Our American Idol

Our Branch talent show was held on Friday night. Unfortunately, Josh and I were unable to attend because Josh's first DENTAC Ball was that night, but fortunately for us, our awesome babysitter is 18 and a safe driver. He came and took the kids in our van since the kids didn't want to miss it, and what followed is Branch History.

Sloan loves to dance. I think that music is in his blood and when he hears a good beat, he can't help the gyrations that take over his body. He especially loves the work of the late Michael Jackson. A year ago, I downloaded "Billy Jean" and discovered his love for the King of Pop or "Percy Jackson" as Sloan called him, and he would frequently request "This Pair of Jeans That I Love" (the title that should have been...). The day I played the music video to "The Way You Make Me Feel", Sloan was in love.

After the ball concluded (because using a cell phone during the presentation is a no-no and could result in drinking from the "Grog Bowl", we left the phones in our car and were ambushed by messages upon our return. Apparently, Sloan had done a song and dance routine after Ethan performed a tutorial on "How to Make a Paper Boat" live on stage, that included a certain amount of "Dirty Dancing". Now having reviewed the footage generously provided us by our friends, the Heers, I cannot wait to share it with you.

Bottom line: My baby is cute. Here's proof:

Feelin' the burn!

I can't believe that I forgot to post this! Ethan had a hard time falling asleep in the light this summer (since it wouldn't get dark until around 10:00 pm, staying awake was NOT an option...) and Mommy had to get creative to get him to bed on time. I settled on doing what my mother did to me in such circumstances when I was little and a new workout craze was born!

And now here to demonstrate are Ethan and Mason, getting their bedtime wiggles out!

On Cleaning the Bathroom.

It's only funny because it's true.

Bawl, Baby.

I guess, as of late, I'm into video posts. So, here is another one. I really like this video that Josh made for me, and I used it for a lesson that I gave at church. The topic was "The Importance of Life and the Sacred Power of Procreation". It was quite a heavy topic for 14 year old girls, though, and so I wanted to do it right. I decided to set the tone with this video to help me teach (and show by personal example) the precious nature of human life and the astounding ability and responsibility for us to be co-creators with God in bringing children into the world.

I wanted to say all of this, and planned on doing so. I had watched the video all week as it took shape but as I was sitting there, watching it in it's entirety with "my girls", I couldn't help myself. I started to bawl like a baby and since I cannot talk at all when I cry, I was basically paralyzed by the emotions that I felt and my lesson suffered for it. I'm sure the girls (and the other leaders in the room...) were thinking something like, "Uh, okay. Why did she show us this video?". I blame Brother Ross who showed us this one in Sunday School the hour before. Though I barely made it through that video without crying (using Wheat Thins from my diaper bag as a distraction...) the pump was already primed, and I knew it was over.

Long story, short: Enjoy the video. I'm going to get myself a tissue.

Shall We Dance?

"There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them."

~Vicki Baum

"Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order."

~Samuel Beckett

"There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good."

~Edwin Denby

You gotta admit, the boy has got some wicked moves. Any time he hears a beat, he is dancing.

I love this boy.