Endings...

We attended my youngest son's final High School Orchestra Concert last night.  It was awesome!  Lucky 13 plays the cello.  He got to riff a bit, on his electric cello, during their last song.  Like me, he gets a bit of stage fright... the shaking hands.  I played piano, and that kept me from going as far with it as I might have.  Singing never scared me as much as playing.  He really pushed through it, and he ended up having a great final performance.

His Senior year was taken from him by illness, so instead of graduating last year, he is completing his final classes this summer.  He has just two to go, and they will be done at an online High School.  The wonderful thing is, all of the delays won't matter a few years from now.  As I've told him, it only matters what you're doing today!  Don't hang on to regrets of the past.  High School will only be a small blip on the map of your life. 

I am so proud of him.  He played so well last night and with such  confidence!  Another "era" ends, and it's on to new beginnings...

You gain strength, courage and confidence

by every experience in which you stop

to look fear in the face.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Lucky 13...

I've had messages of concern from some of you, so I wanted to let you know I may be inconsistent (more than usual) with my posts.

My son is having some health problems that are giving us great concern. He will be having more medical tests this coming Tuesday. The doctors aren't even sure what they're looking for, or if they do, they're not saying it to us.

To those of you who pray, please remember him in your prayers. He's my youngest, called Lucky 13 on my blog. He has missed about 5 weeks of school. It's his senior year, and because of all this, he will be leaving his High School. He will take online courses to complete his schooling when his health improves.

I believe all will be well. God holds us... He holds all things in the palm of His hands.

Thank you for your prayers and your concern! It means a lot!

Blessings,
Nita Jo

The Concert

The Eagle Chamber Orchestra concert, we attended last evening, was wonderful! I had high expectations, but they were greatly exceeded. I have always loved the selections from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. They were beautifully done. Every piece of music performed, from the soloists to the entire orchestra, was excellent.

My son was given the opportunity to learn the cello beginning in 6th grade orchestra. We had not been able to afford private music lessons, and except for a few months during his 8th grade year, all his training has been through the public school music program. In a time when programs are being cut, I pray that the arts and music programs will be able to survive in public schools. The discipline it takes to learn to read and interpret music, as well as actually mastering the instrument, only enhances all other areas of learning.

I was so proud watching my son play. There is something very special about seeing your child excel at something he loves to do. I don't really have the words. I sat there mesmerized, at times wiping away tears, as the music flowed around me and through me. What a blessing!

School, Art, Yard Sale...

This has been a busy week for me. Lucky 13 had registration yesterday. We waited until the last hour of the schedule, just hoping everyone else hadn't done the same. It was the quickest, easiest school registration we ever had. Even the photographer was relaxed and L-13's photo turned out great! He's so happy to have his braces off, and I had him leave the retainer at home so it wouldn't have to be in the pictures. He's getting all the classes he wanted, but won't know the exact order until the first day of school. I'm just happy he's decided to stay in Orchestra. He plays the cello and I love listening to him play.

Today, after getting home from an appointment, I spent a long time reading through older posts of Gail at Shabby Cottage Studio (her link is over on the side bar under My Favorite Places). It was fun to follow her blogging progress from when she began up till the present. She has created so many beautiful pieces of art. It was a relaxing way to spend my time.

I also spent some time scanning old photographs that I hope to use in some of my artwork. I even found a Marriage Certificate from the 1930's and a Report Card that belonged to my Grandma Ruth. I plan to make some type of collage, incorporating these with photos of her. When I get one finished, I will post a photo.

My church is hosting a huge two-day yard sale in two weeks. I have tons of stuff to get ready for the sale. I'm looking forward to doing a little shopping myself. I'm hoping to find a few treasures.

If I don't get around to posting much, it will be because I'm in my garage digging through boxes and trying to convince myself it's time to sell. If I don't get rid of some stuff, I won't have room for anything new!

Before I forget, check out the new photos I added to my photo blog (click on Nitajos Photos over to the right). There's a nice picture of PJ and his 52 Chevy.

Well, goodnight dear friends... I'm off to watch an episode of the Gilmore Girls before I fall to sleep for the night!

I Should Be Sleeping

It's 2:54 am and I'm sitting here at the computer. I just finished reading an update on Sally. Thanks to all the prayers, she has been moved out of ICU. She's in a quiet room and most of the tubes, etc. no longer have to be used. She was able to eat solid food today. I'm sure it was a wonderful change from soup & jello... She still needs plenty of rest and quiet, but this is such good news. God has been gracious.

It has been such an odd week. There have been other needs in family & friends lives, it's time to think about school shopping and registration for Lucky 13, our kitty has been sick, and I've been trying to focus on the Mind Wide Open Challenge and the Brenda Photo Challenge. I have not finished either one yet. I'm still trying though. They are both so much fun.

Well, my burst of late night energy has waned... I think I'll go take a nap.

Blessings!