"They Only Met Once..."

"...but it changed their lives forever."

Can you name this tagline?  I'll give you a clue...  Teen angst, 1985....

Ok, you should have it now, but if you don't, I guess I'll tell you...

The Breakfast Club


This is my latest project! I made mention of it last week, along with a promise of a whole post explaining how it came to be. Well, here it is....

Back in October, I auditioned to be a part of the Greenwood Little Theatre's first running of "The Breakfast Club". For those of you that don't know, plays or musicals are a huge part of my childhood/teenage history. I did my first play at GLT when I was 10. I did a play every year up until I was 16. I was a junior at Pillow at the time. For reasons I don't remember, we didn't do a play my senior year. Well, scratch that, we did a senior play, but I don't really count that one. Anyways.... After moving back home in August, I stumbled upon a piece of information about auditions for the stage version of this movie. I kinda freaked out. "The Breakfast Club" is one of those movies that no matter how often it comes on tv, I'm gonna stop to watch it. I also feel the same way about "Dirty Dancing", "Footloose", "Grease", and just about every other movie from the 80s. So, I see this ad and all I know is that I want to be involved. I've really missed being involved with a theatre and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to become involved again. I couldn't think of a better play to start with. I mean, I have the movie as a reference, and it has the benefit of having a small cast. Perfect! But, I soon realized there might be a serious problem... I've been removed from high school for a long time. I'm no longer in the appropriate age bracket...  I made a few calls and got back in touch with some of my old theatre friends, trying to find out if it was even worth the effort. They told me not to worry about the age, just give it a shot. Well, I did. When I went to audition, I was terrified. Not normal for me, but hey, it happens. I looked around and realized I was definitely the oldest "kid" there. I went to read for the roll of Claire ( Molly Ringwald's role).  I am not exaggerating when I say I just about walked out.  I couldn't see anyway that I would be cast, no matter how convincing I might be. But, I didn't leave; I stayed and read for Claire. Total audition time was about 30 minutes. I left, knowing that there was no way, NO WAY,  I would get that part. I was completely fine with that too. I had offered to help in whatever capacity I might be needed. I would just get back involved slowly with behind-the-scenes roles.  Well, obviously, it didn't turn out that way. Two days later I received a phone call from our very enthusiastic director, telling me that he would be honored if would be his Claire.  The answer I gave him was, "Are you sure?" After a strange laugh, he said that he was sure, and then I asked, "But do you know how old I am?" He assured me that he did, and that it didn't matter, I could pass for 17 any day. I'm still trying to learn to take that as a compliment....

So, here we are, 5 months later and 1 week from opening night. It has been so awesome being back on stage and working with the group that we have assembled. Our cast is amazing, our crew is phenomenal. My family is both amazing and phenomenal for allowing me to do this. It has taken up alot of time for the past two months, but I think the end result will be worth it. For me, this is the ultimate adrenaline rush. The moment before the lights come on and the curtain goes up, the only sound to be heard is your own heartbeat. That is the biggest rush I've ever felt. It's hard to explain sometimes to people who've never been involved in theatre. All I can do is compare to an athletes biggest win,or a card player's winning hand.

I will end by inviting all of you to attend one of the four performances next week. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment here on my Facebook page!


The Greenwood Little Theatre will present "The Breakfast Club" written by John Hughes on March 25, 26, & 27 at 7:30pm and March 28 at 2:00pm.
This is the first stage production of the '80's Classic Movie in North Mississippi.

Stacey Joiner, Director and Ted MacIntosh, Assistant Director.

Admission is $15.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Students.

Parental Guidance Suggested (Adult language)

Cast:
Bender, the Rebel...........Scott MacIntosh
Allison, the Recluse..........Nichole Henry
Claire, the Beauty...........Michelle Montgomery Hodges
Andrew, the Jock............Daniel Myers
Brian, the Brain..............Blake Harthcock

Principal Vernon.............Cathy Roberts
Carl, the Janitor.............Steven Gray

Parents......Larry Myers, Elaine Tharpe, Freda MacIntosh
Brian's little sister....Taylor Bush

And We're Back!

We're Back!!!!

Finally, I'm back in the blog world... took me long enough...  And, just in case you've been hiding under a rock for the last 7 months, we're back in Mississippi! Greenwood, to be exact.

There are not enough words or ways to explain my excitement and thankfulness at being back home! Growing up, I counted the days until I would be able to leave; but after having been gone for about  6 years, there is no where else I'd rather be. We moved home on August 1 after a long year in Ohio. I tell everyone that it was definitely the right move at the time, and we'd make the same decision again, but one year was enough! If you think it's been cold here, you should have seen what we lived in up there! And get this, it last about six months! I don't EVER want to experience that again! I am looking forward to a summer full of humidity!

We've been really busy since we crossed the state line back in August. We immediately got Emma set up for 3k at First Pres. (Amazing!, but that's a whole other story.) Daddy didn't waste any time getting Channing working. Thankfully for us, they get along and work together so well, and business is good. Hannah Grace is growing faster than a weed, and I just want to cry every time someone asks have I thought about her birthday yet. I'm refusing to think about it. On top of all that, I wasted no time in jumping back into one of my favorite hobbies, theatre! At the end of the month, Greenwood Little Theatre will present "The Breakfast Club". It is going to be great! Rehearsals are keeping my very busy and taking up all of my spare time, but I love it. More on that to come!

