Finally!!! A Job for Jason

Jason and I went to Park City today and were applying to different restaurants to be servers. A good friend and owner of the Hotel Park City (where Jason worked for a couple months when we first moved here) called and told Jason about a job at the Hotel Park City. We went over there quickly and he was offered the job of night auditor/security immediately starting tonight. Even though the hours are not too desirable we are thrilled that he has a job. He will be working 11pm-7am. I also applied at the restaurant there. It isn't ideal but he has his foot in the door, knows the staff and likes working with them and hopefully will be able to move up the corporate ladder eventually. I have been applying to tons of places too, but I've been out of the workplace for so long. I'm a little nervous about it but dang, we gotta pay the freakin' bills. Anyways, that is the update and we are happy!~

Well, 2 more days until Christmas and today is our 1 year anniversary of moving into our house. Leaves a moment for reflection and all this year has been for our family. I can't say it has been our favorite year, it has been one of the hardest yet still good. I love our home and our new friends and being close to family. Financially it has definitely been the worst, but all trials come with blessings. Our ward family and my parents have truly come to our rescue. I know we are in the right place at the right time, I just hope I am passing this test. I doubt I am passing with flying colors, maybe a C+. But I am grateful that we are being looked after. I don't know what 2010 will bring but whatever it does bring at least we will have family and friends to support us with love and a listening ear...Merry Christmas and give all your loved ones great big hugs and love words in their ears!

Las Vegas and Movie Making

Aside from the "Wo is me" deal in the last blog, last weekend was really cool. Tyler and Brayden were invited by Becca Thomas to make a "Short" (short film) Thanksgiving weekend. Let me explain. Last year my oldest 4 kids were in a BYU film student's final project. Tyler was casted as the main character. It was so fun and exciting for them to be a part of it. So, just recently Becca (BYU film student) called from NYC (she is studying at Colombia) to create a short film...basically 10 minute excerpt of a movie she wants to do. She will send the film to festivals and try and get funding to do the whole feature film. She loved working with my boys so much that she called them up to shoot this "short" over Thanksgiving. We shot part of it in Toquerville, UT and then some in Las Vegas. It is about 2 brothers who are kicked out of a polygamist colony. One goes back (Brayden) and the other sneaks into a woman's car and she discovers him and gives him a ride into Las Vegas. It is a lot of waiting around for just the right moment and camara set ups. Saturday was a 17 hour shoot day. We had to be shooting before sunrise to get a shot of him sleeping under a bush. It was tedious at times...especially with a German camaraman. He was cool to listen to and watch. I did read 1 1/2 books. That's how much time we had to wait. Plus, it was freezing. You wouldn't think it would be that cold in southern Utah but oh my, it was! They did get paid and we are hoping and crossing our fingers that they will get to do the feature film.
It is so great seeing my boys making a movie. Tyler is enjoying it so much that he wants to keep doing it. He has caught the acting bug!

I also had so much fun with "Annie Get Your Gun" that I didn't want to stop acting, so I auditioned for a BYU film and I have been called back. It should be before Christmas really begins and the shoooting will be in January. I would love it because it is actually a paying job. 2 birds, one stone. Fun with talent and money to go with it:) I'll keep you updated.

So the Christmas season begins...now what. I am usually so prepared for this season and have 90% of gifts bought and the rest planned out. This year has really thrown me off course. From Jason being unemployed since April and difficulties in the family life and the play and regular life...need I go on, I'm just not even ready. I don't even have any great ideas. This was supposed to be our trip year. If any of you don't know what that is, we take Christmas trips every other year instead of gifts from Santa. There is just too much drama going on in the house to get that ready, plus we don't have the discount to Marriott as we have had in the past. It's frustrating not having any money to buy gifts for your family as I assume many of you are experiencing as well. My creative streak is not so creative. I'd be happy for any suggestions. Jason is still actively trying to sell insurance. He puts in so much time and has yet to make a sale which means...no cash since it's commision only. We hope and pray and that is about all we can do. This is such a downer post, being sick doesn't help I suppose. It's hard to be optimistic when your body hurts and doesn't function properly and has a lack of energy. At least Jason keeps it going. Thank goodness for wonderful husbands.

