And I must tell another story of Debbie's presence in our lives. The dress Caroline wore was the same dress Debbie gave Madeline and that Madeline wore for her dedication. Madeline also wore a dress for Caroline's dedication that Debbie had given her. We continue to miss Debbie and do whatever we can to remember her.
My dear husband thinks I watch entirely too much TV. Not only that, but that I watch too many reality shows. And while I really enjoy Survivor, Design Star, and the Bachelor/Bachelorette, and used to enjoy American Idol, the one I really look forward to with bated breath each season is So You Think You Can Dance. I can't get enough of this show for obvious reasons. I am so glad that dance is finally becoming something to watch for America. I am glad it has an outlet, and that some of the most amazing choreographers in America are getting their due. I am also glad that I have an outlet for my passion as my body gets older and won't quite do the things it used to, or that I want it to. And, yes, I am jealous. Very jealous. I would love nothing more than to be young and in shape again and be able to dance to my heart's content. It is and always will be in my blood. I must post this dance from last season. I think it is my favorite of all seasons, but mind you, it is a tad racy. Forgive that as I just want you to see the kind of dancing I would give my two front teeth to do.
WOW. This type of dance is called Contemporary, and I could get lost in it. It is so expressive and these two dancers- Allison and Ivan- were awesome. So this season has begun, and I already have a few favorites. We'll see what happens. Pray for my husband as he endures my addiction to this show and as he must sit back and watch me actually vote! And hopefully one day soon, this 35-year-old will find herself back in studio for dance class.
Here is how he looked when he first got to his place. He was so excited he could barely stand still. And just that morning he was all but crying that he didn't want to go because the songs were too long. As you can see, it didn't bother him at all once he got there.
This is Charlie and one of his best friends, Reagan, doing the motions to one of the songs. It was the cutest song called "Tooty-Ta." Too hard to explain, but it was the best part of the program. And just last week, Reagan and his mom were at our house and the two of them said, "You're my best buddy."
Here he is shaking the pricipal's hand and getting his diploma. What a proud Mama I am.
This is Charlie with his teachers. On the right is Mrs. Quist, or as the kids call her, Mrs. Q. She had to leave the year early because she had a baby at 27 weeks. His name is Isaac and he is still in the hospital in Ft. Worth. He is doing well getting stronger every day. On the left is Mrs. Nobile. She was a Kindergarten Aide and stepped in to take over for Mrs. Q. She did a great job and the kids loved both teachers. 
This is Madeline getting her trophies and certificate. Each child got a trophy for their activities so Madeline got a piano trophy, dance trophy, and then each child got a "Jesus Loves Me" trophy of praying hands. Then each child gets an award for a certain attribute and Madeline got the award for "Most Compassionate."
So this is her second dance- the jazz dance. I got this idea from high school- thanks Wranglerettes!! This is a dance to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." I had them dress in their pajammas for a pajamma party. I told them to pile their hair on top of their heads so that it would swing around. Some, like Madeline even wore hair pieces. They also danced with their pillows as Caroline helps demonstrate in the next pic.
Dancer and Future Dancer. Of course, Madeline had to have the Princess pillow case. And so my Preschooler is now in Pre-Kindergarten. Getting older and bigger everyday. I've always thought of her as my baby and now there is Caroline getting ready to follow in her big sister's footsteps. I am so blessed to have two beautiful princesses and a big brother to take care of them. God is good.
I know it's late, but the other day I was looking through pictures on my computer and came across this one from Mother's Day last year. So I thought I would do a post on Mother's Day. This Mother's Day was a difficult one. Not only for me, but for the other people in our church who were close to Debbie. Not only were we sad that she wasn't with us, but we were sad because she wasn't with her kids, Chris and Ashley. There were a few tears at church and throughout the day. I really thought of Debbie as my mom in Nocona. I could tell her anything and I knew she would understand. And she always wanted to know what was going on in our lives. I so greatly miss being able to pick up the phone and tell her about my day and what is happening with my kids. Especially with Caroline. Charlie and Madeline have memories for now, but Caroline will never know Debbie's sweet presence in her life. As I promised Debbie the day before she died, I will always tell my kids about her and how much she loved us.
So here is a picture of my Mother's Day this year. My first with three kids. I am so blessed as a Mom that God has entrusted me with three wonderful angels to take care of, to teach, to watch grow, and to travel this journey of life with. They are each special in their own ways and I am filled with love for them. What a joy to see Charlie acting silly, Madeline twirling, and Caroline grinning. I am learning daily about what it means to be a mother and I am so proud to be learning with them. I fall in love with them over and over again as they reach each stage of their lives. My prayer for them is that they come to know Christ as I do, and that through Him they are able to find the things in life that bring them joy. That they will grow and mature in their faith in Him, and share that faith with others. I pray that they will be safe and healthy, and also that they will always feel loved. But for now, I will settle for loving them as much as I can and try daily to give them over to the Lord to do what He wills.
Now for my Mom. This picture was taken last year at the Women of Faith Conference in Dallas. (Mom, we don't take enough pictures together!) What an inspiration my mom has been to me!! We have always been best friends. When I was growing up, my friends were often envious of me because I had such a great relationship with my mother. And I was always very proud of that. I could tell her anything at all and she didn't judge me. She supported me in everything I did and took me to countless gymnastics, cheerleading, and drill team practices, meets and games. She tolerated my constant fighting with my brother. She did everything she possibly could to help me with my anxiety and panic disorder. She sat up with me nights and tolerated my constant stomach-aches and fears. She has helped me through school, getting married and moving away to Florida. She was the reason I wanted to move back to Texas when I got pregnant with my first child. She was there for his birth and has seen me through two more after. She helped me through depression after my second chile and stayed with me as I was so sick with my last pregnancy. She continues to be a major presence in the lives of my kids as well as my brother's. Mom has beaten breast cancer and seen my dad through major heart surgery. She has endured the death of her father. And she has done all of these things with a grace that can only come from God and that I hope to have in my own life. I have learned more from her than any teacher or school could ever teach. She is my confidante and my friend. She is my safe place and my hero. I am proud to call her my mother. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. 
