Once Upon a Murder Party

This year Rebecca decided that she wanted to throw a Murder Mystery Party for her 14th Birthday.  We got online and found one with a fairy tale theme and then invited several friends to play roles at the party.  I loved that she decided to to cast herself as Belle.  She had a princess party when she was 3 where she also dressed up as Belle.  Not much has changed.

With the help of my cute sister Cindy and a good friend of mine, we got the house decorated, cakes made and food prepared for the big night.  Rebecca was so happy when she came home from school and saw everything.  Her fairy tale was taking shape.

 

When Rebecca first decided to cast herself as Belle she began looking for costumes.  We found this dress at a consignment store for $5 and brought it to a friend to alter.  Because the dress was big, our friend was able to add pleats to the bottom and sleeves without buying extra fabric.  Rebecca was really happy with the way it turned out. 

 The kids enjoyed appetizers and a three course meal.  Sara and Chris were the waiter and waitress, while Chad, Cindy and I prepared the food.  It was fun to watch the kids try and retrieve information from one another throughout the night. 

 Half way through the evening Snow White was murdered. 

 

 In the end I think they all had a great time.  The kids voted for the best actor of the night, the best dressed and who they thought committed the murders. There was also a prize for the person who was able to acquire the most money; through bribery, blackmail, etc.  Prince Charming (Ethan) won the drama queen award, Belle (Becca) was voted best dressed, Axe (Zack) was the only one who guessed the murderer correctly, and Teeth (Ben) had the most money.  This party was a lot of work to prepare, but the kids loved it.  My husband has decided that now we need to do this on an adult level.

Happy Birthday Becca!

My life is not my own!

I often think about how the Savior's life differed so much from our own lives.  What was it about Him, besides the fact that he was the only begotten son of the Father, that made him able to achieve perfection in this life?  Then it dawned on me.  He understood one principle better then any of the rest of us.  He knew that his life, no matter how long or short it was going to be, was not his own.  He came to earth for one purpose, to do the will of the Father, and he never lost sight of that. 

So what is our purpose in this life?  I've decided that when we do what the Savior did and forget about ourselves, we discover what it is we need to be doing and not just what it is we want to be doing.  We see needs all around us, and ideas as to how we can help fill those needs. We see people, and recognize our blessings, and find joy in doing good. 

When I lost Josh it was incredible how only a few things in my life really mattered.  My family mattered.  Relationships mattered.  God mattered.  The Savior's atonement and resurrection mattered, and very little else. 

As time passed and life began to fall into it's normal routine, things that matter less have at time occupied the greater part of my day.  Distracting me from that one phrase, that when followed, brings me closer to the Savior and to all those things that matter most.  "My life is not my own." 

Cinderella

 For the first time I am doing something that I have wanted to do for years and never done. 

Direct a Musical!!!

I am amazed at how my life seems to follow a pattern.  My kids want to do something, and then all of a sudden I am teaching, directing, choreographing, or organizing what ever it is they were wanting to do.  I love it!  

This year I am directing the Musical, "Cinderella" at my kids K-8 Charter. We had auditions last week, call-backs this week, and today the announcement was made as to whom would be playing the coveted roles.  My girls were desperately trying to convince me to show them the cast list early, but I refused to do so.  I even had Rebecca deliver the cast list in a sealed envelope to the office, and I wrote sealed next to the seal so she wouldn't try to open it early.  (I'm so mean.)  In the end my girls survived the torture of having to find out what parts they had been given with everyone else, and they were both happy. 

Rebecca will be playing the role of Stepmother and Sara will be the Fairy Godmother.  Jake is a part of the core and so he will be the Little Boy in the town, the Footman for Cinderella, and a palace dancer.  We have two casts and the girls were assigned roles in opposite casts, so it will be fun to see how they do.  I am excited to get going on the staging and choreography.  We have a lot of talent at this cute little school.  What a blessing it is to be doing something you love with the people you love most.