The Sick House!

So our house has been the sick house now for about three weeks. Let me out!! It started with both of the girls waking up on the same morning with sniffles. They both had minor colds. Well, within 48 hours Ashtyn was miserable so I took her to the Doctor and she had an ear infection. So we put her on an antibiotic and she started getting better and then Hailey got worse. So I took Hailey to the Doctor and she had bronchialitis, which is something a lot of babies get because that cold junk can get trapped down in their little tiny parts of their lungs. So the best thing for that was to put her on a nebulizer and do some breathing treatments to help her breathing open up and not be wheezy. Plus Hailey was teething during all of this. After five days with the nebulizer they wanted me to take Hailey back so that they could check her lungs. So we did and she was doing great but I thought she still needed everything checked out because she just wasn't herself. She wasn't eating well, she was extra fussy, just not my little Hailey bop. So they checked her all out and she was getting an ear infection. So then Hailey went on an antibiotic just as Ashtyn was finally getting off of hers. Then this last weekend they were both finally doing good. I was beginning to catch up on sleep again and clean house. Then, guess what?!? Ashtyn got the flu. Poor little bug. The flu is awful. That is one thing that just stinks when you just can't hold anything down and you get so thirsty and your whole body is achey. Well, our poor little bug got that!! The hardest part was telling her that she couldn't just drink as much water as she wanted too. She was just sooooo thirsty and just wanted a drink of water. Well, we made it through all of that and we have now been healthy and happy for the last twenty four hours. I am so glad that I am here so that I can be taking care of my little ones. I am so glad that I am here to hold them all day as much as they need. I need the loves too. I am so glad that I can comfort them when they are hurting. I am just glad to be the mother of such wonderful little girls.

The Mountains

A quote from Bill Bryson in his book A Walk in the Woods:

(He had recently hiked much of the Appalachian Trail)

"I still quite often go for a walk on the trail near my home, especially if I'm stuck on something I am working on. Most of the time I am sunk in thought, but at some point on each walk there comes a moment when I look up and notice, with a kind of first-time asonishment, the amazing complex delicacy of the woods, the casual ease with which elemental things come together to form a composition that is---whatever the season, wherever I put my besotted gaze---perfect. Not just very fine, but perfect, unimporvible. You don't have to walk miles up the mountains to achieve this, don't have to plod through blizzards, slip sputtering mud, wade chest-deep through water, hike day after day to the edge of your limits---but believe me, it helps."

This reminded me of my father. He challenges us to stop and look. Look at the mountains, and look at the sky. Take it all in with a deep breath. I often do, think of him, and then think of the hymn "How Great Thou Art!"

"Thy power throughout the universe displayed!"

We live in a wonderful, perfect, world. I love all the seasons, and I love to get out and enjoy it all.

SAM

Hailey Bop

So just a fun little note. Hailey has figured out how to dance. She is always watching Ashtyn dancing around and has now decided to join in on the fun. The best was last weekend my sister Wendy and her family were here and we all went to a hockey game. Well you know how they play music at each little break during the game and they are all loud, dancing music that is fun to boogy to. So Hailey just started shaking her head up and down and jammin' out. Just the cutest thing in the world.

A Walk in Emma's Shoes

About two months ago I heard about a production our stake was going to put on. I heard that it was going to be about Joseph Smith and that it would be in December. I also heard that there was going to be try-outs for the play part and there would also be a choir. Well, I have had tons of opportunities to be in choirs and have fabulous experiences. But this time I thought it would be nice to try something new. So I found out when try-outs were going to be and what I had to do to try-out and I went and did it. I got there and was a little intimidated when I saw a line clear down the hallway at the church. I thought to myself maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Well, off I went anyway. Filling out papers and waiting in line as nervous as could be. Luckily, Cody had decided to come with me and give it a go. So there we sat wondering what all we were going to have to do and then we finally got in there and it was no big deal. They had three judges, (which were just people who were going to be in charge of getting this play going), and a pianist. First they had you read a little paragraph from one of the characters in the play and then they had you sing Love One Another. Simple little tasks that took a moments time and were only a little nerve racking for me. Overall a great experience though.

So then we were told they would be in contact with us and let us know if what part we would get. So about four days went by and no word. Finally one day there was a message on my answering machine. "Hi, Jill this is so and so. We loved your voice and the way you were at tryouts and we really feel that you would be a great Emma Smith. So give me a call back and let me know if that sounds alright to you." I freaked out. I couldn't believe that they wanted me to be Emma. I was excited and nervous and humbled and just overwhelmed with emotions. So I called back and she asked me again if I would be Emma, if being one of the main parts of the play. And I gulped and said yes, I would love to.

