LMHS Production 'The Music Man' Receives State Recognition

The Linn-Mar High School production of the Meredith Willson musical “The Music Man” received several honors in the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards. The show was presented April 28th, 29^th and 30^th in the Linn-Mar High School auditorium. It received Production Awards for Outstanding Overall Performance and Outstanding Student Orchestra. The show earned two Student Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Principal role for Anna Moore as “Marian Paroo” and Brenna O’Hara as “Mrs. Paroo.” Four Special Recognition honors were presented. Two for Performance in a Principal Role to Connor Haskell as “Harold Hill” and Samantha Kragel as “Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn”. Other special Recognition Awards were given for the Ensemble Cast and for Participation of Community Youth.

Congratulations to Fine Arts Departments throughout the district for these well deserved awards!

Last Choir Concert

Tyler had his final choir concert and it was wonderful.  They sound amazing!  It was also senior recognition night.  He lettered all 3 years which is an awesome!! They called each senior by name and announced where they are going “Tyler will be serving a 2 year LDS mission after which he will attend BYU-Idaho and major in music.”  They each got a rose to bring down to their mom in the audience.  It was dark and I only had a camera phone.

Their musical won 9 awards (Tyler can explain more) so they have been asked to come this summer to do it in Des Moines.  Also, Tyler will be moving to Utah in June and plans to live with Jonathan and family while he works to raise money for his mission and get a Utah residency.

Alayna rocked the tennis season and is excited to do a tennis camp this summer.

Our summer reading program is off to an amazing start.  sometimes you just have to give the right incentive…

I love watching the students succeed.  It will be hard to leave these students that I love.  Especially knowing they are not being left in good hands.  But I am extremely excited for my new adventure at Excelsior!!!  I absolutely cant wait!!!

Marisa in Guanajuato, Mexico

Happy Week!

It has been a fun and busy week.  It was Star Wars Day on May 4th.  Awesome!  For Cinco De Mayo, Bob and I went on a date to Pancheros.  It was also a 2nd celebration for my new job because I was having serious doubts I had actually been offered the position.  Finally someone told me John announced it to his staff and I was flooded with relief that my brain hadn't made it up.  So, we partied again.  I have been overwhelmed by all the kind emails from Excelsior welcoming me and the staff from Anamosa about how much I will be missed.  I am truly excited for this new adventure!!! 

I had an awesome birthday yesterday!  We did exactly what I wanted: Osaka for lunch, watched 5th wave at home in my PJS and then they got me my sweet cream at coldstone!  It was perfect!  We also had our home chef Margaritas for dinner! Yummy!

I have also been adamant the past many years about never having a TV in the bedroom.  Now that are kids are almost all gone and my body is a mess, I thought it was time to change that rule.  Sometimes, pathetically enough, I am too exhausted to walk down the stairs to watch TV with the family.  So Bob got me this for my Anniversary/Birthday/Mothers Day gift and I love it!!!

Friday was the huge Battle of the Books at the middle school.  We had 34 teams compete over the year.  The final 5th/6th team went against the 5/6 teacher team in the finals and same with the 7th/8th.  It was a huge success and the battles were tight.  The student teams both won by 2 points.  We had an awesome party with never-ending cupcakes and pizza!

So wonderful to hear this week from Marisa and see that she is alive and having a great time in Mexico!

Brandon’s sister had her wedding yesterday.  We are looking forward to seeing pictures!

Also my lilacs bloomed

And look what I got from my students for teacher appreciation week:

Faith in the Lord requires Faith in His Timing!

It sure is interesting to look back on the past 10+ years and see the Lord’s hand in so  many decisions and events.  It is certainly something that builds testimony.  As most of you know by now, I was offered the Excelsior Middle School library position and I truly couldn't be more excited!!!   I am so grateful I prayed and followed promptings to finally be at this point.  I felt a HUGE, literal load come off my shoulders when the offer came.  I didn't realize how much the stress of my current job was weighing me down.  After Tyler’s show I freaked out a bit because I couldn't figure out if the call really came and I was offered the job or I just made it up in my head because I wanted it so bad.  That was so weird!!!  It is also way more pay, close to home, and now I’ll be close to Alayna.  Like I said, many prayers answered.  Sometimes when we pray, the answer doesn't come until years later.  I certainly feel an immense sense  of gratitude!

