This week we were so blessed to interact with some of the nicest people. Let's quickly go through the week and you will see what I mean. First, Abby had gymnastics and swimming--twice this week (Tuesday and Thursday). This was because we will miss it this next week since we are at Matt's parents house. All of Abby's coaches are outstanding. They do an excellent job of being firm but kind and constantly trying to motivate her to be a little better. She is getting braver at going under water and always willing to try new things in gymnastics. Here are a few pics from both days.
Tuesday Matt got to come with us since he has 2 weeks off before he teaches again.
Abby on the beam.
Abby flipping over the bar all by herself.
Look! She is even sitting down and sort of listening to the coach!
On Tuesday after gym and swim we went to a little Bugseum. It really was a store that advertises itself as a museum to get people to come. They had some cool bugs to see and it was free. Here are Matt and Abby outside the store and checking out the ants. The tarantulas were pretty cool--but too difficult to get a good picture of.
My best example of nice people occurred Thursday evening. One of my piano students trades for babysitting and so she stayed and played with Abby while Matt and I ran to Michael's to see if we could have our diplomas framed while there was a good sale. We met a wonderful women at the custom frame department who devoted a great deal of time to helping us. She priced the cost of custom frames--which we definitely could not afford and then helped us get frames and mats. She also helped us with a few other projects we were doing. We framed a waterfall picture for the bathroom and a BYU basketball program from my sister and her family that Matt received for Christmas. The woman ended up telling us to go to dinner and that everything would be put together when we returned at no cost. Isn't that amazing? So we shared a meal and even found a mirror for my music room for an awesome deal at Ross! When we returned she had everything put together (it would have taken me hours and she handled everything with gloves, special tape and backing, etc.) Plus she did some extra things for us in regards to the program and did not charge us! She was AMAZING. We told the manager that we had some of the best service we've ever received in a store. We went home quite happy.Diplomas hung above the piano.
New mirror for my voice students.
Our new bathroom decoration: waterfall picture taken by Matt's department chair.
One other change to our home and more nice people!. . . .Tuesday on our way home we passed by the new homes in our area where the company that built our home was finishing laying sod. They looked finished and there was sod just sitting there. So Matt went and asked what they were going to do with the extra sod. The man ended up telling Matt he could have the sod! So Matt put it in our trunk (took a couple trips) and ended up getting over $200 worth of sod which we wanted for our front yard, but could not afford right now. We wanted there to be less mulch and more grass in our front yard. Matt spent the next few hours laying the sod and it looks great!
Saturday I held my first music recital in Bakersfield. Ten kids were supposed to perform and only one was unable to make it. They all played so well and I was so proud of them. Here we are after the recital--celebrating and eating good food. I cannot wait to hear what they will sound like in the Christmas recital. For 6 of the kids it was their first recital! The best part is that I am blessed to work with the best kids and parents--another example of nice people. They bless my home and my life and I am so happy to share with them something I love so much.
Finally--pond update. Matt planted the plants outside the pond and finished the mulch. We will have fish on Friday!
Now we are at Grandma's and Grandpa's and tonight (Sunday) we celebrated Great Granny Ruth's 86th birthday with a yummy dinner and dessert. She is such a wonderful person and we are so grateful that we can share in her life. We love you Granny!Here is Abby giving Granny her birthday card after dinner.
