This and Then That

First I want to tell you about this:

I haven't even told you about the kids' last days of school!

That was clear back in May! So, I didn't want to include part of our trip THIS post.

I'll get to THAT later.


For Marc's work, he sometimes gets to go to Elementary Schools and teach them about the water system in the city.

During the the last weeks of school Marc was able to teach Sister's class!

He said that she was so excited that her daddy was at school teaching her and her friends and couldn't stop bouncing out of pure happiness.

I'm glad he had a picture op with her.

The week before Sister and Brother were done with school, Baby had her little "graduation" last day in Preschool. I had to keep snapping pictures of her because of her cuteness and put on the top of that, a graduation cap... sooooo cute!

I had taken several pictures of Baby having fun with her hat and graduation balloon and then she demanded I hand over my phone. She took a few random shots of the floor and then she turned to her teacher and said "cheese." So, of course her sweet teacher had to pose... not too shabby Baby!

Miss Tina, Baby's teacher, and one of the many angels in Our Life

Then there was the email I received for in answer to my message for his choir teacher. 

(I talked about this previously a little bit in this post, The Sound of Music)

Brother was asked by his Special Ed teacher, Mrs. S, if he wanted to be in Men's Choir again for the next school year and his response was, "I want to be in Footnotes."

Footnotes is the performance choir at his Junior High.

You have to try out for that...

There's no way he tried out when it was try outs (hyperarrousal, anxiety, not understanding having to try out...), and I knew those were long past.

I knew it was a shot in the dark, but I sent his choir teacher, Ms. Hannah, an email request:

Thank you so much for letting Brighton participate in the Mens Chorus this semester. He has requested of me, though, to ask you if he can be part of the Footnotes :)

I think he could do it. You would just have to expect him to behave and he will. I understand if this isn't a possibility because he didn't try out and all that, but he REALLY wants to be a part of it and I think he could do it. But, I don't want you to feel pressured at all. I just wish his anxiety would let him try out, because I know he would make it. He really is a good singer.

Anyway, I just thought I'd try and ask. But, I do understand if it can't happen.

This was her response the next day:

After considering it, I think it would be a GREAT idea to have [Brother] in Footnotes. His behavior and skill has proven to me that he could handle it. Plus: I just LOVE him. 

So, let's talk to the counselors about it and see if we can work it out. We may want to assign him a reliable student aid for the class, but I think that's the only issue I see with the whole arrangement. It would just be nice to have someone in class there with him to make sure he's on task and he's got his music out. He just needs occasional reminders. We could maybe have someone from the class do it, but I'd like them to feel like they can simply focus on the class. Footnotes can be a challenging and fast-paced class, and all the students need to be focused on their own work. 

Anyway... tell him we'd love to have him in Footnotes, and I look forward to it!

Now, I know, that this was a huge exception to the rules to let him in without auditioning, but I do hope that the kids will be understanding and welcome him regardless.

We are now working this summer on getting him to wear a button up shirt and tie to church so he can be ready to wear the required attire for Footnotes!

So exciting!!!


Then, last but not least, was Sister's big end of the year dance at her school. All the grades participate and it is a HUGE tradition. Sister has been very excited for this big day since January... ya, that long... she already has plans for Christmas!

I'll just let the pictures do the talking...

This one does need a little explanation... she was a little nervous to perform for the crowd so she was "hiding" 

Then she realized that while blindfolded she had gone to the wrong side of the "stage" --- running back

And now she dances her heart out, and I must say that she was the best. I might be biased...

jump!

This is one proud Papa! I'm just glad he was able to be there. That's the nice thing about having him work close to home.

She even had a cape! I love her teachers.

Our kids are so blessed with angel teachers. I seriously can't thank them enough! I love Special Ed. It's a special place (wink).

I was sad, though, to hear that Sister would no longer see her current teacher because she took another job with early intervention in the district. So she's going to a great place, but Sister will miss her terribly, and frankly, so will I.


In celebration of the last day of school I had to draw up one of the kids favorite cartoons to kick off the summer!

Lasting in Time

Our second day in Innsbruck was amazing!

After trying to get to the top of one mountain and several epic fails at getting a tram to the top Thomas came up with the idea of going up to Stubai Glacier.

There was a tram that went up there too.

This was one of those days and experiences that will for ever last in time for me.

Apparently up at Stubai, there was still enough snow to ski.

So there is a lot of snow.

There are people all decked out for winter sport.

I...

I am in my flats, crops and a light jacket.

I got a lot of strange looks.

I'm going let the photos do most of the talking here:

Thomas was confused why I wanted a shot with this big guy...

We were all pretty excited to finally have some lunch!!

I'm quite impressed with my knodel soup and fries.

mmmmm... sausage

Can you believe how high up we were?! This is about a fourth of the way down the tram!

This is about half way.

 These two shots go to show you how much the angle of a shot can change your face...

After our glacier adventure we went back to our hotel in Igls to change and get ready for an evening at Thomas' friends house in Innsbruck.

This was something we were really looking forward to. Leo (Thomas' friend) was going to be barbecuing for us at his place! We were having the lasting moments being with people who live there and not just going on a guided tour.

This is the view from the balcony that Leo was BBQ-ing on.

And let me tell you! Leo can cook! He can BBQ! Did you know you can BBQ cheese? Ya! So awesome! It's a certain kind of cheese, but mmm mmm it is delish!

Marc's awesome selfie from the awesome window at Leo's

Leo can also entertain! Leo's friend Judith came to join us too! The 5 of us had such a great time talking and laughing and being goofy! I truly felt like we left Leo's home with 2 new friends!

We gave Leo and Judith quite a shock when we announced something about ourselves. No, it wasn't us being Mormon that shocked them, it was the fact that we have been married for 18 years and have 3 kids. They said we just looked so young.

Best. Compliment. Ever.

I love being young.

I love feeling young.

But to hear that I still look young is a great one to hear sometimes.

We did, however, end up clarifying some things about being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). It was really neat for me to feel like I could enlighten someone who wasn't a member of the LDS church. It strengthened my own testimony and reminded me of why I love being a member of this church.

After many hardy laughs, great jokes, hilarious stories and quirky comments we had to pause to take a photo to remember the night.

Our "selfie" didn't turn out too well so Leo sent me the one from his camera—that I helped him learn how to use. I hope you remember that Leo. (wink)

Then we had dessert! Mmmmmm! Chocolate, berries and ice-cream!

We didn't leave Leo's place until 11:30 that night.

 I hope that one day we will be able to cook great food for Judith and Leo if they can every come out to Utah to visit! (hint, hint)

So back to the present, I have been having fun making YouTube videos of Our Life. It's nothing huge but I do hope it brings awareness of Fragile X Syndrome and hopefully cheer people up and make them laugh.

Without further adieu, here is Episode 3