Chasing Fireflies

 If I were to tuck one evening away in my memories to keep forever, this would be one of them. The boys had so much fun playing stick ball at the country fair and I was so proud of how they included those who came to play, sometimes missing a throw or two so that a little one could make it the base. As I took in another golden sunset, and my oldest boy quietly walked up and wrapped his arms around me for a hug, my heart swelled with gratitude. 

When the show began at dusk, the sky had turned from gold to pink and the sun had dipped below the horizon. The smell of popcorn filled the air and I found myself away from the audience entertaining Sawyer and Lily. Again I was filled with joy as I watched them discover the magic of fireflies! As darkness settled upon us, they ran and skipped through the open park space, weaving around trees, and reaching up high to try and catch the fireflies that sparkled and twirled all around them. I found myself laughing aloud as I watched from a distance and enjoyed the first movements and kicks from the sweet babe that will be joining us.

Soon they began spinning and tumbling to the ground in a heap of laughter. Lily began snorting and holding her breath, she was laughing so hard. As I didn't have my camera to capture the moment, I recorded every movement and sound to memory so that I could replay it whenever I needed. When they were ready, we held hands and walked back up the hill to our chairs to take in the remainder of the show.

After a week filled with lots of stretching moments and growing pains, it felt good to finally be on the other side of it, looking back at what we had accomplished. It was a light, magical feeling that I hadn't felt in some time and it was a good reminder to slow down and cherish the things that matter most.

The Finale

 This morning we were able to run through the entire British Pageant on stage! The Member Performing Missionaries were there to help us out and cue us at the dance parts. The weather was slightly less humid, which made the heat more bearable. Camilla and Hyrum have learned where they need to be and can get there on their own. Joe, Fin, and Ollie are pretty good at listening to the music cues and getting where they need to be. We just have to watch Sawyer and Lily as we go through the scenes and dances. There are a few dancing scenes where Mike and I are partnered off and Lily is left in the care of family services or an older sibling while we go on stage during that time. It was fun to see it all go together and it felt good to do a whole run through and see where the dances fit in the entire pageant.

We are so grateful for our super district leaders and the extra attention and care they give our children. They are really good at looking out for our littles and helping them have fun and know where to be! There's one part in the pageant where we have to scoop the kids up pretty quickly and gather for a "family dance" on one side of the stage. These two always come over for the dance in the arms of either of these district leaders with smiles on their faces.

Like anything with a large group, there is a lot of coordinating and remembering who you are positioned beside for each dance. Some of them are pretty complex and it's easy to accidently fall into the wrong group and get lost. I loved this view of Camilla and Hyrum hanging out together for this particular dance. Camilla is good about finding Hyrum and holding his wrist or arm instead of his hand for things like this.

The fair was cancelled again tonight due to the heat warnings and the Pageant start time was bumped a half hour later. We had ample time to get everyone dressed and ready. The boys were sad not to be able to play stick ball with all of our new friends tonight. When it was time, we all loaded up and headed to our seats in front of the stage to see the British Pageant performed once more and join in at the finale. Lily took many trips to the bathroom with me to cool off in the AC. One time when we were in there she giggled, "Mom, I can see your boomers..." My bloomers...ha! A lot of the pageant was spent entertaining busy littles, but I loved the parts that I did get to see. After running through the entire thing this morning it was fun to see where we fit in as cast members for next week.

As soon as Lily saw the mast go down (this is not the first time we've watched this particular performance) she exclaimed, "It's our turn to go on stage! FORRAYYYYY!" Our family and a few other cast members near by got a chuckle out of that as we all quietly got out of our seats and headed back stage for the finale. If Lily had her way, she would have run up that ramp by herself and danced her heart out at the top of the stage! She loves the songs and is constantly asking to be put down to dance. "Put me down mommy? I'wll just staaaaand....I pwomisssse..." she pleads. Sometimes she does and she holds my hand and follows the lead of others around her. She really enjoys being on stage and dancing!

