A new member of our family

Well, we did it! Finally! At last! The long wait is over! We bought a baby grand piano! Yeehaw! I have been promised a new piano since before we moved to Redding. That was always my "Twinkie" as we moved to a new area. We received a generous amount of money from Jeff's great Aunt Ellyn when she passed away...she's the same aunt who just felt like Jeff needed some money and surprised him with a check in the mail that ended up paying for his whole mission. She has been a great blessing in Jeff's life...and now I especially get to enjoy the blessings of her generosity. We know that she would be especially glad that we used this money in helping our family develop their talents and hope she can hear and enjoy our music in heaven. Thanks Aunt Ellyn!
I won't go into all the details of the 2 hours Jeff and I spent at the piano store. It actually was delightful and made me realize I have got to get back practicing the piano. We also were reminded that this piano is actually an investment in our family and future. It's a black Boston...a step down from a Steinway...the Rolls Royce in the piano family. I couldn't convince Jeff that I was worth the 7 foot Concert piano series Steinway that was worth $99,000. Yikes! We will be very satisfied with our lovely 5'4 black Boston. We get it on Monday...can't wait for all the little fingers in our family to get tickling those ivories. Welcome Home little piano!


A fond farewell to Big Bertha...the 100 + year old piano that we got for free from the Scott family in Naperville IL. the week Maryn was born. I had been praying for a piano and feeling the need for music in our home when the Scott's followed a prompting to call us offering us their piano. (It actually belonged to Lori Scott's piano teacher who was very old at the time of Lori taking lessons.) They said, "If you can move it, you can have it!" You betcha! We called on the Elder's Quorum for help and we moved it the next day. It's a HEAVY load as our many movers can attest to. I taught piano lessons on that piano for 5 years! Jeff has sung many a "do re mi's" on that piano and Maryn and Ady have played it for years too. Kaden has enjoyed sticking pennies in the keys and Emmy loves to play "church" with it. So...as you can see it has played a wonderful part in our lives the last 11 1/2 years. Our piano tuner in Redding thought it was a wonderful piano. But...now we say "Thanks and Good Riddance!" What happens to Big Bertha now has yet to be determined. We have a few options and will keep you posted. But for now...we'll just be so happy for the blessing this old piano has been to us and look forward to the best blessing of all in getting our new family member!