I'm in Love!!

I've been looking for black shoes to wear casually since November.  I like to not buy things unless they call me, unless I love them.  So, I went all winter with no casual black shoes.  I had actually stopped looking since summer is around the corner and I will be in flip flops for the next several months.  Then, when I least expected it... there they were.  The shoe I didn't even know I was looking for!  I couldn't have imagined this in my brain, but it's exactly perfect!  Lucky for me it's my birthday, or was Ü... and they were only $20!!  So when you see me wearin these babies, be sure I will be walking with just a bit more swag.  Oh yah!!

Happy Dance

So I've been feeling a little lost lately.  No real projects or assignments on the horizon.  I don't do well without something to be thinking about, planning, organizing, etc.  You don't need to remind me that I'm planning a wedding.  I'm VERY aware of that!  But it's also very short term and most of it's in your head until you get to the day (or week) before.  It's made me a little stir crazy and honestly, a little cranky to be in this state.

Back during Glee, a theater friend asked if I would help her choreograph Oliver in the spring.  Oy.  I know, I'm not a choreographer.  But I figured I could just assist her, not be the ONE.  So now it's time for Oliver and we had our first meeting last night.  I'm so excited to get started!  A little nervous as well, as I listened to the songs and realized I was partly responsible for those coming to life!  Right after our meeting, they held the Community Theater Committee meeting.

I didn't realize how it was all going down at first and then I found myself right in the middle of it and was really uncomfortable.  See, I'm  not a committee member.  Or, I wasn't.  I tried to just sit quiet and not say anything since I really wasn't even supposed to be there.  By the end of the meeting, I was an official member and I get to be Vice Chairman of the Committee.  This sounds way more impressive than it is.  I volunteered to be the Gopher for the  Chairman so I could learn all the other aspects of what goes on there, so they gave me a nice sounding title.  The best part is who the Chairman is.  I LOVE her and am so excited to get to spend time with her and learn from her.  It's a year commitment so I have the next year to be a busy bee at the theater.  It's more administrative and overseeing, so it shouldn't be quite so consuming as Glee was.  Speaking of which...

I'm also co-directing Glee again this year.  I know, I know... but I will do it so differently than last year!  I'm really excited about all the prospects and time I get to spend with such great people doing things I love.  Not to mention that I will get to spend so much of this time with my kids as well.  I went to bed last night doing a little happy dance in my brain.  It's been a while!

Bridal Shower

Chelsey's aunts threw her a bridal shower this past Saturday.  What an amazing job they did!  The pictures do not do it justice.  Amy and Sherry overdid themselves on the decorations and her Aunt Kristi made the most adorable little cake balls!  Spencer's family brought most of the rest of the food, which was abundant.  We had tons of friends and family show up to support her, it was wonderful!

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to get pictures while all the cute food was still on the table

They served lemonade in these little mason jars, so cute!  There were also tons of painted picture frames with pics of Chelsey and Spencer all around.

I'm officially IN my 40's

My birthday was a whirlwind of exciting things that mostly had nothing to do with me and THAT was OK.  The night before we went to dinner with several of our friends who just happen to have spouses with birthdays the same week.  So weird.  So a night at the Olive Garden was wonderfully awesome!

The next day was a fundraiser for a family in our ward.  It was a 5K run, basket auction, breakfast and carnival.  The only real bummer was that I hurt my back during Ragnar and I haven't been able to run since.  It totally sucks.  The whole morning was really fun seeing lots of friends and enjoying all the festivities.

After, mom and I snuck away for a birthday lunch at Barros pizza.  Yum!  We sat and talked for way too long which made taking a nap a little tricky.

That night was Chelsey's bridal shower at our house.  Amy and  Sherry came and decked out the house in total cuteness. The whole house was filled with friends and family and yummy food and goodies.  We are very blessed.

Glade had taken the two boys to work with him during the shower and came back with a card table for me.  That's very exciting cuz I've never had one.  I know!  Actually we did have one once, but the first time we put it up, a sweet boy trying to take it down didn't know about the little tabs you push to get the legs down.  Instead, he just pushed hard until they broke.  A one time use table.  Anyway, I was very excited.

Sunday I had to teach in Relief Society.  That always makes me really nervous, but I think it went ok and I was glad for something to do.  That night I went with Chelsey and Spencer to take their wedding pictures at the temple.  I was kind of a bump on a log cuz my back was really hurting from standing so long at church and now at the temple.  They did really good though and their pictures will be wonderful.  Instead of going to Sunday dinner, I went home to my heating pad and a book. 

