The Nutcracker... Sweet

We just got home from Maren's final performance of this year's Nutcracker. Her parts were a party child, a flower petal, and a Greeter in the Land Of Sweets. B and I attended yesterday's performance, and I helped out backstage on Friday for the two performances for the elementary schools in the area. Even after watching it twice on the monitor backstage, I still got chills and caught my breath several times as Clara was lifted around by the Nutcracker Prince, the snowflakes whirled softly (my favorite), the dew drop leaped and kicked, and the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier (guest dancers from the NYC Ballet) took my breath away. And, as it had back stage, the part came where the prince bids farewell to Clara and she picks up her doll and gently twirls away, her dream over. And, as I had back stage, I got emotional. B smiled at me and said, "Wow. That was amazing." It was a beautiful production... yes, we saw it last year, and it was good, then, too, but something this year... I don't know. Anyway, what is it about the Nutcracker that gets me verklempt? I think its just the innocence... an innocent love story, a dream that ends, but will always be remembered, given as a gift. And watching these children and young adults, under the guidance and direction of their teachers and beloved director, Miss Elizabeth, doing something artistic, physically taxing, and demanding of their time and respect... amid all the corruption and terror, and evil influences of the world. Our society can still teach our children to dance, and be beautiful in expressing timeless music known the world over.
We took Maren out to eat Saturday after her performance. Every little ballerina wants ribs, right?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow!

We had a few inches of snow the other day (it warmed up this morning and now it is all gone) and driving around in the slick stuff got me to thinking. We usually do some measure of traveling over the holidays, and it is always an understandable concern from our families whether or not we will make it because of the weather. We have lived far enough away and been homesick enough to make trips in all kinds of weather, taking care, and praying along the way. Here are some actual quotes my B and I have remembered from our holiday travels:

"What happened to those snow measuring stick things?"

"Is this a pasture, or are we still on the road?"

"Is it snowing up?"

"Honey, that cop is saying slow down."
"Honey, we're going 5."

"I think we just went over a bridge."

"What is that?"
"It's a jack-knifed semi."
"Well, should we stop?"
"Honey, we can't stop."
"Why not?"
"Because we're going downhill, and it's all I can do to try and make the turn. If we stop, it means we've hit the semi."

"Is that a moose?"
"That's a moose."
"He's faster than we are."

"I still see snowflakes coming at me."
"Hon, we've been at your mom's for two hours, now."

Be careful out there! Buckle up! And smile!

It's that Time of Year When the World Falls In Love

It took me a minute to realize that it was time to put the Christmas tree up. One of the drawbacks to taking a tropical vacation just before the holidays (the only drawback) is that one gets a little out of sync with the traditional schedule. For me, that is putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. So, as I slid the huge turkey into the oven Thanksgiving morning, it occurred to me for the first time that, Hey, shouldn't there be Christmas music playing so my husband can come in and say it's too early for Christmas music? Oh yeah, and I guess I'll be putting the tree up tomorrow... huh.
Maybe not so weird for some of you, but very weird for me. I love traditions that remind me of being a kid and feeling that peace that can only be found in childhood, where your biggest worry is if you are going to get the Barbie Corvette you want so badly you've already had your Barbie doll pass her driving test. Usually, I am chomping at the bit, and the carols have been playing for a couple of weeks already.
As we began to decorate the tree yesterday, Maren helped me with some of the preliminary garland hanging. She lied down under the lowest branches and declared that on Christmas Eve she was gong to sleep under the Christmas tree. She would be sure to see Santa that way. As I started to remind her that there would be Christmas presents under the tree and she wouldn't fit, I stopped myself. Because every year, as I decorate the lower branches of the tree, I think of my sister, Shelli, and how we would pick a night the week before Christmas, and we would sleep under the tree, looking up through the branches and lights, the ornaments we knew so well. But I realized I hadn't shared that with my kids... I don't think so, anyway. So, I suggested to Maren that maybe she and Chelsea could do that on a different night, and that would be fun. She quickly reminded me that that would defeat the whole purpose of trying to catch Santa in the act. Oh well. Maybe I'll suggest it to Chelsea. She has a way of talking her sister into things.
I hope you all get a chance to relive a bit of your childhood, experience a memory of that peace. What a break from grown-up worries.

My Manly Man

Brandon and Matt Talkin' Up Some Football

I walked into our bedroom the other evening after some grocery shopping, to find my husband sitting on the edge of our bed, meticulously cleaning out his rifle while simultaneously watching a football game and talking to one of his best friends, his dad, on the phone, deep into discussion about how to fill their own bullets. Needless to say, the room was teeming with testosterone. I smiled at him and told him how cute he was.
When he was done talking to his dad, I asked him how many times he was going to pull that long cloth snakey thing through the barrel of the rifle. He smiled and said, "As many times as it takes." I asked him how would he know it was clean? It looked clean to me. He said, "When it stops smoking." I watched him pull once more. I didn't see any smoke. He told me to watch more closely. I leaned in, wary of being anywhere near the thing. He pulled again, and at a certain point, he said, "There. Did you see it? A little puff of smoke." I hadn't seen a thing and told him so. I told him I thought he just like pulling that thing through his gun. He muttered something about Chelsea needing a date.
The next morning he left before I opened both eyes (I opened one eye when he kissed me) to go sight in his rifle with his dad. A couple hours later I left for a Super Saturday craft day at the church. We both had a great time.
Viva la diference.

Happy Sixteen, Chelsea!

What a Sweetheart!

Birthday dinner at the Ruesch's house... prime rib and cake. We can't believe you're sixteen, but you've always been a little adult. We are so proud of you, Smoochie. We love you!

Vacation Slideshow Link

I just posted a slide show of our trip at Anglesey Antics, so click if you would like to see. Did I say we had a great time? We had a great time. Ahhhhhh.

Look Again

This blew me away. Happy Halloween! (My Dad and Mom... not bad, eh?)

Back To Reality

We just spent a little over a week in Puerto Vallarta and I highly recommend it. We got back today, but here are a few photos. I'll write something more after I re-adjust to the cold and the responsibilities. *sigh* It was wonderful... Thanks, Claire and Todd!!!