I whistle a happy tune

So, I did something the other day that has been on my buck list for years. I have always wanted to be a part of a musical. So I tried out. I love to sing, but used to be terrified of any audience. Over the last couple of years I have gained a strong confidence and love for performing and speaking in front of audiences, while working in the adventure education environment.
I am not sure what I was thinking, the last time I tried out for a musical my throat seemed to swell up at the moment I walked into audition. My voice came out as some strange frog-like croak. Since then it has been such a scary thing to even think that I could audition for a play. I decided this summer that I would get involved somehow, and muster the courage to sing in a musical.
I came across an old high school friend who introduced me to a group doing several vignetts including the King and I, for a benefit concert for the cancer society. They were already well into the rehearsal schedule so I expected little other than the back up for the back up singers. I went to the first rehearsal I knew about last Saturday. I was quite lost, but just before I left they asked me if I wanted to audition for a solo. I was super nervous and was only given 2 quick run throughs. I didn't even have the words memorized. Right before we began they asked us to act it out. As I went up I almost quit, I was so afraid, they encouraged me to try and so I said to my self....

"Whenever I feel afraid

I hold my head erect

and whistle a happy tune

So no one will suspect

I'm afraid."

(That is the song we sang.) I went with it and was shaking in my boots, I was terrified. However, I was so shocked to find that the frog that used to come out of my throat did not make an appearance that day. I was just grateful to sound decent.

I was super late to the rehearsal tonight because of work. I was not sure if I should just give up on the venture, but I decided to go and at least tell them in person. So as I did they asked me if I wanted to give up my solo with the King and I. I was so excited I screamed inside my head, and later proceeded to scream to Elise on the phone. I also tackled Elise out of excitement later. I told them promptly that I would make time for the rehearsals.

I was not sure if Provo would hold any kind of grand adventure for me. Turns out that Provo is holding up to it's end of the bargain.

The Best 3rd of July Ever

"Give me Liberty or give me Death"

This was one of my favorite 3rd of July's ever. It was fun to be able to celebrate the Independence of our nation for three days straight. The way the 4th was so conveniently placed on a Sunday allowed for a significant amount of celebration the day before and the day after. All the below pictures were taken on day one of celebration.

This year I live right across the street from one of my favorite portions of the festivities, Colonial Days. The reason I love it so much, even more than the booths of vendors and the carnival rides, is because I feel that it is important for all people in our country to get a taste of the Revolution. I would love for every child in the west to get the chance to see, feel, and experience significant pieces that have contributed to our nation's Liberty. At this celebration they have many ways to see and experience colonial life. There are original significant documents. There are people dressed up in colonial clothing. ETC. There aren't any original significant colonial age buildings here to remind people of their heritage. I was so excited that I ran up Abraham Lincoln and asked how I could get involved. So come next year I will be all dressed up

Mr. Lincoln and I!

I even got to shake his hand. I will never wash that hand again.




Having declared my desire not to wash my hands they decided to

lock me into the stocks for 2 days

A ceremony to honor those who served and died for our nations wars

from the Spanish American War on.

(I would really like to wear one of their dresses)

Oh, don't they look right handsome with their colonial Attire

I had the good fortune of meeting President Obama this day at my house in Provo.

The first First Lady meets the Current President.

We had a large potluck dinner together. Even the table decorations were amazing.

Friends enjoying each others company.

Aren't they all so jovial, the way one should be on the 3rd of July, celebrating the 4th.

This is the happy lead hostess. She and I decided together that because I had a large blue colonial dress, I would be the party mascot, Martha Washington. We even got Elise's hula hoop and rigged it up to my belt so it would hold on. (I have great sympathy for those poor women who wore such ridiculous things as pedicoats, corsets, etc.)

Martha Washington Meets the famous singer Taylor G.

It really is to bad that Martha and Taylor were born centuries apart.

This is the whole gang, just before I got back into my normal clothes to go out into public.

We all walked up to campus after the dinner and found a lovely place on the hill by the Hinkley Alumni building. While we waited for dark to settle and the fireworks to arrive, we relaxed and chatted, I got a head massage from Levi, we watched this incredible sunset from the bridge, we played with the glow in the dark Frisbee, and a grass in the face wrestling match. I enjoyed the anticipation of fireworks as much as the actual event.

I don't have many pictures of the actual fireworks, mostly because it is just one of those events that can't quite be captured on film. It really is an aesthetic experience of the moment. however this picture says it all. Evan perfectly illustrates the fun of the moment. While walking home we did fireworks all the way. As one of them was lit, it only went up 1-2 feet, when it should have gone up 10-20. It shot to the ground and shot right between Emily's legs and next to a car. That sure gave us all a little thrill and a jump start to our hearts.

Dude, there's somethin' on top or yur car.

