In The Eyes of A Child

These are not my words...just my feelings...

"In the eyes of a child, there is joy, there is laughter.  There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future. For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher, than to look in the eyes of a child."

Thankful to be able to look into these beautiful blue eyes and the deep brown eyes of her brother almost every day.  Grateful for the new opportunity to look into other children's eyes every day.  Hoping to learn...

Try to Remember

Two years ago, Eph Ehly came to Arizona to do a workshop for Choral Directors from around the state (and surrounding states).  I never expected to be so inspired by this man.  I bought his book and took it up to him and asked if he would sign it.  Before he signed it, he asked me who I was and where I taught, and we visited for about 5 minutes.  He looked into my eyes and he said, "Congratulations! You know who you are, why you are here, and where you are going."  He made a difference for me that day and his book changed me as a person and a teacher.

I will never forget meeting and visiting and reading the memoir by Eph Ehly.  I wish he could come back and help me remember who I am, why I am here, and especially where I am going...

This Year

This year has been harder for me than any other year so far in my life.  I guess Heavenly Father decided that I was just coasting and needed some opportunities for growth.  I have found and continue to find myself driven to my knees in tearful prayer asking for help and blessings, and expressing gratitude for my wonderful family and friends that continue to boost me up, cheer me on, and give their love and support.  I have felt a strengthening power from those who have passed on-families are eternal in more ways than I can write about.

Here's a quick timeline of events that have happened since I blogged last (sorry for the picture blitz, trying to figure out this new format ):

• December 25th, 2011, my sweet grandmother passed away.  I feel so blessed that we were able to drive up to Utah and see her and say our "goodbyes".  It was really difficult to see her in the physical state that she was in.
• December 31st, 2011, funeral for grandma.  The family that drove in and being together with all the cousins and second cousins was a sweet experience. Spent New Year's Eve in Salt Lake at my cousin's condo watching the fireworks...that was supercool!
• January 2012, began musical rehearsals at school for Beauty and the Beast.  The kids were so awesome! Quick learners, so talented...I loved every second with them! Thank you to all who came out and made it such a successful show...Darby-you are one talented photographer :)
• March 2012, choral festivals galore with students-who earned superiors!!!  So proud of them. Musical performances galore-almost all sold out! 
• April 2012, NEW YORK!!  I have never been to New York.  I was able to go with some of my favorite people :)  What a fantastic experience that I will never, ever forget. We saw Mary Poppins, La Traviata (at The Met), visited Lincoln Center-Avery Fisher Hall, Julliard, had a clinic with the former Assistant Director of The Met (who taught me soooo very much about why I do what I do and love what I love-as far as music is concerned) Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, the Manhattan Temple, rode the Subway, Ellis Island, Carnegie Deli, Rockefeller Center-saw the famous Ice Skating Rink, met a Rockette, lived it up as much as possible.  Our tour guides Mike and Mike Jr. were the best!! We loved them!
• April continued..took students to festival at EAC, got stuck on the bus coming back for 2-3 hrs because of a fatal car accident in front of us.  Bonded with kids...what an experience.  Went to the dr. regarding health issues...  Took a student to All-State in Tucson.  Was able to network and visit with colleagues and received a lot of validation for what I am teaching and doing in my classroom.  Found out on April 30th that I would no longer be teaching choir at Mesa High and my heart was broken.  So many emotions surrounded this-mostly anger and sorrow.  
• May 15th -final concert at Mesa High-was a terrific, emotional evening.  Great music and singing, a tribute to seniors, awards and gifts.
• May 16th-told students I would not be returning to Mesa High next year.  So many students upset and parents upset.  Lots of crying that day.  Spent continuing days consoling each other and enjoying time with each other, signing year books, and of course...packing.
• May 21st-My cute and cuddly nephew turned 1!
• May 24th-Graduation...was able to tell kids who they hired to be the new choir director.  Participated in the last commencement exercises for me at Mesa High.  More tears...
• May 25th-Finished cleaning out my classroom-very emotional.  Thank goodness for such a good friends, no great friends, no really close and awesome friends-they have been my rock while going through this. If I started making a list, this post would be so incredibly long...you know who you are!
• May 28th-Turned in my keys at Mesa High.
• June9th-10th-Creation of YSA Stakes for 18-30 yr olds (more of trying to figure out where I belong...)
• June 10th-Left for Utah and Colorado.  Celebrated my cousin's wedding!  I love being with family, going on roadtrips....lots of time to think. Very healing-emotionally, at least in regards to dealing with the grief of losing my grandmother. Enjoyed nature-beautiful canyons and rivers and weather and friends! Aspen is amazing, and the black canyon beautiful.  Lots of retail therapy too.  
• June 30th-Celebrated 31st birthday with the fam, loving every minute with niece and nephew, bro and sis and mom, ate Oreganos, had a pazookie, lots of cool presents!!
• July 1st-31st Birthday-bbq with brother and swimming and people watching
• July 3rd-Another Birthday/4th of July party at the Hagens.  Tamales, fireworks, brownies, ice cream, cool candles and fireworks, pixar short takes (hilarious), and just a wonderful time with friends :)
• That catches me up to today.  The 4th of July.  Enjoying the cloudy/rainy weather and time with the roomie (she's the best!)

