Lori Renée Devey
Vocalist/Composer/Instructor 
 
 

Happy Paw-lidays from my furry family to yours!  

Love, Minuet (the family Dog)

This is my fourth year writing the Devey-family Christmas Blog, and I am beginning to think life will never slow down! I mean, I get a solid 20 hours of sleep per day, plus plenty of lounging and self-care, but sometimes my family forgets that in addition to my 20 hours of sleep, and daily walks, I need 4 hours of constant attention! duh

But, it's ok. They are only human, and are super cute, so I forgive them for being so silly and busy. Please don't mind my grammar and spelling, I am only a simple rescue puppy!

Jameson (17) - Senior in High School - Photographer, musician, flight enthusiast!

Speaking of silly and busy! Between college applications, being an assistant basketball coach for a non-profit organizing, playing trumpet with the Orange County Youth Symphony, Volunteering as an accountant for Community of Character, and attending his senior year of high school, I barely get enough snuggles from this boy. But, I forgive him because he is the worlds best wrestler. No one else on this planet makes wrestling so fun, and I refuse to wrestle with anyone else. 

You can follow Jameson on his IG photography page to see some his beautiful captures here, and also hear Jameson play in the Lobby of Segerstrom concert last week with the famed Canadian Brass here.  Jameson was even scouted by University of Oregon and Arizona State University for his trumpet playing, but we will see what he chooses to do with all of his talents. One of Jameson's goals is a be a commercial airline pilot, although I cannot imagine why he would ever want to fly away from me, his favorite barky dog! But, we love and support him wherever he goes, even if I don't sleep well when he is gone.

Giselle - 14 Freshman in High School - Ballerina, musician, and artist!

My sister is the absolute best at snuggling, playing, and teaching me tricks. Although I am quite an incredible ballet instructor, because I helped her immensely with her  saut de chat and pirouettes! Aside from homeschooling, taking Mandarin at Irvine Valley College, composing music, and dancing 6-7 days per week at DKCBA, she always makes time for a good snuggle session.

After a beautiful competition season where she was able to dance at YAGP World Finals, Giselle was invited to one of the most prestigious ballet summer intensives in the world. I was not a fan of both my sister and Mom being away for over two weeks in London, but they had an incredible visit, Giselle grew as an artist, and Giselle was even invited back to Royal Ballet School again next summer! I sure hope I can fly to London next year, I am a Jack Russel Terrier (we think) so I should be welcomed back to England.

You can follow Giselle's ballet journey here, and watch her Aurora Variation and her Awakening of Flora Variation. Giselle also composed, played and sang her music for her contemporary piece. You can find that video here! 

Jim - Brilliant Engineer and Dad

My Dad is the best at getting me excited, and boy was I excited when he started working just one instead of 4 projects!  All of his hard work has paid off as he was invited to speak at a Steel Convention last month in Sacramento.  Jim was honored by CalTrans for his work on the Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement project. 

When Jim isn't working, he's scratching my belly, taking me for walks, going to the gym, and playing his guitar. This year hopefully he will have more time for anything but work, as I definitely need longer walks!

Lori - Musician extraordinaire and Mom

Don't tell anyone, but my mom is the snuggliest of snugglers! I have to sleep next to her, with a blanket over my head or I bark at everything. But, luckily Lori teaches her 40+ students from home when she is not teaching at South Coast Conservatory, or performing with various churches and organizations. She apparently loved London as well, and enjoyed an impromptu performance at the Victoria and Albert Museum!

This year, Lori loved helping Aliso Niguel High School prepare for their production of Sponge Bob, and helping voice and piano students take their Certificate of Merit exams through Music Teachers Association of California. This Holiday season, Lori loved sing with the South County Community Handbell Choir, and looks forward to soloing at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach for their Christmas Eve service. 

You can follow Lori here and here!

I almost forgot to include that my family went to Hawaii for the first time since Jameson was a baby. I am not sure why they could not take me, but they sure had fun even though they missed me!

In spite of all the silliness and busy-ness of our daily Devey life, I pray we are never too busy for friends and family. You are loved, and are always in our hearts as we remember the reason for the season. 

If any of you have met my barky self, you know that I definitely need calm and peace, so we pray that we all find:

“Peace of God that will rule in your hearts” this Christmas and holiday season! (Colossians 3:15)

Much love,

Minuet Devey (four year old rescue puppy and aspiring blogger)

Beautiful family photos by the incredible Ulrika Molin!

Hey there! It’s me, Minuet (Mini) the Devey family perma-puppy!

Even though I am actually 3 years old, my family says I will always be a puppy. Yet somehow they still trust me to write the family Christmas blog every year!

I rescued my family 3 years ago, and boy do they need me! Every day they come home from work, ballet, practice, rehearsal, or school, and they require at least a 10 minutes of snuggles and attention!  I am excellent at bringing their heart rates down, and taking them on long walks where they remember to stop and smell the roses… and other things that might smell.

Jameson is a junior in high school, and is now a licensed driver, so he technically could take me to the dog park every day.  But, since he’s busy with playing trumpet with the Saddleback Wind ensemble, basketball, volunteering, photography, and a demanding school load, I don’t get to go to the dog park as frequently. But that’s ok, at least he wrestles with me every day and I make him laugh. When Jameson isn’t at school or practicing, you can catch him at Cars and Coffee taking photos of his favorite cars.

