Note by Note

I just read this book: "A Celebration of the Piano Lesson Note by Note" and I absolutely LOVED it! Obviously, I AM a piano teacher - so that might have something to do with it. I really could not put it down. Tunstall's writing is so articulate and expressive - I found myself nodding in agreement so often .... chuckling along with her "student stories" and feeling excitement, disappointment, and anxiety along with each of her personal experiences as a teacher and student.

Here is part of one of Tunstell's opening paragraphs ...

"What is the enduring appeal of the piano lesson as a basic ritual of American childhood? ..... Piano lessons are not only about music but also about trust and confidence, chaos and order, spontaneity and discipline and patience, sometimes even about love ... and once again, and always, about music: its beauty, its power, its capacity to convey profound emotions beyond the reach of words. This is true from the beginning, the very earliest lessons."

Mostly, though, I felt motivated ... not only to be a better piano teacher ... but, to find more joy in what I do every day ... and not just as a musician. To experience life to its fullest - every step (note by note) of the way. I find so much joy and pride in learning a piano piece ... and I feel that same way with each of my students ... and my children. Life is full of those moments of beauty - and I am so thankful for those. Tyler has to work many extra hours this week to make up for the time he took off while Krystal was sick and in the hospital last week - and, despite my depression about that, I feel so much joy for the friends and family I have ... for the work that I have to do -- that gives me purpose.

Wow ... I really rambled on. Anyway - here's to a good book that made me ponder life. :) I highly recommend it. And ... be sure to play a piano today, too! ;)

So Glad to Be Home

Although Marissa was finished with the flu virus Tuesday morning, Krystal ended up in the hospital by Tuesday afternoon. Bless her heart. Thank heavens she bounces back quickly - and we were able to bring her home this evening. She is 100% - bouncy, chatty ... the exhausting works! :) I'll take that EVERY day, thank you! Much MUCH better than the scary lethargic, confused and jerky. The doctor informed us that we will pretty much end up in the hospital with our kids until age 7 or so if they get the flu. :(! (Krystal and Aaron both have been diagnosed with Ketotic Hypoglycemia.) So, although we have their diet under control ... so they don't just randomly wake up sick ... we can't ALWAYS prevent the flu bug from hitting.

Anyway ... all healthy now. Thanks for the help and prayers.

Frazzled ...

There's nothing better than cleaning up vomit at 4:00 in the morning. UGH!!!

Craziness

I was on the computer earlier today - and heard Krystal singing. I turn around - and see her like this. She apparantly climbs up on the sink like that to wash her hands after she uses the bathroom. I about died!! But - she showed me that she is very capable of making it work ... AND she can reach - a plus. :) Crazy girl.

So - I actually made the candy apples today. How scrumptious looking are those?! Thanks, Mandi - for the inspiration. It's a fun lil' project - albeit a LOT more work than I would want to do on any given day. Crazy good, though!

Today was crazy hair day at school. I seriously think Marissa should win an award or something. She had the AWESOME idea of using craft wire to sculpt (that's probably what you used on Auri's hair, right Linz?) Anyway ... VERY crazy. But, her friends had fun with it. She came home from school with the "loops" shaped into hearts. :)

And to top the list of craziness ... we are OFFICIALLY in the holiday season people!!

Marriage Counseling

"Mawwiage. Mawwiage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawwiage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam... " You have to love Princess Bride.

I have been doing a lot of Marriage Counseling lately, and I have noticed that the majority of conflict I have seen has stemmed from miscommunication. Everything we do communicates something to our partners. When I come home and throw my pants on the living room floor, even after being asked 1,000 times by Michelle not to, I'm communicating something to her. The message she hears may not be the message I intend to send, and these types of miscomunications have been the cause of many a marriage failure.

I usually ask the guys how they communicate love to their partners. I get a variety of answers from keeping the cars full of gas to "Ess EEE ecks", if you get my drift. Then I'll ask the women how they communicate love. I get answers like doing laundry, raising kids, cooking dinner etc. Then I ask each of them how they think their partner HEARS love. I am usually met with silence.

I would like to ask those that read this blog to answer those questions. I am curious to know what y'all think.

Halloween Grandma's Party

I've gotta hand it to gma great (aka the Halloween Grandma) for stickin' to her guns and convincing us that she HAS to have her big Halloween bash annually. I do believe she has not missed a year my entire life ... that's 34 years, people! And ... it was so SO much fun! Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting.

I can't believe I didn't get any pics ... my camera died after we took family pictures.


