# 9 - Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet. A tradition in our family for almost 20 years. So many memories... The first time Corey took me. Dressing up. A surprise Clara ornament - it's still a special moment each year when we hang her on our tree. Taking our little girl to the ballet for the first time. Seeing her eyes light up in wonder during the show and watching her spin in the aisles. She was a ballerina too. She was sure of it. Later, adding one little brother to our tradition and then another. Choosing nutcrackers or ornaments at the souvenir table. Snuggling my little ones as we watched the beautiful dance. We haven't gone every year, but many.

And tonight, part of us went again. This time, just Allie and me. We went with my sister and niece. Emily and Claire. I call her CJ - though those aren't her initials. It's my special name for her with special meaning. Just from me to her. So tonight we 4 went to the ballet - Emmie, CJ, Allie, and me. Girls night out. Just mothers and daughters. All dressed up. It was Claire's first time to see The Nutcracker, and she was so excited she couldn't stand it. Chatty, happy, giggly, entranced. Excited. Sweet. 5 years old. It was so fun to see that kind of wonder again. Both Allie and I enjoyed seeing Claire see the ballet. And spending time with Emmie. And watching the show. And being with each other.

Tradition.

#6 - New Beginnings

New beginnings. Second chances. Sometimes third and fourth chances. And sometimes more. We're wrapping up a chapter. Turning a page. Ending a tough time. A very rough time. In many ways, the hardest time that I've had as a parent. I've learned to trust God with my most precious belongings at a deeper level than ever before. My child. My children. But we have kept moving. We are leaving behind the bad and moving on with the good that we have learned from it all. And we are preparing for a new experience. A good experience. Hopefully, a great experience. That's what we are doing. We are learning from the place that we've been. Hoping that we've learned lessons that we'll never have to learn again. Moving on to a place that will be much better for our family. We hope. And what else do we have, beyond hope.

#5 - Time With Her

Time with Allie is some of my best time spent. Always has been. Since she was a baby girl, big bow on her head, strolling through the mall with me. Today, we have worked to solve a problem. Worked hard. All the while asking God to teach us through this hard time. Don't let this struggle be a waste. And I know it won't be. He is faithful. Always. And we have laughed. And we ate soup. And laughed some more. And while every picture I took of her today involved her stubborn little hand up in front of her face, she snapped this one of me. And we thought it was cool. Like her.