dreams

Wow. I'm finally back.

Life has calmed down some since the summer ended and I was never updating the blog, but now I've started up an after-school program that keeps me from ever updating my blog. Oh well.

I absolutely love my job, even though it can be quite frustrating at times. It's what I love to do, and I must be somewhat good at it, because we're having more success now than the program has ever had before, which is obviously a good feeling.

And I love, love, my kids. They are amazing. It's like I suddenly just got 30 new little brothers and sisters; and they're all so smart and funny and talented...just good, good kids. It's great.

This week, the auditorium I work for brought in a one-man show called Runt of the Litter, which stars former NFL safety Bo Eason. His main performance was Saturday, but he was here all week going around and talking to students at different elementary schools, high schools, colleges and whatnot. The focus of his shows is, in my own opinion anyway, making your dreams come true.

His show is based on his own life. He was a scrawny little kid who had an extremely talented older brother that outshined him constantly. One day, little 9-year-old Bo decided he wanted to play in the NFL, and he drew up a plan on how he was going to get there. And for the next fifteen years he followed that plan...and guess what? He got there. He was the first safety picked in the NFL draft the year he graduated from college.

Anyway. Bo also came to talk to my two groups of Stage Academy (my middle schoolers and elementary schoolers meet separately during the year). They were all in complete awe of him, which was fun to see, and he was so good with them, and so encouraging of what they're doing.

At one point, he said there are three things you need to do to be able to realize your dreams. And here they are:

1) You have to have a dream. This one made me stop and think for a minute. How many people don't really know what they want to do with their lives? How many people are just floating around, or wind up in a job they don't' really care about, because they don't know WHAT they want? Far too many. I was one for a while.

My own opinion is that not everybody may know what they want to do, but everybody has something that they LOVE. And I guarantee you'll be a lot happier in life doing something that you LOVE than something that you're only lukewarm about. So start with that. Figure out what you love.

2) You have to have a plan. This is where I think a lot of people lose sight of their dreams. They say something in a idealistic way, like "Oh, I'd love to be an actress," or "I'd like to travel the world someday." And these are things that they really want to do. But they never DO anything about them. You can't just say you want to do something, and *POOF* have it happen.

At the same time, there's absolutely no reason to think that you can't have your lofty dreams fulfilled, either. I used to think that nobody really lived their dreams. That that was more of a fairy tale, that it didn't really happen to normal people. But it can. If you're willing to put in the work. You determine what happens to your life. Act. Don't be acted upon.

And finally,

3) You have to surround yourself with people who see greatness in you. A support system. So when you get discouraged, like everybody does, it doesn't mean the end of the road. You have people to help you back up when you fall.

I love that when he's talking to these groups, he never once mentions a need for talent or skill. ....

Sure, talent helps. But you can have all the talent in the world, and if you don't do anything with it...what good is it to you or anybody else? But if you have a dream, if you have the drive, you can make it happen. Whatever you want. I truly believe that now. The world has enough mediocrity, now more than ever. We need to people with dreams, with passion. Find yours.

Bo asked my kids how many of them wanted to go on to do theatre as a career, and several of them raised their hands high in the air. That made me so happy.

Not just because it's something that I love. But because I'm helping them on the road to their dreams, while at the same time fulfilling my own.

Now that's what I'd call a win-win situation.

M.I.A

...I can't believe it's actually been over two months since I've posted! And, unfortunately, this post is going to be pretty short. I just wanted to update everyone that I am, in fact, alive.

Travis and I had a WONDERFUL trip to New York at the end of May, and I'm still pining for the big city. I've posted probably about 200 photos to my facebook page, for those that are interested.

A week after we got back from our trip, summer theatre camp started, and that's why I've been MIA. I absolutely love my job, and it's going fantasticly, but it keeps me SUPER busy. We're talking 60 hours a week, minimum.

Even with the crazy hours, though, I couldn't be happier with what I get to do. I've got the two best counselors I could ask for, and I'm doing what I love. We've got some fabulous kids at camp, and it's been so fun to get to know them.

