I can breathe...

Well I can finally breathe and it feels GREAT!!!

These last couples weeks have been the most stressful for me in a long time. 

Planning and being in charge of my ward's Evening of Excellence, 4:00 am practicing getting ready for the show, all the prep work that goes with putting together the benefit concerts, final projects and papers, and now I'm finally to finals! 

Like I said, I CAN BREATHE!

 So I got this calling around August and so I didn't know that I was in charge of Evening of Excellence until beginning of November. 

So I got on Pinterest and found this cute theme and ideas (thank goodness for Pinterest.)

 Also, thank goodness for Cecilee's cute wedding decorations.

This is just for my record...but here is the program for the evening!

SEEK THE SWEET NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE

Conducting - Torey Schweitzer

Opening Hymn- “Sweet Hour Of Prayer”

Chorister- Addie Morgan

Pianist- Dantzel Miner

Opening Prayer- Allena Kelleher

Young Women Theme- Izzy Hymas, Cassie Osness & Ally 

2015 Year Theme- Ashley Frost & Trinity Bawden

Opening remarks - “Live It By Seeking The Sweet”- Cambria Hauck

“Importance of Personal Progress” - Tia Stokes

"The Sweetness of Faith” - April Frost

"The Sweetness of Divine Nature” - Camille Miner

"The Sweetness of Individual Worth” - Mariam McDonald

"The Sweetness of Knowledge” - Joslyn Bundy

Musical Number - “LIVE IT” All young women

"The Sweetness of Choice and Accountability” - Dantzel Miner

"The Sweetness of Good Works” - Baylen Johnson

"The Sweetness of “Integrity" - Emily Lemke

"The Sweetness of “Virtue" - Carli Paul

Testimony of Personal Progress - Pamela Jensen

2015 Young Women Recognition Award Recipients - Carli Paul, Dantzel Miner, Joslyn Bundy & Pamela Jensen

Closing Remarks - President Deja Schweitzer

Closing Hymn - “Nearer my God to Thee”

Chorister - Katelyn Larsen

Pianist- Dantzel Miner

Closing Prayer- Kaylene Spears

Seek yourself some sweets and enjoy the sweet young women’s displays!

 Right before the evening was supposed to start it felt like everything was falling apart. Our pianist was no longer coming and she was playing the piano for the musical number and both opening and closing hymns, she was also receiving an award so she was speaking for that, and it just felt like nothing was going smooth. However, the Lord saw all the hard work that was put into the evening by so many and he blessed us tremendously.

After the program that turned out perfectly, everyone went and seeked the sweets.

You can't have a bunch of sweets without milk!

 On Monday, December 7th we were able to take part in the live Nativity at Tuacahn again. We were supposed to be Mary and Joseph again this year, but Jeff didn't get off in time and so we ended up being townspeople. It was a fun night spent with family and friends; it was a treat to have my whole family (minus Trev) and Jeff's parent's there as well.

So this semester I took a drawing class, my first one ever, and it was really hard but also calming and relaxing at the same time. The picture on the left is where I started and the picture on the right is where I ended. The first day of class we had to hold a mirror and draw ourselves so our teacher could see our starting point, then for our final we had to draw an ending self portrait. 

The improvement is just amazing to me! It just goes to show that hard work and good instruction really do pay off. I have a long way to go still, but at least I'm recognizable in the ending drawing (I hope I don't look like the first drawing haha.)

 After getting in 5 final projects, it was show time! Being the studio manager this semester was a real treat, I got to know more of the kids and see ALL the behind the scenes work that takes place. I've always seen it but being one of the people that makes sure it all happens really is humbling. 

First night was great and we were able to raise about $8,000 in the first night with about $5,000 of that from ticket pre-sales.

 Saturday morning, instead of practice, we went to Denny's as a Kalamity family. It was so fun to just sit and talk about the show, what people thought, our feelings on everything and just laugh. I love my whole team and I'm glad that all of them stuck out the year because we have grown so much and learned so much from each other. Throughout the night the "triplets" kept trying to win a stuffed animal from the claw dispenser thingy and before we left they finally did it. You would have thought they just won the olympics with how they were screaming and jumping on the benches hahaha. They won a panda and because EVERYONE knows that Cora loves pandas, they gave it to her!

 Later that morning we headed out to Ivins for a birthday breakfast for my Dad! He turned 47 this year!!! Every time I drive out to Ivins I miss it. I miss this big red mountain and the beautiful breathtaking scenery. My ending goal is to end up in Ivins in my parent's neighborhood!!! ONE DAY!!!!

 As a surprise, my mom coordinated for one of my dad's best friends from high school (Danny) come and stay with them. My dad had a blast taking him around St. George and catching up with him.

Happy 47th birthday to my amazing, funny, sweet dad!!! He is the best dad I could have ever asked for! Thanks for always loving me unconditionally and making me always feel special! Oh and thanks for sharing your birthday with Jeff and I!!! I love you and I'm so grateful for you!!! 

 Saturday night was amazing! The crowd was energetic, the community was giving, the dancers were leaving all they had on the stage, and the feeling of love was there!

 We were able to raise about $11,000 in two nights for Byron with a total of over $13,000 for the year (since August when he became our cause.)

 Oh, did I mention it was also our 3rd anniversary??? Cause it was! 

This man is so amazing! He is so supportive and always has a good attitude. Last year the concert fell on our anniversary too and although he was bummed it was again this year, he was supportive and helped out. I love him and I feel so lucky to have him for eternity! I can honestly say that there isn't anything that I don't love about him, and these last three years have been the best! 

 To get a little celebrating in, we went to Olive Garden after the show for a late dinner. We started with some zeppoli first and it was AMAZING!!!! I'd had it once before but didn't remember how amazing it was. (I've been craving it ever since haha.)

 I love this handsome, sweet, funny, kind, hard working, thoughtful, playful, loyal, amazing husband of mine, beard and all.

This morning this was my view while reading scriptures and it just made me want to take a picture. I love my life, I love my home, I love my husband, I love my family, I love this holiday season, and I really love Christmas lights. I am so blessed!

Then this morning I heard a little knock on my screen door and opened to find Legend standing there with this little note and treat. He is such a sweetie and this totally made my day. I love having them as neighbors and getting sweet little notes.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I know I will, as I wrap up school and soak in the holiday season!