Catching Up! Our November Birthday Trip

Hello Blogger Friends - I am waaayyy behind on keeping up with my blog. We have been up to many things, and I find myself reflecting on our November, and then I realized that it is the end of December! Where does the time go? Our November was busy. I turned 42 on the 9th and we took a fun, romantic, no children included trip to Monterrey, CA. We flew from Vegas to San Jose and then rented a car (which because it was my birthday ended up being a convertible) and drove the short 1 hour drive through the hills to Monterrey...to see the ocean and the otters at the Monterrey Aquarium. Here are a few pictures of our trip: Big Sur - the most beautiful place I have ever seen .... this is a view from a the beach and the ocean and birds...aahhh

Wayne and Janet at Sunset...on my birthday

We went on a whale watching boat tour and saw many whales. Here is a Humpback Whale's tale fin .. pretty amazing!

Wayne near Pebble Beach on the coast many, many, many seal lions African River Otter - the reason I wanted to go to Monterrey in the first place - to see the new Otter habitat at the Aquarium. FUN! Big Sur Convertible Ride ~ I made a Video!!

Convertible ride through Big Sur. The reason Wayne looks concerned is that I am filming while the police are driving by.... I didn't even see them!

What a beautiful and perfect day this was!

Book Review - For Parent's Only (read to the end...there may be a prize!)

Shaunti Feldhahn is known for unlocking the mysteries of relationships for men and women. Now she turns to a parent’s relationship with a child, particularly a child of the opposite sex. Drawing on the results of a nationwide survey of kids and teenagers, she explores questions such as: What do moms need to understand about the “tough and tender” boy who values respect over love? What do dads need to understand about their daughter’s need for affirmation? What are the six biggest pet peeves teens have about their parents? Understanding the answers to these and other important questions can help parents make the holidays a time of celebration and unity, not strife and friction. For Parents Only offers a unique look into a child’s mind and frees readers to communicate in healthier ways as they discover that understanding their kids may not be as complicated as they think. Author Bio:

Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University. She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer.

I have been given 2 free copies to share with 2 parent friends. If you would like a copy, please e-mail me at tokyopatirce@hotmail.com with your address and Iwill send it out. The first 2 friends to e-mail me get the freebies!

It's Halloweeeeeeeeeen Time

Even though the boys are older, they still enjoy the dressing up and getting / giving candy fun that is Halloween. This year, Grant's friend James joined us for an evening of Trunk or Treat at the Church parking lot. For the past few years, Grant has been 'in charge' of the handing out of candy to the 'little kids...' He made a spooky mix of Halloween music to play as he hands out the goods. It is fun to watch him enjoying the giving part of the night. Grant and James decided to be un-politically correct and dress as politicians . Grant was the Republican (much to his mom's disgust) and James was a Democrat (much to his own disgust). They both wore dark suites and red/white/blue ties and Grant slicked his hair back, a' la Mitt Romney. James, the democrat carried a big, fake knife and Grant, the republican, had on scary skull gloves. When asked what they were dressed as, they would say, "we are politicians...I'm a democrat, I'm a republican .... we are the scariest ones here!" I would have to agree.....

Democrats and Repulicans set aside their differences for one evening of handing out choc-o-late to the kiddies ....

Devin is 13 and still young enough to trick or treat and still loves the whole party atmosphere of the trunk or treat. A few weeks back, we were at one of those Halloween costume stores that seem to crop up the day after school starts and Devin saw one of those inflatable Sumo Suits. Well, he wanted that from the moment he saw it....so I finally gave in after a few weeks and we went back to get it. He looked so cute and so big! He waddled around and belly bumped his dad - which looked hysterical! He also was the official assistant to the politicians - sort of like a chubby page... It was funny and he loved it!

Devin San in the center of it all....

Devin and his friend Spencer - who was on skates and who Devin pulled around all night - quite the site!

My Neighbor, The Monster

Grant just wrapped up his roll as "Joey" in the local play, "My Neighbor, The Monster" with the Rainbow Company youth ensemble.

