Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turned 42 . . .  I just can't believe it.  Some days I feel much younger than that and other days I feel much older than that--ha ha!  I am just so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to live at least 42 years on this earth with a husband that I adore and four wonderful children that fill my life with complete JOY.

This is my little family, five years ago.  It's amazing how much we have all changed in just five years!

Today for my birthday, I have decided to do:
1.  Something I really should do
2.  Something I really like to do
3.  Something I've needed to do
4.  Something I love to do and hardly give myself time to do it


So, I after the kids went off to school (and I convinced them that they really couldn't stay home with me even if it was my birthday!--two of my kids really wanted to though!), I checked off #1 and went to a one hour Body Pump weight lifting class.  I like going but it's not at the top of my list of favorite things to do.  But, it's something I really should do and I was glad I went because my sister, MaryKay, ended up teaching the class and it was SO much fun to talk to her afterwards!


Then, for #2, I really wanted to go for a bike ride.  I got home and all of a sudden, this crazy windstorm came on hard and strong!  It's actually still going on outside.  So, my bike ride will have to be postponed for a while because I don't feel like swallowing dust and bugs on my bday bike ride.


#3 - Something I've needed to do---I finally, at age 42, scheduled my first mammogram.  (cheers, applause!)  I am going to get my test done on Thursday.  The receptionist said there was availability for today, but getting my girls squished flat is not on my list of fun bday things to do!


#4 - I love to play my piano.  I try to sit down and play at least once a day but I am so task oriented that laundry, emails, and other chores seem to take precedence in my mind and I neglect the very thing that brings me so much joy.  So, today, before my kids get home, I am going to sit down and play my heart out.  I can't wait!


Tom is still in San Diego at a fabulous Orthodontic Course.  He has been there since Friday.  I miss him so much but I'm so glad he is learning a lot of great stuff for our practice.  We decided to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday night when he gets back.  My kids felt bad this morning that there were no birthday plans for after school.  But I told them, that the best birthday present I could ever get on my special day was that EACH one of them were righteous, kind, honest, fun, and loving children.  I couldn't have asked for a more happy life than the one I am living right now . . . and that, right there, puts "the icing on the cake" for me today.  

Melt my heart

This morning, after our scripture reading, Kohler asked me if he could get a ride to school.  (not because he wanted to spend quality time with me, but because the truck was running really low on gas! ha ha)  I actually used to love driving him to school.  It was my own personal "Kohler time", even if it was only 15 minutes---I cherished every minute.  Before he got out of the car today, he gave me a hug and said, "I love you Mama!" Those words just melted my heart.  I am so blessed to have such a good boy as my oldest son.  He truly has a big heart and an even bigger personality!  I love him so much!

Cast Party

Wow - this weekend was a whirlwind!  We hosted a cast party at our home, I taught Sunday School and Relief Society, we had a trek meeting for our stake, and I have had my mom visiting me last week---- which has been SO much fun!  I just love having her around.  I wish we could see both her and my dad more often.  But, my wish will come true---they are coming back next month for Maya's baptism.  Yeah!!

Here's grandma giving tips to Spencer on how to make the world's best scrambled eggs.  They were SO delicious!

Here is the amazing cast of "The King and I."  

We decided to host the cast party at our home last Saturday night and we had over 65 people show up for dinner and lots of music!  

 Here's the director's son, Chris Okawa, and Sonia Bria.

 Here is Kohler "wowing" the teenagers with his piano skills!  

 Some other Copperstar friends, Jana Hanson, Rebecca Barney, and the director's daughter, Shanti Okawa.

Almost all of the adults stayed and sang great musical theater songs until about 11 p.m.  It was a musical family's DREAM party!  Really, it was so much fun.  I am so glad we had this time to relax with these great friends we've made!

Twenty Years Ago Today . . .

Twenty years ago today I made the most important decision of my lifetime.  I chose Tom . . .

I will forever be grateful for that day in my religion class at BYU when I met Tom.  That day changed the course of my life . . . forever. 

Since I got married back in the day when "film" was used instead of digital photography, I don't have digital files saved on my computer of our wedding.  Someday I will have to scan all of my photos (take them out of my scrapbooks, THEN scan them . . . ahhh)  So, I apologize that there is a flash spot on each of these photos.  But, they are still fun to look at! (poofy hair and all!  ha ha)

Aside from the UTA bus in the background, this is one of my favorite shots from our wedding day. I love the way we are looking at each other.  But, it's also funny because we got a parking ticket during our wedding ceremony and whenever I see that street, I always remember that dumb ticket!  

Who doesn't love kissing in the temple alcove?  

The smile on our faces says it all.  

Happy Anniversary to my true love!

Thank you for making all of my dreams come true!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is always a special occasion in our home, but this year it is especially meaningful.  I love this holiday because, of course, it's centered around LOVE.  I have so much love in my heart for my sweet family.  I adore my children and I am still crazy about my husband which makes today even more sweet!  :)  

But, there is another reason why I love today so much, especially this year.  20 years ago today (I can't believe I just said 20!), I received my endowments in the Provo Temple.  It was the day before we were married and I could not have been more excited!  (or skinny!---Where has that little waist gone?  ha ha)

Receiving my endowments in the temple and my temple attendance ever since that day is one of the greatest gifts my Father in Heaven has given me.  Making those sacred covenants in the temple is what strengthens my marriage, my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ, and helps me want to live worthily so I can live with them eternally someday.

