handsful

How’s that for a creative title? Maybe not…

A couple of weeks ago, Abbey, Marley, and Ethan had their voice recitals. They’ve been taking lessons from Mrs. Susan, who is also the director for Testify.

They chose two songs, one was their choice of any song, and the other had to be an older song prior to 1990. Footloose (old version), It’s a Wonderful World, and Desperado were A, M and E’s choices. Loved it!

The whole group did an impromptu version of Let It Go…I especially loved watching Ethan suffer through that!

Two days later, it was Father’s Day. The kids had a concert that morning, and then it was all about Randy. What did he wanna do?

A little lake time.

It was a perfect afternoon on the water, just what he wanted.

This year is a first for us.

We’re used to being crazy busy with the big kids Testify Youth Choir.  That’s the norm.  Begins in January with practices, concert season ramps up in the spring, tour to Ohio in July.

This year, Lainey and Dylan joined in and became members of Testify Too.  Yep, Susan (the director) has another choir that’s grades 1st-6th.  They just finished up their concerts and did a great job.  No tour for them, though :)

Here are some shots of both choirs in recent concerts.  Did I mention that my thespian husband plays the dad in the play…that he wrote?  Payton plays Seth, and Abbey plays Paige.  Abbey also has a solo.  Ethan plays the cajon (drum box), and has a solo.  Marley was content this year just being a choir member…no extras this time!

So, Payton plays a slightly inebriated teenager at the beginning of the play.  I’m so proud.

Paige (Abbey) is less than impressed to have Seth’s friend, Eli hitting on her.  Seth (Payton) says “Dude that’s my SISTER!”  Which cracks me up because Paige is Seth’s sister in the play.  And, in real life.  Get it?   Ha…

That’s Daniel in the blue shirt, Abbey’s boyfriend, who plays Chase.

Ethan’s solo “Meant to Live”

Marley, front and center.

Randy, aka Mr. Bill Thomas.  My friend Kelley plays his wife.  I’m okay with this.  :)

Seth makes a surprise visit to the Thomas home…

EJ playing the cojone during their theme song “Testify to Love”

And, Abbey has a solo part in that last song!

Next up…Lainey and Dylan!

We’ve told L she needs to work on her facial expressions…she loves it up there, but still has her shy face on.

Dylan, on the other hand…

This play is set during a gym class, so some of the kids (Lainey, Dylan, and their friend Gracie) jump down and do a quick tumble at certain parts.  Here’s L doing her easy-peasy back handspring.  Later on, she did a one-handed back handspring.  She was born to tumble.

L also had a short dance number with 2 other friends.  She loved that.

D played the part of the Big Cheese during one song.  He’s making the money sign here….it’s hillarious.

Here are a couple from another concert, too…

Group shot!  From my phone, so not great quality.

The big kids have one more concert this Sunday, and then they’re off on tour to Ohio next Tuesday.  Me and the littles will have a nice week together.

We love Testify :)

26′ x 110′ of good dirt, freshly tilled with fences and stakes set up.

We’re really late this year getting it all planted.  There’s just not been time!

But, we finally found the time to visit our little downtown garden center.  It’s been there for years.  They have an old sunflower hanging on the wall that’s over 100 years old.  I love old stuff.

And, I love having a truck full of baby plants and seeds, ready to find their home in our garden.

The next day was planting day.  And, we actually managed to have all 8 of us in on the planting.  Do you KNOW what a feat that was??  It’s rare we’re all together anymore…someone is always somewhere with friends, at work (3 of them have part-time jobs), at choir or worship practice, etc.

This is the expression you get if a camera is aimed at Payton.  And, yes, Ethan has black jeans on.  It was hot.  He doesn’t care.

So, what did we plant?

Corn.  Lots of corn.  14 rows with about 15 per row.

Better boy tomatoes, roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers (growing vertically this year), basil (for us and Marley’s bunny), jalapenos, habaneros (Randy is counting on lots of my homemade salsa this year), banana peppers, two types of bell peppers, green beans, and cantaloupes (also growing vertically…we have a plan on how to support those heavy fruits, we’ll see how it goes).

I’m aware I say this every year.  But, THIS year I’m going to stay on top of the weeds.  My plan is to work in the garden at least every other day and whack the green stuff that shouldn’t be there.  So far, I’m on track with this and it’s looking good.  Randy will also use our little tiller to keep the pathways clear.

As I finish this post, there’s a wonderful steady rain coming down.  Drink it in, garden…we’re counting on lots of good stuff out of you in the near future :)