Hersheypark Happiness!

I posted a story over at Created and Called about our wonderful Thanksgiving Eve experience at Christmas Candylane Click here to head over and check it out with pictures! Here are some extra pics:

Faith is not passive

The holidays can be very hard. For me, it's memories of my Pop re-surfacing while I'm listening to Christmas music. Before I know it, my eyes are welling up as I can almost hear him singing along. It's been over six years since he went home to be with Jesus. I miss him so much.

I stopped trying to fix everything and manipulate things for my kids a long time ago. Suffering and grief are part of being human and living on this earth. I believe that at an early age our kids need to know that God can and wants to bring us comfort in our trials. There is eternal purpose to our lives. If we don't reach out to touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:20) we'll never have that personal encounter with Christ that is LIFE CHANGING. But, if you know the story you know that the woman who touched Jesus was in need of a healing for a loooong time. SHE went after Him. She put her faith into action despite her suffering. He healed her.

It's that comfort and those "touches" from Him that allow the suffering to build us, rather then destroy us. I think of all the loved ones that are missed during this time of year. For some, the loss has been recent and this will be the first holiday season without that very special person. But, I know this. If we reach out in faith and pursue Him with all of our heart, He'll turn our mourning into dancing. And, He'll heal us.

A Little Pre-Christmas Miracle

#3 went to school today....with no tears, no throwing up, no begging to stay home.

And, she even ate a Pop-tart for breakfast.

There was one small episode over the weekend where she admitted feeling bad, but other than that she said she likes school and she is "going to just get through it". She then went on to explain that everyone in first grade misses their mommies, so she'll just get used to it. I reassured her that I miss her, too, and that only makes our time together even more special.

I'm so proud of her and so thankful to God that I could cry, laugh and burst into song at any moment.

Breakthrough is a beautiful thing.....

A "Phony" Princess and the Dust Bunny

After an 8-hour day and a marathon week of practices, #1 and #3 finished The Princess and the Pea. By the end of the 2nd show, #3 looked as though she was falling asleep on stage as the director made her announcements (she had been to her bff's birthday sleepover the night before)! She is such a cutie I just wanted to squeeze her! She couldn't wait to get out of her costume though, because it gave her a "wedgie".

#1 did a great job playing the part of a phony princess with a sinus problem! She did such a great job that The Husband thought she had a real runny nose and could not believe she was up on stage wiping her sleeve and hand across her nose in front of everyone! He finally figured it out after she "sneezed" and wiped her hand very obviously on her dress!

She looks more like a crazy gypsy in this picture, but I thought it was a nice close up to capture the stage make-up!

#2 handled her disappointment very well and even wanted to go to both shows. She was a very supportive and proud sister!

All I Want for Christmas is an "Easy Button"

Well, not really.

I would; however, like my first grader to not cry every morning before school begging me to home school her because I am "breaking her life". It is really pitiful and I'm realizing as the days go by that "on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand" really means something to me.

An emotional roller coaster doesn't describe #3's emotional state because that would require "ups". Her days range from quiet to grumpy with a good dose of sick to the stomach and weeping and gnashing of teeth thrown in. Even when she smiles, she seems so unsure of herself.

However, I am going to type this in faith that God HAS A PLAN FOR HER. And, in the suffering we are made stronger. So, that takes me back to the "solid rock". If I did not have an eternal perspective of life I would have surely had a nervous breakdown by now. Wouldn't a lot of us?

I must tell you that the meeting at school was very peaceful and supportive. There was no finger pointing and I sensed a genuine desire to work together as family and school to make #3 her happy-go-lucky self again. They assured me they thought the root of this problem is her missing me throughout her day. I know that it is a big part of it and everyone in the room assured me it was totally normal for first grade. We discussed some new ideas and incentives and I left feeling relieved that it went so well. The only downer being that when I came home from the meeting to drive her to school she ended up being late from throwing up and crying. It sort of put a damper on the little bit of encouragement I had gotten from the session.

