Hummm. Voice, Guitar, Piano, Drums?! Which do I choose?

So we've come around to the next Thankful Thursday. And I've fiddled around with a few things I might be thankful for and came to a certain thought. I absolutely LOVE music. From the time I was a little kid, I could remember belting out the songs of legends: Whitney, Natalie Cole, Aretha, Roberta, Gladys, Carpenters... Alot of oldies, and also the hip songs of the 80's and 90's. Great memories!!!

But, it wasn't until our family was asked to present a musical number in Sacrament Meeting that I realized what one of my talents might be. We sang "A Child's Prayer" (before it was printed in the CS book) and during practice the pianist (sweet Grandma Kit Meyers) stopped playing, looked at me and said, "Young lady. You have a beautiful voice!". Up until that time, all I'd ever heard was "STOP singing!" or "You're off key!" or "AGHHHHH... I'm gonna tell mom if you don't quit!". I quietly blushed as she complimented me, then felt a little relieved that all my practice wasn't going to waste. lol. Now as an adult I accept compliments quite the same way I did back then. Why? Because I know, I am an average gal. My musical abilities are not extraordinary. Amidst the dream of becoming an accomplished pianist, songstress, song writer, I've become acutely aware of my current position on the 'musically talented' spectrum. I also know with music, it takes fine tuning, and patience and LOVE. Love for the music, to get things just right. Oh! and practice, practice, practice. That of which, I have had NO time for. It saddens me, because in my dreams I only imagine myself walking off the stage at Carnegie Hall after completing amazing classical pieces of Mozart, Bach, Satie, Mendelssohn... and receiving a standing ovation. Yeah right!... beautiful thought but really not my dream. Maybe the one of my cousin Kalo. Who, I'm extremely jealous, has been able to live her life on that stage. Or even the YouTube Singer/Songwriter QUEEN, Leini. Their dreams, turned reality.

My dream has always been song. Never professionally, but enough to make a positive difference in those listening. I've loved singing in choirs. I love to hear awkward notes come together to form the most angelic sounds. Hearing a choir of hundreds come together to sound as ONE heavenly voice sends me into a frenzy of goosebumps and shivers. No, really it does. That's how music effects me. I love to sing in my car. My kids are used to hearing me yell "SING!" as I belt out the latest tune on the radio. I love that they could care less that they are off tune, or I am. I don't want them to have any hang-ups about sharing their talents.

I've always wanted to be well-rounded in the music world, easily moving from one instrument to another without skipping a beat. I've purposely placed in my living room a Baldwin acrosonic spinet, two acoustic guitars, a shelf of hawaiian instruments: uli uli, puili, ipu, kala'au, ili ili, 'Opio, Keiki and a child-size Toere drum... all with the intention of keeping the music diverse and multicultural. I'd add an electric guitar and kongo drums if I had.

I just LOVE music. I am grateful for all the music I've enjoyed thus far in my life. In the next few years, as the kids get older, I'll dedicate more time to honing in on their musical talents. I am grateful so-far for my talents in music. Although I am not where I would ultimately like to be, with a LOT of practice and patience and love I'll be able to finetune my skills as a songstress, pianist, writer to finally create a 'Lullaby's/ Primary Songs' CD for my children and one day grandchildren to enjoy. That is my dream.

*BIG BANG*... "HOOORRAAYY!!"... *Cough*Cough*

This year we had our own version of the "Stadium of Fire" at the Toki/ Moa neighborhood...



We had a BLAST watching the guys light off the fireworks in a row down the street. The entire block was literally covered in smoke and sparks. A GREAT finale to the delicious BBQ that was prepared by willing hands (the wives of these great event planners, lol). I wish I snapped a shot of the yummy food, but since I stole these from Kim then these'll just have to do (THANKS MUCHOS Kim!)



Jocey got to hang out with Sarah's niece, Brittany and had so much FUN! Finally she's able to play with someone her own age, instead of being bullied by the boys.



Here a pix with the co-host, Jeff, supervising the kids eager to light the next of the works. lol. Thanks for such a great time Toki's and Moa's! We didn't end the night until about 3 am... playing the highly competitive dice game, that only Sarah is good at counting. LOL. Try GREED. I LOVED the amish dice.

GREAT friends, food and fun! What better way to spend a holiday???!

Thankful Thursday's

My life is admittedly uneventful. One of the reasons why I feel zero motivation to document my life in a journal. Horrible, I know... because when I really look at my days in detail they're actually very chaotic and challenging. I just don't have the energy at the end of the night to write it all down. So I'm letting go of all my inhibitions and hang-ups and I am writing. 'Cause I know if I don't do it here, it won't happen on paper. I'm just lazy. And too, I also thought, "Well maybe I could wait and not write... and when I'm old and senile my grand kids will ask me what I was like 'back in the day' and I could replay some wonderfully intriguing story of a character in a novel I read years ago, like Bella... 'cause I know I couldn't forget that story. Then we'd all get to see how they feel about being quarter vampire" (if that's even possible, according to Stephanie Meyer). lol.



