Finally!!

I DID IT!!!

I am now in Advanced Vocal Instruction!

I had my Vocal Jury today, and sang the French song Diraiton, mentioned in the previous posting. Afterwards the compliments that I received were that it "melted their hearts"...one teacher asked if I spoke French....that it was warm and beautiful!!!! And then she said that I passed, into the Advanced level!!!!

YEAH!!

This is a huge relief for me, and now I am that much closer to graduating!

I also am able to do independent studies for the rest of my electives, so I won't have to go down to UVSC except on Fridays for piano and voice. This is greatly anticipated after going down every other day since May. Now I just have a final on Monday, and one on Wednesday, and then I am done for the semester! Welcomed relief!

Thank You for those who thought of me today, it was very beneficial!

Lindsey Sings into our Hearts

Well since this is going to take a while to upload, I thought I would tell you about it. I know that you will just see it and I really don't need to explain this. The video that we loaded is of Lindsey's recital. For those of you who don't know, she is studying Music at UVSC and will end up with a degree in music very soon. This was a small recital where she sang two songs. The participants varied in all levels of music and it ended up being a very enjoyable evening.

Lindsey first sang a French song followed by this song from the Messiah. I will just let you listen. I really enjoyed hearing her tonight, and have asked her to sing more. I usually hear her sing with her sisters, and it was nice to hear how beautiful her voice is as a soloist.

She has her vocal jury in a week, which will tell her if she can move into the advanced vocal instruction. This is a big thing, so remember her next Friday, December 7th at 10:45 am. Please do not call her as she will be singing and it will really mess her up if you do. I am sure you understand. Thanks.

Happy Birthday Great Grandma

We just got home from visiting Lindsey's grandparents, where we celebrated her grandmother's 93rd birthday. It was a short and simple visit, we got some pictures and had some treats, and got to visit with cousins. We also got to try out our new camera. So far, I really like the pictures, and we may even try a video if I feel brave. I am not sure how it will work.

Ali with her Grandmother, and Great Grandparents

Ali playing fetch with her cousin Parker. They had been doing this for some time before the video, and yes that is a real dog toy they are using.

Happy Belated Halloween!!

I know Halloween was last month, but you know, better late than never!! Anyway, just wanted to show you how cute the kids were. Anna was a pioneer, Reese was Diego, and Ali was a shaggy dog! Adam was a cute baby! This year was the most disorganized I have been, but the semester is ending and so it's been hectic. I did however put together Reese's costume!! I made the vest and put together the rescue pack and luckily he had the clothes that matched perfectly! I was proud of myself. They had fun at the trunk-or-treat; but we wanted them to go around to some houses to get a feel for the real thing!! Good times! Cute kids!

HAPPY "5" BIRTHDAY REESE!!!

"I am all powerful!"




First Day of School



Today, October 1, is Reese's birthday, he will turn 5 at 1:12 pm. "I remember it like it was yesturday" (not quite, but it's amazing how clearly it comes back to your mind!) I went in to be induced at 7:30 a.m., that morning. I got all hooked up and going, I think by 8. I progressed along until I thought I couldn't go any longer, which I think was between 9-10. I got my epidural and being quite comfortable Joseph and I started to watch Men In Black II. When the movie was done, they came in to check me, I was complete and prept me for pushing at about 12:45ish. I started pushing, my doctor said we could have him in 15 min. Reese was posterier, and so with a few more minutes added on, he was able to turn him easily. And low and behold........there was Reese! 7 pounds 8 ounzes and 20 1/2 inches long.Brand Spankin' New

He is quite the cute boy now. He is very sensitive and loving. He really loves his baby brother. Reese is in his second year of preschool, and loves his teachers. He is very good at making sound effects. He loves to pretend with his toys. He's a good boy, and we love him, and are greatful he is apart of our family.
"Yeah!"


(I didn't think to do this for Anna's birthday, sorry, just so I won't bore everyone out by two labor stories, I will do hers another time!)

Reese and Anna

Reese and Ali

Reese and Adam

Little Miss Diva

Today was our primary program. Anna and Reese did very well on their parts. Anna had a solo/duet in the closing hymn. She sang the second half of the second verse of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". She sang it perfectly! We are so proud and thankful for her natural ability of singing. It's satisfying to know your children can sing, when both Joseph and I are singers. Gotta Love It!!

Porto Alegre North

Well my parents have finally made it to POA. (Porto Alegre) They flew out of SLC yesterday and after many hours and probably a few very long layovers, they are in Porto Alegre Brazil. They called this evening and were telling me how excited they were to be in my old mission area. They have seen the Temple, something I have never done, and are at the mission home tonight. This is the same mission home that I was in before and it is weird to think of the rooms there and them standing in the same place as I was just without me.

I remember when other missionaries had their parents there at the end of their mission and how I wished my parents were there too. They are now there, I am just up here. But they are safe and it sounds like they have a lot of work that they can do down there. My dad may be teaching an institute class, and my mom may help with the perpetual education fund.

School Days, School Days, da da da da da!

