Saturday, July 9, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Lily's 9th Birthday
2015 was a busy year. Lily pointed out that I didn't blog about her birthday last year. I had all the material - just didn't get a roundtoit. So here is Lily's 9th birthday in review. We didn't have a big party - just one friend over for a sleepover and a Saturday shopping spree. The following weekend, we went to GS camp at Camp Kachina. Dad was out of town that weekend as well. We love our spunky talented full of energy Lily!
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
Ammon in big boy school
Mom is nervous for the changes and hopes all will go well. I'm also looking forward to him reaching his goals and working on his motor skills and social skills with friends - like taking turns and sharing. Hopefully his speech will improve. He's still hard to understand even though his language has picked up and he's talking a lot. If you don't know what the context is, it's VERY hard to know what he's saying. And if he doesn't understand you he starts on his own conversation - usually about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse which is also code for I want to watch TV. Or I really liked "" on TV and I want to watch more. Or at least I think that's what it is. . . Not 100% sure.
Jessica at Solo/Ensemble Contest Jan 2016
This was perhaps one of the most challenging songs that Jessica has learned thus far. She had me nervous and I'm never nervous for her. But this song. . . well. It began with the fact that she picked the hardest song her Middle School Choir director had last year. So this year in order to challenge herself, we went to the High School Choir director to pick a song. The choir director who was available showed her some music and she picked this one. I asked if it would be challenging enough for her and he assured me that college students use this song, so I said, "OK." The hardest part was getting a practice CD with the backup music. The teacher to make that was busy in rehearsals for the musical. So we didn't get the official music until a week and 1/2 before the contest. She did her best off of Youtube, but it wasn't the same speed as the music she got and she was having a hard time with the ending. The trills proved to be the most challenging, especially the last one. We spent a night just going over that ending. It took me a while to figure out even how to play what she was trying to sing. Wow! I had no idea it would be that tough! She got it though just in time. This is the recording of her practice just before the real deal. She kept forgetting the ending and forgetting to breath for that ending. So of course I was nervous. Usually she is confident and bored by this point in the game. This time I had to redirect her friends so she could focus and concentrate before going in. I made her hum it in her head over and over before she entered the room.
So the judge was impressed by the level of her music and I'm thinking - you better get this girl because otherwise you are just going to look like a fool for picking a song too hard for you. Then the lady said she sang this song in her college senior graduation recital. Great! So she's familiar with it. More nerves!! I didn't record her because I didn't want to add to her nerves or mine.
I needn't have worried. She did it. Better than this recording even. She hit every note. She didn't run out of breath. She supported everything and did her thing! Phew!! It was awesome and she got her 1.
Now what to do next year? Yikes.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Merry Christmas 2015
Merry Christmas!
For Thanksgiving this year, everyone came to the Marcano home while Jhonny traveled to Mexico to build his business. He took David and Steve with him so we had Thanksgiving part 2 on Saturday at Julianne and David's new house here in Round Rock. But back to the original date. Mom and Dad, Tanya, Nate and Nathan, and Lianghzi came over on Thursday. I cooked up everything by myself and mom brought a few things that would travel. The turkey turned out pretty good for only my second attempt ever.
A month later finds us home for Christmas. We traveled to Houston to spend Christmas Eve eve and Christmas Eve with my parents and Mandy's family. We opened presents and played reverse Charades that was pretty fun. We also enjoyed a breakfast for dinner. Dad's famous breakfast that he usually puts out on Christmas day. . . only much earlier. Jhonny and I took the morning to go to the temple which was what I really wanted for Christmas along with the chance to wear my new temple dress. I decided it needs to be ironed and it's going to be real fun figuring that out every visit. I also discovered I need to hem it.
On the way home Christmas Eve, we stopped at Lupe's house and ate a few Tomales. Steve and family were also there so we hung out for a while. I finally convinced Jhonny it was time to go and dragged him away from his team. I wasn't feeling so good by then and so the unwrapping of the Christmas PJ's was a bit rushed. I hurried the kids to bed so I could fall into bed and try to recover from whatever it was that ailed me. Fortunately being that it was ten pm and Christmas eve, the kids didn't put up a fight to go to bed. I think Ammon came into our room sometime in the wee morning and fell asleep on my couch. That was some time after Santa finished putting all the presents under the tree.
Christmas morning didn't disappoint. I was feeling better after a good night's rest. The kids didn't stir until after 7 am so I got at least 8 hours of sleep. Even Gavin was happy to open presents. He spent the better part of Thursday mad at me because I told him I didn't get him a DS2. We had a chat and hopefully something of what I said sunk in. He's been pretty moody lately so it's hard to get him happy, but Christmas morning the magic of opening presents was in the air. He was super happy with the Pokemon cards he got along with the minecraft legos and books that I found for him.
