Bless This Mess!

Since "Bye Bye Birdie" is over, I have declared this week the "Week of Reclaiming My House". You see, it's become quite unorganized since rehearsals were every day. I started on the boys' room. We took everything but their furniture and books out. This picture was taken prior to clothing and shoes coming out of their room. Yeah, it was crazy.

Now that the five and one half hour ordeal is over, I am so happy to announce that their room is clean, tidy, and sanitary. Tomorrow's quest: the pantry!

Bye-Bye, Birdie!

Last night was closing night for "Bye Bye Birdie". If you missed the show, I'll tell you what: you missed an entertaining and excellent production. Alright, it was community theater, but that doesn't matter. We had an awesome cast, orchestra, and production team. There you go! It made for a blend of humor, emotions, and fun!

My favorite thing about this project was definately making (and strengthening!) friendships. I love the people with whom I worked, and truly hope that we can all keep in touch. Speaking of which... congratulations Kate and Brandon!!!!!!

My children really enjoyed this experience as well. This was Matthew and Jacob's first musical, and they are hooked! In fact, both boys told me that they'd rather do musicals than play baseball! Wow! Kenzie had a great time, too; she is such a social person. I am so proud of my children and the job they did in the show. It was a lot of hard work and long hours, but they were troopers!

Here are some random pictures taken during the last few rehearsals. Enjoy!

I've Been Tagged!

Okay, so I'm excited! I've never been offically tagged before! Here it goes!

Need to list: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 Joys:
1. My children and husband. I know it sounds corny, but I just adore them! I love being a mom far more than I ever expected to. It's more wonderful and fulfilling than I ever imagined.
2. My friends. The saying "you don't know what you've got til it's gone" is so true. It's been a long time since I've had really close friends and I feel so blessed to have some of the most awesome friends ever. I love you guys!
3. Theater! I love it, and am so grateful to be back in it. I love to see the process of a show from start to finish; to gain new friends, and learn new things!

3 Fears:
1. Something bad happening to Troy or my kids. It's not to the point of paranoia, but it would break my heart forever if something horrible happened to them.
2. Getting super fat. Okay, I'm vain. I've been pretty heavy before, and I don't ever want to go there again. I don't expect to ever be a toothpick, but super fat's just not for me.
3. Losing touch with those I love. People and relationships are so important to me.

3 Goals:
1. To get in better shape. Since my walking buddy moved, I've been terrible about getting exercise in every day. I need to do better with that.
2. To stay in touch with my friends better. I go in streaks where I'll be great about it, and then not so hot. Sorry. I am trying to do better.
3. To watch my mouth. Enough said.

3 Current Obsessions/Collections:
1. Movies. We collect them like crazy. I know, it's sick.
2. A clean house. Since Birdie rehearsals and performances have gotten to point critical, my house has suffered. Those of you who know me well know that this is driving me nuts! I am obsessed with getting it clean.
3. Shoes. I can't afford to buy new ones, but I love to look at them at the stores and dream...

3 Random Surprising Facts:
1. My hair has been multiple shades of red, blonde, yellow, green, orange, brown, and black. Not in that order, and not always on purpose.
2. I can't stand feet. I know it's strange considering that I'm a dancer/teacher and that I love shoes. I just get grossed out by feet. Yuck.
3. One of my favorite things ever is to go out to lunch with my friends. I would rather do it than almost any other recreational activity!

Okay, here are my people I'm tagging... I hope you'll play!
1. Melissa
2. Steph J.
3. Emily
4. Kate
5. Amy

Happy Birthday, Dot!

Twelve years old... wow! Dot is such a joy and delight, that she's made the last twelve years fly by! I feel so truly blessed to have such an amazing daughter. Dot is the kind of person that has a heart of gold, a great sense of humor, and talents galore. She loves to be with her family and friends; she's such a great person to hang around.

Today has been such a fun day for her, so far! She got her traditional crepes for breakfast...

opened her gifts (a box of candy, "Popeye" on dvd, and an MP3 player.She spent a bunch of time picking out cds to download onto her MP3 player, which she loves.
We then went to Arctic Circle for lunch.
After lunch we had a girls only shopping trip (thanks, Emily for watching the boys!) to the mall. Needless to say, this was the favorite activity of the day. Kenzie bought some accessories at Build-A-Bear (thanks, Grandma Gibson!), the dvd of "Newsies", and some earbuds with bling. We then went to Jamba Juice... and her tummy is full.

