Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voice Choir

This past Thursday, Steven and I drove to Houston to listen to a free concert and testimony meeting given by Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices choir. At first I was feeling kind of grumpy about having to drive so far and deal with babysitting, traffic, etc., but it ended up being so worth it.

The choir was truly wonderfuly, and I was in tears for much of the night. I don't even know why, except that I think all types of music sung in the praise of God is moving. Such passionate music!

And Gladys was immaculate, of course. Every note perfectly placed, perfectly in tune. It's amazing that one person can possess so much talent---and in her 60's too! (And can I just say that as the choir was processing in, she walked RIGHT BY ME! I could have pretended to stumble and knocked her over! Of course, that might have put a damper on the evening...)


Anyway, she bore her testimony afterwards, and it was equally amazing. Mostly she just talked---nothing prepared. She just talked about her experience like it was a one-on-one conversation. I couldn't help thinking while she was talking that SO MANY people were being specifically reached by the things she was saying. I was really struck by how she was speaking a language, though unfamiliar to a lot of Mormons, that was directly communicating to people who don't necessarily identify with our more anglicized culture of worship.

I also started thinking about her life. How full and amazing it must be to have such a God-given talent--and then realize that part of the reason she was given it was to share this testimony to people who needed to be reached in their own way. What an overwhelming responsibility, and she's facing it head on and doing the Lord's work!

And besides all this, it just rocked. It ROCKED! I have never seen so many Mormons stamping their feet and clapping their hands, calling out "Amen" and putting their hands in the air. Not our usual language of praise, but a legititmate, powerful one, nonetheless. The Spirit was there and everyone felt it.

Stevie is 7!

Steven Grundberg, Age 7

My first born turned seven last Sunday. We celebrated with a little party at my dad's house in Galveston. Stevie & David's birthdays kind of got smooshed together this year. They both got presents on both days.

I included this picture because all 3 of us look strange--I'm overexcited, Dad's disgusted and Stevie's obviously perplexed by our present choice

The big acquisitions this year? Slippers, bicycle bells and various "Beyblade" equipment. They do nothing but play with their beyblades all day now.


Jake didn't seem too upset by the lack of attention he was getting. He was actually quite the grump the entire time.

Steven Sr. was running around taking random pictures with the camera, such as me setting the table...

And of course, one of the meat. Wouldn't be a Howsley get-together without a huge helping of BEEF!

Such a goofball...

Like Father, Like Son


And now, for Stevie's birthday interview:

HIS ANSWERS:
What's your nickname? Stevie (Now that he’s officially “StevEN”, I guess Stevie Beans is gone.)
What's your Favorite Song? Freedom (It’s a Jazz tune—Charles Mingus---they listen to it as they fall asleep)
If you were a superhero, who would you be? A Power Ranger (See? SEE? It’s all we eat, drink and breathe over here! Curse you, Netflix)
What will you be doing at age 21? Going on a mission (Or coming home from one???)
What's the silliest thing you do? I do crazy puppet shows. (He does actually---with a homemade sock puppet named “Larry.” Jacob thinks they’re hilarious.)
What's the best thing about you? I have really good hand-writing

MY ANSWERS:
What's Stevie's nickname? Stevie G., Stevie Pie

What's His Favorite Song? He and his brother are CONSTANTLY singing Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” Constantly.
If Stevie were a Superhero, who would he be? He would be Super Gadget Man, because he’s constantly creating new gadgets to help him fight crime, be a spy, etc.
What will Stevie be doing at age 21? Hopefully, returning from a mission and going on to pursue his double major in rocket science and pre-med.
What's the silliest thing Stevie does? Calls me (and everone else) "Mayonnaise."
What's the best thing about Stevie? There are so many “best” things about Stevie—he thinks things though. He always figures things out. He feels very deeply. He’s discouraged easily, but elated just as easily. He sympathizes with people. He loves his family. He always does his part. He’s simply amazing and we’re so lucky to have him.

Good GRIEF, Time flies (Mostly About Me, By the Way)

It's already been almost a month since my last post. I blush with shame! So much has happened and so many pictures are crowding up my camera that I really should feel a little sheepish. So until I get those pictures loaded, here are a few things that have been occupying my time lately.

I'm currently the Stake Music Chairperson, and it's a calling I really struggle with. For the past month or so, I've been trying to figure out how to work out the music for stake conference in October and our Christmas program in December. It's been an endless circle of phone calls, emails, begging, pleading, kowtowing, pulling my hair out, nervous breakdowns and then some teeny triumphs (I know that sounds extreme, but that’s truly the best way I can describe it). Our stake presidency seems to want to drive me insane, but at least they’re nice about it.

Also on the agenda is the Primary Program (I'm also the Primary Chorister). I never feel too worried about it until September starts to roll around. Then all of the sudden things go cuckoo bananas. This year was no different, though I think we finally might have everything ironed out. Fortunately, the program is this Sunday---so here goes nothin’!