Opening Night a success!

Wow! It's amazing how the energy from the audience can enhance your performing ability. It was so great only messing up once! The second night didn't feel as electric but the audience was still great! I'm excited for tonight because our best friends are coming! I was late getting on stage once last night because my duck call got caught in my wig coming off and tangled around my neck. By the last scene I've got two wigs on and I feel like I can't lean over to far in either direction or I will fall over. But the play is great and the whole cast is so amazing. I love all these people!
Also, good news for Brayden and Tyler...their director from their last movie called and wants them to do another one over Thanksgiving break. We are so excited for this. Becca Thomas is such a great director and a sweetheart too! What a great opportunity for the boys! It's a movie about 2 brothers escaping from a polygamist compound. Too cool!

Opening Night tomorrow!

You can only guess how I am feeling right now! Opening night is tomorrow and our first run through tonight sucked big time...costumes were a big problem and trying to get used to the lighting and trying to find people to help me change clothes was a pill. But at least all the mistakes happened tonight and hopefully they will be all better by tomorrow. I just need to remember that this is all fun and not stressful...right! They had me go in and have acrylic nails put on. I've never done that before. Weird. All I know is that I need a massage to relax and calm down and smile. Oh, Jason made an appointment with a company for tomorrow. If it goes well it has potential of making some good money. It would be so nice to get a paycheck again...I've almost forgot what it feels like to get one. Good luck honey! Hope to see lots of you at the play and I ask forgiveness in advance for any lame mistakes I make. I pray for forgiving audiences!

A little better...

Man oh man, it has been a horrible week. I don't remember feeling that sick in a long time. It is possible it was the swine flu, but all I know is it wasn't a regular cold. It was for sure some form of the flu. My friend had the swine flu a couple months ago and she and her family had it. She said it attacks whatever part of you is the weakest. My head must be my weakest part since I've been dizzy for a week and feeling like the world was spinning and not letting me get my footing. So, I've missed 2 practices and knowing that we open in 4 weeks is not good. At least I'm sick now and not later...knock on wood... Jason, Brayden, Chad and Riker and myself have all been sick. Logan woke up sick and miserable this morning. Hopefully C.J and Tyler have dodged the flu bullet. Logan and I just received a blessing today. I'm not all better but the heaviness in my head isn't as heavy as it has been. So, it looks like I'm going to make it. For a while there it was ify.

New business

Well, I've decided to go gung ho with this new business thing. I hope I can pull this off. Along with this new group...the best mini mall, I started my own business blog. My business name is one I've always wanted to start...it's called The Candee Shoppe. Cute huh? My blog is www.thecandeeshoppe.blogspot.com. I haven't got pictures up yet. my friend will have to help me with the pictures like he did with our family. We have our boutique with the mall November 19-21 in 3 different locations. One will be in Heber, one in Salt Lake and I'm not sure where the other one will be. I'll let you all know later. I'm getting excited though. I've done the craft business before but I've never had a website before or been connected with other successful women like this. I am really looking forward to this.

Jewelry show

Well, last night went well. We didn't have very many people stop by, but the people that did come bought quite a bit. I made $233. I have to make a lot more to cover all the supplies a bought. But I feel it was a success. Plus, one woman wants to have a party at her house in 3 weeks. So, I am excited. It's nice to see people enjoy what I made.
Jason and Brayden are sick and feeling lousy. Brayden has been home for 4 days now and can't quite shake the cold. He did do a dumb thing...you know teenagers...(and some adults:) once he started to feel better yesterday he went out and played football with his brothers and is now worse than he was before. I'm guilty of the same thing. When I'm sick and feel a small amount of energy come back I do some chores and kick myself back to feeling lousy again. Lame I know. I also have joined a group of women who all have their own business. It's called the best mini mall. Everything from MaryKay to ties to purses to books to of course now...jewelry. We are having a boutique in SLC and Heber this November. I'm hoping that will do well too. They've been doing it for a few years now...so there must be something to it:)
Annie get Your Gun is going well and the directors are happy with my performances which is great for the self-esteem. I love having this outlet. You all know how much I love to sing and be the center of attention at times, so this is keeping me happy and mentally healthy. Something I always need. The best mini mall has a website. I'm not on it yet but will be soon...it's thebestminimall.com. So if you want to check it out feel free. Oh, great...I can hear Chad coughing the same way Brayden has been. Add one more to the list of the sickies. Health and Happiness to All!!! And WASH YOUR HANDS!

