Sanity Savers

I have the best husband in the world!  Not only does he give me all his support when I am trying to accomplish the next-to-impossible, he plans little get aways for the sake of sanity during all the madness.  This last year we have taken off on a few "sanity savers." 

One of these trips was to Downtown Portland.

In May Eric kidnapped me for a night in the big city. We went to downtown Portland, caught happy hour at Henry's and checked into the Riverplace Hotel located right on the waterfront. From there it was a beautiful walk to the Cirque du Soleil show, Kooza.  The performers and costumes were absolutely breathtaking, and I love walking through the city at night with all the lights and people.  With all the bridges lit and the city lights reflected on the river, it is quite a sight.

The next morning we woke to sun (yippee!) and took an energetic 3 mile walk along the waterfront and across a few bridges.  Of course we had to stop at Whole Foods Market to get a scone and milk for breakfast.  We then got cleaned up and walked to Portland's Saturday's market for some Portland Culture and Arts.  I have always loved the excitement of Saturday's Market with its street performers, artists and international foods.  Portland is such a pretty city with so much to see and do.  I love living here.

The second weekend in July we took another weekend and went to the coast for a few nights in Lincoln City. When we go to the coast, we are always on the hunt for the best clam chowder - pretty hard to do since we have worked hard at perfecting our own recipe, but the bowl we had at Dory Cove was pretty good:

After dinner it was too late for a walk on the beach so we thought we would join the city at the theater for their opening night of Eclipse, the third movie in the Twilight saga.  We were quite surprised at the turn-out:

Everyone must have gone into Portland for the big opening a week earlier.  We enjoyed an almost empty theater.  I guess all Eric's stress at dinner about getting a ticket was for naught - the ticket booth wasn't even open, we had to purchase our tickets at the candy counter.

The next morning we got up and walked to the Sea Dog Cafe for a HUGE breakfast and great local company, then we walked around the corner and decided to try our hand at glass blowing.  I was able to make a glass float to bring home as a memento of our trip:

With the fog rolling in along the coast when we were done at the glass studio, we decided to go hiking up around a lake rather than on the coastline.  After finally finding a trail head that was not closed due to footbridge repairs, we had a beautiful hike.

Then Eric went surfing to cool off...

If we had been in Hawaii, I would have joined him but it wasn't quite warm enough for me this time.  It takes a tropical beach to get me in the ocean.  How glad I am I married my best friend and that we still know how to have fun together after all these years!

July 4th Celebration

We toned it down a bit this year for the Fourth - no Guitar Hero in the front yard, about half the guests and no firework show set to music.  But...we did have a good BBQ, excellent company and gratitude for a country full of opportunity and freedom.

McKenna, Brooklyn and Elizabeth playing badmitton?

Mason and the Sork Boys just being boys.

Good conversation...

Good Food!

Thanks Zundels and Jacksons for sticking around and helping us celebrate this year, and a special thanks to the Justin Jackson family for letting us crash their firework show,  music included.

Life Between Dance Festival

So September through June was dance festival, dance festival, dance festival for the whole family, but we were able to squeeze in a few other noteworthy things I want to make sure and share.

Tanner's Award Display

Tanner earned his first college credit by passing the AP Biology exam.  In addition to lettering in cross country and receiving the "Most Inspirational" award, Tanner had a successful spring track season where he earned another letter and was recognized as a "Scholar Athlete" for his outstanding grade point average.  That along with a full year of diligent seminary attendance and participation would be stupendous, but Tanner didn't stop there.  Tanner's Men's Chamber Choir placed first in the state high school choir competition.  This is the third year in a row Union High School's Men's Choir has seized this honor. 

