Catching Up!

Wow, wow, WOW! I'm behind on posts. Be ready for photo overload!

So much has happened in these past few weeks. We went from incredibly busy to incredibly not as busy. We've gotten church callings (Josh - Valiant 9 teacher | Cambri - Nursery Assistant) and went back on our diet (for me) before the Holidays come and make me gain it all back again. We've played games and gone to Chick-Fil-A fundraisers for the band.

I guess maybe I should just start at the beginning...

Maple Mountain performed their last competition in Utah County before we headed to St. George a few weeks later. The kids did awesome and took first place again!! We were absolutely thrilled with the students and started feeling even more anxious for their State performance.

Listening to awards being presented for the 2A class.

We took first!

(Thanks to Shelley Jackson, the booster president, 

for capturing these photos in the moment!)

The Marching Band trophy case starting to get full!

After our competition in the morning, Josh and I went to the temple to do sealings together. Once we were done, we went to Pleasant Grove high school to watch the rest of the competition that day. We both went to American Fork high school and staffed with Westlake (Josh and I), Lone Peak, and American Fork (Josh) so it was fun to see the groups that we've worked and performed with!

And now! Probably the greatest and most exciting thing that has happened thus far in Josh's career as the band director at Maple Mountain. We went to St. George at the beginning of November and had a great time with the kids. We stopped in Zion National Park and hiked around for a few hours before we headed back to the hotel and got ready for the annual "band dance". The following day, we got up and rehearsed before the kids performed in the early afternoon. As you probably know and can probably guess, Maple Mountain took the State Championship! We were ecstatic.

I remember going to a few of Josh's rehearsals early in the summer and thinking, "This is gonna be a rough season. These kids aren't that great." Watching them overcome their weaknesses and the difficulty of getting a new teacher and band staff was amazing. These kids really did beat the unexpected and surpassed what I had imagined their season would turn out to be like.

Of course, I'm mostly proud of my husband, and all the hard work he has put into this special group of kids. For a first time band director, he done did good :). There were multiple nights where he came home, feeling discouraged, and wondering what he was going to do and how he was going to achieve what he wanted for his students and program. Watching the kids engulf him into a huge hug in the Dixie Stadium and say, "Thank you, Mr. Hurst." was such a special moment that either of us with ever forget.

Zion National Park

Funny story (because I want to remember this): We have a student, named Jacob, who is basically blind, that has to walk with a stick so that he can feel where he is going. I wondered how he would do hiking, and man! That kid did awesome! He hiked all the hikes that Josh & I were on and it was incredible to watch him climb up these rocks and take large steps. At one point, someone in the group said, "I feel like I can't even enjoy what's all around me because I have to look at my feet!" Jacob replied very nonchalantly, "Story of my life."

Waiting to hear how we did.

The kids giving Josh a big hug (I'm in there somewhere... being squished like a bug.)

2017 Staff - Josh's first team

Left to right: Brielle (Colorguard), Andrew (Percussion), Josh, Dylan (Brass/Visual), and me (Woodwinds/Director's Biggest Fan)

With the winning trophy! Such a proud moment.

The Maple Mountain 2017 Marching Band!

The city of Spanish Fork had a fire truck pick up the kids the following week after we came home from our St. George trip and took them through the city to celebrate their State Championship. I wasn't there, but it was fun to have Christine (Josh's mom) send me pictures while it was going on. The kids looked like they had so much fun! In addition to the fire trucks, the high school let all the students out early to see a special last performance of the marching band - something that never happens in schools.

Riding the fire trucks back to the high school.

Josh & all the new trophies from this awesome season.

I love seeing what the kids have to say after they've completed a season. It's amazing to see how much marching band and music can affect these teenagers lives. Here are some that I saved to look back on in the future:

Gundy (sophomore): alto saxophone

Funny Story to keep for later: Gundy is one of the sweetest kids I know. He is always so kind and asks everyone how they're doing. While we were in St. George, the students were playing Truth or Dare on the bus. One of the questions, asked to Gundy, was, "Who would you kiss in the marching band if you had to?" His response was, "Cambri." Obviously, the students called out loudly, "Oh my goodness, MR. HURST!!" Embarrassed, Gundy told them not to say anything. Like good little band kids, they didn't. A guard member came up to us later that night and told us what had happened. Josh & I started laughing and I thought, that poor boy is probably so embarrassed! The next morning, after Josh had given instructions to the kids on what would be happening during the day, he said, "Gundy... stay away from my wife!" (totally joking, of course). Gundy went up to Josh a few hours later and said, "Mr. Hurst. I promise you don't have to worry about anything with me and your wife."

The pit kids! I loved their construction vests.

Liv (Junior) - percussionist

Percussion section

And now, life has returned to (somewhat) normal. Okay, let's be honest. It will never be normal when you're married to a band director. But it is constantly a wonderful adventure where memories are being made. Not long after the season ended, we went to HuHot Mongolian Grill (sooo good) and to the movie "Thor" with Dylan (brass/visual staff) and his girlfriend, Ryan. It was fun to be able to hand out outside of a band function! These two are so much fun to be around. 

Like I mentioned at the beginning, Josh and I both received new callings in our Mapleton ward. I've been able to be with the nursery for two Sundays now and absolutely adore this calling. Someone told me, "That'll be good birth control" and I keep thinking, "You're crazy! Kids are darling!!" It was fun to walk into nursery and instantly have ten little friends all around you (because they don't care that they don't know who you are - they just love that you play with them!). Some of the little girls are shy and will occasionally come and show me the doll they've dressed up, but I usually end up playing with the rowdy boys! Last Sunday, I was in charge of bringing the snacks into the next room. Sister Tapia (the other Nursery leader) said, "Okay! It's time for snacks!" Henry, who is barely one years old and hardly ever talks, perked up and started screaming with excitement and banging his hands on the plastic table. Who knew that pretzels and marshmallows were that exciting?! But really, it has been such a joy to be with these special children, even though it has only been two weeks. I've loved watching them learn about Jesus and being thankful. [We sustain Josh this Sunday but I have no doubt he will absolutely love those 8/9 year old kids!]

Me, Josh, Ryan & Dylan after watching Thor.

Josh loves to cook. Back when we lived with our parents, we tried new recipes all the time. Since being married, we've tried to be a little more careful with our money, which has resulted in us basically making the same meals over and over again: lemon chicken, chili with eggs, and brown rice. Okay, so we make other things. On my way home from work one day, I decided to stop at Walmart and grab some groceries to make a new meal. It ended up being so good that we made it again a few days later. Completing this meal was a milestone for me... I actually can cook & be a wife ;)!

Itallian Skillet Chicken w/Tomatoes & Mushrooms

Fried Rice

Josh made basically a perfect omelet the other day, 

so of course I had to take a picture and show it off.

And last, but certainly not least by any means... to the person who so willingly bought and left us all these bags of groceries - thank you. 

Our land lord came downstairs and asked, "Did you leave all these groceries out?" I laughed, thinking how silly it would be to have left that many groceries outside my door! Josh and I put everything on the bottom shelves of our pantry, just in case they really weren't meant for us. After a few days, we finally put them away and I couldn't help but feel so thankful. I later made the joke that we would now be able to survive a zombie apocalypse.

But really, it was so kind and we are so, so thankful!

Grocery bags full of food.

Our pantry with all the food.

We wish you a happy holiday season these next few weeks! May you be able to stuff as much food into your bellies as possible this Thursday for Thanksgiving ;).

I am thankful for all of you and the role you play in my life. Thank you, to each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving!!