Between getting my friend's apartment set up and 4 of the 6 of us dealing with sore throats... we juggled Sam's end of year concert where he played flute, piccolo and sax. It was focusing on graduating seniors, so it was an extra long concert. We got to celebrate Brooklyn and Oscar as they go off to their next adventures. Seth had just tried out and been accepted into the jr high percussion program so he was excited for the concert. He enjoyed the first hour and a half but not the last hour.
His director called these 7 up to recognize them for getting superior ratings at State. 3 of them did solos (including Sam) and the girls were all part of Sam's flute choir. I was particularly impressed with Peter on his french horn and Esther in the flute choir.
Ada got better in enough time to help me find supplies for her graduation party and grab lunch with me.... and now I'm sick. It was bound to happen. I'm just hoping to get better before all the graduation parties and such. It's been fun to have her home half of the day since she's done with her tech school. Now she's trying to apply for jobs. That can be intimidating... She's a good worker though.
Sam made Sunday dinner. He made buttermilk pancakes and bacon. Jer took a picture of his "may all your bacon burn" shirt while he was cooking bacon.
Sunday was a pretty amazing day. All six of us were able to attend the Lindon Temple Dedication done by President Eyring. The talks by the youth were particularly powerful. All my kids wished that the Hosanna shout wasn't so monotone, but they liked the handkerchiefs.
Right after the dedication, we were able to go with Ada to get her patriarchal blessing. The patriarch and his wife are so sweet. I felt the spirit strongly and I wish I could record more here, but I'll respect the sacred nature of her blessing and just note that I am amazed at how Heavenly Father knows each of his children. Each of my kids received the expressions of love and direction that suit them best and in a way that suits them best. It's pretty neat. I'm blessed to have been a part of it.
\My throat is not as sore as Ada's and Jer's were last week, and Evelyn and Sam got through theirs pretty quickly... but I'm taking it easy this week. Sleeping in and not trying to pack my days with things that have to be done. Luckily, Janine has the daycare the next two weeks so I have time to recover. That being said, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo (on Taco Tuesday) with tacos. I didn't want to run get everything for traditional tacos, so I improvised with ground chicken, black beans, beets, onion grown by Ada, salsa I made last week and a ceasar salad mix that we had sitting in the fridge. No one jumped for joy over the beets, but they all ate it and had fun talking about tacos.
Sam had a saxophone solo and I think he's definitely getting more confident and enjoys playing. He got to compete in the State Festival 5 times this year. Both his Jazz Band and Symphonic Band got superior ratings (1s). And both his flute ensemble and his flute solo received 1 and 1-. (I think he got the minus because of me but I'm not sure. My phone started ringing while I was accompanying him. I silenced it with one hand and kept playing with the other. Whoops.) And his esports Varsity team took 2nd place at State. He likes to dive headfirst and do whatever he's doing full force.
