Cow Tipping and Waiting

The holidays this year were great. We went to my dad's house for Christmas Eve and spent the day with him, my sister and her kids, my Aunts, Uncles and cousins in Monroe. It was a great day. We did have to drive home that evening so I could be home on Christmas day for our Sacrament program. It went well and I was grateful to have participated in it and for all those who helped.

We played this fun game "Reverse Charades". It was so fun. Only one person guesses and everyone else on your team acts out the word or phrase. I got cow tipping once and everyone had a good laugh as I made my sister get on all fours, gave a loud "MOOOOOOO" and pushed her over. How many sister laugh when you call them a cow! She was such a good sport.

We are still waiting for our little bundle of joy to make his appearance. We hope he comes soon. It is getting pretty uncomfortable. I have gained 35 lbs (5 just last week!) and my mid section is measuring at 40+ inches. I was hoping he would have come already, but I came down with a bad cold on Monday and am hoping that I can kick it before labor and delivery since I won't be getting much sleep after that. Oh the congestion! I hate not being able to breath!

My cousin Stephanie, who has just started her photography business took my maternity pics which also doubled as our Christmas photo. She is amazing! It was sure fun. So here are some of our fun pics with my belly at 8 months.

Ward Music Chairman (Chairwoman)

I just received a calling as the ward music chairman. I am so excited and a little overwhelmed with the responsibility. Unfortunately there is a limited number of musicians in the ward. There are only three people who can play the piano (one of which is me) and one person who can play the organ. The bishop has offered me a key to the church and asked that I start practicing the organ. That's a little intimidating! Guess I had better get to it.

I do wish I had been called a little sooner, there is nothing planned for Christmas and we do not have a ward choir. I am supposed to throw together a musical program in the next four weeks. Hmmm. I have some great ideas, but I do not know many people in our ward yet so finding volunteers is going to be a challenge. Thank heavens for Sally DeFord!

I just pray that the Lord will bless me and the ward to be able to come up with something that will invite the spirit and make Christmas special.

Home Stretch

Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since I've posted. Sorry about that. It has been a great couple of months. We are finally feeling settled into our new place and making friends with the scorpions who think they are going to share our house(yikes, I am getting a nice bulk of students, Kent is loving his job and we are getting excited for the holidays and to go to Salt Lake for Thanksgiving.

Kent and I were asked to perform a Saturday Night Live skit at the local theatre. We were dressed up as cheerleaders. It is the Will Ferrel skit at the chess club tournament. We changed it a little to make it cleaner and to fit the local mascot, but it turned out great. We got a wonderful response. I only wish we would have taken pictures. I was so tired when we got home that we forgot. Darn it! I am sure we looked hilarious. I just did another performance of Women at the Well and have one more this Thursday. It has been so fun.

I have 7 and 1/2 weeks left until my due date and the heartburn is taking over, but all in all - life is good. I had two showers and received some very nice gifts from friends and family. Thanks everyone! We love it all. Here are a few pics...

Here is my six month pic...

Here is my seven month pic...

Women at The Well

I just got invited to sing in a local musical production of Women at The Well. It is a great program about the women in the scriptures and their relationship with Christ. I felt really inspired as I prayed that the spirit would be able to communicate Christ's love for his daughters as we sang about these faithful women.

I had a distinct thought pop into my mind that just because we were not there to witness Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, or to reach out and touch the hem of his garment, to see his empty tomb, or to wash and anoint his feet, does not mean that our relationship with him can not be every bit as personal and significant.

I have often felt like having a relationship as personal as Mary and Martha did with the Savior would be impossible for me, but as I listened to the songs and narrative in this program, the spirit bore witness to me that I could indeed have that dear friendship with Him as they did.

I hope to be able to live the kind of life needed to be worthy of that friendship. What an amazing experience this has been. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have received and talents I have been blessed with that enable me to participate in inspired programs such as this. I hope you all have the chance to see it at some point. It is amazing.

Kanab Adventures!

First off, I want to clarify that the last post was Kent's doing. Need I say more?

So we are still looking for a place in Kanab and are still in limbo. We were supposed to move into our new place on September first, but the previous tenants are still there. Hmmmm. So, where are we? We are staying in a cabin at a place called "Hitch N' Post" (and RV park). It is quite the adventure. Is my sarcasm evident yet? Poor Betty doesn't know where we live any more. Of course neither do I. Ha! I just can't wait to be settled. I keep reminding myself that it will be over soon and this will a be a great memory.

The people here are great. I just got invited to sing in the tri-ward Women at the Well musical program. It should be really fun. My solo recital is coming up in only 24 days! Yikes, but I am feeling really good about it now. Luckily the bishop is letting me practice at the church five days a week since my piano is still in Salt Lake. It is a great blessing.

Here are my five month photos outside the "Hitch N' Post" cabin.

BACON!!!

We are Having a Baby Boy!

Here he is, this is our little Max. We just had the ultra sound yesterday and couldn't be more thrilled. Kent was speechless. He just walked around with a big grin on his face, that is until we were making my next appointment and the receptionist was distracted on her computer - then Kent blurts out to anyone who will listen, "It's a Boy!" The receptionist looked up surprised, but politely said congratulations with a smile.

They had a hard time getting a good picture and accurate measurements because Max was moving around so much. He just wouldn't hold still. He also likes to stretch his legs out until they are perfectly straight and he is folded completely in half. He also likes to wiggle his thumbs.

Here is my four month pic. I am about five months now and will get the next picture up soon.

We are in Kanab now and just waiting for our apartment to be vacated by the former tenants. We will hopefully be able to move in by September 1st. I can't wait. It is miserable being displaced. I am having to go to the church, the neighbors and the school everyday to practice piano for my upcoming solo recital which will be on september 24th, at 2 pm, at the West Jordan Library. Yes, it was the 10th, but I had to move it back, because we couldn't get the recital hall. In all honesty I am greatful for the extra practice time. I feel like I need it.

Kanab is fun. I have already been to a slot canyon and spent one day at Lake Powell. It is only 1 1/2 hours away from home so it was easy to make it a day trip. We are going to the Grand Canyon this weekend. Fun stuff.