I love the Arts but not the cold. This is a perfect picture of what I am talking about!
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For my birthday the only thing I wanted to do was ROCK CLIMB! I have never done any rock climbing so you guessed it. My wonderful husband set it all up. We went today to a place in Clarksville, TN. 
We had some friends as our guides and they taught me so much! I climbed a 5.4 a 5.8 and a 8!!! I almost made it to the top of the 8.
See where this friend of mine is... I was just one had hold below where he is.
James Rocked as well (meaning he did great!) He is so awesome and treats me like a queen. I love him dearly! I loved this gift and I WILL be doing it again!
Go check out her blog here. She not only is the mother of 7 children she is now so rich she can give away things!!! Too bad it is not GAS! We all need a little of that! (in whatever way you want to take it)
Confused at the title of this blog? Let me explain!
July 2nd is my 34th birthday.
July 4th is Our Country's Birthday!
Last year Jasea and I were hit with a large mortar shell that left my right arm and Jasea's face and arm severly burned.
I cry every time I look at these pictures of my not quite 2 year old baby. She should have never had to endure the pain of this burn. We cried together every morning and night during horrible treatments. I am a strong advocate of "NO home fireworks." If you wonder why? Just look closely at my baby's face!
She was such a brave girl and she healed miraculously. I am so proud of her and I love her deeply.
July 6th is Jasea's Birthday! And doesn't she look great?
Tagen is a fun active boy that has already been doing so many things that I want to post about. This is Tagen's First T-ball game! Look at that GAME FACE!
He was so cute by doing all the sports moves and just look at him with this GO GET IT stance!
Here he is just having a good time with Jasea(pose girl) and our neighbor Neal. He thought of this cute idea and they all ran with it. Tagen you are awesome!
Sigh... life goes in circles.
Jasea danced on the stage at 2 1/2 years old! I was very proud of her. She was as cute as a button and it was perfect that she comes out on stage and waves to her daddy and says "Hi daddy!" At the end I try to get them to bow and Jasea throws out "I already did." Which she already did but I wanted them all to do it at the same time. Huh... kind of sound like her mom... never wanting to be like anyone else. Bravo Jasea!
I will not blog for a long time as I have no time... I am up at 2:00am still pulling the last minute Performance necessities together. Yes, I have one week but that still feels like not enough time. Happy blogging to you all and don't do any blogging that I would do while I am gone!
James and I decided a while ago that we would not buy each other anything for our anniversary. In turn we take turns planning a fun anniversary secret to the other one. This year James topped anything else that I have ever planned. He was such a gentleman and a suave one at that.
On Friday we dropped of Tagen at school and Jasea at Grandma and Papa's house. We then headed to Atlanta, Georgia. The first place he takes me is to Stone Mountain. This is a beautiful place and I recommend it to anyone. We rode the tram up to the top 1163 ft. We were on top of this big rock that is just sticking out of the ground. It was amazing. There is a rock carving in the side of the mountain that is so big.
Then we went to get our room. When James went to check in they said that since it was his anniversary that they would upgrade us to a suite for FREE!
We ate at an incredible place called FIRE OF BRAZIL! You have got to check it out. www.fireofbrazil.com. What a fun experience! We went early so we could get to our next adventure and we ended up being the 1st ones at this restaurant and had undivided attention. Fun Fun FUN!
We then were initiated into the public transport system. Big city means... do not drive. Ride the MARTA. Then we had to walk through ATLANTA UNDERGROUND to get to the shuttle.
It truly was an experience.
But where did we ride the Marta to? TURNER FIELD!!
To See The ATLANTA BRAVES play!
This might not sound like much to you but for me it was fantastic! I love that kind of stuff. I love singing "take me out to the ball game" and to be able to sing it with 32000 people was so fun!
We were supposed to be sitting in section 400 way up in the nose bleed section but we were able to move down to section 119 field level!!!! It was GREAT!! We won! Go BRAVES!!! We then realized that it was a firework night so we got to watch 15 mins of choreographed fireworks!
The next day we went to the Atlanta temple and did a session. It was a beautiful time there. So quite, peaceful, spiritual. Such a change from the 32000 singing "take me out to the ball game!"