We love you so much and are so thankful for your top twelve qualities:

1. your happy smile

2. your tender heart

3. your positive attitude

4. your willingness to serve

5. your beauty and grace

6. your amazing talents in theater

7. your love for your family and friends

8. your ability to be a peace-maker

9. your giggle

10. being such a great daughter, sister, and friend

11. your love for babysitting and caregiving

12. your testimony and example.

Happiest of Birthdays!

I Love You, Birdie Cast, Oh Yes I Do!

Opening Night was fabulous! We had over 200 audience members there, including a Senior Congressman... and they loved the show, too! The energy was high, the songs were super, the jokes were well recieved, and the dancing rocked! I couldn't have asked for more from our awesome cast.

I am so in love with our cast! We have the most awesome cast of 60 any Production Team could ask for. We've grown together like a family: I will forever have a place in my heart for these highly talented people (that includes you, Wretchel!)!

The pleasure of working with Stephanie Johnson and Candice Jorgensen has been immeasurable. This is the first time I've worked with either lady, but I sincerely hope it is not the last. Candice is a new friend, and I just adore her. Her musical abilities simply astound me. She has a talent and knack for teaching, and the voice of an angel. I adore her. Stephanie Johnson and I have been friends since high school, but have not had the opportunity to work together until now (as I'm typing this, my eyes are filling with tears). I love her so much. Stephanie has been a true friend, a mentor, a wonderful "boss", and an exemplory director. It has been amazing to work with her and to see her creative genious at work.

If you didn't get the chance to see the show last night, please be sure to come by tonight, Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. You'll thank me for the invitation later! The show is super entertaining, and you'll be happy you came. Oh! And we have a special treat tonight: it will be the only performance that our entire cast will be together onstage! Kenzie's been invited to perform tonight as a teen (her darling alternate will be Phyllis, but since Kenzie will be home and knows the entire show, Stephanie has invited her to be in the show!)!

Yay, Birdie cast!!!

It's My Obsession!

Hello. I'm Stephanie. I'm obsessed with "Bye Bye Birdie". Okay, not the show in general, just the show that opens TOMORROW! I admit it: I think about it way too much. I dream about it. It's the first thing on my mind when I awake. My focus all day seems to be on it. All my errands and chores seem to revolve around it. It's the last thing on my mind when I go to bed.What can I do to help keep the kids happy backstage? Where am I going to find a sweater chain? Does Randolph like the cookies?

Unless you're in the show (or Ohio) I think you really ought to come and see it. It's a super fun script--that's come to life with our amazing director and music director, pianist, orchestra, and incredible cast!

Show time is 8:00 p.m. at the SLCC Redwood Road Campus' Alder Amphitheater. We play June 20, 21, 23, 25, and 26. Tickets are only $5, and well worth your time! Bring the family and something soft to sit on!

Yay, Birdie!

Girls Camp

Dot just left for Girls Camp. Wow. This milestone is probably the most difficult one for me so far: she's not a little girl anymore. She's off to experience life and friends in the wilderness for four days--without any way to contact home.
I'm not worried that she won't have fun. I trust her camp leaders and Young Women's Leaders. I know she's getting a camp "big sister"... it's just such a huge step. I guess I haven't had the chance to let this whole Girls Camp thing settle in since we've been dealing with so much with "Bye Bye Birdie". I hope that she has a really great experience and that she knows how much she's loved.

Hooray for Dads!

There's just something special about a real Dad. In my opinion, just because someone is a father, he isn't necessarily a Dad. Here's what I mean:

A Real Dad listens, even when the game's on.
A Real Dad loves unconditionally.
A Real Dad teaches you to work and how to play.
A Real Dad tucks you into bed, and re-tucks after that second cup of water.
A Real Dad tells the boogie man and scary dreams to go away.
A Real Dad teaches you how to throw a ball, swing a bat, tag someone out, how to cope with losing the game, and celebrates when you win.
A Real Dad supports you when it feels like the world is against you.
A Real Dad snuggles you.
A Real Dad thinks you're the most beautiful person in the whole world, next to your mom.
A Real Dad knows that you're super smart, but teaches you to know when you're wrong.
A Real Dad doesn't spoil you rotten with things, but with love.
A Real Dad plays with you.
A Real Dad is your best friend.
A Real Dad is a hero.
I am so blessed to have awesome Real Dads in my life: my own, my in-law, my sweetheart. Our family is fortunate to have supportive, loving head of our home. I learned so much from my own Dad and continue to learn from him still. I am grateful for Troy's Dad and the lessons he learned from his Dad. I am so thankful for the excellent examples that are being set for my sweet boys: I hope that they will grow up to be awesome Dads, like Troy.
I am thankful to have a wonderful brother who is also a great example to my boys--he is such a wonderfully patient Dad. I admire his parenting skills and the way he and his wife raise their children. I love watching my friends who are Dads raise their children and play with them.
I guess if I were to sum it all up, I'd have to just say: "HOORAY FOR DADS!"

