Summer's Over : (

It's been forever since I've posted. School you know. Whatever. Hopefully I will stop using that as an excuse eventually. So I took 9 credits this summer, and because I'm so brilliant (or because ISU is so easy) I got straight A's.

Last week I attended Choral Academy at BYU (in Provo). Oh, where to start, where to end? I love BYU, love the choral department there, the "School of Music" caliber vs. a "Dpt. of Music". I love that all of my roommates read their scriptures every night or morning, it was just like being back at school (ha, that's funny, I am back in school, but what I meant was back at school at BYU). Inspiring, loving, respectful, intelligent people at every turn. Is that what the Celestial Kingdom is going to be like? Sorry to those of you who aren't BYU fans, hope you're not barfing now. Maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but of course I haven't described the fudge and candy counter yet. Oh the memories......

Back to reality. I just finished my "prep" week, or should I call it "dung out 3 different classrooms" week. Pretty overwhelming. Especially since I don't thrive on organizing and cleaning like Amy does. I have thrown away many garbage cans full, and I'm not even done. However, I'm done for now, because I have to teach starting Monday. So I did write up some lesson plans today finally. I liked that. Since music is the whole point, not being a garbage man (or woman in this case).

So when I was really into Harry Potter I really wanted to be a witch. Then when I was really into Lord of the Rings I wanted to be an elf, or an elf witch like that one in the forest who had one of the rings. Now I'm considering on changing my dreams a little and dreaming of being a vampire. The jury is still out and I haven't officially decided, but vampirism is sounding more tempting than witchcraft at the moment. I'm not sure which part is the most tempting--the strong, invincible, graceful and beautiful body, hidden talents, or just the hot and heavy sex (can you believe how racy it was?!). I'm not sure about the hunting part though.....Mmmmmmmmm. Witches seem to eat a lot better, atleast at Hogwarts.

My family. Well, I didn't think I'd ever say it, but I think we're ready for school. My kids have been fighting a lot lately and it's getting old. Anna will be in 2nd grade! Yikes. And Aliese in the 5th grade which happens to be in the middle school here. However, they keep the 5th graders very separate and they still have recess, unfortunately for Aliese. Gracie will be spending 2-4 days a week with a woman in my ward named Brittnee. I said a prayer and then looked over the roster, and there was her name shouting at me (I've done that method to recruit more choir members too). Brittnee lives around the corner from me and has two little girls. Her oldest daughter is 2 weeks difference in age from Gracie. Her name is Abby and they are good friends in nursery. Brittnee seems to be excited about it. She's very laid back and a happy sort of person. She has a brand new unfurnished house, so hopefully extra money will be motivating to her and she will stick with us. We were so blessed with my friend Joan last year, and we feel very blessed to have Brittnee this year. Because of Darin's weird schedule, he'll be home a few days during the week. That makes it a lot easier.

One cute thing Gracie said recently referring to a lipgloss, "Mommy, I promise I won't lost it. Promise Mommy." I love the amazing transformation of language in a child. It is such a miracle to me. In some ways it is an overnight learning process, in other ways it is so gradual.

My garden is typical in that some things are thriving and some things aren't. However, whenever I go out there I feel peace and calm and I don't want to leave it.

The girls successfully completed four sessions of swimming lessons this summer which is 8 weeks. Shirley says that Aliese has the same form as Michael Phelps. For those in my family that don't know who that is--shame on you. Aliese and Anna have both made tremendous strides with their swimming. Another miracle in the Leslie family.

We register for ballet next week. I'm so excited. It's a studio run by two sisters. It's artistic, they're educated, and it's real art. Unlike the pathetic so called dance Anna did last year. I'm hoping they'll like it and stick with it for atleast a few years. I love ballet. They actually dance to real music, not hip hop rap, or whatever that kind of music is.

The reunion. Fabulous. I had such a good time. It went by so fast that I have to concentrate to remember any of it. : ( But when I do concentrate, I do remember it. Especially the activities like the story telling (since my girls were the stars), the shirt painting (watching my brothers in law paint was amazing) and of course the swimming and all of the eating. It was way fun and I wish we could do it more often. Thank you Jacob and Lyndsey.

Who knows when I'll post again. It's all I can do to get up in the morning. I love you all and miss you. Bye!