I'm So Blessed to Be An American

I’m So Blessed to Be An American! Idaho’s MCO concert was this week. We slayed. Each concert we hear that this was the best concert ever. Well, this was the best concert ever. I loved the Patriotic theme celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary. The concert filled my heart and reminded me that even with all the division and anger surrounding us America is still a promised land. The songs were: America the Beautiful, Call of the Champions, To Be American, My Country Tis of Thee, Paul Revere’s Ride, George Washington, Come Ye Saints, The New Colossus, Battle of Jericho, Star Spangled Banner, US Armed Forces Songs, Battle Hymn, I Pledge Allegiance, I’m so Blessed, and God Bless America. 

We had a dress rehearsal Wednesday night at the Morrison Center, which is a first for us. We were not allowed to get the technical run through just a combined rehearsal. I enjoyed sitting in the back to listen to the magic with Cara and Heidi. After rehearsal we stopped at Walmart for “bread, bread, bread” and dinner foods for Thursday. Thursday morning we were up and at ‘em by 8 am, the boys needed haircuts, with tennis there was not a free moment to go get that done last week. Back at home it was a mad rush to curl hair, fix hair, iron, steam, and get all dressed by 11:00 am. I tried to get all my attire boxes loaded, Evelyn interrupted me during the process which made me lose my train of thought, which resulted in my sewing box getting left at home. I didn’t figure that out until AFTER unpacking my stuff. Cara’s husband came to the rescue, he stopped by my home and delivered the box and Cara’s son. Hooray. I nabbed Heidi to help out with attire during the technical run-through. We were extra busy this concert. Phillip. PHILLIP, forgot his bowtie. Seriously? That was embarrassing to have my own child forget his dang bowtie. I usually loan out 8-10 items like pocket squares and bowties. The CCM are the worst, there are a few that consistently “forget” their pocket squares and ties. We ended up filling up 2 entire pages of loaned items this concert. I had a gal wearing the wrong dress, a guy wearing the wrong jacket, missing socks, lots of singers wearing WHITE socks, and etc. I hemmed one dress and somehow we pulled it off. Heidi was puffing after all that pre-concert business. It was a lot this concert. The miracles never cease, I had the right dress and a jacket that actually fit both singers wearing the wrong items. Thank the heavens. Amelia helped out until the concert started,  she wanted to attend the sunsets and serenades concert at CHS and pick up Justin for the MCO concert. I got balcony seats this time, right in the middle front! I actually enjoyed those seats quite a lot. I was able to take some photos from the floor during the first concert. Phillip and Everett were flag holders for the first part of the concert. Phillip got to hold a flag during the second half as well. I hear the YC and CCW/CCM had a fun dance-off to choose which singers would go on stage to dance during “I’m So Blessed.” Everett and Evelyn got to move and jive on stage! We cried several times during Star Spangled Banner, the stories, and the little singing I Pledge Allegiance. It was very moving. Can’t wait for next year. 

Friday we died. We slept in as long as possible. Phillip, Everett, and Evelyn all had therapy sessions in the afternoon so that filled most of the time. Helping Evelyn process hard events with Nina and I present is really helping. She is a marvel! Love that kid. Amelia is getting all sorts of random jobs from weed pulling, to grandma sitting, to Door Dash in order to make a little bit of money before she leaves. I am proud of her for getting busy rather than lolling about on the couch playing MineCraft. She even went to the temple by herself this week! That is no easy accomplishment for a newly endowed member. I was so trashed that grocery shopping was a no-go. I moved that to Saturday morning. 

The dog saloon opened Friday evening with Eve getting a bath and detangle. Sheesh, she had some gnarly tangles in her armpits. Saturday afternoon we tackled the shaving and shaping of all the fur. I am not kidding when I say that we filled an entire bucket with fur. I love the new dog shaver, it works like a dream.