37 Weeks and Counting

Today I was reminded by a coworker that I need to take another side-view picture of my belly. I've been slacking! Used to be so good at documenting the inflation process... Oh well! Here I am at 37 weeks. My coworker took this picture in the lobby of the building I work in. Face is a little white from the flash, but the non-flash picture turned out blurry. Whadaya do? I guess this is the best my posterity can hope for at this point.

Also, that I went to the doctor this morning. Next week I'll go again--it's WEEKLY now! Still everything is normal. AND I found out that Claire is facing DOWN, which is a good sign, of course. AND I found out that the epidural guys are REALLY good at the hospital I'm delivering...the one who's least experienced has been doing it for 10 years, and one of the "experts" can actually get an epidural up and running in less time than it takes to knock someone out with the happy gas! That's pretty good! AND my doctor said that she's only seen 1 side effect--a spinal headache, that is supposed to occur in like 1 in 500 people--but based on her experience it's like 1 in 1,000.

Ok, and now I have to say that...you know, people keep telling me that I look "so good" pregnant, etc. and I say "yeah yeah" becuase I feel like a whale or a cow or anything huge like that. BUT today at the doctor's office, it was sad----I think I was the ONLY ONE wearing makeup among the girls who were in the waiting room. I was also the only one dressed fairly normal...they were all wearing sweat pants or baggy jeans...basically, "frump-wear." SO, it made me feel a little better, and now I know why people keep saying that I look "good" becuase apparently a lot of women, especially at my stage, have kinda given up... One thing I'm just plain LUCKY with is the fact that I haven't swelled up all over...I can still wear these, my favorite boots: (and was wearing them today--yes, the only one there wearing heels at the doctor's office)

But, hey, I'm wearing them for good reason. These black capris I wore today are for SUMMER. BUT, in the winter, to make them work, you can wear boots with them and they look fine. All in order to make sure I save money on maternity clothes, meaning, wearing the same 4 bottoms with different tops throughout the week. Jordan, honey, you should be proud of all the money I'm saving you :)

Singing Some More... Beneficial Life Christmas Party

On Tuesday night, my choir, again, had the priveledge to sing for some pretty amazing people--the employees of Beneficial Life. (their Chistmas Party at the Marriott downtown) Makes me want to get a job there! And some or all (not sure which) of the board members were in attendance, and include some familiar faces! (again, not sure if all of these gentleman are on the board, but I didn't care-they were there!)

So, we sang about 6 or 7 songs from our Christmas music repertoire (including "Baby," Mainha!) and they were a very generous audience. I have to say, I looked down (we were on risers) at the table in the front, right at President Monson, and he TOTALLY made eye contact with me and smiled! It was very nice :) Hopefully I wasn't hallucinating and it really did happen.

After the performance, we got to stick around and listen to President Monson speak. It was great--he just has such a great spirit about him, and he mostly told stories about Christmas service and good will. One thing I really liked that he said was that each of us should be showing and telling our Heavenly Father that we are willing to "be on His errand" and help others... especially during this season. President Monson also has a big soft spot for the widows--he talked of delivering small chickens to each of the 8o+ widows in his ward each Christmas Eve, his wife Francis spending a lot of Christmas Eve without him, but fully supporting him. What a great man. He said it is a miracle, but he has been able to speak at ALL of these widows' funerals over the years...some 3 a day!

Anyway, it was a wonderful experience, as usual, and nice to sing for such a great group. I have had a bad cough lately, can't hit anything higher than an A, and just have had the worst breath support, but was able to sing my descant solo to "Little Road to Bethlehem" and I guess (at least they told me) it turned out good. Pheww... :)

No pictures of the night, but you'd just see what you see in the last post anyway--our lovely red dresses!!

Off to St. George to Sing...

Apart from the fact that I COULDN'T sing all weekend, and since then really, it was a GREAT trip! :)

So...the choir all piled into one of those big travel buses and headed to St. George Friday morning--BUT, since WE, (Juliann, John, Ariel, and me) are so...cool? we got to ride with our choir director, Michael, and amazing accompanist, Natalie. It was so fun, and we just talked the whole time, making the drive SO short. I don't think I've ever traveled to St. George in such a short time...psychologically :) AND, we only stopped ONCE for a potty break! And Ariel and I are both pregnant. I was very proud.

