Bella & Azure in Wonderland

Last week the girls sang, danced, and acted all week long at Acting Camp, rehearsing for the final product: a {modified} performance of Alice in Wonderland Jr. They had such a great time, and were so much fun to watch! I was seriously proud of them - performing in their very first live play. It was enough to make an old theater mom's heart melt.

Bella played the Ace Card.

Azure was Tweedle Dum {pictured here with Tweedle-Dee}

They both got beautiful flowers for a job well done...

but had more fun pretending to paint the flowers red, and play with all of the props at the end of the show. They cracked me up.

They said they weren't nervous at all. Although, during the week, the teacher asked me to work with Azure on understanding that you can't just announce that "I need a snack. I'll be right back." during the middle of a run-through, and then commence in leaving the stage. I had a good long talk with her about the "world of the stage" and that there are no snack or potty breaks during a performance. Of course she asked, "but what if I really, really have to go!?"

Luckily, she was able to hold off on snacks and a potty trip during the real performance... and that's one of the biggest steps to great acting. Way to go girls!

Balloon Dad

This is the work of my sweet, creative, thoughtful girls trying to ensure that I wouldn't be too lonely when daddy was away for the week.
They tucked Balloon Dad in on Dan's side of the bed. He didn't make a peep all night! Thanks for thinking of me girls!

The Errand of Angels

{as we all know} is given to women.

Recently, these fabulous ladies swooped in and became my angels!
DeBbie, kiM, kYm, VaLeRri, GrAmmY, joYanA, & auNt eMiLy took my kids, entertained my kids, cared for my kids, and fed my kids while I was away performing my civic duty {which Judge Kane thanked us for often} on the jury.

I can't thank them enough. I panicked at first, wondering how on earth I was going to pull this off, and these sweet, sweet friends {and sweet, sweet family} came to my rescue.

I was talking to a friend during this experience, and she immediately asked "Who is watching your kids?" and before I could even answer, she said: "Oh, ladies from your church?"

And while that's true, that is initially how I know most of my friends - they are all more than just ladies from church. They are sisters in every sense of the word, and I am so grateful for them, and for all of you that I am lucky enough to call my friends, my sisters, my family. Cheesy? Yes. I know. But it is 1:30 in the morning and I'm a little bit groggy, and apparently, sappy.

Thanks doesn't seem like enough. But, thank you! Lots of love, and know that I'm always ready and willing to be there fore you in return! Thanks to all, and to all, a good night.

Partying Jury Style

Jim, Sarah, Jeremiah, Shiloh, Elizabeth, Me, Liz

There is a lengthy list in the making of all of the things I am learning during my experience as a juror. I know you're dying to read it, but, you'll have to wait, as I will share all of those very astute, perceptive and touching insights after the trial has come to a close...but for now, I will tell you that I am so grateful that I am serving with the people I am. We really are a good mix. We not only share very tiring days of listening to Expert witness after Expert witness, but we get along. We laugh together. We spend our lunches and breaks together. We take walks to get Josh & Johns icecream together. We share life experiences over Chipotle burritos, and today, we celebrated Liz's birthday together. She brought in a cake that was decorated just like our super-cute Juror buttons we get to wear in the courthouse. I couldn't have picked a better group to be stuck with for two weeks! Happy birthday Liz!

A New After

I have realized recently that I live my life on the promise of "afters".
After Nashville, I'll work on the wedding decor and get ready for Boston.
After Boston, I just wont sleep for a couple of days so I can wrap up all of the wedding plans.
After the wedding, I'll do everything else I have been putting off for months.
After school's out, we'll do lots of fun things, like camping, and hiking and family bike rides, and spending long days at the pool...
But alas...I have come across a new, unexpected after.
I was selected on Monday to be a juror in a case that is projected to last between 8 and 10 business days. I thought I was convincing. However, the judge did not agree that having four young children at home whom I am the sole caregiver of every day was a great reason to be exempt from service.
Unluckily, I get to sit in court for eight hours a day listening to the same arguments being rendered over, and over, and over again.
Luckily, the other jurors I'm serving with are a pleasure to be around.
Unluckily, I am missing out on two weeks of my kids' summer.
Luckily, I have sweet, sweet friends who are willing to be inconvenienced watching my older 3 kids every day. {Emmett comes with me and sits in the little "Court Care" childwatch all day. Except for today when he was home with the big kids and Dan's mom. Thanks Deb!}.
I do not love my new after.
But, I sure can think of lots of things that complete the end of my "after jury duty..." sentence, like river rafting, and camping at Taylor Park, and dates with Dan, and visiting Nana & Bapa, and swimming with my sweet Cal who still can't stand being in the pool by himself, and never, ever having a job that would take me away from my kids all day every week-day. I am really, really hating that part.
It sure has opened my eyes to what an AMAZING blessing it is to be able to stay home with my kiddos.
I really do love my real life, and after jury duty, I plan on living it to the fullest!