It's Over!

Well it's finally over! The weekend I have been anxious about for weeks is over! The play was great & we really turned it up a notch but my heart and mind were at home with my cub. He did NOT do well at all. I am so glad to have him back with me (& I know he's glad too)! There was no way I could've taken him with me. There was no room in the vehicle or the theatre. I really would've liked for him to be with me. Oh well, all is well. He has not let me go since I have been back and I don't blame him.

I have learned so much this weekend. I had to take solace in Maya Angelou's quote 'The first time a person shows you who they are, believe them'. It is with that in mind that I have made a, possibly unpopular, decision. I will say this; I did enjoy being on the stage. It was fun. I would not object to that as a hobby of sorts. I liked the entertaining part but was a little uneasy with the 'mingling' part. It's a bit to get used to for me. My cousin, Anne, saw me last night and loved my performance. She saw a lot of potential which was a nice complement coming from her. She's very artistic. She's also five months pregnant with their little girl just so I time log this. :)

Well I have a busy Monday ahead of me tomorrow. I will update you on any new developments this week.

Week 2 of the Play.

Week 2 of the play is upon us. Tomorrow we go out of town to perform and although I know that I know we'll do great I also know my mind will be with my little cub back home. Yes, I have decided to leave him home, for the first night at least. Like a trial if you will. We have gone over everything that needs to be done and my awesome super supportive hubby even took off work! Man he is great isn't he?! I need him in my life. Not to be outwitted the baby decides to start teething so bring on the excess drooling, crankiness, clingy-ness, sleepiness oh and temp... Ugh. As if I don't feel guilty enough! Tomorrow is just a trial. If he doesn't do well he comes with me Saturday! Regardless. The playwright won't mind but my helpers will. I have recently found out they don't want to travel with us. I don't blame them overall but I feel like the whole world should be as concerned about my cub as I am. I know what that must sound like but it sounds great in my head.

This weekend could round out April as my busiest month thus far. Too bad we have 8 months left to break that record. In addition to Bears prom and day one of the play on Friday, we have Saturday which is Syd's team pic day, soccer game, and of course day 2 of travel. Next weekend is just as busy with multiple birthday parties. I will be so glad to get back to my routine which is... Um... It's starts with. Wait. I don't have one do I?! Ugh so much for that.

I will have up give you another play update after we're done. I hope it will be timely. For now I am almost done with the menu for May. Bowie had requested that I not have beans every Wednesday, much to Jake's displeasure. I tell you that so when you see the menu you will know what happened to 'Beans Wednesday'.

In other news we have started watching 'Drive Thru History' on Netflix. I don't know if you've ever seen it but its very interesting. In the beginning I thought his vocab was a little advanced for my younger ones but they picked it up with few problems. Of course the kindergartner doesn't have quite the attention span for it but she comes in and out. I found a study guide online so we review afterwards and the kids really enjoy it.

I'm looking forward to our trips this summer. I look forward to leaving everything behind mentally most of all. I will mainly be able to do that with the California trip but ill take what I can get. I'm not overwhelmed, just a little tired. We still don't know where we're going for out family vacation but I've heard Great Wolf Lodge in Texas is good for our herd. The kids want Disney but... Well we shall see. I've never been a huge fan of the mouse so it only makes sense that they're rooting for him right? *rolls eyes*

Well I am going to go to bed now. I pray that the actual act of sleep soon follows. Please overlook any grammatical errors, I'm sure I have.

First weekend of the play down

Well I can officially say I have one weekend under my belt regarding the play. I enjoyed it overall. It was a bit more nerve-wracking than the first night but its over now. In retrospect I preferred the first night. I have seen more than I wanted to behind the scenes, for now anyway. I am marking the calendar for the last day of the play next weekend. It sounds worse then it was I suppose. I guess we can chalk that up to exhaustion. I like this character overall. I like the freedom to make it a little of my own in certain ways but I dont like certain paths I see it possibly taking. Therein lies the problem. Only God knows where this will take me, if anywhere. I am curious.