Tanner and the Union High School Men's Chamber Choir

Tanner also surpassed all expectation on his state testing this year scoring in the advanced proficiency level in all subjects and getting 100% in writing, which I am told never happens.  I have a hard time believing that since all three of my boys have achieved it.  I guess they can thank the mean mom in me that makes them write summaries of conference talks when they get in trouble or write a proposal when they want a cell phone, or a research paper when they want a pet.  Maybe it is all the time they spend reading since I am so mean I limit their TV, computer and gaming time - who knows.  I am sure a lot has to do with what good kids they are.

Austin's Honor Roll Assembly

Austin, besides achieving outstanding testing scores yet again, also excelled in his classes.  He finished his year with a 3.94 GPA in accelerated classes.  His A- was in US History, bummer! 

This year Austin also found joy in music.  He was part of Pacific Middle School's eighth grade choir and had the opportunity to sing a few solos, play a piano solo in a concert and accompany the choir.  At the Year-end Awards Night Austin's director gave him the "Most Outstanding Musician" award.  He and Tanner paired up to sing in church a few times this year and they are looking forward to having the opportunity to work together in the Union High School choir next fall.  He is still trying to develop his skill on the guitar.

Austin and the Pacific Middle School Combined Choir

Austin's Piano Recital

In addition to these accomplishments, Austin was also awarded the Outstanding Student award for his 8th grade Tech Ed course where he had the opportunity to design and complete several difficult wood-working projects.  Due to his extreme growth spurt (yes, he is taller than me now), Austin has developed Osgood Slaughter's disease.  This disease has something to do with the knee joints where running, kicking, jumping, biking, pretty much anything a teenage boy could want to do causes extreme pain.  We are hoping he will be okay for fall soccer season because he excels on the soccer field as well as in school.  He has a desire to try out for the high school soccer team next spring.

Carson with Mrs. Tendler (5th Grade Teacher), Mrs. Horn (Principal) and Chad (Best Friend)

Carson bought his violin last Summer and has been playing in the school orchestra.  He has had a good time learning a new instrument.  He is also making great strides on the piano.  He and Austin played a piano duet for a special musical number in church about a month ago.  

Carson's Cog Monster

Carson, like his brothers, is doing very well in school.  He has enjoyed being  part of the highly capable and gifted program offered in the Evergreen School District.  This year they studied architecture, photography and developed cog monsters to assist in their study of cognitive development.  They also mastered the Rubik's cube and yes, Carson can solve it very quickly.  He is the resident authority on birds and sea life, and always has some little fun fact to enlighten your day.  At the end of the year Carson was awarded the "Top Reader" award by his fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Tendler.  He read 26,160 pages during his fifth grade year and now holds the record at Harmony Elementary for the most pages read in a school year.  That is about 75 books and he has written a book review on all of them!  No wonder it is hard to find a book my boys have not read.

Carson - Master of the Rubik's Cube

McKenna is just as active and excellent as her big brothers.  She has no problem keeping up on the soccer field or in school.  McKenna was part of the highly capable program in the school district as well.  During her year they studied Greek mythology and presented a play for their concluding project, "Queen Midas and the Golden Touch."  McKenna was Athena. 

McKenna the Actress

Besides being an actress, McKenna is an athlete.  This year she started out playing basketball with some girls on her fall soccer team and then rolled right into spring soccer with them.  McKenna is becoming quite the defender!  It must be from living with three brothers. 

McKenna the Defender

McKenna the Athlete

McKenna still likes to sing and is developing her skill at the piano.  This year for the school talent show she and her friend Molly Meyers played a piano duet, "Side By Side."  They had a good time practicing together and performed the piece expertly.

McKenna the Pianist and her best friend Molly

Amidst all this hard work we did have some time to play.  It was fun to have family around for the LaVar & Ruth Bowen family reunion. 

The Sork Family with Grandma and Grandpa Bowen and Great Aunt Helen

We will never forget Aunt Diane and Great Aunt Helen trying to eat the Oreo cookies off their forehead without touching it or Danny shaking his caboose with his girl cousins.  Uncle Marv will forever be known as "Book of Mormon" thanks to Reese. 

