Rain, rain...

I love the rain! Especially this cool rain that lets you know that autumn is in the air. I heard it start just as I was falling asleep about 1:00 last night. It was literally pounding at 6:00 am when I woke up. Of course, I rolled right over and went back to sleep. I find rainy mornings to be the perfect time to cuddle up with Ken and resist the temptation of getting out of bed until the last possible second.

I have many great rain memories. I remember having a picnic on our foyer floor in Scotland and having the doors wide open to watch the storm outside. I remember the gentle rain while swimming with friends at the Officers' pool (no lightening). I remember the torrents that would come down during the typhoons on Okinawa. I remember the rain and the mist that would totally envelop "Y" mountain while at BYU. So many memories...

I LOVE THE RAIN.

Scary thought...

This afternoon while in church Trevor leans over to me and starts rubbing his arms, tummy, and legs. He proceeds to say, "I wish I had a hundred mouths, then I could talk all over!" This from the boy who makes noise all day. (No kidding, he loves to hear himself talk!) This from the boy who could eat all day. This from the boy who loves to tease his sisters. One hundred mouths?!? Oh what a nightmare that would be!

The Rhapsody...

What could be better than a weekday date with my hottie of a husband? Not much, I dare say. Last night we attended the opening night of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at Boettcher Concert Hall. One of my favorite pieces of all time, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini was played by Van Cliburn winner Olga Kern (we saw her in a solo recital last spring and were completely impressed) and conducted by Jeffrey Kahane. It was an incredible performance!

This was my first time hearing the Rhapsody live and I was overwhelmed. The themes in the piece are so lush. There is a depth and range of emotions throughout that totally touches my soul. There is so much beauty in that piece it was hard to breathe. And what can I say about the 18th variation? There was such grace and sensitivity as Ms. Kern played it. I love Rachmaninoff's music!

Boettcher Hall is really fun to go to because it is set up in the round. We sat in my favorite seats at the back of the orchestra. I LOVE watching the conductor. I had never seen Jeffrey Kahane conduct before and he was amazing! Every movement was so clear and easy to follow. I think he is my new favorite conductor (Sorry Keith!). It was so interesting, during the Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony he even put down his baton for the 2nd and 3rd movements. I have never seen an orchestra conductor do that before! (I do think it was completely warranted by the music. I would had a difficult conducting that piece with a baton.) He was awesome!

I have been tagged...

Micaela has tagged me to answer some questions about me. So here it goes...

4 jobs I have had:
1. Voice teacher
2. Choir teacher (yes that counts as a separate thing)
3. Microfilmer
4. Singing janitor (I feel I must explain. For my first two years at BYU I was one of the custodians for the administration building. I had a tendency to sing while I worked, especially when I was on bathroom duty. You can't buy acoustics like that. :) In fact the university president, Rex E. Lee, once heard me and came in to tell me that I had a lovely voice. It was not long before I was known as the singing janitor.)

4 movies I could watch over and over: (really though, I love movies and would watch just about anything over and over again)
1. Pride and Prejudice (especially the new one. oh, I love that soundtrack!)
2. Willow (one of the best quoting movies of all time)
3. An Ideal Husband
4. Romantic comedies

Places I have lived: (a lot more than 4 and since this is my blog, I'm going to list them all)
1. Pensacola, FL
2. Twentynine Palms, CA
3. Reno, NV
4. Okinawa, Japan
5. Dunoon, Scotland
6. Reno (again)
7. Lawton, OK
8. Twentynine Palms (again)
9. Glen Ellyn, IL
10. Quantico, VA
11. Okinawa (again)
12. San Diego, CA
13. Provo, UT
14. Fallon, NV
15. Ft. Sill, OK
16. Longmont, CO
17. Firestone, CO

4 Favorite TV shows: (I am assuming this means current shows)
1. The Office
2. 24
3. Heroes
4. Lost

4 Favorite foods:
1. Cheesecake
2. Steak and potatoes
3. Fettuccini Alfredo
4. Ken's blueberry milkshakes

4 Websites I visit:
1. Mitt websites: My Man Mitt, Evangelicals for Mitt, and several others
2. Real Clear Politics
3. Facebook
4. Friends' blogs

4 Places I'd rather be:
1. Scrapaway!
2. In bed
3. On Broadway
4. Trotting the globe (does that count as one?)

4 old boyfriends you wonder "what in the world ever happened to ____" about:
1. Just four?!? :)
2.
3.
4.

