Saturday, August 31, 2013

mad rush

Today has been an extremely productive day.
We started off the morning by cleaning the building around 10 a.m.
September is our month for that.

Brennan helped while I cleaned out the baby classroom.
He had some awesome bedhead.



You think being strapped into this seat is going to keep him from exploring? Think again!

At 12, I sent Jared home to grab some lunch for him and Brennan, and then put Brennan down for a nap. Jared is preaching tomorrow so this also gave him the chance to practice his sermon.
I stayed to deep clean and organize the church kitchen. They came back to pick me up at 3.

When we pulled into the driveway, Aunty Lil was waiting for us. She came to play with Brennan. Since I was covered in gross, I hopped in the shower. I was convinced I could not touch Brennan until I had been antibacterialized!
We played with Lil for about an hour and a half and then Little Man was getting sleepy so I took him for a nap and she went home.

I laid down with him for his afternoon nap and I fell asleep too. Look at his precious face!
He slept for about two hours and then woke up scared to death because I sneezed extremely loud and multiple times in the bathroom by his room.

We gave him some dinner and I went out for a friend's birthday party.
After some great fun, good food and a short grocery shop...I am home.
And worn out.

My dear husband vacuumed the entire house for me while I was gone.
Thank you Lord for productive days, nap time snuggles and thoughtful husbands!

Friday, August 30, 2013

carnival !!!

Rachael O'Donnell may be one of the most creative people I know.

She had the idea to do a carnival and have combined youth groups tonight. The work that she put in was amazing and it was a great night. There were games, prizes and tickets that could be used to purchase items from the concession stand. Since I had Brennan, she was gracious enough to allow me to keep the concession stand.

Lollies, Nerds, canned drinks, hotdogs and hot chips (french fries) were flying out of that kitchen as soon as the kids got their tickets.

Hannah, Stephen, Jared and I decided to dress up for the occasion. This is the only photo I got before the craziness began. Brennan looks worried about his dad's appearance...but I think he was just sleepy. (Brennan was popcorn and I was a popcorn vendor).
Oh so cheesy but oh so fun!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

swan lake.

Last night was my first trip to the ballet.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet was performing 'Swan Lake' by Tchaikovsky at the Regent in Palmy.

I picked up my mother-in-law Gaye and went to meet our friend Deanna for dinner. We ate at an Asian place across from the theater and got there early enough to get a good park.

After our lovely meal, we settled ourselves in our seats and waited for the production to begin. My sister-in-law Alicia was there with her boyfriend Ryan and she came over to say hello before it started.

My first thought when the music started was 'Dude...I forgot there is no talking.'
My second thought was 'Gold metallic tights should never be made in men's sizes'.

Back to the first thought...

Had I looked up Swan Lake in preparation for my night of culture?
No.

Did I have any prior knowledge relating to the story of Swan Lake?
Sadly, none.

I tried to google the summary by typing in 'Swan Lake Summary...for Children'. I assumed it would give me the easy version! haha!

Before I could read it, my phone died. There I was, abandoned by technology and having to figure out how to survive on my wits alone!

Not only did I not know what was supposed to happen, I had to pay really close attention to the actual story being played out. I would find myself staring blankly in amazement at all the feet moving at the same time. Consequently, I would lose chunks of the story plot completely.
Eventually, I got with it and understood where the story was taking us.

I was really involved in the storyline and it got to the part after Siegfried dances with Odile (oh you better bet I googled it later) and it is revealed that Odile (the black swan) is not actually Odette (the white swan). The Princess passes out and the Prince is absolutely distraught.

Close curtain.

I looked to Deanna and Gaye on my right and I said 'Is that it? That can't be it! That isn't the way the story is supposed to end!' [having no idea of course]

Deanna said she was pretty sure that was it and it was confirmed by several people were getting up to leave. We contemplated why so many others were staying in their seats and decided that it must be because they were waiting for the rush to subside before heading to their cars.

We gathered our belongings and started out of our row.
Before we got too far, the quick thinking Gaye Kyle asked the ladies in front of us (who weren't going anywhere) if that was the end of the show.

One of the ladies, looking shocked, said that there was an entire third act that we had yet to see! She mentioned that they would come out and bow before it would be over.

This caused us to sink back into our seats and explode into bouts of tear inducing laughter.

I literally could not breathe. Deanna was in tears as well and Gaye was lovingly laughing at us, not with us.

The lights dimmed and the third part began. We watched happily knowing that the magic of the story would not be over until they took a bow.

Which they did.
Four times.

I completely and utterly enjoyed my time with these special ladies!

Today it has been incredibly windy and so it was only fitting that Brennan wear his wind suit. lol.
In Tennessee Orange no doubt!
Go Vols! (and thanks Aunt Jody!)
 and please excuse the uncoordinating socks.

Monday, August 26, 2013

the one who loves you the most.

I know it is early in the day for me to be posting but I just couldn't wait!

Today is our officially unofficial (it's not in the US) wedding anniversary.

I was looking through our wedding photos and the one and only wedding video that was taken. What's extra special about the video is that it was taken by a friend of ours from Bear Valley who, along with his wife and kids, drove from OKLAHOMA to be there on our wedding day.

I really looked at this video for the first time today.
My eyes welled up with tears because I saw things that I never saw before.

I saw my favorite Matti Grey wave to the crowd as the doors open, I saw Ms. Em-ma sitting in her wheelchair in the back of the auditorium and I saw my grandmother give me a thumbs up as I reached her part of the aisle. I caught my best friends standing on stage and maybe just maybe wipe a few tears from their eyes. I saw literally hundreds of smiling faces who saw knew Jared was the answer to my prayers.

My focus was totally on Jared that day and on the way down the aisle, I didn't see anyone else. I am so glad to be able to look back at this video and these pictures and remember what an absolutely incredible and amazing day it was!

Enjoy the stroll down memory lane! (Daily picture of Brennan is at the end)



























































and two years on...we are happier than ever! On our wedding day, I didn't know it was possible to love Jared more than I already did. I have learned that love keeps giving ,growing and getting better and better.

Speaking of something that makes life better...
Brennan decided to be a mime today and put himself 'in a box'.



He wanted my hair towel so bad, so I put it on him and took this picture for future blackmail!