From left to right: John, Ariel, Juliann, and me, of course!

So, our little group is known as the "Davis County" group by other choir members... which is funny because only 2 of us are even from there. BUT, the reason we have this "clique" is because we were all in the former "Utah Master Chorale" together. The funny thing is, that EACH of us have been accosted by other choir members and asked questions about our relationship with each other... I've been asked, "Is Juliann your sister?" or "Are Juliann and Ariel sisters?" "Is Juliann married to John?" or "Are you married to John?" Juliann has been asked, "Is Janessa your sister?" "Is Ariel your sister?" "Is Janessa married to John?" It's so funny... Neither of our spouses are in the choir or sisters :)

So, Friday night, we got to sing at the Cox Auditorium of Dixie State for people from St. George, I guess, and the Rotary Club--so a lot of...mature...audience members :) AND, we were so privileged to sing with the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band! They were amazing...and I was so impressed, not only with their "band skills," but they had some REALLY talented singers! It was so great to perform with them, and feel how much honor and pride they have for their country--that's something that seems more scarce these days, so it was refreshing!

Saturday, we performed again in Richfield for....I dunno, Richfield residents :) Here we are there: (the 4 musketeers...) PS-for those of you who thought my dress "wasn't that bad" in the past photo of it--it was CLEARLY the photo. NOW do you see how awful it is?

OK, and I also have to admit to the world how apparently my head wasn't screwed on that whole weekend, because I lost it...

1. Getting in the car with Jordan to get to the carpool meeting place...totally forgot my overnight bag. Fortunately, Jordan was thinking.

2. After practice at the Cox Auditorium in the afternoon (we were returning again at night)...left my purse on the stage.

3. Friday night after the concert in St. George--Ruby River for dinner. My cell phone dropped below us in the booth. I couldn't pick it up right away because, hello, my belly really does get in the way, and we were all like sardines in that booth. Totally forgot it. Next morning, go to pick it up, and they can't find it. We have to leave. So, we go, and later I find out they HAVE found it!! They are mailing it to me tomorrow morning.

I wish I could just blame this on pregnancy. Not sure that would be accurate though...

Things We've Done

I saw this fun tag on Ariel and Juliann's blogs and wanted to do it too!! I've asked Jordan all of these questions, so you get to know about BOTH of us :)

1. Started your own blog janessa

2. Slept under the stars jordan & janessa

3. Played in a band jordan

4. Visited Hawaii jordan & janessa (once for me, Jordan like 3 times)

5. Watched a meteor shower jordan

6. Given more than you can afford to charity jordan & janessa (yeah, like every paycheck :)

7. Been to Disneyland jordan (just Disneyworld for me...)

8. Climbed a mountain jordan & janessa

9. Held a praying mantis jordan

10. Sang a solo janessa & jordan (someone once asked me, "how do you do that?" I replied...."many years of humiliation..." :) Jordan sang a solo in his H.S. play!)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris janessa

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea jordan (at Catalina Island)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch jordan & janessa

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty jordan & janessa (seen it, couldn't go to the top though...with 9/11 and all... been to the very top of the Empire State Building though!-NOT worth the money of the line, so if you're reading this and wanting to go, seriously, don't...unless you LOVE standing in line for 3 hours and paying like $15 extra to go to the top...)

18. Grown your own vegetables janessa & jordan (well, my Dad was quite the slave-driver, so our family garden was in fact cared for by me and all of my family, so that counts, right?)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France janessa (It's in the Louvre...behind glass, and always has a million people falling all over themselves, around it to catch a glimpse!)

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight jordan & janessa (Who hasn't?)

22. Hitch hiked janessa

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill jordan & janessa (hasn't everybody?? I mean, these companies, like mine, that don't COMBINE the vacay/sick days into "PTO" are really just asking for it...seriously. It's not like we're going to let those days go to waste!! I just call them "sick of work" days :))

24. Built a snow fort jordan & janessa

25. Held a lamb jordan

26. Gone skinny dipping jordan & janessa

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice janessa (BEEN to Venice, but only rode a gondola at the Venetian in Las Vegas (with Jordan)...does that count?)

