This Year

This year has been harder for me than any other year so far in my life.  I guess Heavenly Father decided that I was just coasting and needed some opportunities for growth.  I have found and continue to find myself driven to my knees in tearful prayer asking for help and blessings, and expressing gratitude for my wonderful family and friends that continue to boost me up, cheer me on, and give their love and support.  I have felt a strengthening power from those who have passed on-families are eternal in more ways than I can write about.

Here's a quick timeline of events that have happened since I blogged last (sorry for the picture blitz, trying to figure out this new format ):

• December 25th, 2011, my sweet grandmother passed away.  I feel so blessed that we were able to drive up to Utah and see her and say our "goodbyes".  It was really difficult to see her in the physical state that she was in.
• December 31st, 2011, funeral for grandma.  The family that drove in and being together with all the cousins and second cousins was a sweet experience. Spent New Year's Eve in Salt Lake at my cousin's condo watching the fireworks...that was supercool!
• January 2012, began musical rehearsals at school for Beauty and the Beast.  The kids were so awesome! Quick learners, so talented...I loved every second with them! Thank you to all who came out and made it such a successful show...Darby-you are one talented photographer :)
• March 2012, choral festivals galore with students-who earned superiors!!!  So proud of them. Musical performances galore-almost all sold out! 
• April 2012, NEW YORK!!  I have never been to New York.  I was able to go with some of my favorite people :)  What a fantastic experience that I will never, ever forget. We saw Mary Poppins, La Traviata (at The Met), visited Lincoln Center-Avery Fisher Hall, Julliard, had a clinic with the former Assistant Director of The Met (who taught me soooo very much about why I do what I do and love what I love-as far as music is concerned) Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, the Manhattan Temple, rode the Subway, Ellis Island, Carnegie Deli, Rockefeller Center-saw the famous Ice Skating Rink, met a Rockette, lived it up as much as possible.  Our tour guides Mike and Mike Jr. were the best!! We loved them!
• April continued..took students to festival at EAC, got stuck on the bus coming back for 2-3 hrs because of a fatal car accident in front of us.  Bonded with kids...what an experience.  Went to the dr. regarding health issues...  Took a student to All-State in Tucson.  Was able to network and visit with colleagues and received a lot of validation for what I am teaching and doing in my classroom.  Found out on April 30th that I would no longer be teaching choir at Mesa High and my heart was broken.  So many emotions surrounded this-mostly anger and sorrow.  
• May 15th -final concert at Mesa High-was a terrific, emotional evening.  Great music and singing, a tribute to seniors, awards and gifts.
• May 16th-told students I would not be returning to Mesa High next year.  So many students upset and parents upset.  Lots of crying that day.  Spent continuing days consoling each other and enjoying time with each other, signing year books, and of course...packing.
• May 21st-My cute and cuddly nephew turned 1!
• May 24th-Graduation...was able to tell kids who they hired to be the new choir director.  Participated in the last commencement exercises for me at Mesa High.  More tears...
• May 25th-Finished cleaning out my classroom-very emotional.  Thank goodness for such a good friends, no great friends, no really close and awesome friends-they have been my rock while going through this. If I started making a list, this post would be so incredibly long...you know who you are!
• May 28th-Turned in my keys at Mesa High.
• June9th-10th-Creation of YSA Stakes for 18-30 yr olds (more of trying to figure out where I belong...)
• June 10th-Left for Utah and Colorado.  Celebrated my cousin's wedding!  I love being with family, going on roadtrips....lots of time to think. Very healing-emotionally, at least in regards to dealing with the grief of losing my grandmother. Enjoyed nature-beautiful canyons and rivers and weather and friends! Aspen is amazing, and the black canyon beautiful.  Lots of retail therapy too.  
• June 30th-Celebrated 31st birthday with the fam, loving every minute with niece and nephew, bro and sis and mom, ate Oreganos, had a pazookie, lots of cool presents!!
• July 1st-31st Birthday-bbq with brother and swimming and people watching
• July 3rd-Another Birthday/4th of July party at the Hagens.  Tamales, fireworks, brownies, ice cream, cool candles and fireworks, pixar short takes (hilarious), and just a wonderful time with friends :)
• That catches me up to today.  The 4th of July.  Enjoying the cloudy/rainy weather and time with the roomie (she's the best!)