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 . . .

It's Opening Night!!

 It's opening night!!  We are excited---SUPER exhausted, but really excited!!  Last night's dress rehearsal went pretty well, but wasn't without its bumps and mistakes.  Oh, and our "Luntha" character decided to quit two nights ago.  It was a very awful situation and the guy was very selfish and acted extremely unprofessional.  So, one of the girls who plays Anna (there are 2 of them) asked her husband if he could jump in and play the part.  He is awesome!  He is a vocal performance major studying for his Master's Degree at ASU (LDS family - and his wife is a distant cousin of ours---her maiden name is Chamberlain)  Anyway, he came last night and had his lines and both songs completely memorized!  It was incredible---plus, Tom and I like his voice WAY better than the other guy.  So, it was meant to be.  

Here are our little kids patiently waiting backstage to go on.  Hailey is in the fuschia pink and Spencer is in the green.  We had a hair dying party on Thursday morning.  I dyed my hair black and Kelsey and Hailey dyed theirs black/brown.  We tried spraying their hair black but it's such a sticky mess and with 8 shows and 3 dress rehearsals, times 3 kids, that's a TON of hair color spray.  Last night was so easy---we just came home (at 11:15 p.m.!!) and the girls were able to take their make-up off and head right to bed.  

Now, Spencer, on the other hand, is our little blondie.  Well, he is actually not as blonde as he used to be, but he did NOT want to dye his hair.  (I don't blame him)  So, he is the only one who gets to spray his hair black.  Tom gets his hair sprayed black but there is a professional hair lady at the theater who does his hair and makeup.  

He looks great in this costume and even looks Siamese!  (notice the abdominal muscles that the make-up lady painted on!  :)   He still looks in great shape and has been working out and watching his diet.  I am so proud of him.  Notice the crock pot in the background---I have had to bring dinners in a crock pot here because we are sick of eating fast food.  That night was chili and cornbread.  It has been really nice to have something homemade to eat and the directors and staff LOVE it when I bring them FOOD! 

We have noticed that on the way home, the kids are laughing, talking about the show, and are genuinely happy.  This is a huge effort and is taking up a lot of our time - but it worth it.  Last night, we saw one of the Starbill programs for the show.  Kelsey was reading everyone's bio on the ride home and after she read Hailey's bio, Hailey said, "How do they know ALL that stuff about me?"  ha ha!  It was really funny.  We have made a lot of new friends and feel like we've become closer as a family doing something that is uplifting and worthwhile.  

 . . . mission accomplished.