The play is based in Boulder City, NV in the 1960's. It is about 3 friends who are in to the old time 'horror movies,' two of the friends, "Timmy and Joey" (Grant) work in a movie theatre for a Jewish theatre owner. (side note - Boris Karlof really did stay at the Boulder City Hotel in the 1960's for his honeymoon....thus the location for the play was born)

Like in most towns, there is a neighborhood 'spooky' house that has a spooky old man living in it. When the 3 friends are up in a tree trying to get a better look at the guy, Timmy falls out of the tree and gets caught by the spooky man. Turns out the spooky man is an old time Horror Movie actor and the fun ensues with "appearances" by Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein and many other 'creeps...' It was a fun play, lots of driving to rehearsals and performances, but something that Grant loves to do and we love to watch him do. His name was even mentioned in the local paper's review of the play. He has entered the 'big time' now! AND to the play's credit, my mom even enjoyed it!

Rainbow Company will be presenting The Wizard of Oz in December - very family friendly! He is not in this cast, but he is performing in his high school play, "The Worst High School Play In The World" in December and working on the Sound Crew for Oz. So a few busy play months are ahead for our family, but it is all a lot of fun and great memory building experiences. Here are some pictures from the play......MY NEIGHBOR, THE MONSTER.

"Joey" (Grant in Hawaiian shirt) up in a tree with his friends looking for the spooky neighbor

The friends meet the spooky neighbor - or how they THINK he looks....immagination is a great thing!

Grant - center - at the movie theatre discussing MONSTERS!

a few of the monsters.....

right before the cast took thier bow...

Grant and the cast signing autographs for children after the play.....he LOVED this part!

Grant and Devin with Frank....enstein....

Happy NEVADA DAY! (A.K.A. Halloween!)

"Mosaic - Amy Grant - Pieces of My LIfe So Far" ~ A simple pleasure; delighful

"Salt water is the greatest component of our world, yet some people have never seen an ocean. That doesn't change the ocean. It is constant and powerful, and like the love of God, whether we're immersed in it, standing on the shore or a thousand miles away, it remains." Amy Grant - "Salt Water" page 11 of Mosaic

As I sat to down to enjoy my copy of Mosaic ~ Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant, I was happy to find the spare hours in an afternoon to just sit and read. It is a rare thing for me to really be able to sit and read as life is busy and I feel stretched often, so spending time with Amy Grant, who I consider a friend, was a delight.

I love the book, but I knew I would. I expected it to be more of a fluid story, but as I read each vignette of life experience Amy style, I was moved by her genuine caring for people, her deep love for her children, her amazement at finding Vince in her forties and her unwavering faith in God no matter her circumstance. I especially loved the story of her introducing the ocean to her nieces in the section Salt Water. (see opening quote) Amy loves the ocean, as do I and she took her nieces down Highway 98 to Destin, Florida so that these 3 young ladies could see the ocean 'for real' and not just from pictures in a National Geographic. After Amy parks the car, she tells the girls to close their eyes. And, as they opened them, the vast blue of ocean meeting sky was in front of them, and all the girls began to run to the ocean to be part of the wonder of one of God's greatest creations. Being a desert dweller, I can so relate to this feeling of being closest to God when I am on the beach. What a lovely reminder and truth Amy shared with this story.

I know this book will speak to many hearts as they share in Amy's life and know she struggles and soars just like the rest of us. She is open, honest and caring in her day to day living of life and in her sharing of her experiences, poems and music with the readers of Mosaic Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant. What a pleasure to spend a day with Amy Grant and to being reminded to look at the beauty around us in life....and to remember, "We're just here to love Him..and in a little while we'll be home forever...We'll be home in just a little while."

To purchase a copy of Mosaic, click here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/140007360X

IT IS HERE!!!

This is not a very clear picture....but in today's mail, my Mosaic book by Amy Grant arrived!! Now, I just need a day to sit down and enjoy the ride while I read!

YAHOOO!!! My Blog was accepted!

