How the Dreams of One Small Girl causes her mother to beg and/or plead on her blog

I have been reading the book Outliers (which I love and highly recommend). It talks about successful people and how they really achieved success. It seems Malcolm Gladwell's research asserts that not many people are "self-made men", most have supportive parents, supportive communities and other advantages (such as birthdays at the right time of year, etc. really interesting to read)...so here is where I pull anyone who reads this into this I (as the supportive community part).....

OK it is time once more to begin my begging and pleading on behalf of aubrey. Seems like a constant thing (such as Aubrey please please pick up your coat and backpack...aubrey aubrey please wear your retainer...aubrey, aubrey please don't take my make-up to school before I have used it in the morning...aubrey, aubrey...homework, remember please homework...well you get the picture). The following, I guess, is a different form of pleading in aubrey's behalf. So here is the deal, I guess if the contestants didn't get in the top four placements last month in the singing contest they get to try again for this month (and the month after...but that is all I promise). So here is my unattractive begging mode....if you would like to continue to vote for her once a day...it is still so totally an option. The window is still open. If you don't want to I completely understand! If you haven't ever voted this is how you do it.
Go to:http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1-Click on the link that says "Need An Account? Sign Up Here" at the top right of the page-Create an account in seconds.-Once you've created the account, log-in-Click on "Showcase" in the menu bar-Find Aubrey, click on her profile, and then click on the big green button that says "VOTE FOR THIS SONG." It really is easy and we have gotten absolutely no spam or even any notifications of any kind.

If you have already voted and want to again (I know the unyielding pleading continues) here is that link. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1 But seriously, thanks to everyone who has supported her and helped her. The song really is pretty. I love listening to it...hmmm it could be that I am her mom though. But I really do feel so very grateful for any and all her support her efforts.

Happy Birthday Em

It's Emily's birthday today and we wanted her to know that we love her and think she is very special. 11 special things about Emily are:
*She has gorgeous naturally curly thick hair
*She has a funny infectious laugh
*She loves to craft and sew
*She works hard at everything she does
*She does her school work without having to be told (most of the time) and likes math
*She is very sweet and sensitive
*She does very well at dealing with the "Marcia, marcia Marcia" syndrome (as a middle girl)
*She loves baby's,animls, and small children and is very patient with them (can't wait to babysit)
*She is quiet and shy out in the world but fun and loud at home
*Loves to practice disney songs on her violin (not so much her assigned songs)
*She is beautiful inside and out
HAPPY ELEVENTH 11TH BIRTHDAY EMILY. HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

Check out melissa's (Keyes) blog for very cute pictures of Emily.

Only three more days to vote for this round. Thanks to everyone who does. We will probably let her stay in the next two rounds just to see what happens. But really...thankyou!
http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

A Christmas Carol

We finally got to go and see Aubrey's play. We had free tickets for our whole family thanks to HCTO. I must say that it really helped me feel the spirit of christmas. The whole play centered around reminding the audience of christ and mercy and the true meaning of Christmas. It was quite powerful in reminding me that it is our relationships with others that is really important and not material gain...and that material gain can and should be used as a blessing to others. There is also a great message of hope and ability to change as Scrooge realizes, "Spirit I am not the man I was, I am not the man I must have been...your spirit intercedes for me and pities me. Assures me that I may yet change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life. Brynna was quite concerned regarding whether tiny tim would really die (she has had too many worries lately). So we did constant reassurance there, and thankfully no nightmares around ghosts. Aubrey has a small part but she played it well and has a great time. She lives to be in a play. The scrooge in the play is truly amazing. The carolers sing beautifully. In the end scrooge realized, "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. I will live in the Past, Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons they teach." He then became "giddy as a school boy and light as a feather." The atonement? A change of heart and a change of behavior. It was said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well. All in all it was a great reminder for me and a great night...despite the fact that I am so behind with all the christmas decor and wrapping.
PS Here is the link to vote if anyone feels so inclined:
http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Is BrYnna On tHe NaUgHty LiSt?

Brynna was up all night last night with nightmares. She screamed and cried in her sleep. She woke up numerous times.l She ultimately slept with me the majority of the night. When she got up this morning she informed me (by whispering in my ear) that her nightmare was "I was on Santa's naughty list!". She was seriously upset by it. So we decided today to go and see the man who was causing her all this aignst. I am not sure how he knew to do this...hmmmm....but he informed her to keep up the good work because she was definately on the "nice" list. She also took the opportunity of seeing santa to tell him she wanted a webkins fish. I had already told her she wasn't going to get...so now I have an additional delimna. She is a smart cookie. Overall (minus the fish) I think seeing santa was helpful. She has her "polar express" day at school today so I think it was useful to have her fears cleared up prior to her trip to the North Pole. PS: If you feel so inclined, feel free to continue voting for aubrey. This round ends on December 15th (only 10 more days). Check out some of the other talent as well. There are three other contestants from american fork (Andy Shelton, Debra Fotheringham, and Nathan Osmond). My kids love the elephant song.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Happy DECEMBER

We are back home in Utah, but thought we would share some picures of my brother's beautiful area. The kids loved the beach. Hey I loved the beach. The breeze and the palm trees smelled of my childhood. We want to thank him so much for hosting a great Thanksgiving. (Remember Christmas 2009 in Utah). We werer so grateful to see everyone. So great for cousins to see cousins. I miss my family so much. I do think heaven is probably heaven because it is with people we love.
I thought that by the year 2000 we would have rocket cars or would be able to instantly transport...much easier travel methods. Now I can't believe it is already December. I must say that I am not all-together prepared. I tried to be, I planned to be, but alas I am not. I'm trying for a more simplified and more spirit-filled christmas this year...but I am sure that by writing it down I am doomed to failure. Anyway a happy December 1st to one and all. God Bless us Everyone (as per aubs play).

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1