After the temple we jumped back on MARTA and headed to down town again. We walked 3 blocks when we got off of MARTA and as I am walking I see a huge banner on one of the buildings that was advertising.... THE LION KING!!!
I was so excited! I have not been to the big theater in so long. I could have just walked in and partook of the atmosphere and been happy, but we sat and watch one of the most intriguing Broadway shows that I have ever seen. I was in shock and Awe at how the actors and actresses could make their bodies that were attached to puppets look like the animals! The music was overwhelming and costumes were out of this world! This show was serious eye candy! I was crying at just the very first scene! BRAVO!! ENCORE!! I wanted to shout and see just that first piece again!
We noticed that though out the two days we were experiencing some fun blessings like the upgrade of our hotel room, the better seats at the ballgame, the extra firework show... well at the theater we lucked out again! The place was pack all except for the 2 rows in front of us! We could see the entire stage perfectly! I guess God was trying to let us know that after a bad week we deserved a couple of extras.
We finished our day with Olive Garden outside on the patio with some great conversation with each other. It is so nice to be able to enjoy a 48 hr trip with my best friend, my husband, my confidant, my father of my children, my knight in shining armor all in one. We had such a wonderful time. Nature, Sports, Spiritual and Arts all wrapped up in one weekend. I wish I could go back an do it all again!
This year James and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary. We have do so many things in 15yrs. I am using this as my journal, so I am going to recap for myself. Just bare with me.
-We were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple.
-Moved to Huntsville, Alabama for 3 years while we house sat for James' parents while they were Mission Presidents in the New York North Mission.
-While we were in Huntsville I was a ballet instructor in 3 different studios at the same time, choreographed and was a soloist for Performing Dance Arts and DanzARTz and Huntsville Community Chorus. James was in Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, 1776 and Cabaret. I was in My Fair Lady and Choreographed Fiddler on the Roof(Best Choreographer Award in 1994).
-We moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky when James' parents came home. James got a Job in
-While in Bowling Green we had a boat and we went on the lake every night and weekend we could. James painted an old Chevy Scottsdale truck in the garage. It was green.
-Then we moved to Thompson's Station, TN and have been here for the last 10 yrs.
-When first moved to Thompson's Station I thought I was too old to keep dancing and teaching... SO I had a career change. I was a Ophthalmologist Asst. to Dr's. Abraham and George Cheij in Nashville. James was working in the construction field.
-With no kiddos around, James and I were Ordinance Workers in the Nashville Temple for 2 yrs.
-Then after 9 years of marriage we were inspired to adopt our sweet son Tagen.
-I went back to being a ballet instructor. I just taught at the Franklin YMCA.
-James went back to the theater.
-I Run my first 5k at the Nashville Zoo.
-I got pregnant with my Angel girl Jasea. (This was after 12 yrs of marriage. Remember... I wasn't supposed to get pregnant... this was just a new experience that God wanted me to have.)
-James went to work for himself with the company ProServ of Spring Hill, LLC.
-He was in Once upon a Mattress at Maury County Arts Guild while I choreographed it.
-While James pushed Tagen in a stroller and ran a 5k, I waddled behind him and while 7 months pregnant I finished it in 42 mins.
-I was asked to teach at the Spring Hill Arts Center right after I had Jasea. She was born in July and I waited to get my body back, starting the following January.
-James Buys his 701/2 Chevy Camaro to rebuild into a weekend warrior.
-James is asked to be on the Country Ham Festival Board.
-We decide instead of moving out of cramped house that we would put on a addition. We added a dining room, sun room, (2) bedrooms that we use as an office and a storage room/guest room and a 1 car garage. James did 80% of all the work. He did great!
-James continued to do shows at Maury County Arts Guild and Spring Hill Arts Center. They include Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (MCAG) and Scrooge in a Christmas Carol(SHAC).
- I was asked to be the Director of Spring Hill Arts Center School of Dance.
-I was asked to be on the Board at SHAC.
-As of right now I am 33, James is 37, Tagen is 6 and Jasea is 2. I am preparing for a busy 12 months... SHAC school of Dance Spring Performance, Howell Family Reunion, Teaching at Longview Recreation Center, Choreographing for Maury County Arts Guild's "Canvas." 2008-2009 School of Dance starts again, Artistic Director of a short Nutcracker for SHAC, then choreographing Little Shop of Horrors directed by James for SHAC.
