This Easter was even more special than normal since it was Cody's birthday too-yup 26. Church was great. It marked a big deal for me since it was the first time I directed a choir. I won't lie, I was a little nervous. Don't get me wrong, I've been IN choirs and bands performing infront of large audiences my whole life but never had a ton of conducting experience other than conducting the hymns in sacrament or something-which I don't (let's face it, no one looks at the conductor). It's definitely been a learning experience. Sure I have all the technical knowledge and background and have a natural inclination and ability when it comes to music, but this is one of the last frontiers where I don't actually have experience in.
The first practice when I lead them for my song (I'm the assistant director so the director also directed a song with them) was a little shaky. I was nervous and set a way-too-fast tempo for everyone, but I settled into it and it got better. It took a little practice to get used to the whole, keeping the beat for everyone while still bringing different sections in/ cutting them off/ and reminding/encouraging them in the dynamics, all while keeping eye contact with them and showing a lot of energy/emotion to help them feed off of it but I got it down.
We performed on sunday and it went great. It was really pretty and even though there were a few moments when I felt like we weren't as settled in the tempo as we could have been-shrug, the dramatic dynamics were really powerful. I was hoping and praying that everyone would feel the spirit of the song rather than worry about the lil details, and later in Relief Society one of the sisters commented on feeling the spirit during the music etc so I was happy that they got what they needed out of it, and it made me excited for the next opportunity I will have to lead which may come sooner than I think cause I know the lead director is going to be out of town for awhile this summer so I'll be taking over practices and who knows, maybe even a performance. All while being VERY pregnant of course ;) that should be interesting....hopefully the kiddo doesn't come too early or we'll be out of a choir for a little while.
Anywho...after church we went to my parents house for easter dinner and Cody got to open the rest of his presents. He got a couple of itunes gift cards, an expansion pack for dominion (a new fav game of ours), some new cologne, a byu onesie for baby boy, Men In Black (I know, I don't know how we have lived this long without owning it-totally psyched for number 3 this summer!), Hop (cute easter movie that came out last year and on theme with the day), and of course there were the spiffy new running shoes I surprised him with last week and the fitbit he opened in san antonio.
I thought the candles were supposed to be like sparklers. I promise! The crazy part that you can't really see was each time he tried to blow out the candles pieces of burning embers were flying across the table towards Whitney! I was afraid she was going to catch on fire. Crazy times!!! Cody you were a good sport. 8)
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