So Here's What Happened

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

And Then He Was Three

On July 16th, our little Sam turned 3. It's sort of hard to believe. A lot of times I look around our house and think, wow I cannot believe I'm this old, and who are these short noisy people living with us?

Sam got two parties - one with each side of the family. I decided after his 1-year birthday party with over 75 guests and over 100 degree weather, that our kids don't need a party with friends past the first bday until they have enough of their own true friends to make it worthwhile. Best decision I've ever made.

With Frank's family, we went to John's Incredible Pizza. Sam loved EVERYTHING - the roller coaster, the miniature bowling alley, the games, the food - it was a hit!

So excited!

Big bad 3 year old!

First rollercoaster

Made cupcakes for my favorite boy <3

Then, we had a nice stay at home party on his actual birthday with my family. For various reasons I had to decorate with what we had around the house, and while I may end up being featured on that Regretsy website, Sam loved it and I heard him screaming "Look at the colors! And IT'S MY NAME!!!" Why are our names so cool as little kids? Name obsession and stickers...stickers are the most valuable currency in the under-10 world.

I loved my Alphie when I was little - and he's back! :)

We made all of Sam's favorite foods - cheeseburgers, hot dogs (nitrate free!), homemade buns, corn, baked beans, organic mac and cheese, and lemonade.

My mom rocked the coordinated gift wrap.

I am so playing with this when he isn't ;)

Happy birthday, Samasaurus. You've come so far, and we are so grateful to know you!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Don't Want Yo Money!

Over the years as I've been involved with performing arts ministry, people are always asking me if there is a way they can help without having to give financially.

Well, if you are one of those people who has thought or verbalized such a question, today is your lucky day! :) Below are a few needs Royal Stage has RIGHT NOW that would really, really bless us if you are able.

And none of them will cost you a dime.

1) Places to Serve
We will be in the South Bay Area July 29-Aug 1 and would love a couple more places to round out our schedule. If you have connections to a nursing home, kids' program, camp, Sat nite church service, or anything else where we could come to dance, act and minister - please send us the hook up asap! For that weekend, as well as beyond, we are looking for performance opportunities in the following locations:

South Bay, San Francisco, Santa Cruz County, Sacramento, Placer County, Orange County, L.A.

2) Places to Stay
We also need a couple of host families for the above mentioned weekend. If you live in Santa Clara, San Jose, Mountain View, etc. and can provide a spare bedroom or just living room floor space, as well as access to a shower, then we would appreciate it. You will not be obligated to cook or clean, and the dancers will be gone out of the house the majority of the weekend.

3) Numbers Guy (or gal)
We are very much in need of a volunteer bookkeeper. The bookkeeper we have is no longer able to meet the need due to a conflict of interest, and I am way too exhausted and scattered to do an adequate job myself. Royal Stage participants can volunteer for this as well, but it's best to have someone totally removed from the ministry side of things so we are fair and accurate in all financial dealings.

4) Local Church Fans
If you go to a church locally (Sacramento/Placer counties) and your church would be able to help us promote fall auditions (flyers, bulletin announcement, video, whatev!) and events in the future, we would be thrilled. If you have a special connection, please let us know!

Thank you so so much if you can help with one of these! It will be a huge blessing!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

The Art of Being So Busy....You Actually End Up Kind Of Lazy

I need to write more, and take more pictures. I want to record these precious days and will later (procrastinator's 5-letter word) get these entries bound into a book. (a lazy journaler's dream! such lust I have!)

So here I am, attempting to redeem myself with haphazard photographs and scattered thoughts - aka Summer 2011!

My baby is one month old already!

For her first Sunday at church, she rocked a pink tutu.

Deep talks with daddy.

It rained at the end of June! In Sacramento!

Sam doing his rain dance.

Angsty.

Getting way more alert!

This could totally be a facebook profile pic.

I am DETERMINED to get a good photo of these two together, dang it!
(this obviously isn't it.)

I've been so busy, but it's mostly been busyness with the business of hanging out with friends and family, laying around cuddling my girl and keeping up with my boy, and watching summer Royal Stage take off with minimal involvement from me. It's a blessing to see things flourish even when I step back and have to settle for running mission control from home with emails, phone calls and hopefully enough encouragement and thanks to everyone who has stepped up.