And then began my wonderful journey of portraying Emma Smith. I would have the chance to have a speaking part and two solos. Yikes! But I was very excited and went right to work on memorizing my songs and learning my lines. One of my songs was a bit of a challenge because they couldn't find any sheet music or recording of any kind that I could sing with. They had one copy of a woman singing this song. So they had this amazing guy Darin Jones, who also happened to be playing Joseph Smith, listen to it and create his own version with stuff he had at home. I was amazed that he could do it but he sat and listened and played it through and made it sound fantastic enough for me to perform with. What a neat talent that is!?!

There were several practices with everyone for scenes we would be doing together and there was lots of practice on my own. And then the week of the performance was here and we were all excited and everything started to fall into place and we had a couple of practices in costume with makeup and lights and we really started to feel how exciting this was going to be.

Then the first afternoon performance was here and we all met together for a little prayer meeting. Then we went to the dressing rooms, which were just set aside rooms for women and men on seperate sides of the church near the stage, and began getting ready. There was about an hours worth of prepping, getting my big fancy dress on, getting my makeup on just right, getting my mic hooked up and on in the right place and testing it, getting my voice warmed up, saying a prayer and then the show began. The first portion of the play was nice because I could just watch and listen and enjoy till the time came when Joseph was older and married. Then it was my turn to come on. First was my speaking part and my lines were pretty simple, "He would dictate to me hour after hour. And when returning after meals or after interuptions, he would at once begin where he left off. Without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was the usual thing for him to do. It would have been impropable that a learned man could do this and for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was it was simple impossible." And then right after my line I sang my first solo with parts added form the choir while a girl did an interpretive dance just behind me on the stage. My first solo was called "Who Could Believe It?" and it was about the Book of Mormon. The words are as follows:

Ancient pages made of gold,
delivered by an angel.
Engraved in a forgotten tongue,
no man alive could read.
Giv'n to an unlearned man
of only twenty-three.
To translate in a few short weeks,
the ancient history.

It claims to be the word of God.
A light unto our day.
And every chapter testifies
that Jesus is the light the life the way.
Who could believe it?
Only those, who have pondered
and have prayed.
Who would recieve it?
Only those who believe.
God truly spoke of old.
And has power to speak today.

Hear the pages from the past,
a voice to every nation.
Published now in every tongue,
for everyone to read.
Teaching hearts around the world
the goodness of the Lord.
Convincing millions great and small
His gospel is restored.

It claims to be the word of God.
A light unto our day.
And every chapter testifies
that Jesus is the light the life the way.
Who could believe it?
Only those, who have pondered
and have prayed.
Who would recieve it?
Only those who believe.
God truly spoke of old.
And has power to speak today.

I have read this second witness.
I have sought the Lord in prayer.
I have felt his sacred witness,
speaking by the holy spirite pow'r.
Who could believe it?
Only those who have pondered
and have prayed.
Who would recieve it?
Only those who believe.
God truly spoke of old.
And has power to speak today.

Who will believe it?
Who will receive it?
Only those who believe.
God truly spoke of old,
and has power to speak today.

What a powerful song that was to sing. So fun to sing about the Book of Mormon and the power it holds and how it is up to us to take hold of this book and use it to its full potential. Then I had some acting parts that were just part of being there with Joseph. A mingling scene just after the church started and a dancing scene with a hoe down where we all got to laugh and clap and watch others dancing. Just some fun scenes as early saints. Then it got more solemn as we neared the end of the prophets’ life. There was a scene where Joseph had some lines and a solo and then I came in near the end of his solo. As he sang “Let the Morning Come,” a song about how he was going to give his life but he was calm and ready. After the song, we embraced and he walked off the stage and left me all alone. Just like Joseph left Emma. They were so happy and they had so much to overcome. She was left all alone to take care of their children. They were so young and yet they experienced so much heart ache.

After we embraced I slowly walked to a rocking chair and wept for a few quiet moments. And then I got up and sang my last solo about myself (Emma). The lyrics went:

Never had an ordinary day
Never lived my life in an ordinary way
For everything I loved I paid a price
But I couldn't let the world see me cry
Never had a moment of peace
Never felt the sunlight when the worries set me free
Every time my life turned a page
It seemed like my heart might break

With the world on my shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
I tried to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When I lost my husband
When I buried my children
I know the angels stood in reverence as I prayed
How much can one heart take?
How much can one heart take?