4 people I tag next:
1. Rochelle
2. Ashley
3. Kacy
4. Karin

P.S. Check out Micaela's answers on her blog (link on right). She is much funnier than I am.

Another lesson...

Went to my second voice lesson with Mary Ann today. I really feel comfortable with her and feel I can learn a lot from her. Had an "a-ha" moment today. She was telling me about one of her experiences with Seth and while she was talking I was thinking, "oh boy, that is totally me." The gist was that when someone is intuitive about something it is easy to skip to the answer without doing all the the steps in between to actually get there. Guilty as charged.

One of my (many) problems is that the exercises feel great and fairly easy. Then I get to the song and blow it. I have always felt like my big voice has been a blessing and a curse. I am having a difficult time staying light enough in my chest and mix while in a "musical theater sound." I either make it too big or end up singing light classical.

I am still trying to wrap my head around this conundrum: on recordings it sounds like the performers have so much power in that mix area. I associate power with big. So how do they get they power, but keep it easy and light? To get that sound it seems like it should be a lot more work. So far I don't get it -- at least not consistently.

I have a lot more singing and listening to do.

A day in my crazy life...

Today was a totally crazy day. I have been in a sprint since I got up this morning. It started when the day was just barely pink and Trevor came and got in bed with us. He was still sick and his fever was raging. I got everyone dressed, fed, and got Morgan off to school. I was just finishing putting on my makeup so I could go to my hair appointment when there was a knock at the door. I had double booked a new student with my haircut. One of those moments when I am oblivious to the fact that the 18th and Tuesday are the same day. Luckily, Erica was able to squeeze me in later and I was able to teach my new student. She is a woman in her 40s that has never sung before. She is taking lessons to surprise her family and be able to jam with her son that plays guitar. So cool! Then lunch for kids. Haircut -- I am loving stepping outside of the "Carli bob." Then off to Costco. Then home at the speed of light to make dinner for us and the wonderful woman that I visit teach who just had a cute baby boy last week. Taught a bunch of lessons, then scarfed down my dinner before dropping off a baby gift, grabbing samples of the projects I am suggesting, and heading to a meeting to finalize Super Saturday. An hour and a half later, I swing by Dairy Queen for a banana cream pie blizzard to split with Ken. Yum. Then time at the computer to write emails and a quick blog update. Now the house is still a mess. (I swear, it started out clean this morning!) So off to put toys away (again), do dishes (again), sweep the floor (again), and put stuff away (AGAIN!). Only to get up for another busy day tomorrow... I barely had time to breathe today, but I want to finish up the day with thinking of some of the things I learned today and am grateful for.

1. It is so cool to see someone willing to step outside their comfort zone and take the risk of trying something new. I need to do that more.
2. Costco (need I say more?!?)
3. Kids that don't feel well like to cuddle and read stories. :)
4. New babies!!!
5. Great quote by President Hinckley that was shared at my meeting. "Try a little harder, to be a little better."

Great inspiration. Tomorrow I will try a little harder...

Seriously though...

Do they get much cuter than this? Peyton enjoying her morning snack (chocolate teddy grahams).

Girl Power...

Saturday night I was able to attend a fireside where the speaker was Sheri Dew. I helped to organize a great group of women to go all together. There were 13 fantastic women in our group that all headed to the church on Saturday to hear Sis. Dew. She was certainly worth the effort! Her remarks were insightful and I had several "a-ha" moments while I listened to her. I thought I would pass along some of the notes I took.

