Something WICKED This Way Comes!

AMAZING!!! Bryan, Andrew, and I got to see the musical, Wicked at Playhouse Square last night. We were so lucky to get an extra ticket at the last minute, so we were all able to go. Thank you, Days, for watching Hannah and Logan for us!

Andrew has a tuxedo from my sister's wedding last year. He doesn't often get the chance to wear it, so I was so glad he agreed to wear it to the show. He looked so handsome! All night at the theatre, ladies kept pointing and whispering, "Look how cute he is!"

Bryan and I absolutely loved the show and I think Andrew liked it too. A lot of things need explaining and I'm not sure he's convinced that the Wicked Witch wasn't really wicked, but he loved the clock dragon that breathed smoke and the song Defying Gravity when Elphaba flew on the broomstick.

The Feast Dance

This is the dance from "The Feast" scene in This is Kirtland. Definitely my favorite part of the show! I haven't had the chance to dance much since college, so this was so fun for me. I was glad to get to dance with Chris again, who played my husband and dance partner when I was in the show two years ago. He was a great dance partner - strong, sturdy, a fast learner, good rhythm, and a sense of humor when I messed up. Plus, we were already comfortable dancing together, which made it much easier.

You can see Andrew dancing with the children on the far right wearing the blue shirt. Thanks for the video, Mom!

This Is Kirtland! 2009

Andrew and I have been pretty busy the last couple of months rehearsing for our stake musical, This Is Kirtland! This is the sixth year of the show's running, and the second time I've had the opportunity to preform in it. The show depicts the lives of early Mormon settlers in Kirtland through beautiful music, dancing, and costumes. I feel so blessed to be just a small part of this great show and feel so much love and gratitude for the early Saints who lived right here. It's been especially fun to have Andrew in the show with me this year!

Andrew with his family, the Rigdons

Jason and Summer as John and Rebecca Tanner

Heather and Rich as Thankful and Parley Pratt

Summer singing in her pregnant scene

The women - I love these ladies!

The men chasing the young women at the feast - love the expressions!

Summer and Chris dancing at The Feast Cartwheel!

Woo-Hoo! (Summer, top center and Andrew, lower right)

Andrew (front right)

Joseph and Emma singing, "Dear Emma"

Tom as Joseph Smith

Laura as Emma Smith

School of the Prophets

Singing "The Spirit of God" at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (Andrew, front left)

I Saw God Today

Okay, one more "Hannah in the hospital" story:

One night, I was driving home from the hospital after an especially hard day visiting Hannah. I was feeling so exhausted, sad, scared, and alone when I heard this song on the radio for the first time. I was so touched, and felt as if this song was written and playing just for me at that exact moment! It reminded me of how my Heavenly Father is so mindful of me and my trials and how much he loves me! I am so grateful for all He has blessed me with. This beautiful world full of miracles is a testimony of Him; truly, "His fingerprints are everywhere!"

(You can hear it if you scroll through our music player on this page)
I still tear up every time I hear this song:

I Saw God Today by George Strait
Just walked down the street to the coffee shop
Had to take a break
I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight
Saw a flower growing in the middle of a sidewalk
Pushing up through the concrete
Like it was planted right there for me to see
The flashing lights, the honking horns
All seemed to fade away
In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today.

Chorus:
I've been to church,
I've read the book
I know He's here but I don't look
Near as often as I should (Yeah I know I should)
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today.

Saw a couple walking by
They were holding hands
Man she had that glow
Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show
Stood there for a minute taking in the sky
Lost in that sunset
A splash of amber melted into shades of red.

Chorus

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist, wearing tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mamas eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today

"...all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me." Moses 6:63