Lily was very happy with her new bedspread and the other "toys" that we got her. Ammon loved the duplo legos and books. He's still afraid of the balance bike we bought him. I hope he will find the courage to ride it and learn to balance himself somehow. I understand his hesitancy, but for once, I didn't buy this bike for the excitement factor. I could see the orthopedic value in it for this kid.
Jessica was happy with the bobby pins and hair bands and makeup that she got. She was shocked by the chrome book I splurged on for her. She was least expecting of them all and so it was particularly delightful to see her surprised face. She doesn't dare ask for anything and so it's the most fun to give it to her.
After breakfast we went to see the new Star Wars movie, episode 7, the Force Awakens. It was good and with the exception of a small tantrum from Ammon after being pretty good for the most part of the 2.5 hour movie, everyone did well. We were reminded why we like renting videos and watching them from home, but who can wait for this one to come out??
The rest of the day was spent being lazy. Jhonny continued to work on my headboard. He finished it late last night after we got home from a trip through Rocknlights in Old Settler's park. I'm not sure if it was truly worth the $15, but not being able to use the $5 off coupon was worth the less time we had to wait to drive through it. Now we can say we did that.
So Christmas is done. Now to look forward to the New Year. Today is the last day of Nursery for Ammon and most likely for me. If things go as I think they will, I will move up to Sunbeams with Ammon and a few of his friends. I'm good with that, but I don't have the official word yet so I'll wait and see what is in store.
2016. There are plans in place and other hopes in place. Gavin will turn 8 and prepare for baptism. Jessica will turn 14 and go to High School. We will be going on a cruise in June with the kids. We hope the Rockdale house will sell this year. We hope Jhonny will make enough money in his business to quit teaching. We hope that Ammon will get potty trained so he can go to TWC in the fall. I hope I can loose weight, and that my health will improve. Jhonny hopes to spend the summer in Mexico. I hope we can join him, but I am having my doubts about that one. 2016. I don't know how I feel about you yet. I'm glad we survived 2015. Not that there are any significant events that I would feel the need to report here on my blog. Suffice it to say we all traveled through our own share of what I would call "spiritual afflictions."
I know that many of the difficult times were overcome with help and intervention from divine sources. I'm grateful for my Savior. I'm grateful for all that the atonement is and for what it means for me and my family. I'm grateful for an incredible pioneer heritage and for all the guardian angels I have on the other side of the veil.
Not long ago I was inspired to watch the 17 miracles on Netflicks. As I watched the saints pronounce their faith and willingness to travel through difficult circumstances, I was shown the symbolism of our day. We are not facing a journey in freezing temperatures in less than par clothing and shoes with not enough supplies and food to make it to the valley. We may not be facing physical death and starvation. We are faced daily with spiritual battles that try to discourage us from doing what we know is right. We struggle to read our scriptures daily and say our family prayers. We are faced with contention and other spiritual trials that threaten the peace in our hearts and in our home. It's a daily battle sometimes and many times I've wanted to give up, but to what can I give up to? We must go on. That's when prayer and strength in the Lord have stepped in. Fresh courage is found and we are able to push through and find the peace and motivation to continue. We feel the strength of those we cannot see helping us to move on. In those times there is joy and love. Tender mercies are found. Hearts are calmed. Patience given where none was found. Peace and love restored.
I know that my Redeemer lives. That is the title of Lily's talk today in primary. I can find personal application in just about every part of that song. I asked Lily to apply whatever part of it to her that she can. Her short life experience doesn't allow her to know the full extent of what that means. She knows that she finds comfort in prayer and hymns when she feels sad. She doesn't know the pain and sorrow of loosing a loved one to death. She doesn't know what it feels like to have your heart truly broken. How grateful I am for the healing balm of the Savior's atonement. His gift truly is the greatest one of all. If we can focus on that during the Holiday Season, I know that it will fill the void better than any toy or gift that we can give or receive.
For Thanksgiving this year, everyone came to the Marcano home while Jhonny traveled to Mexico to build his business. He took David and Steve with him so we had Thanksgiving part 2 on Saturday at Julianne and David's new house here in Round Rock. But back to the original date. Mom and Dad, Tanya, Nate and Nathan, and Lianghzi came over on Thursday. I cooked up everything by myself and mom brought a few things that would travel. The turkey turned out pretty good for only my second attempt ever.
A month later finds us home for Christmas. We traveled to Houston to spend Christmas Eve eve and Christmas Eve with my parents and Mandy's family. We opened presents and played reverse Charades that was pretty fun. We also enjoyed a breakfast for dinner. Dad's famous breakfast that he usually puts out on Christmas day. . . only much earlier. Jhonny and I took the morning to go to the temple which was what I really wanted for Christmas along with the chance to wear my new temple dress. I decided it needs to be ironed and it's going to be real fun figuring that out every visit. I also discovered I need to hem it.
