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.