We've completed three weeks of camp, and so far our plays have been Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Toy Story, and Witnesses (which was a wacky whodunnit show where each witness's account of the event - a hold-up at a lemonade stand - got zanier and zanier). The shows have been hilarious, and I'm always so impressed with what the kids can do. I'm excited for the next six weeks of camp!

If you're at all interested in seeing a few photos from camp, you can go to the program's blog/website - www.dailyyouththeatre.com. I update that much more than I update my own blog right now.

I'll do my best to keep up here!

home

...and, three and a half weeks later, I'm back.

Goodness.

A quick update that we have officially returned to Oskaloosa, for those that don't yet know. We actually headed back less than a week after my last post (which was much earlier than people were expecting - only our parents knew that we were coming so soon). It was fun to be able to surprise everyone, and we're adjusting very easily to being back in Iowa.

But enough with that. =] What I'm really excited to talk about is my new job.

I'm back at the George Daily Auditorium in Oskaloosa (this is huge for me, by the way)! I could not be more thrilled.

[Again, for those that don't know, the Daily is a "state-of-the-art" (I put the quotes there because I think that phrase is kind of funny, but everyone uses it, so I shall too) auditorium in the middle of little Oskaloosa that brings in the same professional shows that tour all the major venues across the country. For example, earlier this week I was privileged enough to work Cabaret, and in the past I've done shows like Fame, Grease and Man of La Mancha. Fantastic. This is also the same auditorium where I performed all of my plays, concerts, etc during high school, and where I previously ran the summer theatre camp program. Up to speed now? Good.]

Around the time of all the med school decisions, I was discussing with Travis how very much I missed theatre. It really is my passion. You know how some people have that drive, that love, that attachment for something? You can just see it in their eyes, when they're doing what they love...they're complete. That's what theatre is for me. It's a part of me, and I've been dying to get it back.

We'll skip through the specifics of the process but, to sum up, the auditorium's current children's theatre director was leaving, and after expressing interest, they offered me the position. I'm ecstatic. What makes it even better is that I was able to select two of my favorite people to be my counselors this summer. Huzzah!

The camp starts as soon as school gets out, and runs basically until school starts back up again in August. It's for kids in the area who are 7-15 years old, and it runs Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Kids sign up for one week at a time (but they can come as much as they want - last time I did this I had two kids that were there every week all summer long). Besides playing fun games and teaching kids about both acting and the technical side of theatre, my counselors and I write a script for the kids on Monday night, and by Friday they're putting on a half-hour performance for the parents and friends! It's amazing what these kids can do. It's a really stellar program, and so much fun.

Last time I did the camp (four years ago now - wow), there was a group of about half a dozen kids or so that I got to be really close with, and I was able to see them shortly after getting back to Oskaloosa. It was so fun to catch up, and I was even happier that they all were saying they wanted to somehow be involved this summer now that I was back (talk about an ego boost, huh?). After doing some brainstorming (as these kids are now 16 & 17 and too old for the camp), we've decided we're going to have an evening program for high-school-aged kids that lasts throughout the summer, where they'll be putting on a full-length play. They're also going to be building their own sets, hanging their own lights, everything. I'm so excited about this! I seriously get to play all summer long, do what I absolutely love, with people I absolutely love, and get paid to do it. Amazing.

I'm already at work planning camp and its promotions, which just has me so excited (why can't it be June already??). I also got back in town just in time for the auditorium's last professional show of the season, Cabaret, as I mentioned earlier. It felt so good to be back in the auditorium, on the catwalk, hanging lights...I can't say it enough - I love it. I'm home. I absolutely loved Arizona, and I certainly miss it. But this is what I need to be doing right now, and it's working out beautifully for Travis as well (he gets to start school in just over a month - yay!).

more changes...

Sorry for the delay there! The last couple of weeks have been truly insane (and we thought that things would calm down after Travis stopped medical school!). But this time it's been a good insane.