-On top of that I have been enjoying being a Soccer mom for Tagen and Cheering him on as he charges on the soccer field (they have nicknamed him Rhino) and being in a Mommy me Dance class with Jasea.
-We have camped, hiked, done bike rides and many other things that I am sure that I have missed. I will edit this post if I remember anything else.
I am not one who likes crowds and even worse I do not like to take my kids into crowds. That being said, I reluctantly head to the Nashville Zoo with Tagens kindergarten class and Jasea. When we get to the zoo there are about a billion kids from other schools and their parents and siblings. Needless to say I was already in panic mode before I even got out of the car. Despite one episode that I will not even right about... We had a fun time. I am just wondering if I might need some anxiety meds!
Tagen's class had to carry a clipboard with a assignment and a pencil. The assignment was fun things that kept hem interested. Things like Which animal was red, blue, brown, spotted, striped, who was sleeping, swimming, who was bigger than you, smaller than you? Tagen was great. He not only filled in the answers but put 2-3 answers on each line. Give him a project and he is on overdrive. He is so awesome.
Tagen's favorite animal of the day was the leopard and Jasea's was the elephant. These were the best looking elephants I have ever seen at a zoo. They were beautiful.
That same day Tagen had a soccer game. He is #8. We love to say EIGHT IS GREAT! Kind of our family cheer for him. In this picture this is a common occurrence on the soccer field. White team having the ball, that is. Tagens team mate and Tagen are dominating the field. It so fun to see the entire team start to "get it." My next Children's Theater will be of Tagen. He scored two goals last game and he was definitely on fire!
When Jasea completed her Princess Potty Chart and she made it all the way to Cinderella's castle, we told her that she could have a Princess Potty Party. So today was the day! The play group girls came in their Princess Dresses.
Jasea, of couse, changed hers 3 times. :) Then it was time to decorate cupcakes.
After that we had a game. Not your usual party game... this was a POTTY game. I took princess boxes and put little chocolates in them and put the girls names on each one. Then we went into the potty and if they actually went potty then they got to have one of their chocolates. EVRERYONE went potty! Who wouldn't for princess's and chocolate? 
Next of the agenda was a PRINCESS WALK. We had fun outside chasing a Huge beautiful Butterfly!
Then we had a Pink Princess lunch and then.... drum roll please.... A puppet show and the characters congratulated Jasea on being a big girl now. We love you Jasea! It was a big morning and we think Jasea is great!
The only thing bad about this day was that Tagen wanted to be there. I helped him out by letting him know that he looks better in a cowboy hat than a Tiara! We love you Tagen! You Rock!
This was Jasea Practicing her version of the Nutcracker last November. Isn't she adorable! She would dance in between the other girls rehearsals and with awe and amazement I watched her do everything the older girls did in a little girl body. Now she will finish her dance and ask "Where are my flowers?" Oh how smart they really are.
AS so many times maybe you have said the same as I... If I die with only one true friend, then I will have truely been blessed. At times when we are forlorn and sink into a stupor that only certain people can get us out. True friendship does this for me and I am honored to have a husband and a best friend wrapped in one. My friend list is long as is yours and maybe today is the day that we all remember to be a friend to those we call friends. My sister of just recently #7 child is truley my best friend and a day doesn't go by that I thank heaven that she is my sister. I love all my friends with a deep love... whether they are male or female, I know God puts people in our path for a reason. When I look back at the path that I have taken I am truly blessed to have stepped on to the path that I did.
Anger Management
Good advice on anger...
Sometimes when you're angry with someone, it helps to sit down and think about the problem.
This is just sums up the day I had with some people.
I cried and sobbed when I had to drop Tagen off to kindergarten for the first part of the year. Now I am so glad that I was a big girl and let him stay in school even though I wanted to go pick him up early everyday. He loves school. His teacher Mrs. Fielder is perfect for him. They are a great match. It is amazing to me that he reads and is not even in 1st grade yet. I am pretty sure I did not read until 1st or second grade. Are they pushing the kids to early or are we just behind as parents? Keep up the great work Tagen!
Jasea has some girl friends that she really loves. We had Jada over while her mommy was helping a friend have a baby. We decided to make it a fairy day.
