mission call

Interview has happened. Papers are done and now we wait for the envelope to come in the mail. I have been through this 3 times before with the boys and each time is so very special. Can't wait...she is a little nervous, just in the waiting to see where she will go!

My Daughter

It's August. A plan has been in motion for over a year now. The plan became more real in December and then in March and then again in May...and then the work began and then it got done and now it's time. A year goes very fast when you are working and preparing and thinking and planning. The "button" gets pressed this week...YES, Lainey is going on a mission.
She was baptised by her older brother the day she turned 8, she got her patriarchal blessing the day she turned 16 and now planning as she does, 100 days before she turns 21 to send her mission papers in to be processed and her date of availabiltiy is the day she turns 21.
I guess her PLANNING started a long time ago when her brothers served the Lord, she heard their stories and her fathers and she started the thinking part. The preparing part is on going, both spiritually and temporally.
And last summer in the middle of July she came down one day and told us that she knows she is to serve a mission and wants to go and is planning for that time.
A mission is more than the 18 months or 2 years you serve- there is so much more that goes into it.
It's gone so fast, this year has, she now nearly 21, a junior in college, lived out on her own for 2 years, has had a job for 4 years and is an amazing young woman. I am so proud of the woman she has become and look forward to this next chapter in her life.
I sit in amazement at my children and am proud to be called their Mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Today is my Dad's, Archie Milton Bowser, birthday. He would have been 82 years old. It's hard for me to think of him as gone from this earth. He lived the last of his days in Brazil, and on the day before his death I had this feeling to call him-we talked monthly at least the last few years of his life. But I didn't call him, I remembered the time difference and so I said I'd do it tomorrow but that tomorrow brought a very early phone call saying he had passed in his sleep. That's a really good way to go, sleeping and not in pain.
He was a really cool Dad, when I was young he nicknamed me CHICK, I loved that, he always used it. He played alot with me as a kid, made the best memories and was really an encourager. He took me shopping for new school clothes to Robert Hall and let ME pick out what I wanted and said yes as long as I would really wear it. When I had my first car accident he was more concerned with me and those with me than with the car. He was really a kind man, one who was quiet but loved to watch his kids and very proud of us. He never made me feel inferior, he knew I could do anything I wanted to do and he often provided the way by having me work hard and then swoop in help out with the money or encouragement.
He was so proud when I won Miss Monmouth County..he came to everything I ever did in school. He was a really great son to his parents which is so cool to remember that.
I miss him but I can see that he instilled in me the fun, good parent part.
He got to visit with his kids and grandkids in Cali a few years before his death- he was so proud of them and me for raising them to be such wonderful kids. They only spent 2 weeks with us but the kids all learned about him and loved him so much.
He went to see Tyler sing in a high school performance and told me he was going to be something big someday. He loved Andrews zest for life and his love and kindness. He loved Jermey and meeting Heidi and was so taken with his responsibility and his love of chatter!!! H ewas os excited to have a great grand child in Baylee- . And Lainey he thought was so beautiful and she reminded him of me which was so cool.
We had a family home evening one night and he wrote that he would love us forever and I still have that paper on my fridge.
I love my fmaily and I love my Dad for being the best ever for me and my brother.

NEON TREES TOUR

Last week I went with Sylvia and Lainey to see them play in San Diego. Chris and Tyler came back home with us to sleep-something they really need. Then On Monday we went to LA where the TREES did an acoustic set for YAHOO and for MCCAFE. And then a shopping spree at American Rebel. Lunch was really good at El Chollo in Santa Monica.
Wednesday we all went to their HOT TOPIC appearance in Montclair-can I say how fun that was to see 100 fans lined up outside in the mall- the band came in the back door, the store was closed and they let in 30 super fans for a private acoustic set and signing. Followed by all the rest for just signings and pictures. They have some pretty intense fans that follow them wherever they go! Crazy but very nice that they love their music so much.
That night we went to the Pomona Glass House show where Civil Twilight, Paper Tongues and Neon Trees headlined. Great show by all but the trees were really supported. There were so many people there that we know and love and many from Tylers graduating high school and then new fans from Temecula and Murrieta. Packed at about 700 people. What energy-it was very special.
COOL- I met Randy Jackson- the picture is on Tyler's tumblr account!!! I need to get a copy and put it here. That was fun. We had a chat-cool!!!
T came home to sleep for 10 hours then got a flight to Vegas for the next show which was Friday.
Sylvia, Matt and I at the very last minute Thursday night decided to go just for the show-actually Matt came on board on Friday just before we left!!! Needless to say we ended up seeing the Vegas show and 4 more in Arizona- We have a pact now that whenever we leave to see a show there MUST be a several changes of clothes brought just in case.
Came back on Monday night- such a fun time we had. The band was well recieved everywhere we went and as mom's it was great to see. What a crazy life but so fun for all of us.