 You can see a few of Jamesons images on his Instagram. He even took a photo of me, Mini with a Mini! Please remind him to post that photo, even though that’s his least favorite car on the planet. Luckily, I am his favorite dog!

Jameson loves driving our grandparents Polaris, and sometimes even I get to go on trail rides!

Giselle is in 8th grade, and boy have all of those years of me teaching her ballet paid off!   She placed top 12 at YAGP, and was invited to dance with the YAGP International Contemporary Ensemble in Romania this February. I told her I should definitely go to Romania with them, but we will see. After a decade of training, my ballerina sister was cast as Marie in The Nutcracker at DKCBA and she is over the moon with excitement. If only they cast me as the Nutcracker, we would be the perfect duo!  

When Giselle isn’t dancing, she is composing music, painting, home-schooling, singing, modeling, stretching, sewing pointe shoes, or teaching me new tricks

Here is Giselle at YAGP LA! You can see her dancing here: 

Giselle loves being an ambassador for In Motion Photography Studio and Dance Supplies, so. You can see more of Giselle’s talents on here on her Instagram page and on YouTube.

As you can see, I am also an excellent model. Our photographer friend invited me on this photoshoot and you can see more of his photos here, and more of my Puppy Photos here!

Jim is the best dad I could ever ask for! When he isn't commuting to multiple job sites in LA and San Diego, he is snuggling with me, or making me steak. But, he and the entire family left me to go on vacation without me. They apparently had lots of fun fishing, hiking, and mountain biking on Catalina, without me. I have no idea how anything is fun without me. But, he shared several photos from their trip here. Luckily, they have taken me to almost every other trip they have been on since my birth. As is proper!

Lori is the snuggliest of moms and the most gullable. I didn't get the name “Mini the mooch” for nothing! When mom isn't teaching, singing, howling along with me, driving, or practicing, she is at my beck and call. I get as many snacks, cuddles, and walks as I can squeeze into her crazy schedule. 

Lori still loves working with the Theater Department at ANHS as a Vocal instructor. You can also find Lori teaching at the Devey Music Studio, and teaching a teen Musical Theater class at SCC, or singing with various churches and organizations. But, really she should just stay home and howl with me. Someday I will get her priorities in order!

You can see more of My moms musical and mom-cal life here! 

Well, I'm pooped! I have only had 21 out of my 22 hours of sleep today, so I'm off to bed. I hope you all have a Happy Howl-iday and make a joyful noise unto the Lord this holiday season. I know I will!

See you next year!!!

Hi there! 

It's me, Minuet, the Devey family dog. Or as I like to call myself, the Queen! 

Apparently my family is too busy working, studying, teaching, singing, and dancing to come write a little blog. But I don't mind helping when I can! Besides, I help the family with everything else around here. 

For instance, I helped them take beautiful family photos this year! Usually we have my moms friend, Miss Ulrika take photos, but Fall was extra busy this year. Didn't I do a great job making them smile? 

This is my big brother, Jameson! I help him a lot as well! For example, he is super busy with school, playing in two bands, including Saddleback College Wind ensemble, playing basketball, photographing super cars, studying for his drivers permit, and tooting his horn. So, when he comes home from school, I make sure to snuggle him and distract him so he doesn't get stressed. You can hear him tooting his horn at the Chapman University Honor Band last year here and playing basketball here. Can you believe Jameson is 15 years old? Don't worry about him driving though, he is more knowledgeable about cars than any other bi-ped I know! 

Here is my big sister, Giselle! I am super helpful with my sister as well. She is crazy busy with home school, ballet, ballet, ballet, ballet, piano, art, ballet, and finally ballet! But that is just how she likes it! Giselle even composed, played, sang, and recorded one of her own original compositions for Youth America Grand Prix. You can see her contemporary piece with her original music here and her top-12 junior classical YAGP video here.  It's a good thing I am home all day to help sleep on Giselle whilst she does school, and make her smile by stealing her lambs wool and toe spacers! Can you believe Giselle is only 12? I am 14 in dog-years, so technically I am the big sis!!!

Miss Ulrika took this incredible photo of my sister! You can see more of Giselle's dance journey here.

Hold on…. I gotta go bark at the UPS driver…. 

TBC…..

Oh hey! I'm back and I saved our house from another vicious delivery person!

Let me tell you about my dad!

My dad is an engineer who helps people build bridges and now even bus-charging stations. You can read more about one of his projects here. When my dad isn't working, he likes to play his guitar, and take my brother to Cars and Coffee in San Clemente. Dad also produced an original song that my sister wrote and sang, you can hear that here. I offered to help howl on the song, but they said I could sing on the next track! 

I am also incredily helpful with my mom! She needs me to snuggle with her whilst she practices, which is a lot these days! This year she was a soloist with the St. Cross Choir and Orchestra production of Handel's Messiah. You can watch her howl here and here. Mom is also a regular soloist with Christ Church by the Sea, and the South County Community Handbell Choir. 

