His name is Sawyer

 

Ben & Lindsey have a baby boy!

Monday night, Dec 3 at 10:07 pm their little boy was born.  His name will be forthcoming!  He weighed 7 lb 11 oz and 18.5 inches tall.  He was born at American Fork Hospital.  Lindsey had a very good delivery although labor went for about 12 hours.  We are so blessed to have this little one safe and sound!

Christmas: It's All About Kindness

I'm really into showing extra kindness these days with our PTSA theme of ARK (acts of random kindness...have you seen Evan Almighty? SEE IT))  So, speaking from the wife of a retail manager,  I implore all of you who may read this:  Show extra kindness to the souls who may serve you in the stores you may shop!   They're people too!!   Here is a simple truth:  The person who buys is no better than the person who sells.  All are alike in the retail arena.  Don't go into a store with the attitude that I am better and I deserve more.  Yes-customer service is important but not more than the person who is serving you.  BE KIND!!!  Your kind action will make that person's day and carry on into other people's lives as well.   Your impatient or condescending attitude will only add to too much unkindness that is already out there.  Put positive vibes out into the universe during this season of kindness and make it a Merry Christmas for everyone!!!

(p.s.  I know you are all kind anyway!)

It changed my life!

Well I had my vocal assessment with our vocal coach. She is a delightful person and so intelligent! She has a doctorate in vocal pedagogy I think its called. She spent a half an hour with me! I am still on a high from the experience. First of all, as she had me sing to review my range, she stopped after I reached c or b below middle c. She said you have a true contralto voice! She said it is a rare thing. Then she related stories about Mary Martin as Maria in the broadway sound of music and about the singer, Marilyn Horne. She said,"Okay now sing in your choir voice..." I had to tone it way down and prove that I could sing a pianissimo. She said when Craig asks for the russian alto sound you do not need to darken yours at all. That was nice to know! She also had me sing a hymn a few times to check for vibrato,intonation,posture,jaw tension,head lift,etc. She observed that I had a lot of tension in my jaw by being too tense in my diaphragm, She was exactly right. I knew I had too much tension but wasn't sure where and how to fix it. She changed my life!!! In the past, I have had so many facial aches after singing, I cannot tell you! She gave me a good exercise to get used to feeling more looseness in my diaphragm. This is just a sampling of the things I have been learning in the choir! By the way , check out the article in the NY times about the choir audition process! Click here to see it

Brad's new Blog

Brad wishes you all to visit his new blog. Click here to take a look at it. This blog announces all the new and upcoming events on electronics. All the information on this blog is helpful and true. Brad is there to help you figure out what questions you have about electronics.

Beautiful Zion

(These pictures were recently taken at Cascade Springs)
Did you hear the Tab choir sing Beautiful Zion this conference? For some reason that song really was my favorite. Its hymn #44-look up the scriptures in Revelations that are listed there.I did this in preparation for conference. I truly felt the hope and the joy of the Lord's zion that is to come. I prayed that this zion would burn in my heart as it did in the hearts of my ancestors who left everything behind and walked and walked and walked.
M W arranged this just for my voice range. Unfortunately though,not really. Lately He tells the 2nd altos to sound more like the sopranos singing more in a head voice. I agree that the sound should be blended but why can't the sopranos sound more like the altos??? Its funny too because CJ's favorite part is the 2nd alto and he likes the deep russian alto sound. In fact, he has said many times that this section is the most important one in the whole choir. SO...I've decided that the 2nd alto simply must be the most flexible of all parts; at different times, sounding like a Russian woman, a tenor, an alto and a soprano. NO other part is asked to do that! I have definitely learned a lot in the past six years (this month) I have been in the choir. We are now being scheduled for vocal assessments. I'm looking forward to a good lesson!

This and That

Sorry its been awhile since I've written. School is back in session and I am going full speed with PTA pres at American Fork High School. Its been fun and I think I make it busier than I need to...just coming up with more and more ideas all the time, you know... . We are sponsoring the ARK with an actual one in the main office. It stands for Acts of Random Kindness. The idea is that when you see someone doing something kind you put their name in the ark. We read all the names at the end of the week and draw one for a prize. So far its catching on. I think its a good thing for kids this age to try to think about someone else!
Last week I was in SLC almost every night in recording sessions with the MTC. We are producing a CD of MW's sacred works including his new "Requiem" . CJ said he is going to nominate M for the Pulitzer prize for choral composition.
He said there is nothing out there this good. We are performing this week at BYU for the homecoming spectacular show. C and M are being honored at it too. I;m excited for it.
We heard from Bryce today and he is now zone leader and opening up a whole new area. It is the northern half of Curacao called Barber. His zone also includes Bonaire. He sure enjoys the work of the Lord.