Nothing is More Special than a Baby at Christmastime!

Congratulations to my baby brother Kenton and his wife Janna on their new little bundle of joy! Welcome Miss Emily Nicole! And Merry Christmas to big brother Scott. (All photos blog-lifted from my sister Natalie... the photo wizard!)

Just like Scott, I was three years old the year Bill was born, (in November), and I was convinced that he was my own special Christmas present from Heaven! Someone smart must have told me that - Dad!

Emily had a bit of a rough start - the cord was around her neck, and caused her to swallow that yucky meconium. BUT... it also caused her to come nearly 3 weeks early. Thank goodness for that, or the cord could have been a major issue! She's got some breathing issues right now and has to stay in her little bubble. The biggest problem with that is... none of us can pick her up! And poor Scott can only see her through the window.

The grown-ups at least got to go in to her little incubator and see her. We are all hoping that the 7 - 10 days of hospital time they are predicting will actually be a lot shorter than that. Either way, she should be home in time for Christmas and then Aunt Natalie, Aunt Kara and Grandpa can all fight over who gets the most "hold time". Merry Christmas to all of US! Can you imagine a better Chrismas surprise? We can't!

GRATITUDE ~ So Simple, So Profound

I stole this video from my beautiful friend Crystal. (Actually it's a Mormon Message, but she posted it on her blog first.) This is the perfect week for taking a minute to stop and just think... Make that list of blessings! These people got it right!

UPDATE!

How time flies when you are so swamped that you can hardly breathe!

My many and devoted blog followers have been clamoring for an update. Well, okay... so 2 people have mentioned that the blog has been sadly neglected for the past 4 months or so. BUT... Oh, what good excuses I have!


Excuse number 1 - We went to see the WIZARD!


July & August were spent immersed in the auditorium at Payson High as we directed PCT's "Wizard of Oz". It was a huge cast, a special effects extravaganza, and SO MUCH FUN! Funny how a few months is all it takes for you to forget the WORK involved... well, maybe not forgotten, just mitigated.




The cast really bonded and created a stage "family", which is exactly what you hope for as a director. There were many teary eyes at closing night... and while we don't plan to make people cry, it was awesome to see that it had been a good experience for them. We were very proud with the final results: packed houses, a sold out final performance and a cast that truly enjoyed their time spent here.

And in the midst of our final performance weeks, we received the GOOD NEWS we have been waiting for for half a decade... which led to...


Excuse number 2 - Our NEW HOUSE!

Ain't she a beauty? This was the view this morning during the first snow of the season.

WARNING: Long housing saga follows~

How long have we waited for this??? It's been 5 years (unbelieveable!) since we sold our home in Lynnbrook, and began the quest for our "final resting place". (Metaphorically speaking.) We moved to our first rental in Mapleton, in Dec. of 2004, believing that it would be a "year or so" before we could finalize the development of our land in Lake Shore. So many road blocks in that process. We began to wonder WHY it was so difficult to do this! In the meantime, the Mapleton house was sold and we commenced move #2. (March 2006) Back to Spanish Fork.

We moved into a "gated community" with nice big twin homes but a REALLY difficult neighborhood, (Home of the Parking Nazis!) where we discovered we are much too independent to be dictated to by an HOA! ('Nuff said.) Still working on that Lake Shore subdivision. In fact... the county actually APPROVED us on the condition we would bond for ditch removal and utilities. (Hey, what's another $30,000 anyway?) And in late spring we find out the home we are living in is going to be sold... AGAIN! As luck (Or Divine intervention) would have it, the next door neighbors were moving out at the same time, and wanted to rent their place. (June, 2008) We had to MOVE NEXT DOOR, but in so doing the rent dropped and we gained an extra bedroom, bathroom and family room. So it was worth it. (I can say that now... the week of the move, I thought we might all die. Moving next door just plain SUCKS! You'd think it would be simple. But it was a huge amount of work!)

Are you keeping track? That was the 3rd move in 3 and half years. 7 people, most of them pack-rat-ish girls, and all their STUFF! Now, I know this is boring to most of you, (EVERYONE except maybe Loni) but I gotta get all this stuff down in my journal here!

Our frustration was definitely mounting. The subdivision just didn't seem to be happening. We started looking at other homes to see what was out there and just try to get on with life. This spring, 2009, the tide finally turned. What seemed like bad news, was actually the answer to a lot of frustrated prayers.