We made a quick trip up to Utah to visit my cousin Codie before he enters the MTC (this week!). I can't believe he's old enough to go on a mission! Wow. He's going to Mexico, and I know he's going to be awesome, so here's to Codie! =]

As for the next crazy step in our lives, here it is...we're moving back to Iowa. More specifically, Oskaloosa.

What?

This was not something I ever (mind you, I really mean it when I say this), ever expected to do. I was happy with my upbringing, but I've always been a big city girl, and absolutely despised the weather, too. Especially after we fell in love with Arizona so much, we never imagined that we would leave it (particularly so soon).

BUT. Once Travis started looking into nursing programs, we realized that all of the programs here in the valley had a waiting list. A long one. As in, a minimum of one year. Ugh.

That being said, we were still planning on staying here, and Travis would just work for that one year. Simple enough, yes?

Then, for completely unrelated reasons that I will at some later point reveal, we started looking at the Indian Hills program near Oskaloosa. Just to see. And we found out that there was, in fact, no waiting list for their program. He can start June 1. That's only two months away!

We were a little shell-shocked. Was this divine intervention leading us back to Iowa? We didn't know what to make of it. But the pieces were just falling into place too quickly and too perfectly for it to not mean something.

So. We prayed and talked and prayed and talked. And we're moving to Oskaloosa! Wow. The both of us are extremely excited about this too, which is also a sign to us. We figure we're feeling this way for a reason. =]

So what of the house? We're in talks of either renting or selling it. And we'll see how that goes. But everything has worked out so well for us this far...we have complete faith that this will work out too. We'll be living with my parents until we get this house squared away, which will be fun. We're excited to be back near both of our families, and to see all of Travis's siblings' sporting events and concerts (there are two still at home, and one will be attending UNI next year and playing rugby). Hooray!

Oh, and another part of our motivation came from the fact that I have landed my perfect job. Really! I can't even begin to express how excited I am! BUT. I'm not sure if I can really make it public news or not yet, so I'll have to keep you waiting! It's worth its own post anyway. =]

Until then!

crazy...

Oh goodness me. It's been a solid...two and a half months since I last wrote. I've thought to myself several times that I should get on here and update, but I obviously was never motivated enough to do so. Until now. =]

It has been a whirlwind few months for our little family. In a somewhat traumatic, ultimately very good way. A few very major things have happened...and even bigger things are in the very near future.

Where to begin? I'll suppose I'll just tackle them one at a time, post by post.

So, the bomb? Travis is no longer in med school (before anyone gasps in shock and dismay, please note: this is a good thing). I don't think I'll worry too much over the details here, but expect something on my other blog in the next few days. What is important to know, though, is that this was a very carefully considered decision, and one with which we're very comfortable. Something else important (that I want people to know)? This isn't because it was too much for him. He was doing just fine with the coursework. This decision was based entirely on different factors. And we're very much at peace with the new direction our life is taking.

When making the decision to withdraw, we obviously had to figure out what career path Travis would pursue instead. Because he does still have a great interest in medicine, he's decided to pursue nursing. He'll do a two-year program to get his RN, and then, because he's already got his bachelor's degree, he'll be able to go right into getting his master's. Fortunately, most master's programs are offered online, so he can work while he does it. He'll get to his career sooner than he would have as a doctor, certainly be making more money sooner (without anywhere near as much debt), and, most importantly, he'll still be able to spend time with our family.

Short and sweet, eh? In my next post, I'll discuss the even crazier decisions that have been made in the last week. Our heads are spinning right now, but we're both happier than either of us has been in a long time (and that's saying something!).

december's done

It seems like December is always a busy month for everyone. I'm sure that's mostly to do with the holidays and vacation time, but there's always something else going on too.

For us, there were three main things that dominated our December, so I'll focus on those.

First, of course, was the house. Omigosh. I already updated you on a lot of that, so I won't have to do a full run down now. Which is good, quite frankly, because I don't think I have the energy for it (and I don't think you want to hear me complain anymore, either!)!

