Lemonade Anyone?

I'm starting to really hate lemonade.

Dan went off to work this morning and called me a little while later to tell me he was coming home. He lost his job this morning. He wasn't making the numbers they wanted him to be making. I have no idea what we're going to do... I feel like every few months we go through the same thing. I don't get. I don't understand. Life gives us lemons and time and time again we make lemonade. I'm starting to be a lemonade expert and I am also starting to hate making it.

So if anyone has a job they know about that would work well for our family... let me know. At this point relocating anywhere is an option as long as the price is right.

I don't really know what to say... I think I'll just go cry for a while and trust the Lord enough to know we'll be ok.

Singing for all the world to see

Well, I finally did it. I put my voice out there in the world to be judged however it might be judged. I wanted to try out for American Idol for a really long time but as I thought more about it... I didn't want the lifestyle for myself. So I gave up and moved on to other things and other dreams. D'Laina told me that I should audition for The Glee Project and as I thought more and more about it I realized that I liked the idea. To be able to sing, act and dance is something that I want. I would be able to play a character that teenagers could connect with and not feel so alone in the trials they face. If you win you get to be on 7 episodes of Glee (or so I recall). If it's something that doesn't fit my family's lifestyle or mine, I don't have to continue with another contract. Dan really likes the idea and so do I.

If you want to look at my audition video go to www.thegleeprojectcasting.com and search the auditions for EmberDeeB. You could also take it one step further and if you like my video click the thumbs up (like button) underneath the video screen.

Wish me luck :)

Like Mother Like Son

So I have to explain this because it was like a flashback to the stories my family told of me when I was young. Obviously I don't remember this but I thought it was pretty funny...

When I was young I used to watch The Little Mermaid over and over again (among other movies as my family would say) and when Ursula would come on I would leave the room. My family would always know when Ursula came on (or the witch from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or the trolls in Willow... you get the point). They would say "Ursula must be on huh?" and I would nod my head very scared. She is pretty scary though don't you think?



So what does this have to do with Orson? Well...

Orson's favorite movie right now is Finding Nemo. I went to the kitchen to help Dan do something with dinner and the next thing we know Orson runs into the kitchen whimpering. I went to the living room and this is what I saw on the screen...


Orson is totally scared of Bruce the Shark! I might be a bad mom for this but I laughed. It was what I always heard my family telling me that I would do and here was Orson doing the same thing I did when I was his age. Like mother, like son.

Elitch Gardens

David's work reserved Elitch Gardens for employees, family and friends only. It was awesome! There were almost no lines! The longest line was for the ferris wheel. Orson was able to ride all the rides in the kiddie park. We had tons of fun and Orson had a blast. I'm a bit upset that Orson lost his hat, but it was still a fun family activity with Dan's family.

This is us on the carousel before they told Dan that he couldn't ride with Orson.

So he stood next to him :)

Kiddie Train Ride

Way cool in Daddy's shades

Kiddie Bus Ride. It went in circles... in the sky and to the ground.




This was Orson's favorite ride. You ride in semitrucks that had steering wheels so you can pretend to drive and go around a track.

Jason and Zander

Dan and Orson. Jason and you can barely see Zander hiding in his seat :)


Orson liked the semitruck ride so much he had to go again with Mommy.

My Buddy

Orson and his cousin Zander have become instant buddies since Jason and Danielle moved to Colorado. I had a couple of appointments to go to in Littleton and Melinda and Danielle were nice enough to watch Orson while I was gone. They went to the park, ate lunch together and just hung out and played.

"Look Zander, this is how the remote works."


Eating lunch together


Zander playing. What a big boy.

Do you think he likes corn?

My Frog Prince

*POOF!*

Motorcycles are Scary

While in Grand Junction, Jake wanted to show Orson his motorcycle. Orson thought it was pretty cool... until Uncle Jake turned it on.

Jake, Orson and Tristan



Motorcycles are scary Uncle Jake

Up Up and Away

At Aunt Denein's house Orson kept pulling out his nursing cover and playing with it. I thought it would be funny to put in on like a cape. He loved it! He actually kept it on for most of the morning. I think he aspires to be a super hero. :) Kudos to Kristen McNinch for the amazing nursing cover that transformed to a super hero cape.

Green Grass Grows All Around

When we visted the McClains in July, Orson wanted to go outside with his Uncle Johnny. He helped mow the lawn. I thought he would be scared but he looks like he's having fun doesn't he?

Ward Camp Out

Ok so this was a long time ago but I wanted to document...

Our ward went on a camp out June. It was the first time Dan and I took Orson camping. After we set up the tent, Dan and I needed to cook our tinfoil dinners of meatloaf, potato and carrots. I put Orson in the tent to make sure he wouldn't get into trouble. What is it about boys and tents?



It was a pretty cold night but I think Orson slept better than the rest of us. The next morning Orson was running around the camp ground and tripped. Look how proud he is of getting dirty.