We just got our pictures taken by a good friend of ours who is starting up his photography business. If you are looking for a great photographer call Josh Spray!!! His website is http://www.tophatmedia.yolasite.com/. Check out some of our new photos on the side here! Now my kids look as good as they really are! Man, I've got some handsome boys!

I started my own stuff

I decided to start selling jewelry. My friend showed me how a couple weeks ago and it is really fun and easy. So, I invested in supplies and another friend has candle parties once a month during normal months and then once a week during the holiday months coming up. I hope this works out. My mom also said she'd invite the girls from her BYU ward for a jewelry party. So, this might work out. I've been selling crafts since we were married so I thought I'd give this a try. It seems to be quite popular lately and since the holidays are upon us I hope the time is right to start this. We shall see!

Still looking and holding out

Jason went out today to 5 hotels and gave them his resume. I'm glad now that he is going to more than one place. All the eggs in one basket is a recipe for heartache. We all need our Plan B's. I've been tempted to get a job as a waitress with my friend. She says they are hiring. I don't want to get a job and then quit when Jason gets one. Plus I know I need to be home with the kids. I don't know. I'm sort of putting off making a decision. I know it's bad to do that but I guess I am hoping that if I wait long enough Jason will have a job and the decision will be made for me. I just don't want to make the wrong decision and put other people out. BLah...I don't like this situation...Logan is calling for help with homework. We just keep praying and hoping.

Bad News

Jason just found out that he didn't get the job and we've already lost unemployment. Life is getting pretty scary and stressful. I know there is a lesson to be learned and that trials are to make us stronger. It's the meantime that I'm worried about. Jason is pretty upset (understandable). I guess we've been fasting and praying for the wrong things. Now it's time to find out what the Lord's will is. I have to keep reminding ourselves..bad things happen to good people right?! Wow...sometimes life is just hard.

I picked a box full of peaches this morning from our peach trees. Riker and Chad helped me peel them and we blended them up and put them in the fruit dryer for some homemade fruit roll-ups. I'm going to make peach jam too and some kind of peach dessert for CJ's baptism this Saturday. He just got his new suit and is very excited for it. It will be close on Saturday because Jason, Tyler and I will be in a Parade Saturday morning in Midway to advertise for the show and then run and get ready for the baptism.
We still haven't heard back from Jason's "job" but he just left to go to LDS motion picture studio to audition for a New Testament project to be filmed next year. He is auditioning to be one of Christ's apostles. Good Luck Jason!
Brayden's football games will sometimes be at 4pm and so I'll be able to make some of them...yea!

Still Waiting...

Jason has been through 5 interviews including one in Indiana for a full day analysis. We are just waiting for the call to find out if he will be the next General Manager for the Courtyard by Marriott next to the Salt Lake City Airport. We are biting our nails.
On a lighter note...Brayden is home from Washington and had a marvelous time. And school has started and I only have Riker and Chad at home. Tyler and C.J. decided to go back to school instead of being homeschooled. I ok with that. I love homeschooling but the thought of all that free time is also appealing. I figured since I have the play I had better let them go to school. Brayden also decided to join the football team. He wasn't planning on it because of his recent injury to his knee at the reunion but in Washington he played pretty hard with his friends and his knee isn't bothering him at all. I only decided to audition for the play because he wasn't going to be in football because I wanted to be able to go to all his games. My rehearsals are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. His games are Thursday evenings. I'm really frustrated now because watching Brayden play is so great and I want him to feel supported. Jason has rehearsals most of those days too including Thursdays. Well, hopefully there will be a few Thursdays where we are off the hook. We started blocking for scenes yesterday and Jason and I were the only ones with our lines memorized. We were supposed to be all memorized by Sept. 1. I felt pretty good that Jason and I were totally prepared. It was really fun practicing. It keeps my mind off our other problems.

