I know that I am biased but I have the most incredible daughter ever. For the last 6 weeks I have been driving Hannah back and forth to rehearsals, recordings and performances for the Brand New Year Celebration for Youth that the Church is using to introduce the theme for YW/YM next year. I have always known that Hannah had a very strong musical talent. Even as a toddler she could sing right on tune and match me note for note. When she began taking violin lessons at age 6 her teacher told us it would take years for her ear to learn how to keep perfect pitch but within the first six months she could tell when the sound was not exactly what it should be. Anyway, when we showed up to the first rehearsal and they handed her a folder full of music that she was supposed to learn, memorize and perform within 6 weeks I was a little skeptical that she could do it. True to form, Hannah had no problems learning the music. Then came the rehearsals 2 hours every Sunday and a few marathon rehearsals that were 5 to 10 hours in length. Still, she was absolutely unfazed. Then finally the two performance nights where 21,000 youth and leaders filled the conference center. I was worried again that she might be nervous or have some sort of stage fright. Again, she totally shocked me as she waved to people in the audience, hugged general authorities(a story I will have to share later) and sang her little heart out. Hannah has always been amazingly mature and wise for her years but watching her literally go from an awkward pre-teen to a poised and confident young woman within just a matter of weeks was truly a proud mama moment for me.
On a side note, the Brand New Year performance was amazing. Of course anything the church produces is going to be amazing but this will truly be an inspirational program for the youth to watch on New Years Eve. I can't wait to see the finished product.
I can't believe that my baby boy is one year old today. We had a small family party and watched Jake as he smothered himself in birthday cake and played with the boxes and paper that his birthday presents came in. He is such a happy baby and so good natured. He is the only one of my children that ended up with curly hair. After he gets out of the tub he ends up with little ringlets at the base of his neck. I just can't bring myself to cut all those curls off. They are so cute! Steve keeps threatening to cut it himself because he says he doesn't want him to have a mullet. He started walking about 3 weeks ago and I was almost sad for him to reach that milestone. I am trying to relish every moment because they come and go so quickly. Happy Birthday Jake!