Today is also a day for fun gifts and surprises, too!  Tom bought Kelsey, Hailey, and I some beautiful roses which we LOVE!

 I also dread the day I take down my garland from Christmas.  So, this year I thought I'd decorate it up for Valentine's Day (thus putting that day off even longer!)

 Since the kids worked SO hard to make our show such a success, we thought it would be fun to reward them with some extra fun Valentine Treats!

 This is for Spencer---

 This is for Hailey!

 This is for Kelsey!

 This is for Kohler!  (what else do you give a 16 year old boy for Valentine's Day??  a gift card to get some bbq wings!!!)

I hope everyone out there is enjoying their loved ones as much as I am today.  I wish I could personally give a hug to everyone who has touched my life and shown love to me.  I am working on it . . . one hug at a time!  :)

More fun pics of the Show!

Presenting . . . the King and his Royal Family!

 I think this may be on our Christmas card next year!  :)  I just don't like how a few of us are missing some fabric on our shoulders and chest--ha!  We really tried to ask for modest outfits.  I even had to beg for the sash that is draped across my shoulder.  I know it was the dress of the period and culture, but it is still uncomfortable for me.  Other than that, I think it's a really cute picture!

Here are three of the royal guards (Kohler is in the middle)

 This little guy's name is Liam.  He is playing a royal child and also gets to play the part of Buddha during the ballet scene.  He wears this outfit and they paint his face gold!  It's hilarious!

 Kohler, taking a break while sitting on the King's daius.  

 Ah - Spencer and his lovely dark hair and dark eyebrows.  He looks so different but still SO cute!

 Mary Jo, our director, holding little Buddha.

 Hailey plays the part of Princess Ying Yeowlack and had to memorize 7 lines of speaking parts.  She does such a great job and you can hear the audience all "sigh" when she finishes.  It's super cute!

 Tamara, with some of her royal wife friends (Lisa and Emma)

 Tom and Nancy Buttons (she plays "Anna" for most of the shows)

 We all helped to "jewel" the set so it would sparkle when the lights hit it!  It truly is beautiful.

 Here's me in my "Western Wives" dress.  Again, I had to beg for the pink sparkly shawl to cover my "hootie-hahs".  The director only likes it off my shoulders but I try to pull it up the best I can.  It's only a 3 min. song but still . . . .

A quick picture of us before I went on stage for Act 2.  I think I need to wear darker make-up like Tom.  I look too pale and he looks really tan!

Three Shows Down, only Five more to go!

Here is the entire cast of "The King and I."  I love how the royal palace turned out and with all of the colorful costumes - it's a very gorgeous set!  Tom is in the top row, middle, Kelsey is in the group of girls on the left, top row, 2nd girl, I am in the group of girls on the right, 2nd row and I am standing right next to Kohler who is by the GONG.  :)  Spencer is in the top row of children on the right in a green outfit, and Hailey is in the very front row of children, on the left, in a bright fuschia outfit.  

 The first dress rehearsal, we had all of our stuff thrown in three different dressing rooms and it was making me crazy.  So, the second dress rehearsal, I set up camp right on the dressing room floor.  This way everyone in our family knows where the makeup and hair stuff will be and I don't have to run around like a crazy woman trying to find where someone left my lipstick! ha ha

 I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

 Ahh . . . so pretty!

  . . . at warm-ups . . .

 Kohler, looking very tough in his guard outfit.  They wanted to put him in a vest that would show his muscles, but the other guards didn't feel as comfortable showing off their upper bodies.  Too bad Kohler . . .  you still look tough anyway!  :)

Yesterday, when we all came home from church, we were sitting around the table eating chips and salsa.  Kohler said, "Mom, I am really going to be sad when the show is all done."  I about fell off my seat because this kid gave us such GRIEF about having to come to rehearsals, and how this was all so stupid, and "not for him."  Tom and I about threw in the towel that first week hearing him complain and constantly having a grouchy face on during rehearsals.  But, yesterday, he admitted he was a bit of a jerk that first week.  He told me that he never realized how much work goes into putting a show on and he is actually proud of it!  (hallelelujah!  do I hear angels singing???)  He has made a lot of new friends and has really grown to like the theater.  He actually asked if he could help stage manage for the next show.  Wow - never thought that would happen.  

 Cute and lovable Kelsey is so easy to make friends with other people!

 Here we are with a bunch of the cast at Barro's between shows on Saturday.  We've become a little "King and I" family and it's pretty cool to get to know such awesome people!

 Our next show is Thursday when we will do an elementary performance for children in the morning (just the first act) and then a full performance in the evening.  Then another one Friday night, and two more on Saturday.  


We have a busy week ahead of us--but I haven't heard ONE complaint.  I have actually heard, "I can't wait to do our show again!  When do we go back to the theater??"   


I am smiling . . .