But, I assured #3, the oH mY wORD fAMILY are not quitters. We will persevere and stay on track. God will open doors and He will close doors (such is the case at the Christian school we were pursuing....sadly, no room at the inn). There is a lesson in it all. Compassion wells up inside me along with a huge desire to impart a foundation to my children so that when these storms hit in life they are not left unprepared and helpless.

Yes, I dream about the "easy button". Just to wake up one morning and not spiritually and emotionally fight such a difficult battle. I'm ready for "normal". However, greater then the desire to just have life going smoothly is a desire to raise Godly women who don't back down to the enemy.

Divas, Drama Queens and Dissapointment

Our family is into theater. Just a teeny, tiny bit.

Just kidding! We're REALLY into theater...acting, directing, watching (except The Husband, he only likes the acting part). So, I was so excited when I found out the Missoula Children's Theater was coming to a venue near us to audition for The Princess and the Pea. #3 even wanted to try out and I thought that would provide a lovely distraction from the school trauma.

Sadly, #2 had a wonderful audition, but did not get cast. #1 has a duel role which she is enjoying immensely. Did I say immensely? Is there a word stronger then "immensely"? You get the idea. And, #3 was the youngest member cast in the show as a "dust bunny". There are other familiar faces we recognized from the last show 2 years ago, as well as several church friends.

This theater company is like Extreme Makeover / Theater Edition. They audition on Monday and put on two shows by Saturday. Needless to say, #1 comes home from school, does some homework, eats something and packs a snack for later and then heads out to practice from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm each night this week. Our little dust bunny practices from 4:30-6:30 each night. So....it's been a very busy week for us and an emotional roller coaster as I am happy for 2 kids and sad for the other one. It is really hard being the only sister left out of the production. There were so many kids #2's age that were trying out and I was really surprised she did not get a part. I've told her there will be other plays and times for her to shine! And, I'm proud of her. She is really trying to be happy for her sisters, yet, she still tears up at times when they talk about it. Thank goodness it is not a long, drawn out process for the next few months. This time next week it will all be over!

It is funny to hear #1 running lines again. She has been given full reign to develop her character and she'll ask my opinion, which is nice. She is doing a great job and is very funny!

Speaking of drama, tomorrow morning is my meeting with the principal, teacher and counselor at #3's school....why do I suddenly feel like Daniel being thrown into the lions den?

Welcome to the Quiet Before the Storm Hits

That line from a Toby Mac song keeps running through my head this morning.....

#3 is home from school today. She is miserable.

I requested an appointment with the school principle who in turn wants to have #3's teacher and the guidance counselor sit in on the meeting (Thursday). Hence....the quiet before the storm. I told The Husband he has to come with me so we can provide a united front against what I know will be a defensive teacher and protective principle. What I am hoping to tell them is that #3 will not be returning back to school after Thanksgiving because she will be attending a small Christian school whose teachers do not intimidate their students. ok....maybe I won't word it quite like that.

Or, maybe I will.

I'm waiting to hear back from the Christian school to see if they have room for her, as well as allow her to sit in on a class this week. She is praying that they have room for her. I am praying that we can afford it if they do! And, I am trying not to be bitter because of the downhill direction this year has gone. Sometimes it is hard to have such high expectations because you're bound to be let down. But, last year and #2's current year have been going so well, I just came to expect the best from the school...despite my own clashes on a PTO-level with some of the adults!

So, I'm anticipating my trip to the principle's office about as much as being sued and heading into the courtroom to try and defend my child. I am praying that I keep calm and look at this situation through the eyes of God. My goal is not to tear down and point fingers. I just hope the feeling is mutual.

I am called to be a light....I need to remember that. Now, I have to combine that thought along with the instincts of a mother bear protecting her cub and hope the result is effective!

Got Candy?

One of the most creative people I've ever met on the entire planet is giving away some card making / scrap booking "candy" here to celebrate her 10,000th hit. Click here to check it out and enter yourself in the drawing.

She is amazing and I could spend hours just looking at her blog with paper craft envy!