Happy 4 Years

Happy four years of marriage to Dave and I!We had a pre-celebration yesterday by going out to dinner and today we celebrated by serving at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. I took one shift from 3 to 8 and Dave was a good sport and took two shifts from 3 to 11. Though this meant that we didn't get to spend the day together, it's alright because it was pretty cool getting to spend so long just hanging out in the temple. It is wonderful to think that four years ago we spent this day in the temple as well and that we are sealed together forever. I love him more than ever and feel blessed to call him my husband.

My Sanity

There have been times in the last year when I thought I had lost this. It is easy and natural to put your whole self into your family, but the more I did this the more I felt I was loosing me. I needed a hobby, something I could do and still be a full time mom. I needed something that was for me, as selfish as it sounds. I tried out many different hobbies, none of them sticking and none of them fulfilling the void. I would go weeks at a time being busy busy and feeling just great about everything, then all of a sudden I would feel it again, that need to have something else. Something to think about besides dishes, dinner, diapers. Ultimately I knew what I wanted to do, but was just waiting for the right opportunity. In April that opportunity presented itself and with slight hesitation, I took it. Herriman Arts council was putting together it's production team for their summer musical and I got a call to be apart of it. I made it clear from the start what nights I would be available and that I couldn't commit to being there all the time. I was asked to be the assistant director, so perfect. Immediately I was excited to think about auditions, blocking, acting, props! This is my hobby, this is what I love, this is what I was craving.

So from that time forward Dave has graciously taken over the role of feeding Grace dinner and putting her to bed on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and looking after her Saturday mornings. He had to sacrifice a few of his own hobbies to do so, but was more than willing to let it be my turn for a little while.

I have loved being apart of this. Though at times I wished I could just stay home and hang out with Grace and Dave, I was happy to have this responsibility. The stress of tech week was exciting, getting to know new people was exciting and being creative was exciting. This weekend it comes to an end and I am ok with that because I know there will be more opporutnities in the future. I guess my tank has been filled for awhile. So come and support me and my sanity this weekend at Herriman's Butterfield outdoor Ampitheater to watch "The Music Man." We are not Broadway, we are not even Hale Center Theater, but we are a bunch of people who love theater, especially musicals. Shows are Friday, Saturday and Monday and tickets are available at herrimanarts.org. I hope to see you there and if not you can see me another time as I happily reprise my role as devoted mother and wife here at home.

Hooray for Family Visits

Last week we had a much anticipated visit from my parents. My niece and nephew also came along for the holiday, which meant that Grace was fully entertained for a whole week. We spent the time swimming, eating, shopping, parading, and visiting the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Cameron was so enamored with Grace that he could hardly handle it when she was taking a nap and he never failed to make her laugh hysterically. Allison was helpful in a more quiet way, but was always more than happy to do whatever Grace needed. We also got to celebrate my mum's birthday while they were here and we did so by going to see "Singing in the Rain" at the Hale Center in Orem and eating polynesian food in Provo. I was happy to get to celebrate this day with her.
We always have so much fun when Nani and Nana come to visit and were very sad when the departure date quickly came. Though my house seemed a bit crowded at times, I found it was all too quite once they left. We love you guys!
Get ready for a lot of pictures!

Here are the kids at the splash pad. Grace was fearless!

At the temple open house.

We went to two rec center pools during the visit, Dimple dell and South Jordan. I really liked the South Jordan one because there was a separate small pool there for little ones and the lazy river was nice and long.

These are the kids waiting to watch the Herriman Town Days parade.

Allison got to ride a horse at Dave's parent's house. She absolutely loved it!

My dad and Allison.

She is telling me something...