Musical Notes

It's been a musical month for us starting with Ashton's amazing choir concert. In her school, the 4th and 5th graders have the option of missing lunch recess 2 times a week to stay in for choir practice...and lots of them choose to do it! Being in the Harrison Harmony is a great privilege, and the teacher is phenomenal. She has a real love for music and shares that with her students. A couple of things I love about her- she lets them sing "pop" songs like Bruno Mars...and she encourages them to be comfortable singing solos or in small groups! The concert was outstanding...I enjoyed every minute of it.

Next up we had Ashton's violin concerts. She has a fabulous teacher and has REALLY progressed this year. For some reason, I always thought that having a beginning violin student would be painful for the ears, but it has actually been very pleasant. In her second concert, Ashton played at the high school and there were orchestras from each of the grades (4th, 5th, 6th, Middle School, and High School). It was outstanding...truly a wonderful musical experience. I was very proud of all the hard work.

Finally, it was spring recital time! For the first time ever, all 4 of us Snarr gals played the piano. Yes, Regan played in her first real piano recital. It was fun to hear all of my students...this year they all got to pick out a popular song to play and we had everything from Adele to High School Musical to Train. It was awesome, and a very enjoyable night. Of course, I was a proud mama and teacher!

Road Trip to Kansas City

A couple of weeks ago, we were able to escape from our crazy life to head down to Kansas City.  Our main reason for going was to see this:

Ever since this temple was announced, we knew that we would want to get to the open house if at all possible.  Our girls have been wanting to go inside of a temple for so long...and the opportunity for attending an open house is rare.  As the dates drew closer, we didn't know if it was going to happen...but luckily the open house was extended for one week and everything fell into place. We checked everyone out of school and headed down to KC.We stayed here:  

And of course the kids LOVED this:

 What is it about kids and hotel pools?  All they wanted to do was swim.  I remember being the exact same way as a kid with my sisters.  They also thought ordering pizza and having it delivered to our room was pretty neat.

The next morning (after swimming of course!) we headed to downtown Kansas City to visit the Crowne Center Mall.  It was really neat and we got to see lots of cool displays, stores (Crayola!) and restaurants.  Our kids are always so wide-eyed in bigger cities...because yes, we live in Smalltown, USA...and we love it!  But it is good to get out every once in a while.

 We ate lunch at "Fritz's" which is this fun train themed restaurant where your order arrives by an overhead electric train.  Cole was beside himself as he loves trains!

Then it was on to the temple...and it was every bit the experience I hoped it would be. The temple was stunning and beautiful, and the spirit was strong.  I so enjoyed the opportunity to spend time as a family and be there together!

 We also stopped at Liberty Jail which was a great site to visit.  I had been there several times before and wanted the kids to see it, too.

We arrived home late and happy and tired out.  Tod and I both commented that road trips are a lot of work!  How come our parents never told us that???  But it was well worth the effort to be able to have this opportunity and to make some fun memories!

Thoughts on Mother's Day

The past few weeks have been so busy, and there have been so many things that I have wanted to post about.  But today I have "mothers" on my mind.  For the first time in years, we were able to have an actual posed picture of me with the kids since Tod didn't have to be at church early!  I love being a mom so much.  Of course, some days are hard...but it is truly wonderful...early this morning Jordan handed me a card she had made at school and added to at home.  She listed things that she was grateful I had given her including "birth, siblings, shelter, money to play sports, gifts and love, love, love!"  Ashton gave me a card stating that "even when she is mad at me, she still loves me."  Regan had already given me her gift (a key chain with her picture) because she was just so excited when she made it at school.  And Cole was proud as could be to give me the gift he had from nursery.  Handmade gifts are the best.  One of my dearest friends grabbed my hand at church and whispered, "Are you having a good Mother's Day?"  I quickly answered, "Yes, simply because I am a mother!"  We agreed that Mother's Day isn't about expectations or gifts...for me, it is enough simply to be a mother.  (Of course, I appreciated the extra help at dinner, kind words from my hubby at church today, and Old Navy gift card!).  Sometimes, being a good mom takes everything I have...and I still have a long way to go...but lately, time seems to be going by so fast and I feel an increased urgency to try even harder to be better.  I am trying to eliminate distractions because I know that this season of my life is short and in a blink, my kids will be grown!

When we came from church, I said to Tod that if I could have only one wish for today it would be that I could know that I am going to live long enough to see my own children have children and experience that with them.  A few good friends have had babies lately or are just about to deliver and their moms are in town...I miss my mom every day...but especially today.  How I wish she were here so that I could call her and thank her for everything....I wish she could be here to experience her grandchildren and know them...I also have lots of questions I would like to ask...things that I am only now thinking about as my girls are growing up, and I am feeling less confident in my "mothering" skills....I certainly look forward to seeing her again.

I am also thinking about all the women in my life who have influenced me...to many to name really...a mother in law, step mom, sisters, sister in laws, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and friends.  I could write about each of them and the things they have taught me...maybe someday.  For now, Happy Mother's Day to all!