29. Seen a total eclipse jordan

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset jordan & janessa

31. Hit a home run jordan (not me, but does a touchdown count?)

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person janessa

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors janessa (not ALL of them, since I'm English, Danish, Scottish, and Irish, but have been to England and Scotland...so 2 down, 2 to go!)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language jordan & janessa (any time you learn a new language, even with a teacher, you do have to "teach yourself" as well, to master it!)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied jordan & janessa (Ahhh...those were the days...single, out of college, job, no mortgage...)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing jordan

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David janessa (Seen the plaster replica of it in the "Victoria & Albert" museum in London - the best museum in England, I think! - a couple of times...does that count?)

41. Sung karaoke jordan & janessa

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt jordan & janessa

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant jordan (on his mission, all the time--people would ask for money, and they wouldn't want to give the guy money, but said "we'll take you to a restaurant to eat with us. Half the time they turned the Elders down, but sometimes they took them up on it!)

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight jordan & janessa

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted jordan & janessa (Does DRAWN count? Like on the streets of New York?)

48. Gone deep sea fishing jordan & janessa (Viva Mexico!)

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling jordan & janessa (LOVE IT!!)

52. Kissed in the rain jordan & janessa

53. Played in the mud jordan & janessa

54. Gone to a drive-in theater jordan & janessa

55. Been in a movie jordan (educational videos, a commercial, and in a movie about vampires!....) janessa (just a commercial...)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business jordan (building computers in High School)

58. Taken a martial arts class janessa (self-defence at BYU!)

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen jordan (on the mission, in Portugal)

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason janessa (are they REALLY for no reason though? I mean, even if there isn't an occasion per say...there always seems to be a catch!)

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma jordan & janessa (when I had Mono in college, I got $200 for donating plasma once! - UofU Medical School research thing...)

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp janessa (saw one from the outside, don't really want to go in ever...too sad...)

67. Bounced a check jordan & janessa

68. Flown in a helicopter jordan (He's flown a PLANE, does that count?? Way cooler...)

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy janessa & jordan (well, our parents have saved some toys and now the grandchildren play with them)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial jordan

71. Eaten Caviar janessa (very fishy...)

72. Pieced a quilt jordan

73. Stood in Times Square jordan & janessa (very smelly...but so is most of NYC :))

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job janessa (although totally embarrassing, I was very relieved too!)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London janessa (very long!)

77. Broken a bone jordan (just a toe!) janessa (just a rib!)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle jordan

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person jordan & janessa

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car janessa (does leasing count? Dad worked for Ford... I really miss that Mazda 3...it was a manual and so fun to drive!!)

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper jordan & janessa (Jordan in the Deseret News, Janessa in the Detroit Free Press)

85. Read the entire Bible Neither of us think we could ever make it through Psalms or Song of Solomon :)

86. Visited the White House jordan

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating jordan

88. Had chickenpox jordan & janessa

89. Saved someone's life jordan & janessa (Jordan affirms he saved people from "spiritual death" on his mission :) as did I, I guess, but then I saved my cousin, Tiara from drowining...just pulled her out of the water...)

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous jordan (Michael Jordan, P Diddy...and too many to remember--this is while working at the Bellagio "Light" club) janessa (Ty Pennington :)

92. Joined a book club janessa (does GoodReads count?)

93. Lost a loved one jordan & janessa

94. Had a baby janessa (I mean, less than a month away...that counts!)

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake jordan & janessa

97. Been involved in a law suit jordan

98. Owned a cell phone jordan & janessa

99. Been stung by a bee jordan & janessa

Soap Box Sunday

This week I taught Gospel Doctrine. It was a great lesson from the words of Moroni (Mormon 7-9) in which he talks about the purpose of the Book of Mormon, our charge as Latter-Day Saints, and how the words he and his father compiled for US are what the Lord would have us know.

Mormon 8:34-35

"Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing."

Ezra Taft Benson said:

"If they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’ And there is example after example of how that question will be answered.

For example, in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ's coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.

From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war. From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality. In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?”

More than anything, I know that as I read the Book of Mormon, I need to be constantly pondering those words and how they apply to my life. Why did Mormon add this account? Why did he preach of this topic? How does this apply to me?