Leslie, Angie, Tasha, Shalyce and Teresa

Keri, Mira and Reese

When we get together we know we can always count on Angie for a good cry, Sherrie for a good laugh, Tasha and Missy for good food, and Teresa for fun activities during the time no one was supposed to plan.  Kelsey and Tricia did a great job with the Minute-to-win-it Games and Andrea led us all in some rousing line dances. 

The Cousins at Bowen Bowling

Lunch just for YOU!

Thanks to Leslie and Marc for being the family photographers so we can all remember this great event.  Jen, thanks for finally bringing Tamara along so we could all get to know her.  To conclude the event Natalie and Jason put together the slide show tribute to Grandma and Grandpa - the reason we are all here.  I am so grateful to be a part of this family!  We really have something special. 

Before Jason, Natalie and my sweet nieces and nephew left to head back home we got in a rafting trip down the Washougal River.   Our annual Memorial day rafting trip ended up coming a week later and we were glad we waited for the better weather - it paid off.  Plus I had an extra helper to row us down the river - thanks, Danny! But I did get a little more wet than normal - thanks, Jason!

Jason, Grace, Danny and Austin coming for an attack.

A rest on rocky beach.

My rowing helper, Danny.

Tanner, Austin, Carson and McKenna with Grace

Don't worry, I have Danny! -Austin

The Rafting Group of 2010

It is amazing how much we pack into life - a lot of crazy fun!  I am loving it.

Life Resumes

DANCE FESTIVAL 2010:  A Firm Foundation

Dance Festival is now a thing of the past and I can resume life (if I can remember what I used to do).  My kids are excited to have a mom again (the last nine months have been tough) and finally start summer (which they were forbidden to do until I had this big event behind me).  My husband is happy to turn back over the household chores, and my stake is glad they don't have to feed us anymore.  I guess I should get you all caught up, if you don't know what I am talking about. 

Last year on my birthday I got a phone call from Jeff Jackson asking if I would be the stake director and our stake's regional representative for the regional dance festival to take place the end of June 2010.  I was very excited to accept this position.  I knew the regional directors well and knew it would be a great event.  I was also very excited to be working with youth again, and dusting off my dancing shoes.  I knew it would be quite an undertaking, but found out quickly that was severely understated.  At the end of this event this dance festival spanned seven stakes and had about 2000 youth participating.  What a journey I have been on.  One I will always remember and cherish - what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!

Richie and Erin Gillespie (Regional Directors) helping me teach the Priests and Laurels the Waltz.

The first 6 or 7 months were quite lonely.  The stake was going through major leadership changes which left me alone to plan, organize and implement a way to teach and costume over 400 youth for 7 dances and 2 choral arrangements.  Serving on the regional committee I was also responsible for keeping a history of the event, and overseeing the human and public relations interactions, including press and media releases.  In addition, I sat in counsel with the regional directors and the other six stake representatives to plan and present the dance festival program to the community while providing the youth with a youth conference experience.

Austin's appearance (with other youth leaders) on AM Northwest to promote the dance festival.

Here are just a few of the hurdles I had to overcome:

• How do you find enough practice space for 400 youth?
• How do you partner teenage boys and girls without having feelings hurt? 
• What do you do when you have more boys that girls?
• How do you get busy youth to attend dance practices on top of their already busy schedules?
• How do you get leaders to engage when they aren't responsible for the outcome?
• Where do you find 2000 pens for youth to journal their experience, and how do you pass them out?
• How do you move 2500 people through a venue on a time schedule?
• Can you imagine the lines at the girl's bathrooms - how many "honey buckets" do we need to get?
• How do you cycle four groups of about 500 through practice times on the field and keep them busy when they aren't practicing?
• The army told us they couldn't feed that many (we asked their emergency response teams to use us as a training exercise), could the Relief Society do it?
• After youth all over the region have been practicing for 6 months alone how do you bring them all together on the field in one day and put a show together to perform that night as a unified group?