glass house insanity!!

The insanity part is to be the Mom of a very quiet, shy child who turns into a raging dance machine, singing perfect pitch and can entertain with wit, love and graciousness!!! I am amazed every time I see Tyler on stage. I know this kid, I know how he thinks, how he operates, the real Tyler. And then to see him on stage commanding a room full of relative strangers with his band of equally talented bandmates...what a show, what a moment.
And then when I see him with the fans-so many fans that are inspired by the lyrics, the music and say how their lives are changed or marked for a moment in time...WOW. He loves these strangers and yet they are hardly strangers within the music.
And he treats me with such care when I attend a show, making sure I am comfortable and he does this with his family members.
Now a little cherry on the night at the Glass House was seeing Timmy P again and meeting long time legend - Randy Jackson...T took a pic of us backstage. I'll post it when he sends it. So cute- I'm out front chatting by the merch table and I get a text- Randy Jackson is in the dressing room...I text Can I come back- no response- I say Heck yes, I'm going back there to meet him...I walk into the dressing room, NO surprise on Tylers face just to hear T say- Randy I'd like you to meet my Mother and I knew you'd like this Mom...Elaine, John and T witnessed my minor freakout-maybe a little major as I grabbed his hand and hugged him...we had a moment, a photo and he said how much he likes Neon Trees...he wanted to know where Tyler had gotten the talent and that was kind...
So I still sit today contemplating the joy of yesterday looking forward...SO MUCH FUN!

A DAY WITH NEON TREES

91X fest in San Diego started this weeks mini adventure with Neon Trees. Sylvia(Chris' Mom), Lainey and I drove down to meet the band. We arrived a bit before them, waited at an intersection for them and then followed them in. Can I say it is fun to drive behind them as they are let in the gates, and then I say "I'm with Neon Trees" and I am waived on in. Love it. They were met with a handful of screaming fans, a few autographs and then escorted in to see the stage. At first glance the stage was the West Plaza stage not the main stage. We were all feeling that this was going to be like playing at a coffee shop again!!
WRONG!!!
Civil Twilight played for about 100 people and then a few minutes later The tree were on and WOW the crowd was over 1500 people jammin to their 25 minute set. It was amazing. Your Surrender was my favorite from the sound of Tylers voice. magical moments. Then after they played they signed and did pictures for an hour solid by the stage and then were excorted to a meet and greet for another 12 hour solid. Crazy.
T came home for the night, slept 12 hours and off to LA we went. First Yahoo, to meet with the Music Department, film an acoustic segment, then off the film an interview and acoustic "Animal" for McCafe...Thento American Rebel Clothing where they got some great clothes-thankyou very much... Lunch was in between at El Chollo in Santa Monica. So tasty.
Lainey and I were home by 8 and they were at LAX waiting for their flight to San Fran where they play a sold out show tonight.
Wednesday they will be back in SOCAL in Pomona.
I love being around the kids as they are so much fun, witty and you all know I love to laugh!!!

FRIENDS

Laughing is the best medicine. I have always loved to laugh and recently made a contientious effort to laugh crazy everyday. This week when I was talking to my Dad, Julian, we laughed so hard and he said it was the best for him. It was nothing really but a great conversation filled with real laughter. I don't think I had ever heard him giggle so hard , ever!!
and girlfriends can make you laugh at yourself and you can be witty and find such joy in laughter with them.
I love to laugh, and love to be with people who make me laugh. so try it...today ...just laugh, giggle and go crazy with laughing. You will feel great after.