short post

Well, my life is starting to feel normal again. I closed my show (and got to take my fabulous costume home - yes!), Im sending my voice students off to college, and little Karly is starting to feel more like a member of the family. Now all I need is to be released from teaching Primary, and I will be totally home free.

Karly

What a crazy few weeks this has been. Ive been rehearsing like crazy for the Pamplin show, which is going really well. We opened last week. Its so embarrasing to move on spindly 4" heels while pregnant. Somehow I feel so silly on stage.

Then, we had our foster daughter, Karly, move in. She is a darling and has adjusted really well, so it seems. Hannah and Megan are also doing really well. I think that I am the only one who is struggling. Somehow I am mourning the loss of our old "family"...the way things were and how we did things and the dynamic in our home. Im having a hard time not showing favoritism to my own girls, getting annoyed easily...everything! I have to say that I pray about every 5 min., and I am improving!!! I know that as more time passes, I will do better. This experience has really brought out my faults, and I have to say that I am glad because now I can work on becoming a more kind and loving person

Also, Karly is African American, and doing her hair is a challenge. Its getting better though. Today we did 4 pony tails...maybe we'll do 6 tomorrow. I haven't attempted the braids & beads yet. I feel so bad pulling her hair as I try to get the knots out, but she seems to have a really tough head!

My pregnancy is going good. Of course it has its ups and downs. I feel really good most of the time, but I am not gaining any weight. I haven't even reached my pre-pregnancy weight yet. Its hard to gain weight when all you want to eat is nectarines and watermelon. Last night all I wanted was a bowl of watermelon - which I had. 2 min later I threw up the watermelon so violently that I had to throw away the magazines in the bathroom because they got wet. gross. Michael closed the windows to "save" the neighbors, he said.

The girls and I have really been having a great time this summer. We go to the park every day, we see the free movies on Tues or Wed. We play in the hose. My tan lines are horrible. I haven't been teaching as much, and boy what a difference that makes! I love having that extra time to make dinner, or whatever.

Travelogue

This has been a great few weeks. We had a fabulous family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge - we forgot our camera so sorry, no pics. We loved hanging out with the Hirschis for 3 days!

Leslie and I went to see a great show called "The Last 5 Years". The music is FABULOUS! Dale did a great job as "Jamie" but the girl wasn't so great. Too young maybe...or maybe Im just getting old and cynical.

We found out we are having a boy and a girl! Greg Templeman wanted to know if they were identical.....he was totally serious.

I took a hike with my girls at Silver Falls. Neither of them wanted to ride in the stroller so I was trying to navigate 2 babies while pushing a double stroller (that pulls to the left) on the narrow path. Not the best idea i've ever had.

This morning we went to pick strawberries. My girls loved it - they immedietly took off their shoes and ran until they were exausted. Megan was covered in strawberries - it looked like she was bloody. We got alot of looks when we went to Taco Del Mar afterward for lunch.

Right now we are dealing with behavior issues with the girls. They have a hard time being obedient. The worst is when they are playing outside with friends and it is time to come inside. They WILL NOT COME! I literally have to pick them up kicking and screaming and bring them into the house. On Sunday, Michael took the girls for a bike ride to a friends house and when it was time to leave, the same thing happened, only Hannah yelled out to her friends: Help me! It is so embarrasing. Anyone have ideas?

I started rehearsals for my next show. We are having rehearsals at the directors house which is great because he always has food and drinks. Much better than a rehearsal studio.

I sang at a wedding on Saturday. The bride wore TEAL. It was a little shocking. Do you have to be a virgin to wear white? Is teal the next option? The wedding started 30 min late because the groom had an allergy attack and his face swelled up so he looked like "the son of satan" (direct quote).

Tomorrow I think we'll go to the library....really exciting!

I'm BAAAAACK!

Im such a looser - I haven't blogged in SOOOOO long. Its just that I would rather go to bed. I am also a loser because I just turned to Michael and asked him how old I was. I honestly could not remember.

Lets see - what have I missed since Ive been away? Oh ya! We're expecting TWINS. We won't know the sex until later this month.

Megan and Hannah are now sharing a room. Bedtime used to be so easy - in bed at 7:00 and asleep at 7:15. Now it is in bed by 8:00, asleep by 9:15. It will get better. It has to get better or Im going to go crazy.

Megan's potty training has begun! So far we have had no success, but she sure is cute in her "My Little Pony" panties. Hannah loves to show her exactly how to use the potty, but then once Megan climbs on, Hannah turns off the light, closes the bathroom door and makes monster noises. Megan gets scared and starts to scream. I wonder why we have had no success.....

Its embarassing that I can't think of anything else to say. I will try to post pics of the Pony Panties next time.

The love of my life

Cassie, you da bomb!

Ive been tagged my my good friend Cassie. Here are the intimate details on my marriage...hah!

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

Whats his name? Michael Aaron Halliday

How old are you? 32

Who said "I love you" first? Who knows. Probably me...im like that.

How long did you date? Tooooo long! Lets see...on and off in high school (my fault)..I should add I was his first date. Then 2 years after his mission. Man! I couldn't get that guy to marry me!

How old is he? 32

Who can sing better? ....what was the question?

Who is smarter? He is. He has a lot of common sense, which I don't really have. Plus, he made it thru law school hardly studying. I barely made it thru music school, and I studied all the time.

Who does the laundry? Mostly me, but if he sees Im slacking, he'll do it.

Who does the dishes? We both do.

