Suzanne wrote me an email today that was short on words, but long on content.  I realized that my communication has broken down not only on my blog, but also with my family and friends.  So I decided to use her email as my tool to help me get my head back into blogging.  She had lots of questions for me and I decided to share them periodically this week.

From Suzanne, “I’m thinking you have spring break this week.  It probably came at a good time, because you had Mulan+ Lunch & Laughs + Improv.  Are you still alive?  Are you going to post pictures and reviews of Mulan?  How did N do?”

I am blessed to have spring break, as I might not have been able to function without it!  I have been producing Mulan and Cinderella (Lunch n  Laughs), but I also am directing two things at church.  One is a drama for Easter morning and the other is a musical that is performed the week after.   When I took on Mulan, I had said only through January.  I would need to quit in February to work on the musical.  I have a hard time quitting a project.  I want to see it through.  Needless to say it is the middle of March, and here I am.

Thankfully Cinderella is much easier for me to produce!  It is a small cast of adult actors.  I didn’t think I would be at any of the performances due to rehearsals for my musical, but most of my actors have soccer on Saturdays!  So I don’t think   it will be a good rehearsal day.  So that may work out. 

The worst part about this all is that I have felt…ineffective…scattered…forgetful…barely there.  I want to be a person that lives in the moment.  That is present when people need me and are with me.  I haven’t felt that way for awhile.  I have felt like I am going 400 different directions.  While I’m working on something, I might be thinking about something else.  This is something I want to change.

As far as Mulan went, WOW, what a great show!  The kids were amazing.  This was truly a wonderful group of children.  I saw N interact with the cast in ways he hadn’t with others.  I saw him develop many friendships and show leadership that he hadn’t in other shows.  He is no longer one of the little kids, but now one of the OLDER kids.  It was very obvious this show.  I am very proud of him. 

The first weekend run  (and it ran for three weekends) I was VERY worried about ticket sales, and actually throughout the run.  In the past we typically have sold most of our tickets preshow and have maybe 25% walk-ups.  I think due to the economics of our country that changed.  Most of our ticket sales were .  Yesterday we basically sold out.  We set up an extra row, and I think we only had a handful of seats left.

I really enjoyed listening to people’s reactions.  Yesterday I overheard, “Wow!  I can’t believe these are kids.”  When I tell people about our theatre, I think people expect a typical school play.  This is not your usual school play.  Our shows are as good as any theatre I have been too (considering our budget, compared to say, Broadway’s!  )

We had one guy drive from Winterset, which is a good hour plus from our community.  He had seen it written up in the newspaper.  He loved it and will be coming to our next show.  That is part of the magic of our theatre.  Even though we are a children’s theatre our shows truly entertain all ages.  Another person had seen Mulan performed somewhere else and they really weren’t looking forward to seeing it at our theatre.  They were relatives of one of the actors.  Apparently the production they had previously seen was very serious and ours was definitely comedic!

N is the Emperor in purple.  His friend is the Hun, ready to behead him.

One of my goals when I came on the Board of Directors was to help develop a balance in our theatre.  At the time we only performed our mainstage shows.  I felt like there was a lack of balance in the education part of theatre.  I guess that is why I am so excited about all of our programs.  Our Teen Improv, summer classes, and even our Lunch n Laughs help balance out the education vs. performance.   We are able to get kids in the lights and sound booth and involved with the backstage duties as well.  There are those kids that will never be “on-stage”, but want to learn about theatre.  We are beginning to meet those kids.

We have made some mistakes, and we may make more.  We are a young theatre, ran by a very talented, dedicated group of VOLUNTEERS.  We all work full-time jobs, as well as run this small business.  Mistakes and learning adventures will happen.  But all in all, I think everyone’s hard work is evident.  Our list of hard working volunteers goes back about eight years. Many people have worked hard to create what we have now.

I truly feel like we are unique in our community.  I love that.

N is acting as a Father in this scene with A.  A played Mulan’s Father.

Now for my mommy moment: N was SO GOOD!  I was really proud of him.  He had his first real lines and solo.  I know I think he has a great voice, but I heard it from lots of people.  I hope he continues to sing as he grows up.  He was so regal and refined as the Emperor, which for N is way out of character!   

This morning in my inbox I got an email from Suzanne.  She was just checking in, because she realized I have been MIA from blogging for almost a month.  A MONTH????  Could it really have been that long???  Wow!  Time has slipped away from me. 

Our family has been in a state of chaos.  Although it has been exciting, fun, and wonderful, it is still chaos.  Mulan is in its 2nd week, and thankfully we only have one more weekend to go.  We are all physically, emotionally, and spiritually a bit drained.  My children climb in bed at night with me for a little while, just to get some “mommy time.”   They don’t seem to care that mommy falls asleep before they do. 

We have all had some sort of virus this last week, not even the same one.  I have head goo and a cough, but my youngest got the stomach virus.  