The state transporation dept announced that they are planning for a large highway to go through all the farming communities in west Utah County. Yeah, that'd be Lake Shore. (And quite a few other little towns.) Their purpose is to anticipate the growth that is sure to come in the future. The proposed highway has a few different paths being considered, but a couple of them go right through, or very close to, our property. When that was announced, we realized that maybe all of these delays had been a blessing in disguise. If we had pushed through and built our home, we'd be living under an overpass!

The result was... we went househunting in earnest. (All the while directing "Wizard"!) We put 7 offers in on houses this past summer. The first six fell through for the strangest reasons, but all with the final result that offer number 7 created a "clockwork effect" where every detail just fell into place as though it was meant to be. The list of things occuring "just right" would not surprise any of you who understand that the Lord knows more than we do, and has us in His hands.

It's been a crazy couple of months! We had to paint some rooms. (Still have to paint a lot more!) We replaced the carpet and have a fabulous carpenter feverishly finishing our basement for 2 extra bedrooms. OH, and then... another d@^* move! (OUR VERY LAST!! - I swear it!) The rental house is cleaned and emptied, there are boxes every where you turn, and the 3 car garage only currently fits one car... but we are in! Halloween night we slept here the first time, and it truly feels like home.

It's ours. (Well, the bank's... but our name is on it!) Our new ward, Pine Meadows, has been overwhelmingly kind. We had 4 different visitors on our first Sunday here, all bringing gifts of yummy food, and welcoming us to the neighborhood. It was so kind, and so welcoming. A big part of what makes us feel so at home! We really have SO VERY MUCH to be THANKFUL for this year.

Whew.... now aren't you sorry you asked for an update? I am WAY too verbose when I get going! But relax... It'll probably be Easter before I get to it again!

And how fun is it that we get to spend all of the Holidays this year in our new home? I'm trying to talk Steve into hosting a New Year's Eve party. He's betting we can't get the boxes unpacked by then. Who d'ya think will win??

Happy 4th!

(That phrase always makes me chuckle... ever since my sister and I went to Minnesota for a stamp convention and we had a card that said "Happy 4th!" We thought we were so cute giving it to our cab driver. He asked us... "Happy 4th what? 4th baby or something?" Well, I was pregnant with my 5th. Anyhoo....)


We had a delightful Independence Day just spending time with family. We went to the traditional picnic and pool party at my Dad's cousin Margene's. It was great fun swimming with all the cousins!

My personal favorite: Scott on the slide and diving board! Hey, don't all 3 year olds just hop into the water like that??

Erika loved the diving board.

Everyone had lots of fun plans for the Fireworks! Uncle Evan & Aunt Naylen took Erika to the Stadium of Fire with their kids. Jada also got to go scream for the Jonas Brothers with her friend's family. Kaila hiked the "Y" with friends, and Sierra spent the evening hanging out with Phillip's family. Uncle Cordell & Aunt Cheryl and their kids got to go to a Bees game. And the REST of us met on the big hill at Rock Canyon park to watch the fireworks go up.

All the kids... big and little.... loved the sparklers!

(Until we got shut down by a bike cop... sorry... didn't know we were illegal!)

Will's Sparkler!

Jaden & Necia get crazy with the sparklers!

So... even if you are from Minnesota... we hope you all had a HAPPY 4th!! :)

She's Legal!

Whew! Sierra FINALLY has her driver's license.

(For REAL cars... not just slick track cars!)

About time too! She's 17 years, 2 months and 4 days old.... yeah... SEVENteen.

A whole slew of events just coincided to keep her from being able to complete all the requirements before now. (Mainly changing schools and being on early morning Drill Team.)

BUT it's finally done. She has that little piece of paper in her wallet, with the real macoy promised to show up in the mail within two weeks.

Now, WHY, you ask, would we be so excited to add another teen-age driver to our insurance?

Just a couple of reasons: she goes to school in the next town over, she has to leave the house at 5:30am for drill practice, (even right now in the summer), AND she has about 20 minutes after drill to get to her swim teacher job back here in town. Mom is just a bit tired of that routine!

But now... she can DRIVE HERSELF!! Whoo-Hoo!

I'm gonna celebrate by SLEEPING IN!

It. Was. AWESOME!

Kaila's graduation ceremony was just plain awesome! SO MUCH FUN! (I know. Weird.) The weather was beautiful. The processional was just incredible to watch... all those kids in their blue gowns with such happy faces.

The flag was brought in by a SKYDIVER. The speakers were short and hilarious - bringing out laughter, a few tears and the great spirit of this class. SHHS - the letters of the school, also stand for their school motto: Spirit - Heart - Honor - Success. They really emphasized how this class epitomizes this motto. Think about it: You take two rival high schools, a rivalry that has existed for over a century, and bring the kids from each into a new school, hoping that they won't kill each other, and instead create a new bond. THEY REALLY DID. Everyone mentioned how this class forged a new path for many to come - and did it with real class and style!

