prayer of a child

Today Ashton asked me if we still had this game with race cars. I wasnt sure exactly what he was talking about...i tried to have him explain it to me but i was still unsure of what game it was.

So, a few minutes later he said "he didnt say Yes or No" - I said who didn't say yes or no. He said "Jesus." He said "I said a prayer to Jesus to ask him if i still have that game and i didn't hear him answer me."

What a sweety. I love his innocence. And i love he is learning to pray.

The beginning of our California trip....Mission Beach in San Diego

Ummm yeah- she loved eating the sand. Grouse, I know! I tried to stop her but she has a one-track mind!!





I was laying there enjoying a quiet moment when I felt this cold wetness. I sat up and thought the boys had thrown mud at me. But once i looked overhead to see a bird and i got a whif of the lovely smell...i knew i had been pooped on. Can't you just hear the birds conversation...."yeah- lets see if we can hit her right in the middle...bombs awwwwaaaaaay!" They have quite the good aim!

Day 2: Sea World

Can you believe i got these pictures of the San Diego Temple from my window (rolled up btw) on the freeway?!! They turned out amazing!!!

Too bad this Atlantis ride was closed and we weren't able to go on it...still got a great picture of it though!!

Halle had been to Sea World before- so Ashton was all-ears to what she had to say...don't you love how he is leaning on her-just waiting for Shamu?!






Can i say SLASH ZONE !!!! We got pretty drenched...I'm lucky my camera wasn't ruined!

Day 3, 4 and 5: Disneyland

We spent 3 days in Disneyland. It was a good amount of time to get to see a fair amount of everything. It was Ashton's first time...I loved seeing his face in awe of everything. It definately is a magical place. Ashton is a very literal boy and so his jaw was dropping at just about everything. He said his favorite ride was the new Toy Story one where he got to shoot a gun at different targets. We all said if anyone got lost - to meet at Cinderella's Castle. He said... "No, I know, lets just find Tinkerbell b/c she has a magic wand and she will help us." He was 100% serious b/c he really believes in the magic...which is so much fun. He received lots of autographs in his book from all the characters- he loves to just sit and look at all the pages. Seneka was a trooper. Even though she missed most naps - she pulled through and liked to go on most of the rides with everyone. She definately loves to be part of the group.

And honestly, being an adult in Disneyland is almost as great as being a kid. I loved going on most all the rides as well. Pirates of the Carribean and Indiana Jones were both hits with me...oh, and the huge roller coaster in California's Adventure (the Screamin) - i went on that one twice and the Haunted House in California's Adventure was a blast also - i had no idea we were going to drop like we did - i reached over to grab the guy next to me (out of impulse) and i'm not sure what i grabbed but i was too embarrassed to look at him after the ride!!!

HAPPY DAY!!!!

My AUDITION (sorry it is a long one!!!)

So, not to sound morbid or anything... but do you ever wonder... "if i died tomorrow-- what would i have regrets about?!!"

Well, there are many ways i could answer that because there are many things that i need to work on and do better. But one of my main answers to that question would be that i have never pursued acting. My entire life i have been the "drama queen" and i have always had this inner dream to be an actress. It is funny though how life goes along and there is always an excuse or some reason why i don't pursue it. Whether it was because i was working, or going to school, or i am getting older or i have kids and don't have the time, my resume is outdated, or whatever else. But even when i make up these excuses...the idea of it still lingers in the back of my mind and i can't shake it off.

I did a fair amount of things in high school and it really made me so happy. I was in different plays and i competed in many different competitions. And I have taken a few classes since high school- in college, etc... but don't feel i have really gone out of my zone to REALLY pursue it.

It is always on my mind but i feel overwhelmed as to what to do and how to do it. While living in NYC- i thought... this is PERFECT!! This is Acting Central...maybe this is my opportunity. I even would notice signs on the street saying that a production would be filming there the next few days and i tried to call the number on the paper to see how i can at least just be an extra or something. But i had no luck. I really just needed an "in" and i didn't have one. A few years back i even wrote Oprah and Ellen to tell them that they needed to be my "in" and help make my dream come true... but once again, no luck.

OK, OK - i will stop rambling and get on with my story....

