Another ortho visit

And yet another visit to the orthodontist. Landon has had his braces off since the fall but we keep having to come back for retainer checks.   He has this stubborn tooth that's fighting to turn  back. Not happening, we've paid too much to have one tooth mess with Landon's beautiful smile!  We will battle that tooth until we win!

In the House

With Charlie's leash attached, I took him out the back door to "do his business".  I took a nice little walk down the driveway to the mailbox and while I was down there I noticed some overgrown branches that needed some cutting down so that I could see cars coming when I was trying to get out of the driveway.  I decided to take care of the problem right then and there so I walked up to the garage with Charlie, got my big Daddy clippers and got to work.  I cut down so many branches and undergrowth.  I really got after it and just kept going and going all the way up my driveway and around to the back of the house and down the side of the house by the basement door.  Charlie stayed with me on his leash and kept me company.  When I walked to the back yard I noticed that I had left the back door open, it happens a lot when Charlie is taken out.  I didn't think anything of it and just right on working.  When I was done chopping down tree branches, I walked toward the garage to put the clippers away and Charlie went ballistic!  He was barking and growling at the back door and yanking on his leash.  I thought that he probably just wanted to go inside and didn't really think anything of it.  He kept barking ferociously, as ferocious as a little 14 pound Morkie can get and really was tugging to get in the house.  I walked up the back steps with him and then I noticed a flash of movement in the house.  Immediately I thought that maybe a squirrel or bird had gotten in house.  Then WE both saw it...A CAT!!!  The stray, patchy black cat that hunts around our yard was in my kitchen.  He bolted through the downstairs, around the living room and back into the kitchen from the dining room.  He looked as panicked as I felt. Charlie was still going bonkers and the cat was now standing frozen in the kitchen by the refrigerator.  I yanked on Charlie and pulled him back toward the family room.  The cat saw it's chance, bolted toward the back door and headed out to freedom.  It was an intense moment for all of us!  Charlie was so upset for a long time, wandering and sniffing all over the kitchen.  How dare that cat come into his territory and threaten his families' safety!

 

Waffles

 Keith and Sheila in front of the famous Waffle House sign.

There are thousands of Waffle Houses in the south.  It's pretty much the hangout in every town.  The high schoolers chill at the Waffle House because it's open 24 hours and it's cheap!  After the wedding Keith, Janelle, and I had a quick moment to breathe so we took a sibling breakfast morning out before they had to head to the airport!  I have to admit that I have only eaten at the Waffle House once since living in Georgia for 16 and a half years.  I can't even remember what I ate.  Keith wanted breakfast and I knew this was quick (and cheap) so we tried it. 

Check out those awesome waffles!

 Janelle and I split the super grand slam breakfast that came with waffles, ham, hash browns and eggs...plenty of food for the two of us.

It was a great time and I think we enjoyed the quiet brother/sister time we had without kids, parents, dogs and the wedding to weigh us down! 

She said, "Yes!"

I have wanted to write down my version of Ashton and Brandon’s engagement since it happened back in January so that it would be recorded forever.  These are important things to document, you know, so here it goes….

Ashton came home for Christmas from BYU with big plans.  She had quickly fallen in love with a boy named Brandon Eccles that she had been dating at school.  She was planning on driving down to Florida after Christmas where Brandon’s Mother lived to spend a few days with his Mom and family, whom she had never met.  Stephen and I knew that she really “liked” this guy and felt that we should support this.  Because we didn’t have a reliable spare car she could drive to Florida, a car was rented for her to take the six hour drive in and she headed off by herself a couple days after Christmas on her adventure.

Stephen and I officially met Brandon when they arrived back together from Florida.  He was going to stay for a week with us so we could get to know each other.  It was a quick, “hi, how are you type of greeting” and then we headed off to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Monterrey for dinner.  Evidently that was a good choice because I found out later that Mexican is Brandon’s favorite type of food!  We spent the evening getting to know this new guy that Ashton was crazy about.