Dear Lisa...

Dear Lisa,

I have had this beautiful necklace in my possession for about 2 weeks now.  I have been trying to find the words to express my gratitude and feelings, and I have figured out that sometimes there are no words when it comes to matters of the heart.  So, I will do my best.  What a thoughtful and kind gesture.  I absolutely LOVE it!!  It is quite my style, and definitely reflects " my musical life".  When I opened your letter, I had to re-read it because I was pretty teary.   Just so you know, all is forgiven from our childhood times together.  In fact, it has been for a long time.  Your kind gesture and words have caused me to reflect on some apologies that I need to make as well.  I have enjoyed our time together as young adults.  I remember you getting ready to go on your mission, and how excited you were.  When you came back and studied education and we could talk shop-that was fun too.  Then you married your eternal companion, and now have two beautiful children.  I admire what a wonderful mother and supportive wife you are.  I am anxiously looking forward to your next visit to AZ, so we can have lunch together and catch up. 

Love,

Me

A little bit of everything...

I am not sure the last time I blogged...I figure it's time for an update.

In May:
My cousin Spencer got married and my cute little (ok not so little) nephew was born the same weekend. It was really hard to be 800 miles away when he decided to make his entrance into the world.

I experienced Mesa High graduation as a teacher/director and ended the school year on a strong note!! I love the traditions that are there!

I got a new sister (sister-in-law) because my brother got married right before he left to go to Iraq for the 4th time (don't get me started).

Now they are expecting...wahooo!!!!

In June:
I went to Flagstaff for a weekend with my fellow state choral directors. It was so beautiful.

A friend of mine left on her mission. I am so excited that she decided to serve the Lord and share the Gospel in Argentina.

I drove to Colorado to visit my friends who moved there a little over a year ago. I miss them so very much. We had a good time. We went sight-seeing, and people-seeing, they showed me the new house they just bought, it was a great time! I enjoyed the whole experience...the drive, seeing them, and all that we did.

Then I drove to Utah for the annual Durrant/Peterson family reunion in Morgan. I met relatives who were able to tell me and show me books about my ancestors. I am so grateful for my pioneer heritage. I am pretty sure that my ancestors had no idea that their obedience and sacrifice would lead to the posterity they have today. I also spent some time with my mom's side of the family. They threw me a mini-party for my upcoming birthday...I drove back home through the mountains of Utah and Provo Canyon. Rain...rushing rivers...I loved being there!!

In July:

I celebrated my 30th birthday. My family-especially my sister went all out and planned a surprise party for me. I am so grateful for them and my friends that came.

I spent some time doing some family history, and was blessed to be able to connect a whole family line together. Talk about exciting!!!

