Shining Moment

Yesterday was Kent's Friday off - I told him he had to do something FUN, no honey do's around the house and no Bishop responsibilities. What's a man to do with those restrictions? Mother Nature took care of that dilemma by providing the perfect ski day - fresh powder and lots of sunshine. Kent bought an all day pass and skied with Kenna in the morning and McKay in the afternoon. They played hookie from school, each receiving special one on one instruction time with Dad. When I went into the office to check McKay out there was a spot for "Reason", I turned to Heidi, the secretary and said how honest do you want me to be ? "Perfect Day to go skiing"... with a smile she replied just put "personal". So that's what we did, we enjoyed a Personal Day. I had lunch with my dear college friends and played taxi driver up and down the Canyon. They had a ball and I loved hearing all the glory stories.

Mckay's 1st time skiing

Kenna's 2nd time skiing

Only one mishap... no sunscreen - McKenna returned home looking like a lobster with raccoon eyes. Just in time to truly shine for her Shining Moment. Last night was McKenna's 1st Piano Recital. She did an excellent job, she played from memory It's A Small World - DisneyLand. It was also her Grandma's very 1st piano recital. They both started taking piano lessons from Ms Molly last May. Myrt played Edelweiss from The Sound of Music. I am so proud of them both. This time last year I would of never thought my little girl and mother-in-law would be sharing center stage. Nor would I have ever imagined being such good friends to a total stranger whom I heard taught piano lessons. I am thankful for Myrt suggesting Molly and the multiple times she encouraged me to call and arrange lessons. Thanks mom, molly and McKenna. I love you all.

Molly, has an amazing story about "Paying it Forward" and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing -I copied this from her blog: When I [Molly] lived with John's parents, his mother used to listen to me picking out songs on their piano, and used to say "You need to take lessons! You have too much talent to let it go to waste!" I resisted at first, thinking "I have small child with one on the way!" or "I'm not really that good." but I remembered the counsel from my patriarchal blessing in which the Lord encouraged me to seek out and develop my talents. Finally, I agreed to take lessons. John's mother offered to pay for me to take lessons for a year as a birthday present. My teacher loved me, because day in and day out she would see students whose parents had dragged them to her against their will, and I on the other hand, worked hard, practiced, followed her instructions and loved every minute of it. After my year of lessons were over with, I had to quit because John and I were saving up for our townhome, and couldn't spare the extra expense. When I told my teacher, she sent me a note that said something like this:"When my husband and I were younger, we only had one car, and I tended children to make extra money. Because I had so many children, I couldn't walk my daughter Jenny to kindergarten, and so she had to walk by herself. She would get scared, and hated it. Somehow, my relief society president found out about it, and began to take her to school. Her kids were in high school, so taking Jenny was out of her way. I wanted to do something to thank her, but she just said 'do something kind for someone else and pay it forward.' I have always tried to continue to pay it forward in my life, and so Molly, from now on your piano lessons are free. You can return the favor by paying it forward."After a few more years of taking lessons, she began to encourage me to teach piano. She started mentoring me, and I practiced on my nephew Kelton for about a year. During that time, I found that I loved teaching piano! When I moved to South Weber, I tried to find kids that had talent, but whose parents may not have been able to afford lessons, and then I offered them lessons for free. I taught them for a year or so, before and after Carter was born. Word got around South Weber that I taught lessons, and I started to get phone calls from people asking if I would teach their kids. John said, "I don't care if you want to take more students, but I think you've done enough paying it forward." It was weird to start taking money from my new students, but also nice! This year, it will have been five years since I started teaching. Thank goodness I followed the counsel in my patriarchal blessing - thank goodness for John's mom, who encouraged me, and thank goodness for my wonderful piano teacher Carrie Allen who is also my good friend.

Molly is the perfect example of paying it forward, which leaves me thinking what am I doing in life to Pay it Forward? McKenna and all her students adore her. I couldn't ask for a better role model for McKenna. I am so glad she likes her piano teacher, it sure does make getting her to practice much easier. Practicing, now that is a whole other post. The one thing I have found to be most successful is having a "Tip Jar" on the piano. When I hear her sit down to practice without being asked or is just doing a good job playing her songs I will stop by and drop a coin in the jar. Thus far it has been a pretty good incentive and motivator, but of course I always hear Why do I have to or can I quit? No way!! I wish I knew how to play the piano. This is one talent whether my kids like it or not, they will develop. I will endure all the complaining and being the enforcer in hopes of the day of having my grateful children come back to thank me for making them practice the piano. I wish I would of stuck with it. I can't even read music. It is one of my biggest regrets. But it's never to late to learn or take lessons - look at my amazing mother in law. Way to go Mom and McKenna! Thanks to all who came to support my little pianist - thanks Dad for the tender tribute.