We were told we absolutely would be able to close the week of Christmas. And we almost did. We actually went to the title company Christmas Eve morning to sign the paperwork, hoping to get access to the house that day (the office, by the way, is pretty far south in Mesa, so it was an hour drive. Not a huge deal, but not exactly convenient either). When we started going over paperwork with the escrow officer, I noticed that our bank (who else?) had the property address wrong. I mentioned it, not sure whether it was really that important.

It was.

The escrow officer (poor dear. It wasn't even her file; she was just filling in for someone else who was already on vacation) called Wells Fargo just to check, and they said that they would have to print out all new documents. The biggest problem? Travis's dad is cosigning the loan, and he has to sign the same documents that we do. Which meant that instead of getting everything done that day, we had to overnight them to him in Iowa again, and he would have to send them right back (again). And with the holidays, that wouldn't all be finished up until  Monday or Tuesday (another four or five days).

The bank made new documents right away and emailed them to the escrow officer, so we could at least sign them since we were already there. When the new documents came through, they had Travis's dad listed on the deed as well, which he wasn't supposed to be on. When we called the bank again, they said he had to be on it (...but he hadn't been on it the first time around!). Wow. So we were calling everyone we could think of (at 11:45 on Christmas Eve morning...when everyone was either already closed down, or 15 minutes away from it) trying to get this figured out before the holidays.

Eventually, we did. And we signed our part and went home and tried to not worry about it so that we could have our little Christmas.

Which, by the way, was wonderful! We decided that our Christmas Eve tradition was going to be making homemade pizza (we thought it would be nice to actually have the whole family cooking together, rather than the mom slaving away in the kitchen all day!).

So we made one regular pizza and one lobster pizza (see above). I know it sounds strange, but Red Lobster makes it, and we've always been intrigued, so we decided to make our own. And it was fabulous! We'll definitely be making it again (we also made an apple dessert pizza later that evening). Yum. All in all, I'd call the evening a wonderful success!

It was fun for us to be able to have Christmas in our own home too (even if we didn't make it into the house in time). Our biggest present this year was the television (which is amazing, by the way!), but we still got a few things from family. We had a great day just playing games and watching Christmas shows! Hooray!

Three days later, of course, we celebrated another momentous occasion - our two year wedding anniversary! On December 28, 2007, we got married in the Mount Timpanogos temple at 11:00 a.m.

It's certainly been a whirlwind two years for us, but we wouldn't trade it for anything! I love my man, and he still treats me like a queen!

We were hoping that we'd get to move into the house that day (what an anniversary present, huh?), but no dice. We did get to go out to a nice dinner, though, at Cheesecake Factory, which was amazing.

Neither of us had ever been there before, and were totally surprised by the atmosphere, but we love it! It is now, hands down, my favorite place to eat. If you haven't been before, go. If it's been a while, go back (fyi, their pineapple upside down cheesecake is to die for!)!

The next day, we were really, seriously, major league hoping to get the house. We were told there should be no problem (is it sad that we were still believing them?), and so we went ahead and loaded up the Uhaul in the morning (scary, I know!), and huzzah! at 2:00 p.m., we got the call! It was officially recorded at county, and we were homeowners! And we drove right to the house to start unloading.

It was exhausting moving in, but who cares? We have a house! It's so beautiful, and having our things in it has made it even more so. We're really settling in, and we could not be happier here. We're down to just the little things that need to be unpacked now, and we're going to take that slow...



Oh, and I can't forget one more exciting thing that happened this month. We booked our tickets to New York City this summer (and yes, I'm very excited)!

This is going to be Travis's last summer off, and it's also going to be the last time he can take any vacation for, oh, about ten years, so we wanted to make sure we did something special. We both love the city (me more than Travis, but he still really wants to go), and we are soooo excited. We leave the day before Memorial Day, and have five days and four nights there. Aah!

There'll be plenty more updates on that event in the coming months, I'm sure.

We can't wait to see what January brings!


Happy 2010!