Hugh Jackman at Radio City Music Hall!

 

Tickets to see Hugh Jackman was the perfect Father's Day gift for Jon. He is such an amazing entertainer and it was so interesting to learn more about his history with acting. I had no idea he did so much theatre before he became an actor on the screen. It was a perfect evening and it was so cool to have Richard Marx as a special guest. Hearing him sing "Right Here Waiting" brought back so many memories of my teenage years (good and sad) and I have to say that Richard Marx is better looking now than he was in the 80's! I wish I would have paid more money for better seats so that I could take better pictures but instead I sat back and enjoyed the show. I recorded a few videos but the images are not the best! Still... It was a beautiful evening in New York city and there is no other place I'd rather be than to watch Hugh and Richard with my best friend! 

Date Night In Dumbo, Brooklyn.

Dumbo in Brooklyn is one of our favorite places to go on a date and man did we have fun on this night! Time out market has so many places to eat and we had some pretty tasty Thai food. It was windy and cold and walked under the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge until our faces couldn't take the cold wind anymore. We then drove into Manhattan and went to see our "old friend" which is our new favorite photo booth to take goofy photos because that's what you do inside these photo booths! Even with a fractured arm...it was the perfect date night! 

Meeting Fran!!!

Ever since I saw "Pretend it's a city" on Netflix last year and just knowing that Fran has lived in New York city her whole life (now that's a true New Yorker) I just had to meet her. So when I heard she was coming to the city to have a conversation with Martin Scorsese I had to get tickets! And so I did! Jon and I had an amazing time meeting her and because she's in her 70's was wearing a mask. I don't blame her. She's a petite little thing and I wouldn't want her to catch covid. I absolutely love her! She was so cordial and we engaged in conversation. She is as funny in real life as she is in the documentary. So if you like sarcasm, someone who tells it like it is all while giving weird looks Fran is the one to "hang" with. And if she ever comes to your town go and meet her and buy her book too! She's a real pal! 

DeVotchKa In Philly!

On the evening of the first day of school Jon and I went out to see DeVotchKa for the first time! I have been listening to this great band for over a decade and can't believe I finally saw them in person! We had front row seats and it was a quaint and intimate venue where we just sat back and relaxed to listen to their amazing songs and phenomenal playing. They have not lost their touch and Nicks vocals sounds the same and oh my gosh is it the most unique voice I've ever heard! Such a wonderful evening and I hope they never stop touring. I can hear them sing and play their instruments all day long! I recorded so many videos of their performance and wish I can share them with you on here, but I hope that you can one day see them in person! 

SEAL At The Met In Philly!

 

Last night was the first time I have ever seen SEAL in concert and I can't even begin to express my emotions on this post! I have been listening to him for three decades now and his music always brought me joy and peace. I love his voice and his character. His love for the people is contagious. He spoke in between songs and his number one goal in this world is to always be kind. That Love always wins. To just let things pass even when something or someone "pisses you off" to just continue to be your loving and kind self. He is literally amazing and I'm so happy Jon and I shared this moment together.

"Come From Away" And A Little Date In Washington Square Park!

Oh how I've fallen in love with Greenwich. I don't care how much reefer I smell while walking through Washington Square park. I think positive thoughts all the time and just walking through New York city streets I feel nothing but bliss. I am always reminded of the movie August Rush when I walk through the arch. Jon can see how much I love this city and how I treat it. I treat it with love and give her the confidence that I have built to have. Especially at my age with grey hair and all! Love it love it! I love that New York is filled with hidden gems and I don't mind having our date nights in this area. Like all the time! With the weather getting warmer (although pretty windy on this day) the streets of the city are alive once again and it's bring everyone outside. I mean if you look at these pictures you'll see why I prefer date days and nights in the city as opposed to my hood in Jersey! 

Phantom Of The Opera On Broadway!