Anywho, back to post. I'm starting "Thankful Thursdays". I need, or rather want, an assignment that I can start to think about the week prior. And last night, after having a conversation with my sister, it hit me. My life would be less a million laughs and almost-pee-your-pants moments if I didn't get to chop-it-up with my baby sis, Trish everyday. She lives in northern Cali and I live in the southern part. If there wasn't about 500+ miles separating us, we'd be joined at the hip. I think the 6 years that separate us make it much easier to have a sister/friendship. There's not all the screaming for attention, or trying to out do each other that can happen with a family of 12 kids. For the most part she's a cheerful, happy-go-lucky kinda gal and I love to hear her playback scenario's from her home or work. Our conversations crack me up! I began to do a write-up of our conversations and realized unless you heard her talking it wasn't as humorous. Plus, I think our sense of humor is more... I don't know... uhm... fobby!?. And sometimes rather callous, but that's just us. She can imitate our dad and keep me rollin' all day long because I have this vivid image of her story running around in my head. HAHAHAHAH!~ It's great to have a baby sister that keeps me entertained. I am also thankful that during our conversations we have the opportunity of discussing the Gospel. As crazy as life can get sometimes, it's refreshing to be reminded of our infinite worth and our important role as mothers in our homes. She is always receptive to my thoughts and feelings and as I share my testimony with her I feel a strengthening within. For that, I am most grateful.

What are you most grateful for today?

a WAAAY better pix. finally!

I finally took the plunge and purchased this Nikon D60. I CAN NOT wait for it to arrive. I've been coveting all the amazing images that I've seen online with this wonder (I would LOVE to have gotten the D80 that Pioneer Woman has... but...yeah, a little out of my price range). I can't wait to begin my love affair with photography (is that even legal to say?? Oh well!). It's coming with a 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm lens. Do I even know what all that means??? No, not really... but I'm eager to find out. So I know this isn't the most important thing in the world to blog about, but it makes me "glee" like Christmas morning. "Hallelujah", for digital photography and photoshop! Now I can document, with the most beautiful images, OUR life!!!

a fresh start...

So, I spent the greater part of yesterday reading some excellent blogger pages. I loved the way people were able to convey into words their thoughts and feelings in the most descriptive ways. I was so impressed, and also a little jealous that I couldn't always translate my thoughts and feelings so fluidly. So bear with me, because from now on I am going to attempt to improve my blogging abilities. I'm not expecting perfection, or posts absent of grammatical errors, or even a cute background, just more thought in the stories that I share and a reflection on how I feel. But most importantly, I would like to better portray my life as it is. "Keepin' it real", like blogger extraordinaire PW always says.

So here's to a FRESH START of blogging...

...some GREAT sushi!

We have FINALLY come across some DELICIOUS sushi here in the desert! No, it's really a reason to celebrate! We've lived in the desert for almost four years and have yet to find an excellent sushi bar, yet we crave it ALL THE TIME! So since gas prices won't permit the usual trip down the hill to visit Kabuki's we've had to scout around for a local bar with comparible quality and freshness and we found a GREAT spot across the street and kitty corner Costco's tire shop, right next to Johnny Fingers Bar and Grill. I've found it blog worthy since, like I said, we've tried and failed for four years to find quality sushi up here. Jared and I went to town, ordering all our favorites. Lobster roll (specialty) fried tempura style then baked in a creamy sauce. YUMMMMMMMYYY! Shrimp tempura, Redondo (crab special).... the list goes on. We ordered about 9 rolls and had plenty to bring home and share with the family! Anyways... If your craving YUMMY sushi, give it a try-- you won't be disappointed! (And no, I'm not being paid for this ad...LOL)

Anyways, felt the need to let all my fellow Sushi lovers in on the find. It's called: Samurai Sushi and it is DELICIOUS.

Kung Fu PANDA EXPRESS...

First, I know I've been horrible at blogging. My camera broke and I hate to blog without pics, which is why you haven't seen updated pics. So one day, when I can shell out a grand for the fancy Canon one, then I'll have you all updated. These one's I had to "borrow" from a few friends (thanks Rachael and Jenni!)




The Ray children invited us to have a YUMMY dinner at their home which consisted of; orange chicken, chow mein, rice, cream cheese wontons, and asian salad and fortune and almond cookies



We visited and ate and then were crazy enough to load all 15 kids into our cars and head to the theatre to watch 'Kung Fu Panda'. The movie was really funny and cute. The kids LOVED it. Especially Salo, who had to be shushed for cheering and hooraying. He loved Po!



Jocelyn and her good friend Shaylee, who think they are almost 'too cool' for the kid flick, headed to the top row to enjoy the show. They are so fun... I think I almost remember this age (lol)!!!

SO FUN!!! Thanks to the Ray's for the invite!