Procrastination

I think I am ready to go on vacation. My mind is checking out and I still have a list of things that need to get done before we go out of town. I have 6 loads of laundry sitting on my couch waiting to be folded into suitcases. Presents that need to be wrapped. Gifts that I still haven't been able to find, and half finished Reindeer that I think I may have to give up on. (I'm deciding that toll painting may not be one of my talents.) Not to mention a house that could definitely use some attention. Oh, and a refrigerator we will have to unload before we leave, because it needs to be repaired and stops working every 6-7 days.

Christmas along with being a fun time of year, is also my craziest most stressful time of year. My friend made the comment to me a few weeks ago that she didn't understand why people were so stressed out at Christmas time. In her words she said, "I don't understand why Christmas seems to sneak up on people. It comes at the same time every year." I thought about that and realized that yes, she is right. But, for some reason, I either enjoy the craziness, or I can't function unless I am under an insane amount of stress.

In spite of it all I love that Christmas is about love. I am learning what it means to really love people, and even people you thought you already loved. I listen to teenage girls that I dance with and teach talk about being in love and I just have to laugh. I love that Christmas reminds us how to love and how to be more loving. (Even in times of stress and insanity)

In talking about learning things. . . . . I thought I would post the Christmas Letter I didn't send. I wrote two this year and ended up opting for the more humorous of the two. But hey, if your board I thought I would post the other one as well.

Christmas Letter #2
Do you ever have experiences in your life that seem to define your character, or shape your understanding of things? This year, if nothing else, has been full of “learning moments.”

Joey, now two, learned how to walk this year, then how to run, then how to throw things at his older brother. He also learned what time out was, and that talking isn’t as easy as it may seem.

Jake, who is three, learned that playing basketball is about more then just rolling around on the floor and throwing the ball randomly towards a basket. He also learned how to say, sound out and sign many of the letters of the alphabet.

Sara, now six, learned a little more about gardening as she helped plant all our new flowers and vegetables this last spring. She also got over a lot of her shyness as she performed in school, military, and dance productions.

Rebecca has been learning how to play the piano, and dance with num-chucks. She was baptized on her 8th birthday and given the gift of the Holy Ghost which she has learned is a great companion and comfort to have.

Chad discovered that the military does appreciate all his hard work as he was just awarded the ACC Clinical Excellence Award for 2007. He is also learning that having faith in the Lord is a blessing and that prayer has great power to help you feel at peace even in times of great stress and anxiety.

And lastly, I’ve learned that you can find happiness in the strangest of places and joy in the simplest of things. I’ve learned that love and hope are incredible gifts, offered to us by the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that Christmas is about a whole lot more then a birth. It’s about a life, and a death, and a promise of hope in life again with Him.
So I guess learning, although not always easy, is the part of life we ought to be most grateful for. Why? Because, it helps us to become a better version of who we are and hope to someday be. To all of you who have touched our lives, we thank you, not only for your friendship, but for the many lessons we have learned as a result of our associations with you. Merry Christmas, and may 2008 be a year of continued learning for all of us.

The Nutcracker at Bella Vista Arts Academy

Okay, so I am now returning to the land of the living now that the Nutcracker is over. Talk about drama. It's always interesting to go from being mildly involved in a school production to being there everyday and helping out with multiple numbers, and yet to still know that your opinion only slightly matters.

The day before the production, two numbers that I had choreographed got modified. The boy dancing in them had been injured and then I guess had a temper tantrum when they discussed the possibility of him not being able to perform. So in a rather hasty moment they cut the kid from the show completely. I spent the night pleading with the principal and dance director not to cut him when he had worked so hard for 9 weeks, but they didn't end up changing their mind.

On a happier note. Sara was one of the children in the party scene and looked absolutely darling. I was so proud of her. I attached some photos of her as well. She has really been working hard in her dance classes, and it showed.

Rebecca wasn't able to be in the Nutcracker. Her class is scheduled for the Spring Opera, so I will have to keep you posted on that in the future.

On a different note altogether, Chad has an interview in San Antonio Jan 4-5th for a spot as a resident in their Orthopedic Surgery program. We are really excited. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays.