My Dancing Girl

This last year I was able to let my kids do some extra things. In the past, money was so tight that I never considered having them in dance or soccer. Thanks to the military we have been able to give the kids the opportunity to try some things out. McKenna was given several options and chose to do dance, hip hop specifically. So, every Tuesday for the whole school year I drove her into town and sat in the car for an hour with Evan and Alana (sometimes we went to the park) while she had dance. McKenna enjoyed it very much and always looked forward to going.

The end of the school year also marks the end of dance, for the summer anyway. She had her recital this last weekend and it was a huge success. She was so nervous and so excited. She cried a bit before we left the house because she was so afraid of messing up. Ryan and I gave her a very positive "we're proud of you" pep talk and that seemed to help.

I took her to the recital at 6:00pm so she could be there for curtain call. Parents were already lining up at the doors to get in. They were not opening the doors until 6:30pm so I figured that I should just get in line. Well, it got crazy real fast. People started crowding in and getting anxious about getting seats for all their family. By the time they opened the door it was a shoving match to get in and a sprint to the best seat you could get. I grabbed five seats as close to the front as I could. We ended up somewhere in the middle. I am really glad that I was in line because, within five minutes the whole place was either saved or occupied. A lot of people were standing in the back.

McKenna's two best friends came with their mothers and her school teacher also came to watch (Mrs. Smith really loves McKenna). Ryan came with Alana for the last half. McKenna's dance was #27 of 32 so I didn't see a reason to have an energy filled two-year-old trying to sit for two hours of dance.

When McKenna finally came on stage she was glowing and perfect. She danced really well and she smiled the whole time. Most of the girls didn't smile, but it was easy to tell that McKenna was having so much fun as she danced. I am really glad that she had this experience. We might do dance again next year or she might do guitar lessons instead. We're still figuring it out.

Enjoy the video.

I Would Totally Be Friends With Me

Mira, Teah, Sarah, Brooke and Me

I spent the last three glorious days with my girlfriends in San Antonio, TX. While there I learned some things about myself.

1. I REALLY needed this trip. I would even go as far as to say that my psychologist recommended it. He made it very clear that I needed some time away to focus on myself. Who am I to disagree with (almost) doctor's orders? Besides, if he is also going to take care of our kids then, "Winning" for me.

2. I am really good at picking my friends. Seriously, I'm pretty awesome at this. I mean, I don't want to brag or anything but...I'm good.  The four beautiful ladies I made my trip with built me up and made me want to be a better woman, mother, friend, and overall person. They accept me for who I am (all the crazy included) and just made me want to be better. They know me well enough to help me deal with my flaws and not judge me for them. Oh, how lucky I am.

3. I am crass and over-opinionated but, in a totally hilarious kind of way. Well, unless I annoy you with it.

4. I get massive three day headaches from laughing and smiling so much. Totally worth it!!

5. If I was ever to get drunk, I would be the kind of drunk that told everyone how much I loved them.  Well, I guess I don't really need to be drunk for that. Because, I still told my girls how much I loved them several times over the weekend.  And I assure you, I was totally sober.

6. Trips away with friends can really help with depression.  I have been having some hard times in the last few weeks. I have been trying extra hard to push through it and find my happy self again. I do believe this did the trick. Now I need to convince my shrink/husband that I need this every six months or so in order to maintain my sanity....seriously.

7. I get car sick.  Since having babies, I am more prone to motion sickness. But that was only in amusement parks and small airplanes. I never realized that I now get car sick when I ride in the back of cars. I didn't throw up or anything but I will take pharmaceutical precautions in the future.

8. I am more scared of moving now.  San Antonio is one of our possible internship locations. When I was there I checked it out a bit closer and I am nervous. I didn't really find anything specifically wrong with it (aside from the heat), but the sheer size of it makes me have anxiety.  Anywhere we go will be that big. Deep breath....I can do it.

This trip was amazing. I have so much more to say about what we did and the women I went with. But for now, I am just happy to have come home liking myself a bit more and realizing that I am kind of awesome, a total nut job, but awesome.