Christmas Season

How was the above photo even a year ago?  How is the photo below now?  I guess this is a part of parenthood, wondering where the time went and acknowledging that it all goes by so fast.  I was just looking at my daughter the other day and thinking to myself, she really isn't a baby anymore, she is a little girl.  Her legs are so long now, she "reads" us books and has her "favorites" and her own little personality.  

This Christmas Season went by quickly for us.  It is so different on an island.  I didn't realize how much I needed the cold weather to feel festive.  We found the Christmas spirit in different ways this year.  Thanksgiving we spent with our neighbors and a few of their friends, we had Thanksgiving outside and it was sort of cold, we had to wear a light jacket. I've baked, way too much, way more than I ever have.  We visited Santa and following that visit we went to the park.  My students had a Holiday themed show.  We went to see Handel's Messiah at our church and listened to some beautiful music.  Today (Christmas Eve) our church went to a nursing home and sang carols and handed out gifts, this is one of my favorite things we have done as a family for Christmas ever, it was really amazing.  I'm particularly excited that Ely is a little bit older this year and sort of has an idea of what is going on with the presents.  She has tried to unwrap some and that has been a fun adventure keeping her away from them.  We miss our friends and family and wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  I posted a link that shares the message of Christ's birth, I wish you a Christmas filled with joy of the knowledge that we were given the best gift of all, a Savior who is our advocate, who knows us and loves us.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HP_SU_11-29-2015_dMIS_fSPC_xLIDyL1-A_

Mr. & Mrs. Clause at the Kadena USO

I know this park has a more official name, I'm not sure what it is so we call it Trampoline Park.

After Handel's Messiah Concert

Christmas pictures with a timer is a different story with a toddler.  After getting wet and several failed attempts we finally had a decent one.  

 I may have gotten them a little wet.  

Holiday Showcase In Japan

Today was my first showcase with Footloose Dance Studio.  I'm on such a high right now post show that I wanted to try and write as much as I can before I forget what that was like.  I love Japan, I love that we chose to move out here, I love my new job, so let me say that as a disclaimer.  When I quit my job with Acapriccio, I had a really hard time.  I'm pretty sure that I went through/still am going through some sort of mourning process. It felt like someone had died or I had gone through a horrific breakup.  I cried, a lot.  It was one of those things that I knew I had to let go of, like Elsa says and every other 5 year old that I teach "Let it Go!"  

I often contemplated whether or not we made the right decision to move out here due to how much I missed working there.  When I got my new job, I knew that comparing the two studios wouldn't make me happier and I had to remind myself that it was an evolutionary process for me to fall as in love with my old studio and that it didn't happen over night, so it would have to be the same for this new job.  I was grateful to be able to continue teaching, and to have employment at all out here as so many spouses struggle to find work.  

Tonight finally brought  some healing.  I looked over and saw my 3 & 4 year olds about to take the stage, and had this overwhelming feeling come over me as I saw their little faces.  I'm still doing this.  I'm still teaching.  It is still amazing.  Usually there is always one tiny dancer that cries on stage, on that knows the whole dance, and one that just stands there and watches everyone else.  With this little group tonight, my dancer who I thought for sure was going to be the one who knew the whole dance and nail it got out on stage and had this uncomfortable look on her face and her eyes started to well up with tears.  My first thought " Oh no!  Not you, your the one who knows it so well, your the one all the other dancers watch".   She made eye contact with me, and started to do her dance, her uneasiness started to fade and she began looking more comfortable, she didn't cry and she did her whole dance.  She overcame this little bit of stage fright.  Not only did we have this little success, but all of these little dancers did their dance.  They all tried their hardest, and smiled, and they did so good.  My "crier" didn't cry, I have another little dancer who ALWAYS cries in class when things get overwhelming for her, but tonight she didn't cry and I didn't have anyone just stand there and watch!  Small triumphs in the world of 3&4 year old ballet.  After this little routine, my heart was so full.

It's moments like this that are mending my heart, and making me fall in love with teaching even more.  I'm so grateful to have a career and something I love to do. I'm glad that I chose to get a degree in dance and I'm grateful for a spouse that supported me in doing so.  I know that in pursuing this form of education is what has helped me find work.  I love my job and I can't wait for what the future holds at Footloose!