In spite of what's happening in the world we cannot let it bring us down or prevent us from doing our day to day. I love spending time with my family and having date days and evenings with my husband is something we NEED and to be honest doing the smallest things such as reading and getting outside helps me escape from the worries of the world. There are a million ways we can find peace among ourselves without having to feel guilty that we are out and about doing things but life has to go on. And the fact that we live in the U.S.A. there is only so much we can do to help serve our fellow man.

Date Nights In Our Fifties...

Lately our date nights have been low key chill. We've gone to the movies, been on simple dates in the city, and even went to a quaint concert at Wellmont theatre which featured two amazing singers telling the Simon and Garfunkel story while they sang their songs! And to tell you the truth those are the best dates! 

In all honesty I sort of look forward till the day Jon retires. He literally works six days a week from morning until late evening. At least we have early Saturday nights to go on dates and Sundays as a family to be together. I am grateful for any little time we have as a family and you better believe I rely on those vacation days to come up so that we can have uninterrupted time as a family. Jon has started to take the kids out on dates as well. These kids of ours are getting older by the day and he realized that it's important to spend one on one time with them. I have sacrificed some of our Saturday nights so that Noah and Chelsea can spend time with him. And I'm okay with that because eventually it'll be my turn. I see a difference in the three of them when they spend one on one time with each other. It really is good for our children's mental health to have that time with their dad. I spend time with them everyday and always have little individual lunch dates with them and I know that they really enjoy that. Dating your spouse as well as your kiddos is the key to great communication and a happier group of kids and marriage. I hope that we can continue to do this until they are grown and on their own. And that Jon and I will continue to date until we are wrinkly, super old, and super grey with no hair! LOL! 

Regina At Radio City!

Six years ago when I was watching Beastly with my oldest daughter Sierra, I couldn't help, but to pause the dvd, and seriously hear the voice of Regina Spektor. I didn't know who she was, but boy did the song "On the Radio" catch my ears! I was mesmerized by not only her voice, but most of all her words. I immediately fell in love with her music, and most of her songs resonated with me in some way. Living in a new state with three girls, and having a new baby wasn't too easy for me.

Date Night At The Temple Before Conference Weekend!

Now before you say to yourself, "Not again! Not another temple picture with a post about the temple!" 

First of all, I just want to let you know that I won't be posting too much about our temple trips unless there is something absolutely significant to write about. I mean, the temple is amazing, and my experiences when I attend and then leave are always, always good so why shouldn't I write about it. Thing is, is that I don't want to come off  on this blog as this perfect, goody two shoes, mormon mom who thinks that just because i express my love for God, His word, and the temple means I'm all that, because even though I know all of those things are true, and important in my life, I am soooooo far from perfection! And this is why I attend the temple as much as I can. And the fact that general conference is this weekend gave me the desire to write a little bit of why the temple, for the fifteenth time is important to me! 

I love the change of season, and the Philly temple couldn't have opened up at a better date that in September which is my birthday month. I love the fall season, and with each season comes renewal for me, and having a brand new temple in our area makes that change for me this year even better. 

Ever since I went through the temple years ago I've always gone on or around my birthday. Whether it's with a friend, or with Jon I've always gone. And since my birthday falls right before conference I have always made the effort to go.

Well, this year, I have to say that I am so grateful to have picked the perfect person to attend the Philly temple with for the first time since it got dedicated. Jon and I absolutely love the temple, and really have a deep appreciation for it. We know how hard it can be to get there, but now that we are less than an hour away from one we are going to try to attend as much as we can. He had a day off yesterday which is very rare, and after renewing drivers licenses, fixing the car, and running a few errands until 4pm I was like, "let's go to the temple." We are a spontaneous type of people, and so after taking our girls to youth group at our church we hauled off to the temple, and made it just in time for the 8:00 session! 

The past few months have been trying only because we relocated to a new area with new schools, and adjusting to a new area sometimes isn't as easy as we think. We've now gotten ourselves into a routine, and the kids are transitioning a bit better, but just because we are doing well doesn't mean that we are exempt from moments of struggle, exhaustion, or even stress. Especially when something, or someone causes it. 

