All our dreams come true

Problems with posting pictures has caused a backlog of our blog posts, but rather than get further behind, we will just despair of posting any pictorial evidence of our adventures and merely write them. If we start this week with last Saturday, then it held banner weeks for Justin, Lia, and Katharine, all three. Last Saturday Katharine had an 8:30 am recital playing the famously difficult cello piece Schelomo. She did an exquisite performance. Her parents were both proud and amazed. Her teacher is probably correct that this piece would land her a place in any college cello program to which she auditioned, but, alas, Katharine does not intend to pursue cello. Stay tuned December 1st for possible exciting news on that front.

We should also mention that little Elinor had her first viola recital the night before as well and did a marvelous job performing "Atacama Crossing." We were all so proud, and very glad that cookies followed up the performance.

Tuesday, Justin expertly moderated a panel of BYU Presidents, current and former, on their experience leading the BYU toward its prophetic destiny as the University Forum. Outside sources reported that it was flawless and inspiring. It was not broadcast live, but we hope the recording will be up soon. That evening Justin delivered the BYU Honors Program's Annual Disciple-Scholar lecture focusing not on his own journey as a disciple-scholar, but instead on that of President Dallin H. Oaks. The result was magnificent. Many asked if and where it will be published. If only we knew.

Thursday, Lia took Gwyn, Elinor, and Gabriel to the middle school production of The Little Mermaid to cheer on friend, ward member, and Mother-Daughter book clubber Rosie as one of the dancers. It was a fun production.

Friday saw the culmination of years of thought and months of preparation: the first annual Collings Family Pioneer Ball. After recruiting a few willing, large families to learn a small selection of dances from 

around 50 people, big and small, joined to dance, sing, and eat together. Not sure that "Pop, Goes the Weasel," "Virginia Reel," "Oh, Susanna," "Old Dan Tucker," and "Grand March" (among others) would be enough incentive for the teenaged male population, a commercial ice cream machine was also procured. It was a great time, and huge thanks to all who helped set up and take down. It was not a task for the faint at heart! Intending this as the first of fifty such dances--"Will Lia really be dancing in her 90's?" one of the young guests was reported to have asked her mother--we hired a photographer to capture the first of these magical evenings. Pictures forthcoming as soon as the photographer's finals are over.

Today was Stake Conference, and our sweet Primary children joined others in moving to the aisles and the balconies and testifying to the congregation through song that they "Will Walk God's Covenant Path." We also finally had Katharine's birthday dinner--beef stew, rolls, and apple pie--and are all looking forward to more good food and many things for which to give thanks in the coming week.

This was also a momentous week in Miriam's development. She wore shoes for the first time, for one thing, which began with that awkward goose step and drunken reeling as she accustomed her little toes to the new imprisonment, but now proceeds quite professionally. She also learned how to give knuckles. One day this week she went down for a late nap around 5 pm and then awoke at 10 pm ready for action. For the next hour she had the time of her life with both parents to herself, rushing between one and the other "boom"ing, i.e. calling for knuckles and saying "Boom!" with a delighted laugh when they were given. She also rode on Justin's back, delivered many hugs, and demanded many stories. She was subdued enough around 11 pm to attempt putting her back to bed. Mercifully, it worked.

Miriam also delighted her teenaged brother Abdiel most but others as well by not only learning to say "Six-Seven," but also making a hand motion that kind of resembles what the teenagers do as they say this meaningless phrase. We have forgotten to record previously that Miriam enjoys whispering, but has somehow gotten confused and believes that one whispers into the nose, not the ear. She has delivered many a secret, very wet message onto Lia's schnozz, even grabbing Lia's face with both hands to turn it back to nose front when she tries to offer her an ear instead. 

Playing Stake Conference Bingo today to try to make that meeting less tedious for the little ones jogged the memory that Miriam, like the smartest bloodhound, very quickly caught on during General Conference to the fact that the word "Bingo!" meant "Candy!". She therefore called for her own share whenever any of her siblings had achieved that triumph, much more vociferously than the true recipient ever did. 

Other news: Gwyn has a national history day group again that began work this week. She also showed her activity days group all about her talent of violin playing in anticipation of her leaving for YW in about a month. Gabriel seems to continue to heal from his concussion. He has been much crankier than he ever was before, but getting ready for the dance may have robbed him of attention he is used to. Elinor is making great progress reading the Book of Mormon in preparation for her baptism. Abdiel is spinning many plates and doing a great job with all of them, as is Katharine, who was named her school's sterling scholar in Social Sciences last week. Elisabeth has miracle after miracle to report from her mission. Julia was just called for an interview to teach at the MTC. We have dates for the Lindon Temple open house and dedication (March 12-April 11, dedication May 3rd), and exciting things are happening professionally, academically, and musically around the Collings home. Even before Thanksgiving, we truly have much for which to be grateful.