Dancer

Each of our girls came from the same source but the genetic blender has yielded such amazingly different results. Gifts and aptitudes have become more obvious as they grow and I am regularly delighted. Megan has always been a caring, empathetic, and generous kid and as with each of the girls, we have been happy to encourage her to try out new things. All of our little girls were drawn to dance class, as I think most girls are. 3 and 4 year olds are very aware that dancers get to wear pretty things and they move beautifully. The draw of dance faded for Emma and Rachael, but with Megan it has only increased.

Megan started dancing with our local Rec and Park program and she loved it. She was committed to learning and she acquired skills quickly. I remember watching the practices and wishing that the other little girls would be as focused as Megs. After 2 years in the Rec program and Megan's obvious desire to continue, we decided that this was worth putting a little more into.

I found a studio that we liked, it is a lot more expensive but the instruction is much better. Classes started and Megan participated half-heartedly, and I found myself irritated that she wasn't putting in any effort. After a few classes, I asked her if she wanted to continue and she was adamant that she did. This fall was difficult for her with teacher changes in her 1st grade and I think like school she was uncomfortable in dance class. It took her a little while to settle in but it helped that the dance aid took a special interest in her and Megan responded positively by engaging herself whole-heartedly.

Now Megan does her best in class and practices her splits and stretches at home. She walks around on her tiptoes and I have to remind her not to put her foot on the table. She moves her body confidently and gracefully. The studio's owner recently taught Megan's class and mentioned at the end, that next year it would be great to have Megan on the competition team. I was really proud and Megan was so encouraged. I think she will be sticking with dance for a while to come.

Little John

I am on a baby high. Witnessing a birth, elicits such a sense of euphoria I can't think of a better way to describe it. I am lucky to be a part of a family so open to life and so comfortable and supportive that it is willing to share such an intimate event as a birth.

Heather and Will were expecting their 3rd child and I was honored that they called me when it was time, really time. This 3rd little one kept Heather busy and guessing for the 2nd half of pregnancy as to when he would arrive. She had contractions early and frequent enough that she was on medication to stop them for weeks. But in the end this little one showed up right on time, his due date precisely. 

It is not just seeing the recently arrived little one that draws me. Labor is an amazing window to our humanity. I don't think it is possible, while in labor, to put on false airs, and I think this is one of the reasons why I have enjoyed being present for at least one birth for each of my sisters. There is so much human beauty to behold in the process. Anticipation and natural fear is on display in the early stages, when contractions are mild, the waiting is about to end but pain is looming. There is such capability in laboring mothers that is laced with vulnerability.  It is this unguarded proficient strength that is motherhood and it makes me marvel in the wisdom and power of our God. Vulnerability allows for words of reassurance to be given and received. It allows for relying not in our own strength but on the deep knowledge that truly God has made us capable, capable to be an active part of His plan. Labor is a blessing full of opportunity to minister to one another and to trust in God's design. Witnessing this within my family, has made a deep impact on me and I treasure it. 

Will and Heather were an amazing laboring team. Will was in tune to her needs, both physical and emotional as they changed through labor and he was so encouraging. Heather released her ideal timeline and released her desire for the doctor with the good bedside manner and she did so gracefully. After twelve hours of labor and very human pain, Heather drew on that deep strength and pushed Little John with focus and determination. She was vulnerable, beautiful, powerful and amazing.  

Welcome Little John, and your not so little 9 pounds 2 ounces. 

 GOD IS GOOD... All the Time!

GS Talent Show

This was a Girl Scout Event that I was not particularly looking forward to. We didn't sign up to go with Rachael's troop because we didn't want to plan a circus skit and the girls weren't into it. Megan's Daisy troop did have a pony song to do but 3 out of 4 meetings were canceled and they didn't prepare at all. Megan was still excited. I brought her to the dress rehearsal where they learned their song and routine for the first time. The girls were dressed as horses and had a cute little song about ponies at a circus. They learned it really fast and would be adorable even if they didn't sing loud.

Emma's troop was doing a "Little Mermaid" dance, which she was underwhelmed by, so instead she volunteered to do the lights. It happened that it was also her friends birthday and they were all going to hang out at the mall together. Emma was a bit oblivious to the fact that these things would overlap but we wound up making it work. She went to her friend's house right after church and they all went to the mall together. Our family all went to the mall to pick her up and pick up the girls portraits, then we were off the the Talent show.

