Hello? Anyone Post Here?

Hello? Is there anyone out there? I really wouldn't be surprised if you've given up on me....

Life has been ridiculously busy. Not complaining, just reporting.

Here's the low down:

1. The kids are really enjoying being back in public school. I miss them terribly, but know they're where they need to be for now. Dot is super focused on her grades and is setting high goals for herself. I know she's going to be successful. Yakko is rocking his grades, too. He thinks school is awesome! Wakko is making friends like crazy and has become a very popular kid at school.

2. Mindy is changing every day! She talks up a storm and loves to be understood. Her favorite words are "puppy", "happy", "daddy", "Bubba", "milk", "snack", and "mommy!!!!!!". She knows several words in sign language and points to things all the time. She loves to dance, but only at home. She adores babies and everything to do with them. Her favorite time is bath time and she will eat nearly anything if it's in a little ziploc bag.

3. My sweetheart is amazing. He takes care of dinner at least 4 times a week, cleans the house, helps kids with homework, and runs kids all over kingdom-come... and that's after working all day at his full time job! Just this weekend, he fixed weather strips, winterized our yard and front door, and hung our stove vent. I'm one lucky lady!

4. I am teaching six days a week and loving it! Last week I taught 27 hours. The studio has expanded it's programs to include group and private voice lessons. We now offer yoga and Zumba as well! I love my students, my teachers, and my career! The best part; my kids can take all the lessons they want!

5. We have spent a lot of time with Grandpa Bear lately. I know him better now than ever before; three weeks with someone can be amazing!

Life is nuts, but it's good. I am thankful to be surrounded by amazing people who love and support me; that's what life's all about!

A moment of inspiration....

My dad sent this to me via email, and it touched me so much, I had to share it here. Enjoy!

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."



STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.


SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?


Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.


(Pretty cool, eh!)

What's UP?

Since last I blogged, the big kids went back to school....

I finally downloaded a pic of Wakko smiling (it's a miracle that we got a real smile from the boy)...

Mindy's discovered she's funny....
and loves to show you she knows where her nose is.

We did take a trip this weekend to Lagoon, but the camera's battery was dead. No pics, just memories!

Oh, and my awesome SNAP team roasted me, choreography style! (They made up a dance using all my least favorite dance moves...)

The Learning Circle LLC!

The Learning Circle, LLC.

8685 South Highland Drive in Sandy, Utah

801-943-1757

I couldn't be happier to announce the GRAND OPENING of my dream come true: the opening of my dance studio! After a life time of dreaming, my adorable husband, amazing parents, talented brother, and amazing friends have helped me make my dream a reality.

The faculty of our school met Saturday evening for our kick-off party. I couldn't be happier with our entire staff! We are really focusing on developmentally appropriate training in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Acting and Musical Theatre, to name a few. These classes are for all ages and both genders!

The staff includes:

Stephanie Chatterton Maag, classical ballet, children's dance, adult open level ballet

Karen S. Chatterton, classical ballet
Kim Chatterton Patten, classical ballet
Casey Matern, musical theatre
Jennifer Porter, acting
Janae Powell, jazz and tap
Chelsea Lujan, modern
Meagan Ashton, cheer dance

And Christina Pearson will be the friendly face you see at the front desk

The studio will have an open house the next two weekends: August 20, 21, 27, 28. On Fridays the studio will be open 3-8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 11-5:00 p.m. This open house will give parents and children the opportunity to see the class space and meet some of the teachers.

For more information please come to the open house or call 801-943-1757. Pricing and schedule will be available at the studio during the open house as well.

The studio is open for business Monday August 30 and is located 8685 South Highland Drive in Sandy, Utah.

Happy Birthday, Wakko!

We are so glad to have our awesome Wakko in our family! He's a great joy and we love him forever!

Our top nine favorite things about Wakko are...

1. He has a tender heart.

2. Wakko loves his family and it shows.

3. His sense of humor keeps us all on our toes!

4. Wakko is a very hard worker; he loves to work along side Mom, Daddy, and his grandparents.

5. His muscles!

6. He is a good little chef!

7. Wakko is very smart and excels at all he does.

8. He is responsible and takes care of whatever he commits to do.

9. Wakko is soooooooo handsome!

We love you! Happy Birthday!

"Joseph,,,"

"... how can we ever say, all that we want to about you?"

We are having a great time finishing up our production of "Joseph..." and would LOVE to have all of you (and your friends and family) come to the show! It's an upbeat, super show with one of the most amazingly talented casts I've ever seen!

Dot and Yakko as well as my dad are in the show; they'd love to have you there, too! Come enjoy a fun night with your family or friends!

Happy Birthday, Yakko!

Happy 11th, Yakko!



How do I love this boy? There are simply not enough words to express how awesome our Yakko is... but I'll try with my traditional list.

Our family's top 11 favorite things about Yakko:

1. He has a tender heart. Do not mistake this for being wimpy; he is a strong, yet sensitive little man. I think it's the perfect combination.

2. Yakko has a great smile!

3. His sense of humor is fabulous and his laugh contagious.

4. I love his talents in theatre and dance. Have you seen the boy emote on stage?

5. He is a great friend.

6. Yakko is a natural leader and takes responsibilities well.

7. He is quite a gentleman! He loves to hold the door open for ladies, be polite, and use manners.

8. His skills at anything academic are awesome!

9. I love that he is so very handsome.

10. He is thankful for everything he has and takes nothing for granted.

11. Yakko is kind and patient.

Happy 11th Birthday, Yakko!