Righteous women are a crucial part Heavenly Father's plan of salvation and Satan is launching an all out attack on these women. Heavenly Father knows that we are up to the challenge. He saved us for these latter days and knows we can follow through and help build the Kingdom of God. After all, we know the end of the story; God wins and Satan loses.

She told her experience of driving in the middle of the night only to run over a street lamp (the light part) that had fallen and how it totally stopped the progress of her SUV. From this she learned two lessons which she dubs the parable of the street lamp... 1. Usually the things that stop our (spiritual) progress are or start out as small things. 2. Often the answer requires backing up. (repentance and trying again to do it better)

We want to learn to follow Jesus Christ without reservation! Moroni 7:48 talks about the gifts that Heaven Father will give us as we are true followers of His Son. She made it clear that that is what is necessary to receive those gifts, not being popular, baking your own bread, or being a size two. :) So how do we become TRUE followers? She had a list of five points (though she says there are many more).

A True Follower a Jesus Christ is...

1. Willing to walk away from the world. "Do I look to the Lord or the world for counsel?" She also had these words of advise as we try to decide who to follow "It is always dangerous to take counsel from someone trying to build their own kingdom." (A-HA!)
2. Absolutely believes that Jesus is the Christ. There is great power in Him as we learn to partake of the Atonement.
3. Obedient and repents.
4. A diligent seeker. (Here was a huge a-ha moment for me. She said that many of us know just enough about the gospel to feel guilty and not enough to know the joy. That is totally me. I know I need to work on this area and as I do so I am sure I will find more of the joy that I know is there. It is after all, "good news.")
5. Seeks to become more and more pure. "Purity is the single biggest step for us hearing the message the Lord has for us through the Holy Ghost."

She concluded with saying, "there is unlimited power and influence in a woman who is a TRUE FOLLOWER."

After the fireside we headed for dessert a Cheesecake Factory. I had the raspberry, lemon cream. It was very delicious, but almost a little too light. Most of all, I was so honored to rub shoulders with the amazing women around me. I am inspired by all they do and especially who they are. I feel very blessed to have them as my friends and have their influence in my life.

Debate tonight...

Be sure to tune in for the Republican Debate tonight! 9 pm EDT on Fox news channel.

(As a side note: Fred Thompson is a total coward for missing tonight's debate. Announcing his candidacy the day after. Puhlease! Jay Leno is more important that discussing the issues?!? Before now, I thought he just didn't have a lot of substance, but now I am officially insulted.)

Another first...

Trevor started his preschool career today. He was the first one up and came in reminding me that it was his first day of school. Just a little excited. :) He is in a class of six boys. I think that Jen will have her hands full, but will have a lot of fun. Trevor was almost as excited to be starting school as he was to take his new Batman backpack. It is good to be three!

With his new teacher, "Miss Jen."

I Stand All Amazed...

I have always loved how music helps facilitate the teaching of the spirit. On Sunday I was leading the music in church and I had one of those testimony building experiences. We were singing the hymn, I Stand All Amazed, when the force of the reality of those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I started sobbing (quite embarrassing since I was up in front of everyone) as I thought, with complete awe, how much The Savior loves me -- in spite of my many sins, shortcomings, and faults. I am a soul that is, at times, very rebellious and proud. Sometimes I want to do it my way, even if that is not the best way, or even His way. I continually make mistakes and in my pride, don't repent right away. And through it all, He continues to love me and hope that I will do better. In my brain, of course I know this, but my heart can sometimes forget. I am so grateful for music and these beautiful words I was able to sing on Sunday. They helped my heart to again focus on Jesus Christ and His atonement and the reality and truth of His love. I am truly grateful for little "a ha" moments like this to strengthen me, especially when the road is difficult.


