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?

Great Week!

What a great week it has been! Christmas was so beautiful - and a little snow fall made it even better! The girls were so sweet on Christmas morning. They were so happy and excited. Hannah could not believe that Santa ate her cookies!
The night before, Michael and I sat looking at all the gifts that our girls would be getting... from us, grandparents, cousins, etc. It was so much! So, we chose out 3 presents for each girl and we took the rest back! We even took back the big dollhouse that we had been talking about for weeks. It just seemed so excessive.
As usual, Michael returned most of his gifts - I am a horrible gift buyer!!! Some people have a knack for it, and I do not! I think he kept 1 shirt. ugh.
I on the other hand, loved all of my gifts and did not take one thing back.
I have loved this week listening to Hannah sing all the Christmas songs. My personal favorite that she sings is "Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the Hiiiiighest!". What a darling.

A Night in Bethlehem

Our ward had a "Night in Bethlehem" where all the ward members came in biblical costume and we sat on the floor and had pitas/ hummus/dried fruit/cheese and...soda! Then we had a nativity that I directed, but wasn't able to watch because Megan was grumpy. Michael wore an Angel costume during the nativity (he was a member of the heavenly hosts), so Hannah insisted on being an Angel also...thats why the white dress, etc. Merry Christmas everyone!

boob shot

Awhile ago I sang a concert as this famous person....can anyone guess who?

P.S. The dress was even smaller than it looks in this picture!

My friend Pam Mahon did some numbers as Linda Rondstat (sp?)...she was hot!!!!

sharing!

I laughed so hard I wet my pants: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1349281921

I had a great time talking with friends today. I have been imbarassed to blog because I don't feel like I am funny or like I have anything great to say. But -its not about being great, its about sharing my life...right? Today was great. I taught lessons this morning, raked the front yard, helped Michael move the shed, made organic mac&Cheese (michael wasn't a huge fan. It was a little too...um...the sauce wasn't smooth enough), did ironing (Natalie - i wish i liked it as much as you!) while I watched an Oprah that I had on DVR about "eat, pray, love"...i hated how people called it their "bible". I folded clothes (my least favorite chore), went to Arin's party (fun!!!), danced to "Jonny Mathis Christmas" with the girls, made dinner...egg rolls & pears, cleaned up finger paints, put girls to bed while Michael cleaned the church. He said the Spanish Branch was having their Christmas party, and the food smelled amazing!!!
I studied my lesson for my CTR6's and am anticipating a full 2 hours of "I pooped my pants" again. Any ideas on how to help them be revrent? I remember being in primary & Mandi McMullin and I would goof off the whole time. Our poor teachers.
I will post again soon!