She Finally Did It...

Since she was two years old, Minnie has had long, blonde hair. After a while, it became part of her identity!

Yesterday at age 12 1/2 (almost exactly!) she finally took the plunge...

And did something she's never done before--got her first haircut!

Donated her hair to Locks of Love...

And here's her new look:

We love it! Even more important--so does she. Whew!

Way to go, Minnie!

Retro Wednesday: Hopes Realized

When Jumble was in 5th grade (back in 2004), she started playing the clarinet. This is a photo of her at her first band concert in the fall of 2004:

(Sorry, it's impossible to get a good shot of your child on the stage without a fancy camera! You can see Jumble on the front row, about the middle of the picture squeezed between two music stands.)

This is her after the concert. Although going to beginning band concerts is exciting because your child is excited and it is cool to hear them playing anything, when just a few months ago they didn't know how to play at all, it isn't exactly great music.

But they keep practicing, and you keep going to support them...

because someday you hope to go to a concert and not just love it because your child is playing, but because the squeaks and wobbly notes are gone and you can sit back and truly enjoy a fabulous performance:

This is Jumble at the band bash last November playing with her Jr. High Wind Ensemble: one of only four jr. high bands in the country that were invited (after an audition tape) to participate in the National Middle School Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.

And this is her playing the bass clarinet at the same band bash with the marching band right after winning the Bands of America Western Regional competition and right before leaving to attend Bands of America Grand Nationals (also in Indianapolis, Indiana) where they took 14th place in the nation.

And I am thinking about this because last night we attended another truly enjoyable concert of fabulous music where Jumble played with the high school Symphonic Band. (But I forgot the camera, so no photos!) It's been great to watch our hopes (when we started on this journey five years ago) be realized. Thanks for practicing and sticking with it, Jumble!

(Minnie is well on her way with the flute, too! More great music to come.)

Crash Diet

About two weeks ago I thought to step on the scale. What a mistake! There's a reason I don't do that very often. I was horrified to discover that not only have those extra ten pounds leftover from Atom's pregnancy (he's turning 5 in a few weeks!) still not magically disappeared, I'd gained about 8 more pounds to go with them. I was chagrined. Worrying about my weight is a new (unpleasant) sensation. (All of you that have struggled with it forever--don't hate me! I bet you haven't had teenage acne for 30+ years. And I bet your hair wasn't the inspiration for the phrase "bed head"--mine looks like bed head all day every day even after spending an hour daily trying to tame it. And I bet...oh, I could go on and on but I digress... We all have our things. I'm just saying...) I have always said that I don't deserve to be thin, I just got lucky in the metabolism department and someday, in my old age, it would slow down and I would be in trouble. So it seems that I am getting old and my prediction is coming true. "I have to make a plan," I thought, "a plan to lose weight before this gets out of control." Turns out that I didn't need to worry. A solution presented itself unexpectedly. It's the crash diet--literally. It works like this:

1. Your daughter is involved in a traumatic bus accident.

2. You find that your mind is on so many other things that you keep forgetting to eat.

3. When you realize you haven't eaten all day because you are getting lightheaded and lethargic, you choke some little bit of food down to keep you going because you have absolutely no appetite.

4. What little bit you eat sits there and feels funny in your churning stomach so you have no desire to eat more.

Presto. Eight pounds gone in a week. I'm afraid this is one of those diets where you gain it right back, though. Because on Sunday things finally started looking good to eat again. I might have to do something radical like eat healthier and exercise regularly.

Band Performances

Here is a video of American Fork Marching Band's BYU performance on Tuesday night:





And here is a link to a video of their performance at ISU on Saturday afternoon (can't get the embed code to work for this one):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NogwTZfIA

Heather is standing in the foreground of this one with other band staff members, watching their band perform. She is on the right, in a black jacket and camouflage hat, standing next to Michelle in a red jacket and yellow pants.

We have our own videos of the performances, but I don't know how to get them from our camera to a computer so these will have to do.

And the Band Played On

This is a photo we took of the band playing for the families after winning the Idaho State University Invitational in Pocatello, Idaho on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Jumble is (tiny) near the center of the photo behind the percussion and drums, and in front of the tubas. Niles was trying to zoom in on her for another photo but we are still trying to figure out our new camera and couldn't get it to focus on zoom. But she's in there, trust us! This was the last photo we have of the band before everything changed.




On Tuesday night, Jumble's band participated in the Rocky Mountain Invitational at Lavell Edwards Stadium at BYU. At first we thought they would not be able to make it to the competition. But by Sunday night, with only one student still in the hospital, and with no one seriously injured, they decided that they could do it--and that Heather would be mad at them for not doing it because of her!