Have you ever had someone give you that funny second glance while your driving down the street? This then turns into that awkward moment where you look back and they either pretend they weren't looking at you or your car or they frantically wave their arms to let you know that you left your sack of groceries on the top of your car.

Well, today I did not leave the bag of grocieries, that was the case two weeks ago the day before fathers day. However the first part was a good part of today's glances.

You see, my dad and I had an adventure this afternoon, figuring out a system to rig my newly acquired kayak to the top of my car. Between my ropes course skills and his scout master skills we totally mastered the kayak rack, without a rack, system. These pictures are the precursor to the actual system, but they were the right idea.

"Tada!!!" "We did it! We did it! We did it, Hooray!" As I drove through the quiet streets of Provo tonight, there was no shortage of funny surprised looks from people. There was a great Asian man who say it and kept staring, then as I watched he poked is wife to let her know what was on the car in the next lane. I thought it was hilarious. At first I forgot the Kayak was on the car, but as soon as I realized it was there I gave the funny couple a quick smile.

What an epic afternoon!!!

My New Life

My New Life

I loved hearing this women's and this family's experience. She is strong and made stronger through the Lord. I have some physical struggles that I have been working through this last year. Some of them linger on and on. As I watch this I feel that my trials are small, but I also know that they are just different and catered to my need for growth. I also know that I am not alone in these trials, but that my Savior Jesus Christ is there to help me through.

Like her I don't have to let my weaknesses and physical oddities define me. I joke with my co-workers that I need to go in for "treatments" (A.K.A. tanning sessions to help resolve the condition) to keep the feeling of what funny things my body is doing light and not a big concern to others. Sometimes it scares me, but mostly I feel a gentle reassurance that it will work out.

I love teaching the children here at this school. I love to let them feel sincere love for the short time that I have them. Sometimes I have to be tough and bold, but if I don't then I am not showing them true love. I listen to them (sometimes a rare thing in their lives to have an adult actually listen). I help resolve their pains, both physical and internal. I read stories and play the guitar and sing for them. I teach them TRUTH. A good amount of the time I just play with them (also a rare thing for many children). I am not yet a Mother, but I hope to be someday. Like this women, no matter what I have to give up for the short term it has been worth it to hopefully made their lives one ounce better. Even if I miss a treatment here and there. I hope to be able to do this for my own family someday. For now "I'll go where you want me to go Dear Lord."
My New Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E&feature=player_embedded

Things I have learned about myself this Spring in Maine

1. I don't have complete control of what happens to me, but I do have 100% of the control of how
I react to what happens to me.
2. To be Included does not always equal the feeling of being loved.
3. I desire the opportunity to create a home that will last more than a short 3-6 months. I want
to create a home where people want to be and feel comfortable to be. A place where love is.
4. I desire stability, not 100% as life needs a little bit of spunk and mystery, but I need to have
more than I currently have.
5. I can love. I want to be loved.


6. Moose aren't easy to find, particularly when you are searching.
7. Ironically love comes into our lives even when we are running from it. It sneaks up on ya!!!
8. I can make a touch down, even if the triumph is less because the teams are made up of 7th
graders.
9. To serve others is the best way for me to forget myself and my sorrows, however sometimes I
must do something to remove the wedges in my heart so that my heart may give full service
to others.
10. Kids love easily and it would be nice if adults could love that easily too.


11. Drama is not restricted to middle school. No matter how much we try to tell the kids that it is
unnecessary, it truly is something that people must learn to work through. It is a part of life.
12. I love the Temple. It has been a place of peace and comfort for me this spring. I have felt
true peace there and answers have come as I have pondered there.
13. I love to cook. I love to cook for others. I feel very little satisfaction in just cooking for me.
14. I miss having a full kitchen to work with.
15. I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I can resist a lot more than I ever thought I
could.


16. Irony and Ironic things may fill our life, but not all of those Irony's are going to be significant
in the long run. They may be significant in the short term, but gradually they will fade.
17. As in my mission, the heart ache and hard times gradually fade away, while the good times
remain strong in our minds. Hold on tight to the good.
18. Not all the feelings of my heart need to be vocalized, some are better off left inside.
19. Sometimes the best way for me to put 2 and 2 together is for me to talk it out.
20. Some of the personal things of our hearts should not easily be handed out. I ought to be more
cautious who I trust with the my most personal thoughts, experiences, and future dreams.
These are my treasures and ought to be well earned.

Deep Damarascotta Diving

Today's epic adventure of our first day out playing on the lake was nearly fidangled by the fun killing wind. It picked up Mandy's chair which contained her cell phone, book, and my camera. AHH!!! After much diving and searching, all the items were recovered. The best one was Mandy's cell phone as a timely call vebrated the phone so that I was able to find it. I nearly burst into tears it was so funny. Well, at least we captured the three person tube balancing act before the camera got sucked in. Maybe it is just time to get a new camera, as it is being held together at this moment by duct tape.

~Epic summer adventures log #1