Even with all of this we have been so blessed.  Todd’s new job is working out well.  He likes it and seems happy.  Mulan is wonderful and the cast has been a joy to work with.  My boys seem to be adjusting to our new schedule and seem more secure with Daddy back at work.

Me?  I’m looking forward to spring break!  In a week I will truly have a bit of down time.  I will sit down catch up on a month of missed blogs and blogging.  I will get my next show fully underway and with any luck, I will get my living room painted. 

I hope you are having a blessed day!  Thanks for stopping by and checking up on me!

I think this time I truly may have pushed my mind and body as far as they will go.  I keep expecting to wake up and be unable to move.  I am currently working on four shows in various stages of production.  One will be over Friday night, then another will open two weeks later, another will open two weeks after that, and then the final one will be three weeks after that.  Add in planning the summer classes and well, I’ve lost my mind or rather I may overestimate my own abilities.

I am trying to make sure that in this self created chaos, my students are on track.  I spend an enormous amount of time trying to plan with intention for these children. 

When I over extend I do it with style!  My husband and I have also started prepping our living room for painting.  that means all our stuff is in our family room.  All I can think of is Christine Lavin’s song, “What Was I Thinking?”  Maybe you can relate?

Be patient with me I will be blogging with more consistency soon.  The greater disappointment to me is I feel disconnected with all of you.  I have been a daily reader of so many blogs, and I barely check my email.  Soon…

God has given me many gifts and blessings.  This week I am trying to really remember that everything I am doing is a gift.  Saturday N auditioned for Mulan.  He got a great part.  He is the Emperor.  He’s excited, because it is the first time he has had a lot of lines and a solo with this director.

I am producing the show.  This means that I have spent every evening at the theatre doing major amounts of paperwork.  Tonight I finally caught up.  I’m still at the theatre, but at least I can post.

I’m very proud of N, but I am also more aware than ever that this is only possible due to Todd’s efforts.  If it weren’t for my husband I couldn’t give up this much time.  In the last month he has taken on all of the cleaning, laundry, and a good chunk of parenting.

I truly realized what a gift he is when I opened N’s lunch box yesterday.  Sitting in there was a note.  When I make their lunches I always write them notes, but since Todd has been home he is in charge of getting them ready for school.  I knew I didn’t write it, so I had to read it.  It was such a sweet note.  Todd was congratulating him for his part in the play and telling him how proud he is of everything N has been accomplishing.  I teared up.

Like I said, God has given me many gifts and blessings.

Why do I do this to myself???

I am beginning to freak out.  I have not been home for an evening since, well I honestly can’t remember.  My tree is up, but has no ornaments.  My house is a pit.  I haven’t had time to make the presents that need made, nor wrap the ones that I have bought. 

We have done some very fun things, but I’m beginning to lose my mind.  Between the many parties, church services, meetings, theatre classes or performances, and kid commitments, I hardly have time to take a breath. 

This week we had a family Christmas party, praise team practice, church, served dinner at another church, vocabulary class, word study class, allergy shots, physical therapy, Christmas caroling with theatre kids, Boy Scouts,  a production meeting for Mulan Jr., an advertising committee meeting, birthday party for E’s friend,  Winnie-the-Pooh waitress, work Christmas party, and I babysat overnight for my darling baby nephew.  Are you tired?  I sure am.

Tomorrow we have to be at both church services to sing, and the boys are supposed to spend the day with their Sunday school class (making/eating lunch, crafts, and then caroling at a nursing home.)  We can’t.  I have to seriously put my foot down and just say no.  The rest of our week is as crazy as last week.  We need a day off (OK, at least an afternoon).  I don’t think I can physically or mentally do it.  Thank God that we get out for Christmas break on Friday.

When God is in charge awesome things can happen. 

I am on the worship design team at our church.  I am part of a team that helps come up with ideas to go along with our pastor’s message.  I found a script for a drama that I wasn’t sure would go over in our church.  I wasn’t sure if it was too heavy a message.  It was pretty blatant. 

I had one person that kept coming to my mind when I read this.  I wasn’t sure he would want to do it.  When I asked him, he didn’t.  He read it.  He prayed about it.  I prayed about it.  He had never done anything like this.  It was way out of his box.  He finally said yes.

This last Sunday he performed the drama.  It was jaw-dropping powerful.  I had tears in my eyes.  It was God’s work.  People are still reacting to the message.  I overheard people tonight talking about it.

You can read it here.  Jesus was born for me…and for you…and you…and you!

This weekend  was one of those  that you feel like the energizer bunny.  We had to work at the opening of Winnie-the-Pooh Saturday morning.   It went off without a hitch.  I’m still in awe of the costumes and well Tigger is just too cute. 