The next day Brandon found a moment to talk with Stephen and I while Ashton was upstairs getting ready for the day.  He was obviously very nervous and his voice was a little shaky as he began to speak.  He sat on the edge of our big green couch and expressed to us how much he loved our daughter and how great he thought she was.   He knew that their relationship had progressed quickly, but he was very sure that he wanted to marry our daughter.  He asked for our blessing and we, of course gave it to him.  After that stressful moment for Brandon, I told him he could relax and to take a breath!  With a few light-hearted chuckles he asked if we wanted to see the ring….well, of course!  It was beautiful and I knew that Ashton would just love it.  We talked about marriage, education, and future career options that Brandon was looking at and then the discussion moved onto the actual engagement.  Brandon wanted some ideas on the proposal and where would be a romantic, perfect place in Suwanee to do it.  Ashton had no idea that the proposal would be happening during the week, so we were all very secretive.  After much discussion Brandon decided that he would like to propose at Sims Park, a park that Ashton loves to take walks in.  I said I would take care of getting a photographer to capture the fairy-tale moment happening live!

Throughout the week Brandon and I had to secretly follow up on plans to make the engagement happen for him.  I secured the photographer for Friday, January 4, 2013 at around 4:00 P.M.; the rest was up to Brandon.  On Friday morning I received the following texts from Brandon:
 

Brandon:  Hey, Can I text this photographer lady to set up a plan with her?

Me: 678- 689-8168.  Her name is Brittney.  Do you need me to do anything?

Brandon:  Well, I want to get some roses and put petals at the spot, but I don’t really know where I’m gonna do it.  I was gonna ask the photographer to get there around 4 and then just find a spot where there aren’t a lot of people and where good photos can be taken and then when I see it as we’re walking, I would just know.  Do you want to help set something up and then you can be there with her?

Me:  Sounds good.  She kind of had a spot in mind that she thought had good lighting and a little more private.  I will set it up.  How many roses…are you going to have the ring?  Or do you want it attached to the roses?  I saw a picture with a ring hanging from a pretty gold ribbon from a tree in the woods…could do it in a secluded spot.  Are you going to walk the dog?  Worried if he will get in the way?

Brandon:  haha, okay, maybe a dozen roses.  That way some can be set up and some we can just use petals.  I like the idea of the ring there hanging from ribbon.  That way I don’t have a bulky box in my pocket.  So I’ll give that to you to take also.  Charlie is fine I think.  He’ll be in the way but maybe we can just tie him to a bench for a second or something.  I don’t know.  Either way.

Me:  Ok.  Sounds good.  I’m on it!

Brandon:  You’re the best Sheila.  Thanks so much and please let me know how much you spend.  I want to pay you back.

Me:  K. Make sure Ashton dresses cute…

After the secret texts went back and forth, we now had a plan set into action.  I met the photographer at Sims Park to scope out the perfect proposal spot that would be private and have the perfect lighting.  We took pictures of a mock proposal with me in it posing as Ashton so Brandon would know exactly where to place Ashton for the proposal.  This had to be done perfectly to get the perfect pictures.  The photographer found a large tree that would work for her to hide behind during the photo shoot.

I went to Hobby Lobby to get some ribbon for the flowers and some red silk rose petals to toss on the ground at the proposal site.  A trip to Kroger was made to buy a dozen or so red roses to put in the vase that would be used to “mark the spot.”    I was grateful that Brandon invited me to be a part of this memorable occasion and I had a grand time being sneaky and knowing that my daughter was going to get the surprise of her life!  I had a secret!


With all the tools of the engagement ready and in my car, I set off to the park to meet the photographer and get the proposal site all set up.  As I drove down the road I realized that I had forgotten the ring back at the house and had to turn around to get it.  Ugh!  I ran into traffic on the way to the park and was slowed down a bit.  I was getting nervous that I wouldn’t get everything set up in time because Brandon had said that he and Ashton would be leaving the house to go for a walk at around 4:30.  When I got to the park I met the photographer at the designated spot and frantically started getting things put together.  The vase of flowers was set up beautifully on a pile of flat stones in front of a small pond.   The ring was tied on a golden string and was strategically hanging ever so carefully from a low tree branch so that Brandon would be able to see it at just the right time. 

 

 

Brittney, the photographer, did some practice shots while hiding behind a tree to make sure that she could see the couple and not miss out on the “moment.”  She was dressed all in black from head to toe like a person ready to commit a crime so that she wouldn’t be seen by Ashton.  We were ready and waited with anxious anticipation for the couple to arrive.  At 4:18 I received a text from Brandon.

Brandon:  Ok.  Ashton wants to leave at 4:30 so we should be there shortly after that.  Is there only one place to park?

Me:  Yes…park in front of the park.  I parked way past it.

Brandon:  And which way will I walk when I get on the path?