Though there was no actual birthday fanfare (other than 70 some odd FB birthday wishes), it was a really fun weekend that I wouldn't have changed at all.

Vocal Point

Last night we attended the BYU a capella group,  Vocal Point's,  concert.  It was soooo awesome.  I didn't follow them on the sing off cuz I just don't really like watching TV that much, but I'm so glad I didn't miss this! I bought tickets to the concert mostly for Glade cuz he likes stuff like this.  Turns out I liked it too!

My kids, Whitley, Stephen and Rhett, are on a performing group called QC Krew at the the theater and had the opportunity to do a workshop with them for a couple of hours before the show.  They were all super excited to meet them and get tips and pointers from them.  Because we have a few connections at the theater, we were able to take two of them home with us after the concert to spend the night.  (they try to stay in members' homes instead of hotels)

Whitley had her eye on one in particular and because I'm such a good mom, I maneuvered our way into getting that one to come to our house!!  Once we got  back here, we made them some PB&Js and fishie crackers for a little snack followed by a nice big donut.  Ya know we had to do that!  After, we sat in the living room and chatted and listened to them play guitar and sing some songs they had each written.  So talented!  Not only are they super good, but so sweet too.  Never once were they pretentious or proud, but exactly the opposite.  So humble.

Turns out the one Whit had her eye on has his eye on a girl at BYU, bummer.  We stayed up till after midnight.  In the morning, they came down and joined us for scripture and prayer and then went out to play with the kids while I finished breakfast.  Jake had never had biscuits and gravy before and Landon's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I brought out the chocolate milk.   Before we took them back, they gave us a little encore performance.  We drove them back and said a sad goodbye.  It's mostly sad cuz you know you'll probably never see them again, but we had such a fun time and they totally stole our hearts!  They left us a CD and a cute little thank you note in the van.  Awesome awesome boys!!

Jake Tengelsen singing "Loving it Over the Hill"

Landon Peay singing us his song he had only half written.  We brainstormed with him for a bit trying to finish it.

Jake, Bo and Landon

They sang Jason Mraz this morning.  Katy loved it!  She loved them!

The kids with the whole group

We kept trying to sneak a picture with just Whitley and Landon but everyone else kept jumping in.  We figured her with all the cute boys was almost as good. Ü

Heading Out

It's that time again. Ragnar Del Sol.  I wish I felt more prepared.  I didn't even run the half marathon this winter like I always do.  I'm way fatter than I should be and honestly, I don't even know how long my first run is.  I know I'm running a total of just over 18 miles and I'm runner 5, but that's about it.  I hate when I'm not prepared.  It will still be fun, I just love the adrenaline of being in crazy places like that with crazy people you love.  I'm really not even worried about my runs.  Usually it upsets me if I don't do as well as I think I'm going to, but this year I'm just going for "finish".  I know I can do that.  I told Glade to remind me of my nonchalant attitude when I'm crying before my 3rd run.  Go Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins!!

Just For Me

This weekend was our stake conference.  We released our current presidency and sustained a new one.  I wasn't worried at all because thus far in my life, I have loved all my leaders.  Today was no exception.  I was really sad to see my current ones go.. it's the first time I ever knew my Stake Presidency.  I liked it.  I was pleasantly surprised at the new ones called.  Again, I'm going to know my leaders.  Welcome President Holmes, President Christiansen and President Guttery!

Last night was the adult session, my personal favorite.  Before hand we threw a potluck dinner at the church.  About 40 people attended, it was really nice to have everyone there.  After, we went to the Stake Building for the session.  Unfortunately we had to sit in the back on hard chairs. :(  BUT, the talks were really good and as with today, just for me.  The precise things I have been struggling with were addressed.  It took me a little by surprise, but I was grateful for the personalized messages.  I felt totally at peace with my situation and even a little excited to "get on with it".  Again the Lord assures me that he knows me and knows my heart.  I'm continually humbled and touched.  My hope is that someday I will be faithful enough to just trust and not question.  Until then, I'm glad He is patient and forgiving. 

I know what I know.  What I know is that this is the full and complete Gospel and I'm so blessed to have it.  I know that only when I keep an eternal perspective and look outside myself am I truly happy and at peace.  I know that I have so much to learn and work on, but that that's what we are here for.  It's only when I think I've got it all figured out that I'm in trouble.  I know He loves me and has a plan for me and knows what experiences I need to have to become who He wants me to be.  Sometimes I forget that I know these things, but am always so grateful that He cares enough to keep reminding me.