Father's Day

Since today is Father's Day I thought I'd write my feelings about my Dad, Bob, and my Father in Law, Jim. Let's start with my Dad:

My Dad has always made me feel like I am his favorite daughter. He has a way of making all 5 of us girls feel that way. He's told me before that he didn't know what to do with so many girls, he had always pictured himself with sons, but I must say that he is the perfect man for the job of being a Dad to 5 girls and 1 boy.

Some of my first memories are of Sunday mornings when I would get ready for church and my Dad would see me and say: "Chels, you look like a million bucks!" That is the greatest compliment he can give to any person, and it always has meant a lot to me when he says it. He taught me and Meg how to fish, how to play softball, how to be gracious winners, and how to be content and grateful for what you have. He has always had a gift for meeting new people and making them feel comfortable and feel like they've known him for years. He is a hard worker. He has always been very conscientious of Meg and I as individuals. He has known our differences from the beginning and always helped us grow those differences and be comfortable with being an individual. He has always done little things to make me feel important. Whether it was taking me around the block in his truck while I chewed Grape Bubblegum (he always knew how much Meg and I loved bubblegum), stopping at the gas station to get chocolate milk because we needed a random treat, or listening to me and Meg sing "Somewhere Out There" when we were 4 years old and needed an audience.

Over the years I have learned to know him as more than just my Dad, he is a wonderful man. He has been through so much in his life, and he always tries to teach me the lessons he has learned so I don't have to go through the same things and so I can avoid hurt. He is my biggest fan and the biggest believer in me. I am so grateful that he is my Dad! Here we are on my wedding day:

Now I'll talk about my sweet Father in Law, Jim. Jim is a quiet man. He listens more than he speaks. But when he does have something to say it is either filled with wisdom or very witty. He is also a hard worker, like my Dad. His whole life revolves around family and the Gospel. He is an amazing Grandpa. I am so excited to have kids so they can have fun with their Papa Jimmy, just like all of the grand kids do now. He is a true Patriarch. He is very nonjudgmental. He loves people and wants those around him to feel loved. He is a great example of faith to me. He knows what is right and he sticks to his guns no matter what, but at the same time he never makes people feel guilty if they make mistakes. He has made Jesse into the man he is today, and for that I will always be grateful. Here's a picture of Jesse and his Dad on our wedding day (don't they look alike? Like father like son :)

I am so lucky to have these men in my life. They have taught me so much and continue to do so. I love you Dad and Jim!

James Blonde

I was cast in the next show at Desert Star, James Blonde. It is so much fun so far! I can't wait for it to open. And I even got to be in the promotional pictures! I am always excited when I get to do fun extras like that. Anyway, here's one of the pictures, I just thought I'd share :)

American Fork Idol (the show I am currently in) closes on June 6 and James Blonde opens on June 11. It's going to be a fun Summer!

Count Your Blessings...

I know I already posted today, but I just have to say how grateful I am. I am grateful for many things, but at the moment I am grateful for these little beauties right here:

These pills are called Sulfasalazine. These are the pills I take for Crohn's Disease. I have a massive bottle of them (it takes up a quarter of my purse). I take 6 pills a day. I sometimes forget how much these pills save me. I take them for granted and the wonderful life they have given me.

Well, on Saturday I asked Jesse to get them refilled for me, as I had 3 doses left. He called me and told me that my prescription had expired. Well, as it was the Holiday weekend, that meant that I couldn't get a new one until Tuesday (today). So I have taken the pills sparingly and tried to make them last for the last 3 days. As of today I am not feeling so hot (but not horrible). I called my doctor and they are going to get them filled for me right now.

Which brings me to another thing I am grateful for...my Doctor. Dr. Nelson has saved my life many a time, and he is a great friend in addition to all of the things he's done for me. I am so grateful that I found him and that he has been there for me thru so many rough times. He is the best.

I am just so glad that I live at a time where solutions are right at our fingertips. Not only do I have this medication, and a doctor who figured out that was the right medication for me, but I have so many people around me who take care of me. So, in conclusion, I am grateful.

Peach's Blessing Day

My niece, Cameron Grace, aka "Peach", was blessed on Sunday, May 24, 2009. It was a wonderful day with family and she received a wonderful blessing from my brother Jeff. She also looked absolutely adorable :) Here are some pictures from the day (Meg is not in any of these pictures because she couldn't find a substitute for her Primary class, so she had to leave early).

This is a picture of the chub-ster, Peach, in her big sister Abby's arms (Abby is my step-niece and couldn't be happier to be a big sister!):

Here's a picture of all of the girls (minus Meg, as I mentioned before) (from left to right we have my Mom, me, Marissa (Peach's Mom), Peach, Abby, Amy (my only sister in law, who I LOVE), my step-mom Joyce, Cambria, and Ashley):
This is a picture Jesse took while we were looking at another camera. It's a little weird, but why not include it in the pictures?
And finally, a picture of me and my Grams. She is one of the greatest and strongest people who have ever lived. She's been one of my best friends my entire life, and we had a good time chatting and giggling together that day. Meg and I happen to be her favorite grandchildren so that makes me like her even more (and to all of my cousins reading this, I hope you know I'm being sarcastic :)

The best story of the day was when we started singing the opening hymn and my Grandma leaned over to Meg and said VERY LOUDLY so everyone could here "Well, that's quite the organ!" Meg and I started giggling and then she said, "Then again, Harold and I always sit in the back, so maybe our organ is that loud too." And we continued to laugh. She really is so dang cool!

Wicked!!!

Tonight I am going to see...

Don't worry...I'm jealous of me too...I can't believe I am actually going to see this musical for the first time tonight! I love the music of course, it will just be nice to see it and connect some of the songs together. I CAN'T WAIT! Pictures from tonight coming soon...