When mom isn't practicing, or performing, she continues to teach private music lessons from her home studio and at South Coast Conservatory, group piano at Red Apple Academy, and she is a vocal coach for the Aliso Niguel High School Theater Department.

Anyhoo, that's what's going on in our little pack! I hope your packs are enjoying the holidays and remembering how lucky we are to have each other! Take lots of time to snuggle with all of your family members whether they are young, or old, fuzzy, or feathery! 

My family wants me to tell you that you are loved! I need to remind them to slow down a bit, and to make time to remember the reason for the season. God loves us so much (yes, he even loves his fuzzy creations) that he sent His only son to the earth as a tiny baby!

Gods love isn't like my toys that lose their squeaks and fuzziness! His love will never leave or forsake us! Hebrews 13:5

Have yourself a fuzzy little Christmas!

Love, Minuet (Mini) Penny Devey

Oh hi! It's me again, Minuet Devey, but you probably know me as Mini!  It's that time of year again when mom delegates the task of writing our annual family blog, because she is super busy howling and teaching other humans to howl. I am 15 in dog years, and 16 months in human years! I guess I should start studying for my Drivers Permit! 

In case you have not noticed, I am a full-grown dog, but my family still calls me a puppy, AKA perfect puppy princess. That might be because I refuse to drink river water on hikes, and I avoid peeing in the rain at ALL costs. I don't see any of you down on all fours to drink water from a stream, or using the facilities in the great outdoors, so don't judge! 

Life has been pretty busy around here with lots of changes. But I still greet everyone with a tail wag that shakes my entire body, because no matter how busy they are, I am always available to snuggle and play! If you want to see more of my puppy antics, come over and play, or just follow me on Instagram. @fuzzy.minuet.

Jameson is 168 years old, and 14 in human years, and he actually IS studying for his drivers permit! 

Jameson is in 9th grade, and is now the tallest member of the family; that must be why they call it high school! Jameson still loves tooting his horn! Last year he played trumpet in both the CUSD Honor Band as well as the All Southern California Honor Band. Then, in the summer he spent an entire week away from me at Chapman University at an instrumental music camp learning with some of the best brass teachers in the country.  

Just as soon as he arrived home to play with me, Jameson resumed tooting with his High School Marching band, even during the summer. I am proud to say that my brother’s band placed 6th at California State Championships, and I even got to see him perform at the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade last week! The trumpets sounded angelic, but the percussion made me a little nervous. I can't help it, I'm not 5'10" like someone else I know.

Jameson still loves basketball, and I train him regularly, so obviously I helped him make the Freshman basketball team! Between the tooting, the balling, the College Chinese Classes, and the honors classes, I don’t see nearly enough of my brother. But, no matter how tired he is after a long day of tall-school, I always put a smile on his face!

Giselle is 132 dog years old, and 11 in human years.  

Giselle is homeschooled, so one would think she would be home to play with me more, but alas, I taught her to dance so well that she dances 20+ hours per week. Giselle's homeschool even featured her on their site, here!  My sister was quite successful in her first year as a competitive dancer, and she placed at nearly every competition she danced or sang at. Giselle also loved performing as Flounder in The Little Mermaid, and the Gulnare Variation in Le Corsaire at South Coast Conservatory. All of that dance inspired Giselle to return to her home-dance studio, Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, where she is continuing her 9th season of dance, and 7th season at DKCBA. You can follow my sister on Instagram here. 

All of that training and hard work with Miss Savannah, and all of her teachers paid off as my sister was invited to New York City to audition for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Clara role. Don’t tell Giselle, but as her puppy sister, I was a little relieved when Giselle was not cast as Clara, as I am not quite ready to move to NYC for 3 months.  

After her trip to NYC, Giselle learned that a paw issue she had been having since March was a toe injury. Because of this injury, I had hoped she would finally stay home with me to snuggle all day. But,  she still went to ballet every day, 6 days per week to do stretching, strengthening, pilates, and to take notes. Thanks to some amazing teachers and doctors, Giselle was able to return to dance and is performing in her 7th Nutcracker at DKCBA as a Party Boy, Soldier,  Dew Drop, and Russian. Tickets for Orange County Ballet Theater are on sale right now, if you would like to watch my sister, apparently dogs aren’t invited, but you are!!! Purchase Tickets here! 

Mom is 540 dog years old... I'll let you figure that out!

My mommy loves music so much that she teaches it night and day. In the past few years, she has directed 11 shows, and countless showcases, including The Little Mermaid at South Coast Conservatory in June! She absolutely loves directing and teaching, but decided to step down as the musical director to make more time for private instruction and performing. I am hoping that my mom can take a day off every once in a while so we can all play together as a family. 

Miss Lori, as they call her, loves teaching her 30+ private voice and piano students every week at SCC and at the Devey Music Studio and is able to say “yes” to more performances. I still catch my mom working 7 days per week, but I know that she has more flexibility to watch my brother toot his horn, play basketball, and drive my sister to ballet. She even is helping my sister compose original music for her ballet competition. Now that we have a shiny new baby grand piano, we have a beautiful instrument to compose and record with. I also like taking naps on mommy when she plays and sings, as I am always willing to lend a paw!

You can keep up with my mom on YouTube and here and here for Instagram.