The choir (Kaila included) sang an original song written by the choir teacher that was done especially for the school, accompanied by electric guitar and drums. NOT LAME - COOL!

And as they all had their names called and walked a l-o-n-g loop so that everyone in the stadium could see them... it was just perfect. And at the end, as they switched their tassels, there was a burst of unexpected FIREWORKS. Wow! And In case you're wondering... yes, I know I sound like a sappy mom, and I don't even care! That's MY Graduate!!

And in the midst of all this "Pomp & Circumstance" we watched our beautiful young lady and her fabulous group of friends with so much love and pride. What a perfect day!

Pomp and Circumstance! KAILA - Salem Hills High School Class of 2009

Aaaaahh! It's actually here... Graduation week. And Yes, ladies and gentlemen... she made it! This is one of those milestones that always seem so vague and fuzzy when you look into the future...then you blink and it's here!

Have you ever heard that saying that

"The days go slowly, but the years go by so fast"?

We are feeling that today, Miss Kaila-Roo.

From that first day of Kindergarten, where you proved even then that you could rock ANY style, even your self-inflicted haircut.

One memorable quote from her Elementary school years... her second grade teacher, Mrs. Melander, was trying to be positive during parent-teacher-conferences when she said "Kaila is very social... and she does love to accessorize!" The myriad toys, make-up, game pieces, etc. that constantly appeared in her school bag could surely be defined as "nuisance items"!

Jr. High brought the arrival of a new girl... Kaila's soul-mate: Heather. We can't imagine what her High School years would have been like without her siamese-twin!

And Heather is just the center of Kaila's fantastic group of friends.

Thank you girls for your positive influence!!

Sandi, Lexi, Sheii, Kaila, Kenna, Heather & Sarah

Two years at SFHS involved in the show choir, Premier.
Two trips to Branson for Nationals!

Summer Job: THE POOL!
As a life-guard and swim teacher... Kaila loves this job.
And mom and dad love the money she makes for HERSELF!

And finally... getting to be a part of the first graduating class at the brand new

Salem Hills High School.

Congrats Roo! And may the rest of your years be as full of joy and laughter as you have made the last 18 for us.

Class Plays: The "little" project

Oh, hey. It's May. End of the school year, time to wrap up all those little projects. Thank goodness the "big" stuff is over. What a relief to be done with the musical! Right??? SO WRONG!

Every May as the stress mounts and I want to pull my hair out (again) I think to myself... WHY do I do these plays? They are not the "little" project they appear to be! Each student in one of the Drama classes (6 classes, btw, BIG classes) gets to perform in a one-act play for their final. This just kinda makes sense for a Drama class, huh? Simple. Ya think?

So I've got 194 kids. They each need a role. They have to be able to practice during class time, so the plays have to fit the number of boys and girls in each class. Just trying to figure that out is quite the task! Then let's get them all a script, schedule stage-sharing time, find costumes that "fit" each kid as well as the role, plan for each kid to have a wireless microphone (they have to share 20), pray they get memorized and don't fight in their groups, train techies to run the lighting, sound, scenery all by themselves, and schedule performances into the busy-busy end of year calendar. Oh, and, hey... don't leave any of them alone for a minute... these are junior high kids, people. Piece of cake!

This week I have 11 plays going on in my Drama 1 and Drama 2 classes. They will each perform for the school, and then again for their parents in the evening. That's 22 shows in 4 days! Whoo-hoo!!! (or maybe that's... BOO-hoo.) And next week... Drama 3 gets to do their self-written and produced shows. Here's what my room looks like today:

Costume Corner:

The Microphone Table:

The Dreaded PROP Room:

The backstage view:

This week's schedule:

And let's not forget... THE KIDS!

And WHY am I blogging??? Because everything's ready! We just finished the final dress rehearsal during last hour. At 6:30 pm they will start appearing with their families to PERFORM! Ooops! Wait..... the Programs!!!!!

Off I go the copy room! C'mon June -- Let's wrap this sucker up!!!

Speaking of Drama...

This one made our whole geeky-drama family smile!

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

New Year - New Events!

Wow! We've had a busy start to our year indeed. A quick run through of our 2009 events so far:

Jan. 3: Erika was baptized. She is our last 8 year old. It's unbelieveable how time flies. Grandma Nielson got Erika's beautiful white dress. Unlike her older sisters who took multiple trips and tries in many dressing rooms, Erika went right in, saw the perfect dress, picked out her size and never wavered. It was beautiful on her. Dad performed the baptism, and just about every family member was in attendance.

