Not much time, yet I'll probably still write a lot...

We have two churches on board with the multi-faith choir I'm spearheading, a local Baptist church and a Presbyterian church.  Hopefully we can get a few more on board.

Cameron's orchestra played in the lobby of the "nice" seats as people were getting seated for a pro basketball game.  After they played they were able to sit and enjoy the game.  Cameron had a good time with his friends.  We also dropped off our van to be repaired on Wednesday and surprisingly got it back less than a week later.  Last Friday we saw "Catching Fire."  I really enjoyed it although I could have done without the elevator scene.  Errolyn had her last volleyball game on Saturday, but Logan's soccer game was cancelled because of the weather.  Logan had a soccer party later that night and I had a good conversation with his coach about the Messiah and United Voices for Christ since he sings.

Thanksgiving week went well.  On Monday and Tuesday we saw Carol, Grandma, and Heidi and the kids.  Tuesday night we had the missionaries over for dinner and Cameron and Errolyn babysat David & Heidi's kids.  Afterwards, I took them to see "Catching Fire."  Wednesday, I packed, cleaned, went visiting teaching and then left to go to Houston.  We had a good time visiting with everyone in Houston.  There were a lot of people so there wasn't much one-on-one time, but it was just nice to be with everyone.  Mike and I ate our special diet for most of the break, but did cheat a couple of times.  We thought for sure we'd gain some weight, but we both lost two more pounds when we got home- yea!  I am finally the lowest I've been since having Emma, but I still have a long way to go.

While in Houston, we mostly just ate, talked, and refereed kids, but most of us were able to sneak away to watch "Frozen," which I loved, and then we ate out at Los Tres Ranchitos.  One day, Dad, Janet, and I took the kids on a walk around the lake and it was nice.  Mom and Dad's new house is super nice.  I'm so glad they are able to enjoy something nice after sacrificing to raise all of us kids.  I bribed my kids and Janet's kids to do a Harry Potter re-enactment of a puppet show my kid's love watching on Youtube.  It was fun to watch.  :)

Saturday, I helped Mom do a little sorting and packing.  Once I got over there and saw how much there was to do, I wished that I had taken some time earlier in the week to help more than I did.  On the way home we stopped at Janet's and talked for a little bit.

In church yesterday, I subbed for the choir in the morning.  Mike stayed home with Emma who was so sick and crying that we didn't dare take her to church.  Logan bore a sweet testimony, although my ears did perk up a bit when he said, "I know that Joseph Smith restored the Kirtland Temple."  Lol...  I also bore my testimony. 

Errolyn bore a funny, but good testimony and she got compliments all day about it and two mentions in other people's testimonies.  She started by saying that she started off the day not fasting, but now she was.  She explained that she had put top ramen in the microwave and just before it was done her mom (me) had reminded her that it was fast Sunday.  She described how good top ramen was and how difficult of a choice it was and said, "I mean, who wouldn't want top ramen?"  Lol, it was cute.  But then she went on to say that I told her it was between her and the Lord if she fasted or not and that I would support her in her decision if she prayed about it.  She prayed about it and still felt it was her decision.  So, she decided to eat the top ramen.  And then she described how every bite she took of the top ramen made her feel worse and worse about the decision she'd made.  So, then she decided to stop eating and start her fast.  It was a great story on repentance and agency and she told it in a humorous yet still spiritual way.

The Messiah dress rehearsal was kind of crazy... it always is.  The choir and orchestra were great, but the solo rehearsals were just ok.  I'm hoping that everyone was just tired from being there so long and that everything will smooth out by Friday.  I think this year's orchestra is the best we've ever had!  The choir is also great.  I think they get more volume than last year's choir even though they're a little smaller (120 vs 135).  We aren't doing the Trumpet piece which is everyone's favorite because the trumpet player has two Air Force concerts earlier in the day and won't have the air for a long solo like that.  Next year.  The choir numbers are great as usual and I'm excited to conduct again!  The children's and youth choir pieces are awesome!  I think it's the best youth choir we've had and I like the song selections this year.  Cameron and Errolyn are playing in the Youth Sting Orchestra which is playing one of the prelude pieces.  Logan and Errolyn are singing in the Children's Choir and Cameron is singing in the Youth Choir.  Mike is working the soundboard and I'm conducting, so we'll just have to find someone to watch Emma.  Excited for this weekend!