Dad 612 dog years... and he can be taught new tricks!

This is my dad, and I take after him as we are both experts at making people laugh. When he isn’t making people snorfle their drinks, Jim works from home as an enginerd. Apparently, he has even more expertise at enginerding than he does at making us laugh, as he seems to drive down to San Diego way more than I think is necessary. He is the project manager of a bus charging station there, and is very famous. You can see him on the news here.  

Besides enginerding, my dad likes to play his guitar and bass in our new music room upstairs. Actually, I think all of our rooms are music rooms! I also like to take him for long runs on the trail, or at the dog park. I even let him off leash from time to time, and he always runs back to me. I’ve trained him wel!

Our beautiful photos were taken again by the famous Ulrika Molin, of Umoments Photography! 

Oh hi, my name is Minuet, but my family calls me Mini. My mom is busy teaching students how to howl and bang on black and white things that makes music, so she asked me to write this doggy blog for her. I was adopted from www.promis4paws.org on Howloween, which seems appropriate as I do like to howl a fair bit.

My family says that I am a dog, or more specifically a terrier mix, and that I am the cutest puppy they have ever had. I am also the only puppy they have ever had. I think they adopted another dog (not a puppy, mind you,) named Lady before my big brother Jameson was born. But, since Lady is gone, I have to play with my human siblings a lot to keep them from leaving the house, because boy are they busy! If you want to see more of my daily puppy-culture, follow me on IG @fuzzy.minuet!

Jameson is 91 (13 in human years)

The brother human, who is taller than our mom, is named Jameson and he leaves the house very early for school every day, I know this as I help drop him off. Jameson likes throwing balls and playing tug-of war with me. I also hear him play a silver tooty horn thing, so I know he likes tooting too. He even tooted with  The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association virtual honor band last year. Sometimes I hear the brother human speak in another language, but it's not as tooty as the horn. It does have tones though; they call it Chinese and they even gave mea  Chinese name, 小步舞曲. Brother also completed level 4 last year of the Certificate of Merit piano evaluation!!! Since I have been making this tooty boy play fetch for so many months, he is even better at basketball. He plays with this team called The Aliso Warriors, and I get to pick him up after practice and lick his face. Thanks to me, his life is pretty sweet!

Giselle is 77 (11 in dog years)

The sister human is named Giselle, and she does not leave early for school. Instead, she stays home all day to play with me, or at least that's what she should do. She also has to close the door so I don't distract her. When she can be distracted, I teach her how to jump like a gazelle. In fact, she recently jumped like a gazelle at her first ballet competition, and received 4th place thanks to me at Universal Ballet Competition in LA! The sister human also howls and plays the white and black thing and completed level 1 of Certificate of Merit piano evaluation. Just like her brother, Giselle speaks Chinese, and goes to tutoring every week. I don't know why they need another language, because I teach them Puppese every single day! Giselle will be busy this weekend performing at a dance called The Nutcracker at SCC where she will be a Columbina doll, Spanish lead, and in another show called The Gift, where she gets to sing and dance on pointe as a ballerina doll. I don't know why she has to leave the house to do this, because she dances at home with me all the time! You can see more of my sister dancing and playing with me here. 

Daddy is 350!!! (you do the math!)

The Daddy human works from home as an engineer who builds things. He sometimes leaves his office door open so I get to assist him with his meetings. I have been known to help him eat an entire pencil, and I can even help sniff his plans, or as I call it blue-paw-prints! Sometimes the Daddy human plays a plingy guitar thingy for me on the weekends and that makes me cock my head to the side with lopsided ears to help him play even better. Daddy has also learned how to throw the ball for me pretty well, so I am sure glad I get to teach him fetch every day! My Daddy posts fun puppy and human stuff here.

Mommy is 308 (I'll let you do the math again)

That's my mommy human! She is very busy too, but not too busy to pick up my special presents, feed me, throw my toys, and teach me to sit, stay, and to only chew on the right things. Mommy human likes teaching people to howl beautifully and make music on the piano thingy, she even had two virtual recitals over the last year, and plans to have a live recital for the first time since January 2020. You can watch some of her recitals here on her YouTube Channel. Mommy also likes teaching Musical Theater at South Coast Conservatory and co-directed an SCC version of Aladdin in February, and an original Musical called Broadway Bound in June! In the future, she should definitely direct these shows at our house so that I can get lots of fetch and belly rub time. But, I guess learning puppy manners means I also have to share my family. This weekend I will be sharing my family a lot as Mommy and sister are in The Gift, and sister is also in Nutcracker. Luckily, I can take care of Daddy and brother by chasing the ball and making messes for them. You can read more about My Mommy's howling life at home here and at SCC here. 

Anyhoo, thanks for reading my first puppy blog! I am pretty excited for my first holiday season, and am working so hard to learn my manners because I love wrapping paper and Christmas tree water. As one of God's creatures, my family can also learn from me.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea in form you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand, is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind!" Job 12:7-10

May you all listen to the animals, the earth, and the Lord above and know that you are loved and give love in return! It's getting late for a 3-month old puppy, so.... Puppy Holidays to all, and to all a goodnight!

