Busy Weeks

I think we have managed to cram every possible thing into the last 10 days!  (which is why the blogging has been sporadic lately and the pictures are non existent.  I didn't even have time to remember to bring my camera anywhere, much less take the thing out and use it.  Thank goodness for iPhones!)

After all the girls' concerts and shows, and after Craig returned from his December traveling (which we like to call the December World Tour around here) there was the annual ward Christmas party on Friday night.  I made a couple of things for the potluck dinner.  I sang a peppy, fun Christmas song in a quartet with a handful of amazing women.  Savannah played the guitar and sang "Where Are You Christmas?" and then I played the piano for the Christmas carols at the end.  

On Sunday, Savannah directed the choir.  I played the organ.  Craig and I taught our 16-17 year old Sunday School class.  And Megan and I sang a song together in Relief Society.  That might have been my favorite thing I agreed to do this weekend.  Late Friday night, a friend called and asked if we would be the closing song for her lesson.  We sang a beautiful arrangement of "He Sent His Son" and I loved having Meg next to me.  We are not usually the soloists in our family (and technically we still weren't soloists because we sang a duet after all…) but I'm feeling pretty confident about my voice these days with all the use it's been getting, and Megan is so enthusiastic about trying out her talents, that I couldn't possibly turn this opportunity down.  She's also picked up my mom's old ukulele recently and has started playing and singing along with that thing.  I love how this house is filling up with musically talented kids.  (Oh, and in case you think we've left anyone out, did I mention that we bought McKay a drum pad for Christmas so he can get ready to be in the percussion section of the band?!!…EEK!)


After church, all three girls went to YW Presidency meetings, and Craig had the Deacons Quorum Presidency meeting at our house.  

Oh, and the baptism…our sweet Casey was finally baptized on Sunday night.  Here's a link to her cute blog so you can read about the details and see the pictures.  It was an amazing night for her.  Hundreds of people came to support her and we had to hold the meeting in the chapel!  Savannah sang "Come Thou Fount," and another lovely girl sang "Live It" (the Jenny Phillips song from the YW Theme last year.)  And I had the extreme pleasure of accompanying for both girls.  That is my favorite place to be lately…behind the piano accompanying while beautiful voices sing in church.  I love that so much!

After the baptism a few people came over for a little Open House to congratulate Casey, and then the missionaries lingered until about 9:00.  I love that those guys feel comfortable here.  They are awesome!  

It was a crazy busy weekend, but one that was so unbelievably happy and fulfilling that I wouldn't have given up one single part of it.  I loved having something to contribute to all the meetings at church and to Casey's baptism.  And I loved hearing all of my kids share their talents.  I'm so proud of them for being willing to do that.  What a huge blessing it is for other people to hear beautiful music, or even just fun music.  It connects, and uplifts, and brings the Spirit into a room like nothing else can.  I am especially grateful for all these musical opportunities and for the busy days in preparation for the holidays.  I love this time of year and I love remembering the reason we are all so busy.  I'm so grateful to celebrate the birth of the Savior and to be able to give back to Him a little bit of the love and generosity He has given to all of us.  

The next few weeks are going to slow down dramatically (more on that later…) so I'm glad to have been able to participate in all that crazy busy-ness last week.   I hope your holiday season is filled with busy things that you're enjoying being part of and LOTS of music!