What are his guilty pleasures? Guilty???? um... sports maybe? He loves to play basketball (3X a week!). He loves to watch TV. He loves cartoons. His favorite is Looney Toons. Also, he LOVES chocolate caramel shakes - made by him.

Who sleeps on the right? He does - unless he is saying his prayers on my side of the bed, then I snuggle into his side, and he hates getting into a warm bed so I just stay there.

Who mows the lawn? I do....well, we both do.

Besides you, who's his best friend? He has so many good friends. Hes that kind of a guy. but I would say: Bub, Dana, Richard, Scott, Rudi, Dave & Dave

Who cooks dinner? Who ever. Usually me, but when im working than its up to him.

Who drives?He does, he dispises my driving.

Whos more stubborn? He is

Who kissed who first? I think he kissed me, but Im sure that I gave every hint...

Who asked who out first? He asked me to "Ides of March"...I think thats what it was called. Cassie told him I would say yes (thanks cas).

What was your first date? A school dance. We wore matching GUESS shirts. I think I had a piano recital that night, so he also went to that. boring.

Who proposed? He did..finally!

Who has more siblings?I do. I have 5 he has 3.

Who wears the pants? I just asked michael his answer for this question and he said..." We both have a pair". hilarious!

What is your favorite thing about him? Oh Geez... this sounds corney, but everything! He is so much fun, he is so thoughtful. A great father! A great husband! Great in the Sack! He calms me and makes me laugh. He is supportive. He works hard in all he does and always is successful. He looks good in anything he wears. He's a great cook, great singer, great athlete... He just makes me so happy all the time. Ours is a happy home - no fighting or complaning, just fun!

He completes me.

I love ya babe!

I NOW TAG THE BOOKCLUB!

Ummm...

Well, I find that I don't blog because I don't have anything to say. Life just kind of goes on, ya know? Lets see... yesterday was our 9th anniversary. Its funny that I can't remember life without Michael. It seems that we have always been in love and we always will be. He bought me the most beautiful picture of Christ (shown to the left). We have talked about getting it for a long time, but he finally bit the bullet. I asked him why he decided to do it, and he said "I just thought it was important". We put it above our fireplace and it is amazing how different it makes our home feel. Then, we moved our picture of the Arizona Temple to the wall by our kitchen table. Why didn't I have it there the whole time? I have had an inner battle with wanting to have a "cute-stylish" home and wanting to have the kind of home that you walk in and can really feel the spirit. For some reason, I have had a hard time achieving both. Either it looks totally cool and feels cold or Feels wonderful and looks a-mess. I can think of homes that I have been in that I instantly felt the spirit. I think they all had old furniture, dirty carpet and smelled of Mac and Cheese. I know that having the spirit in your home dosen't mean that you can't be "cute and stylish" but.... anyway, Im working on it. Our new picture of Christ and our now-visable picture of the temple sure help. I guess our new goal of family scripture study helps too.

Blah, blah, blah.

I did a reading of the play "Masterclass" on Tuesday. It was OK. The theatre was freezing, and our accompanist had to sit on his hands to warm them. This weekend I start rehearsals for Full Monty... yea!

my week

Hey All! I haven't blogged in such a long time, and looking at everyone elses blogs, it seems that everyone else has been slacking as well, so I don't feel as bad. What a crazy week I have had. A week ago today I had a near-death experience that left Michael literally shaking - I won't share the story on my blog, but will share in person:). Then on Saturday I was on my way to a coaching, and my tire blew out on the freeway. I seriously thought...."well, I didn't die last night, but I am going to die today!". A nice man stopped and changed my tire while holding a cup of coffee.
Saturday night we went to see "The Pajama Game" at McNary High School (my student plays the lead - yes!). The girls were so sweet, and loved clapping at all the right parts. Hannah did great staying in her seat, but Megan was in the Lobby most of the time.
On Sunday I taught my CTR 6 class, and I had brought in 3 boiled eggs in a "nest" as an object lesson. Well, I feel horrible, but I led the class to believe that the eggs were little birds getting ready to hatch - and the class was so excited, they watched those eggs every second and handled them so gently. Then as they left, all of the kids told me to make sure the birds got back to their moms. I felt like I had totally decieved them.
On Tuesday I went to my first symphony rehearsal with Maestro Kalmar. He is German, and the piece we are doing is in German, and my German is horrrrrrrrrible, and so he spent the whole night helping me with my German. "Z -uh-mmen --- not Z -oo-mmen", "K-aye-fer ---not K-eh-fer". When I got home, I called my coach in tears. His advice? "Learn the DAMN German!" I see the maestro again tomorrow and I am seriously afraid...
Anyway, I open with the symphony tomorrow, and I get to wear my beautiful new gown (thanks Becca!). My sister Lisa is here to visit her ...um...friend? He lives in Gresham, so she gets to come to the show.
WAHOO!

Our Primary girl!!

Hannah started primary today! She was such a darling. While the other kids were crying, she was confident and happy sitting in her seat. She sang her little heart out on "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" and "I am a Child of God". She listened and was reverent during the scripture and talk. We had talked about Primary so much that she was so excited and knew exactly what she wanted to wear: her polka-dot dress. I know she will have her days of "not so good" behavior, but today she was a darling and I actually had a moment of ..."oh no! my baby is growing up!".

Also - I am a horrible picture taker - that is why the pictures are blurry.

Megans hair is soooo fluffy!!!

After chruch with her "I am a Child of God" crown on. This must have been a very special crown, because they usually don't even make it into the car.

It was about 40 degrees outside! My girls love to play in the hose - but they have to have their swimsuits on. CRAZY! Dosen't Megan look so sweet?