Love, Minuet Penny Devey, and Jim, Lori, Jameson and Giselle too!

The beautiful photos were taken by the talented Miss Ulrika Molin! Please see more of her beautiful work here:

Next year, I hope to be part of the family photo shoot!  Miss Molin even has a golden retriever gallery, that all k9 friends will love!

We are blessed. In spite of whatever we may have envisioned for this past year, when we weigh the blessings against the curses, we still find ourselves with plenty of everything that matters. This is not a humble-brag, but a coping mechanism! Much has been taken away from us this year, but so much more has been given, and in the end, we are still massively blessed. 

In January, we learned that Jim’s Mom only had a few days to live, so we flew up to Seattle, and spent a few days by her side showering her with love, and receiving much love in return. We were lucky to spend time with Louise and the Devey family before everything shut down, so we count that as a huge blessing. Another blessing is that Jim has worked for SDG&E for an entire year, and is so lucky to have job security and the flexibility to work from home indefinitely. Since Jim gained 9+ hours per week that were usually lost in commute time, he had both time and energy on the weekend to embark on a total home-makeover, COVID edition. We have loved living in our townhouse for the past 7 ½ years, but we are bursting at the seams with everyone working and learning from home. So, we plan to fix up our townhouse and buy a house locally next spring, God willing! Jim has done an incredible job as our general contractor, plumber, painter, and fixer-upper. If you’re going to be stuck at home, we might as well make it a really nice home! Thanks, Jim-dear! 

Jameson was one of two trumpet players chosen from his middle school to play for the CUSD Honor Band Concert at Segerstrom Concert Hall, in Costa Mesa. That February concert was the only live concert he was able to play in all year before lockdowns, so he is so blessed to have had that opportunity. Jameson continues to study Mandarin in the Manadarin Immersion Program and he excels in all of his studies in 7th grade. Jameson is so lucky to be able to continue taking private trumpet lessons from Tim Hall, and also passed the Virtual Level 3 Certificate of Merit piano exam with State Honors. Although they are not allowed to play basketball games, Jameson loves doing basketball training at West Coast Legendary, and has made great improvement in his basketball skills! Jameson also enjoyed playing in a weekly flag football clinic! Our favorite auto-enthusiast managed to teach us all to differentiate between a Lotus, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and McLaren from a pretty great distance, as we love car-watching at Laguna Beach! Above all, Jameson adores building, and sharing his mechanical knowledge, and making us laugh, so he's a pretty great kid to quarantine with!  

After 6 years of training and dreaming, Giselle finally went en pointe in July! Giselle trained at DKCBA since the age of 3, but she has shown great talent and interest in singing and acting as well, so we made the difficult decision to switch her to South Coast Conservatory where I am the musical director. Luckily, Giselle was welcomed with open arms by Miss Maria and Mr. Enton into the Ballet Conservatory and is thriving in both BC3 and my Musical Theater Conservatory classes. We are so blessed to have an in-studio theater at SCC, so that we could present both an Annie and Sound of Music Showcase with our Musical Theater Conservatory students. Giselle also performed in a Filmed version of “Swan Lake” in August, and was in the battle scene and had a solo in the filmed version of “Nutcracker” last weekend at SCC. Swan Lake can be seen here, and Nutcracker and Aladdin, our Winter Festival shows, will be available soon! Giselle also passed her first Certificate of Merit piano exam virtually at the prep level with State honors. Since G is so busy with piano Mandarin, ballet, acting, and musical theater classes, we also chose to begin homeschooling Giselle for 4th grade with the Capo Home and Virtual School program. We appreciate the flexibility homeschooling brings to our schedule, and we love continuing Giselle’s Mandarin studies with her amazing Mandarin tutor, Miss Lani. Giselle is always making us laugh and delighting us with her beautiful creations, piano compositions, and endless silly faces. Once, again, Jim and I could not find a better team to call our quarantine buddies. 

I am a chameleon. This is nothing new for mothers, artists, and teachers, but shifting hats and platforms is our new pedagogical challenge. I sang my last live performance in Laguna Woods on the day Jim’s Mom passed away, then went straight to a Chinese New Year Party at Giselle’s school where I helped with crafts and serving food. Learning to shift through big emotions, or just channeling those emotions to find deeper expression through my craft is my new jam, apparently. Transitioning from live learning to on-line, Zoom, Live-stream, Facetime, and You-Tube learning was not easy, but seeing my students continue to learn and thrive virtually makes all of the technical challenges fade away. Before the shut down, my Mandarin Immersion Ambassadors performed beautifully at the San Clemente Outlets for the Lunar New Year Festival and were featured in the Orange County Register. Giselle sang and danced, while Jameson MC’d the event in Mandarin. I continue to teach my Devey Music Studio students during the week, both live and in person, and 6 of those students took the MTAC Certificate of Merit Virtual Evaluation, and made State Honors! On the weekends, I adore teaching live and virtually at South Coast Conservatory where I am the musical director for an Annie and Sound of Music Showcase. Last weekend we recorded vocals for our Aladdin Winter Festival and soon we get to film Aladdin, socially distanced, of course.  

If nothing else, 2020 has taught us to be grateful for each moment we spend together. Not every moment is bright and Instagram-ready, but we always find light, even in the darkness. 

