Making it Here: what a week!

I knew this was going to be a busy week, but wow! We had quite a day of music and mayhem on Wednesday. Juliann came over to talk about music for the play and to hear the fiddlers. Berdine came a half hour after Juliann arrived and went promptly to the music room to work with Eric on the concert we are all putting together for the seniors on Thursday. Steve and Ethan arrived shortly after Berdine to play the fiddle with Lily for Juliann. We had to move into the garage with them as the music room was occupied. Analaea and Eliza then came over to work with Berdine (but had to wait). The fiddlers moved into the music room to see if Berdine would play the piano with them. Gabriella joined in on the cello at the start. Juliann ran upstairs to our master bedroom where the girls were trying on their costumes to check that they were going to be ok, while I directed the ensemble in the music room and attempted to record them. When I came out of the music room, an old friend had dropped by to say hello and see the house. The kitchen was brimming with noise and extra kids that weren't my own. By this point, I don't even know who is in the house or why? Fiddlers leave, Juliann leaves and the rest of the afternoon was spent with Berdine alternating between myself, Gabriella, Eliza and Analaea. Berdine leaves, I dish up our dinner and Heather arrives to mentor Gabriella. Heather leaves as Gabriella and I put on our shoes, pick up Eliza and head out to our "Messiah" practice. 10:30 we roll home, and I roll into bed - exhausted but happily satisfied. Although it was crazy, I was living my dream of music in my home!

Thursday's concert went very well despite the fact that I lost the fiddler's music and they had to play from memory (not nice of me!).

Friday calmed right down...we started the day with a walk along the creek to throw some stones in the water. Turns out Brett threw himself into the water (chilly!!).

good form for thai chi

The morning was filled with sunshine and fresh air, breathing gratitude into the children's hearts. Mom had been busy making meals and running errands all week. It was time for her to slow down and take some time with her younger ones. She and Sophia found a cuddle spot on the couch to read "On the Shores of Silver Lake", while Brett practiced his violin. He was practicing "Ode to Joy."
Who can tell whether it was the inspiring music or the fresh air still lingering in his lungs that caused him to stop his practice and break into operatic voice to finish the last refrains of "Ode to Joy", quickly morphing into "Angels we have heard on high." Whatever the reason, his boy tenor voice rang through the family room without him even realizing that there was another soul present to hear. Sophia and Mama continued to read, Lily and Gabriella passed through the room, Peter slept and Mike worked.
A change out of their jeans and into their skirts signal to the girls and their mother that it is now time to attend the temple. Talk turns to whispers as they enter and prepare to serve. Opportunity to change gears, change clothes, change thoughts and feel the peace that is so abundantly available to them. They felt it in the morning surrounded by His beauty and they felt it this afternoon in His holy house.
Arriving home, Dad was busy in the kitchen preparing a picnic dinner for his sweetheart. They were heading to Waterton for a date to see the fall leaves and walk along the waters edge. The wind was fierce, blowing the leaves, the lake, themselves, so they turned to keep the wind at their back, stopped for a swing and ducked into a cafe for a little hot chocolate before returning home.
The children reluctantly dragged themselves to bed for mom and dad to enjoy a movie together. A half hour past and Gabriella poked her head in, inching closer to the couch…Lily's door opened, "I can't sleep with all your laughing," she muttered, feigning tiredness. 10 more minutes and Brett slid in sheepishly asking if "we" (the children) are allowed to watch? And so, the Parker family have closed their day together rehearsing scenes and lines from the silly movie that will live on for a few more days, weeks and months, when someone suddenly remembers a line and acts it out to the guffaw's of the group!

What do big sisters do with a little brother that won't stop pulling at their flamenco skirts? Give him a tutu of his own!