I'm hoping to be a little more faithful to the blog this time around. It seems like every day I have something new and funny to talk about. With two girls, my life is never dull. Have a great day and week, and I hope I'll be back really soon!

New Posts Coming Soon!

Hey Everyone!
I know it's been a long absence, but I'm working on some updates. Things have been really busy for us since we moved back, but I'm finally where I can update things pretty regularly. Check back soon for something new!

3 Weeks Old!

I can't believe it's already been three weeks! Hannah Grace changes some every day. This week, she's on a three to four hour schedule. It's closer to three hours during the day, and four at night, which is nice.  We introduced her to the swing, which she loves!  She seems to recognize our voices, and she follows sounds pretty well. As for her size, I'm not sure about a weight, but I can tell you she can wear three month clothes already. We totally skipped newborn and most 0-3. 

In other news, just in case you haven't heard, we're all coming home this weekend! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. I didn't decide until a couple of days that I would make the trip, but I just couldn't stand it. I've never, ever been this long without being home. And, I'm so ready for everyone to meet Hannah Grace! We'll be leaving early Thursday morning and going straight to Jackson. We'll be there through Sunday, and leave again early Monday morning. It's a quick trip, but it will be worth it! 

I'm going to leave you with a picture from this morning. Have a great day, and we'll see you soon!

2 Week Check Up

Today, my baby girl is 2 weeks old...

Time is already going by too fast and I want it to stop! She changes a little every day now, and I really just want her to stay small for a little while longer.  We went for her check up today, and of course, she's perfect! Already growing at fast pace... my girls have no aversion to food! She weighs 9 lbs. 4 oz now!  Her jaundice has completely cleared and left her with a beautiful pink complexion. Her hair, when clean, is a very light color, almost blond! I hope it stays and that she doesn't go bald like her big sister did. Right now, she still really only eats and sleeps, but yesterday she had two good times of being awake. She's more alert now when she is awake, and can follow voices. She has adjusted herself to a 3 hour feeding schedule, which is much more convenient than the two hour one. As for food, she's finishing 4 oz almost every time she eats! Like I said, no problems there!

Things here couldn't be much better. Hannah Grace has made this transition to having two girls much easier than we expected. Emma has been very good with her, and has finally gotten over her fear of holding her. It melts my heart every time she kisses her or gets upset when she hears her cry. I know that a day will come when don't coexist as easily, so I'll enjoy every moment I can where they adore each other. 

She's Here!

Yes, I know, I'm about a week late.....

But, it's been a busy week for us, so I'm sure you forgive me. 

First, her stats:

Hannah Grace Hodges was born on April 27, at 4:23 am. She weighed 8 lbs 6oz, and was 20.5 inches long. 

We are calling her Hannah Grace. We still weren't sure if we were going us the double name or not, but that's what keeps coming out when I talk to her or answer people when they ask her name. Emma tends to lean towards Hannah,  but that's her choice. I'm going to spare you of all details of the delivery, except to tell you it went well, with the exception of going way to fast and no epidural, only a spinal that didn't last very long.  Anyway... I'm fine now. A little traumatized that day, but fine now. 

The doctors let us go home on Tuesday, which I was very excited about. I didn't want to be in that hospital bed any longer, and Emma wasn't very fond of me being there either. Once we got home, she completely became the attentive big sister. She still hasn't held her yet, but she wants to do everything else. She's been really excited the whole time, especially now that both her Mimi and her Granny are here entertaining her every need. 

Speaking of the mothers... they have been a God send. I've done nothing but get to relax and enjoy Hannah Grace. They cook, clean, do laundry, and keep Miss Emma occupied at all times. I'm spoiled rotten, and I have no shame in admitting it! Right now, the three of them are out shopping with a massive grocery list and enough cooking ideas that should feed me for months. I'm trying to decide the best way to keep them from leaving. 

Here's a link to the Facebook photos Channing has posted. This is much easier for me, and you get a bigger variety to look at. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2164283&id=26506735&op=6

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2164848&id=26506735

Any Time Now...

So we had another appointment yesterday, and I got the news I've been waiting to hear! 

Hannah Grace could be here at any time! 

I'm was so excited I didn't know what to do! Then, I got home and realized what all I had left to do, and went into panic mode. I think the whole "nesting" theory is just a nice way of saying soon-to-be mamas panic when they realize how close things are. I accomplished alot, but today I don't feel so hot because of all the work I did last night. 

But, the details... I've already dilated to 2cm. I really felt like things had started because I knew throughout the day Sunday that she had changed positions. I was right. She's dropped down to where she's supposed to be. So, once again, we wait. I could go into active labor today, or two weeks from now. I'm just glad to know that things are progressing. I honestly do feel like it will be sooner rather than later, just because the contractions are pretty constant. Even Emma seems to think her arrival is very close, because the first thing she said to me this morning was "Mama, I think Hannah's coming. She wants to see her bed." (Emma helped me put together the Pack N Play last night that Hannah will stay in for a little while.) I couldn't do anything but laugh at her and tell her that she just might be right. 

So for now, I'm just hanging out, doing as much around here as I feel like I can to get everything in order. I really hope that I don't end up being one of those people who thinks she's in labor and then gets sent home though. From what I've been told though, you just know.  I'll try to keep things updated as much as possible from this point on.