Do Re Mi - Austin's favorite dance (next to MORE and the Rhumba)!

You would not believe the end result, unless you saw it.  The show was spectacular.  It brought people to tears and to their feet.  The youth didn't want the weekend to end.  The spirit surrounding the stadium was palpable.

Patriotic Opening:  A Tribute to the Armed Services

I Love To See The Temple

Even more spectacular than the show, was what we were able to accomplish working with these youth over the past six months.  They put down their cell phones and learned to interact face to face.  Young men and young women learned respect for one another.  They learned about commitment and hard work.  They saw miracles happen.  They learned tolerance for others.  Many of them learned they enjoy dancing.  Many learned something new about themselves.  Everyone made new friends and saw that they weren't alone in following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Here is Tanners synopsis of his dance festival experience: "It was amazing. The practices became very tedious and time consuming. It was hard to learn all the dances through. But in the end it was great. It gave me the opportunity to see just how many youth are living the same standards I am. I was also able to meet some new people and get outside my comfort zone. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would have a better attitude at the beginning because I would know how great the end product would be and that it would be worth all the work."

Tanner was able to participate in the Do Re Mi and MORE number mentioned above, the disco and the waltz.  He said if he had the opportunity to do it again, he would definitely participate in the specialty numbers too.  I think he saw what a good time his little brother had doing those.  Tanner is quite the dancer!  His partners were lucky young women. 

Tanner and Alysa Dustin learning the disco.

Austin and Morgan Jackson performing the Rhumba

Austin had this to say:  The practices started being demoralizing because it didn't seem like things were coming together, but when we all got together that weekend and saw it all work in the formations it was amazing.  It was so neat to see all those youth uphold the same standards I do.  When I went on the field to perform it felt good to see it all come together as it was supposed to.  When we concluded the show with the hymn "How Firm a Foundation,"  I could see the audience felt the spirit of the program we had presented.  I was able to feel that spirit all weekend long with the youth conference events and every time we performed.

I think Austin enjoyed letting his inner performer out.  He would get really embarrassed when I told him what great "dancer arms" he had, and it was SO fun to see him really get moving on the MORE dance.  I think he found a hidden talent, or at least something he really enjoys.  I am pleased he chose to dance the Rhumba with Morgan Jackson, which even meant more practices, and on Saturday mornings none the less.  You know the kids love it when they get together on their own and hold even more practices!  Which Austin and Morgan did with other couples from the dance regularly. Austin also performed in the Jive/Swing number pictured above.  All in all I think it is safe to say he really enjoyed himself.

 

 

Helaman's Army:  Then and Now

We are 2000 Strong: Youth Conference

   

This was a successful event.  I am grateful I was part of it.  It is amazing what has been accomplished.  I definitely did not do it alone.  To relieve stress but still feel I was making progress on the festival, there were nights my family moved all the furniture out of the front room and danced together.  There were other nights McKenna and I were sewing costumes.  Most nights Eric was left to get dinner on the table so I could be at my meetings or dance practices.  McKenna enjoyed helping me teach the MORE dance and accompanying me to the many of the dance practices I got to attend.  One of my favorite memories of this experience will be of me dancing with my teenage sons as they learned their age specific dances.  Eric was my liaison with the Evergreen School district and the scout troops that met at one of their schools to learn their dance.  Carson made sure I had my supply of hugs.  My father-in-law helped round up hundreds of pens.  My mother-in-law, sister-in-law and her husband helped with the registration carnival that kicked off the event and the pep assembly between dance practices the following day.  My parents took care of my two youngest for three days while I worked the event.  It was a family affair!  Besides my family I had a lot of support from sweet friends, old and new.  Hours of service to help me with posters, sorting t-shirts, even grocery shopping and fixing meals for my family.  I wish you all could have seen the show, but even then you would have only scratched the surface of the entire experience.

2000 youth singing How Firm a Foundation