On the way home Christmas Eve, we stopped at Lupe's house and ate a few Tomales. Steve and family were also there so we hung out for a while. I finally convinced Jhonny it was time to go and dragged him away from his team. I wasn't feeling so good by then and so the unwrapping of the Christmas PJ's was a bit rushed. I hurried the kids to bed so I could fall into bed and try to recover from whatever it was that ailed me. Fortunately being that it was ten pm and Christmas eve, the kids didn't put up a fight to go to bed. I think Ammon came into our room sometime in the wee morning and fell asleep on my couch. That was some time after Santa finished putting all the presents under the tree.
Christmas morning didn't disappoint. I was feeling better after a good night's rest. The kids didn't stir until after 7 am so I got at least 8 hours of sleep. Even Gavin was happy to open presents. He spent the better part of Thursday mad at me because I told him I didn't get him a DS2. We had a chat and hopefully something of what I said sunk in. He's been pretty moody lately so it's hard to get him happy, but Christmas morning the magic of opening presents was in the air. He was super happy with the Pokemon cards he got along with the minecraft legos and books that I found for him.
Lily was very happy with her new bedspread and the other "toys" that we got her. Ammon loved the duplo legos and books. He's still afraid of the balance bike we bought him. I hope he will find the courage to ride it and learn to balance himself somehow. I understand his hesitancy, but for once, I didn't buy this bike for the excitement factor. I could see the orthopedic value in it for this kid.
Jessica was happy with the bobby pins and hair bands and makeup that she got. She was shocked by the chrome book I splurged on for her. She was least expecting of them all and so it was particularly delightful to see her surprised face. She doesn't dare ask for anything and so it's the most fun to give it to her.
After breakfast we went to see the new Star Wars movie, episode 7, the Force Awakens. It was good and with the exception of a small tantrum from Ammon after being pretty good for the most part of the 2.5 hour movie, everyone did well. We were reminded why we like renting videos and watching them from home, but who can wait for this one to come out??
The rest of the day was spent being lazy. Jhonny continued to work on my headboard. He finished it late last night after we got home from a trip through Rocknlights in Old Settler's park. I'm not sure if it was truly worth the $15, but not being able to use the $5 off coupon was worth the less time we had to wait to drive through it. Now we can say we did that.
So Christmas is done. Now to look forward to the New Year. Today is the last day of Nursery for Ammon and most likely for me. If things go as I think they will, I will move up to Sunbeams with Ammon and a few of his friends. I'm good with that, but I don't have the official word yet so I'll wait and see what is in store.
2016. There are plans in place and other hopes in place. Gavin will turn 8 and prepare for baptism. Jessica will turn 14 and go to High School. We will be going on a cruise in June with the kids. We hope the Rockdale house will sell this year. We hope Jhonny will make enough money in his business to quit teaching. We hope that Ammon will get potty trained so he can go to TWC in the fall. I hope I can loose weight, and that my health will improve. Jhonny hopes to spend the summer in Mexico. I hope we can join him, but I am having my doubts about that one. 2016. I don't know how I feel about you yet. I'm glad we survived 2015. Not that there are any significant events that I would feel the need to report here on my blog. Suffice it to say we all traveled through our own share of what I would call "spiritual afflictions."
I know that many of the difficult times were overcome with help and intervention from divine sources. I'm grateful for my Savior. I'm grateful for all that the atonement is and for what it means for me and my family. I'm grateful for an incredible pioneer heritage and for all the guardian angels I have on the other side of the veil.
Not long ago I was inspired to watch the 17 miracles on Netflicks. As I watched the saints pronounce their faith and willingness to travel through difficult circumstances, I was shown the symbolism of our day. We are not facing a journey in freezing temperatures in less than par clothing and shoes with not enough supplies and food to make it to the valley. We may not be facing physical death and starvation. We are faced daily with spiritual battles that try to discourage us from doing what we know is right. We struggle to read our scriptures daily and say our family prayers. We are faced with contention and other spiritual trials that threaten the peace in our hearts and in our home. It's a daily battle sometimes and many times I've wanted to give up, but to what can I give up to? We must go on. That's when prayer and strength in the Lord have stepped in. Fresh courage is found and we are able to push through and find the peace and motivation to continue. We feel the strength of those we cannot see helping us to move on. In those times there is joy and love. Tender mercies are found. Hearts are calmed. Patience given where none was found. Peace and love restored.
I know that my Redeemer lives. That is the title of Lily's talk today in primary. I can find personal application in just about every part of that song. I asked Lily to apply whatever part of it to her that she can. Her short life experience doesn't allow her to know the full extent of what that means. She knows that she finds comfort in prayer and hymns when she feels sad. She doesn't know the pain and sorrow of loosing a loved one to death. She doesn't know what it feels like to have your heart truly broken. How grateful I am for the healing balm of the Savior's atonement. His gift truly is the greatest one of all. If we can focus on that during the Holiday Season, I know that it will fill the void better than any toy or gift that we can give or receive.
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