My friends have always been great motivators and always tell me - you can do it...you really should do it, etc... But once again- i didn't know what to do or where to start. So, a few months back, my good friend Emma sent me this email with different auditions around Utah with links for their websites. She also signed me up on a couple of the sites to get emails when they have auditions. I really just sat and smiled at this gesture and also at the thought of actually moving forward with something. It was so sweet of her to be thinking of me and trying to help me along. I really have the best friends.

OK- so on with my story.

A couple weeks ago i got an email from Pioneer Theater Company about auditions for Romeo and Juliet. I thought...maybe I'll just do this. It isn't a musical (b/c i can't sing) and i love Shakespeare and used to do it in high school. I checked out the play at the library so i could become familiar again with it. Honestly, the whole goal was to just step out of my comfort zone and audition...the likelihood of actually getting a part is completely unrealistic being that the cast is so small and there are very few female characters...and i really have little experience...but at least i could try, right?

Well, in the mean time i was just looking online and thought i should check into LDS auditions for things. I know there is a big market here for this and there are movies and plays, I'm sure, that they have auditions for. So, the ball started rolling. I happened to fall upon this link online for this Open Casting Call for LDS Motion Pictures and Film and the auditions were only a few days later. I emailed twice and left a voice message to see if i could get an audition time. Miraculously, they emailed me back to confirm an audition time for this last Saturday at 11:40. I was peeing my pants. Seriously.
I had to have the following things ready (let me remind you that i got this email on Tuesday and had to have this all ready by Saturday morning and Troy is in Ohio all week-oh, and i was sick with a HUGE migraine Thursday and Friday):
1. 2 contrasting monologues - each one minute long
2. an updated resume
3. an updated headshot
4. be ready to do a cold reading (where they give me the script to read once i arrive there).

So- i memorized and prepared two monologues, tried to "update" my old resume (oh boy...what a joke), i had these professional photos taken for my old job that were 4 years old that i used for my "updated" headshot. Even though i was so excited...i was so overwhelmed and so discouraged. My resume wasn't up to speed AT ALL- my headshot has dark brown hair and i currently have blond hair and i hadn't done a monologue in 10 years!!!

I just kept telling myself---this is making me grow...i am pushing myself...i will regret this if i don't take this opportunity...i am what i am and it is what it is and if they don't like it- than oh well-- the worst they can do is laugh at me, right?...

BTW- i didn't tell anyone about this...except for Troy. I just didn't want the pressure in case i decided to not go through with it.

SO I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was peeing my pants the entire time but i did it. And afterward- i took a deep breath and then just smiled. I really had to go out of my comfort zone to do this and i am really proud of myself. I even cracked a joke before i left the judges - that they thought was funny --- so maybe my charm can help me, right?!!!

So- this audition wasn't for any specific role or anything - but they just rate you and put you in their database and then notify you if there is ever an audition for anything specific. They only do these Open Call Auditions once a year though... so i was glad to hear about it (and typically i think you need an invitation to go to this audition - so how crazy i just fell upon it).

I think i am holding off for now on the Pioneer Theater audition... this other audition was enough to cause me a mental breakdown. But at least i have done SOMETHING and i am not just being complacent. And who knows what other ones I'll audition for? I just needed to start moving with this instead of standing still...whether i even ever get a role or a part...at least i am trying and that is making me grow as a person. So YAYYYY!!!!!

church shoes

So I just love my little man.

A couple days ago i was at Walmart. I had to buy a few groceries, some water softner salt (YESS!!! We finally got a water softner...enough of Riverton's hard water. All my dishes are almost ruined with white crap on them), a bday gift for my nephew Dallon, etc...

I said to Ashton, maybe while we are here we should go check and see if they have any black church shoes for you. He said, No mom-- you don't need to buy those now. You are already buying so many things. And i don't want you to run out of money.

(btw- i was dying of his maturity and adorableness)

I said... oh, honey we won't run out of money- we can look for some shoes for you. I said - Daddy works for us everyday so we don't run out of money. Ashton instantly said - but daddy isn't working this week (he is in Ohio for a work training)...I said No he is still working - just not in Utah. He was so worried.

