Defying Gravity by Gabe Wright (:

So I ran across this on youtube. Evidently from one of his EFY Talent Shows this year.

Next...

Flying out tomorrow night - Orlando bound for FAS Training Conference. So much to do:

1. Get Salary Survey out (its sooo past due) and I need Gene's brain to help me with it
2. Prep for tradeshow (which starts the Monday after I get back)
3. Pack (small detail)
4. Do some family reunion related correspondence
5. Prep for Sharing Time in Primary
6. Coordinate the girls schedules for when I am gone
7. Pay some bills

So much to do yet I procrastinate.

At least I don't have to clean - did that yesterday!

Footloose

I didn't get to go to Gabe's performance tonight in Provo BUT...that dear, sweet, talented, smart, witty, gorgeous, humble, exciting, stupendous, excellent, thoughtful, kind, loving, cheerful, spiritual, benevolent, honest, inspiring and beautiful VANESSA went!

She said "He did sooo good!" Yup four o's and an exclamation mark!

It's really the 2nd time she's sat in on a performance when I couldn't - she went to Dance Concert last year when I was somewhere - maybe Russia.

Anyway - she's my new BFF.

Update on My Boys

Boy #1 - The Missionary
Got a quick email from him yesterday. he didn't have too much time to write - why? Because he had spent all day in the ER. He cracked his head open! But he says he's okay AND THAT'S ALL HE SAID! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Boy #2 - The Performer
Called last night from Provo. He is having a great time at his singing workshop. He said he is the first person to win the lead for Footloose during their first year of attending the workshop. He is thrilled. He said everyone there is soooooooooo talented so it ups his game. There is also a girl there from one of the Kailua wards!

So grateful my boys are doing well. I pray for them everyday.

GREAT Day

Definitely was 'cause -

I got a letter from Jacob

AND

A phone call from Susan

I miss those two kids. Both are doing well and enjoying where they are - Boise Idaho and Bali Indonesia.

Now could there be any two places that are more opposite? Or two people that are for that matter...

What She Said

Overheard this comment from Hannah:

"Yup when I grow up I want to be a custodian."

?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????

Sabbath Thoughts

Am happy for this day even though I...

1) Have to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting
2) Have the Sharing Time Activity in Primary today
3) Am responsible for cooking the ham dinner for tonight's fireside
4) Have to plan the kids activity for the fireside
5) Miss my 3 oldest who are all in various parts of the world.

Luckily I have help - both here on earth and from above.

Good Sabbath!

Is it or Isn't It?

They say its the new Harry Potter.

Started reading it this past weekend.
The jury is still out - but so far...

I'm a HUGE fan!

Talk

I have to give a talk on Sunday at church. A bit nervous.

Topic - How the gospel has blessed my life - or why I am glad the missionaries taught me the gospel - or something along those lines...

Lots to say - and I can keep it within my time limit - but still nervous (although not scared).

I have faith the Lord will help me say what is in my heart and what can uplift others.

The gospel means everything to me.

Susan News

Susan called (via skype) yesterday. She is back in Kuta and doing well. She is enjoying Bali - they were waiting for a shuttle to go out the Gillys (which I think are islands).

She said they will stay in Kuta awhile then go back out to Ubud. Her traveling partner Melissa is a good planner and has the next 3 weeks all planned out as to what they will see and do.

Only 3 more weeks! Miss her lots!

Departures and Arrivals

Gabe leaves today for EFY in Laie. He then comes home on Saturday morning and then leaves Saturday night for 3 weeks in Utah - he'll be attending a 1 week singing workshop and a 2 week theater workshop at BYU Provo.

It will certainly be quiet around here without him!

He got a call yesterday - he made the ensemble for the musical "Once Upon This Island" directed by Ron Bright at Windward Community College. They told him he would have gotten one of the young male leads but since rehearsal begin today, the fact that he'll be gone for the entire month of July precludes him from those roles.

But ensemble is GREAT - lots of dancing and not as much pressure (especially with school starting August 4).

This production marks an "Arrival" of sorts for him...although he's been in lots of plays before this marks the first one that is truly community theater (as opposed to school production) and the first one that is primarily adult actors.

He is thrilled to work with Ron Bright - directing KING here in Hawaii for more than 40 years.

It opens September 10th at Paliku Theater.

He's certainly not shy.

He gets it from his father.

Proud to be an American!

Happy 4th!

Ride 'Em

Michelle takes Therapeutic Horsemanship - every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the Waimanalo Polo Field.

She has learned to pat the horse when you walk behind him.

Her horse is named Palaka and her instructor is Saundra.

She likes to ride fast!

She loves it...can you tell?

Celebrity

So I went to Polynesian Cultural Center yesterday with my nephew and we took the Temple Visitor's Center Tour and I had a close encounter with a celebrity - I had to get my picture taken with him!

It's MARK EUBANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who are saying "Who dat?" you must not be from Utah or spent much time in Utah. He was the weather guy on KSL t.v. station for decades. He's like rock-star-famous in Utah!

He is here serving a mission at the Visitor's Center!