play instruments and dance for our Father who is in Heaven.