Back in Business

Welcome back for another exciting NEWS FLASH! We found our camera just in time for Keenan's afternoon Graduation ceremony. I was so happy...it was like finding $300. So our blog's back in the works. Perhaps we'll manage to update again before Small Fry is born. Here's the little tyke now, pictured at nearly 28 weeks...

So most importantly, Keenan is now a GRADUATE! We are very excited about this, as it's the first time he's graduated from anything. :) And he did it with style...3.91 GPA in the end (with an almost perfect 4.0 for the entire duration of our marriage... can I take a little credit for that?). I am proud of my Aggie.

Second-most importantly, my BIRTHDAY was on Monday! :) Keenan is great at planning these sorts of things. He gave me a couple gifts in the morning then took me around doing all sorts of exciting things, like breakfasting at this incredible new discovery: The Original Pancake House in Sugar House. Best breakfast diner we've yet seen...
Me petting a stingray...so soft I could take it to bed with me.
Finishing off an Iceberg black raspberry shake we shared...
Curving a ball down the alley at 120 mph...
Sharing a free-meal root beer at Café Rio...
As my photo-loving Dad says, "Pretend like you're blowing them out!" Mom's carrot cake is THE best...
We also went to a fantastic Utah Chamber Artists concert in the evening, but sadly didn't get any pictures there. If you want to know more about UCA, click here. It was one of the best birthdays yet.

In more inspiring news, a little while ago we received a HUGE basket of baby boy clothes on our doorstep, the thoughtful mark of a kind RS sister in our ward (who I don't even know all that well). There were so many clothes I cannot possibly keep them all for fear of space issues...so AA Team, you can watch out for a bagful...
How's that for making up for more than a month's worth? Really, all is well. We are busy preparing for labor/birth/parenthood, as well as the big move to California. (We hope these two events don't correspond TOO closely.) We're also looking into investing in a piano, so Nonie won't be spending those early mothering days by her lonesome. More on that to come.

Until the next time...

MISSING!! (Our updating disclaimer)

I realize that we've not been superlative updaters. It's been weighing on my mind for some time. However, I can't bring myself to update for one important reason: we've lost our camera. It's been some time since we've seen it now, and I just can't bring myself to post without some pictures! I have a list of things in my mind about which we ought to be updating, but in my mind, there are pictures next to each one! We're about to pull out the old 38 mm! So thanks for your patience, and hopefully we'll get this worked out spit-spot. Meanwhile, know that all's well. Keenan's graduating and Nonie's getting bigger.

Spring Skiing, Eddy, The Reaster Bunny, and Grad School News

Isn't it time we updated? We have things to share! I hope to become a more regular and spontaneous updater (then we would avoid long ones like these). Perhaps one of these days, if the stars shoot in the right direction, we'll entice The Gentle Giant* to post a note of his own...

Firstly, for Spring Break a few weeks ago, we went on a lovely 10-mile or so (one-way) ski up to the Marshall cabin ("George Q. Cabin") with Meredith and cousins! Nonie was a happy, healthy five months pregnant and was surprised at the weariness and happiness she felt in returning to the car the next day. Skiing's fun, but getting to one's destination is great.

A refreshing break at the Yucky Water...
Our beautiful mid-March weather... Reenactment of Meredith's and Spencer's near-death wipe-out after racing down a big one:


We had a delightful time getting to know Venezuelan violinist Eddy Marcano, who gave the world premiere of Bernal's Violin Concerto with the USU Symphony Orchestra on March 22 at Eccles Theater. Nonie will give the 2nd performance on Sunday, April 20th at 7:00 in Libby Gardner Hall in SLC.

We enjoyed a Spirit/sugar-filled Easter with family. We even found our basket! You may notice the "Reaster Bunny" lurking therein. He's hiding 16g of saturated fat inside his lush, peanut-buttery self, and for this reason, he is still sitting on our counter waiting for Keenan to be brave enough to dig in. Thomas probably ate his in one go.

