No cell phone

This morning Zack came into the room and asked where my cell phone was and I said I have no idea. He said he thought it was in the toilet in the bathroom next to the kitchen.

Adaleigh had come to get me earlier this morning and took me to the bathroom saying uh-oh!! We usually keep the door closed for obvious reasons. I looked in the bathroom and didn't see anything unusual so I just closed the door thinking she was saying uh-oh the door was open. She was trying to tell me she had dropped my phone in the toilet, but I didn't listen. It was in the toilet for hours. Oh well!!

Zack thinks it is a good excuse for new phones. I think I will just enjoy not having a phone. Actually mom and dad have several extra ones I could always use. I do feel like I can't contact anybody. Everything is stored in my phone.

So if you are trying to reach me on my cell phone you won't get me for a few days anyway.

Sickness has Struck

We are starting off this fall season with a bang!! Tuesday afternoon Zack came home and said he was not feeling well. It was not too long after that I got a call from school and Mia was in the office sick. Fevers got higher, chills got worse, aches and pains increased, and headaches continued throughout the remainder of the day. During the night throats started hurting. By the next morning they were significantly worse. We finally went to the doctor Wednesday afternoon and found out they both have strep throat!! Zack decided strep wasn't enough and added some violent vomiting to the mix (I think it is the medicine but what do I know). Needless to say he still feels horrible. Mia thankfully is feeling better and will be able to return to school tomorrow. I must say Mia has been a perfect patient.

As I was telling Landon good night last night he asked, "Mom, what will we do if you get sick? There is no way I can take care of all the kids." I assured him I would not get sick--now if I can just keep that promise.

This morning I was having a lazy morning. I woke the boys up a little late. Landon's first question was, "Mom how are you feeling?" He said he knew I had slept in a few minutes and was afraid I was sick. Poor kid is so stressed that I am going to get sick.

I knew I would be spending the day doing laundry, cleaning, and disinfecting so I didn't bother to shower and get dressed before I took the kids to school. As we are walking into Sonshine School, Cy looks and me and says, "Mom you forgot your clothes! Why do you still have your pajamas on?" He was horrified that I would walk him into school in my pj's. Poor kid!! I am sure it won't be the last time I do that either.

Final Night

It has been an incredible experience from start to finish for Mia and I. We have met some of the nicest people and been exposed to a whole new world.

I am so proud of Mia and all her hard work. She was especially excited to take a curtain call for the final performance. This also meant I stayed for the entire performance. That in itself was an experience.

Mia was excited to have Grandma, Jackie, Mama Mary, Granddaddy, Meghan, Josiah, Jen, Kierstyn, Roxanne, and Spencer watching her on her final night. She has also loved reading all the sweet comments from those who could not be here.

None of this would have been possible without the support from Zack and the other kids. All the nights Mia and I spent in Nashville, Zack spent at home taking care of the other kids. It has been a sacrifice for them, but they have been so excited for Mia.

Mia performs in the first act so it was a very long wait till the curtain call. She bought three new books so she would have something to do. She managed to finish two and still had time to play a friends DS.

She was most excited to have K there watching.

Lucky Ladd Farms

We took advantage of a free day Friday and went to the Pumpkin Patch. We checked out a new one this year and it was a hit! There was a petting zoo, barrel ride, hay ride, playground, awesome slides, and corn maze. We all had a blast!!

Opening Night

Special Delivery

Mia received a special delivery yesterday afternoon. "Beautiful Mia, Enjoy the love, laughter and lime light that is yours today. We are so proud of you. Love, Uncle Brad, Aunt DeDe, Cody and Denver" What a sweet and special gift. Thank you Brad and DeDe.

Nashville Scene and Nashville Opera's Facebook Page

The Nashville Opera's Facebook page has pictures from the Opera. This picture is taken at the beginning of the girls dance. You can see how many people are on stage singing while they are dancing!
From the Oct 7th Nashville Scene... "and also a charming ensemble of 8- to 11- year old girls from The Dancer's School of Murfreesboro, who practically steal the show in Act 1 in their turn as young peasants."

Date Night to the Opera

Last night was the Final Dress Rehearsal. There was an audience of about 300. Zack, Landon and I all went. Mom and Dad graciously kept the other kids so we could have a night out with Landon and Mia. Once again I was amazed with how well the girls did. It was so neat to see it with the orchestra. We also had the subtitles so we finally knew what they were saying. You would think I would be use to it by now but it was another awesome performance.

Before the rehearsal started, a few of us got a tour of the stage. We got to see behind the scenes and how everything works. It is amazing how they pull off these grand sets. I was intimidated just standing on the stage without anything going on. I don't know how these girls do it. They are all naturals.

Mia in the dressing room with her costume on. Check out all those lights. The girls love it, but it gets very hot in there with all the lights!

All eleven girls. They are the cutest, sweetest group of girls!

This is our Beauty Queen Mrs. Julie! She was Miss Arkansas and a Miss America Finalist. The first night the cast did make-up the men came up to a group of us moms and asked if anyone could do their make-up. We told them to hold on and we would find our Beauty Queen. We ran and got Julie and she was so excited. This is totally her element. Well last night there was a knock on our dressing room door and it was the men asking for Julie. A line quickly formed in the hallway for Julie to do their make-up. I had to capture the moment. She is the funniest lady you will ever meet. She has us all laughing constantly. As she finished, they said "We will see you Thursday." She has found herself a new job!!

We had a great night in Nashville! We are so proud of Mia and all her hard work!!

TPAC

Saturday night was our first night at TPAC. The director granted us moms permission to watch the rehearsal and video tape. We will not be allowed in the next rehearsal so this was a privilege.

After meeting Mrs. Jimmi Lou outside the backstage door, we headed through security together. Jimmi Lou told the girls they would love their dressing room and boy did they. Each girl has their own chair in front of a mirror that has lights all around it. They are in heaven. (I got video of the girls in the dressing room but I did not take my other camera in. I will have to do that on Monday night.)

After getting the girls dressed, we were taken to our seats. We were not to make a peep. We were only allowed to video. If one flash went off the entire production would be stopped and we would all be escorted out. They mean business!! Thankfully we all behaved and were able to film the girls.

The girls were amazing!! They are adapting so well to every new element. During their dance the maestro yelled at someone for not looking in the right direction (it wasn't one of the girls). It did not startle the girls one bit or atleast they didn't show it. They were all talking about it later.

It was one of girls birthday. Her mom got all the girls a cute necklace with Andrea Chenier stamped on it. They were so excited. Some of the Opera singers came in the dressing room and helped us sing Happy Birthday to her.

Not only are the girls all fabulous and sweet, but it is a fun group of moms. We have spent lots of time together over the last few weeks and will this next week too. We have had lots of fun!!

This has been an awesome experience for each of these girls. One they will all remember! Monday night the orchestra will be there and then Tuesday is Final Dress. I can't believe time is here.

These are the girls we carpool with to Nashville.