A Mouse and a Gingerbread Girl

This seems strange to blog about right after sharing about children in slavery.

But, such is my life. One day I'm in Ghana, rubbing bald heads, my heart bursting from the love I feel for those kids. The next day, I'm squeezing the cheeks of my three sweet girls, my heart bursting from the love I feel for these kids.

So, my blog is as yo-yo as my heart. :)

We literally stepped off the plane from being in Ghana and drove straight to see our girls at their final Nutcracker rehearsal at their ballet studio. As I ran from across the studio, and they ran at me, tackling me with hugs, I am sure everyone else wondered why we were so excited to see each other! It was so good to see them!!

{Insert random comment: After the last post, my friend Paige asked how we are able to travel (financially) and where we leave our kids when we go. My answer: We have the ABSOLUTE BEST FAMILY in the world! Not only have they helped us financially, and with supplies, both trips to Ghana were also much easier for us because we knew the girls were in the best hands ever: loving grandparents!! And, let me say, no matter whose house they are at, they are so well taken care of, and have so much fun, that I never doubt for a minute that they are enjoying their week. Also, we write the girls a letter for each day we are gone, and I leave a little treat to open that corresponds with whatever we are doing in Africa that day. Mark also writes a little devotional for them to do in the mornings with our usual Bible reading. So, we try to stay "connected" to them even when we are gone. We also share EVERYTHING with them before and after the trip. Pictures, video, packing, prayer requests....they know all about these kids in Ghana and what we are doing while we're gone. I think this also helps the separation. Honestly, my kids do really well, and do not ever seem to have a hard time with separation. I think it's good for them, and I pray that they continue to learn how important it is to go where God sends you.}

Okay, sorry for the sidenotes. Back to our adorable mouse and gingerbread. :)

I am just so proud of my big girls. They enjoy dancing so much, and I love watching them learn and grow with each year. A couple of weeks ago, they had their big Nutcracker performance! This was Carlie's first year...her Nutcracker debut! And, she was SO stinkin cute, if I must say so myself!

She was a gingerbread girl, just like Kendyll was. And, she did a great job. She is really completely comfortable on stage, which I love seeing. She is more of my introverted girl (like her mommy), and I love seeing her perform, without being nervous or shy.

I, however, was never able to bust out of that as a child. I was always the shy one, who would rather be anywhere than on stage with hundreds of eyes on me. So, I'm glad to see Carlie fight through that a little bit. :)

Now, I am bummed to not have pictures of her actually performing. During dress rehearsal (the only time pictures are allowed), I got carried away taking pictures of the beautiful Snow Queen scene, which stars one of the highschool seniors who my kids adore:

And, my camera battery died before either one of my girls hit the stage! Uggghhh. So sorry, girls.

And, then here is my Kendyll. Unlike her introverted sister and mother, this girl was born for the stage, and this year was no different. Kendyll enjoyed her third year as a cast member, and was blessed with the role of the mouse.

This is the part she wanted so badly, and she was the perfect mouse. Her personality fit this role almost too well, and she spent hours and hours performing her part all over the house for weeks! Scurrying here and there, twirling her tail and combing her whiskers. She played the part perfectly.

Our whole family now knows "the mouse moves". Even Abby Kate knows every step! (See her mouse-y pose?)

In fact, Abby Kate was very into the Nutcracker this year. She really enjoyed watching the whole show, and asked a hundred times if she will get to be in the Nutcracker when she turns six. She would tell me how she is going to smile and march and stir her gingerbread pot. Oh my, I can't imagine life with three ballerinas! But, I have a feeling we're headed that way!

She got to watch the Nutcracker with her friend, Ellie, and she felt VERY big. She wanted to meet Clara and the Snow Queen and was so cute just walking right up to "the stars" and taking pictures with them. How cute are these little starstruck girls?!

So by the time we rehearse all week for Nutcracker, I see their performances many, many times (which means we get many family pictures along the way. :). And, every time I am just this crazy proud parent when my girls get on stage. They just make me smile SO big.

And, I am so thankful to have an amazing family and group of friends who come support our girls, and cheer for their dancing success.

Mrs. Amy came with Ellie to the first show...

And, the aunts were all there to cheer as well:

Gammy and Papa Ron,

Grandad and Grankay,

And Pops and Grandma, with Aunt Jodi and Sophie!

Kendyll's three friends, Trinity, Emma, and Ashlyn, are girls who she has literally known since birth. They have come every year to Nutcracker and it is always fun to have them there. This year, we got to celebrate the last show with them, and even got to get ice cream sundaes afterward with Emma!

This was the first time Kendyll had performed in all four shows, so we were all a little worn out by the end of Nutcracker weekend and all the hours it consumed. But, it is always rewarding to see how their hard work pays off, and a blessing to see the friendships they continue to form with all the other dancers.

And, it is certainly great to see them enjoy it as much as they do.

I love you, my precious ballerinas. May your joyful dancing continue for years and years and years. Your grace and beauty amaze me. And, your mommy and daddy are beyond proud of you.