They changed the end of the program a little. They added a photo of Heather to the photos of veterans on display, and also added the scripture from John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

There were some very nervous kids on the woodwinds bus, but they faced their fears and went. All of the bands in the area (actually in the nation, too) have been so sweet to our kids. They were all wearing red ribbons on their uniforms and had red ribbons on their buses. Jumble said that all of the band members were able to keep their composure during the performance, but as soon as they finished playing they all began crying as they left the field. All but four of them were able to march and play. The four that couldn't march played from the sidelines.


Many students at many schools in Utah wore red and black on Monday and Tuesday to show support for our school. Many students also wore red ribbons to show their love and support for our band. This is Jaron Idso, our friend from Arizona who marches with Sky View Band from Smithfield, UT (near Logan.)



One of the buses with red ribbons in memory of Heather.

As the band marched into the stadium before their performance, everyone in the stadium cheered and cheered. Except me--I cried. It was so overwhelming to see them all marching in, alive and well. They were all there--it's a miracle. I already knew it was a miracle and reading this news report only confirmed it:

Rescue worker says seconds made the difference


"One of the rescue workers at the crash scene agrees with the students, saying he believes if the crash happened one second sooner or later the outcome would have been much worse.

"A rescue worker says had the bus hit this pile of lava rocks, the outcome of the crash would have been much worse
Volunteer firefighter Gregg Mix of Inkom, Idaho, sent KSL News pictures, tracing the bus' path. In an e-mail, Mix wrote: "...the bus threaded the needle between the rock pile and the viaduct drop off..."
"The bus went right between an outcropping of lava rock, and a 12-foot embankment--a cattle viaduct. According to Mix, hitting either at full speed would have meant greater disaster.
"It is a miracle that this bus took the only path possible to avoid a great tragedy," Mix wrote.




The performance was amazing. I was literally shaking from head to foot through the entire performance. Afterwards, the BYU marching band performed. For their last song, they played "Amazing Grace" especially for American Fork band. The BYU band also presented our band with a beautiful floral arrangement. Shortly after the BYU band finished their performance, and before the awards ceremony, a flock of white doves suddenly flew into the stadium and flew over where our band was sitting. No one seems to know where they came from.

Here's a few more photos from Tuesday night:

Jaron Idso and his family met up with Jumble after the performance and gave her some flowers. They also delivered a gift from the Sky View Band lower bass section leader--a big Symphony chocolate bar. Jumble has that funny hat cover on because it was raining and they are required to keep the real ostrich feathers on their hats dry! (Why they trim marching band hats with something that gets ruined by rain is beyond me.) The yellow across the bridge of Jumble's nose and under both of her eyes is one big bruise from hitting her nose during the accident. At least the swelling is gone.

The American Fork marching band invited all of the other bands to join us for hot chocolate after the performance as a way to say "Thank you" for all of the cards, flowers, gifts, messages, etc. that were sent. This is Niles helping with his Band Dad duties.

This is Jumble after we returned home that night with some of the many flowers, treats, cards, and gifts that so many people have given her. We also had two of our wonderful neighbors bring us dinner on Monday and Tuesday nights. Everyone has been so kind to us. We really appreciate it.



American Fork was awarded Outstanding Performance in all four areas--Music, Visual, Color Guard, and Percussion. They also took 1st overall in their division. It's never been about winning, it's always been about doing your best. Tuesday night they especially didn't care about winning, they just wanted to play their best for Heather.

Band Practice

Here is a link to a story, photos, and video posted by Deseret News on Monday. Jumble is in the video, at the beginning when Mr. Miller is talking to the kids at practice. She is on the left-hand side of the sidewalk that the kids are lining, holding her bass clarinet. She is wearing a lime green shirt.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705336282/Students-reeling-from-fatal-bus-crash.html

We are grateful that Jumble is surrounded by such great teachers and kids!

Tender Mercies Tuesday: Ministering Angels

This past Saturday, October 10th, a bus carrying students from the American Fork High School Marching Band, including our daughter, was in an accident. They were returning home from a competition (that they won) at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. The bus driver blacked out behind the wheel. The woodwinds instructor, Heather Christensen, jumped up and grabbed the wheel in an attempt to bring the bus under control. She was able to guide the bus until it was thrown on its side. Heather was killed instantly.

"Usually [angels] are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

"I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself.