Honestly, do i not have a wise man in a little body? I am amazed at what a thinker Ashton is. I just hope he doesnt stress himself too much with things like money already! Anyhow, he is my little man and i love him!

free handbag

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Ashton's treasure island

As you probably know, Ashton loves pirates. When i asked him for his preschool homework what he wants to be when he grows up, he said "a pirate." So, when we tried to think of ideas for his room...it kept coming back to a pirate-themed room. Even if he outgrows the obsessiveness in a couple of years, i think pirates are still a good solid theme for a boy for years to come.

Ashton requested the red jewel in the sword...


Once again, it turned out to be a masterpiece. Really, the pictures i took don't do it justice. And Ashton loves it...which is all that matters!!

ARRRRGGGHH me hearties!!!!

Seneka's place

So, Seneka's room is finally complete!!

(just need to make the crib bedding that I've asked Omi to help make...which i am excited to start).

So...i've always had this vision that if i had a girl, i wanted a red room with a white picket fence around it...and it to have a ladybug theme. So, i knew that once we had a house- i had to get started on my project.

Troy was the lucky one who got to paint the room red. What a PAIN in the rear. Troy said he is done painting FOREVER!! I don't blame him.

This woman, Amber Mcrae is so talented and she painted Ashton's nursery in our first house in Herriman (he had a giraffe, a monkey above the door and a large tree). Her murals are all very realistic and she really does an amazing job. So, we called her up again to do Ashton and Seneka's rooms. She warned me that the fence room was a huge undertaking and said that we could save some money if i helped stencil and paint the fence. Therefore, i spent almost 20 hours helping with the fence. It will be good to tell Seneka when she is bigger that i contributed! So, I stenciled the fence and then helped paint 3 coats of white (over the red walls). And then Amber did her magic to make the room come alive!

This room is really large and initially Ashton thought he was getting this room. However, i thought the girl in the house deserved the bigger room (she'll thank me one day!) and also, i thought the fence mural would look soooo much better with this large open room. Therefore, Seni won and got this room. (However, Ashton's room is still pretty cool and he was happy in the end with his room as well). I am hoping this room will last Seni for 10 to 15 years b/c it is such a general idea and not such a childish theme.

Look Mom!! No training wheels!

So, the day finally came. We took off the training wheels! Ashton has been asking and asking but dad said Ashton wasnt quite ready but he (dad) would be able to tell when it was time to take them off. Well, we started realizing that the wheels were twisted and lifted from the ground anyway and Ashton wasnt really using the training wheels much. So, dad took them off and Ashton was off-- grinning all the way. And he hasnt stopped grinning about it. All he wants to do is ride his bike now and he lets everyone know that he can ride without training wheels.

What a big man!!!

Look mom- one hand!!!!!

Jon and Kate plus 8

So, out of impulse i decided to just cut my hair last night. It has actually gotten long (for me) and i was actually kind of liking it long. My stylist warned me that i am going on a vacation - and i might want to pull it back in a ponytail. And that if i am liking it long, to not cut it. So, why did i cut it you ask??! Not sure. Just felt like being impulsive i guess. So, i am not hating it but not loving it yet either. I've never been one to really fret about my hair much...as long as it is fairly easy to do, i am fine with it. But i have been wondering if i made a mistake?!

Anyway- i've been wondering what my hubby thought about it b/c when i arrived home he just kind of stared at me for a minute and had this small smile on his face. So, today when he got home from work - he said..."i actually really like your hair...it really fits you." This made me feel good and better about the whole thing.

And then he continued...." it kind of looks like Kate's hair on Jon and Kate plus 8."

Well, that did it for me. The compliment was no longer.

Now, dont get me wrong- i really love that show but i really dont love Kate's hair. I feel like her hair is a "real mom" hairdo and i was not really going for the full-fledged "mom" look quite yet.

So- if you are wondering what it looks like - just turn on TLC and watch an episode of Jon and Kate plus 8.

Things are coming along....

We layed sod last weekend. Thanks to all those who could help! Even a couple of our neighbors stopped over to help out...which really was so nice of them. It feels great to have it down and it definately makes our house feel more welcoming.

Ashton and his friend, Will, were great to "help." Ashton used his new working gloves he got for his bday!

Seneka LOVED helping as well. She just ate all the dirt and kept filling her face with it. For some reason, she thought it tasted great. mmmmmm...

One more week or so and we can actually walk on it. We'll have to have a little picnic on it to celebrate!

YAYYY to grass!!