But ... here's the run-down of FUN:

1. GOOD food! Pizza, salad, garlic bread ... and the DEEEEElish homemade breadsticks from Ron and Soni. And ... of course ... awesome Mandi desserts. Seriously - I hope someone got a picture. She made mini-caramel apples. I can't WAIT to make them myself. So dang cute ... and heavenly. And her incredible sugar cookies ... they go fast. :)

2. AMAZING costumes ... As you can tell from our family pic. :) My favorite costumes were: #1 - Paul the giant sushi, #2 - Gary as Lieutenant Dangle from Reno 911 (hilarious), #3 - Jake as Iron Man's alter ego (what's his name?) --- and, all the littles looked awesome!

3. Kid Games ... our kids are so lucky ... they all had a blast!

• Haunted trick or treating
• Fortune telling ... just so you know, Pam - this one's DEFINITELY a keeper. Today, Aaron woke up and was in his church clothes pronto - and then, down playing the piano first thing. Apparantly you told him, "I see you going to church and playing the piano." He obviously takes fortune telling VERY seriously. When I asked Krystal what her fortune was, she got all big-eyed and showed me her hand - then said something in a mysterious voice. :) I loved it!
• Ring Toss Goodies ... what kid doesn't love getting tons of prizes?
• Spooky story ... thanks so much Angie - this was Marissa's favorite center - and, I loved peeking in on the kids to see them completely entranced. She had popcorn and juice for them while they enjoyed a story.
• Piniata ... of course. Lil' Matt (the 5th out of 30 kids to hit the thing) decapitated it in one mighty blow. hahaha! So - the parentals kept tying it back together 'til everyone had a turn to take a whack.

4. White Elephants ... we go all out.

SUCH an incredible time!!! I'm so grateful for that tradition and the opportunities we have to get together. When we all work together to make it happen - it's so worth it. SO good to see everyone!!

EXTENDED TAYLOR CHRISTMAS PARTY COMING UP!!!! Saturday, December 20th - the same location as the last 2 years - plenty of room for everyone ... so, I REALLY hope we get you Las Vegas and Price guys out again this year! Yummy food and (of course) Amazing white elephants. AND .... perhaps Santa Clause? Uncle Larry? Love you all!

Coldness ...

We've all been feeling just a little under the weather (bad colds) - so, we took today off to recuperate. And, I have to admit - missing church (just every once in awhile) - is very nice and unstressful. We aren't too evil, are we?

Our garden has pretty much died. Are we suppose to dig it up? I'm just too lazy. Can it wait until Spring? Or will that cause problems? Here is a long lost zuchinni that the kids found under all the dead branches ...

Our peas are still going strong (even though they just barely started producing pea pods last week)! So funny ... everything else died in the coldness.

Beauty and the Beast

BEAUTY:
Marissa was invited to a Masquerade Party tonight. I just think that is the cutest idea ever! Me, her, and Melynda put together her own unique mask for the party - and the Hair Today blog just happened to post the perfect hair do that I tried to put together on Marissa's head. Doesn't she look beautiful!?

BEAST:
I was in a car accident today. Let me tell ya - being in a car accident makes for a pretty yucky day. I was driving straight down Main Street when a little old lady all of a sudden decided to make a left hand turn smack into me. I am really lucky I didn't hit anyone, because I totally swerved into the right hand lane. I learned that I can scream pretty good when necessary, because I remember screaming as she was hitting me. I usually wear a seatbelt pretty diligently, but I hit my head pretty good on something ... so, I'm thinking I might not have had my seatbelt on. Weird. My arm also hit up against the steering wheel, so I was honking the whole time the accident was happening. I think that's really funny. Another funny - the hit cleared out all the junk underneath the seats - it was all pushed forward. The lady that hit me was probably 80 years old. The first thing she said to me was, "I'm so sorry. I am for sure going to have my license taken away now." Bless her heart. Thank heavens she was okay. Her car was totalled ... undrivable. Hopefully our car can just get fixed up for less than what it's worth ... I'm sure it'll be close. I think this is the VERY first time I have not called my dad right away when I've had some kind of car problem. I guess I'm finally all growed up.

Halloween Cupcakes

O Melisa - our kids are so stinkin' funny!!! Thanks for such a great family night activity!

Yum - yum - yum. Eatin' the goods.

Our goofy and sweet boys ...


And ... I just couldn't resist posting this picture of your kiddos, Melisee - it makes me laugh every time I look at it. They are so hilarious! I'm so glad our kids are buds. :)

Chicken Dance

Aaron - you are so talented!! We are so very proud of you. Good work. :)