1st Corinthians 13:12 it says “For now we see in a mirror, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know, in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” 

May you be known and loved imperfectly by friends and family on earth (as we are all imperfect), and perfectly loved by our Father in Heaven! Merry Christmas, and Hannukah to all! May 2021 bring new light into your vision as we all continue to change the world by changing our world. 

You are loved!!!!  

Love, The Devey Family!

Photos by the talented: Ulrika Molin with UMoments 
Dedicated to my dear Mother-in-law, Louise Devey 

 A few people we hold dear! 

On January 1, 2000, Jim and I rolled out of bed to discover that Y2K had not induced mass world calamity, and that we could indeed move ourselves and our cat, Tosca, to California. Jim had a job as a civil engineer with Cal-trans in the East Bay, and I was accepted into the Masters of opera program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. We were filled with dreams, anticipation, and plenty of hope. 

Flash forward 20 years and many of those hopes and dreams have been fulfilled, and many have lead us to dreams across the world, that we could have never have imagined. God has been faithful to us in times of sickness, and in health and so has my amazing husband. We now have two incredible children, a community that we love, and friends and family that we hold dear. 

Here are a few people we hold dear this year: 

Jim: 

After four years at his previous engineering job, Jim recently switched companies to begin working with San Diego General Electric. So far, he is enjoying the new challenges, and of course, the opportunity to work from home a few days each week. 

Jim continues to delight us all, as well as Cream Puff the Bunny, with his beautiful guitar playing. In May, Jim purchased, designed, and ran a digital sound-system for the Marian Bergeson VAPA presentation of “Mary Poppins.” He has a natural talent for engineering and sound, so it is always good to see these two gifts married together! In June, Jim planned a trip to Aruba for our entire family. It was such a joy to travel abroad to this tiny country and enjoy island life. We made some beautiful memories and hope to return some day.

Lori: 

As the musical director for the Marian Bergeson VAPA program, I had the pleasure of directing my fourth show, “Mary Poppins.” It was a joy to see how much this program has grown and how each student has learned to sing, dance, and act with such skill. 

In June, I played “Rafiki” in the South Coast Conservatory Festival production of “Lion King.” It was my honor to not only teach these amazing artists, but also sing along with them. The Musical Theater Department at SCC has doubled in size, and I look forward to many more beautiful productions with them. 

The Devey Music Studio is still going strong as my private voice and piano studio. As always, I love preparing my students for our two DMS recitals per year, plus various other recording, theater, and film projects my students participate in. This year, I have 6 students preparing for the Music Teacher’s Association of California Certificate of Merit Program. 

This year our Mandarin Immersion Program began a MIP Ambassador program to encourage our MIP students to perform and have more Chinese cultural experiences. Our Ambassadors are excited to perform at the San Clemente Outlets again on Chinese New Year again. Last year our MIP Ambassadors were featured in the Orange County Register!

Jameson: 

In May, Jameson delighted us with his beautiful voice, dancing, and acting as “Neleus” in the VAPA production of “Mary Poppins.” He was also accepted into his first honor ensemble, and played his trumpet with some of the best elementary instrumentalists in his school district. He was so passionate about trumpet that we found an amazing private instructor, Tim Hall, whom he began studying with in June. 

In June, Jameson also graduated from elementary school, and officially became a middle schooler. He loves that the Mandarin Immersion Program that we love so much continues on, and that his kindergarten teacher is now his 6th grade Mandarin instructor. He also adores band, and just played his first winter concert this week. 

His bright and silly personality always shines through whether he is playing volleyball, basketball, piano, or trumpet. Jameson always loves to build, and still lives up to his Chinese name which means “Brilliant Builder.” Jameson lights up every room with his shining humor and clever wit. We love having him as our son!

Giselle: 

Who knew that at 7-years old, Giselle could master a posh British accent and master 19 scenes in her first official school musical? Giselle was selected to play “Jane” in the Bergeson VAPA production of “Mary Poppins,” and she absolutely brought the house down. 

In June, Giselle danced in her 6th Spring recital with Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy. She also just played a party girl and a gingerbread in her 6th Nutcracker this week. Her expression, work ethic, and creativity always light up the stage. 

Both Jameson and Giselle participated in a Peking Opera performance. It was such an interesting experience for them to be totally immersed in the art and culture of Peking Opera. Their performances and interviews were on China News and US China Press and are featured here.  I even had a chance to coach the vocalists, which is always a joy!

You:

As an artist, musician, teacher, composer, follower of Christ, wife, sister, daughter, volunteer, and mother, it is easy to get find yourself overwhelmed and then depressed. I cannot tell you how many friends and family I lean on every day to keep me inspired. Thank you, dear friend, for supporting me as a friend and as an artist. The world needs more song-birds, and I believe God put me on this earth, not just to sing for His glory, but to teach others to do the same. 

Don’t be fooled. OUR LIVES ARE NOT PERFECT! We make daily mistakes, but we are grateful for the Grace of God which saves us, and for the grace of our friends and family! We love you and hold you dear!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves. It is the Gift of God!” Ephesians 2:8. 

May you hold onto that gift this Christmas and holiday season! 