A Week To Remember

As you likely know, our family is involved in "Bye Bye Birdie" which plays June 20, 21, 23, 25, and 26 at 8:00 p.m. at the Alder Amphitheater at SLCC's Redwood Road Campus. (Tickets are available at the door for $5.) Yeah, that's next week. We're really excited about this production: our cast is incredible, our director is insightful and so good, our music director is amazing, our pianist is unbeatable, the orchestra rocks. We've made friendships that will last forever, and memories we'll cherish always. It's funny when this point in the show hits: the point where you want the production to be onstage because everyone's worked so hard that they deserve an audience now. There's a shadow over that, however... we will miss our friends so much. Despite our best efforts, people tend to drift apart once they move onto the next project. I so deeply hope that this is not the case in this show.

We have another big event next week: McKenzie goes to Girls' Camp. We've been so busy with the play that we haven't even begun to pack. It looks like this will be our project today (after the dentist...). More on that topic later.So, it's off to make magic this week. Off to do our best to create positive experiences, memories, and friendships.

The Zoo!

It's no secret: kids love going to the zoo. Okay, I love going to the zoo, too. We had a great time visiting our favorite animal exhibits, all in the warm sunshine. Here are some pictures to high light our day at the zoo. Enjoy!

Nice Weather, Eh?

It's June 6, a Friday, no school, no rehearsals, no commitments. There are three darling children who, along with their mother, had plans to go to the zoo today. There's one big problem:

grey skies. wind. cold.

Here's to hoping for better weather on Monday.

Break!

My kids and their mom in Bye Bye Birdie.
We don't have rehearsals tonight or tomorrow night. Should I be super excited, and welcome the break? Absolutely! Am I? No. I am surprised by how bummed I am. Not because we need to rehearse, but because the friendships that have developed through this project have been so amazing. I miss rehearsals because I miss my friends. There, I said it.

Torn

I just don't know what to do. Life is full of so many wonderful things, that some times it's hard to know what to do. I am faced with that challenge today.

Wakko has been asked to play an All-Star Game on Monday for baseball. This is a cool honor for him: he's worked really hard. He'll be getting a trophy, and get to bat off the pitching machine. Awesome! The problem is that I have rehearsals at the same time. The corkscrew? Dad has school, and cannot miss it. We have plans in the works to address each issue...

What do you do when faced with similar challenges?

*Update! My awesome sister Tiffanie and her cute husband, Alvaro, as well as my supportive parents are going to stay with Wakko on Monday! Yahoo for family saving the day!!!

I'm Happy!

I ran across this link for a Snow White Personality Test a while ago when I was feeling Grumpy-ish. Well folks, the results are in, and I'm officially HAPPY!

I *heart* Friends!

These last few weeks have been crazy... and oh so splendid! I have had the great blessing of spending a lot of time with some amazing people: my kids, my sweetheart, and my dear friends.

I have been able to see my dear Nicci (we met when we were three years old) and her family. It was so nice to have them here for Dot's party. I've been able to get to know my sweet Sonia better, and our husbands hit it off so great! My darling Emily and I have been together frequently lately, and boy do I love her! She is a friend that will forever be in my heart... and our husbands are so alike, too. I've seen my Stephanie and Candice a bunch; it such a great pleasure to be friends with my director buddies! It was so fun to get to know Hutch better, too. I've gotten to know the awesome Jugheads (go Jugheads!!!!) better, and just adore them to pieces, as well. Brandon is loads of fun, and always has something clever to say. It's been great getting to know him better. My dear, dear Kate... I could never get enough of you! I love you so much, and am so very thankful that we've been able to spend so much time together. I could seriously adopt you into our family for ever! Katey and I share a friendship that is so unique; I am deeply grateful for her in my life.

Thank you, my friends! Thank you for being my rocks, my supports, my comic reliefs, my moments of sanity, my light-bulbs, my soft shoulders, and my buddies. Thank you for being there for me, and letting me be there for you.

My sweet family: I love you all so much. Thank you for being my friends too. I feel so very blessed to have you in my life. I just don't know how I could be any happier than I am right now.