Singing Time Kids

Camille is in a group called Singing Time Kids. They had their little performance last Friday night. It was a really fun performance, and all of the kids were so cute. Grandma and Grandpa Miles came from Cedar to be there, and Erin and Kelly came too. It was fun to have family there. I was so proud of Camille! She did a great job. She joined the group a little later than the others. The first week, when I went to pick her up, one of the leaders asked her if she had a solo that she would like to do. I have to admit that I thought there was NO way that she would do it. Well my sweet Camille gave me a surprise. She said yes, that she had a solo, and she went up to perform. I was shocked- mostly because I wondered what in the world her solo was going to be. I knew darn well that we didn't have anything ready. So she got up there, and sung Mary had a Little Lamb. It was so cute. After that, I decided that I had better help her find a song that she could sing, because she was game to do it. We borrowed some song books, and Camille decided that she wanted to sing "Take me Out to the Ball Game." So after a couple months practice, this is the final product. I love it that kids have so much confidence that they can do things like this.

The story behind Camille being in this group is pretty neat. In 1994 I was serving my mission in New Zealand. I was just transferred to a town called Westport. It was on the west coast of the south island, and it hadn't had sisters there for quite a few years. I was supposed to train a new missionary. When I met my new companion, I knew immediately that she, Tyra Abney (now Hawkins), was going to be great. And she was. She is one of those people who is just dynamic in every way. Everything about her was fun, filled with energy, and spiritual. I have thought many times that she trained and taught me more than I ever taught her. She had been in a performing group at Ricks college called Showtime. She is an amazing singer. She was always singing, yodeling, and doing funny moves to go along with it. It kept me laughing. She told me back then that her Mom started a little group when she was a kid called the Rainbow Rhythms. She taught them how to do singing and little actions. I always loved hearing her sing.

Fast forward 14 years. When we moved to Murray we ended up living about 5 minutes from where Tyra does. We have been able to get together some, which has been so enjoyable. She and a friend started a singing group so their kids would have the chance to sing and gain confidence performing. What an amazing service. So Camille got to be in Tyra's singing group. Never in my imagination did I think my daughter would be singing in Tyra's group. It's funny how things come full circle. Now our kids are acquainted with each other and have sung together. I am so grateful that Camille had this opportunity. It was really fun for her. It was also fun for me to see Tyra as a mother and directing this group. I am still totally convinced that she is amazing, and I feel that I am blessed to be her friend.