Have A Holly Jolly Christmas.....
I have Mom this year!!! Many of my earliest memories are of us singing together. Much of my confidence and love for life has come from Mom taking the time to Build Each Of Our Self Worth. I feel like one of the biggest continuing influences of positive self worth came from performing with Kids Are Music.

As the director today, I often get wonderful emails, texts, facebook posts... from long ago friends who remain touched by the true years of service mom displayed through Kids Are Music. I, myself, have Kids Are Music to thank for my closest friendships. And yet, somehow, life got busy and Kids are Music got put to the side. This past two years, I haven't had the time to do Kids Are Music full time, so we have done a couple of "short seasons". Mom mentioned a few times early in the Spring how she would absolutley love to go with her grandchildren to Washington DC for the 4th of July and have them perform for the crowds. Honestly... she hasn't asked for much from me in the past 20 years.... so I told my husband I wanted to do whatever I could to make that wish happen. (I know.... poor Chari... has to go on vacation.) We put together a patriotic show with lots of the grandchildren and headed off to DC. It. Was. AWESOME!!!!

Here was a short blurb from my journal this summer:
We had an awesome weekend performing all over DC for the crowds on the 4th. We even had people recognize the kids the next day at Arlington National Cemetery and ask for a repeat show! Our kids were all so fun and happy this weekend. Their favorite part was being by their cousins. I am so thankful all 6 of my brothers and sisters made such an effort for their families to be here with us... What a great holiday! Mom, their outfits looked fantastic!

When we got back, I had every intention of doing a big holiday season. But once again, life got in the way. My nieces Hadley, Tara Mei and Zetta continually asked if we could please do a holiday show. They are such darling little performers, and as they continued to ask, I realized that my mom's life, with her 6 children was certainly as busy as, if not much more so than, my life. So... a Kids Are Music holiday season went to the top of my priority list. 





It was a wonderful experience. The kids sparkled and shined, and they were fantastic!!! 

Mom... you have changed hundreds of lives with the joy of performing, service and patriotism you instilled in us all. I wish you knew how amazing what you have accomplished really is.

We love you!!! Thanks for the memories... and Merry Christmas Everybody!!!