Primary Program and Messiah

You are invited to attend the 6th Annual Community Performance of

Handel's Messiah

Friday, December 5th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Building,

3311 Hayford Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming

No charge for admission

Sunday attire is encouraged

So this year I am singing in Handel's Messiah. I've wanted to do it every year, but I've always had a reason I couldn't; too busy with school, pregnant, nursing, etc. Well, this year all excuses are gone so I finally got to do it! I'm really injoying it, and I will be sad when it is over. (I was going to scan in the little invitation card, but our old scanner doesn't work with the new computer. So I just had to type it in; it's not nearly as pretty, sorry:)

Our ward primary program was today. I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but I am the Primary President in my ward. This year one of my counselors was basically in charge of the program, and she did awesome, so that took a lot of pressure off myself.

All of the kids in the primary did very well. Jenna, of course, did great. She knew her part and sang the songs. She is a girl that knows how to shine, and does a wonderful job at it! William, on the other hand, was another story. From the time we started practicing he was not on board. He wouldn't even ever go up to the microphone to say his part, he was glued to his chair. He also wouldn't even stand up for the songs, even though he knows most of them and sings them wonderfully at home. During one song the kids went over to the side and marched, and during practice he would have nothing to do with it. So basically his plan was to sit there and do absolutely nothing, except wiggle and squiggle in his chair.

Well, today he surprised me just a little. He didn't go so far as to say his part, but he did get off his chair and go to the microphone. When he got up there he immediately said, "I don't want to do it" and turned around and went back to his chair. But at least he got up to the mic! Then, during the marching part he actually went with the other kids and marched! Holy Cow! And when we sang I am a Child Of God for the closing song, he sang with all his heart! So he didn't do perfect on everything, but I am taking what I can get! I was really proud of him for those little steps.

Haircut

Last night I gave Jenna a haircut. For a day or two I've been thinking of cutting it really short, and Jenna really wanted me to, so last night after bath time we took the plunge. I didn't have any good before pictures that showed how long it actually was. Her hair is also slightly curly, especially the hair underneath, so it gets very snarly and tangled, and it's no fun to brush. I probably cut off a good 7 inches or so, I would guess. Here's how she looked this morning before school

Here it is from behind

And here's one with Will, he usually likes to be in the pictures, too. He's really not that short compared to Jenna, I think he must have been bending down or something.

I wish the pictures really did it justice. She looks so beautiful with her fun new hair!

Happy Birthday

Today was Joel's 25th birthday. We are officially getting old. :) Actually, we've been old for some time, but now our age is starting to catch up with us just a little bit.

Joel had to start out the day with school, of course. But he got done a little after noon, so that is nice. We ran a few errands this afternoon and just hung out. While Joel was still at school Will and I each painted him a picture, and Jenna painted one when she got home from school. We went out to Chilli's for dinner; it was the first time that we've been to the one here in Laramie. It was better than I expected, so I think we were pleasantly surprised. After dinner we came home and had cherry cheesecake, Joel's choice for his birthday cake. The kids helped him blow out his candles...


Before we cut the cake I surprised Joel with some presents. He thought his only present was a nice, new stethoscope that he got a few weeks ago, but I think you should always have something to open on your birthday. So I just got him a big Toblerone bar, and a new tie that can go with all of his dress shirts.

In other news, Adam has been taking steps lately. He usually just takes 2 or 3 steps at a time, but this evening he really outdid himself! Check out the video!

He will be one year old in a little less than two weeks. He seems to have grown so much in the last few weeks. He's also been trying to say a lot of different words, and that's fun to hear. It's always hard to believe when your baby starts to grow up.

Sleeping

Adam has been having some strange sleeping habits lately. He hasn't been taking great naps, but sometimes he's so tired and cranky. Yesterday he didn't take an afternoon nap, but after dinner Joel was holding him and he just layed his head down and went to sleep on him! Joel layed him down on the floor to see if he would stay asleep, and boy did he. He must have been very tired!

A Toyota or a Porsche?

Not a whole lot has been going on with us lately, just living life. Last Friday Joel and I went to the Nursing Job fair they had at the University for all of the nursing students. We walked around, learned about different hospitals and possible employers for the future. There was some very interesting information that we got from the VA (Veteran's Affairs), which was the possibility of them paying for Joel's continued education. He has always known that he doesn't want to be a nurse forever; he would like to go on and become either a PA (Physician's Assistant) or become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). He has really gone back and forth between these two career choices over the last year or two, seeing the pros and cons of each. The biggest pro for CRNA is that they make more money, but the actual job of a PA seems to be more interesting to Joel.

Skipping to a slightly different subject for a moment; we had Stake Conference this weekend and it was a Regional Broadcast. There were a lot of good talks given, and one in particular talked about a friend who made a lot of money in his new business. He bought a nice sports car, a Porsche Boxster, but his friend, who was even richer than him, had a nicer sports car. He wanted the nicer sports car for awhile, and was getting caught up in the lifestyle. Anyway, to shorten the story, the man ended up selling his sports car and buying a Toyota. He was happier for it because he changed his focus from money and possessions to simply being happy with what you have. He said that when you have a Boxster, you then want a nicer Porsche, and when you have the nicer Porsche, you want a Ferrari.