We have almost finalized the 2011-2012 season (I THINK! Stay tuned, life always changes) :) and it is going to feel so good to REALLY dance again. We're doing a weekend tour to the bay area at the end of this month (home!).

My main goal this summer is to spend more time with God. I need to talk to Him more. I love Him and need to wake up earlier and start the day in his presence again. Things have been such a blur of activity, but really nothing that I cannot overcome to find my center in Him each and every day.

Love that Jesus. Want more of Him.

Our wonderful pastor met Charlotte today and prayed over her after service. It was a beautiful spontaneous gesture that really touched me. I continually pray over Sam and Charlotte's lives. I cannot wait to see what they become.

And what Royal Stage becomes.

And what I become.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Wanting God's Best

It is undoubtedly difficult when you feel completely alone in a situation. I'm often guilty of doing the girl thing, feeling things so deeply in such a way that I send myself into a complete tailspin and convince myself that no one has EVER felt the way I feel now EVER. That's one of the downsides to being a girl, I suppose. Charlotte is already catching on.

Leave me alone, world, to sulk in my existence filled with
monotonous meals and big brother eye jabs.

But more and more I am learning that feelings are often false. To put our own desires before those of God, means stunting our growth spiritually and relationally.

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:12-14 (MSG)

In other words, I need to grow. I get cramped, restless and grumpy when I stop my own life growth with what I want. And when things change, even when they hurt, and I reject them, then I am screaming out loud "I don't want God's best for me! I want what I want, and what He wants only matters if it is what I want, and so I really must not want God at all!"

Kind of silly, really. To think I know better than the God of the universe. But then again, I do get that way sometimes. I know there are some nodding in agreement right now. Sorry about that.

There are times when cutting ties is healthy. When you are confident in the fact you've done everything within your power to be a friend. And it's just straight up rejected. There are two different words in the bible:

Friend and Befriend

We should always, no matter what, befriend all who come into our path. To come alongside, assist, and act like a friend.

But to be a FRIEND...I am beginning to believe it should start to be treated more preciously. It is the word, after all, that Christ uses to describe His relationship with us. It is valuable.

Love that knows no limits... Demonstrating perfect trust in another's word. A real friend takes his friend at his word; he doesn't question his integrity. His friend isn't continually called on to "prove himself". He's accepted for who he is, and believed by what he says. Total transparency... nothing hidden.

What a friend we have in Jesus! And in others who God chooses to BE a friend for us, rather than just simply befriending us.

I hope to someday be considered God's best in others' lives when it comes to friendship.

And I doubt it will happen on Facebook. ;)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

To The Little Big Brother

I know this collage may be one step away from being one of those ladies on Jerry Springer, screaming my head off about how they MUST have the same baby daddy because "LOOK AT THE NOSE! IT'S THE SAME NOSE!!!" But....

Sometimes being with Charlotte brings back some memories.

Oh Sam my little lovebug, I'm so glad God pulled you through.

Your little sister is going to adore you, and we are so grateful for you both.

2 Weeks Old

Our little Charlie J is a little over two weeks old now, and days have been pretty cuddly and blissful. Sam continues to LOVE her, and is just the sweetest, most adoring big brother. Charlotte herself is a serious little thing - totally mellow, and taking her world in (when she's awake!). Girlfriend is gonna be a deep thinking philosopher. Looks like Frank has a buddy.

Anyway, bath time! It was a success. (mostly!)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Numero Dos Arrives

Charlotte June Warta was born right after a HAIL STORM in CALIFORNIA in MAY on the 15th @ 2:22 pm. Besides the kooky weather outside, everything went amazing. She was 7 lb 4 oz and 20 inches long.

When I saw her for the first time, I started crying - partially because I was so drugged, and partially because the doctor called her chubby first thing. It was just such a release of stress and worry that we would have a repeat performance in the NICU.

But she came to us bright pink with fat knees, screaming her head off to the point that it surprised a couple of nurses. Good girl :) You show this world who's in charge.

All of my prayers were answered - for the first time ever during a hospital stay my IV did not fall out, she is healthy and vibrant, and she is 100% undoubtedly a girl.

She's perfect - and looks like a brown haired version of her big brother. We tried to catch as many pictures as we could, but didn't get a lot of our visitors - so if you took a picture, send it to us please! :)

Here are a million pictures for her fans. They are terribly out of order, mainly because we are just tired and lazy right now.