I can't even begin to explain the feeling I got as I uttered those words to Jon the other day about going to the temple. There are other things I could have been doing such as catching up with the laundry, stocking up the fridge, watching Gilmore girls on netflix, finishing up a book, going to the theatre, but the first thing that popped into my mind was going to the temple. Like President Monson said, "the blessings of the temple are priceless, no sacrifice is too great."

It didn't matter to me all the things that could have been done, but knowing that by going to the temple I receive strength in being able to handle the life of running around this new town driving three kids to three different schools, all while keeping the house in order. G

As I was getting ready for the temple I felt like I was going to the temple for the first time. I showered, got dressed, and to tell our kids over dinner why we are dressed up on a school night so that we can go to the temple brought excitement all around. The entire time I was anxious, grateful, and happy knowing that we were going to the temple because my goodness, I really need the temple to rejuvenate myself with that extra strength to get me through all that we have gone through with the day-to-day, and all the challenges that await us. 

Because challenges will always come. They always tend to sneak up on us when we least expect it!

However, I am grateful for the lovely breaks of being challenged-free in between those trials, and for the temple that helps me quiet my mind, and puts my life in perspective in knowing how to better my life. On our way out the door, I loved how Noah gave us hugs, and said, "mommy can I come. Can i go the temple with you all?" And how Lexie said, "I'm going through withdrawal from the temple, and can't wait to go again in a couple of weeks." My heart was overjoyed because of their comments. They really do love the temple, and I know they do because of the feeling they get when we are on the grounds, and when Lexie goes in. I'm grateful that our kids have felt a feeling of happiness coming from us which will help teach them that it is indeed a beautiful place to be, and that the reason behind it is not only to gain strength, but to progress the work of the Lord by doing family names, and bringing others to share in the joy of Christ. That is the whole purpose as to why we go to the temple, and why we have so many of them. My hope is that all my children will see how happy we are when we come home from the temple so that they can have the same feeling when it's their turn to enter in! 

And here's a grainy selfie of us taken after the temple. We would have asked someone to take a photo of us, but since it was 11pm there was no one around! 

The temple is so important to us, and it my hope that we can always make time to serve in the temple. President Nelson taught, "service in the temple, is a sublime activity for a family." How true that is. I see the look on my kids faces when we say, "get dressed kids because we are going to the temple." 

We are really looking forward to general conference this weekend! And to get you pumped up for the temple you can listen to this talk, and you can also log on to lds.org to listen to the word of our church leaders. I promise you will leave feeling hopeful, peaceful, and inspired longing for more! 

Have a wonderful weekend folks, and get ready for October!!! Say what!! 

Making Date Nights a Priority...Again!

You think that as our kids get older date nights would become more frequent, but to be honest  we don't and at times it hasn't been that easy. We have been extremely fortunate to always have one of our daughters watch their younger sibs, but ever since Sierra left for college, and ever since school began for Lexie, causing her to become the most busiest teen ever, date nights have not been too common around here  Having our girls five years apart has been a huge blessing because we always have a babysitter, but sometimes it doesn't happen as much as we'd like. And when Jon comes home around 6:30 from work all the kids want to do is hover all over him, and tell him all about their day...and so do I.

Thing is I'm too selfless, and once again I haven't put my foot down enough to let Jon know that we seriously need a time out. Regardless of what our kids ages are we should always have a date night, and unfortunately we've resorted back to our old ways of not having as many as we'd like. Just because we have two kids who are self sufficient to take care of a five year old doesn't mean that we're always going to have a date night. And just because our kids are teens, and tweens doesn't mean it gets any easier. Things just get more busy, and we tend to spend more time with our kids.

For example there were tennis matches almost every single Friday, and of course I'd like Lexie to have her own time in going our with her girlfriends skating, and when there is a youth activity in our church she definitely wants to attend to those as well. There's also been times where we've sacrificed our own date night so she can babysit other peoples kids so that she can make a little extra money on the side. We don't mind, and it's good for Lexie to experience taking care of others peoples children. 

