Jacob and Zackary both had speaking parts. Jake told a story of how he saw Jesus one night when he was scared, Zack wrote a talk about how the priesthood blesses our family; and they both had other spoken lines as parts in the narrative. Invariably, there are always missing children that leave parts to be filled; it was great to see them both so willing to jump up in front of the entire congregation and speak, having no knowledge or preparation other than someone saying, "Will you go up right now and say this line?" Awesome is all a mom has to say about that!
Zackary had a solo and a small group number that he was so excited about and worked hard to make sure he knew the words. What a sweety with such a gift for pitch and a love for music. We love when he sings for us. My favorite part is that even though he recognizes others being off pitch he just sings and doesn't let it bother him. It can be easy to get cocky when something comes so naturally to you, I hope I can always nurture his ability to let it slide :) I still remember the first time we listened to an instrumental piece of music after he had started to speak and knew the names of most instruments. He was just over 18 months, and he picked out each instrument in the entire symphony, except one and then went on a search to discover what it was. He would repeat the sound and the exact part it had in the music until he determined it was a bassoon.
Jacob had a violin solo and accompanied, along with the piano, one of the small group/entire primary songs. I just can't put into words what it was like to watch my little five year old walk up in front of the huge crowd, get his violin, and play so beautifully. He has great talent and a deep love for his violin. Having only taken lessons for several months now, he's not ever had the opportunity to accompany a choir, or play along with another instrument. It was just amazing, simply amazing. Later that day at choir practice, the program came up in the conversation and the choir director said, "That was a five year old playing the violin?! I couldn't see because of where I was sitting. Wow." He invited his violin teacher, Mr. Wagner to come and see him play and I couldn't tell which he was more excited for; greeting Mr. Wagner and getting him seated with Daddy and the girls or playing his violin. It's one of those moments you dream of as a mom for your children and you just can't imagine what it's like to realize it's their dream and they are living it before your very eyes. I so wish I had a picture of Jake and Mr. Wagner standing outside the church building with his ity bity violin and his ginormous smile.
Then there was Ellie, sweet little performer, Ellie. She turned three in April which means she missed the cut-off for Sunbeams (the three year old class in Primary) and stays in nuresry (18 mo - 3 yrs). Nursery doesn't participate in the program, can you imagine! So little Ellie, who knows all the songs and dutifully rehearses with her brothers, had to sit down with Daddy, Mr. Wagner, and Addie in the congregation. For any that know my little Ellie, she is not so content to do what everyone thinks she should :) She spent the entire program, about an hour and 15 min., standing on the bench (pew) holding her printed program as though it were her sheet music, and sang her lungs out with every song. Precious, oh so precious; the first thing she said to me was, "Mommy when I am in Primary I will sing and I will hold the microphone all by myself." Watch out Milwaukee here she comes!
Kids are beautiful. Life is precious. Positive moments and magical days are all we need. I forget that all too often. My mom and my kids help me to remember, and for that I am so very grateful.
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