Sara Bareilles performs with THE BACKBEATS on The SING-OFF Finale

Backbeats You Give Love A Bad Name

Another great performance from night 3. I love Courtney's vocal percussion on this number. Pay attention at 1:27 . . . .so cool!!!

backbeats love shack

Here it is Courtney and the Backbeats performing Love Shack from the 3rd episode of the Sing-Off. This was one of their best performances so far. And, an inside tidbit. . .I am told the 4th episode is someone's very favorite of the whole show. So, you won't want to miss it.

Backbeats through to the next round

In case you missed last nights episode of the sing off go here

http://www.nbc.com/sing-off http://www.rickey.org/

and check out the Backbeats performance of The Love Shack.

Loved the show last night. The group numbers are just so good this year. Be sure to tune in Wed to see the backbeats perform and to see if they make through to the finale. And if they do make it be sure to pick up your phone and vote for them!

So Exciting!

The Sing Off Season 2

So in case you haven't heard Courtney is on the Sing-Off again. This year she is with a new group called the Backbeats. If you haven't watched be sure to tune in Monday at 8:00 pm on NBC. The show is really great. All the groups are so good. This video is just a back stage look at her group. We are so excited for Courtney to be able to a part of this show again. She also was recognized for her amazing vocal percussion skills last week. If you go here you can see/hear the judges comments. . ."Courtney you are one righteous babe".

http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/video/night-2-the-backbeats/1264173

You can also go here to watch full episodes and see other video and photos
http://www.nbc.com/sing-off

I will keep you posted on how they do.

And also go to the Backbeats site to see more photos and videos www.backbeatsvocal.com

Seussical

Seussical - a musical that I am directing for our theater company. I absolutely love the music in this show. There are so many great songs. This is one that for some reason has been stuck in my head all day.

Notice Me Horton

I was just a no one only yesterday.
You showed up and showed me something more.
Now I've become a someone who has someone to believe in and to be there for.
I will not give up hope.
I was hooked from the start when I noticed your kind and your powerful heart.
So notice me Horton.
Notice me Horton . . . the way I notice you.

There are many great messages in this production. The music just makes me happy.

Lots of things happening over here in our neck of the woods.

In no particular order:

Katie is coming home for Thanksgiving vacation in one week
Katie has started working on her mission papers:)
David is beginning work on his Eagle Scout Project:)
Ciara is almost 18 - 21 more days
Ciara is applying for college:(
Courtney is back on The Sing Off for the second season
You should all definitely watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - just trust me:)
The Sing-Off begins on December 6th - you should all watch (the Backbeats)

If you want to watch some cool video of Courtney beat boxing go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ0QupUK9os

If you want to watch a short clip of Courtney recounting her first memory of singing go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85SCSzFppkw&feature=watch_response

If you want to see a short clip of the Backbeats on the Sing Off go here:

http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/video/the-backbeats-break-into-song/1260495

So, as you can see we are having lots of things going on over here. We are excited!

Attitude Test

Okay, I was going to try and catch up but it was to hard and it was keeping me from blogging again. A little to overwhelming I guess. And Katie was complaining about my lack of blogging so here goes.

Answer the following questions:

1. Do you often have a gloomy expression on your face?
2. Do you forget the many good things in your life and overemphasize the few things you lack?
3. Do you feel sorry for yourself?
4. Do you think more of yourself than of others?
5. Do you think you have to much to do?
6. Do you expect things to go wrong in your life?
7. Do you blame others for your moods and behaviors?
8. Do you think life has been unfair to you?

This was from our lesson in Young Women's today. It was a good reminder for me to not be the person who answers yes to these questions. I don't want to be that person. Sometimes, I do feel sorry for myself but I like myself better when I am counting my blessings and being grateful for what I do have instead of what I don't have.

Yes, we all have trials and hard things to overcome in this life but we do have a choice of how we deal with these challenges. I am going to try harder to face my challenges with a smile and a positive attitude.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the most amazing, wonderful, talented, kind, caring, beautiful 20 year old in the universe!

I love you will all my heart - thanks for being you.

What's up with the weather?

Last weekend we were having a waterfight - and this weekend all I want is a fire in the fireplace cuz it is so cold. I will say that I am grateful that it is not 100 degrees yet because sometimes in May it is already 100 degrees and that is way worse than it being a little chilly and rainy.

So, last weekend we had a party - no reason. I just thought is would be fun to have a party. We filled 500 waterballoons - yes, you heard right 500. And yes, that is a lot and yes, my fingers hurt for days after but we got really fast a filling waterballoons. Walmart has a great deal on waterballoons if you are in the market. We bbq'd and watched Rocketman which is hilarious and you should watch it and then we had a fire in our little firepit thingy in the backyard. Over all I say it was a success. And I have decided having parties for no reason is great and I will do it more often.

Things I learned from my sons birthday party

So, having raised 3 girls I thought I pretty much knew everything about birthday parties and sleep overs. . .I was wrong. Last night we finally celebrated David's 13th birthday. He really wanted to have a sleep over for his birthday, I really didn't want him to have a sleep over for his birthday but since he has seen all of his sisters have had many sleep overs I really couldn't justify saying no. But it was only going to 5 boys . . .I figured no big deal. Anyway, this is what I learned last night about the difference between girl sleep over's and boy sleep overs. . .

1. Boys have two volumes . . . . .Loud and LOUDER
2. Boys like to talk as much as girls. . .just minus the giggling
3. Boys talk about farting A LOT
4. Boys really like to throw water balloons at each other and the neighbor:)
5. Boys snore. . .loud
6. Boys are very polite and gracious

and after all is said and done. . .I think we will be having more boy sleep overs.

Happy Birthday David - I love you.