I am so grateful for Mormon and his son Moroni. If you are ever unable to think of how a certain part of the Book of Mormon applies to you, you at least have one thing--gratitude. Gratitude for your own circumstances, your own life. When you think about how Moroni lost his father, his wife, children, kin, friends, etc....although some, just temporally, but many others in a spiritual sense as well... THEN he walked from Central America to the New York area, wandering for at least 20 years...all alone. And always fighting for survival. Your life may not seem too bad or too difficult or too much to handle. I know mine isn't, and I'm grateful for that.

What are we to do with the knowledge that we have been given? Elder Holland said:

"The task of the children of God in these concluding days of the world's history is to proceed with 'unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save,' to 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men . . . feasting upon the word of Christ, and endur[ing] to the end. This is the way; and ther eis none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved int eh kingdom of God.' (2 Ne. 31:17-18) No other book helps us do this so well. No other book was ever divinely produced and protected solely for that purpose. No other book has ever been written with such a full view of the future dispensation to which that record would eventually come."

Christmas on Temple Square Concert

This past Saturday, my choir, "The Salt Lake Symphonic Choir" joined "The Sterling Singers" for the first concert in the "Christmas on Temple Square Concert Series." They have all kinds of concerts going on at the tabernacle, and we got to be one of them!

Was great, I think we sounded good, but couldn't really tell, since from the stage, the acoustics don't really allow for...hearing yourself, it's weird. But, I heard that we sounded good from the audience's position. We sang some great songs like Mac Wilberg's "The First Nowell," which I LOVE, "Baby What You Goin' to Be," that my Mom loves (sorry you couldn't be there!), the "Hallelujah Chorus," "Some Children See Him," and "Come Thou Long Expected Savior" (Which is to the same tune as "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing")....to mention a few.

DON'T WORRY...if I didn't invite you, that's because we're doing pretty much the same concert on December 21st at the St. Thoma More Catholic church in Sandy, and that'll be JUST my choir...and I'm planning on inviting everyone to that one...let me know if you want to come!

My good friends Wendy and Michael came to this one, and said it was great, so there you have it...a good first review :) Thanks for coming you guys!!

P.S. This lovely picture above is of me with my good friend, Juliann, in our HIDEOUS...I mean, GORGEOUS choir garb... BOTH of ours had to be pinned in the back because the lady that sewed them made just look like whales--actually, Juliann, I'm sure you didn't look like a whale pre-pinning, but I sure did :) I need to go in this week and get mine altered. It was totally HUGE. I think she made me a "fat" person's top, rather than a "pregnant" person's top. That's what it was. Juliann and I REALLY would like to replace the ladies that have been on the choir dress committee for the past 30 years...It's time for a change, don't ya think?? Jordan summed it up perfectly--he said "You look like you're a guest on Oprah, but in the 60's." :) haha

At least the flyer looked good (above)... yes, Juliann and I are on the marketing committee.

Twilight

OK. I saw it this past weekend. I read the books--loved them, except for the 2nd one because Edward was almost nonexistent. Not that I have a "thing" for Edward or anything--I'm not in the "Twilight Moms" group or anything lame like that, but I just prefer him over Jacob.

Anyway, I was slightly dissappointed just because the clips I saw really did surpass the overall movie experience--they were better than seeing the whole thing--does that make sense? Plus, I mean, it did kinda look more like a made-for-TV-movie... the budget just wasn't there. BUT next film, they'll have the budget, so it should be better! (even if it is based on the lamest of all 4 books :)-sorry Ariel :)

I'm not a Nazi about all of the left out details or anything...I realize a movie won't be JUST like the book with all of the details intact and actually would have rather seen LESS if it meant the movie would flow better! I just felt like it was really choppy... and I wasn't totally impressed with Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Edward. In some scenes he was great, in other scenes, he wasn't so hot. Kristen Stewart did a great job portraying Bella though--she was a total "stick in the mud" just like Bella.... haha.

Was REALLY glad there were no screaming teenieboppers in the theater though. Loved the smooching scene :) Thought that was perfect... Loved most of the characters--they did a great job at portraying what the author had in mind. Not sold on Edward yet though--some of his facial expressions...ughhhhh!!!! I hear I'll like him better if I see it again, haha.

Overall, thought the character portrayal was really good, screenplay was so so--just too choppy...they fall in love in like 1 day, it's weird...and parts where it was like "oh we need to stick this in the movie" and it's there, no rhyme or reason, and in totally the wrong place! And the cinematography left a bit to be desired, but that's all about budget.