Theater Camp 2015

Lene Bean had the opportunity to participate in a camp at a local theater this last week.  At first she was nervous, but by Friday she was sad that it was over.  They culminated their week long program by being a part of the chorus for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It was a fun show that the whole family enjoyed!

Extraordinary Days Filled With Summer Ways

The days pass by and I'm really trying to enjoy them.  I'm trying to keep my phone in the car to stop acting as if everything is urgent.  Because the only urgency I have in the summer is to enjoy these kids of mine.  It is hard to believe that in two weeks, one of them will hit double digits.  I swear I remember her birth as if it was yesterday...

Last week we found ourselves at the neighborhood pool early each day.  Nessa did her first private swim lessons--who am I kidding?  Her first ever lessons!  We skipped the mom and me ones last summer because whenever she was in the pool, I was with her--and she was comfortable so I didn't see the need paying money or spending the time with an instructor.  Worked well for both of us as she willingly went into the pool each day and loved her teacher this year.  See, sometimes mommy really does know best!  She loved the water.  She mastered the crab walk and blowing bubbles; however she could have taken or left the whole going under water thing, but my brave girl never cried.  

And I videotaped way too many minutes but I like this one because it served as evidence to dad that although she didn't like going under water, she did it. And she did it well, my girl.

This week I've found myself with a couple hours a day while the kids are enjoying VBS with many of the kids from our GMG group.  It feels foreign to me, this whole having time to myself thing.  I realized that even though Nessa was in school two days a week, I occupied those hours working in the classroom or facilitating book club/prayer group, so I never ran my errands kid-less.  I'm amazed at how much I've been able to accomplish kid free. . .but I'm so used to doing everything with them, I feel like I'm trying to get too much done instead of just enjoying the me time.  Tomorrow I am enjoying some me time with friends, so I am looking forward to it.  And Friday Ernie is off so we will enjoy some us time kid-free.  All is right with our world.

Mean mom still has the kids sharpening up on their skills and they love me for it...at least that's what I tell myself.

The park has been good to us.  The heat has been bearable and I must admit that one park date lasted seven glorious hours.  Glorious because there was no fighting or complaining or crying.  I think that is a world record for us.

Another day water balloons kept them entertained.

And our life wouldn't be complete without more dentist or doctor appointments.  However the lungs are clear so that was a great visit to receive the news!

Drama concluded with a banquet complete with certificates, trophies, and an evacuation because the fire alarm went off for a half hour.  Fun times, I tell you!

And finally, the kids were surprised with a gift from grandpa.  To say they are thrilled is an understatement.

Oh, to be a kid again--I used to have a play house that I just loved in the back yard.  I am so excited the kids have this creative space to retreat to--which means they will definitely want more time at grandma and grandpa's house.  Camp Sausedo should occur.  Just saying, dad: )

And today, a few of us met with the principal about character education and building our school community.  I'm still praying my Anything prayer, trying to be still and really listen to His spirit, fill my days with fun and laughter. . .and completely enjoy the extraordinary summer days that are flying by.

Get it Before it's Gone

The decisions we make, make the life we live. . .the decisions we make, make the life we live. . .that sentence has been bombarding my mind since I read it over a week ago.  I found it amidst a devotional that was delivered to my inbox from Lysa Terkurst, an author who is so real and sweet I dragged my mom down to San Diego one night just so we could listen to her speak at a Focus on the Family event.  We spent more time in the car than we did at the event. . .on a school night.  It 's definitely love!

I think the reason it sticks with me is because lately in book club we have discussed how busy we are, and all the demands we interpret as part of our days.  In some ways I have scaled back in an attempt to reclaim our family time in the evenings.  I declined continuing a book club because, no matter how much I like the girls, another weekly, night-time commitment takes time away from the sacred time I want to have with my most loved ones.  We almost said no with Lene doing another play.  We had to physically sit down with the director and express our concerns with the time commitment that was involved in the last show.  We had to set boundaries from the beginning if another show was to be in our family's future, because the reality is this:  her involvement effects our involvement.  This week, we decided not to rush through Holy week like crazy people so we declined a free golf clinic that I had signed up for months ago.  Everyone who knows me knows free is hard to pass up. . .so it was kind of a big deal.  The aha moment for me?  When I cared more about getting there on time Monday than the kids.  Deal was sealed.  We said no.

I have commented on being much busier now that I am primarily a stay-at-home mom.  That is for sure.  But the truth of the matter is, I do have more time in my day to pour into events, organizations, or the kid's classrooms, and truth be told: I enjoy it immensely.

That is not the problem.  The problem rears its ugly head when those commitments effect my family at home.  The problem is seen when I have too much to do on the computer, with meetings, or whatever, that I am not paying attention to my kids and husbands need because I am so centered on the project at hand.  Because let's face it, once upon a time I thought my career defined who I was.  I poured time, energy, and countless hours perfecting my craft of teaching.  It felt good to receive accolades and praise from administrators and colleagues and best of all: students.

 And then I had children of my own. . .

And my world was forever changed...for the better.
I may not ever again be "Teacher of the Year," but I treasure the job title gifted me by God more: Mom.

"The decisions we make, make the life we live." Live well.

“Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. Ferris - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986

December 18, 2012

It's difficult to get on here and write about life as usual.  Because there is not a whole lot about it that seems usual to me right now.  On Friday twenty elementary children were shot and killed along with six adults.  These children were the age of my Bubba.  Sweet, innocent souls taken from their mommies and daddies far too soon at the hands of a troubled young man.  Malls, theaters, schools-it seems as if nowhere is truly a safe place any more.

Thankfully, my Emmanuel, is my saving place.  He is with us.  All the time, through the tragic and mundane, God is with us.  This was the message we received at the Living Nativity we walk through every year.  We walked and witnessed the recounting of Jesus' birth story.  We experienced the wonder and the awe of the greatest gift to mankind.  God with us. No matter what kind of a year we've had, the troubles, the triumphs, the peace, the pain--there is peace in knowing our Lord, Jesus Christ.

And maybe it's because I taught the Diary of Anne Frank for six years at the high school level, but I keep thinking of Anne's quote. . .“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”


And I do too.  Wasn't it just shown directly to my family HERE?  How can I not?  People all over the world are reeling and mourning and doing for the people in Connecticut.  Love does.  It is an action.  It is an action that is required so that people believe in the goodness of others again.  My prayer is that my own family and circle of friends continue to find ways to serve, to love, to do.  Maybe we are idealistic. . .but maybe we will be life changers because we hang on to the right ones.  I can live with that!


In between awards assemblies, school, living nativity walking, dinners with friends, and doctors appointments Lene performed in her third high school performance.  The Nutcracker.  They started practicing the weekend of Ernie's accident and with the help of family and friends--we were able to get her to all her rehearsals and the week long performance.  Rehearsal for Little Mermaid starts Friday. . .never a dull moment: )

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the friends and families who came out to see her.  This year many of the above students are going to New York to experience Broadway first hand. These shows will help pay the way for many of them.  So all support is especially appreciated!!  We were also able to attend Lene's Beginner Band concert last night.  They played a whopping five notes!!  It was so sweet to listen to them and all their blunders.  Band is not something I see in my daughter's near future--this concert is the first time I've heard her pick up her instrument.  She does not practice at home, and I'm okay with that.  It's not a battle I will fight--I'm glad she tried it and I will be fine when she is done with it.


And that my friends is our week in review.  I'm thinking to capitalize on the silence and to truly enjoy the last days of Ernie and I being home together, I probably won't post again until after the holiday.  Then I can send ourt book off to be made--I can not wait for that!  This blog--our little family history is such a gift to live with the ones He chose for me.  Be blessed!!!

August 19, 2012

For our last hurrah of summer, we took the kids to the Ahmanson Theater last night to see Mary Poppins.  We went on the recommendation of a friend, and I am so glad we did.  The entire day leading up to it was spent with my nine-year-old for some solid one on one time.  We shopped for school supplies, a dress for the theater and shoes. We had stopped at eight stores before we finally sat down to an hour and a half of pampering at the nail salon.  I do believe this should be a back to school ritual we should make a tradition.

It was fun sitting side by side, picking out colors, and talking designs after having raced from store to store.  My goal was to have everything done so today could be enjoyed at home before it's off to the real world tomorrow.  Mission accomplished.

By the time we got home, we barely had enough time to change and get back out the door to drop the baby off with her Godparents while we ventured into the city.  Of course, I had to take a few pictures. Especially since my outfit was quite colorful thanks to a couple people (Mandy and  Hannah)

The first several were facing the sun, so lots of eye shutting and blinking.  this was the best we could do...until we figured out to turn away from the sun, but by then the kid crew had pretty much checked out, so we got this: Oh well. . .

The drive there was kind of the same way as the pictures: a mess.  We did get to see the Long Beach Port and drive over the bridges--but when the navigation said we had arrived at our destination.  We were in the middle of a street filled with apartments--not exactly the Music Center we had heard of. Apparently, there are several Grand Avenues in Los Angeles and we hadn't diligently checked the zip codes.  Sigh.  We made it there, eventually.

The show was phenomenal.  I loved watching Lene's face as she watched the stage with eager eyes whispering, "Could that be me, one day, mama?"  Yes.  Yes that could be. Then there was Bubba who kept trying to figure out the magic of how she pulled big trees and mirrors from her rather empty bag.  The best part was at the end when she flew all the way up to the ceiling.  We were row B in the balcony and to see her face so clearly as she winked at the kids was amazing! I loved our dinner conversation at eleven o clock at night as we talked about the theme of the production--wanting to make sure the message wasn't lost over the excitement of all the magic that occurred on the stage.  Happily, it wasn't.  They realized that family is the most important thing.  Always.  Life lesson:  Family is the most important thing.  Great evening.  great memory!

December 19, 2011

Friday was opening Night of I Dream Theater's first community production:

A Christmas Carol.

Ernie and I watched eagerly as our kids took to the stage what has been only in practice for a little less than a month!

You wouldn't have been able to tell--but opening night actually did serve as their first real run through of the entire two hour show in sequence!!

I was able to snap a few pictures at the end of the performances and wanted to share.

Bubba as Tiny Tim

Brother and sister stop for only a second for me to snap a picture.

Lene was a maid and a merchant girl--lines, costume change and all. She is definitely in her element!

Taking a bow.

 

This has been a fantastic opportunity for the kids.
One of the most beautiful moments of the play is seeing how the director incorporates 
baby Jesus into the show and emphasizing He is what Christmas is all about!
It runs for a full week. 
If you are local, I can give you the details if you are interested.
Let me know. . .