Really?!?

So, I sing in our church choir, and I'm also leading some of the choral music.  How long has it been since I led anything?  Well, about 5 years, at least!  Anyway, we're working on a beautiful arrangement of "Simple Gifts" to perform at the end of October. 

We're also beginning work on our Christmas program.  And one of the songs we are singing for Christmas, which I will be conducting, is Angels' Carol by John Rutter:

I want our choir to sound like these recordings.  And I know it is a lofty (and probably unobtainable) goal, but I plan to work towards this, and pray that God will bless our efforts.

In other news, Walker is taking Honors Science, and really enjoying it.  He's also taking FACS(family and consumer science), and I am enjoying that!  Lately, he's had assignments to cook things, which means he makes dinner or helps me with it.  He's baking zucchini bread as we speak.  Oh, and he decided he wanted to participate in the church choir with me.  :)that makes me happy.

Morgen was elected co-president of her class (35 students), and is having fun planning parties.  She's making Halloween decorations right now.  She is also coming to choir, although she isn't sure if she actually wants to sing or not.  Mostly she sings if she's in a good mood, and listens to the rest of us sing if she's in a bad mood.  She's playing the trumpet this year, and so far she has been great at practicing.

Hyrum lost another tooth.  He's up to a green belt in karate, and is also working on a fitness program that his karate teacher developed.  He likes cub scouts, and riding his bike, and he is NOT singing in the choir.  Sometimes he has to attend the practices though.  He has been reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. 

Jared's keeping busy with work.  He has planned two hunting trips- one for elk and one for deer- with Walker this fall.  We're just about out of meat from last year's hunt, so an elk would be great.

I'm knitting a lot, and working on my scrapbooks again.  Choir (preparation and singing) and volunteering at the school keep me busy.

Gratitude List:
* Inspirational music.
* Other peoples' cooking.
* It is officially fall- we had our first freeze last week.
* Beautiful autumn leaves on the trees.
* The view from my front porch.
* hot showers!
* School keeps my children occupied :)
* Good friends and good neighbors.
* My family, though far from perfect, is a wonderful and supportive gift.
* God is good.