We know that Erika will be a disciple of Christ much in the same way she picked out her dress: She is very sure of what is right and doesn't waver!

Jan. 5: A brand new cousin! Uncle Darren & Aunt Cathleen's family got a new baby. NATHAN Darren Poulsen was born 5 weeks early, but was a healthy 8.5 pounds. His lungs took a couple of days to get up to speed, but is doing great! Looks like he might have red hair like his brother and sister.

Jan. 21: Kaila is 18! Now really... it seems like just a bit ago that we were watching her baptism. She is a very beautiful young lady. The 18th birthday week was not all easy going with Dad in Florida for the super bowl, a rough end of school term, and some 'boy' issues... but she took it all in stride and showed her positive attitude! We usually do a big "kid" party for all the January birthdays, but this year we had a special "Grown-Up" dinner at Brick Oven. Grown-ups only... to celebrate KAILA!

Region & State Drill: Sierra and the LaShays danced in their final competitions for this school year. They hosted region drill at their gorgeous new school, and then qualified to go to the state finals! Sierra had a rib that dislocated in her back, so she had to sit out one dance, but she toughed out the final number. "I didn't want to miss our final dance!" It has been a very busy and hectic year, but being on drill has been a great experience. She has made many new friends and will be trying out again for next year's team.

Region Swim: Kaila swam with the Skyhawks at their first ever region swim meet. She did freestyle, breaststroke, and swam in two different relays. This has been a new, fledgling team and they have all worked very hard. The girls' free-relay qualified as an alternate for the state meet. After the meet in SLC, we enjoyed eating a late lunch at Noodles. YUM!


Jan 30: Drama Conference: Jada and Mom got to go to the Utah Theater Association conference at Weber State. The kids got to participate in workshops and performances all day. Our favorite part: Watching the production of "Peter Pan" put on by WSU. It made me remember why I love that show so much! The cold bus ride home wasn't so great... but our Ihop dinner was! Here's Jada's groovy posse: Sydney, Jada, Nick and Katie. These kids are SOOOO fun! I don't want them to move on the high school!

Feb 1: Super Bowl! Dad worked his 7th Super Bowl, this year in Tampa. He was gone for 17 days! I don't know who missed him the most... Mom, the kids or Lizzy! One thing's for sure, the dog hasn't let him out of her sight since he got back. She never gets up on our bed, but that first night he was home, she jumped right up there multiple times. Of course we had our traditional Super Bowl party. This year was at Natalie and Jesse's bonus room. We had taco salads and cheered our guts out for the Cards... oh, well! (I'm sure Nat has pictures of this somewhere...)

PLAYS! What kind of DRAMA family would we be if we weren't involved in some type of play production at any given time???

101 Dalmations! Necia and Jaden both had parts in the SF Youtheater production of 101 Dalmations. Necia played a Scotty dog. She wore a real kilt, and did a genuine Highland Fling! Jaden got to play a bad cowboy and the London Bobby. It was a very cute show.

LITTLE WOMEN: Kaila was the production assistant for Salem's show. She did all of the girls' time period hair styles, and worked the lights as well.

ALICE in WONDERLAND: Right in the middle of LW, the school had auditions for "Alice". Kaila tried out and got the part of ALICE!! They have started rehearsals and she has BIG TIME lines to memorize. Of course, she doesn't get the leave the stage for pretty much the whole show. Can't WAIT to see it!

MULAN: We are doing MULAN at school. We open in 3 and half weeks! YIKES! The music and dances look great, but the scenery is slow going! (Could have something to do with the fact that the painters can't ever get on the stage because the actors are always rehearsing... oh, how I need a shop!) I hope there are 120 kids all sewing their kimonos at this moment!

WIZARD of OZ: Steve is already in pre-production for this summer's show. We (well, him mostly) are directing Payson's show this year. The auditions are next month. He had a meeting today with his set and tech people. You'd be surprised how much work there is to be done!

And happy birthdays so far to: Uncles Cordell & Tony, and cousins: Jordan, Mason, Jade, Ethan, Hannah, & Will. (Who am I missing...? oh Kaila!) January is our big birthday month!

Of course, none of that includes our regular stuff... a new term started which means new classes for all of us, our cars are suffering break-down-itis, and our collective opinion is that we are stinkin' sick and tired of winter!! We've been busy, indeed... but that's our life!