About me (maybe more about us)

I've been trying to figure out how exactly to do this particular "About me" post. Then I thought, "Why beat around the bush, just do it!" So, here goes...

Again, you might want to read my disclaimer...

About a year ago I sent a Facebook friend request to a guy that I used to date - However, at the time if you asked him if we were dating, it would be a big fat NO, because we were in a singles ward and you were suppose to keep stuff like that a secret until you were engaged - Honestly, I didn't think anything of my friend request, in fact, most of the boys that I have dated or kissed (back in the day, these two things did not go hand in hand) are my friends. A couple of days later, he sent me a message titled "Friend," I opened it, and this is what he had to say,

I changed her name, oh...and yes, I kept the message, it is still in my in-box!


"Hi Karlyn!


It's good to hear from you. I've gone back and forth with the whole friends request thing and decided that *Nancy* probably wouldn't appreciate it. It's no big deal to me but I think she would be uncomfortable having someone that she knows I dated on my "friends list." I hope you understand..."

It goes on for a few more sentences, but that isn't relevant to my post.

Okay...I'm sorry, but what? I guess I do understand that there are jealous types in the world, I just don't understand why. I obviously am not one of them. My first thought was, "Oh crap! I hope Aaron doesn't feel like he can't be friends with somebody on facebook just because he had dated them!" So, I went and ask him...right then.

He laughed...

He said "no!" While he was still laughing.

I knew what his answer would be, I just wanted to make sure.

We are not a jealous couple.

This is one of the things that seems to surprise people -
I hope that my husband looks at other women!
HE IS A MAN!
It is when he stops looking that I am going to start worrying.

I know his taste, he knows mine.
When we see people that we think the other would like, we point them out!

Then again, if we see some unfortunate looking people we say to each other, "There's your boyfriend/girlfriend!"

We have 'to do' lists
(like on Friends, Ross & Rachel's 'freebie lists'),
but NO, we would never actually 'DO' anybody on our lists,
I mean C'mon!
Here is a link to mine from awhile back.

If I want to go out with my friends or to lunch or dinner with them (even guys), I go!
I don't have to ask his permission.
I let him know because I love and respect him and he has the right to know,
but I don't need his permission.
He knows I am coming home to him.

If he wants to go out with his friends or to lunch or dinner with them (even girls), he goes!
He doesn't have to ask my permission.
He lets me know because he loves and respects me and I have the right to know,
but he doesn't need my permission.
I know he is coming home to me.

If you're the jealous type, I'm sorry if you're jealous of us.

I am a wife.
I am probably not the best wife in the world, but I try my hardest.
I love Aaron with all my heart and would pretty much do anything for him
(that might not be entirely true).
Our relationship is a good one.

A TRUSTING ONE.

MM's
1. Aaron
2. Not being jealous

He is my sleeper...

They get to Theatre School at 9:00 in the morning.

I pick them up at 3:30.

This

(the sleeping, not the mask wearing)

has happened everyday - so far - on the way home!

He works so hard and has so much fun that he is worn out!

He made the mask in "Stage Craft," and didn't take it off until he woke up when we got home.


MM's
1. Stage Craft
2. No kidlets fighting or arguing with each other or teasing each other on the way home

I'm totally going to brag!

As my mom has been 'cleaning' her house for the past little while, she has come across a lot of stuff that I thought was long gone, such as...

DA DA DA
(in a doomslike tone)

my report cards from High School!

Now, my report cards from High School ARE NOT what I am going to brag about.

They didn't have A's on them.
(well, there might have been one or two)

They did however have mmmmmm, let's say C's on them.

They also had several U's
(because I never went to school)

I barely graduated High School because of my U's!

I was SO nervous graduation day that they weren't going to let me walk,
but I guess I did get all of those U's taken care of!
(Thanks Mr. Bowles)


I graduated High School with a 3.0.
That's really not that bad, but I know that I could have done better.

While I was going through this stuff, my mom aplogized to me. She said that she was sorry that she didn't make me try harder.

Well, guess what?

We also came across some of my Elementary School report cards! Pretty much the same thing. Not a lot of A's, but mostly C's.

To this my mom said that she remembers trying to help me in Elementary School and always having to turn me over to dad because I was so damn stubborn (Like one of my own...Teague).

However, if you ask me - and I have a fantastic (yet also selective) memory - I honestly only remember a couple of times that dad (or anybody) helped me with my homework. These aren't really fun memories.

This is what I think:

I think that after raising four crazy as hell boys with crazy personalities, my parents had just kind of given up. By the time I was old enough to have homework, they were done with the whole homework thing, they were done with the whole disciplining thing, they were just done.

Also, not only am I the baby, but I am the only girl. Interpret that as you wish. I think I got away with a lot of stuff that I probably shouldn't have (like not going to school). But generally I was a good kid, so they didn't have to worry much.

I AM IN NO WAY BLAMING MY PARENTS FOR MY POOR GRADES, BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE. I WAS RAISED WELL. IT WAS MY PERSONALITY THAT LED TO POOR GRADES, BAD BEHAVIOR AND CRAPPY ATTITUDE.