Janet with Amy Grant at the Women of Faith Conference - Thomas and Mack Center - February 2005

http://www.amygrant.com

I can't tell you how excited I am right now! A few weeks back I entered a contest for Amy Grant fans who have blogs to review her upcoming book, Mosaic.....and I my lil' ol' blog was chosen to be one of the "reviewers" blogs! What does this mean? Well, lemmie-tell-ya! I get a free, autographed copy of the book (pretty cool) and I will read it (well, of course) and then in October, I will post my review! And then....the publisher will direct traffic to my blog to read the review! Now, the most exciting part for me is getting the autographed copy of the book .... as you all know .... I do LOVE Amy Grant! So, get excited with me and get ready for a post about the book. I can't wait and I know everyone will be on pins and needles until I upload this post!

(OK, so I know many will think I am weird, but humor me and please just pretend to be excited)

My Neighbor, The Monster

Here is the flyer for the play that Grant is going to be in. My Neighbor, The Monster is an original play written by The Rainbow Company and should be hysterical and poignant. Grant plays "Joey" who is (by Grant's description) the comic relief in the play...which is perfect for him!

So, if you are in Vegas, come out and see the play! It is a great way to introduce your kids to theatre and to get them inspired to participate! Let me know if you will be attending, and I'll be sure to be there! Keep in mind - there are always cookies at a Rainbow Company play!

GREAT IDEA!

I had an epiphany tonight during the Danny Gans show. I was sort of paying attention while enjoying the show, thinking of my blog...silly, but sometimes my mind does wander...anyway... I had a great idea! We should have a reunion in CEDAR CITY, UTAH and see a play (or two...or three) next summer or even this fall! see www.bard.org they have this fall's schedule up and next year's, too! It would be a lot of fun to get together. Dawnae could come down from middle Utah, Judy and Micalanne could come to Vegas from CA and LaRae, Judy, Micalanne and I could drive up and well, LaRae is already there - Janae and Lesli could even join us if they were feeling adventurous! We could even invite Joan! Now I am excited! Anyone else think this is a brilliant idea, too?! PS - I did enjoy Danny Gans with Devin - the tickets were free, which made the show even better.... love www.showtickets4locals.com we get to see free shows as often as we have time for - nice!

Crazy, Crazy Week!

We have had one crazy week since last Friday. I started a post about it on Monday of THIS week, but it did not get finished and ended up being my Shakespearean Festival post. SO, without further ado....CRAZY! We returned home from Cedar on Wednesday. While we were gone, our home started undergoing a 'remodel' of sorts. We planned this summer to finally get a new roof and air conditioning unit, and decided to redo our family room as well. ALL the work started while we were gone, so Wayne had to make sure it went smoothly. It is still pretty dusty everywhere as I refuse to do a thorough cleaning until this room is DONE! Our family room - new sheet rock, painted, waiting for tile (that happens tomorrow) and baseboard. And next week, we are getting all new windows in our house. Note the dog, Cody. He has been laying on the dusty concrete as if he is waiting for something to happen and wondering where the old furniture went that he spent so many hours on napping. 4 ton air conditioning unit - now, if we can just figure out the new fangled thermostat.... New roof - good bye wood shake roof, hello shingles! (next to happen outside is a new, red front door!) Friday 8/20 we went to bed late,as usual,...looking forward to a busy Saturday when at 1:15 am, we awoke from our slumber to hear a loud CRASH! and to find the following.... An 'allegedly' drunk driver plowed in to the back of Wayne's car, which pushed it into my car, and then he continued on down the street, hitting our neighbor's 2 cars before jumping out of his car and running home to hide in his yard. Our other neighbor saw the guy take off and followed him in her car until the police showed up to arrest him. Now, this is a surreal thing to have happen during a deep sleep. Once we realized our cars had been hit by 'something,' as we could not see the other car, the only thought I had was, "The police are coming, I need to get out of my shorts and put on pants." If that isn't logical thinking, I don't know what is. Wayne's car is a total loss, which sucks as it is an older car, paid off and worth more to us than it is on paper. My newly paid off car will be fixed, thankfully and returned in a week or so. CRAZY! (Anyone know a good lawyer and a place to buy a good used car? I'm not kidding....) The next morning, Saturday, Grant had to be at an audition for Rainbow Company, so we had to rush around and get rentals set up, which ended up being easy, but a hassle nonetheless. CRAZY! Saturday - continued - for Grant's birthday, my parents gave him a crisp, new $100 dollar bill with strict instructions to use it to purchase a ticket to a show or a play or something 'theatrical' that he wanted to see. He chose LOVE at the Mirage. So, we decided to splurge and take the whole family to LOVE - the Beatles inspired Cirque du Soleil show at The Mirage. So, here we are, exhausted from no sleep, rushing Grant to his audition and then, trying to nap enough so we could go to the show that night.....CRAZY!! The LOVE marque Devin and Grant pose with THE BEATLES! (cool screen at entrance of the theatre) Inside the LOVE theatre. AMAZING. We have had the opportunity to see all the Vegas Cirque shows, except KA, and for me, LOVE is the most euphoric, natural high inducing, amazing show yet. I have always loved the Beatles' music and this show really does the music justice. If you can GO SEE LOVE! It will not disappoint - great for all ages. Wayne and Devin Grant and Janet at LOVE! Wayne and Janet near the Mirage pool. I worked at The Mirage for 10 years and loved it - lots of happy memories for me. Also, we stayed in a suite at the Mirage on our wedding night...so we always enjoy visiting. SUNDAY - August 26th GRANT CAST IN THE PLAY AND GOT THE PART HE REALLY WANTED! (I'll post the details later on....he is THRILLED!) Last, but not least, Monday August 27, 2007

