A Couple Firsts

Thomas experienced a couple "firsts" this month!  He went on his first date and he went skiing for the first time.  He took his friend, Emily, to see the musical "Mary Poppins."  They both love music and Disney so this was a perfect date.  He tried to act cool and all, but he was beaming all day.  It was fun to see them excited.  On President's Day his band director, Mr. Monroe, took him skiing.  Mr. Monroe is on Ski Patrol and has been telling Thomas all year he wanted to teach him to ski.  We had such a mild winter this year and that there weren't many opportunities.  They seized this day and had a blast. Thomas can't wait to go again next season. He loves Mr. Monroe and we are so grateful for the mentor he is to Thomas.

High School Solo and Ensemble

January means Solo and Ensemble for the High  Schools in the area.  Thomas participated in numerous events.  He performed:

*Violin Solo

*Cello/Violin Duet with MacLane Stebbins

*Snare Solo

*Timpani Solo

*4 Mallet Marimba Solo

*Sophomore Percussion Ensemble

He achieved Superior ratings on all pieces, with the exception of the violin solo, of which he received  a rating of Excellent.  He was so pleased with the results, especially considering he did not receive the music for the violin solo or duet until 2 days before adjudication.


We are not allowed to video tape or record any of the performances, however, we were able to record him practicing during his lunch break for this piece.

16 Years Old!

This sweet boy that first made me a mom has been blessing my life for 16 years now!  He continues to teach me and lead me by his example of selfless love, obedience, and service.

I'm not sure who has been more excited for him to get his driver's license....him or Joel and I!  He wanted to get his license on his birthday and he did! After he finished his driving portion Joel asked him if he was nervous.  He replied, "I wasn't nervous at all until the instructor sat in the passenger seat.  Then I was nervous!"

 I thought I would be nervous the first time he went out driving, but I surprisingly wasn't. He and Spring wanted to run some errands and finish their Christmas shopping that afternoon.  I even was able to have him pick me up some milk!  He is a wonderful driver and his ability to drive will bless all of our family!

We celebrated his 16th birthday with homemade potato soup and rolls with brownie-Ice Cream Sundaes for dessert.  That evening he had a great time at the Band Lock-In swimming, playing racquetball, rock climbing, and just hanging out with friends.  I think they even made him do crazy things each hour because it was his birthday.

I love this young man so much.  He is truly an example of the Believers in all that he does and says.  He brings a light to those around him with his calm and accepting nature.  Music continues to be his passion and the thing that keeps him going.  His favorite subject in school, other than band and orchestra, is Chemistry.  He has began teaching percussion lessons at a local studio and he is being paid to accompany various musicians in their competitions.  He has also been hired as the accompanist for the High School Musical this year.  In his words, "It's so cool that I can make money doing what I love!"

Concert Season

December is synonymous with concerts in our household!  Although it makes for some crazy and hectic afternoons and evenings as we juggle getting homework finished, mouths fed, baths, scriptures, and heading out to concerts; it is one of my favorite times.  I love sitting back and watching our children perform with these amazing musical groups.  Their hard work, the hard work of all the students, and the efforts of the directors all culminate into evenings of musical enjoyment.  I know I say this so often, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity we have to live in Stow, Ohio.  The music department is top notch.  Our kids have made some of their very best friends in these groups and they have some wonderful mentors as directors.

Mary performed in her choir's Christmas musical.  Even though we were seated high in the auditorium you could see her smiling face beaming throughout the entire performance.

Sam performed in his first ever band concert this month!  He has come so far with the saxophone, as has the entire 5th grade band in just under 3 months.  There are close to 200 5th graders in the band this year!  Surprisingly, Sam said he was a little nervous before the concert but once it got going he said it was no big deal!

Spring performed in both the orchestra and band concerts as an 8th grader.  She is 1st chair in both groups, playing cello and trumpet.

Thomas performed in the band and orchestra concert as a Sophomore.  He also participated in the Choir concert as the accompanist.  He also sings in the Men's Choir and Concert Choir on acapella pieces.  He was also part of a small percussion ensemble that performed for the 5th/6th grade band during their concert.  Thomas and his good friend, Thomas also arranged a series of Marimba pieces to perform for some elderly people at the apartment complex of one of the women Thomas home teaches.  

Thomas also had the opportunity to participate in the OBTC (Ohio Band Teachers Conference) at the University of Akron.  He had to audition for this opportunity and was chosen.  He spent 2 days working with guest directors and then performed a concert with some of the best high school musicians in the area.

Transiberian Orchestra Concert with Grandpa

 Grandpa Powell LOVES the Transiberian Orchestra Christmas concerts.  Grandma doesn't love them so much but she goes with him because she knows how much he loves them.  Last year Grandpa asked if he could take Thomas, Spring, and Sam to a concert this year for their birthday and Christmas presents.  Of course, the kiddos were beyond excited for that!  And, that meant they got to come and spend Thanksgiving with us as well.

Grandpa got amazing seats for the concert...I think they were about 10 rows from the stage.  The kids absolutely loved the experience, as did Joel who also got to go with them.  They talked about it a lot then and they still talk about it now.  The other day I overheard them talking together and they said the best presents they have ever gotten are experiences and times spent with each other.  I am so grateful our children value time spent together more than accumulating things.  Grandma and Grandpa-you touched their hearts and created memories for them that will last forever!

 After the concert they stopped at Quaker Steak and Lube for dinner.  This was another fun treat for them and they had so much fun.

Ohio State Band Show

The High School Marching Band performed at the Buckeye Invitational at Ohio State University in Columbus.  We decided to take the family down for the show and stopped at the Columbus Temple on the way down.  We had a wonderful day walking around the temple grounds and then watching Stow knock it out of the park with their performance.  Thomas loved marching and performing in an arena of that size.  Makes me wonder if he will have that opportunity when he is in college.  His dream is to be in the BYU Marching Band!  Such a fun day.

Friday Night Lights

Football season is synonymous with Marching Band in Stow.  The community supports the school in a huge way here.  It seems like most of the city is at the stadium on Friday nights.  The band, 237 members strong, attend each and every football game-home and away!  They play a pregame show, they play throughout the game, halftime, 3rd quarter drum-offs, and after every game the football team and coaches come to the student section and band.  All remove hats and the band plays the alma mater while the students and football team sing along.  I love the comradare it creates.  After each game you witness the football coaches coming to the band directors and exchanging hugs and handshakes.  It really is a complete experience for these students.  And, we get to witness it as we help sell donuts and spirit wear at the games.  Our younger kids love going to the games and seeing their friends there.

It makes for a busy few months but it has become a family affair.  We love it!  We laugh that Rebekah's lullaby is the Stow Fight Song.  It is played each time the football team scores and they are a high scoring team.  One game she was really fighting going to sleep until the drum off during 3rd quarter and she instantly fell right to sleep! :)