Dreaming Big

For those who don't know, Lauren is quite passionate about being on stage.  I cannot believe that it has been a year since she blew our minds playing "Annie" in the beloved musical.  (Click here to read about it).

Since then, she has been itching to do more.

It doesn't help that the little girl who played the orphan "Molly" in last year's play has since hired a talent agent, moved to Hollywood and has been cast in multiple commercials.  She even just finished filming the role of a young Victoria in the popular Nick television show of the same name.  Wow.

Since we can't exactly move to Hollywood, but knowing how much she loves it and how much she comes alive when she is performing, we have encouraged her to participate in a few plays at a local, well-renowned theater.  In November, she was able to play a "Who" in Seussical the Musical.  And just this past weekend, she finished performances in the play "Wind in the Willows."

She did a great job and she even had a solo dance in one scene.  (Hello.  I think it might be time to do a DNA test to make sure that she is actually mine?)

She did a beautiful job and I was so proud of her.  It took tremendous courage and I was blown away by her confidence and poise.

Greeting the crowd after the performance

Romney's parents were able to see one of her performances.

Intermission

The musical "Wicked" is in Denver for a few weeks, so we couldn't resist the chance to take her to see it and be exposed the real deal.

The play was last night.  Lauren and I made a date out of it and had an amazing time.

It was AMAZING!!  We both loved it and were on the edge of our seats the whole time.  At the intermission, Lauren said, "Mom, that was only the first act and I had chills the whole time!"

She was beaming and the whole drive home, she perfectly recited the lines and songs.  She wants it for herself and I have no doubt that one day she'll get it.  Who knows, maybe one day she'll be the one in green?

Dream big La!!

Sorry That I Suck

It has been months since I have updated this blog.  Sorry.

My kids are beginning to wonder if I love the presidential election more than I love my family.  If you don't know what I am talking about, please click here.

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed finding an outlet for my political passions (and obsessions), my kids are wondering if I love politics more than them.  So I made them a promise that I would be better about updating the details of our crazy life in Colorado.

A lot has been happening in the Williams' household.

A Wedding

Last month, my brother Christian got married to an amazing girl named Sarah and we went home for the wedding.  They are such a perfect match and we are thrilled beyond measure that they found each other.

My kids adore my brother.  

One of the highlights of the wedding festivities was when all of my siblings and parents went to lunch together.  No kids.  No spouses.  Just siblings sitting around, laughing until we cried as we lovingly offered marriage advice to Christian.  We did this when Kara got married and it was a priceless memory for all of us.

It was a perfect afternoon and an amazing reminder of how much I adore these people.

Other big news...THOMAS TURNED 13

I am a mother of a teenager???

Instead of a birthday cake, Thomas opted for caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Yum!

I could write on and on about the countless events of the past few months, but mostly I want to acknowledge that I feel blessed.

Life is good.

And I promise to be better about updating...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

My kids came home from school today beaming with smiles.  Their Valentine's boxes were stuffed to the rim with treats and hearts.

Christian's Domo Valentine's Box

Sophie's Valentine Monster Box

Let's be honest, Valentine's Day is kind of a hokey tradition.  The older I get, I realize that this day is not about romance.  It does however, provide an excuse to tell people I adore how much they mean to me.  I feel blessed.

***

Three years ago today, my family held the funeral for my dear Grandma Helen.  She was such a light to all who knew her.  It was Valentine's Day.  It was the perfect day to honor her valiant life.

It is amazing how much I still miss her.

At the gravesite, my mom and her three sisters provided a bright pink / red balloon for each grand child.  We let them go as we said our final goodbye to a woman who changed each of us.

Valentine's Day is not just about romance...but it is about love.  It is a perfect reminder of my 2012 focus which is l.o.v.e = t.i.m.e.

Happy Valentine's Day!!
xoxoxox

One pet, two pets, three pets, four...

A few months ago, Lauren's class was studying Anoles.  Lauren asked me if she could put her name in the "Lottery" to adopt one.  I casually said, "Maybe" thinking there was no way I would firmly agree to it and I also figured that with three 5th grade classes, there was no way that her name would be selected.

I was wrong. Lauren's name was chosen and she came home with not one, but two anoles.  As soon as my boys saw them, they went ballistic.  They insisted on "equality" and "fairness," so, long story short, we now have four anoles.

Wow...what just happened?

***

As I have mentioned in the past, I HATE PETS!!  My kids have been begging for a dog, a snake, and it should be also be mentioned, a panda bear.  I have stood my ground and adamantly said "NO!" every time.  So, it goes without saying, that I laugh to think that there are now 4 green lizards in my house.

But my kids are beyond thrilled.  They absolutely love their little creatures.  They hold them all the time.  They pull them out and let them watch movies with us, they sit on their arms during homework, Lauren has played Bingo with one and all four lizards made the road trip to Utah in a small plastic box.  

The best part?  The kids got their pet and I don't have to do one bloody thing.  No hair, no chewing on furniture, no vet appointments, no house training, no licking and fortunately, no smell.  All that I have to do is go to Petco once a month to buy a container of worms.

Not a bad deal if you asked me.