So, this prompted some thought for Joel and he said to me, "Do I want to be a Happy Toyota or an unhappy Porsche?" PA being the Toyota, CRNA being the Porsche (not that we could actually buy a Porsche, it's just a metaphor people). :) I don't think he would be unhappy as a CRNA, but it's probably more likely that he would be happier as a PA. cJoel has seen CRNAs and PAs in action, and from his observation PAs do so many more interesting things. Also, PAs can go into many different areas that the possibilities are nearly endless. So after saying all of this you may be wondering what the question really is? Well, we then come back to the fact that CRNAs do make quite a bit more money, and that's a hard fact to ignore.

So these have been our questions lately, and I can tell that Joel is really feeling the pressure about choosing. I will be completely happy no matter what he chooses. I just want him to be happy in whatever job he chooses to have for the rest of his life. PAs certainly make enough money to support a family on, so that is not a concern of mine. But I know that it's a lot of pressure for Joel to feel the weight of his entire life in front of him. I never had to make the choice he is making. I always knew I would be staying at home with the children, and if I have to work now and then that's fine, but it's not like I'm making career choices that will effect my entire life and the lives of my family. Joel, since I know you read all of my posts I just want to tell you that I love you! And that no matter what you choose I know we will be a happy family! I only want you to be happy, and I will help and support you through anything!

As you can see that has been the main thing on our minds lately! On Sunday after conference we went to Joel's Aunt Gwen's house for lunch/dinner with all of Joel's cousins and their families. We had a great time, and I always love hanging out with family and friends! Gwen also gave us a couple of boxes of clothes that her daugher Mary has outgrown. Every so often she will hand down some clothes to up that are usually perfect for Jenna. It's so much fun to go through the boxes, and last night Jenna ended up wearing quite the outfit that she put together from the box. It's too bad I didn't get a picture of it. The best part was that there were snow boots that fit Jenna perfectly, and since her old boots just came apart at the soles last week, the timing was perfect! I'm glad we hadn't bought more yet.

Since this has been such a long post, I will throw a picture in. We got Jenna's school picture back last week, but our scanner doesn't work. This is just a picture of the picture, and it didn't turn out well. But you get the idea. :)

Almost

Well, it's ALMOST the Christmas season. According to Walmart I guess the Christmas season started a few weeks ago, but I think you have to wait until it's a little closer to Thanksgiving. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year, hands down. I love the music, the food, spending time with family, the decorations, and most of all the feeling I get. Christmas comes with a very distinct feeling for me; my heart is full, I feel a childlike happiness and love for all. However, I live with Scrooge. Joel likes Christmas, but he won't listen to Christmas music with me, and whenever I say anything like "Oh, I just love Christmas!", he usually rolls his eyes or something else implying that I'm just weird. I've asked him why he's so "bah humbug" about Christmas, and he blames me. He has rebelled in the opposite direction because I love Christmas so much, and I would tell him all of the time because he's my best friend, and I always tell him what I'm feeling. Well, this year I've already stopped myself many times from saying how much I love and am looking forward to Christmas and everything that goes with it. I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, if I keep these thoughts to myself, he can see that Christmas is the BEST instead of being bugged by my own Christmas enthusiasm!

It's not just the actual day of Christmas that I love. Even more so I love that general holiday merriment that comes before hand. I love that the checkers at the store will tell you "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays". I just think that people are basically happier and maybe even more polite during the holiday season. I love to look at the beautiful lights and decorations that people put out, and I love to hear my kids "ooh" and "awe" about them. I love putting up a beautiful tree with presents underneath (even if I am worried about Adam pulling off all of the decoration, or tipping the tree over). I love having all of us together, not worrying about school, just spending time as a family. I love the music that speaks to my heart. There are Christmas songs that make me laugh, cry, and feel the spirit stronger than any other music. To steal a line from a Christmas song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!!!!!

What have I done?

Copy and paste, then highlight the ones you've done.The idea is to highlight the things you have done out of the 200 items on the list to show everyone another side of you. ENJOY!