Warmly, 

Lori

Photographs are by the legendary, Stephanie Norman of Reflections By Stephanie!

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” 
~Eva Burrows 

Jim - As a Civil Engineer, he is our cement expert who keeps us all together not to mention our resident baseball, soccer, and basketball coach. At work Jim is known as Associate Vice President at Prescience Engineers, but we know him as the Daddy, the math tutor, sound engineer, guitar guru, computer genius, and master griller. 

Lori - As a Musician and teacher, I am our resident harmony expert. I adore teaching my Devey Music Studio piano and voice students each week. Last year I joined the Music Teacher’s Association of California and my students can now participate in the Certificate of Merit program each year as they stretch their technique, sight-reading, theory, and performing abilities. I also began teaching a vocal technique class at South Coast Conservatory this year and both directed and performed in their annual holiday showcase called, “The Gift.” I continue to sing with the Orange County Performing group called The Showcase Singers and I directed my third show at Marian Bergeson Elementary School. My “Lullaworld” recording project has turned into a book and I can’t wait to share it with the world! 

Jameson - As both our resident builder and cornet player, he is an expert on building just about anything he can imagine and diverting us with his beautiful cornet and piano playing, not to mention his gorgeous voice! Jameson played the staring role in our production of “The Little Mermaid,” at Marian Bergeson. He was a dashing and debonair Prince Eric who charmed us all with his lilting voice and charming dancing.  Jameson loves to play basketball, draw, soccer, baseball, piano, cornet, and make fart jokes. “The Cheetah,” as his last baseball team called him, had an inguinal hernia which required two surgeries, but that won’t keep him down for long. At 10 years old, Jameson is a 5th grader in our beloved Mandarin Immersion Program. His teacher often tells me how impressed she is by his work ethic, and he was student of the month again in October. We love watching Jameson grow and change the world through his love for Christ and his empathy for people who are hurting. 

Giselle - As our resident performer, soccer player, dancer, and artist, Giselle is an expert at creating alternate worlds in her brilliant imagination. In October, Giselle was interviewed by China Central Television where she introduced herself and told how she loves to write in Chinese because the characters are beautiful. In December, Giselle performed in her 5th Nutcracker with Orange County Ballet Theater. She loved playing a pouty Party Girl, Angel, and Gingerbread. At 7 years old, Giselle is a 2nd grader who was just cast as “Jane” in our Marian Bergeson VAPA production of “Mary Poppins,” and we cannot wait to hear her sing and light up the stage. Like her brother, Giselle has a beautiful love for Christ and for people who are hurting. 

Whether we are engineering, teaching, performing, building, or playing, we hope to always be loving! Our lives are far from perfect, but the love of Christ we share keeps us in perfect harmony! 

Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you in the coming year!

“Families are like branches on a tree,
we grow in different directions,
yet our roots remain the same.” 
~Unknown 

Our little branches are sprouting up and surprising us daily with their originality, strength, and kindness. 

Jameson is our EIT. He loves to design, build, and dream of becoming a NASA aerospace engineer. Baseball, basketball, music, books, art, and origami, are a few of Jameson’s favorite things. Each morning at 6:30 you will find Jameson “entertaining his brain” at the piano. This year, Jameson played “The Baker” in the school production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and he was recently cast as “Prince Eric” in the 2018 production of “The Little Mermaid.” Jameson won 3rd place in his division for his story called “Leonardo De Hamster” at the Reflections Art Contest at school. Jameson is now in 4th grade at his Mandarin Immersion school, and he is thriving with both his English teacher, Mrs. Welsh, and Mandarin teacher Mrs. Fong who inspire him to learn and to grow.

Our Renaissance Man delights us with his many talents and creative ideas. Not a day goes by without Jameson declaring, “I’ve got an idea!” 

Giselle is our perfomer/teacher. She loves to design, create, and dream of being a Chinese teacher and ballerina. Ballet, art, music, books, and writing Chinese sentences are a few of Giselle’s favorite things. Each morning I brush Giselle’s hair whilst she plays the piano, as she dearly loves to play. This year, Giselle won first place in the Reflections Art Contest at school for the original video she produced called “How to take care of your American Girl Doll.” Giselle is now in 1st grade at her Mandarin Immersion school and she adores her teacher, Ms. Chang!

Giselle sang two solos during our 2017 production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and she is preparing to sing in “The Little Mermaid” in 2018 as well. Dancing in her fourth Nutcracker season was also a highlight of the year. Not a day goes by without hearing “Mom, look what I made,” as she delights us with her creations! 

In January, Jim celebrates his two-year anniversary with PreScience Engineering. As the Associate Vice President, Jim wears many hats and runs various projects around the LA and OC areas. On the weekends, Jim lays tracks for our Lullaworld Album, helps coach Jameson's sports teams, and enjoys spending time with the family. Our children are blessed to call him Dad! 