I Stand All Amazed (hymn 193)

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932

Let's fall in love...

Last night was incredible! We were able to go see Diana Krall perform at Red Rocks amphitheater. I have never been there before and the setting made the concert that much more enjoyable. From our seats we had an incredible view of the stage, most of the Denver metro area, and the huge red rock formations surrounding us. As darkness fell, the lights of the city twinkled in the distance. The small hiccup with this open air theater was the rain that started about halfway through the opening act that just continued to fall harder as the concert went on. Even the performers were getting wet and had to move the instruments back further on the stage. :) It made for lots of fun song quotes during their jazz improvisations: singing in the rain, raindrops keep fallin' on my head, and stormy weather, among others. We didn't mind the weather too much huddled under our umbrella. We totally enjoyed cuddling and there was a very intimate feeling as a result. We saw the true definition of a "fair weather fan" as people kept getting getting up to leave. I thought it was making the memory of the amazing night that much more distinctive.

The opening act was trumpeter Chris Botti. He was fantastic -- such a beautiful tone! His band was rockin', especially the guitarist and the drummer. The acoustics were incredible and I loved the way the trumpet echoed off the rocks. I am thinking we need to get some of his recordings.

And what can I say about Diana?!? She has mad keyboard skills! On her CDs it is easy to focus on her singing, but live, you can't ignore her amazing piano chops. Everything about her seems absolutely effortless. She really gets to the heart of the music. I loved all of the songs she sang. I think my favorite was... okay I just loved everything! I am so glad we were able to go and see her. I had waited almost 10 years to hear her live and even sitting out in the rain, it was totally worth it!

But on the bright side...

I LOVE red lipstick! I love how it makes my whole face come alive. So even on the worst days, I can have my wonderful 16 hour, long wearing, cherry lipstick.

I had one of those days...

I hesitate writing about this because it feels so whiny, but I also think it might be therapeutic to try and put some of these feelings into words. There are days that I think it would be so much easier to have a different job. I am pretty sure the pay would be better, I would be a little more respected by my colleagues, and I wouldn't be on call so much. Yeah, there are days the stay-at-home mom thing is not so appealing. I absolutely adore my kids (and I am pretty sure they are about the cutest on the planet) but after picking up the same toy/shoes/shirt/backpack for the millionth time my patience wears a little thin. I almost lost it the other night. Why can't something that I just cleaned stay that way for a least 10 minutes?!? I totally feel like a failure at times. How can I possibly be a good mom if I can't even keep on top of the (endless) dishes, meals, laundry, papers, and STUFF?!? And somehow fit it all in between all the other obligations -- places to go, people to see. I feel like I will never be the supermom I should be. You know the type... THEY never yell at their kids, lose their patience, have dirty dishes in the sink, etc. (Okay, I know sometimes THEY do, but this is how it seems to me.) How can I ever possibly live up? It is also hard feeling like I am taken for granted by my kids. It is a struggle trying to teach them to be responsible. In some ways it would be easier to just do it myself, but I know in my heart of hearts, that would not be doing them any favors.

To sum up, I want to do this job better, but how? Supermoms out there, I would LOVE some advice. Both the practical tips and how to deal with the emotional toll that this can take are all welcome.

And lastly to my mother, I am SO SORRY if I ever made you feel like this! This (stay-at-home) motherhood thing is certainly the most challenging job I have ever done and I totally give you props for how well you did it!

A first grader...

It's official. We now have a first grader in the house. Morgan is totally loving Mrs. Clemmon's class and all the new friends she is making. She is so tired at the end of the day (after going to school all day) that she actually falls asleep before midnight. :) I am so proud of her and how grown-up she is becoming.

The best movie so far this year...