  This weekend was soo very busy for us. Besides Sydney's birthday, there was also her soccer game (which they won!), my brother, Frank's, promotion, two more plays & church. Our friend was a super blessing and cooked dinner for the family Saturday! Boy was she hearing God! So thankful for friends like that. I am so glad we are a homeschooling family. We will be taking part in the 'mommy savings time' very similar to 'daylight savings time', and get an extra hour of sleep in the morning. On the docket for Monday; Call for house insurance quotes (always fun) school, prepare notes for a parenting class on Tuesday and try to repair the computer via though a telephone troubleshooter (sigh...). Well I will take it all in stride. Until next time...

The Play night 1

Well the first night of the play was hilarious. There were missed lines, costume malfunctions and the always funny, people tripping over props to entertain us. I and a co-star found it funnier then the playwright would've liked but I really couldn't help it. It was just too comical. I know nerves were a little raw but I figure its your first night, things are going to happen. I think we will really be on our game tonight! Ill let you know after the weekend is over. Two shows left this weekend. Next week is on to another city. Oh, I did great, if I do say so myself! No missed lines or wardrobe malfunctions for me!

In other news my sweet beautiful daughter turned 10 yesterday. Needless to say it was quite an eventful day. She was at my hip for the majority of it which is just how she [has always] liked it. We did our celebratory birthday lunch, did a little shopping then the play, and dessert. Busy busy busy. I love it. I need a chauffeur. I truly don't like driving... But I digress.

Today is Sydney's soccer game, my brothers military promotion and night 2 of the play. This weekend is going to fly by. I will try to squeeze in a birthday cake somewhere today for Syd. Time didn't allow for it yesterday. My hubby has so many people coming to the play that in honestly considering having him be my 'agent' in all this! He's an awesome promoter! That's what comes of being a well liked people person.

Well other than the baby getting his first two teeth (insert hesitant smile) my news update is done. Oh, do you like that pic? Birthday girl and 'Mabel' on my first night! Break a leg right?

The Crandles ep.1

Well, time is drawing near for my first performance in a theatre stage. Three more days till I play an older woman who, at one point, goes toe to toe with a shady preacher. I hope it is as fun on stage as it is fun practicing. It still doesn't really seem real. I keep waiting for something to happen that makes us have to cancel. I'm pretty sure someone will say that's 'bad luck' but its true. I got the wig today and ill get the rest of the props tomorrow. I will be sure to update you when the time comes.
I am still at a, partial, loss of what to do with the baby when we go out of town next week for the play. He is doing better and better when left with a bottle and Ronni but the question is can I actually leave him for a minimum of 6 hrs for 3 days?? Just writing it seems harsh. I went through all the trouble of getting donor milk, which he absolutely refuses, and I am downing fenugreek and choc chip, oatmeal, walnut lactation cookies (oh the sacrifices we make as mothers right?) to increase my supply but in the end I can produce as much milk as Foremost but if he doesn't drink it its no use. My play director doesn't seem to share the concern overall but it's my child so I can't make her see it from my perspective. I am more curious about next week than I am about the play itself. The Lord will work it all out.
Well the 9 yr old sprained her toe and had to miss soccer practice tonight which was ok because they cancelled it due to pending bad weather (which hasn't shown up yet, btw). The coach and I want her to baby the foot anyway so she can be well for the game on Saturday. She is so into this and was devastated at the thought of missing practice but it all worked out in the end. Praise God.

The handwritten menu

Here is the original handwritten menu for April since the file refuses to cooperate. No it's not 'operator error'! Ok maybe it is. At any rate you will have to take this one until its resolved. I will use another method for May's menu. Suggestions welcomed.

Building memories

Well it has only taken my husband 13 years but it looks like I may be submitting to country ways after all. Last night we enjoyed a lovely bonfire with some friends and as is customary for country people, I hear, we met more people. It was very nice. The kids had an awesome time which was an added bonus. Even the baby was quite tolerant, which was great seeing how sleepy he was. I think by the time we got home and settled down in bed it was about 11:30p. He likes to be in bed somewhere around 7p, yikes! It's ok though he made me pay dearly for it by giving me as little sleep as possible.
We went to church today and went for a long leisurely boat ride with a few more friends. I even got to drive the boat for a while! It was a bit chilly on the water but with my main man there blocking the wind it was comfortable. I told them when it gets hotter I would live to go again, and it WILL get hotter. We grilled sausages, relaxed and just enjoyed each others company. It was very nice!
I recapped all of that to point out Gods gifts of great friends and awesome memories with them as well. I know we will have many more times of smiles and laughter. I'm so thankful.