 Time with our kids is fleeting so I want to take advantage of my time with them, but when a brother from our church advised us to go on more date nights, and explained to us why they're so important we knew that we had to make time for ourselves. So why haven't we listened to that counsel as much? It's so easy to forget, and because our kids grow older, and our lives get busy it's really easy to say, "we'll go out next weekend." 

So the other night Jon and I made a condition on how, and what we can do on a date night even if it only lasts a couple of hours! We've decided that our date nights don't have to be extravagant, and even when Jon's off on a weekday we can have a mini day date for those three hours that Noah is at school. We don't have to spend any money when we go out. We don't always have to have a fancy dinner, at some fancy restaurant. We don't always have to go to the city to see a Broadway show, concert or even a movie. 

What we can do is just leave the house for a few hours and walk the streets of the small boroughs that we have around our neck of the woods. We can always drive into the city, pack a picnic basket and have lunch at one of the parks. If we want to splurge just a bit we can take the train into the city, and walk around Rittenhouse and do a bit of window shopping, and have some shake shack.  

There are so many things to do in our neck of the woods, and even going for a drive further north to go leaf peeping, and see the beauty of fall is good enough for me. 

With our anniversary and Jon's birthday coming up we are definitely going to find something fun to do that won't break our bank account, but then again it's nice to splurge just a bit on those special occasions. But on our normal day, or date nights going for a walk down the bike trail taking in the smell of fall in the crisp air cuddling with my best friend is satisfying enough for me! 

Now, it's friday night so go out with your better half, and have some fun! 

Me, we'll be trick or treating with this little guy, and his sisters at the high school! 

So our date night will have to wait until tomorrow. :-)

Happy Weekend! 

how i began dating my husband.

Long ago when we lived in a little basement apartment in Holladay, Utah I will always remember the day Jon came home with some counsel that was given to him by a brother in our church (whose name I forgot) advising him how important it was to have a date night with your wife. 

Throughout this period of our married life we had been struggling with feelings of emotions, stress, and financial hardships. The fact that I joined this wonderful church on my own motive, and having grown up in a broken home with issues I don't think I was playing the "Mormon wife" role perfectly, or raising my daughter accordingly.  

Sierra was about two years old when Jon was in the midst of finding another job. He was working at a restaurant called Sam's Express, and it was on the verge of filing for bankruptcy (that's a shame because if any of you were familiar with that place it had some amazing food!) Although I was working at the time to make ends meet stress, and constant bickering was a huge factor in our marriage. Looking back i often wonder how we survived those trials in the beginning of our marriage. I didn't realize how important it was to still go out on dates with your spouse. For some reason I thought dating stopped once we got married. 

I didn't have any solid examples of married relatives (including my mom) on my side of the family about dating so that was something that seemed of no importance...then again I hardly ever saw my cousins, or aunts. 

I remember my sister & I going out with my mom, and step dad when we were little to the drive-in theatre, and dinner. She always brought us along. 

There were times when Jon & I would go to concerts, and out for dinner on occasion, but it wasn't consistent. We had convenient babysitters (my in laws), but sometimes i felt as if I was bothering them, and hardly asked them if they could sit Sierra, hence hardly ever having a date night. 

We then realized that going out on dates to escape the stresses of life, and being away from kids is something that we needed. I think the fact that we hardly had any money, and Sierra being my firstborn made me selfish in having her all to myself. 

Just like my mother always took my sister and I along with our step dad, we always took her Sierra with us on our "dates" .

Four kids later I now know that alone time with my hubby is crucial, and date nights are a must. I realized that the dates don't have to be fancy, cost a lot of money, or eat at a place that requires a dinner jacket.

It's the fact that we are together, enjoying life away from the kids even if it's just for a few hours to be alone, have fun, not talk about the kids, bills, or anything that deals with worry..  

Our date night this past week was simple, meaningful, and the best part...it was free! We went to our church where the youth were having a three day conference, and on the last night they had a talent show. We had the opportunity to watch some goofy & talented acts for free!

The meaningful part was watching our daughter sing "Warrior" again, and I never get tired of hearing her voice or watching her play the piano. 

