Dennis the Wrennis

Last Friday,
my high school band director,
Dennis Wrenn,
passed away while on a trip to Greece with his students.

Mr. Wrenn was a fantastic man.
He taught me to have confidence in my abilities.
He helped me to improve my rhythm.
He greatly increased my love for music.

I remember spending hours every day
down in the band room.
Between the full jazz ensemble,
symphonic band,
and the small jazz quartets
I would play in,
the band room and music became a second home.

I am so grateful for all that Dennis Wrenn did for me
and for all of the students he worked with over the past 28 years.
But,
more than anything,
I look forward to sharing with my daughter
a love of music that he helped to foster,
a love of music that brought me and my husband together.

Thank you, Mr. Wrenn.

1. the trumpet
2. school music programs
3. teachers

Still Cookin'

Every time we check in with the midwife,
she likes to remind us that first babies are typically a week late.
Ugh.
I think Dorothy should take some cues from her cousins
Isaiah and Keira--
both first children that decided to come early.

I'm not necessarily trying to get her here too early;
I understand she could still use a little more fat on those cute cheeks.
However,
if she hasn't responded to
2 straight hours of dancing at the Valentine's Dance,
an hour of a hip hop class this past Friday,
or the massive amounts of spicy Mexican food we ate for dinner last night,
I'm guessing she just wants to stay put.

I am grateful that we've still been able to
get out and do all that we want to.
I may waddle,
but I haven't really had to slow down too much.
The second and third trimesters
have definitely been blessings after the
difficult first trimester we had.

We go to see the doctor again this Wednesday,
so I'll let you all know if anything changes.
But for right now
it is looking like we have at least 23 days left to go.
I guess I better come up with
some more projects!

1. the temple
2. impromptu dates
3. sleeping in

three little birds...

On my outfit.

I couldn't help myself.
I love these little birds
(especially the fact that they were only $1.50 at Old Navy!).
Hopefully Dorothy doesn't mind her mother's taste.


I also love those little baby leg warmers;
however,
I don't love the $12 they want for one pair.
I was talking to Kristi the other day,
and she sent me a link to a blog that shows how to make your own!
All you need is some socks,
scissors,
and either a sewing machine or needle and thread.

These are the socks that I picked out.
Now I just have to see how well I can follow directions.

I've got to have something to keep me busy
for these last 4 weeks!

1. sales
2. soft serve ice cream
3. sisters

Today I miss....

THIS.

Hiking.
In the sun.
During the summer.

I usually try to find ways to enjoy each season.
However,
between the wind,
threat of rain,
and gloomy looking sky of this day,
I'm looking forward to the warm days of spring and summer.

I'm even more excited to know that
Dorothy will be out there with us getting fresh air
this summer.
I can't wait to teach her all of our crunchy tendencies:)

AND,
as an addition to the blog,
I want to start something I've seen on other blogs.
Yes,
I am stealing this practice (thank you, Laura Lewis).
But I think it is too good not to.
To help me see all my daily blessings,
I will be posting a list of three things I am grateful for
at the end of each blog.
Here it goes:

1. Seasons
2. Tea and Honey Candles from Yankee Candle
3. Warm Baths

It's NOT for Girls!

While I was visiting teaching the other day,
we got on the topic of our favorite candy bars
(typical).
Selena not only told us about the
Kinder Bueno Bars
that she loves,
but (because she is absolutely wonderful)
she also gave us each one for the ride home.
And trust me,
that Bueno Bar didn't make it all the way home.

I'm not sure what would get my vote for best candy bar,
BUT
I know what candy bar gets my vote for
Best Tag Line:
YORKIE BARS!

That's right.
It's NOT for Girls!

Kristi and I found these when we were over in Europe
and laughed for much longer than we should have.

In fact,
I'm still giggling a little today.
Well done, Yorkie.
Well done.

Property of DOT.

As our house fills up with more and more baby stuff,
we are feeling more and more blessed.
We are so grateful to everyone
who has given us such wonderful gifts
that help us feel prepared to bring Dorothy home!


Here are a few of the cute clothes
we have received;
I think this little girl already has more clothes than her
mom or dad!

This is the rain forest swing we picked out
with one of our gift cards.
I love the leaf mobile and the soft nature sounds it makes.

Grandma Vieira is such a crafty lady!
She made us this great set of Wizard of Oz plush toys
(what else for a little Dorothy?).

Grandma Heaps sent us this fantastic rocking chair
for the nursery,
and the quilt on the back was made by one of Marty's relatives.

I wanted to put her name up on the wall,
so I made these signs using stuff from around the house.
Now I just have to figure our a way to hang them.

And this surprise came in the mail yesterday!
We had told my mom we thought this picture would
be wonderful over Dorothy's crib.
She must have agreed!
We're so excited to pick out a frame and get this up on the wall.

It's still a little hard to believe that we only have
less than 7 weeks until Dorothy is due.
I think we have been blessed from all our walking and yoga
because I still feel pretty darn good--
I am just getting anxious!
I still need to pack our bag for the hospital
and wash all the clothes and blankets we have gotten,
but other than that I think we're about as ready as we can be!

Hi. My Name is Asher Lev. And you should read me.

Oh, Happy Day!
With the help of my wonderful friend, Allison,
a book group was finally created in our ward.

I was in charge of picking our January book and
leading the discussion.
I chose a novel that I had seen taught in some high schools
and had peaked my interest:
My Name is Asher Lev
by Chaim Potok.

This is a great novel to hunker down with.
I will warn you,
this is not a happy-go-lucky book;
however,
it is quite thought provoking
and uses some great symbolism and imagery.
It also gives more of an insight to Hasidic communities
and explores the tension between the worlds of religion and art.

I was a bit giddy to have an opportunity
to do some research and create discussion questions.
Oh, how I miss teaching high school sometimes!

Thanks, ladies,
for a great night of intellectual stimulation!
Next month: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Time to make a cup of tea (or teeccino:),
grab a quilt,
and get reading!