Me:  Start to the left.  Follow the path.  Hurry so we don’t run out of light.  No pressure

Brandon:  We’re leaving now (4:25)

Me:  ?  (4:40, I hadn’t seen them arrive yet)

Brandon:  We’re here.  Going left now.

Me:  I see you.  Put her on the x made with 2 sticks.

Brittney and I had an awesome view of Brandon and Ashton walking along the path across from where we were.  We watched with anticipation as they got closer and closer.  I was hoping that people wouldn’t get in the way and be on the path when they arrived at the spot.  At one point during the setup process there were a couple of cute, little girls who saw the vase of flowers and were walking all around the spot.  I had to let them know nicely that a proposal was in the works and we needed a little privacy! 

We took our places behind our designated trees and waited.  As Ashton and Brandon eventually rounded the corner I thought for sure it was time, but Ashton turned the opposite way to read a new plaque that had been set up.  Brandon gently steered her toward the stone steps that would lead her up to the secluded wooded area where “it” was about to go down!  Ashton noticed the vase of roses and with a twinkle in her eye commented that Brandon was sneaky.  And then it happened…Brandon grabbed the ring off the golden string and knelt down on one knee.  Ashton’s face sparkled as she listened to his words. 

 

The camera was clicking away, capturing this once in a life time moment.  We couldn’t hear anything but, we knew her answer was yes when she leaped into Brandon’s arms and gave him a huge, lingering hug.  No doubt about it!  I felt like a stalker as I rolled my video camera and Brittney kept her camera clicking away.  Ashton soon became aware of us and we were coaxed out of our hiding spots. 

 

 A few more shots were taken before Brittney and I quietly left the lovebirds to themselves.  It was a beautiful moment, a perfect way to start their journey to eternity. 

 

Piano Teaching Tips

I've been teaching piano now for maybe five or six years, it's hard to remember when I actually started.  I suppose I could ask my first student who I still teach exactly how longs it's been.  There have been a lot of students sitting on my piano bench as we have poured through their lesson books and learned new songs week after week.  What a fun ride it has been watching each student grow and develop as a musician.  It's really quite an amazing thing to have a new student come to you knowing nothing about music and then by the end of the year they are reading notes and playing songs.  Some children thrive and others just kind of struggle.  You can tell which ones love it and which ones don't.  There are a few things that I have learned over the years while teaching piano that I'd love to share with my students and their parents:

1.  Students really progress if they practice consistently during the week.  It's amazing how quickly a student learns to play if they practice.  There is absolutely no improvement if there is no practicing.
2.  I know when my students don't practice, I really do.  They're not fooling me when they can't play the song we worked on the week before and it sounds exactly as it did when we were learning it during our lesson time.

3.  It's always a great idea to wash your dirty hands before you come to lessons.  You just got home from school and we don't need to put your school germs all over the beautiful, white piano keys.
4.  Maybe you should wash your feet too....when you take your sandals off and leave them by my door, your feet STINK!  I love you, my piano students, just not your smelly feet.
5.  Bring your piano books to lessons, especially the right ones.  You know, the ones that have the songs in them that you have been working on.  It's a good idea to bring your practice sheets too that we fill out every week.

6.  Be on time.  You have a thirty minute time slot....I don't give you extra lesson time if you're late, you just have a shorter lesson.  Sorry.

7.  Please don't quit piano lessons to take cheerleading.  You CAN do both!
8.  I love overachievers!  Students that memorize songs or learn new songs without being assigned are awesome.  I am especially impressed by cool and unusual tricks!

9. Piano students never cease to amaze me at recitals.  They are brave and amazing.  They announce their songs with such confidence and then proceed to play and wow the audience.  I am always so proud of their performances.

9. Serving brownies at the recital celebration is a really bad idea. The kids (and parents) drop crumbs everywhere, they get ground into the carpet, and then Charlie spends the entire evening sniffing and licking the floor in hopes of snatching up some brownie tidbits.

Pine Straw

Years ago when we moved to Georgia from Utah I noticed a strange phenomenon....pinestraw in people's yards.  They put pinestraw on hills and in flower beds.  You didn't see dirt or much, just pinestraw.  I really didn't like it and was determined to never have it in my yard.  I have since succumbed to the need for pinestraw, but in limited areas.  It has it's place in the whole Georgia landscaping scene.  We use it in our yard on our back hill to cover up the dirt and make it look more natural.  It helps with erosion when the torrential rains come.  But, it will never find a home in my flower beds like other Georgians.  Nope.

