Pixie Dust - Recital 2012

By the time Clytie Adams' annual recital rolls around, I'm left not knowing if I want it to end (for a much needed break), or keep going!  I taught more classes and hours this year than ever, and I LOVED  every minute of it.  I was able to teach so many talented and pleasant young dancers...they made me so proud....I can hardly imagine what it must have felt like to be their mothers!  Here are some pictures of their classes.

Yankee Doodle Dandy (cast A, first year ballet)

My niece Savanna is the third one up the stairs on the left side...I loved being her teacher this year.

Mermaid Lagoon (cast A, level 2 ballet - wishing I had a recital picture)

Crocodile Mountain (cast B, level 2 jazz...oh boy we had fun!)

I did not get a picture of cast A beginner jazz

Aries from the Zodiac (cast B, pre-pointe)

Fairylands (cast A, pre-pointe)

I am so blessed to be able to teach for Clytie, and that I have a husband who supports me enough to ask that I keep teaching when I have the baby (he is clearing his schedule around mine so he can be home to watch our little one for a few hours each week).  I love being able to teach with women that I look up to, and who will be great friends for life.

2012-2013...bring it on!

The race that I didn't intend to run

This morning my family had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the "Leg up for Life" fundraiser for a local girl who needs a prosthetic leg.  Mom, Shane, and myself were all helpers with the 5K run.  I can't shake the thoughts I have been having about one of the little runners, so I thought I'd share.
It seemed that all of the runners had passed, so mom began cleaning up her area when she saw a young boy in the distance, running toward her post.  She recognized the boy as a friend of my nephew's.  As the boy approached my mom could tell that he was really struggling, and he was crying.  Since he knew who she was, my mom offered to drive him back to Davis High School so he could stop running.    All he told her is that he wanted to finish the race.  Mom gave him her water, and called to let me know that he was on his way toward me.
As the young, red-faced, teary eyed, very tired boy approached me, I put my arm around him and told him that I'd be happy to take the shortcut back to Davis and walk it with him.  He told me, as he had my mom, that he wanted to finish the race.  I couldn't let him do it alone.  The other runners were far, far in front of him, and he was clearly struggling.  I gave mom my chair and purse and said, "Well then, I'll run with you."
In my flip flops and white skinny jeans, the tired boy and I ran together the rest of the 2 miles to the finish line.  It wasn't easy (for either of us), but how grateful I felt that we did it together.
As we were running, I thought a lot about my Savior, Jesus Christ.  There are so many times in my life that he has stopped by and offered help to me, so many times when I thought I could do it on my own.  How blessed I feel that he knows my needs...that he will stop yet again, no matter how many thousands of people need help too, and be with me.  Walk with me.  Run with me.  Carry me...  help me on my way toward crossing the finish line when I will be able to see him, kneel at his feet, and thank him for never ceasing to believe in me.
I'm sure that sweet, young boy will never forget the race he ran today, and I will never forget the silent lesson I learned as I ran it with him.

The Happiest Place

I LOVE Disneyland.  Shane likes it because I love it.  

My brother also LOVES Disneyland (probably more than I do).  His wife likes it because Eric loves it.

So, the four of us took a trip to the happiest place on earth!

Eric, Nina, Kenzie, Shane

I absolutely love Splash Mountain pictures...especially where Shane has buried himself in the rain cover for his backpack!

We had ONE weekend that would work for all of us to head to California...too bad that weekend also fell on the opening of Cars Land in California Adventure Park!  This picture was from our second day at Disneyland.  People had camped out overnight for the grand opening, and by the time we arrived at 7:45 AM, the line to get in to CA park was IN SANE, and the park didn't even open until 9 AM!  This picture honestly doesn't do it justice.  

Needless to say, we didn't attempt Cars Land (and we were fine with that).  Some people said they waited in a 6 hour line to just ride one ride from Cars Land.  WOW. 

By Saturday (our third day at Disneyland) California Adventure Park didn't look NEARLY as crazy, so we headed over to ride some rides as we arrived.  California Screamin', and Soarin' over California didn't even have a wait!  (everyone was in Cars Land)

And if you've ever been to Disneyland, you would know that this was a picture worth taking.  Even when we went in January there was a 45 minute wait for Toy Story's Midway Mania.

Despite all the crowds, Sully found me sitting on this bench and made his way over to give me a hug and a kiss!  I thought I was going to die at first because he is so HUGE, plus I was sitting down, but it was a really fun experience.  (Sully is my favorite character at Disneyland...)

We ended our trip with the amazing World of Color Show (which Shane hadn't ever seen).  That show is so incredible it honestly makes me feel a bit emotional!  (I'm sure that couldn't be the pregnancy hormones taking effect...)

It was so fun to get away with Shane, and my brother and his wife for a 3 day getaway to Disneyland...and I feel so blessed that I didn't get sick once while we were there.  

Disneyland...I LOVE YOU! :)

We prayed for you, baby.

November 11, 2011 (taken from my journal)

"The other night I had a strong prompting to open my scriptures.  I searched passages about peace, as I was hoping to find that in my own heart.  My eyes swiftly fell upon a scripture that I was not searching for: D&C 19:38

"Pray always, and I will pour out my spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing - yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of the earth..."

I knew at that moment that my Savior was ready to hear me, carry my burden, and bless me with the peace that I so longed for.  My eyes filled with tears as I reflected upon what my greatest blessing would be...something even greater than treasure...a sweet, little baby.

So, I will pray.  I will practice even more patience, I will patch up my faith.  I will be more Christlike and fill my heart and home with happiness and peace.  It isn't easy, and I'm not sure if it ever will be, but the moment I see my sweet one it will be worth every struggle.  My fears are human and so real.  I am afraid, but I continually hope for a miracle and will pray that Shane and I can be worthy of such a blessing."