Brendan received his part last night:

{Doot doot doo} – that’s a trumpet fanfare.  And a trumpet is so appropriate because…

Brendan will be portraying Angel Moroni’s Night Visit and when Joseph Smith sees the Golden Plates – alternating nights.

I found out a little more about the process of casting.  I visit teach one of the assistant directors and during our visit she explained how it works.  After the call backs on Wednesday the directors all discuss the parts with each other.  Many people try out for multiple parts and so coordination is needed.  Prayer is involved.  The directors all go to a Saturday morning session at the temple and then meet that evening to discuss again.  She said the process is really neat to watch – as the puzzle pieces just start falling into place and everything works out.  Just one of the miracles that take place with the Mormon Miracle Pageant.

We’re all excited for Brendan.  Practices start tomorrow.

Brendan said his second audition went well.  He said he did better  – “his best”.  And now we play the waiting game.  Not only do we have to wait until Sunday evening to find out what part Brendan has – we have to wait until after the opening fireside when they post the pages on the doors in the back.  It’s brutal, but thankfully there is plenty to keep us busy.

Here are a few of the reasons we love having Brendan around.

*He plays piano.  Often.  I really enjoyed “Canon in D” today as well as “Can’t Fight This Feeling”.  A few days ago he played an original composition and asked for my feedback.  He wanted to know if the middle needed a little extra something.  It was amazing – as is.

*Almost every time I turn around Brendan is scrubbing something.  Walls, all sides of the fridge, stove, dishwasher, all the piano keys… our house has never glowed like this before.  It too is amazing.

*Brendan bought treats to share.  While they love the tootsie rolls & Mike and Ike’s – the overall favorite is the box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Jelly Beans.  There are yucky flavors like earthworm and rotten egg.  I got off easy when he gave me grass.  It tasted… weird.  I hear the others were disgusting (between fits of giggles).

* Brendan loves to babysit.  The other night Jim Bob and I went on a walk after our little ones were in bed.  It was nice to have someone holding down the fort in the living room.  We’ll plan some more opportunities in the near future.  (p.s.  If you make it into town soon we’ll show you which house has the sweetest smelling blooms ever.  You can smell them a half block away.)

*Stories are heard at all times of the day being told by Brendan.  He saves the best ones for when he skypes with his family:

Everyone gathers around on both sides (and even leave their vintage game boys 😉 ) to hear the latest installment.

Tonight was the night for auditions for the Mormon Miracle Pageant.  Our family doesn’t audition.  We are doing group scenes so signing up was all that was needed – well, except for Meri.  She is going to be one of the babies in the scene when Christ comes to America.  She was cast last year when she was in my belly.  Works good that way.  😉

Brendan, however, is trying out for some big parts.  He auditioned for Samuel the Lamanite and young Joseph Smith.

While Brendan was waiting his turn to try out for young Joseph he watched the one auditioning in front of him while Jim Bob gave pointers.  At one point the recording talks about how Joseph looks around and is uncertain.

Jim Bob leaned over and said “At that point, just look around like you’re nervous.”

Brendan’s response?  “Well, that ought to be easy.” With a big old smile.

Jim Bob said he did so good though.  Confident and sure.

Call back time for Brendan is tomorrow at 3:10 pm.  This time it will be in front of the director.