Heat Warnings

 This morning had the men and boys at the stage for a 7am British Scene change rehearsal. When I got back to the cabin the kids had already started their breakfast. The morning felt slightly more relaxed as everyone knew what they were supposed to do. 

We loaded up and headed down to the stage for the rest of the morning to rehearse the British Pageant. The sun was bright, and it was hot and humid. 

The stage rehearsal ended early and was moved to Pageant Headquarters due to heat warnings, so we spent the rest of the morning in the gym area rehearsing our entries and exits on the taped off stage in the glorious AC. We ate a quick lunch at the cafeteria then raced home to get everyone down for some much needed naps. While everyone slept, I went and got some coins and put in a load of laundry. All of the boys costume pants had grass stains thanks to the sliding from base to base at stick ball. Then we woke the children and headed back to PHQ for an afternoon dance rehearsal. The children enjoyed some activities and crafts with family services while Mr. Stannix and I and the youth learned and practiced some new dances. 

 

After dinner, we went back to the "shed" to get ready for the country fair. As we were getting dressed I received a text notifying us that the fair was cancelled due to the heat warning. It was simply too hot to be outside running around in costume. As Mr. Stannix and I discussed the evening plans, he suggested I stay home with the littles and he would take the older children to the Pageant for our part in the finale on stage. I stayed home with the four youngest while the others went to the pageant for the evening. I was able to finish the laundry, fold the laundry and tidy up the cabin. Everything felt much better after a little bit of organization. The littles also enjoyed the break from our rigorous schedule. The heat ended up being a tender mercy for our family. The four youngest were all tucked in and sleeping sound when the big kids arrived back from the pageant. They had cold showers to cool off and then tucked into bed for some much needed rest. 

Nauvoo Sunsets

This morning began the same as the last, with Mike being dropped off at the stage for a 7am temple building rehearsal. I woke sleeping children upon returning back to the cabin and we all had a quick bowl of cereal and some fruit before rushing to the stage for our 8am rehearsal of the Nauvoo Pageant. 

We ran through some of the more complex scenes, including the building of the city where kids are running through laying out the different streets while narrating and parades are going on. Hyrum got to be a flag boy (he's got the yellow one) and figured out how to hold it straight even with his busted hand. The stage managers are super heros at organizing so many people and explaining our roles and positions. Our choreographer was also pretty great and I admired her energy and sense of humor. She made everything fun!

After four hours spent on stage in the morning sun, and an afternoon dance/music rehearsal, I wanted to join Joe as he snoozed through our company meeting that evening.

Lily and Sawyer ended up falling asleep on the way to the Country Fair, so Mr. Stannix took the older kids ahead to our station to get things started. The goal was to let them have a few more minutes to rest, knowing how late our night would be once again. After a little while, I got the wagon out and managed to transfer a snoring Sawyer right in without him waking. 

Next, I muscled Lily into the wrap, and managed to keep her asleep as well. I slowly made my way to join the rest of the Stannix Crew over at stick ball with both of them sound asleep as the bagpipes played and the crowds hummed around us. 

They woke shortly before the British Pageant began, sweaty and wet. 

Each night I've found so much joy in these beautiful Nauvoo Sunsets, and tonight did not disappoint. Shortly before heading over to take our seats, I was in awe as I snapped this photo of the painted sky. How blessed we are to be surrounded by so much beauty!

 

The Country Fair

This morning began bright and early for Mike and Hyrum as they had to be at the stage at 7am for a house/temple building rehearsal. My dad was also going to an early session at the temple, so I dropped him off on our way to the stage. When I came back to our cabin, the children were all still asleep, except for Camilla who I left sleepily in charge. I ate breakfast and quietly got myself ready, making sure to give them as much rest as I could before gently shaking them awake. Once they were all dressed and fed, we arrived at the stage area shortly before 8am to watch the family cast who arrived the previous week perform their dress rehearsal of the Nauvoo Pageant. We watched for the same family we had met last night and payed attention to their placement on stage during each scene as that would be us the following week! 

