Valued

I have a vague memory of Kelly from my BYU choir days. She was in Singers, so we must have passed each other every day between Singers and Concert Choir. And we must have passed each other during every concert the two groups did together.

This Christmas season, she and I have been asked to dust off our talents and perform at several events together. (It really makes me sad that we didn't have the excuse to sing together before now. Six months wasted!!!)

We have practiced a few times together already, and performed one song tonight.

Singing with her is the funnest thing I have done in years!

Our voices match so well that when we are singing the same pitch, you can only hear one voice. When we practice, we don't have to learn notes or rhythms; we get to work on phrasing and dynamics and technique and interpretation!

Because she received the same degree from the same school from the same teachers (went through the same refiner's fire, the same heartaches), I feel valued by her in a way that no one else can. And because we became friends long after the fact, there is no competitiveness. Only camaraderie.

She also teaches me about great humility. She asked me to come listen to her practice an aria from the Messiah. She wanted my "expert" opinions and constructive criticism. LIKE SHE NEEDED MY HELP?! She has a beautiful voice and would do just fine without me. But she invited me anyway, and I felt valued.

She is a kind, gentle, spiritual, generous person. I really look up to her.

I guess I am still too prideful since I still need to feel valued and validated. But I feel grateful to now have a tangible example in my friend of confidence with humility.

This makes me happy...

This is what happens when...

...you roll to get around.

...you need new socks.

...your kids have nothing better to do.

Old Year's Resolution

I just ate 3 cookies. And no, they weren't the first cookies of the day...

So I'm making an old year's resolution to only eat one dessert per day this holiday season.

Anybody wanna do it with me?!

I'm also going to try to avoid handing out treats. Maybe I'll hand out homemade bread.

Christmas Letter Time

Yes, we're finally going to do one this year:

1. I am not pregnant and climbing a mountain every day, so I have energy.
2. We are not scraping by on students loans and a very tiny income.
3. We just got some cute family pictures taken.

Please email me at briannehlindsay@gmail.com with your address if you would like to receive our letter (immediate family and grandparents do not need to respond).

Cheers!

I have arrived.

Caleb is in school now. (I know. Weird.)

So we carpool with a couple families in the area.

When it is my turn to drive, I need two extra boosters, which I bought for about $40 total.

In my van, I have two car seats and three boosters.

I only have three children.

I think this means I have arrived.

And not to be outdone...

My mom also sewed these fantastic costumes:

Cinnawewwa
(we also had glubs for her hands, but forgot them for the picture)

Still has both shoes so far

Jack Jack
You may remember from 3 years ago that my mom made this costume (I helped a very little) for Caleb, who was Dash. And since Savanna refused to be Violet, Caleb decided that Joseph should be Jack Jack. Got that?!