Oh, by the way, I’m 34 now. It actually happened last month, but with me feeling sort of sick and the boys’ birthdays, mine was sort of swept under the rug. Fortunately, some fabulous friends took me out to dinner last weekend and made me feel quite sprecial. They even serenaded me with “Happy Birthday” right in the middle of the restaurant. It was tremendous!

But the biggest news I have is that the GRUNDBERG CABOOSE IS ON ITS WAY! That’s right, folks—Baby #4 will be here the 1st week of March. (Do you like how I just snuck that info in way down here at the bottom?) I went to the doctor on my birthday and saw the heartbeat and watched the little peanut wiggle and squirm! Seems to be a very healthy, very normal little baby.


Now as to what JAKE will think about this little bit remains to be seen. Look out, Buddy, trouble’s a-comin’!

First Day of School

David's first day of kindergarten!


And Stevie's (or I guess I should say Steven's) first day of First Grade!


Are these guys gonna rule the school, or what?


Jake seemed a little downtrodden by the whole affair (actually he just wasn't used to being awake this early)


First stop was dropping Stevie off at his brand new school room. He had several friends from last year sitting at his table.


His teacher seems really nice. She has fabulous credentials, and she's even certified in animal handling in the classroom, and so she can check things out from the "Living Library." They even have a class turtle named "Fred."



Afterwards, David was very anxious to get to his classroom. He had the excellent luck of getting the same teacher Stevie had last year, so he was familiar with her and the room, etc. He also had a little friend in his class that he had met at the gym (it all made me feel a little better).


We shuffled around him for a few minutes--taking pictures, hugging him and whispering encouraging things into his ear. But it soon became apparent that the puzzle at his desk was much more exciting we were.


Sure, it choked me up a bit. I mean, come ON! Didn't he need me just a little bit? But then again, thank goodness he felt so comfortable and happy that he didn't even notice when we said goodbye and snuck out of the room. But I lingered by the door with tear-filled eyes for a moment or two--and wouldn't you know his teacher caught me and gave me a pitiful look. That's when I finally scooted myself out the door.

So now it's just me and Jake. He seems happy about having constant attention all day long, so that's good. And I'm getting used to a more or less quiet house during the day.

One last (fuzzy) shot of them as they got on the bus (Stevie was NOT happy about this)

David is 5!

Craziest of all crazies, my little tiny David is now five years old. I think the following pictures (taken on his birthday) describe him best...






The big item on his birthday list? A Nerf watergun---you know, the kind that could take out a city street if necessary. It's actually called "The Hydrocanon" and he can barely hoist it on his tiny little shoulders.

David opted for a Cookie Cake this year (and I was terribly grateful to him, because that meant a quick trip to the grocery store instead of an hour or two baking/decorating). He was incredibly pleased with it, as you can see here (look at that smug little face).


He was also incredibly interested in sucking the frosting off of the candles (in fact all of them were, Steven Sr. included. I don't get it).


Lil' Dave, how did you get so big? You are my snuggler...you have no bones about crawling up into my lap and demanding to get under the covers with me. You are the slowest eater I've ever seen in my life. Breakfast and dinner are usually just one big comedy show with various threats from mom and and dad thrown in. You are one wild child, son--always the life of the party, always the center of things. Your dad and I are pretty darn crazy about you (heck, your brothers are too)! Thank goodness for you, Little Sunshine, you make me smile all day long.

CURSE YOU, AIR-CONDITIONER!

So if you know anything about the Grundbergs, you probably know that we like cold weather. A lot. And that we hate hot weather with an indescribable loathing. Why do we live in Texas, you ask? Well, that's another conundrum all together.

Lately, with these 100 degree temperatures, our air-conditioner decides to stop working at 2pm every day. I've tried everything I can think of. We try keeping it at a higher temperature throughout the day. We've covered every single window. We shower the air-conditioner with water to try and cool it off. We turn off the air-conditioner for a couple of hours and then turn it back on. Nothing---it just stops working.

We had the air-conditioner guy come out a month ago to give it a once-over, and he told us it was in great shape. And he even did a little tune-up just in case. This is not an old air-conditioner. So what could possibly be the problem here?

All I know is that I can't stand this. It's hard to find a reason to stay gone from the house for 4 hours every day. But seeing as how it's 2:35, I guess it's time to head to Sonic for Happy Hour.

***We had the guy come look at it again today (Saturday) and fortunately he was able to find some major problems that weren't too terribly expensive to fix. Huzzah!

Creating Beautiful Spaces...

is not my strong suit.

I haven't been feeling well lately, and so I've been letting my wonderfully boisterous and OUTRAGEOUSLY messy children run rampant. The result? Living in an abode that constantly begs the question, "...What happened here?"

