MCO's Christmas Concert

Michelle and I had fabulous seats tonight for MCO's Christmas Concert. I miss singing, but am happy not to have the stress of rehearsals every week with the girls' busy schedules. It was amazing to attend, and the spirit of Christmas was everywhere. The music was gorgeous as usual, and we just enjoyed every, single moment.

OCMCO Concert - Amazing Grace

It was amazing to come back and sing with OCMCO again this season. The music was beautiful and so uplifting. The whole family attended, and it was fun to run into my TwilightMoms friend, Sarah (her kids are in the choir now). The hard work pays off, every, single, time.

MCO Reflections

There are times when I'm at choir rehearsal where I stop and look at the rehearsal from an outside perspective. When I do that, I find the whole thing so impressive. The dedication, the talent, and the amazing opportunity. Life is so busy that I hardly have time to be here, but I'm so glad when I'm here and singing the gorgeous music. It's pretty surreal to be a part of an organization that has as much talent as this one does.

Concert Time

Being back with OCMCO was great this fall. I love the Christmas concerts. The memorizing and getting used to being gone every Thursday was hard to get used to. But the music and quality of the choir I sing with is amazing. Friends came for girls' night and brought Heather and Grace. It's so great to see friends and hear their impressions after a performance.

Heather and Melissa Stylin' It Up

Fountain Valley High School is celebrating 50 years this year. Each day this week has been dressing across the decades. Today was 60's day, and Heather was all over this one. We knew it was coming early on, and her love for the movie, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," inspired some Ebay shopping for authentic 60's dress. She chose this dress and boots combo, and she ended up photographed and featured on the main page of the FVHS website. She looked so darling and right out of history. It was fun to get into the theme with her and watch her have so much fun with it.

Speaking of style, Jenna dolled up my hair for MCO rehearsal tonight. I felt very fashionable. Didn't she do a great job? She is amazing!

A New Theater Experience

A few people know I have discovered a love for the backstage logistics that go on during a performance. The discovery surprised me because I like dancing, singing and performing. But even then, it's the rehearsals I like best. Tonight I had a new "backstage" experience as a lighting technician for MCO's Spring Concert performance of Elijah. I wasn't performing this semester, and the directors needed someone to call the lighting cues who could also read music and follow the score. It was a little nerve wracking, but once I got through a couple of bumbles during the dress rehearsal and learned the lingo, I kind of liked it. There is a lot of pressure knowing that key lighting changes were up to me to make happen, but I loved doing something that was so integral to the beauty of the performance. I guess I can add this to my resume now!

Patriotic Concert

Heather and I attended OCMCO's patriotic concert tonight.  It was the best of the two concerts I've seen as an audience member.  I miss singing in the choir, but it was a treat to hear the beautiful music and see what they did with the lighting this time around.  Glenn Beck narrated, and there was some interesting history revealed in-between the great musical selections.  Brandon played the piano which was simply amazing.  There isn't really a good enough adjective to describe what it's like to watch and hear him play.  We were so happy that he was playing at this concert.  It was so fun to be with my girl who enjoys music with me.  She was a supportive friend to her Concert Choir friends tonight, and a great date who appreciated all the aspects of the concert that I did.

Concert Night!

Concert night!  It was my first time NOT in the choir since it began in 2007.  Great experience being in the audience, and I got to go out to dinner and sit with my husband and friends.  Jenna stayed with a friend, and Heather sang in the concert.  What a great night!

More Summer Activities

We had some fun during the last weeks before school started doing some local things that we don't do on a regular basis, so I wanted to document them...

Tuesday, 8/20:  Taco Truck

We took Kelly over to the taco truck that my sister had introduced us to.  The tacos are spicy, and he really liked them.  While we waited for another round of tacos, Heather had fun with my phone.  I just love her.

Wednesday, 8/21:  Group Swim

Jenna and her girlfriends were invited to Kenzie's house for a swim day.  They had a blast as did the moms who sat around talking.

Friday, 8/23:  Skate and Swim

Jenna and Sarah got a skate day together at the local rollerskating rink.  They have too much fun together.  That night, Kelly gathered the men he was going to go hiking with the next week for a planning meeting.  Wives and kids came, and the kids got some great pool and hot tub time.

and...

 On a side note, my vocal teacher and current director of the Arizona Millennial Choir was interviewed on Glenn Beck.  It's great to see the organization getting this much recognition.  Glenn went to the Dallas, Texas concert last year and hasn't stopped talking about it.

Friday, 8/26: Breakfast and Skating

 Although we've done a lot this summer, I hadn't taken the girls out to breakfast at Mimi's.  With high school starting in just a few days, there was no time like the present!  We went from breakfast to a big skate with friends over at the rink.  Heather invited a friend too, and all the kids had a blast together.

Spring Concert Time

Friday evening was OCMCO's spring concert.  The announcements were made regarding the name change to OC Millennial Choirs and Orchestra (still OCMCO) as well as the building of the new concert hall in Mesa, AZ.  I tried to get some pics of my hair and make-up, but they turned out to be silly diva pics.  Oh well, at least my kids will have pictures of me, right?  My friend, Sarah (pictured), was at the concert as well as my friend, Kim and her German-born mom.  We had two German pieces which she really loved.  My dad, husband and girls were also there.  We don't have the whole family at concerts very often due to expense and interest (it's a long time to sit for little ones, especially if the music isn't familiar), but it was Dad's birthday, and I want to keep exposing my kids to this kind of music as well as attending events in such a beautiful concert hall.  I already have a teenager who chooses the classical station on our radio every morning during our commute to school.  She spent three years in OCMCO's youth chorus, and I'm hoping to get Jenna involved for a bit of the same exposure as well.

Choir Rehearsal & Soccer Treat

Another combined choir and orchestra rehearsal on Thursday evening found us packed into our rehearsal space.  It's nice to have the orchestra so that we can really hear what our music will sound like.  We're singing German, Latin, Spanish and even Hungarian this time around.  It is a bit stressful to memorize in other languages, but somehow we pull it off pretty well.  Because our combined choirs and orchestra will be attending the ACDA convention (American Choral Directors Association) in Dallas next month, we're striving for perfection.  The who's who of the choral directing world will be there, so it's a big deal.  I wish I was going with everyone, but I'm going to stay home this time.  I've been feeling impressed to be around that weekend with my family.  I know it will be a really exciting time, and I am happy for the conductors as I know the directors from around the globe will be impressed.

We don't often rehearse at this location anymore, but I love the view as I arrive and leave. 

While I was preparing for my rehearsal, Jenna was at her practice.  The coach's family brought cupcakes and sang to Jenna for her birthday.  That was pretty darn special! 

February 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Friday, February 1st - 

Gisler Skate Party at the local rink.  The girls had a blast!

TwilightMoms baby shower for Casey...Sarah made the vampire cupcakes which were very yummy!

Saturday, February 2nd -

Kelly and Heather at Merit Badge Day, and a marathon OCMCO rehearsal for choir and orchestra

Sunday, February 3rd -

Lots of relaxing...and building of Legos.  I love that my girls build these on their own and love them so much.  Every child should have something they love, right?