After that we went straight to our friends Judy and Jim’s Christmas party.  The only problem was…well we were a day early.  Imagine Jim’s surprise when he opens the door and their we stand.  Judy wasn’t even home.  He’s a good sport though and Judy showed up a bit later.  We ended up having a delightful afternoon.  N had a great time making paper airplanes and trying to fly them from their upstairs into the downstairs fireplace.   Jim was encouraging him and truly I could have seen him up there joining N.  They are amazing people.  (Well they didn’t kick us out.  )

Now Saturday isn’t done yet.  I went back to the theatre for Teen Improv night.  I have to say, I really love those nights.  The kids are so excited.  Joe (the teacher) is so excited.  It’s infectious.

Sunday didn’t slow down.  We had an amazing church service that had a drama that was very inspiring, but I will blog about it tomorrow. 

After church we went to my family Christmas.  I love going to my Uncle Sam and Aunt Bobbi’s.  All my cousins are there.  We eat. My Aunt Bobbi makes wonderful food!  She made this cream puff cake that was beyond delicious.

We sing.  This is always really interesting.  My brother sings very trained almost opera style.  I sing pop.  My Uncle sings very classic church.  Then there is my sister that just wants every song to go faster.  It is almost comical.

We catch up on a year’s worth of news.  I give my cousin grief about finding out his wife is pregnant from someone at the theatre!  You get the picture. 

My sister, brother, and Todd eating.  We do a lot of that.

My cousin and her sweet new baby.

My mama and I just sitting and hanging out in the kitchen.

It was a good weekend.

Thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures from last night.  It was so much fun!  Every time we do one of these we just have such a great time.  We had enough food.    We also had a good turn out!   I have said it so many times before, but we have amazing volunteers at the theatre.

This is “Amy”  aka Alissa.  It was her party. 

The guy in the white hat had not acted before, but you couldn’t tell.  He acted like an old pro.  In real life he is one of the cornerstones of our theatre.  I can not say enough great things about his amazing talents.  He is our set designer, building manager, and all around great guy!

Guests that came!  Without community support we wouldn’t exist.  Thank you!

Edward Scissorhands!  A remarkable costume that makes my jaw drop. 

Austin Powers?  Nope that is just my baby brother and “Stephanie”.  Poor “Steph”  she was getting over being sick all week and was exhausted!  We really appreciated her help though.

More of our guests trying to figure out who did it.  (These guys volunteer a lot at the theatre with a lot of the grunt work.  It isn’t a lot of fun putting away chairs, tables, and repairing walls.  We are very THANKFUL that we have such talented help!)

At our last Murder Mystery this guy was such an interactive guest, we nabbed him as an actor.  After last night we will do the same with his wife next time!

A picture of my brother and I.  In the script she has a crush on “Todd”.  My brother played “Todd”.  It was kind of weird. 

We had a great time and made some cash for the theatre.  Next time it will be bigger and better!  We are doing it again on February 13th!

It is Friday night and instead of working on my costume, I chose to blog.  This is a weekend that I have been looking forward to for a while.  Tomorrow night is our theatre’s fund raiser.  We do an adult murder mystery dinner.  I pushed for this.  Some didn’t think we had enough time.  I wasn’t sure.   Just over two weeks ago when we hadn’t sold any tickets, I was in agreement.  Now that we have 65 people (at least–and that is assuming that no one shows up at the door) I’m still not sure we are ready.  I’m not.  My costume isn’t even done.  Did I mention that I only ordered food for 60?  Does anyone else see a problem or is it just me? 

I made Todd go and clean the carpets at the theatre today.  It took over 4 hours.  They look great.  He didn’t complain.  I’m thankful about that.  Tomorrow a crew of us are cleaning and setting up.  I’m a nervous wreck. 

So this weekend I need to:

• finish my costume
• finish oldest son’s costume
• bake treats for church on Sunday (may buy from Wal-Mart)
• make dessert for the Murder Mystery (may buy cheesecake from Wal-Mart)
• correct 26 Reading Response journals each with 7 entries
• watch Juno (plan to knit while doing this)
• Call Suzanne, read her blog and you can tell she needs to talk

You know that is really it.  Writing it down it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.  I can do this.  I am actually very excited about the Murder Mystery.  If only we had enough food…

I am currently in the middle of a 2nd completely crazy week.  It seems like I have huge “to-do” lists looming over my head.  So I am taking a few minutes to think about how blessed I am.

•  My husband is able to help me with my huge list and is doing so WILLINGLY without complaint.  (Thank you my love!)
• My son is no longer sick.
• I am hugged, loved, and told that I am beautiful all day long.  (2nd graders are wonderful.)
• I work with an amazing group of women at school.
• I am trusted by a group of people (whose opinions matter a great deal to me) to lead them at the theatre.
• We have sold over 40 tickets for our weekend fund raiser for the theatre.  It’s a murder mystery dinner, and I am acting in it.
• God is taking care of us financially while we wait for him to open a door.
• Fall–it is just beautiful to watch.
• My friends.  I am blessed with so many people that care for us, pray for us, and love us.
• My family. 

It is amazing how a sense of peace just overtakes you when you breathe.