After the dress rehearsal, we met with our districts for a quick meeting, refilled water bottles, and fed the kids some snacks to keep their energy up. It was almost forty degrees Celsius and humid. Our district leader (a sweet 16 year old boy from the main cast) asked all of us what our "why" was for coming to do this? He also asked us to think about what we were hoping to get out of the experience. All eyes turned to me to respond first and truthfully, I didn't know what to say as Mr. Stannix first had this idea, knowing what an incredible experience this would be for our family, and I lovingly supported the decision, knowing how important it was. The experience thus far, the long drive, the long days, the late nights, being pregnant, fighting children....all felt like a huge trial to me. I don't remember exactly what I ended up saying, but his words stuck with me throughout the rest of the day as I pondered my "why". 

The last two hours before lunch were spent rehearsing and learning the Nauvoo Pageant and our placement on the stage. We ran through the dance we had learned the previous afternoon as well as some other scenes.  The sun was beating down on us all and the humidity was almost too much to handle. My face was bright red, my feet ached, and my back hurt from being pregnant and hauling Lily around with me through all of the different dances and scenes on the hot stage. 

As we gathered the actresses on stage who were to perform the scene of the organization of the Relief Society, a sweaty, tired Lily was hanging from my neck blinking back sleep. A sweet mamma of many pulled me forward under the shade of her umbrella, concerned for me with my pregnancy and my blonde little daughter and her exposure to the sun all morning. One of the main actresses brought me two glasses of ice water from back stage and begged me to drink since my face was so red. 

We stood for a few minutes as a group of sisters and chatted about our roles and also about our feelings of the organization of the Relief Society and what it meant for us as sisters in Zion. Someone mentioned angels among us in the form of friends or other dear sisters and I immediately thought about our district leaders mother who pulled me aside on my way to the bathroom the night before while fighting children hung all over me. She grabbed both of my hands in hers and told me how brave I was for coming here with so many tiny children. She told me I was doing so so well and that I shouldn't worry so much and try to just enjoy the experience. My eyes welled with tears as I explained to her how many times I had already cried (out of exhaustion and frustration with children) and she smiled and reassured me that they were good kids and everything was going to be ok. She left me with a quick embrace and I went on my way. She was a literal angel, sent by a knowing Heavenly Father to comfort me in a time of desperate need.

I sat in the shade of this group of stalwart women and thought of this experience with this sweet mother the night before and tears welled in my eyes once more. As the tears tumbled down my cheeks, I quietly wiped them away on the hem of Lily's dress as the sisters continued their conversation above me, touched and reassured that Heavenly Father cares for each one of us individually. I felt so much gratitude for the many angels in my life.

When it was time for lunch we were all exhausted from the movement and the heat! We went to the air conditioned cafeteria, ate lunch as quick as we could, and took everyone "home" for a quick snooze! Lily and Camilla fell asleep in our bed in seconds while we convinced a few of the boys how needed this nap was. By the time everyone fell asleep, they maybe got 45mins (and me even less as I was watching the clock) before we were waking them up again to head to Pageant Headquarters for a two hour dance rehearsal. We then had two hours to eat dinner, change everyone into costumes, and fix our hair before we had to be back for a company meeting prior to the Country Fair. We had just enough time to snap a couple of pictures of us all in our costumes for the first time before heading out. We made sure to get a serious one (like they would have in pioneer times) and a smiling one. 

For the rest of the week, each evening, our family was assigned to serve at the stick ball station. Tonight we enjoyed welcoming those who were visiting and coming to see the pageants. We met so many different people from all over and got to share our testimonies. I was so proud of the boys and how they included everyone, manned the bases, and stuck it out as back catchers so that the other children could have so much fun batting and running bases.

Hyrum was a trooper with his busted hand as he manned third base (because in stick ball you run the bases backwards). 

Fin and Ollie took turns back catching while Joe and Daddy took turns pitching.

I loved how into the game they were!

Sawyer and Lily spent a lot of time with these climbing bears at the station next to us.

Camilla was assigned to the group dancing session with the live band and other youth her age, but I did manage to see her at the tail end of the country fair!