My private Orange County voice and piano studio will celebrate its three-year anniversary in January. The Devey Music Studio has grown to 25 vocal and piano students who perform in two studio recitals per year. I was the musical director for "Beauty and the Beast" last May and have the honor of directing "The Little Mermaid" in May of 2018.  In October, I began singing with a local Broadway/Opera review company called The Showcase Singers. I also enjoy leading worship monthly with Saddleback Aliso Viejo. It is wonderful to find new ways to develop my gifts. The Lullaworld project was put on hold due to technical difficulties, but we are finally getting back on track. Check back soon for our newest track "Mayim" which will be posted here and on Soundcloud.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5

I wake every day thanking God for the numerous blessings we have. Having chronic illness helps me remember that I am completely dependent on Christ and that every good and perfect gift is from him. If we are bearing fruit in our lives, then may the glory be to God!

We praise God for our beautiful children who are sprouting up before us and branching out in life!

Our brilliant photographer, Stephanie from Reflections by Stephanie can be contacted here!

The answer is gratitude! 

I have a story to share instead of a secret to hide. Most of my life I have spent pretending that I do not have chronic pain and that I am not sick. Sometimes my acting skills are Oscar worthy; yesterday I could no longer act. 

My body demanded rest for weeks, but with performances, a private music studio to run, Christmas, and my family to care for, not to mention my daughter having a five-day high-fever,  I said “no” to my health and “yes” to everything that seemed more important. 

Yesterday, I went to the doctor thinking I had a sinus infection or bronchitis, but it turns out I have pneumonia in spite of having a pneumonia vaccine. Since I have asthma, scoliosis, 14 vertebrae fused in my spine, Herrington rods, chronic migraines, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, getting pneumonia is a bit complicated. 

I was devastated yesterday. I needed to take a week off from teaching just 13 days before my student recital and 2 days before the first Beauty and the Beast rehearsal.  Anger and fear held onto my heart like blood-sucking leaches. How could God do this to me? I have fought through 2 years of mononucleosis, one of the most painful back surgeries ever invented, and managed to have children in spite of discouragement from my doctors. How could this happen after I had changed my diet, attitude, and lifestyle so much? 

The fact remains that no matter how hard I work on my health or how well I take care of my body, aside from a miracle, I will never be completely healthy. Although, as far as I know, humans have a 100% death rate, so as my body slowly sinks to the grave, I must reach for the heavens. 

But, our culture celebrates healthy people, and why shouldn’t we? Healthy people build more, make more, do more, and become more. Or do they? Although I pray to be healed daily, I understand that I have a dependence on God that most healthy people may never possess. I must depend on and therefore give glory to God when I do anything over and above what most doctors expect of me. 

Perhaps doing more isn’t equal to becoming a better person or even a Godlier person. Instead of doing more, I must be grateful for what I can do and what and who I have. We reject grace when we lose our gratitude, therefore I must be grateful so that I won’t be disgraced! 

Many have questioned whether I have enough faith to be healed, but sometimes not being healed takes more faith than receiving a miracle; sometimes YOU are the miracle. The most faith-strenuous exercise I can imagine is choosing to worship and love a God who has not chosen to answer my prayers to my satisfaction. But when I add gratitude to that equation, the strain doesn’t vanish, but my fear decreases and my heart is strengthened. 

My heart needed strengthening when we moved to China in February 2010. Jim had was forced to work on our second day in Shanghai and I was left alone in a frigid Chinese complex with an 18-month-old baby, no internet, no phone, no cable, no friends, and only four Mandarin words in my vocabulary. I learned from a dear friend in Humboldt County to write gratitude pages when I struggle with despair. It is those gratitude pages that helped me focus on the beauty of our situation and embrace a gratifying season of our lives. By having gratitude for the grace of God I did not despair. 

Yesterday, I fell into despair and for a time rejected grace. Today, I pulled out my gratitude journal and began filling the page with wonderful blessings. 

Below is my first page of my 30-days of gratitude. My handwriting is shaky from albuterol and steroids, so I will type it out if you wish to read on. 

If you struggle with depression, anxiety, fear, or a broken heart, please open your Bible, pray for guidance, and fill a page every morning with your blessings.

This will change your life! 

Gratitude: January 10. 2017 

1.  Albuterol, so I may breathe 
2.  Hot tea 
3.  My dear husband who took the day off from work to help 
4.  This gorgeous pen from Shannon 
5.  Dinner provided by Vanessa 
6.  Julie, who took Gisselle to and from school today 
7.  Astrid, who picked up both of my children yesterday 
8.  Sam, who went to Costco for me 
9.  My Seester, who is sending me new vitamins 
10. Prayer from my friends and family 
11. Lynn, who always responds to texts, night or day and in any country 
12. My students who are so understanding as I take a week off from teaching 
13. Christine, who did library for me 
14. Mara, who inspired me to write a gratitude list when I fall into despair 
15. Mango, yumm! 
16. So much time to read and write this week 
17. The gift of another day 
18. My Lord & Savior who is my healer 
19. Giselle, who wanted to be sure I ate breakfast. 
20. Jameson, who always has a “brilliant idea” 
21. Anti-biotics that are helping me heal 
22. Time to read with my children for longer than usual 
23. A beautiful house in a free country 
24. My parents, who were able to visit us 
25. The sun as it casts glorious shadows and a rainbow of colors before the rain. 

  
Phillipians  4:6 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God: and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 
I pray that you let gratitude guard your heart, through Christ Jesus!