On Youth Sunday

To say that David and  I are in awe of these two would be an understatement. Yesterday during morning worship the girls performed the dance they choreographed and they did so brilliantly and beautifully! When the idea of them performing a dance during Youth Sunday was first brought up two weeks ago I absolutely had my reservations. Never before had they choreographed anything, much less something that they would  be performing in front of a large audience. But they felt up to the task so we made sure to make room in our days for them to work on it. Each day before morning lessons, we'd head over to the church so that they could spend time practicing since our sweet, old farmhouse just does not have a large, furniture free, space. Watching them work together to create this piece was truly such a gift!

And so, yesterday morning, we arrived at church early for one final run through. It was then that I recorded their dance one final time (and took these grainy pictures during it) so that I could be completely present during the actual debut of their piece. Even though I had seen this dance hundreds of times in the twelve days they worked on it, something about seeing it yesterday had me rather teary. Everything came together so perfectly -the song, the costumes, their choreo-  that watching my babies perform their first ever duo brought tears to my eyes.

Many thanks to Cindy, Lauri, Michael, Christina, Nicole, Lisa, and Katie for making our girls the beautiful dancers they are today, and for giving them the skills and knowledge that allowed them to choreograph such a beautiful piece at their young ages. And thanks to Sydney for being their 'older sister", their biggest cheerleader and a total inspiration to them! We are forever grateful for all that each of you has done for them and we are so blessed to be part of the Center Stage dance family.

And finally, thank you to the amazing faith community that is Plymouth Church. Thank you for loving our girls so fiercely and so completely and for giving them (and all the children and youth of Plymouth Church) the opportunity to do something like this during worship. Thank you to Rev Will Tanner for suggesting they do something like this during Youth Sunday. And thank you to you and Rev Greg Morisse for giving us the space during the week to practice. Plymouth Church is indeed a very special place and we are all the better for getting to be part of it! xo 

Apple Crisp

Some nights just call for a little apple crisp and caramel ice cream. Tonight was one such night! xo

Through Grace And Emma's Eyes

The other day, inspired by a post my friend Meghann over at Four Wild Blueberries wrote, I stuck the memory card from the camera the girls use into the computer. Below are some of the pictures that were on it.

I just love seeing the world through their eyes. I love seeing what they found beautiful or important.  I love trying to figure out what they were up to, or remembering where we were. I love how some of the pictures are crystal clear and others are somewhat blurry. I love these little glimpses into their world and I love seeing how things change as they grow! Thanks, Meghann for the reminder to check in with their camera. It had been far too long since the last time we looked and I'm so very grateful for the inspiration to do so! xo

Grace And Emma Go To A Baby Shower

This past Sunday evening, a baby shower was held at Meadowbrook Farm for the girls beloved art teacher, Miss Emily.  It was an absolutely perfect September evening for such a special gathering.  There were so many families there to shower the soon-to-be new mama and papa with lots of love and good wishes in these their final weeks of waiting to meet their little one. 

 

After many games were played, conversations had and delicious food enjoyed it was time to open the gifts.  I absolutely loved how the gift opening was done!  Each child was invited to bring Emily and Eric the gift that their family had brought and then Emily and Eric would open the gift with the child standing right there with him.  What a perfectly special way to open gifts!  A little bit of one on one time for each family and the guests of honor.  And I couldn't help but feel that all gift opening at showers should happen this way (whether littles are in attendance or not).  How special would it be for each guest to get to spend a moment with the bride or mama-to-be while she opens that specially selected gift brought for her by each person?  Usually at events like this you feel like you barely got to talk to the guest of honor (or the guests if you are the one the shower is for) but that was not the case here. It was absolutely delightful and truly special and something that I will keep with me forever.

 

Thank you Emily and Eric for including us in such a special day.  We look forward to hearing that your little one has arrived and getting to meet him/her soon!  Enjoy these last few weeks of this pregnancy.  Your baby will be here before you know it!