1. Touched an iceberg 2. Slept under the stars 3. Been a part of a hockey fight 4. Changed a baby's diaper 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Swam with wild dolphins 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a tarantula 10. Said "I love you" and meant it 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise 15. Seen the Northern Lights 16. Gone to a huge sports game 17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables 19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope 20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Bet on a winning horse 23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Taken an ice cold bath 28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Ridden a roller coaster 31. Hit a home run 32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking 33. Adopted an accent for fun 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment 36. Loved your job 90% of the time 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Watched wild whales 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach 41. Gone sky diving 42. Visited Ireland 43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited India 45. Bench-pressed your own weight 46. Milked a cow 47. Alphabetized your personal files 48. Ever worn a superhero costume 49. Sung karaoke 50. Lounged around in bed all day 51. Gone scuba diving 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Done something you should regret, but don't 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Been in a movie 60. Gone without food for 3 days 61. Made cookies from scratch 62. Won first prize in a costume contest 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Been in a combat zone 65. Spoken more than one language fluently 66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical 67. Bounced a check 68. Read - and understood - your credit report 69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy 70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did 71. Called or written your Congress person 72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over 73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge 74. Helped an animal give birth 75. Been fired or laid off from a job 76. Won money 77. Broken a bone 78. Ridden a motorcycle 79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph 80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing 82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days 83. Eaten sushi 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read The Bible cover to cover 86. Changed someones mind about something you care deeply about 87. Gotten someone fired for their actions 88. Gone back to school 89. Changed your name 90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands 91. Eaten fried green tomatoes 92. Read The Iliad 93. Taught yourself an art from scratch 94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt 96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language 97.Been elected to public office 98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream 99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care 100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you 101. Had a booth at a street fair 102. Dyed your hair 103. Been a DJ 104. Rocked a baby to sleep 105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four 106. Raked your carpet 107. Brought out the best in people 108. Brought out the worst in people 109. Worn a mood ring 110. Ridden a horse 111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap 112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe. 113. Buried a child 114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play 115. Been inside the pyramids 116. Shot a basketball into a basket 117. Danced at a disco 118. Played in a band 119. Shot a bird 120. Gone to an arboretum 121. Tutored someone 122. Ridden a train 123. Brought an old fad back into style 124. Eaten caviar 125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn't need 126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant 127. Published a book 128. Pieced a quilt 129. Lived in a historic place 130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage 131. Asked for a raise 132. Made a hole-in-one 133. Gone deep sea fishing 134. Gone roller skating 135. Ran a marathon 136. Learned to surf 137. Invented something 138. Flown first class 139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite 140. Flown in a helicopter 141. Visited Africa 142. Sang a solo 143. Gone spelunking 144. Learned how to take a compliment 145. Written a love-story 146. Seen Michelangelo's David 147. Had your portrait painted 148. Written a fan letter 149. Spent the night in something haunted 150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane 151. Ran away 152. Learned to juggle 153. Been a boss 154. Sat on a jury 155. Lied about your weight 156. Gone on a diet 157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget 158. Written a poem 159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box 160. Gotten food poisoning 161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission 162. Hiked the Grand Canyon 163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks 164. Gone to the opera 165. Gotten a letter from someone famous 166. Worn knickers 167. Ridden in a limousine 168. Attended the Olympics 169. Can hula or waltz 170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books 171. Been stuck in an elevator 172. Had a revelatory dream 173. Thought you might crash in an airplane 174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert 175. Saved someones life 176. Eaten raw whale 177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint 178. Laughed till your side hurt 179. Straddled the equator 180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing 181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival 182. Sent a message in a bottle 183. Spent the night in a hostel 184. Been a cashier 185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 186. Joined a union 187. Donated blood or plasma 188. Built a camp fire 189. Kept a blog 190. Had hives 191. Worn custom made shoes or boots 192. Made a PowerPoint presentation 193. Taken a Hunter's Safety Course 194. Served at a soup kitchen 195. Conquered the Rubik's cube 196. Know CPR 197. Ridden in or owned a convertible 198. Found a long lost friend 199. Helped solve a crime 200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

The prettiest, the coolest, and the cutest

Let me show you the prettiest queen, the coolest racetrack, and the cutest pumpkin you will every see!

The finished racetrack

Will, in all his glory

My little pumpkin

The beautiful queen

Joel and Adam, waiting for the action to start.

Will wanted to take his racetrack off because he was tired of waiting.


Our stake trunk-or-treat was last night, and boy was it busy! We got there at 5:30 and the trunk-or-treating was to start at 5:45. When it did start, it felt like a madhouse. There were SO many kids there, and everyone was going different directions, so it got very clogged up and crowded. At first Will was getting pretty upset because he couldn't move well, he was a pretty wide load! But once things thinned out a little we had an easier time. Will got a lot of compliments on his super-cool racetrack, and of course everyone thought Jenna was beautiful. Adam came with us for awhile, but when the candy ran out from the back of our van, Joel came and got Adam. There were some fun costumes, but my favorite was a guy dressed up as a vending machine, handing out candy! It was definitelly the coolest thing I've ever seen. The candy was behind a piece of glass (or plastic, I didn't touch it), and there were buttons on the side, and when you pushed a button a piece of candy fell down into the little tray where you could pick it up. Now that is creative! It must have taken a long time to make, and after making a simple racetrack I have mad respect for people that can pull of something like that! All in all it was a very good night, the kids had fun, and they have the loot to prove it! :)

Enjoying the spoils...