Ten Things I am Grateful For Today

1. I only have to work 3 days this week

2. I am going to Utah for the weekend

3. I get to see my bff

4. I am going to a Noteworthy concert on Friday

5. I am going to a session of General Conference in the conference center

6. I will get to spend lots of one on one time with my favorite Katie Bug

7. David's Eagle Project is almost finished

8. Ciara found a dress for Senior Ball

9. Texting friends and nice compliments

10. Love

11. Trails, faith and unconditional love

12. Letters from missionaries that fill help strengthen my testimony

Okay that was more than 10 but it is okay cuz I can say whatever I want here.

Happy Day!

Sunshine

I am just tired of the rain and am feeling like Sunshine. So, these are some things that make me feel sunny inside even when it is rainy on the outside. These are in no particular order by the way. And one more thing on my mind today. Life is like a rollercoaster. Fun, sometimes scary, sometimes you want to get off but in the end you are glad you went for the ride.

Cleveland Ohio

Katie received her mission call and she will be serving in Cleveland Ohio. She reports to the MTC missionary training center on May 25th (the day after her 21st birthday). She is so exicitied. She will also be serving as a tour guide at some of the church historic sites. . .the Kirtland Visitors Center see picture


She will get to give tours and learn lots about church history. Which there is lots of back in Ohio. And she will also get to spend time sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Ohio.

It was so wonderful when she opened her call. We were able to have some family over and a couple of friends. Katie had been waiting for a couple of weeks for her call to come in the mail so the anticipation was great. It finally actually came about noon and then she had to wait until 5:30 when everyone gathered. We also had several people on the phone and Courtney was there on skype. Once everyone was finally all there and ready she opened it with a little trepidation because well because this is where you will be spending 18 months of your life. Then she read it and it was emotional for her and me and she said she just knew when she read it that this was where she was supposed to go. Ya, it isn't somewhere totally cool like Paris, or Italy or Spain and if you are not a member of the church you probably really don't get why anyone would be excited to go to Cleveland, Ohio but it is just as exciting for us.



So, now we are trying to learn all we can about Ohio and church history and we are trying to find clothes that are appropriate for Sister missionaries. Now there is a challenge. We have 3 months to get her ready and 3 months for me to try and prepare myself for missing her. But I am just so proud of Katie and her decision to serve a mission. It will be a great adventure. The Church is true.

Still Waiting

Well, we are still waiting. At least another week. Now we are hoping for Thursday, the 17th. Stay tuned.

On another note, today is a beautiful day here in Sacramento, California. Sunshine makes me happy! Also, makes waiting easier:)

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!