"As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased?
“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …
“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” (Moroni 7:35-37, 30)


Fifty students don't walk away from a crash like this with only minor injuries without some heavenly help:

An Idaho State emergency official that was at the scene of the accident said that this bus traveled the exact narrow path that it needed to avoid an even more serious situation. The bus missed an outcropping of volcanic rock on one side and a deep ditch on the other. If either had been hit at the speed the bus was traveling, there would surely have been multiple fatalities and critical injuries.

"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods.

"Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Heather, thank you for saving our daughter's life!

Jumble was hospitalized overnight because of a lung contusion (bruise) that needed to be monitored for at least 12 hours in case serious complications developed. In addition to the lung contusion, she suffered a banged up shoulder, a swollen nose, and minor cuts and bruises to her face, legs, arms, back, and feet. An x-ray the following morning showed that all concerns about her lung had been resolved, and we were able to bring her home that afternoon.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36)

“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)

With Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, we can add our testimony of ministering angels. We have seen it for ourselves this weekend.

(All quotes by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland are from "The Ministry of Angels" October 2008 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

We've had Quite a Weekend

Jumble's marching band was in a bus accident on the way home from a competition in Idaho on Saturday evening. She was hospitalized overnight but discharged yesterday morning. She is doing well. We will post more details as soon as we can. Here is a link to a news story about the accident:
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20stories/story/1-adult-killed-several-students-hurt-in-American/0QEk2ty0f0aJwDUD0mI67w.cspx

I Didn't Mean to Skip September

I really didn't mean to skip September. September is one of my favorite months. But I've either been too busy or too overwhelmed or just not felt like blogging or all three. But today I have a few minutes so I'll post a few photos and say something, I guess.

The kids have been in school almost 2 months now. The girls will finish 1st term in just two more weeks. We got all their school photos and I liked them this year. Now if I can just get Atom in to get his photo taken...

Jumble--10th grade

Minnie--7th grade

Jet--3rd grade

Marching band season has started again for Jumble. This year they are doing a show to honor the veterans. It is called "The Greatest Generation" and features music from Band of Brothers and Medal of Honor. It is quite a different style than the typical American Fork show. They have seven visuals this year. They are these huge replicas of World War II posters and photos. On the back they have photo collages of veterans that are related to some of the band members. The color guard dresses as Rosie the Riveter. They have each band member marching in honor of a veteran who is a member of their family or a friend. They each got dog tags that they wear to each performance--one has their name and the other has the name of the veteran that they march in honor of. Jumble finally decided to march in honor of my dad, who served during the Korean War. But she has also found out a lot about some of my family members who served during World War II and is marching in honor of them, too. We think that the show is wonderful and very moving. We are glad that this upcoming generation is learning more about the sacrifices that were made in the past so that they can enjoy the blessings of freedom now.

They have performed at Weber State College and Payson High School so far, as well as performing at half-time for a home football game and for Band Family Night. The show at Weber State College is called "Weber Review" and is not a judged competition. All the band directors get to spend time with the judges just getting their overall feeling about the show and strong and weak points. The one at Payson High School is called the Nebo Invitational. There are only three other bands that compete in American Fork's Division in Utah and only one of them came to the Nebo show so we are still waiting to see how American Fork's show compares to the other two bands in our division. They did come in 1st place at Nebo and got a very high score for this early in the season. So I guess the judges like their show. We weren't sure what judges would think because it is so different. For the past 15 years, Davis High School has generally been the biggest competition in the state for American Fork. Their show this year reminds me a lot of American Fork's show from last year and they look fantastic! So maybe this will be the year that they beat AF. We think Davis is going to the competition in Pocatello tomorrow so we'll see what happens. All of the bands look much improved from last year so it is great to see all the bands getting better and more competitive. Our alma mater, Orem High, took 1st place in their division all last year. This year they moved up a division and got 2nd place at Nebo. Pretty impressive for their first time in a higher division, I think. I finally got to see them perform this year so that was fun. Hopefully I will get to see them a few more times this season.

Niles and I are trying to do a lot more to help this year. Niles has been inducted into the "Fraternal Order of Band Dads" and has an official red shirt (the ONLY time he wears red and it is still somewhat painful!) He helps to load and unload equipment, uniforms, and instruments; paint, assemble, and move props; etc. I am in the Booster Club and also have an official red shirt. I don't get to go to most booster meetings, unfortunately, because they are on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.--the same time as YW. But I stay in touch and help with whatever I can. For the Weber Show, the band mom for the bass clarinet section couldn't go so I took her place. The band mom job is to check all uniforms and make sure all the girls' hair is in the hat properly and such once they are all dressed and ready for warm ups. It isn't a big job for the bass clarinet section mom--there are only 4 bass clarinets and only one of them is a girl--Jumble. So after helping her, I went and helped the flute section mom--all of the flutes are girls! They have a whole routine they go through as they are on the bus and get close to arriving at a competition. They have a rule to be quiet, think about the show and concentrate on their part. When they arrive and exit the buses to go find their uniforms and instruments and get dressed, they are instructed to do so in silence. And the amazing thing is, they do! I was so impressed to see 200+ 14-17 year-old kids behaving in a totally focused and professional manner. That is an accomplishment!