Never had a day to call my own
When so many needed my warm heart as a home
Whispering a mother's lullaby
As I sat alone by the fire

With the world on my shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
I tried to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When I lost my husband
When I buried my children
I know the angels stood in reverence as I prayed
How much can one heart take?
How much can one heart take?

(Four measure bridge)

With the world on my shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
I tried to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When I lost my husband
When I buried my children
I know the angels stood in reverence as I prayed.

(Slower)

I know my heart breaks
When some people still say
Somewhere down the line you lost your faith

How much can my heart take?
How much can one heart take?

What an emotional song about all that Emma faced. That first day it was very emotional. I cried as Joseph walked away and I had to pull myself together and not think about the words that I was singing. Then I was done until the finale. For the finale they had Joseph come back and he stood out in front and the men that were in the choir and in the play began to sing Praise to the man as the stage slowly filled with the men from the play surrounding Joseph. Then the next verse the women joined the singing and the stage. As I stood there looking at Joseph Smith singing about his life and the powerful words and emotion that come with the song Praise to the man, I began to cry. By the end I was sobbing but I kept pretending to sing even though no words could come out because I was so overwhelmed with the spirit and a testimony that he was a true prophet and he did translate the wonderful Book of Mormon.

I am so grateful that I felt the prompting to go and share my voice with others. I am thankful that I could portray Emma. So many said that I was authentic and as I read a little about Emma before the performances I found how similar we were in looks and things we do. How neat to have been able to walk in her footsteps for a moment and really realize what her life was like. My testimony has truly been strengthened about Joseph and Emma and the Book of Mormon. I love how each experience we have can build upon what we already have and know. I am truly grateful for this wonderful experience that I will NEVER forget.

Winter Wonderland!

I love it. The first snow of the year has arrived. We started with just a light dusting of snow and then we had a few more inches added to the mix. And now it is snowing again. In just three days my yard has turned into a WINTER WONDERLAND! It is so excting to have snow on the ground. Yes it is cold and yes it is hard to drive in, but snow is just so magical. I guess that is just how I have always felt about snow since I was little. Snow is just magical to children and it still is for me. Every year I hope for this beautiful, white, fluffly blanket to come and cover my world that I live in, especially for Christmas. This year it is here and I love it. Every inch!! The way it covers the trees and bushes and homes. It just makes everything look so beautiful.

Ashtyn has been so excited to see the snow falling. She has already bundled up several times to venture out into this white, magical fluff that goes up to her knees. She loves it. She has also figured out how fun it is to eat . I don't know why snow is so fun to eat but it is. Just to have something come from the sky that you can scoop up and play with, eat and roll in, and build and design with, it's like being in a fairytale.

Well, I know that with this winter wonderland comes a lot of nervousness and grumbles. But there is one home full of cheery eyes peeping out the windows at this magical stuff we call snow!

The REASON for this blog!!

The Reason for this blog is simple. I want there to be a place where I can write about little things my little girls do and pretty much brag about them. I want it to be a place where our family can share what we do and what we love. I want it to be a place where we can just show off our little girls and all the cute amazing things that they accomplish and do each day.

For example, right now Hailey is getting up on those little hands and knees of hers. Everyday she gets up a little more. And today she pushed up on the hands and knees and then she rocked a little bit back and forth. I remember that with Ashtyn right after the rocking began it wasn't that long and then bam she was crawling all over following me. I would go to the back room and sure enough along came that little one wondering where I was and what I was doing... How fun to watch children grow and learn. It is truly a blessing to see them and watch them learn and grow. I love being a mom. It is the best gift ever in the world. I sure do love my little family!!!

Time to get Started

Well, I guess that it is time for me to get this blog thing going if I am going to do it. I got it all set up and now I am nervous. I don't know what to put on it. What should I write? I guess whatever I want right. So here goes:

Well, Thanksgiving was amazing! I love to be with family. To see them and laugh with them and play games with them just relax with them. Oh and eat with them too. One of the best parts to me is the eating. It is fun to get together and eat all that food that comes around once a year. Pumpkin pie is one of my favorite seasonal foods. This is the time to make it and bake it and eat it and man it is as good as I remember. It seemed like it disappeared so quick I didn't even get to eat enough.

Well, there is always next years pumpkin pie. I am thankful for my family and that we can have holidays here and there to have and excuse to just be together. Love you family!!!

Just Beginning!

Okay so I am just trying out this blogging thing. I hope this works and that I have time to share stuff about my family and me. Here goes!!