Having ice cream at Franklin Fountain in Philly completed our night, and it was so nice to sit outside with Jon eating our mint chocolate chip sundae underneath the stars. It's also a good thing we're used to this humidity.  

I will always be grateful for that one brother who counseled Jon that evening on the importance of dating your wife because it truly is that important. Sometimes things went in one ear and out the other back then for me, but now that I'm in my 40's my listening ears are on! 

I wish I could remember his name, because in a sense he saved our marriage. Not that Jon and I were in the midst of separating or anything, but I was pretty close on giving up hope on The Lord, and this wonderful church that continues to strengthen me in ways that are profound. 

Never again do I ever want to have that feeling! 

Although there have been a many slip ups in our marriage within the past 18 and a half years we continue to strengthen them with date nights, and a time out from the daily mundane such as attending the temple more often. The fact that we were great friends before getting married also helped our patience with one another in having excellent communication, and the love that we have for each other is the best!  

sans bambino

This is my life right now...

"Mom, what's for dinner?" "Mom, whens dad going to be home?" "Mom, I have a tennis match, then I have to get ready for tonight's football game."Mom, my violin lesson falls on the same night as her game." "Mom, I'm going to need this for my spanish class." "Mom, the money has to be turned in by the end of the week." Mom, I need to talk to you about ****and how I found a solution to hopefully fix the situation." "Mom, I need you." Mom, mom, mom...

In the midst of all these questions with the words please, and thank you in between Noah is quietly entertaining himself in the background...then Chelsea decides to take away his favorite toy. "No!!!!! Stop!!!! are the words that came out of Noah's mouth. I turn around and Chelsea has this innocent look on her face. I know she was the culprit of that little incident. I try to be as patient as possible, and I look at her with a stern look on my face hoping she got the message. Then I hear those cries, and the taunting starts up again. I finally pull Noah and Chelsea aside to tell both of them to settle down. I tell Chelsea that she needs to watch the things she says and does because Noah is mocking her every move. All the questions, and reprimanding stop for just a while, and then it resumes in spurts the following week.

Does this daily routine relate to any of you?

Not long ago I never thought that date nights would be so crucial in my life until now. I'm the type of mother that absolutely loves having our kids hanging around with us, but I have long since realized that we need that "alone time" as parents...especially when our four children depend on us every week 24/7 to be there for them through words, and actions.

I can't even begin to tell you how date nights are so necessary right now. Last night my better half and I had the time of our lives. We kept our date simple, and drove to Sonic for some grub. He fed me an Oreo blast, and we were acting goofy taking pictures. He is such a good sport when it comes to that.

We were laughing, kissing, and dancing in the car while listening to 80's and 90's music from our iPhone. We talked about how much we love our kids, but that being away from them is a good thing too. I used to feel so guilty when I used to leave them with alone with a sitter, or even with my in laws! Now I am more confident because I have two self sufficient daughters who are very responsible when it comes to baby sitting, and am willing to go out on more date nights. Possibly even going away for the weekend!

Last night I felt completely transformed, and looked at life in the home front in a different perspective. When I arrived home life was kind. I was more patient, and easily relaxed. I looked at our children with starry eyes, and thanked our oldest daughters for tending to Noah & Chelsea. I continued to chat with them about the evening, and even though Chelsea was a little grumpy because it was really late, my sanity was in tact and her grumpiness didn't involve raising my voice.

Bottom line...I was rejuvenated!

Our kids are our life, and I know that they rely on us every day when they come home to ask about their day. With four children involved with so much in their life, and with all that goes on in church, and at school they need us to be there for them. They need us to be strong, keen, and alert. They need us to put our listening ears on, and to be patient so that we can hear their news for the day. They need us to be the example of strength, and endurance so that they will be able to handle any trials that come their way.

The hour drive home gave us so much to discuss, and cleared our minds for what to expect next week, and as long as we have our date nights, and trips to the temple I have faith that we'll be okay.

I absolutely loved our evening, and I am so grateful that my better half got the time off to spend it with me. Even though he says I needed this more than anything...he needed this too. 

We both did.