Now for the news you've all been waiting for... the results of Keenan's Graduate School search! Might I first say that we had a wonderfully enriching time visiting all the schools and learned a lot in visiting, touring a bit, and seeing friends. Oh -- unfortunately, Nonie didn't get to go along to Rochester (upstate NY), and missed out on Gotham City-like architecture such as this beauty:
With no further ado, here's the lowdown: 1) The Juilliard School: not accepted; 2) The Eastman School of Music: wait-listed; 3) The Manhattan School of Music: accepted with scholarship; 4) University of Southern CA: accepted with assistantship (tuition, stipend, health). After months of prayer and after weighing our options carefully this week, we've decided with no hesitation to attend:
We are very excited about the prospect of living in the sunny L.A. area and Keenan looks forward to studying in the piano studio of Mr. Norman Krieger. He has been warm and encouraging in all the contact we've had with him. Not to mention the blessing of having a comfortable financial offering and friends who are there waiting for us.

A word about Juilliard...
Despite the disappointment we both felt in not being accepted, we have come away with overwhelmingly positive feelings. The teachers and staff with whom we associated were welcoming and helpful, which made us especially excited about this prospect. Keenan felt he took his best audition here (though one can never know what will happen...it's an interesting audition/acceptance process).

We have felt especially blessed because last week Keenan was able to rub shoulders with Mr. Robert McDonald who came to Logan for the bi-annual Wasserman Festival (he's a much sought-after teacher at Juilliard/Curtis). Keenan turned pages for his recital, played Chopin for him in a Masterclass, and was able to chat with him for a while. Not only did Mr. McDonald positively remember Keenan's Juilliard audition in surprising detail, but he privately assured Keenan that whether or not he was accepted (and couldn't remember seeing Keenan's name on the list at that time), he felt confident that Keenan is qualified to attend and would do well there. Through this reassuring experience, we again gratefully learned how much our Father in Heaven cares about our hopes and feelings. He has watched over and guided us through this entire process and we know happily that we are headed in the right direction.

That being said -- Piano Man and Viola Diva, thank you for making footprints for us! We're excited to be neighbors and partners in crime once again!

California, here we come!

*Credit to Piano Man and Viola Diva

Happy 323rd Birthday, Bach!

Bach's thoughts on music:
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.”
Bach's thoughts on his own music:
"For the glory of the most high God alone, And for my neighbour to learn from."
Bach's thoughts on playing the piano:
“There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.”
Bach's thoughts on hard work:
“I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed . . . equally well.”
Bach's thoughts on working late:
“Bring me a bowl of coffee before I turn into a goat.”

We should each take a moment to remember J.S. Bach (1685-1750), as we certainly wouldn't have the music we do and perhaps not be the people we are without his great influence.

Amanda: Happy Birthday to you too. We're sorry your birthday gets overshadowed every year by Bach's. Our lives would be very different without you too. ;)

Welcome us to the world of blogging!


We feel it's a brave thing we do to step into this strange territory. But we are reassured as we consider how little we look at others' blogs. Perhaps all that will change now...

These things are meant for news, no? Well, here's a start, in no particular order:

1. We both have colds. Nonie has been told that once a pregnant woman contracts a cold, it doesn't depart until birth. Here's hoping it's a pernicious rumor.
2. Keenan has heard from one of the 4 schools to which he has applied for Grad School. USC (L.A.) called and offered him a lovely assistantship, which includes full tuition, a generous stipend, and health/dental fees. We're happy to have at least one very appealing option.
3. Nonie's been rehearsing Sergio Bernal's Violin Concerto with the USU Symphony. Bernal is the maestro of the orchestra, and wrote the concerto for Venezuelan violinist Eddy Marcano, who flew in last week and will debut the work this Saturday. We got to spend some time with him at the Bernal's place last week, and fell in love with his pleasant, humble ways. He invited both of us to a beautiful Carribean Island called Margarita to play Concertos of our choice with his orchestra! Projected date: May 2009. (Nonie will be giving the second performance of Bernal's Concerto in Libby Gardner Hall on April 20th.) http://www.margarita-island-venezuela.com/
4. We are greatly anticipating the arrival of our little boy!! Here's a recent photo. He's a cuddler, we can tell.

That's it for now. Pretty basic beginning, we know... But at least we're official bloggers now. (Why does this thing delete all my double spaces between sentences...aggravating!)