As some of you know, I (Lindsey) have gone back to school (UVSC, almost UVU!!) to complete my BS in Music. I started in May, and went the whole summer. Had Adam in the middle, took a week off and dove right back in. I did very well in my classes of the 6 classes I took in the summer, my lowest grade was a B-!! People tell me I'm crazy, I just say I'm determined! So Fall semester has now started, and so far so good! I am able to take him to all my classes, but with the wonderful help of my sister-in-law Eliza: I only need to take him to 2 of the 4! Eliza is also going to UVSC, and is willing to watch Adam for 2 hours on MWF! So here is a big shout out to Eliza.........THANK YOU!! Also I could not even do this without the help of my sisters and other sisters-in-law, and my neighbor; who watch the rest of my children......Heidi, Mindie, Tanya, Janelle, Susanna, Bekah, my neighbor Carol, and in the summer, my Mom, and Mom-in-law.................THANK YOU!!! I am going on being almost half way done!

Anna is now in 2nd grade, and is loving it. Reese is in his 2nd and last year of preschool, and he is loving it too. Next year I could have the possibility of putting Ali in preschool.........wow, how would that be!

Again, thank you all for your help and remember, I am only going to school for a year, and then this madness will be over (assuming I pass all my classes!).

Love you all!

Porto Alegre Norte - Tche'

Well I first thougth about doing this post all in portugues since it was about Porto Alegre, but since it has been almost 10 years since I left, I don't think that I can do it too well. However the reason for this post is to let you know of a very cool experience I had last night.

My parents, Robert and Yvonne recently put in papers to go on an LDS mission. Last night, they recieved their call, and they will be reporting to the Provo MTC on September 17, 2007 to be trained to serve a mission in Porto Alegre North - Brazil.

For those of you who know me, you know that this is the exact same place that I served my mission almost 10 years ago. I was in southern Brazil from 1996 - 1998. My dad also served in Brazil, but never in the south so here is his chance. It is very cool, that it will be in the same place I was at. They could be going to the same towns that I was at and meet some of the wonderful people I knew 10 years ago. I need to look in my journal and give them names of all the families that I knew and met back then. I look forward to the time that I will be able to pick up my parents from their mission.

It was a very wonderful experience.

4th of July 2007

Well it was a very uneventful 4th of July this year. It was a day with family which was relaxing and fun to just spend time with them and not deal with all the fireworks and concerts or other things like that. We took the kids swimming which they loved, had a BBQ with Lindsey's grandma and then lit some fireworks off and Lindsey's moms. It was just a fun relaxing day for everyone. Adam and Mom are doing great.

Best day of the Year

Well I have to say that today has been, and probably will be the best day of the year. For the past 9 months, we have been counting down to today. Lindsey gave birth to a beautiful baby boy today.

Adam Douglas Baird was born at 3:01 this afternoon (June 28). He was 8 lbs 9 oz and 20" long. He is very healthy as is Mom. Lindsey was absolutely amazing today as she gave birth 100% natural.

We went into the hospital this morning to be induced. The doctor broke her water and then gave her until noon to start making some progress. At around 11:30 they thought she would need some help from patocin (spelling). Just the thought of that seemed to work, and the contractions started coming. She stayed calm, and relaxed for most of the time. I have never seen anyone handle so much pain with so much strength. It was truly awesome to see her so strong during such an ordeal.

As most of you know, I was lucky to get Lindsey. I have always known that but today just confirmed that even more. She is an amazing mom and a wonderful wife. Please welcome Adam into this world.

Lindsey and Adam after a very long days work

Joseph and Adam (Thank goodness he can now shave this beard)

Look out ladies, this one is going to be a heartbreaker just give him 16 years

Still tired after the move, and a little upset about it all.

Hottest Day of the Year

Well we are right in the middle of the hottest day of the year so far. The reports show we should reach over 100 degrees today. So the best way to beat the heat was to turn on the sprinkler and let the kids go wild. Reese and Anna did most of the running, with Ali watching more than doing. All in all it was very fun for the kids, and a great way to cool off.

Reese going for the gold.

Anna warming up and being herself.

Ali resting on Daddy's lap instead of running through the sprinklers.

Scout Camp is finally over

Yes the title says it all. Scout camp is finally over and Lindsey no longer has to worry. I just completed a week long trip down the green river with 13 scouts. Some call me crazy, and they would be correct. The trip extended over 68 miles and some of the most amazing scenery you have ever seen. I am very glad to be done since it engulfed every scout activity for the last two months in preparation, not to mention all my other spare time. It was very nice to just work in the yard tonight and not have to worry about canoes or camping. Hopefully life will be back to normal here soon and we can get some things done around the house. But here are some fun pictures of the week so I hope you enjoy.

Welcome

Welcome to our first entry in our family blog. We are new at this, so please be patient as we learn. Hopefully everyone can use this to see updates on the family and know what is going on with the Joseph A Baird family. We hope this will help all of you. Please feel free to send us messages in return. We will get better as time goes by.