DWTS

At church on Sunday my friend asked me if I'd like to go to DWTS on Monday because she had 2 tickets and her husband didn't really care if he went or not... My response went a little something like this:
"WHAT??? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!! DON'T JOKE AROUND WITH ME..." long pause, deep breath, "IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!"

So, I got to go to the competition show last night!!! We got all dressed up, because on the information the send you they tell you this is a semi-formal event, and we ended up dressed the same (again like always, we're telepathic) and took off at noon. We had to park at the Grove in Hollywood, a very cool place, but swanky! Holy geez, I wouldn't go in most of the stores because they would laugh at my Target shoes or something...

We had priority seating, so we were in our own special line, #'s 5 and 6 actually. And there were celebrities EVERYWHERE! I went to the bathroom and there was Dr. Drew! And my oh my is he handsome! We saw Kelly Preston, Connor Cruise, Florence Henderson, Marlee Mattlin, Adam Levine, David Chazeaz, Holly Madison... and then the dancers. It was so fun!!!
We were able to sit on the bottom floor, we were right in front of the sound guy, so we were able to hear everything that was going over the radio... the band leader is really funny (Harold Wheeler) and the n the MC had his equipment right behind us so we made really good friends with him, his name was Rodger and he earns $4,000.00 a night. (Billy is in the wrong business) Plus he works other shows...

Here are things that really surprised me:
1- The set is very very pretty (I don't think it looks as good on tv)
2- Len Goodman is so incredibly tall and has the most perfect posture you've ever seen! He glides when he walks.
3- Maksim is actually very nice, I always think he comes off like a jerk on the show. But he was walking around and talking to everyone (seriously good looking too)
4- Tony D is the cutest guy ever! He is always so happy and sneaks out to talk during breaks.
5- Those costumes they wear are WORKS OF ART! On tv they are pretty and sparkly, but when they are right there in front of you, you can tell they are genuine Swarovski crystals and are so beautiful!!! Kirstie Alley's was so beautiful!
6- I think I will vote for her and the cute blond Chelsea... whose jive was amazing! Ralph and Chris.
7-Petra is way too tall to dance like they want her too. Because she's a model she does not have the muscle strength to move like that. But she is so nice, her boyfriend was a couple of rows in front of us an she came to kiss him.
8- Chris Jericho's son sat there the ENTIRE time and was the perfect angel!
9- After the show, we got moved down to the very front and got to sit behind Tom Bergeron as he taped stuff for the recap show tonight... so you may see us! We're the happy brunettes in black dresses and jewel toned sweaters!
10- Brooke Burke has no personality, but is gorgeous! And Tom is the funniest guy ever!
11- You can hardly hear anything the judges, Brooke or Tom say!
12- You have to clap so much your hands feel like they're going to bleed!
13-As we walked out Kendra Wilkinson's husband walked out right behind us, he's really short! He's probably my height! I was really surprised about that. But Holly Madison is the shortest person ever and looks like the barbie doll you'd expect.

I still can't believe how much fun we had! And we got home around midnight.

Thank you starfall books!!!

Think what you want about technology and kids with their computer games...
Today Lia read 3 starfall books to me... 3! Her first try!!! We've done step by step with their website and now she's reading!
Billy and I are so proud! And because Sophie plays right along with her, she's catching on to it too!!! Sophie is amazing at "sight" words and Lia is grasping the whole "sound it out" thing.
It's amazing, like a light bulb turned on and now she gets it!
PS~ I pick up her kindergarten enrollment packet a week from Monday... it's killing me!

Today my daughters shook the hand of an Apostle.

This weekend has been amazing. Well, actually there are no words to describe how I feel right now, but I wanted to put some of my thoughts in writing. I won't be able to say exactly how I feel, or even wrap my brain around what I was able to experience. I took a bunch of notes from our Stake Conference, and I plan on posting them here.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland, an Apostle of our Church, spent the weekend with our Stake. I wish everyone could have had the chance to hear him speak. I feel as though pieces of me that I didn't know were broken are now whole. I love him so much and I can feel his love.

After our session today we took the girls to shake his hand. I got a little teary eyed thinking that we were going to meet him, but I told myself to pull it together. But as I saw Lia reaching for his hand I lost it. I loved watching her say "hi" to him and him smiling at her. In my heart I felt as though I was promising him that I would do everything in my power to rear my children in righteousness. It was exactly what I needed. And because I was crying he shook my hand then rubbed my arm and said "Sister, it's ok. Thank you for coming." Then the Stake President said "I know how you feel" and gave me a hug and his wife said "I feel the same way!"

He also gave an Apoloistic Blessing, which was something I've never experienced before, but am so grateful for. I am so blessed, my heart is full and this is about all I can say right now.

I'm ready to stop crying because I haven't stopped since 2!