BACK - TO - SCHOOL! (insert doom music and thunder claps) Grant - early morning seminary pre-breakfast and traditional "funny" shirt for the first day of school - 11th grade Bonanza High School. Devin is 'so happy' to be heading back to school. Note wonderfully beige uniform shirt for 8th grade at Garside Junior High.

Utah Shakespearian Festival

Boys in Cedar City Park - next to Hermies - home of the worlds best burger!

I have been meaning to post now for a few days (eh...a week) about the crazy week we are still recovering from, but because of the craziness...the blog had to wait. (see above post regarding craziness...Will Shakespeare deserved his own post!)

8/20/07 - Grant, Devin and I took off to Cedar City, Utah for the Shakespearian Festival - on Monday, we saw Twelth Night in the outdoor Adams Theatre. This is one of my most favorite summer activities. Long ago when I was about 10, my parents introduced me to Shakespeare in So. Utah, and I have been hooked ever since. It is fun to share this favoirte get away with my boys who enjoy it with me. Wayne had to work, so we had a mom and boys get away.

Grant remembering 12th Night

8/21/07 - saw a 2 pm showing of Lend Me a Tenor - which was exceptional and hysterical. This is a new version that the Festival wrote and hope to take to Boradway. We then saw an 8 pm showing of Candida by G.B. Shaw and it was so so - none of us really even enjoyed the play. This is also the day we met LaRae for lunch and chatting. (see previous post)

8/22/07 - saw Matchmaker at 2 pm - it was wonderful, as expected. This is the play that Hello Dolly! is based on...so it is a favorite of mine. Full belly laughter!

We headed home after this play .... we enjoyed our time in Cedar.

Here are a few pictures:

Nordine boy's Swordplay

Devin was chosen as part of the Greenshow - he was the "king of fools," talk about type casting!

"Best Donut Ever"

On the beautiful campus of Southern Utah University

Look Who I Found In Cedar City, UT!!

UPDATED Does this woman look familiar?

I was on a brief 3 day vacation in Cedar City with my boys last week and on the first evening there, was reading my e-mail through my cell phone when, low and behold, I received an e-mail from LaRae Hilton-Lemich. She had responded to an e-mail I shared about Pres. Faust's funeral. In her e-mail she said, "Did you know we moved to Cedar City last week?" Well, I sure did not know she moved and about fell down on the street of Cedar City when I realized, "HEY, I'm here, too!" So, I called Cedar City 411 and asked for any Lemich phone numbers, and, yep, I got the right number WITH an address text messaged to me. (Gotta love technology)

So, after going on and on about this exciting thing to my boys, who, by the way, got excited with me, I think as a courtesy. Next morning, Tuesday, I called LaRae, but she was not home at 9 am! "Where could she be?" I wondered. So, I called at 10 am...she had been out running - silly girl! So, we planned to meet at her new home and then go to lunch. They have moved to Cedar as her husband has "semi-retired" and they wanted to leave Wyoming. Their oldest is 21 and in college, their next boy is going on a mission soon, and the next one after that is heading to BYU. They have 2 more at home still. I had to laugh when she said they moved from "Wyoming to the 'big city' of Cedar"

It was so great to see her. I had not seen her since Grant was 3 and Devin was a baby - so it was fun to visit for a little while.

