coming your way...

my dear friend, Rachel Huber, who is also a fabulous cake maker, took pictures of us out at Kiroli Park last week for our Christmas cards. So although they may be more like New Year's cards since I am just sending them out, I thought I'd give you a preview! I have several other fun shots I'll probably post, but take this is as the Louisiana Wilkins giving yall a Merry Christmas!!

My name is hobbes

Another singer in the fam??

recording.

As you can see, I have posted 2 videos of Bray below this post-we had an opportunity for an audition for something in California, and so we had to record 5 songs last week. It is always fun to play for Bray, but I just thought I'd share with the rest of you-some are not on facebook, and I know my Grandma always loves to hear him. "Johanna" is one of the first Broadway songs I ever heard Bray sing, and it has been a favorite of mine since I first heard him sing it. I hope you enjoy!

another recording...

just because he's SO good.

Messiah and Elves.

With Bray after the Messiah performance last night!
My elf, all ready to dance.:)

The Tree decorating/advent PJs!

Xmas Tap practice

Thanksgiving.

I am thankful. Thankful to have too much musical work, thankful that our kids are in school, thankful for the upcoming musical opportunities for Bray, thankful for faithful family-without whom we could not be doing what we are in the music field-thankful for provisions every day. Thankful for 3 living great-grandmothers that our kids have all gotten to know, thankful that all 3 are faithful, godly women. Thankful that we can trust that God has our path in His hand, and we can trust Him to guide us where we need to be.

and as far as the talent goes...

Isn't he handsome? I must admit, I am always a bit in awe of just how good-looking this man is. And he's my husband. And a singer. AND a good one at that. Alright, I will stop. But, let me just say, I am incredibly proud of Bray. We do have some big news as far as his career goes, and I am sorry I have not let you all in on it sooner. As you may or may not know, Bray quit his Grainger job this past summer to teach voice and audition/compete around the country to further his career/get more operatic work. This has been extremely difficult-trying to juggle travel, my 2 jobs, kiddos, school, teaching, and all the other crazy things in life. Bray has been so patient and hard-working and has been traveling quite a bit! So far he's made it into every competition/audition we've applied for-always a good sign! This past month, we sent in an application to HGOco-a branch of Houston Grand Opera that performs chamber operas and new works to premiere and perform around the Houston area-and this was for a new work called "The Bricklayer." They called and told him he had an audition 3 days later, so off he went, and according to them, was immediately ranked at the top of their list for the lyric tenor lead. They emailed him the following week, and offered him the role, so he shall be in Houston the month of March, and will be the lyric tenor lead! I am so excited for this opportunity-and am praying it will open many doors. The road to operatic success is experience on the resume. This next week he is singing all the tenor solos in the Messiah about a half hour from here, and tomorrow he heads to Fort Worth, TX for an audition with their company. So, he is a busy, talented, devoted husband and father, and we are so grateful for him!!

2 BIG things.

Hello, all!

So sorry for the lack of updates-I realize it has been awhile. Things have not been slow around here-are they ever?-and we have been trying to keep up with all the upcoming events! I will try to briefly update you on what's been going on. First, the kiddos. As you can see from the above picture, Madeline decided a few weeks ago, that her hair was "in her eyes." I was at work, and had not done her hair that morning. So she, being the innovative, independent child she is, decided it would be a smart idea to just 'cut' the hair out of the way. When I came home and discovered the damage-which made it impossible to keep long, I immediately called my hairdresser friend, and we went in for a fix. I think it turned out adorable, and am hoping the cosmetology side of Madeline will stay dormant for awhile.:)
Hobbes, as you can see from the above picture, has even bigger news. About 2 years ago, if you remember, we had to have Hobbes 4 front teeth taken out due to cavities and a fall when he was 2, and they put a bridge in in Seattle. This was mainly for speech purposes, and served him well, but when we took him in for a checkup a few months ago, it had begun causing infection and was posing a risk to the permanent teeth that are coming in. We decided to take out the bridge, and have a few fillings put in, which, because of his traumatic history at the dentist, meant he had to be put under anesthesia and operated on. Although this was not a fun experience, he did MUCH better than 2 years ago, and has managed extremely well without. He is not self-conscious about his teeth, he just prays to God that "they'll come in in a minute." His speech has not really been affected, something we are very grateful for. So, even more than hairdressers, we are hoping we don't have to visit a dentist for more than a cleaning for the next several years!