Bob and I finally got to go out yesterday to celebrate our anniversary.  We had a wonderful date and went to to Olive Garden for lunch. 

Tyler did an AMAZING job in “The Music man” this week.  We were very impressed by all his lines, his singing and his dancing!  Way to go, Tyler!

 

Marisa left for Mexico Saturday morning and has made it safely to Celaya!

 

No pics of Kayla and Brandon this week I think they have been super busy with a new semester.  We love and miss you guys!!!

Happy 23rd Anniversary!!!

It’s been 23 amazingly wonderful years and I am thankful daily that Bob chose me!!!  We haven't had a chance to go out and celebrate yet, but we will next week.  Jared asked Bob how he knew I was “the One” and he said, “well, I knew I was happy every time I was with her.” Here's to an eternity of amazingly wonderful years!

We have had beautiful weather! Last weekend we were able to get the lettuce, carrots, spinach, and potatoes in!  My tulips are up, the tree out front is budding.  I just love spring!!!

Marisa and Jared got here Sunday night.  Jared left yesterday and we get to keep Marisa until Friday when she flies out to Mexico for the summer.  It has been so fun having them here!

We have had more amazing Home Chef meals! I promise I wont show food pics every week, but they look so awesome!!

Last week Alayna made us a beautiful cake.  It looked and tasted so yummy!

And, I just have to share cute guinea pics

And my new bulletin board:

R.I.P. Daisy Hart

Who knew losing a pet could hurt so much?  It has been a very long 5 days and I am not sure I am ready to talk about it all.  I never thought I would be this affected by the loss of one of our pets. 

On Saturday, Alayna noticed Daisy was acting weird.  we said we would keep an eye on her.  By Sunday morning, she was definitely acting weird and hadn't eaten any of her food or drank any water.  Our vet clinic was closed Sunday so we had to drive all the way done to the emergency vet clinic.  We spent 2 hours there.  She had a heart murmur and her digestive system was shutting down.  Not sure why.  He tried an ultrasound which showed stuff sloshing in her tummy.  He gave us 3 meds and sent us home.  Told us to feed her as much as possible.  She refused to eat.  We held her all evening and night.  By morning, she was much worse.

She had lost about 1/2 her weight (they become anorexic within 16 hours) and was hardly moving.  Still not eating or drinking.  went all the way back to the emergency clinic.  We were there 2 more hours.  She was much worse and they said she sgould be hospitalized- the bill would be $1700! How is that even possible?  I paid for the xray which showed her tummy and intestines were fully bloated with gas.  They dont burp so its hard to get gas out.  The meds were supposed to help. They didnt.  We headed home knowing we would probably lose her that night.  We took shifts holding her and feeding her through a dropper.  She did ok until Tuesday morning.

She refused to even open her mouth or swallow the water.  Alayna and Tyler held her and fed her all day (while i was at a stupid waste of time conferences in Des Moines).  I took over when I got hom and held her all through the night.  Neither Alayna or I went to bed.  Daisy’s breathing got shallower and slower.  I felt so helpless and sobbed. A lot.

I got up early and called to find a place that would euthanize her so we could let her have peace.  The stupid dr wouldnt come in until noon.  So, Alayna and I took turns holding her, soother her, putting drops of water on her lips while we bawled. 

Around 10 she started spasming and was having a hard time breathing.  We kept petting her and soothing her.  At 1030 she made this tiny weird squeak and gasped for breath.  I was crying so hard I could barely see her.  She did it 3 more times and then the breathing stopped.  ALayna took her from my hearts and sat there crying while she held her.  I felt like my heart was ripping.  I still wish I could have done something else to save her.

After a while we went down and held the other 2 guineas.

We are comforted by the gospel and the knowledge that we will see her again.  Sometimes I feel dumb, like we are making a big deal out of this tiny mammal.  But we all loved her dearly and she was and always will be part of our family.  We are glad we were home with her today, to be there to comfort her and love her to the very last breath.  This heartache and grief makes me dread the future and the loss of human loved ones in our lives.  I know it is the circle of life, but the grief is very real.

We will always love you, Daisy!  Thank you for the light and joy you brought to our family.  we know you are happily trotting around, running and exploring, with lots of guineas in heaven.  We love you and look forward to seeing you again!