Brayden's gone

We have one less in the house now. Brayden decided he wanted to go to Vancouver, WA for his birthday present. He gathered up all his money from grandparents and us and change from the couches and got himself a plane ticket. He will be there for 12 days. Almost 15 and almost on his own. That kid really is mature for his age. I just wish I was going with him so I could go and play with all my friends. He is going to try to visit our old house and see how it has changed with the new tenants. That should be fun to see.
Since I have been practicing my lines for the play I'm having a hard time letting go of the accent and speaking normally...like sayin' ain't and y'all and git..and all that. I am becomin' a real hick. But it sure is fun messin' with my kids and talkin' like that...it shore is!
Jason is going to Indiana next week for his 5th and final job interview. They are so worried about this property that they are taking extreme measures to make sure they put the right man in the position. They told him the job is his if all pans out. It's just the waiting and watching the bills pile up and pass the due dates. There is a light at the end of the tunnel...it's just that the path is bumpy and will mess with our credit score...blah. But all in good time and we know the Lord still loves us and all will be well in the end.

Guess What???

I was just casted as "Annie" in the play "Annie Get your Gun". I can't believe they gave me the lead. I've been in tons of plays but I've never been the lead in anything. It took me 39 years but I finally got there. Tonight we get our scripts and meet everyone in the cast. I hope I can pull this off. The performance will be the first couple weeks in November. This is a huge thing. Here in Heber we have what is called Cowboy Poetry. I know it sounds weird but here it really a fun thing. That's why they chose "Annie Get your Gun" to keep with the theme. I am a little overwhelmed. The part I am excited about is that Annie is very un-cultured and I feel I play that part quite well in my own life...so that part will be easy to "pretend". The songs are really fun too. Pray for me so that my mind will be able to memorize and hold it all.

My Favorite Person In the Whole World

Isn't he the most beautiful thing this side of the Mississippi? Mmmmm.....I love this man! And to think...I get him for eternity. God must really love me!

Happy 8th Birthday C.J.

It says HB 8 CJ...translation Happy Birthday 8th C.J. He wanted a cake with skittles on it.

Mmmmm....so good!

CJ decided to have his birthday party at the skate park. All his friends brought bikes and I just sat back and let them entertain themselves. Thanks CJ for making it easy on Mom.

CJ loves Bakugan. I don't get it, but it is the "cool" thing to play with for little boys.

Tyler and Chad being spectators of all the biker boys. Chad had fun sliding down the ramps.

CJ and his new bike...a perfect place to try it out! Too bad both tires were popped and we had to transfer his two tires from his old bike to this one so he wouldn't miss out on the fun at his own party. Lame. We'll take it back and trade for a better one later.

It was a great success! Thanks to Brayden, Logan, and Tyler for being bully look outs (because it was a public park) and making sure everyone got turns and played fair. I love having older boys. Happy Birthday CJ!!!

We had a ward party for the 24th of July. We performed in the Talent Show. Jason and I sang "From this Moment On" by Shania Twain and Tyler and CJ both played the piano. Most of you don't know that we have a mormon celebrity in our ward that performed also. Michael McClean the songwriter lives in our ward. He played the guitar and sang one of his new songs about depression. It was very comical. So since he performed after us we can now say we were the opening act for Michael McClean:) Ha Ha...next time we'll take pictures.

Brayden is teaching him well. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!EEEEEEHHHHHHH!!!!

EWWWEWWWWW!!!

UMMMMMM!!!

AAAAAAYYYYYYYYHHHHH!!!

AAAWWWWWW!!!

OOOOOOHHHHHH

HHHEEEEYYYYY!!!!

Chad can mimick quite well. I love that he has so much personality!

The boys found a wonderful skate park where 2 days a week it is only for bikes. It is now their favorite hot spot. Everyday they ask if I'll take them there. Amazingly they are willing to bungee-cord their bikes on top of the suburban. They are getting pretty good!