By the time I went away to SUU, I seriously had NO CLUE how to actually go to school and participate in class. I had NO CLUE how to study. I had NO CLUE how to do homework effectively. BECAUSE...I never really had to know before that.

Needless to say, SUU didn't last very long. And I didn't get good grades, they were not even close to the 3.0 I graduated High School with.

BUT

I had a GREAT time. The funnest of my life.

Now, to what I want to brag about!

My first semester at the University of Utah my GPA was a 3.67! Yay!

My second semester at the University of Utah my GPA was 3.93! Double Yay!

(just a little side note here, I am full-time - at least 12 hours)

I applied for scholarships in February and had my progress evaluation with the department heads in April. Everything went well. The Theatre Department is pretty much broke, so when I hadn't heard anything about scholarships, I figured that I didn't get one. I was okay with this, because I am only going to be a sophomore in the department next year and I am not in the Actor Training Program, rumor has it that scholarships go to upper class students and ATP students.

So, when I got the mail the other day and there was a letter from the University of Utah Department of Theatre, I was confused as to what it could be, maybe a schedule for the 2010-11 season? Maybe a cast list for one of the shows I auditioned for?

NOPE!

"Dear Karlyn, Congratulations. You have been selected to receive the
Newspace Entertainment Scholarship."

Honestly, the thought of a scholarship didn't even cross my mind.

I'm bragging because, my scholastic history up until fall of 2009, pretty much sucked. Who would have thought that I could do this? Who would have thought that I would go to classes and actively participate (in a positive way)? Who would have thought that I would figure out a way to do my homework? Who would have thought that I would learn how to study effectively? Who would have thought that I could actually get a scholarship? Who would have thought?

Well, I thought I could, but now I know I can.

MM's
1. University of Utah Department of Theatre
2. Knowing that I can
3. Newspace Entertainment Scholarship

Let's talk about ME!

So...I'm always amazed when people that I have known for years and that have known me for years are so surprised by who I am and what I believe! I am amazed because I don't really have any secrets, I am an open book, and I am not shy about expressing my opinions and such. If you have known me for this long, then you should probably know this stuff about me, and if you don't know this stuff about me, then I ask,

Why don't you?

I have this idea...I will start doing some posts all about me, myself and I (and sometimes Aaron and the kidlets). This way - for those of you that don't know me that well - you can get to know me better. And...for those of you that should know me that well...well...you'll have something to go back to if you forget. There is a lot about me, so there will be several "About me" posts mixed in with my regular ones.

Let's start with a couple of the basics:

OH WAIT!!!
You should probably read my disclaimer that is in my header before we begin...

Okay, back to "The Basics:"


*I am a sarcastic person. Sometimes people don't know when I am being serious and when I am being sarcastic. I'm sorry for this, but really I'm not, it's just the way I am. This is especially hard when YOU are reading something that I have typed or written, because you can't hear my tone.

*I am not easily offended. Some people may think otherwise (probably because of my sarcasm), but it's true, it takes a lot, but once you piss me off...WATCH OUT!

*I am not the same person that I was in High School and for this I am grateful. You might be the same person that you were in High School, and that's okay.

*I am incredibly sensitive. I am always crying at a movie or a play or a commercial or a book or a magazine story or an acceptance speech or a song or talk radio or a kind comment on my blog or a comment/article on facebook or when I am talking to my kidlets or Aaron about things. Really, I cry at pretty much anything.

That's good for now!

MM's
1. Me!!
2. Sarcasm
3. Getting to know me!

Think Globally, 'Act' Locally

That is the theme this year for Theatre School.

It started yesterday.

The kidlets were so excited...especially Piper! Teague was too, it's just that waking up at 7:00 in the morning isn't easy for him (remember, he's mine).

When we got there, we found out what companies they were in.

Teague is in Yellow Company, the youngest Musical Theatre company. It ends up they will be performing "Jack & the Beanstalk."


Teague is also in "Acting for Film & TV" and "Stage Craft."

Piper is in Black Company, the Advanced Acting company. She auditioned on Friday and found out Monday morning that she made it. She worked so hard on her monologue and when she performed it for me before we left the house, she was amazing, so I am going to assume that she was amazing at her audition. They will be performing "Everyman."


Piper is also in "Musical Theatre - Jazz emphasis" and "Stage Make-up."

Teague didn't audition for Black Company, this is his first year in the pre-teen session, so he might - if he wants to - next year.

Then they were off!

I normally don't go in, I normally just drop them off, but for some reason, I did go in this year.
It was fun to watch all of the excited children! There are 173 of them this year...that's a lot!

I remember being that excited for Theatre School...I still get excited for Theatre School...

MM's
1. Theatre School

Let me clarify

My last post was in NO WAY an announcement!

We are NOT expecting any babies!

We will NEVER AGAIN be expecting any babies!

It is something that is literally IMPOSSIBLE!

So, if we were to expect a baby (or babies), trust me....the world would know
- from the media attention we would be receiving -
because it would be a
MIRACLE!

My last post was just a memory.

I saw a commercial for the candy bars and it sparked a memory.

A funny memory, but only a memory.

NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT!

