Little things I'll miss...

I'm always trying to soak up the moments of having 3 wonderful kids. If I don't make a conscious effort- I can too easily get caught up in the "job" that I forget to just enjoy.This week I was doing the laundry and was greeted in the dryer by two lego men. I got a kick out of seeing the one with arms up- as if he just went for fun spin on a rollercoaster.
I will miss not finding little toys in my wash one day.
Perhaps, if I get too sad, I might just throw a few lego men in - and remember the ride of my life!

Sunshine

My daughter turned six yesterday. I think she grew overnight, cuz I could swear she suddenly looks older. It helps that she also lost her first tooth a week ago. Something in that toothless grin aged her. I love the little whistle when she talks.

There are several words I could use to describe my girl: happy, pleasing, sweet, sassy, outgoing, friendly, confident- but the most perfect description is sunshine. That girl brings happiness wherever she goes. She wants nothing more than to put a smile on everyone's face.

Sara- you are my sunshine. I love you!!!!

Life happened...

It's embarrassing to have a blog that hasn't been updated in a year and a half. Life has happened in between. There were so many pictures I wanted to share. So many stories to tell, but to play catch up would only set me further behind. So here I am - saying nothing, just so I say something. Tomorrow I will post some pictures. Goodnight!

Patsy... Postponed, but Jekyll & Hyde is coming!

I few months ago I auditioned for a role in "Always... Patsy Cline" at the St. John Theatre. After 10 years of Directing and accompaning musicals, I have to say it was NERVE-RACKING to be up there on stage again auditioning. But YEAH!!! I got the role of Patsy!
Things were going great until we started losing pianists. Sort-of ironic, I guess- Patsy can play the music, but the pianists can't. But I was NOT going to give up my part to play the piano. We must've gone through 10 of them! They were "falling to pieces" over the music. (Sorry :)
So after losing our last pianist 2 weeks before opening night, the director decided that it was best to postpone until August. I was bummed, but I am so glad that we will now have time to work with the band. I was so nervous to sing 27 songs without even 10 practices with the band. We got a new pianist, who has played for YEARS for musicals and just tonight we got a steel pedal guitar player- WOOHOO!!!
Also- Before Patsy was postponed I auditioned for Jekyll & Hyde which was set to perform the last two weeks in July. I was SOOOO wanting to be in a production with this director- his summer musicals are WONDERFUL! And I am so excited- cause I got the role of Nellie!!! While she doesn't normally do a whole heck of a lot of singing, the Director has decided to give the role some solo parts- YEAH!!!!!
I may have more theatre than I bargained for this year, but I LOVE every bit of it!

PB&J was never so cute!

Last month I braved a new world... letting my 4 year old make her FIRST PB&J!!

It was the cutest thing in the world watching that girl take like 30 minutes perfecting the art. Sara- I LOVE YOU!!! :)

And of course Josh couldn't let her do it all alone...

Sweet Success!

Elijah the Oritorical MASTER!

I may be just a tad bit partial, but I'm SOOOOO proud of my little Elijah tonight! He goes to Kindergarten at John L. Ory, a magnet school for Arts and Communications. Last week my little guy was selected as a finalist in the school's oritorical contest they hold annually. Tonight was the final competition and he took 1st place!!!!! GO ELIJAH!!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

Grandma Helland

I've been so fortunate to have all of my grandparents still living up until the last few years. A few years ago I lost my Dad's dad, Grandpa Challis. And then this week I lost my Grandma Helland.
Around a year ago Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The condition wasn't too bad then, but Grandpa had to take over the daily chores of cooking and cleaning. Unlike most cases of the disease she progressed quite quickly. About 3 weeks ago mom called and told me that Grandma had suddenly took a big turn for the worse. She had been walking and still talking, then suddenly she just didn't wake up one day. The next day she did wake up, but could no longer walk. Her speech was also affected.
I'll be forever grateful to my sweet husband who agreed to drop everything here and drive 1750 miles (that takes about 32 hours with 3 small kids) to go and see her.
I was so fortunate to be able to spend grandma's last week with her. Living so far away it can be hard not seeing family much, but it was so comforting to me that I could've been there to help in those last few days.
Below is a picture from Thanksgiving, our last visit.

Farvel, Bestemor
Jeg Elske Deg!