The bagpipers bring everyone over to the stage in time to find a seat before the pageant actually starts. Tonight we were just watching and joining in for the finale, so we sat near the very back of the audience. The kids loved watching the fireflies come out and the really little kids spent much of the show running up and down the hill next to us and playing quietly.

We returned home shortly before midnight, tucked everyone in, and prepared for another long day tomorrow!

Learning the Ropes

 Today was another fully booked day. After an early breakfast we headed to Pageant Headquarters for a British Music Rehearsal in the morning, followed by a Nauvoo Pageant Blocking rehearsal. There was lots of singing, explanations, and dance steps to be learned! We had a lunch break from 12-2pm where we ate at the cafeteria and headed back to our cabin for a rest. The heat made the children extra tired and they needed a few moments to recoup. On our way to the cabin Sawyer asked, "Are we going back to our shed for a little while?" We all burst out laughing. It was tiny, but not THAT tiny. So it's become a running joke now. "We heading back to the shed, Mom?"

Most of our afternoon was spent at Pageant Headquarters in a dance rehearsal. For the first hour the children went with the family service helpers to do a craft while the adults learned a few group dances from start to finish. When they joined us, we went through the dances with the children's parts added in. We were all tired and sweaty at the end!

We had a little bit of time to eat dinner and then we headed down to the Country Fair to meet up with Grampa and take it all in! Our family was assigned the stick ball station for the rest of the week, so tonight we made sure to check it out and see what we were in for. We were also able to enjoy some of the other games and stations for the evening. 

Just before the pageant began, we were able to go on stage and meet the family who's part we would be playing the following week. Throughout the rest of the evening we were able to watch their positioning on stage and learn a little bit more about where we were going to be during each scene and what we would be doing. 

The Stage for the British Pageant

The family we were learning from on the left

 The dress rehearsal (it was their first time performing it) was so well done! They shared so many great stories and the dances were incredible! It was very engaging (except to Lily who fell asleep in my arms in the first half) and the kids watched it wide eyed and excited. I think they were finally able to catch the vision and understand how much hard work and fun were in store for the week ahead! They chatted non-stop on the way back to our "shed" about how cool the performance was and how they couldn't wait to be the ones on stage!

Church & Costume Fittings

 Sunday morning had us dressed and off to Sacrament Meeting at Pageant Headquarters. The entire gym space gets filled with chairs and the amount of people that come fill all of those chairs and the bleachers behind. 

They have over a dozen young men passing the sacrament and Hyrum got asked to join them. With so many people in the building they start at the front and backs of rows and work their way towards each other. It's quite effective!

After church we went back to walk the temple grounds again and get a family picture in our Sunday best. With a crew this big there is always somebody blinking or looking away, but we captured the memory!

Lily just ran around singing for most of it!

 

 

A few of the kids asked for individual pictures in front of the temple and I was more than happy to snap those!

We also officially let people know that BABY NUMBER EIGHT will be joining us early in the New Year. We are so excited for this prayed for little one! There is such a story of faith behind this pregnancy as I've grown to trust more deeply in the Lord and the plan that he has for our family.

The afternoon brought us back to Pageant Headquarters for our scheduled costume fitting. Most of us were given two outfits for the Nauvoo Pageant (one dark and one light in color)  and one outfit for the British Pageant. 

 

The vests were reversible which makes costume changes  during the show a lot easier with little people! The kids thought it was so fun to get outfitted and check out how they looked in the mirror. The boys had to stand on the raised step so that their pants could be marked for adjustments to make sure everything fit proper.

 

I think their hats were my favorite!

 

These two were so stinkin' cute in their costumes!

 

Sawyers little pants for the British Pageant were also adorable and Mr. Stannix was rocking his new facial hair.

 

It was quite amazing that they were able to outfit all nine of us in such a short time! 

 

With markings made to hem pants and skirts, we took the things that fit well in two large laundry baskets with instructions to grab the rest of our stuff from the rack outside the room the following day. The kids were pretty happy!