Short Funny CJ Beats - PREORDER!!!

Missionary

Well, it is actually happening . . . the mission papers are in and we are just waiting. Waiting to see where Katie will be serving the Lord for 18 months. I am so excited. This is such an exciting time. We have a map up on our wall with everyone's guesses of where they think Katie will be called to serve her mission. And it is fun to just walk by and look at that map. Soon there will be just one place marked on the map, oh my!

I am so proud of Katie and her decision to serve a mission. It was unexpected. She first mentioned that she was thinking about a mission last April but even then I didn't think it would really happen. But soon I realized that she was actually quite serious and it was going to happen. That was a bittersweet moment for me. I mean as a parent who wouldn't want their daughter to dedicate 18 months of her life to serving the Lord but on the otherside is me thinking "how can I live without her for 18 months". We talk everyday even when she is away and now I won't have that and just thinking about that makes me sad. Although my happiness really does outweigh any sadness I may have. I know she is going to have some incredible experiences. It will be life changing for her. And I know that she will not regret this decision.

Katie will be a great missionary. She has a compassionate spirit and is a peacemaker. She is obedient and has a strong testimony of the gospel. And is just so excited to go and to share the gospel with others. She is so excited, in fact, that she turned her papers in exactly 4 months before her 21st birthday (that's the earliest she could turn them in). She has grown so much in the last two years. Going away to college and being in Noteworthy has helped her testimony to grow and helped to her learn many life lessons and to know that she is a stronger than she thought she was. I am just so proud of her.

So wherever she does end up serving - they will be blessed to have her. I still can't believe that I am going to be the Mom of a missionary.

That is all for now. I will post again when we find out where Katie is going. We are thinking she will get her call on Feb. 10th.

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.