Early May

Megan's progress - The 2nd week in April, she got the okay to start putting weight on her foot.  Then she quickly graduated to only needing one crutch.  This was one of the first days she could carry anything herself.  We were all soooooo excited!!

 

 Look Mom - 2 free hands

 

 Now, she struts her stuff without even needing the brace.  She works hard in physical therapy and is making great progress - she even has permission to use the vacuum now.

 

 Nathan earned his First Class Scout award - he and his dad are quite the hams!

Here goes the first of the lasts...... It was sad to listen to Rachel's final band concert.  But it was such a delight to see her enjoying the music and her fellow trumpet-players and know how much this has shaped her life.  Here she is receiving the John Philips Sousa award - for the outstanding musician, and, as her director said, a shining star!  My favorite part of this picture is that all those boy trumpeters are standing up in her honor.

 Mr. Thompson - Band Director extraordinaire.

 Megan did a fabulous job at the concert as well.  She plays clarinet in the Symphonic Band and the piano for Wind Ensemble.  Everyone says that these 2 look alike - What do you think?

 Finally, things are blooming in Chicagoland, so I took Rachel on an outing to the Botanic Garden.  She wasn't missing much with only 4 days of school left.

Spring Break

 

Road Trip to Kirtland, OH then to Gettysburg, PA and ending in Wahington, DC

 

 At the Johnson Farm where section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants was received.

 We woke up to this in Gettysburg. 

 We arrived in Washington DC at the same time as most of the 8th graders in the country were on their history field trips.  It was also Cherry Blossom festival, although none of the trees were blooming yet, Spring Break for a large number of people, and a week of controversial Supreme Court cases.  So, there were a ton of people!!!

 Taking the metro with a wheelchair is quite an experince.  I took this picture on an empty ride, which only happened once.

 The Jefferson Memorial at night is such a beautiful sight.

 What a treat - the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknwn Soldier - then the surprise of the playing of "Taps".  Rachel's bonus of the trip...

 We made sure we were back at the hotel computer in time for Rachel to sign up for her housing next year at BYU.

 The Washington DC temple is so majestic - the kids had a special experience doing baptisms.

 Twinners with FDR.

 3 of us like to know where we are on the map  - Megan and Rachel just go where we lead them!

 The White House as close as you can get to it right now.

The college basketball games were going on here - just down the street.  Megan was quite upset we wouldn't dish out the money for her to go to a game.

March 2013

 Nathan had his first skiing experience last month.  For all you mountain-dwellers, the slope is not significant, but we work with the landscape the midwest has to offer. 

 Here is Megan's typical look these days.  She can't put any weight on her right leg which means she can't fix food for herself, shower without assistance, or carry anything anywhere.

Here is the look of the leg - Megan was hoping for a more substantial scar!!!

Rachel now carries 2 backpacks, 2 instruments and any other additional projects, books, PE clothes, etc. that might be needed for 2 highschoolers to get through the day.  I am the school bus providing rides to and from school on a daily basis.


Below are videos of the three kids doing their solo and ensemble performances.  First is Rachel's solo - the first 20 seconds are her scales, then the piece begins.

 

Next is Megan performing in a seated position..

 

Nathan got a perfect score on his piece:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f4JOoZn4_I&feature=youtu.be

 

Rachel and her 2 trumpet buddies playing a trio: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SDHlHXe_ro

 

... with me accompanying all of them. :)

Catching Up

 Cutting down our own Christmas tree - I have such fond memories of doing this as a kid. Perhaps this will now be a new tradition.....

 Christmas morning laughter - there is never a dull moment with the kids!

 Our kitchen table seems to be overtaken with puzzles during Christmas break, so we find other places to eat our meals.

 Lauren turned 20 years old on January 7th - then went back to her life at BYU.

 Rachel and I off to Utah for her school of music tryout.  We had fun traveling with just the 2 of us.

 A girls lunch at Brick Oven in Provo - I sure miss these fun sisters and their cute families.

 Wandering up the beautiful canyon to take pictures was a highlight.  There is nothing like Utah mountain air and views.

My nephew Christopher is off to serve a mission in Paraguay - I won't see him again for awhile.  He is the life of the party and will be an awesome missionary!

Some dreams come true...and some have to wait

February 19 - Rachel opens the email congratulating her on admittance to the BYU School of Music as a part of the trumpet studio!!!  I went with her to the audition the end of January and am amazed at her talent and hard work and passion for her music.  So grateful she gets the chance to follow her dream!!!!

Megan, on the other hand....  She made the varsity basketball team as a sophomore and was working so hard and enjoying the game that she loves.  One day at practice, she planted her foot to turn and felt her knee pop.

 Verdict - Feb 22 - ACL replacement using tendons from her hamstring, repairs of torn medial and lateral meniscus.  This brace will be her best friend for 6-8 weeks.  We plan to see her following her dream out on the court again in 4-6 months.

She did manage to get her license and have her 16th birthday!

 

Lauren is living the college-life dream.  She got a job at the library as a research assistant working with European documents.  The perfect position for a history-geek, as she affectionately calls herself.

 

 

Nathan, Blair and I are just dreaming as we sleep for now.

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Hi everyone! It's Nathan. I was recently in the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at our middle school. I was Charlie Brown and had tons of fun participating in it. Mom took a few videos on our Friday night performance.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-cVk6af-Uxaze5ujlhlDXQ_nYn0z-y3J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dc1YM9oWEU&feature=plcp

I hope you enjoy them. Here are some pictures Mom and Lauren took.

 Opening Monologue before the song

Opening Number - You're a Good Man Charlie Brown 

 

Me giving supper to my dog (Snoopy - on the doghouse) and his bird friend (Woodstock - on the ground)

 



The amazing front board in the school

 



During the kite song when the kite is flying

Beginning of The Kite song 

 



During Baseball game as I sit off to the side and narrate (through song) the whole thing

 

Back in the Drama room with my friends

 

Crabbiness survey after baseball game