MM's
1. interpretations
2. no more babies -
however,
I LOVED being pregnant, LOVED IT!

Maybe funny, maybe not, but

We thought it was!

We are SO clever!

When we found out in November of 2000 that our baby was a girl, we gave out Mounds candy bars to our friends and co-workers!


When we found out in January of 2003 that our second baby was a boy, we gave out Almond Joy candy bars to our friends and co-workers!


Why?

Because...

"Almond Joy's have nuts,
Mounds don't!"

Most people thought it was a cute idea...

We may have started something, I've heard of a few people doing it since.

MM's
1. Candy bars
(actually, I HATE - with a passion - coconut,
so unfortunately I don't like either one of these candy bars!)
2. Baby Girls
3. Baby Boys

Long Blond Hair

I was known for mine, but not until it actually decided to grow...in High School!

I have a feeling she is going to be known for hers. Actually, she already is...she's only NINE!

I don't think she fully realizes what a blessing it is to have fantastic hair!

(I captured these pictures back in January when she didn't see me doing so! It is about 3 inches longer now)

MM's
1. Fantastic Hair
2. Beautiful Hair Color
3. Healthy Hair

Am I asking for too much?

All I want is to be able to

POTTY IN PEACE!


HONESTLY!

Whenever I have to use the bathroom and the kidlets are home,
they are near!

I HAVE to lock the door,
otherwise they will come right in,
sometimes locking it doesn't help,
they just get a coin

or a hair clip

(it's a pocket door)
and unlock it!

If they don't unlock it, they just stand right outside the door talking to me, asking me questions!

SERIOUSLY?

How hard is it to wait?

It's not like I'm Aaron and spend an hour in there!

It's FIVE MINUTES...TOPS!

FIVE MINUTES...AT THE MOST!

WHY, I ask, WHY CAN'T I POTTY IN PEACE?

MM's
1. Peaceful potty times

More proof

That he is...

indeed,

MINE!

This is him,

FAST ASLEEP,

at 9:30 a.m.

...


ON HIS BIRTHDAY!

Seriously, this made me happier than you can imagine.

MM's

1. Sleep

2. Sleeping in

3. Teague sleeps like him's Momma!

I have another child...

...I know exactly where he came from,
ME!
We are SO much alike.
Except, I don't have that fabulous sense of humor.

Anyway, this child of mine?


He's SEVEN

Yes, SEVEN!

SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN

Again, I understand that he doesn't look SEVEN! I understand that he looks about five. I promise, he is SEVEN and he is a completely normal SEVEN year old, he's growing fine!
(even though some people feel like it is their responsibility to tell me otherwise)

Let me tell you a little bit about this incredible boy!

*For some reason, some time during the past year, his favorite color is no longer Orange (I won't lie, it makes me a little sad), but BLUE, dark BLUE or bright BLUE.

*He's very thoughtful when it comes to his family. He tries SO hard to save his last three pieces of candy for Aaron, Piper and me. It usually ends up with just half a piece for the three of us to share. (I'm telling you, he is SO mine, but I wouldn't even try to share, I'd just eat the candy)

*He is SO stubborn. I love this about him, but I hate it too, because I know where he got it from and I know what can happen when you are stubborn.

*His focus amazes me. Once he starts something, he has to finish it. He gets SO frustrated when he is in the middle of something and we have to go somewhere or do something. This is especially true with legos and his inventions.

*He is an amazing inventor! Give him a bunch of crap and he will be occupied for hours inventing. When I say crap, I mean tape, especially tape and anything he can tape up.

*He may be stubborn and focused, but he has a very laid back personality, which I love about him, he doesn't take anything too seriously...that is until he steps on stage.

*His ability on stage is something all actors strive for, however it comes naturally for Teague, while most actors train for years.

*This kid doesn't just giggle or smile at something that is funny. It is a full-on HUGE belly laugh! If it's funny - even just a little bit - anybody within the vicinity will know. And anybody within the vicinity will also be laughing. It is so fun to take him to the movies.

*He is such a good kid. He is so respectful to grown-ups. And apparently is is extremely well behaved when I'm not around, he seems to understand completely that there is a time and a place for everything.

*He is hysterical. If you know him at all, you know this.

*AND, those cheeks!


For his birthday he wanted a late night. He had seven friends come over in their jammies for pizza, cake and ice cream. We played games and watched a movie. It was Iron Man themed. And, I'll tell you what. Boys are VERY different than girls (we did a late night for Piper's 7th birthday). It was SO fun, but I was glad when it was over.



Teague has some really great friends.


Teague brings such joy to our family. Not a day goes by with him around that you don't smile and laugh, even it's just smiling because he is so stinking cute.

I LOVE YOU TEAGUE!

MM's
1. Teague

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I TOTALLY made chocolate chip cookies!

They are delicious!

Nobody has to know my secret!


Piper told me that it is okay that I use the all ready made cookie dough because the cookies get made quicker and all kids want cookies quicker!

She's such a SMARTIE!

Wait...I am such a SMARTIE!

MM's
1.Nestle Toll House All Ready Made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
2.Yummy Cookies
3.Smartie pants kids