When we got there one of the leaders approached me to ask if Emma could work the curtain. Emma was already committed but I suggested Rachael would be willing. Indeed she was. I was helping with Megan's troop so I was there at the dress rehearsal and knew the line-up. Megan's pony show went on first and she did a great job prancing to the music. Rachael was a little nervous at first and asked me to stay and help tell her what to do with each act. I stayed behind the curtains with her. Rachael took her duty seriously and  made sure to follow the stage directions and the curtain variations the show required. Rae did great.

I got a peek at Emma with the techs and she was on top of her duties as well. Emma enjoyed learning lighting terms and using the equipment. The 3 scouts enjoyed their roles in the talent show and I think the show was fun for Jim and Bridget in the audience as well. It came out well above my expectations. It ended in time for everyone to get home well before the Super-bowl. When we got home Emma got a text from her friends saying they were still at the mall, Em was so excited when we agreed to drive her back out there. She had a blast trying on shoes and dresses and being silly with friends for a few more hours. The giddy Emma was dropped off during the 1st quarter of the game. Rachael was decked out in Packer gear and we all had a blast cheering the Packers on to a Super-Bowl victory.

Snowday(s)

 So far this calender year, we have had at least 5 snow days and numerous late openings. Sometimes I look forward to snow days but in 2011 they have felt like a nuisance. Maybe it feels that way because they have been on my work days more often or on dance class day, or maybe because they have been so often and sometimes for questionable weather conditions.

The traditional snow day involves everyone relaxing, playing outside, and drinking hot chocolate. It is fun and light-hearted. One recent snow day was on my normal day home and it wound up being a great day to play outside. It wasn't windy or super chilly. There was plenty of fresh white snow, the perfect blank canvas. We piled on our snow gear and headed out. Poor Emma had a fever and instead spent the whole day feeling awful on the sofa, medicine didn't help much. Megan also had a fever but with Tylenol felt well enough to play for a little while.

Rachael helped shovel the walk and then poured her energy into making a snow tunnel. Megan tromped around for a little while and then headed back in to collapse into the sofa with Emma. Bridget and I worked together on a snowman. Bridge was really into smoothing the body with her little mittens. Rachael joined us to put the facial features on.  Jim had the hot water ready for hot chocolate when we came in. It was a great snow day.

Most of the other snow days were not great, Jim and I tried to work from home amid the noise, we had more ice than snow and more sick kids, but I'll try to just remember that good one.

A week later the snowman is still out there. It is much shorter and Rachael has fixed him up a few times but with this weather he doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Lucky Seven

A cold and fever couldn't suppress the excitement of turning seven. Megan had been watching the calender and counted down to her birthday. Those last few days were tough though because she had fevers off and on for a few days, and the weather was gray and snowy. She went to bed early on the eve of her birthday feeling badly. I woke up early and started the pancake making then I woke up Jim and the sisters. Each of the girls made Megs a card to put on the breakfast tray. I poked my head in the bedroom and whispered "Are you awake?" My answer was a waving "thumbs up" from the top bunk. She waited patiently and was all smiles when we entered singing Happy Birthday.

Since she didn't quite seem 100% we didn't think she was up to the 1 1/2 hour dance class. So she played until my Mom picked up the youngest 3 girls to take them out to celebrate their birthdays and to let them each pick something out at Toys R Us. Megan was beginning to feel bad again but didn't want to miss the trip, so we gave her more medicine and off she went. They were ready to play as soon as they got back. 

Megan got to choose a restaurant for dinner and had picked out CiCi's weeks ago. When we arrived the place was packed. It took awhile but after going through the buffet and standing with our trays we got a table, kindly given to us by a mother and son. There was plenty of opportunity to complain, but I was really proud of the girls who made the best of Megan's choice and didn't. We got home and Megan opened her stack of gifts and they all played before Megan surrendered her tired body to sleep.

It feels to me that Megan is changing rapidly this year. Some of her optimism is gone, there is a little more attitude, and newly sarcasm has crept in. But I also see her maturing and making deliberate decisions, good decisions. Megs is a precious seven year old and such a blessing to our family. I pray that she will hold fast to the tenderness of her heart and flourish.