For me, LaRae represents a coming out of myself time in my life. A time when I needed a friend that I could trust and talk to. To me, LaRae was my best friend during my Junior year in High School and beyond. She accepted me even though I was so scared to be who I wanted to be - she just loved me anyway in spite of my flaws. I often wondered why she accepted me and was by best friend, but I know that God placed her in my life at that time to show me that someone of (what I perceived) her caliber could be a friend. After High School and when LaRae got married, we still stayed in touch. She wrote to me on my mission - even sent a cassette tape of her singing happy birthday to me, which if you recall, she has an excellent singing voice. We were in each other's weddings and then, over time, as is often the case, we sent Christmas cards, called on occasion...but never kept up really well. It is nice to know that even after 25 years, we can still see each other and have that spark of friendship one with another. I hope now that she is closer to Vegas that we might see each other sometimes.

There you have the full story. My kids kept saying to me, "What are the odds she would e-mail you when we were right her in the same town?" But I know, once again, God placed her in my life. I know why and I thank Him for being aware of my heart's needs.

AND, I thank LaRae for asking me if I am happy....perfect question.

PS - I am very happy.

Grant is Somewhere Over The Rainbow

http://www.rainbowcompany.info/index.html

The Rainbow Company is a children's theatre company here in Las Vegas that has been around for the past 30 years. Students who have studied acting here have gone on to receive college scholarships and enjoy success in the field. Every year the company has open auditions for their ensemble group. The competition is pretty serious and this year was no exception. They have a group of about 40 talented kids in the company and for this year's audition they had about 15 open spots to fill. Grant auditioned for plays and for the ensemble group last year, but was not chosen. This year, Devin decided to go and try out, too, just for fun and for the experience. There were about 60-70 hopefuls, and it took hours to complete the process. Grant did receive a call back with about 30 other kids. Devin, sadly did not, but he was happy for Grant.

The call was to come today "sometime after 1 pm...." well, about 2 pm, I thought to myself that the call would not be coming and went to have my favorite Sunday afternoon nap. Then, at about 3:15, the phone rang, waking me and Wayne from our slumber. I did not have my glasses on and could not see who it was, so I did not answer the phone. Grant did not recognize the name, and he did not answer as it had gotten so late in the day. Then, after the recorder picked the call up, Grant burst into our room and said, "I GOT IT!" After he started to breath again, he called the director back and got the official invitation. We could not be more happy for him. This is something that will help him hone his acting skills and really could help him get a college scholarship. We are so happy and excited for him. My only concern is the amount of time the Company will take. He has school, church, seminary, scouts, school clubs and oh yes, the very important budding social life to tend to, and adding Rainbow Company 2-3 nights per week will really test his ability to stay on top of life. I think he is up for the challenge and will really build a lifetime of memories through this experience.

As his parents, we are so proud of his accomplishment and his sticking with this even though he had felt rejection in the past. I know that I would not have had the gumption at his age to even try to get into such a prestigious acting company. This really is a big deal and I admire his desire to follow his dream!

YEA FOR GRANT!

My Anthem

Thanks to Judy.....I have found MIKA!!! I love, love, love this song and video! ENJOY

Funny, Funny, Funny (well, to me)

This Starbucks ad came to my inbox today.... I laughed out loud. Since I am 1 year away from being a therapist and I love Starbucks, and my friends always tell me they need me to "therapy-ize" them...I thought this was hysterical. Now, if I can only get these same friends to meet me at Starbucks, my ethical dilemma friends asking me for free therapy will be solved! (Being a friend's therapist is a big no-no to the Therapist Gods) Maybe no one else will find this fun, but for me and my brain, it was enjoyable!!