Here's some photos:

This is at family night. It was very windy and COLD!

Jumble after family night. She said she cried through the whole performance after they gave them their dog tags!

At Weber Review we had a fun reunion. A family in our ward in Arizona moved to Logan a little before we moved up here. (They found out they were moving only a few months before us, got their house on the market in the spring just before the housing market in Arizona started on its downward free-fall, sold it in a few months, so moved to Utah almost a year before us.) Their oldest son is the same age as Jumble and also started playing clarinet at the same time as Jumble. We discovered about a month ago that he has been marching with SkyView marching band (in the same division as American Fork) and we were at all the same competitions last year and never knew it! So we were excited to meet up with them for the first time at the Weber Review:

back row: Me, Elise Idso, Niles front row: Catherine Idso, Grant Idso, Conner Idso.

Our two band members (Jumble and Jaron Idso) haven't got to meet yet because they had to stay with their bands at this show. It was so fun to see them again!

This is the Nebo Show:

This is the very beginning of the show, which all the band members lovingly refer to as "praying to Budha." (Sorry if you are Buddhist and this offends you.)

You can see some of the big poster props in the background. The color guard are wearing bright blue "Rosie the Riveter" jumpsuits and red bandanas in their hair.

Jumble reports that she has a 40-count hold during this part--which was unheard-of in last year's show. They were moving constantly!

This is the end of the show--the colorguard are in white and put their arms out to form crosses as an image of the white crosses in the cemetary at Normandy--to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Our video camera started being tempermental at last year's Nebo show and continues to frustrate us. It works when it is in the mood. It wouldn't work so that I could tape the Nebo show, but then worked perfectly fine for me to tape the entire awards ceremony. Given the choice, I would have rather had the show on tape. Our digital camera decided to start playing a similar game in August--only working when it feels like it. It is much cheaper to replace, so we did get a new camera on the day of the Nebo show so I got a lot of still pictures of the show--just no video!

In YW we were busy the whole month of September with "Missionary Month." Every September the YM and YW meet together all month with activities based on one of the three-fold missions of the church. This year the YW were in charge and it was "Proclaiming the Gospel" (obviously.) My advisor and I were in charge of the second week of the month where we had the youth divide in groups and sent them to three houses in the ward each with three pre-arranged gospel questions to answer. The ward members took the part of interested investigators. This activity seemed to be a big hit--we got lots of positive comments from the youth. The ward members have fun with it, too. The first week we had an MTC branch president speak about preparing for a mission. It actually turned out to be his family because he had a heart attack the day before! And his amazing wife and daughter insisted they could come and take his place. (He was O.K.) It was a very spiritual meeting. The third week the youth got to try all kinds of unique foods from different places (I got to make grits and fried okra for them to try.) The fourth week we played a really fun game and the last week we had a couple in our ward who just returned from a mission come speak about the blessings of missionary work. I thought the whole month was a great experience.

I am now babysitting Meagan Ashby's (my Mia Maid Advisor) 22-month-old daughter Tiffany every day. Meagan is finishing her last year of college as a music major at UVU. She is teaching Minnie flute lessons as part of the payment for babysitting. It is working out great so far. We are already hearing an improvement in Minnie's flute playing. After 3 weeks, Tiffany seems to be more comfortable here with me. At first she seemed to feel like she needed to stick right by me every minute but now she is getting more independent. The kids really like having her here. In another week, I will also be babysitting the 7-week-old daughter of another sister in my ward--who is also named Meggin! The baby's name is Courtney. She will only be here 3 or 4 days a week for a few hours in the afternoon. She brought her baby over this week and she is so sweet! I think Jumble and Minnie will be fighting over her. They are pretty excited at the prospect of a newborn around here! They already think Tiffany is the cutest thing ever so now they will have two baby girls to enjoy (but they don't get to see Tiffany too much since they are at school for most of the time she is here.)

This post took longer than the few minutes I had so I better go tackle the food storage soup I have been assigned to make for our ward preparedness fair tonight!