Oops! Riker didn't quite make it up the ramp and fell over. He came up with smiles though.

Tyler just caught some air and had landed quite nicely. I could never quite get the camara to catch him in the air...always after he'd landed...dangit!

At least while I wait for them I've got beautiful scenery around me!

Ready for some serious boy play!

CJ loves this place so much that he has decided to have his birthday party here next week! That makes it easy for mom. All they will want to do is ride their bikes and do tricks. Brayden is enjoying himself even though he should take it easy on his leg.

It's pictures like these that make you wish they would stay this age forever! I told Chad to smile and this is how he does it! Don't you just want to squish his cheeks. I love my baby!

We feel like we have had more visitors since we moved to Utah then ever before. I guess all people eventually come to Utah to visit someone. We are loving this. We have some dear friends from Fresno, CA that we haven't seen in over 6 years. They come to Utah each summer to visit their family. How wonderful it was to see them...the Andersons! We used to have a standing date for our families to get together and play games like Pass, Mah-jong, Uno, basically a little bit of everything. So, we played Mah-jong for old times sake until really late...um...I'm embarrassed to say that I could hardly keep my eyes open at 11:30pm. Man, you know you are getting old when...11:30pm is considered really late:) It was well worth it.

We also went to the Heber Farmers Market they hold every Thursday. It was really a neat place. We saw friends and had snow cones, free concert and jump houses. Aside from the near huge fight between a couple of men (that were taken away in hand-cuffs) near the playground and a man with a mohawk with a large snake around his neck and CJ disappearing for a while, it was a nice family afternoon.

What a great Saturday night! Jason and I went out with the Crosbys and the Sprays to Olive Garden and see the new Harry Potter movie. It is so refreshing to spend time with other couples without kids. It helps you feel like yourself again. Marriage is great too. I love always having a date for the weekend:0)

Happy 2nd Birthday Chad!!!!!

Presents...Presents...Presents!!!

Time to get practicing for his driver's license.

Last year we went to a Clegg family reunion (my mom's side) in Seattle, WA. We all went canoing.

Rob Clegg (my cousin) is always a hit with my boys. He can do a wonderful impression of Tyler. We found out this talent playing a game at an earlier get together. It was his requirement to win the game.

We got pretty close to some wildlife. You can see a crane on Jason's right shoulder. It just looks that way. The crane was really about 10 feet away.

The ride took us under the freeway. That was a different experience.

We were wondering how we were going to buy more hay for our horse. Jason's job is still in the training mode and we ran out of hay. A family in our ward (the Wildes) needed help moving a huge stack of wood and asked if our boys could help in exchange for hay that they raise. Wow, it sure is great when you feel looked after. Thank goodness the boys were willing to do it to. Living out here in Heber is really helping the boys learn to work. I love it! Maybe it isn't housework, but at least it is work.
I love looking out the window and seeing Brayden on our horse in the backyard. This is such a wonderful place to live.

After we moved to Utah Tyler, Brayden, Logan and C.J. were casted in a movie that was directed by a BYU student. It was her final project. It is called "Some Opposites of Good". It will be shown on the BYU channel. We don't know when yet but we are excited about it. It was even a paying job. This other boy next to Tyler was the other lead. Tyler had the lead. It was so great seeing him act and develop a love for film.

We loved being behind the scenes of a movie and seeing how the whole thing worked. Hearing them say "Quiet on set" and "Action" was so cool!

Here is Logan kicking a rock around like kids back in that era just like our kids play soccer nowadays. All the boys were in this scene.

The boys are receiving instruction on the filming of the next scene. C.J. is the typical 7 year old having a hard time paying attention to direction.

On the right we see Brayden walking up. He has to come face to face with the mean teacher who is bullying a kid and Brayden tells him to pick on someone his own size.

All the filming was at the LDS motion picture studio.

Please ignore the dates on the pictures. The camara was off by 3 1/2 years. It was filmed in the fall of 2008.

Lunch Break!!!