A Courageous Man

Martin Luther King Jr. was a remarkable man.  I admire him for his courage, determination and resilience.  He faced an opposition that I cannot even begin to imagine and yet he continued to fight and inspire people to be better.  He had a vision for a better America.  He had a vision for a more compassionate people.  He was determined to break barriers and blend an extremely divided nation.

He persevered.  He succeeded.  The world is a better place because of his life.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Pretty powerful and empowering words from a man who had the courage to change the world.  Thank you Mr. King.  Your message was remarkable.

L.O.V.E = T.I.M.E

It is a new year and as always I am self-reflecting and trying to determine how I can make the most of a new start.  I keep asking myself how I am going to fill my blank canvas?  What do I want to make of 2012?

As I look back over the year and see all that was accomplished, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  It was a good year.  My family was deeply blessed with good health and plenty of quality time together.

Over the past few weeks, thanks to Romney's generous gift of a new computer, we have enjoyed watching years of family photos roll through the slideshow on my screen.  It has been so fun to see dozens of images of memories we had forgotten.  We have laughed, cried and many times found ourselves sitting for too long waiting for the next image to appear.

I have loved seeing our lives and be reminded of what we have experienced, accomplished and even overcome.  I have loved seeing time frozen in those pictures.

Seeing the drastic changes in my kids faces has been astounding.  When did Thomas become a young man?  When did Lauren lose her munch-able cheeks? When did Christian's face mature?  When did Sophie stop being my toddler?  It happened right in front of me and I didn't even realize how much I would miss it.

Time is an interesting thing because it is the one gift we are all allotted equally.  I can't help but ask myself, am I doing all that I can with the time I am given?  Is my time being filled with things that matter most?

I recently read a General Conference talk written by Elder Ian Ardern called, "A Time to Prepare."  He talked about the importance of time management.  He also referenced Elder Dieter Uchtdorf when he said,  "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e."

I can't stop thinking about that.  It is such a powerful reminder and something that I certainly want to incorporate into my focus.

I think for 2012, I want to remember that LOVE = TIME.

Only if you are interested....

Those who know me well, know that I love politics.  I have always been fascinated by the political process in our country.  I closely follow current events and I become somewhat of a political junkie during an election cycle.  I always joke that election night is like my Superbowl.  I love it.

This year I have been closely following the election and earnestly observing the candidates plead their case for the chance to compete in the general election this fall.

I am riveted by this election process and I have decided to take my sweet husband Romney's advice and do something proactive.  Several months ago, Romney encouraged me here that I should do something with my passions.  I should try to make a difference.  I was beyond flattered by his confidence in me and I keep thinking, why not?

(I love Romney for believing in me and seeing a potential that I have long overlooked).

So here it goes, I have started a blog about my political opinions (and obsessions) and why I am supporting one particular candidate.  Feel free to take a peek.... My Case for Mitt Romney

Happy New Year & A Trip to Utah

A few days after Christmas we decided to drive to Utah to spend some time with family.  As the day approached, I'll be honest that I was dreading it.  I did not want to make the long drive, I did not want to pull the kids away from their new presents and quite frankly, I did not feel like being ambitious and a trip to Utah sounded like a lot of work.

When I told everyone that I didn't want to make the drive, the kids cried and Romney laughed at me.  He basically told me that I certainly had "veto power" over our trip if I wanted.  He said that he would support me in whatever I chose, (what a nice guy!)  In the end, I decided to give in and we loaded the car. The next day we took off for Utah.  We left at 11:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM as we had originally planned.  (We are not very good at road trips).

I am glad that no one listened to me.  We had a great time.

The Williams

Lauren & Dwight playing and singing on the piano.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

We went to dinner with our parents on New Year's to an amazing restaurant called Asian Star.  Delicious!!  This is the third New Year's Eve we have gone to dinner with both sets and it is a tradition we hope to continue.  (Nan wasn't feeling well, so she  didn't come).  My brother and his girlfriend Sarah joined us, but left before we took the pic.

We welcomed the New Year's with some dear friends.  We all went to bed at 3:00 AM.  Ouch!

THE THOMPSONS
 & NEW YEAR'S DAY

It is a New Year's Day Southern Tradition in our family to eat Black Eyed Peas & Rice.  This tradition is supposed to bring good luck for the whole year.  My aunt Teresa made a huge pot and we had a Hop'n John party.

Playing Games with My Family

My family loves to play games.  Last year we experienced a torture-fest also known as Farkle, a game that involves disgusting drinks and food for the loser.  This year we all were too tired for something so aggressive, so we settled on the games "Signs" and "Moffia."  They were perfect games for our huge group.  It was so fun and we laughed until it hurt.

My mom making chocolate chip cookies with the cute girl cousins.

One afternoon we went to a Nickel Arcade with my brothers Christian, McCormack, and my brother-in-law Peter.  The kids loved it!!

***

We had a really great trip.  We loved seeing our family and getting time with people we adore.  The highlight by far, was that my brother Christian decided to get married to his girlfriend Sarah Olsen.  We met her for the first time and we gave the biggest thumbs up we could.  She is a great girl and we are thrilled that they found each other.  They are a perfect couple and there is no doubt that they will have a great marriage and a very happy life together.

Congratulations Christian and Sarah!!

They are getting married in March....so it looks like another Utah road trip is in our future!!!  (I don't think I will be complaining about this one!!)

Happy New Year!