In the middle of painting my office at work and getting ready for school. I am excited for this year!!

Of course, I have also spent lots of time with my beautiful niece and nephew. They are both learning so much and growing so fast. The baby and I have conversations about fixing the world problems, he smiles and coos, and I listen. He has all the answers. My niece is getting so smart. She loves the movie cars. She can count to 12. She knows animals and their sounds. She is potty-training. She loves to play with her tea set. She sets places for everyone, and it is just so cute. She will stop in the middle of playing and say "hug?hug? kiss?kiss?" and jump up and give me hugs and kisses. She folds her arms and is learning all about Jesus in nursery.

We have also had some wild weather (haboobs) 2 of them that blew through the valley this month. Kind of crazy. But, not a lot of rain this summer :(

I will post pictures soon!

10 Years

Since it is 1/1/11, I have been thinking about what my life looked like 10 years ago. I was a poor college student living at home driving a very used Ford Aerostar minivan. I was working at a scrapbook store, which was really fun at the time. In college, I was a pre-nursing major. I was all of 19 years old...9/11 had not happened yet. I had never tried Starbucks (or anything else), had a serious relationship, and the world I thought would be and life I thought would be were mere daydreams.

Today, I drive a 2010 Toyota Camry. I am living in a house with 2 other fantastic girls. I don't have a ton of money, but I have enough ;) I work at a High School teaching choir, which is still fun...Contemplating starting my Master's. You can do the math on my age...I have a beautiful niece, and will have a handsome nephew in May. My brother has served 3 tours to Iraq. Friends have moved, married, had their 3rd and 4th babies, new friends have entered the circle. The world has changed, and my life has taken a different direction than I thought it would.

A lot changes in 10 years. These are just a few things that stick out. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who continues to bless me, more than I could ever imagine. And though I don't have everything I want, I do have everything I need. I have been given much in these last 10 years. Many friends, many memories, many life lessons, many spiritual experiences.

Here's to the next 10!

Firsts…

~This is my first year teaching at my Alma Mater, Mesa High School-the transition from being a Wildcat teacher to being a Jackrabbit teacher going very well…

~My niece turned 1 year old, and most of this post is about her firsts

~Decided to move further into Queen Creek with some awesome girls!!! Yes it really is 5 min. closer

~Participated in 2 different festivals with my choir kiddos and made it through our first concert! If you want to come to the Christmas Concert, leave a comment and I will send you info!

~Working on my first musical at Mesa High with supertalented kiddos! (It’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) If you want me to get a ticket for you or want more info…leave a comment and I will email you.

~Taught my niece to blow kisses (someone else taught her fishy kisses and the combination of the two is super sweet)!

~Experienced nickel size hail, a power outage at school, and a microburst…all during school hours=kinda scary (yes I did call my mom…)

~Went to the park with my niece and watched her experience sand for the first time, she played with it for like 15 min. letting it run through her fingers and trying to pass it on to me. I loved how she grabbed my hand while we were walking in the sand…I hope there will be more adventures where she and I will hold hands and walk through together…

~Cuddled with my niece and took a nap with her (she hasn’t been much of a cuddler at least with me since she started walking…)

~Watched Mickey Mouse Playhouse with my niece and loved when she came to sit on my lap and laid against my shoulder and spread out her little hands on my arm.

~Heard my niece count to three as she was playing with her colored ring toy. She is really, really smart.

~Gonna have to buy my first set of tires for my somewhat new Camry…30,000 miles…almost there…disappointed that new cars come with cheap tires

~Made it through my first quarter at Mesa-what a learning, growing, eye-opening, gratitude-building 9 weeks.

~I know I am really not that old in the scheme of things…but I can definitely tell my body is aging (and it has happened within the last 4 months or so). Mixed emotions about that :-/

~Found my 3^rd grade teacher on FB and decided to pay her a visit <3

~For the first time have really felt a deep love and appreciation and sense of gratitude for my mom…she has helped me so much…and been my #1 cheerleader…I LOVE you mom!