Ken and I are thrilled that Holly and Brian (Ken's sister's family) have moved to CO. Last night we got the cousins together and then the adults went on a double date. We had some fantastic Mexican food at Hacienda Colorado and then went to see The Bourne Ultimatum. The movie was incredible!! The action was super intense and the fight and car chase scenes were very well done. In fact, I think it should count as a workout because my muscles were flexed the entire time. :) Matt Damon was awesome. My one disappointment is that Jason does not get together with Nicky. I have wanted them to get together since the first film. There were, however, allusions to them having a past together. Maybe there will be some answers in the deleted scenes on the DVD.

Overall, I say two thumbs way up and the best movie I have seen so far this year!

Iowa Straw Polls results...

Mitt rocked the vote. Sounds like a party and I wish I could have been there despite the horrible heat and humidity. This is such an important election and I can't wait for my voice to be heard. Here are the results (which I copied from My Man Mitt)...

Results:
1. Mitt Romney 32%
2. Mike Huckabee 18%
3. Sam Brownback 15%
4. Tom Tancredo 14%
5. Ron Paul 9%
6. Tommy Thompson 7%

Then . . . the "also rans":
7. Fred Thompson 1%
8. Rudy Giuliani 1%
9. Duncan Hunter 1%
10. John McCain 0.7%
11. John Cox 0.5%

I am also pleased for Huckabee, who I really like. It will be interesting to see what some of the other candidates decide to do with their campaigns.

The Cabin...

One of the most anticipated trips of the year is when we go to our friend's cabin up in Montana. This year was no different. We all had a fantastic time! We were there for 4 1/2 days. The kids played in the creek, fished, rode horses, and played so much with all their friends that they literally fell into bed each night. It was so fun to watch the kids see the animals come up to the salt lick in the meadow. Peyton especially loved the moose! The grownups had a wonderful time as well. We talked until late every night, fished, canoed, rope swung into the river, enjoyed the beautiful view, and played guesstures (five year winning streak for the girls!). Our trip to "the cabin" is always the highlight of our year and a wonderful time to reconnect with incredible friends. Thank you Mark and Malinda for inviting us up to the cabin. We always have a fantastic time and we can't wait until next year!

In-laws visit...

This weekend had Ken's parent's visit and then his sister's family joined us for lunch on Tuesday. So very fun to be all together, even if only for a few hours.


We are absolutely thrilled that Holly and Brian are moving up to Colorado. They will now be about 17 hours closer and we are totally looking forward to it! Our kids are so excited about the prospect of playing more with their cousins. We have been waiting for this for years and now it is finally here!

My quest...

For the first time, in a long time, I feel like I can sing. While in Las Vegas this June, I had the opportunity to take a voice lesson with Jeffrey Skousen. It was incredible. I had no idea I could sing like that! It was also thought provoking. So now I remember that I can sing -- what do I do with it? I have also thought a lot about the path that I have been on and where I want to go. Thinking about all this has been pretty emotional and overwhelming. How do I balance my personal goals with my responsibilities as a wife and mother? Still not sure on this one. But I now realize that while all my classical training has been very helpful for my love of choral music, it didn't do a whole lot for preparing me to do musical theater. I have loved that genre for as long as I can remember, but once I got into college and chose to study choral music education, I was steered toward choir and opera. At BYU the music school did not play nicely with the music theater department. So for years, I have not pursued that passion of mine. I am not talking broadway or anything, but I would love to do some community theater as the kids get older. But first I need to get more comfortable singing this new style.

When I got back to Denver, I found a voice teacher that teaches the same technique that Jeffrey teaches. I had my first lesson with MaryAnn last week and I think it was very productive. I look forward to studying with her. Right now I am working on The Wizard and I from Wicked. It is so fun! It will even be more fun when I am really comfortable singing it and can rock it. I know this will be quite the process, but I am glad that I am finally moving forward with my dream. Another benefit will be how this will add to my marketability as a singer and voice teacher. I hope this quest that I am on will also help my students. I am sure there will be ups and downs, but I am glad to be taking some action. This will be an adventure...