I thought I didn't care. But due to a certain social engagement, I found myself in the position of needing an absolutely clean house in order to save my tender pride.

After a day filled with mowing, weeding, sorting, dusting, vacuuming, etc, I had an epiphany. I really do love my house! It's lovely. But because it's so tall and skinny (narrow spaces stacked on top of one another), it only looks lovely when it's completely clutter-free. I felt such a strong motivation to keep in that way no matter the cost, just for the sake of my own personal inner-peace.

Regrettably, that was three days ago. I guess I'll have to wait for another social engagement for that personal inner-peace.

That's Entertainment

So far, this summer I’ve read:

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
2. Sense and Sensibility –Jane Austen
3. Mansfield Park – Jane Austen
4. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
5. Wuthering Heights—Emily Bronte
6. The Lacuna --- Barbara Kingsolver
7. Her Fearful Symmetry—Audrey Niffenegger
8. We Were the Mulvaneys--- Joyce Carol Oates
9. The Historian---Elizabeth Koskov
10. Pudd’nhead Wilson ---Mark Twain
11. Tom Sawyer ---Mark Twain
12. The Living ---Anne Dillard
13. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ---Stieg Larsson
14. Life of Pi --- Yann Martel

I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading. But I’m so often disappointed in new books I read. I like a good book with a great thought-process and a great story; one that leaves me feeling if not uplifted, at least emotionally full. And I think I like reading fiction more than non-fiction because I find more truth rummaging around in the minds of imperfect characters than when I'm just reading fact after fact.

So should I stick to re-reading or is there some jewel out there that’s been passing me by?

I feel the same way about TV. I’m not much of a movie-watcher, but Steven and I do love to crack up over a hilarious sitcom (less of a time commitment). And since we’ve gotten rid of cable and only watch Netflix, it’s hard to know what would be good. We’ve liked:

1.) 30 Rock
2.) Parks and Recreation
3.) Community
4.) The Office
5.) Scrubs
6.) Seinfeld
7.) Arrested Development
8.) (more recently) Modern Family
9.) Phineas and Ferb (I’m not kidding, that show is crazy hilarious)

But once again we’ve run out. We did enjoy LOST and the first season of Heroes, but after that nada. Maybe it’s just time for Steven and I to just crack up together at old re-runs.

Brief Update

I am currently way too exhausted to go in detail about anything interesting that's happening in our life right now. So I'll just give you a brief update:

1) Children will be in school in just 16 DAYS! I'll be at home with just 1 child for the first time in my life. And David will be a kindergartener. Sad and happy.

2) Everything in our house is falling apart. The air-conditioner, the garage door, the entertainment center. And the lawn looks like a jungle.

3) It's hot. So hot. I am seriously thinking of wrapping our entire house in reflective blankets.

That's all I can manage right now.

Interesting Things the Kids Do

STEVEN:
1. Steven has started calling everyone "Mayonnaise." For example, if I ask him to do something, he replies, "Sure thing, Mayonnaise!" It doesn't seem to be a negative epithet--just a random nickname for any and all people.
2. He is very in to "inventions" at the moment. He's constantly taking various household items (duct tape, cardboard, paperclips) and making very detailed and complicated inventions, such as the laser beam shown below (not unlike McGuyver).

3. He's also has taken to wearing thigh-high soccer socks everywhere he goes (as seen above). I'm not sure why, specifically, but I suspect superpowers are involved.

DAVID:
1. David's decided that every time he rounds a base during a t-ball, he must "slide in." If he misjudges the distance and doesn't reach the base by the end of his slide, he adds a few action somersaults in for effect.
2. He wore a woolen ski hat underneath his baseball cap yesterday to his t-ball game. (What is it with my kids and winter wear? It's 100 degrees outside)!
3. David told me a few days ago that he wouldn't be going to school, and instead wanted to stay home with me. BE STILL, MY BREAKING HEART!
4. He also told the following joke last night, "What do you call an abacovo (avocado) kissing a sock? A booty!" I tried to act stern, but my husband cracked up for a good ten minutes. I guess bathroom humor is officially here to stay.

JAKE:
1. Jacob will throw himself on the floor with extreme dramatics and literally fold himself in half, hiding his head. Think of a ballerina, gracefully collapsing on the floor, like this:

but with more screaming.
2. He's also learning to identify himself...sort of. He'll point at himself and say, "Duh, duh" and then point at you and say, "Duh-duh." We think there might be a slight vowel modification, but then again it could be wishful thinking. Cute, though.
3. Jake has also mastered the terms, "Uh-Oh," and "No!" He's really got that No thing down, and likes to demonstrate it (loudly) at public places, such as sacrament meeting and the checkout at the grocery store. AND, unfortunately, he's finally figured out how to climb on top of the dining room table. *sigh.