 The boys get the wonderful job every Spring of placing the pinestraw.  It comes in large bails.  You cut the orange string off the bail and begin shaking it on the ground.  Care must be taken so that it doesn't fall in clumps or look too "bumpy".  A layer of at least six inches is best to allow for settling and the most aesthetic look. 

 Landon does an awesome job here of demonstrating the "pinestraw shake".

Sprinkle that pinestraw, Easton!  Looking Good!

Mellow Mushroom

A welcome retreat to our local Mellow Mushroom was an awesome meeting place for our dinner one night during wedding week, thanks to my Dad.  The boys were out running errands in one car and the girls were running errands in another car.  Phone calls were made and we connected at the Suwanee Mellow Mushroom for some pizza!  It just so happened to be Trivia night so we put our heads together and with Brandon as our leader, we took third place.  We won a five dollar gift certificate to Mellow Mushroom, yea!!! 

Brandon and Ashton 

Dad stuck his head through the patio area, what a goober! 

Grandma and Grandpa and Landon 

Easton and his Mom...Smile!

Man's Best Friend

When we picked up Ashton and Brandon at the airport for their wedding, Charlie (our dog) joined us for the trip in the car.  He loves to go for rides and we knew that Ashton would be just so excited to see him.  We arrived a little early at the airport.  It was an amazing night so we sat at the curb waiting with the window rolled down and enjoyed the cool, evening air. Charlie loved sticking his head out the window and sniffing the city air!  He looked at all the people who walked by with great interest and was unusually calm.  I thought he would bark at everybody, but he didn't really care about all the new people on the sidewalk.  All of a sudden and without warning Charlie started barking like crazy!!!  He had seen Ashton and Brandon walking across the street as they had come out of the airport doorway.  I cannot believe he saw Ashton from across the street and recognized her since he hadn't seen her since she went back to BYU at Christmas time.  He loves that girl....and she loves him.  True puppy love!

Manis and Pedis

What a great time all the girls had getting our nails and toes done for the wedding.  It was a very stressful few days leading up to the wedding and I wasn't sure we would even be able to fit a trip to the Nail spa into our schedule, but it had to be done.  No nasty toenails and fingernails for us!  We had to be beautiful from our heads right down to our perfectly manicured feet.  Ashton's roommate from BYU had just arrived on an early flight from Kansas City that day so she was able to join us!

 Janelle is having a great time just relaxing without her adorable girls.

 Grandma enjoyed her special treatment but I was worried she would fall into the bubbly spa when she dozed off!  She may have even snored!

 The beautiful, blushing bride getting ready for the big day!

 Whitney getting the special treatment!

 These two girls go back to their freshman year at BYU.  They survived rooming together and are lifelong friends.  So glad Whitney made the trip!

And finally me.....I got two hours of relaxation and pampering.  It was a welcome time spent with the girls.

Wedding Week

The week before Ashton and Brandon's wedding was horrendous!  It was so crazy, busy I just don't know how we got everything done.  I am grateful for so many helpers that pulled together to help me.  If it were not for my wedding workers I just think I would have had a break down!  Grandpa was great running around in the car completing anything that was asked of him.  I can't even tell you how many times he drove back and forth from the airport!   He was awesome!  He bought lots of groceries too!  Brandon was another errand boy and he so kindly and graciously lifted and moved anything I asked him to.  He ran errands in the lovely 1996 Honda Accord and did it with a smile!  Landon and Easton would have had shaggy hair for sure for the wedding if it had not been for Brandon's assistance in taking them for haircuts!

 Check out the list on the table...the never ending list!

 Kaitlyn and Kamryn were great helpers in the kitchen.  They helped me make the pecans and almonds for the reception.

 Putting the tags on the sparklers...

Ashton's freshman year roommate, Whitney was also a great help.  She just quietly did her thing and was awesome.  Love that girl!  And...I can't forget my wonderful sister, Janelle who was the master organizer!  She went through list after list and made new lists that we just kept checking things off.  She was the slave driver who made things happen and kept me sane.  I remember one evening around midnight during the wacko wedding week that I thought I was seriously going to have a melt down.  The lists were still too long and it was getting closer and closer to the wedding.  I felt overwhelmed and didn't think I could get it all done.  The tears were ready to flow like a waterfall and you would have had to just carry me up to bed in a little basket.  Janelle sensed my despair,  swooped in and took control.  She saved me.   I am so grateful she made the effort to come with her girls and spend this wild week with me.  I love my sister!