Today I had an extravaganza with the cutest little girl I've ever seen...My niece. Her birthday is in April but I decided to do a day for just me and her. I can't believe she'll be three!
First, we went to Discovery Gateway for about an hour and a half. She had a great time playing in the little ball play area and with the little toy bikes and cars the kids could ride in. I had my sister's camera with me to take tons of pictures but the batteries died right as I put the film in (I know, I know, I need to go digital). After that we went to Gymboree to get her some cool new sunglasses (because I was wearing mine). She was SO excited about going somewhere to get shoes! She's such a little diva. We went to Smith's Marketplace and got her a new skirt, shirt, and shoes. We decided that we needed to get Dylan a toy too so we got him an Iron man toy and Vangie got a Dora the Explorer phone. We met up with Dylan, Grandma, Grandpa, and Tyler at McDonald's so the kids could eat and play together before we went to our last (and spontaneous) stop of the day. We dropped Dylan back off at home and went to Cookie Cutters. We had them trim a little hair off the ends and give her some bangs (so her hair isn't always in her face) and got her a manicure. We had a great time!
I love spending time with my niece and nephew. I especially love knowing how much they love me. I feel so great knowing that they get excited to see me. I love that they run at me every time I come to see them. I enjoy seeing them smile from ear to ear after I've done something nice for them. Every time I bought Vangie something today she always said thank you. I love that she's my little clone. Everything I do she does, and everything I say she says. Just like the sunglasses. I put my sunglasses on so she had to. Its so cute! I love how possessive they are of me. They don't like sharing their Aunt Kyla with anyone else. It makes me smile. I guess I just feel bad that other people don't give them the attention or love they deserve. They are often over-looked and not thought about by people that should be thinking about them and caring about them. I don't understand how anyone could treat them the way that others have. I can't stand how unfair others are to them. It makes me so angry that others place them last in their lives...I guess I'm just an awesome aunt. I know I am because I'm their favorite :D I love MY niece and nephew.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I am Nava
The past couple of months have had a lot of good times and hard times, but at this moment I can look back on these past months and honestly say the good outweighs the bad by far. Not many people can say that after having weeks of unchanging stress and frustration but what made those months bearable is being a part of the production that we put on last night. My stake relief society president, Mariana, called me in December saying that she knew I played piano but didn't know if I sang. Of course not thinking about it I said yes. She told me that in March she was putting on a play of the 10 Virgins and would like me to take a roll in the production. I told her I was an alto and that I would love to prepare for the roll she would provide for me. A few minutes after hanging up I started to feel panic and a little bit of regret. I've never been on a stage delivering lines and singing solos to an audience before. What did I get myself into!?
After receiving a CD with songs from the production on it and my own music, I got a call from Laurie, our director, that we were going to have our first practice to learn our parts a little bit. The first time meeting the other women in the production was a little awkward to me. I didn't really know any of them and didn't know how to connect, but as we came to practice with one another more and more over the next couple of months I really started growing closer to these women. They always made me leave practice laughing or with a smile on my face. Finally it came time to get props, costumes, etc... and panic really started to sink in. I didn't have my lines or my song memorized! But somehow they all seemed to make me feel that I would be great and just to pray; things will come to you as you diligently prepare (One of my lines).
With each passing practice I began to feel closer and closer to my character. She knows that there are greater and more important things in life, she's just a little absent minded. She would have brought the oil if she would've taken the time to think it through first. As I fell more and more into my character and see the others come to life as well I really did start feeling that these women were my sisters. I cried at Jessa's song. The way Shirley sang and put her heart into each word, moved me very much. I was really happy to be picked to be a part of this production.
As dress rehearsal came and went the pressures of the larger performance seemed to pile on. Everyone was nervous and we had touch-ups to make. I think we were all ready for it to be over. So when the night of the performance came we all sang greater than I've heard us all sing before. We all had more feeling behind our lines and I could tell the audience was feeling the sincerity that we had displayed. As the performance came to a close we were all relieved, yet sad at the same time. We wanted to continue to see each of us and bond with one another as we had over the past couple of months. I know that I can't stop thinking about how well we did; the songs are still stuck in my head. I felt overwhelmed with joy, that I had 12+ new friendships from something that I thought I would regret. Looking back on it now I could never regret being in that production and getting to know such wonderful women. Thank you Laurie and Mariana!
After receiving a CD with songs from the production on it and my own music, I got a call from Laurie, our director, that we were going to have our first practice to learn our parts a little bit. The first time meeting the other women in the production was a little awkward to me. I didn't really know any of them and didn't know how to connect, but as we came to practice with one another more and more over the next couple of months I really started growing closer to these women. They always made me leave practice laughing or with a smile on my face. Finally it came time to get props, costumes, etc... and panic really started to sink in. I didn't have my lines or my song memorized! But somehow they all seemed to make me feel that I would be great and just to pray; things will come to you as you diligently prepare (One of my lines).
With each passing practice I began to feel closer and closer to my character. She knows that there are greater and more important things in life, she's just a little absent minded. She would have brought the oil if she would've taken the time to think it through first. As I fell more and more into my character and see the others come to life as well I really did start feeling that these women were my sisters. I cried at Jessa's song. The way Shirley sang and put her heart into each word, moved me very much. I was really happy to be picked to be a part of this production.
As dress rehearsal came and went the pressures of the larger performance seemed to pile on. Everyone was nervous and we had touch-ups to make. I think we were all ready for it to be over. So when the night of the performance came we all sang greater than I've heard us all sing before. We all had more feeling behind our lines and I could tell the audience was feeling the sincerity that we had displayed. As the performance came to a close we were all relieved, yet sad at the same time. We wanted to continue to see each of us and bond with one another as we had over the past couple of months. I know that I can't stop thinking about how well we did; the songs are still stuck in my head. I felt overwhelmed with joy, that I had 12+ new friendships from something that I thought I would regret. Looking back on it now I could never regret being in that production and getting to know such wonderful women. Thank you Laurie and Mariana!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)