I need to record some significant events from the past month.
May really flew by and the summer seems to be doing the same.
I wonder how Nathan kept up with all he had going on: Soccer games, Les Miserables practices, Timberline meetings, piano lessons, end of year testing, and he managed to pull off the 4.0 he's been working on all year! I know he was tired a lot, but I don't think he regrets any of it! We even managed to get to the temple a time or two.
I was able to drive a vanload of kids up to the Heber Valley Camp and be a shaperone for Shakespeare Showdown. Kids from all over who have taken the Shakespeare Conquest class gather to perform for each other and do skits and workshops. It was such a fun experience for me to get to know the homeschool kids a little better. It was awesome to see how happy and excited they are about important things. It was very fun to watch them perform in several different plays. I especially loved seeing old friends who have moved away but their kids were participating and renewing friendships. I got to spend lots of hours with my other homeschool mom friends that I adore.
The whole experience would have been perfect except for one chubby14 month old. He's cute, and the youth were very sweet to him.
But he was NOT sweet to me. He was NOT happy to be away from his own home and his own bed. He was NOT about to let me sit through much of any plays unless he was napping in his carseat. And though I had forseen the possibility that I might have to take him out of the cabin I was sharing with 16 other people if he fussed at night, I had no idea it would be so horrible. It was truly the most horrible night of my life. He only slept for maybe an hour before he woke up. I tried to nurse him, but he would not, and he was screaming. I rushed out of the cabin, hoping not to wake anyone. It was freezing cold. I got in my car and turned on the heater, but it wasn't helping much. I was afraid I would fall asleep and run out of gas so I turned it off. I put my writhing, screaming, mess of a child onto the van floor so I could dig up our picnic quilt that I always keep in the back of the van. I reclined the passenger seat and I prayed and prayed and sang and sang. He screamed and writhed and thrashed. I have never seen him like this, and it was heartbreaking to not be able to help him. 2 hours later, he finally settled into a restless sleep on my chest. I dozed in and out until I woke in a panic because I couldn't breathe with his weight on my chest. My back was killing me from holding him in that position. It was still dark outside. I knew I had to change positions, but I was scared to walk in the pitch darkness back to the cabin only to have him start screaming again. I dragged my blanket back to an empty seat. I found a little baby jacket and wadded it up for a pillow (so not effective). Meanwhile, he started in again so I placed him on the bench and tried to lie beside him and nurse. He went back to sleep, but only about 30% of my body was actually on the seat. I was sort of balancing there. But I was so desperate for sleep that I still managed to doze until the glorious sun came up. I got back to the cabin and tried to cuddle him in the bunk, but he would have nothing of it. I laid there for as long as he would let me, pretending to be warm and comfortable for a few minutes before breakfast.
Still, I was sad that we had to leave early.
The wind picked up and blew apart the scenery for Brandon's play. They finally gave up and just parked a couple of vans behind the stage and did the best they could. The difficulty brought out some really fun improvisations and I could tell they were really having a lot of fun despite the circumstances. I think they were all really excited about how well they handled the adversity. They pulled off a great performance!
As soon as Brandon's play was over, we headed back down the mountain. We were cutting things pretty close to get back in time for Nathan's performance. I only made it down the mountain and into town before I knew I would not be able to stay awake for the rest of the trip. I stopped and got a big icy pop to help me stay awake. I had a thought on the way that I should probably stop at the High School and give Nathan the pieces of his costume that Brandon had been using. Just as I pulled up, Nathan walked out and got his stuff on. It was great timing, and I'm so glad I didn't wait as he was getting nervous. I got home and ate a couple of bites of pizza and got the little ones ready for the sitter and headed back down. Nathan looked really great! I could tell he was nervous, and I was nervous for him. I hadn't really heard him sing since he asked me to help him try out in November. His voice had changed a lot since then. It was a wonderful, proud moment for me to hear him put his heart and soul into that and do such a great job! He was Marius in the choral production of Les Miserables. It was not the full stage play, but they sang most of the songs with an orchestra and the leads were in costume. It was truly beautiful and deserved the standing ovation it got. It was amazing for a Jr. High to achieve such excellence. I am excited to get the DVD so I can watch it again!
Insert two Simonisms:
He's sitting with a bunch of the youth from our neighborhood. "Raise your hand if you believe in Santa."
They all raise their hands. "Okay, that means you believe in your dad."
Nathan hosted the end of year party for his chamber choir. It was awesome to be able to use our yard and our new lawn and see a bunch of good kids having a good time.
One of the first girls to arrive was wearing a trendy, (but a little spooky outfit). She had tight, black stonewashed jeans and a yellow shirt with black lace printed on it.
Simon was sitting in the kitchen watching the kids arrive when he addressed this girl and her 2 friends:
"Raise your hand if you live in a haunted house."
He was a little puzzled that they all raised their hands...
We made a quick decision to head to Las Vegas to hear my nephew speak before leaving on his mission. It worked out that a family in my sister's ward was on vacation and was willing to let us use their house. It was so amazing and made it so much more possible and enjoyable. We had a fabulous time. The kids got to swim and play with cousins and eat lots of good food. I got to catch up with my sister and her in-laws that I grew up with, hear Tanner's awesome talk, and go to Young Women with my nieces. I also got to spend some time with my dear "kindred spirit" friend Rebecca who lives there. We met in 2001 when we were living with my sister while Dallin did an externship to finish his Masters. We have a lot in common and our kids consider each other cousins even though the relationship is pretty distant. It was so much fun!
Then....BAM! Summer was here and it was time to get a new schedule going and make plans.
Nathan's birthday came with lots of love and celebration from friends. We got to see him a little, too. We've already seen lots of cousins and are doing weekly temple trips and trying to plan and prepare for next school year. The garden is growing and the yard is seeing progress so we can't ask for much more.
Though I continue to hope for more than 2 hours of sleep in a row...
