Jazz Game Surprise

For Valentines Day I told Devin he had to wait because he would be getting his present a little late.  I had an awesome friend get us tickets for the Jazz and Spurs game on Presidents day.  I told him we had plans that night but didn't tell him what it was and until the day he had no idea what I had planned.  That morning the radio talked about the game that night and he started thinking that might be the plan but still not sure.  I had my parents watch the kids and we got dinner at Crown Burger and parked there.  We had such a great time.  The game was awesome.  I packed Devin's Spur's jersey and I borrowed my friends Jazz shirt.  The Jazz almost won so the game was pretty exciting.
This weekend Conrad had a violin solo to perform for judges at a Festival.  He was nervous and it was a really good experience for him since this was the first time to be adjudicated.  He did a nice job.  We are working on getting him to play with more emotion and dynamics.  He was a little too nervous to worry about the dynamics but he did very well on all the notes and rhythms.  It's really fun to be the supportive mom but I get so nervous for my children.  I know how hard they have worked and I have heard their songs on their best notes and on their worst.  It's just so great to see the improvement they have made.
Conrad is turning 9 years old this week and he is so excited for his birthday.  We had a little family party for him tonight.  I was reading a letter I had wrote him when he was five years old just last week and I was so surprised at how much I knew about him and how much he is still the same.  I told him that he has a big imagination.  That he is caring and loves to make people happy.  He has a beautiful and quick smile.  He is a good friend to his sister and brother and makes friends easily.  I told him that he is very smart and remembers many things for a long time with great details.  He is an excellent musician and is willing to do hard things on his violin.  He is a good reader, tender hearted and has a fun sense of humor.  He loves life and we love him.  I could write him a letter today and it would still be about the same.  I'm so proud of Conrad and happy he is in our family.

Happy Birthday!

Valentine Fun

I had a Valentine week.  I started making sugar cookies on Saturday for my family, my preschool kids and Devin's work associates.  My grandma Titensor would bake sugar cookies for all her grandchildren.  This was not just any sugar cookie.  These were specially made for each person with their name on it.  It was huge!  I looked forward to going to grandma and grandpas house every Valentines and devouring my own cookie.  So because of these fond memories I have want to pass the tradition on.  

Monday and Tuesday we exchanged valentines in preschool and each time it was a little chaotic so next year I think I've figured out a way to make it less crazy.  Each day there was one child who didn't give their valentines out.  I didn't discover it until everyone was already gone.  Monday I didn't give my cookies out.  So next year I will have everyone sit with their valentine sack and each child, one at a time will go around and give everyone a valentine.  That way we won't forget someone.  

Devin surprised me and bought me an hour massage that I will cash in on Monday afternoon.  I have had one massage before when I was pregnant and it was really nice so I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday the Titensor Adults went to our annual Valentines couples dinner.  This year we went to Maddox for lunch.  I love Maddox.  This has got to me my favorite restaurant.  The servers, hostess and just so professional and the food is awesome.  I tried the Buffalo burger.  I've never had buffalo meat before and I was very surprised at how much it tasted like a beef burger.  Buffalo is a leaner meat.  

Saturday night we had an adult party for the ward.  The Elder's Quorum and High Priest were over the activity so Devin did a lot to make this happen and it turned out really nice.  They had everyone bring a dessert and they made homemade root beer and ice cream to make floats.  

My whole week has been filled with amazing food.  Not so great on the healthy eating side so this week I've got to do better.  

Today was our ward conference and the ward choir sang "My shepherd will supply it's need"  It is so beautiful here are the lyrics which testify that Jesus is our Shepherd.  My favorite verse in the song is the last and the concept of coming home to God and being welcomed like a child at home.  

My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace. 

2. When I walk through the shades of death,
Thy presence is my stay;
A word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head. 
3. The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise!
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.