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But, back to this crazy blog we never update. So, what's happened since we last wrote in March of 2009? Well, I had our third daughter, Darcy Josephine, by unmedicated childbirth, which was insane squared, let me tell you. And completely awesome and worth it! Bob and I had a great summer in which we planted many a vegetable, ate many a vegetable, and canned many a vegetable. Canning for the first time was truly satisfying. There's just something about working for your own welfare that gives one a deep, inner peace. This Fall, Bob directed Shakespeare's "Henry V." It was a great success, and a very powerful performance. He also had some students compete this October in the Utah Shakespearean Festival. One of his students' acts placed 3rd, and his ensemble scene placed 5th. Some judges loved it, and some hated it. I think that's what Bob was ultimately going for.

I just finished my performance in a community women's Christmas chorus. It was wonderful, and incredibly difficult. I even had a solo. Bob said it sounded good. :O)

Other than that, things are fairly everyday and wonderful! We've been extremely blessed this year, and are amazed at how our joy has multiplied with each child in our family. Marriage and kids are the greatest blessings.

Time to Get Organized

It's a new and beautiful time. Spring is just around the corner, Bob had a very successful run of his latest play, "Mother Courage and Her Children," and now has significantly more time at home, and I am feeling better than ever in my 2nd trimester. I'm probably just feeling "nesty," but I have a constant list running in my mind of all the things I want to do. Maybe if I write them down here, I will be more inspired as to how to go about doing them. Also, I would welcome any helpful strategies from those more experienced than myself.

Things I Want To Do:

1) Organize my entire house. This involves making two groups of our stuff: things we want to keep but don't "use" (photos, family history, art, etc.), and things we regularly use, even if only seasonally. Then comes sorting out what we don't need or use and getting rid of it. Then comes putting everything in a place where it can be stored and accessed according to its use, and possibly labeled so I can find it when I need it.

2) Clean my entire house. We've been here 3 years and have never deep cleaned (except maybe the fridge or a closet from time to time). This was never a problem before, because we would always move before it got bad, and then we had to clean up before we left anyway. This would be a major undertaking. Especially the kitchen. Yikes!

3) Start our "real" garden. We want to till up our entire back yard and fill it with yummy vegetables. There is a ton of junk to get rid of first and haul away, then, of course, doing it, and trying to do it right.

4) Clean and organize our garage so it is actually useful and our stuff, accessible.

5) Make a better plan for our 72-hr. kits, our 3-month supply, our year's supply, and a savings account. All of these have been started at one time or another, but mostly on a whim, with no plan as to how to continue or update in a timely and affordable manner. Interestingly enough, our water storage is going great. I guess I figured, "If there's anything we really CAN'T live without, it's water, so I'm doing that right no matter what."

6) Family history--mostly organizing and archiving photos, home video, and updating journals. I seem to have this general problem--I get an idea, or read about it in the Ensign, go, "That's brilliant!", get right to work on it, then never make a plan as to how to keep it an orderly, on-going thing in my life.

So mostly, I just feel completely disorganized, and really want to remedy this problem. That's my plan for the next few months. Any suggestions are welcome!

Some Favorite Pictures From Christmas

The Cutest Picture Ever

Grace looking maniacal before church

This one was totally posed

Merry Christmas!

Aww...

So, in other news, on Christmas day, Lili started walking! Eleven months! She and Grace both had so much fun. Christmas is Christmas again with little kids around! It was a wonderful year for us, despite economic crises across the world, so we feel very, very blessed. I was blessed to begin 4 new piano students in January, and Bob is more than ready to go back to school to begin directing "Mother Courage and Her Children" by Brecht. I apologize for not getting many Christmas cards around this year, but that was largely due to the fact that I am expecting. Yay! I am due in July, so I'm almost out of the sicky stage. But, I've been feeling plenty sick, so that's been a blessing and a good sign. We feel incredibly blessed and very hopeful. Maybe a boy this time?

We had a wonderful break, and hope you all had a warm and lovely Christmas. We love our Savior and feel his love and his hand in our lives. We love you all and wish you a wonderful new year. I feel optimistic that whatever lies ahead for our country, for our families, that if we put all of our faith in God and Jesus Christ, and try to "be of good cheer" and live as He would have us live, all things will work out for our good. Let us be ever watchful for ways we can encourage, uplift, share the gospel, and help each other in the times ahead. Thank you, and God bless you!

Crucible Pictures

Abby threatening her cousin, Betty

Looking with hurt and longing at John Proctor (not pictured)

In shock at the end of the courtroom scene as John Proctor is condemned a witch

So, here are a few pictures from "The Crucible." I know, I know, I should put "Joseph..." pictures up, too. I'll let Bob do that. Anyway, these were my favorites with me in them, not to be a braggart, but, I figured no one who checks this blog would know anyone else from the play. If you do want pictures of the other cast members, however, please, let me know, and I'll send 'em!

Oh yeah. TOTALLY not my real hair. Well, except for the stuff growing out of my scalp. Nice extension, no? Except, now Bob AND I want me to have long hair. Wow, I looked good. Theater magic, all.

Been A While

So, after Bob took his computer back to school, we didn't have the Internet at home anymore, and so I have not updated this blog. But now! An update. Sort of.

This Saturday is Bob's closing night for Provo High's musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." This Saturday is also my closing night for Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" put on by the Springville Playhouse, in which I play Abigail Williams. It's been a crazy fun time with both of us busy with these shows, and the two could not be more contrasting. It has been a huge joy for me to get back into acting. And now, I fear, I shall not be able to stop. So, we shall see what comes next! In case I don't get a chance for another 3 months to update you all, Bob and I will be taking a much anticipated break for the holidays, just chilling at home. Come January, we will look forward to Lili's first birthday! I will turn 26 on the 26th. I guess that only happens once in a lifetime, right? And, Bob will begin directing his straight play for the year at PHS, "Mother Courage and Her Children." The kids are doing so well. Lili is tall, always moving, and so incredibly smart. Grace has started reading, and loves to draw, dance, sing, and play as always. She and Lili are best friends. I couldn't have hoped for two children to be better sisters to each other. Life is wonderful! It's been a busy, fabulous Fall. We love you all, and as always, if you want to get in touch with us, the best way is to call. :O)

Back to School Clothes

Bob went back to school today. He also went back to work. They're the same thing. So I guess that means that I'm back to work, too! It was a good day. It's still summer in my mind. Well, it's still summer in real life, too. At least, until I have to break out the winter clothes. Speaking of clothes...

Here is a Grace-ism for y'all:

Often, when Bob or I say the word "clothes," we actually pronounce it "cloes," because we're lazy. Well, we learned recently that Grace thought this was indeed, how we were saying it. When we were helping her clean up her room the other day, we started by picking up the "clothes/cloes" and putting them in a pile on the rocking chair. When she caught on, she also began looking for "clothes/cloes." Every few seconds, she would turn around and exclaim, "Mom, I found another cloe!" or, my favorite, "There's a cloe!"

Guess Who?

I used to draw, and occasionally I still do--mostly with Grace. Sometimes, I'll even try to make something look good. So yesterday, I did this. It's Lili!