# 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.

#8 - "Sitting" Sailor

Today I've been teaching my puppy (that has had quite a rambunctious morning) her first skill. "Sit." I probably said it 100 times. Maybe 200. But in the end, SHE SAT!

#7 - Birthday Celebrations

A surprise puppy from Corey. The one I wanted so much. The cutest little Old English Sheepdog ball of fur. Sailor.

I am thankful.

Breakfast with my sisters. The ones that drove me crazy when we were kids but that now, between our 3 busy lives and 9 wonderful kids, I can't seem to ever spend enough time with. But that morning we did. Between carpooling kids and a meeting and car repairs and other endless responsibilities, we shared one meal and thousands of words.

And I am thankful.

The day before my birthday. A weekend day. A day where my family gives me all that they can think of that I might want. More hugs than usual. Sweet words. Breakfast by the fire. A day in my bed to read. And nap. And read some more. A day filled with ordinary things that feel luxurious when they are much desired. My husband made it happen. He is training our kids how to love.

I am thankful.

My "real birthday". A Monday. A real life day. Gifts. Homemade cards. Homeschooling the boys by the fire. Dealing with the things that only the mom can deal with. Phone calls from far away family. Each one including the birthday song. That's what we do. Dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. With my 4 favorite people. Artichoke basil soup. A beautiful cake. More messages of birthday wishes from friends and family than my heart could contain.

My heart is overflowing. And I am thankful.

A message the next morning from Corey & Allie singing Happy Birthday to me as they drove to school because they realized that they forgot to on my birthday. A 30 minute phone call with my mom because we had played phone tag the day before. This is the woman than made my life possible.

And I am thankful.

Dinner with a few of my friends. Laughs. Conversation. More laughs. A prayer from a friend that brought me to tears. Delicious pink vodka sauce on pasta. A little wine. More laughs. Sweet gifts. Bath salts, a monogrammed candle, and a gift certificate to a spa. These girls know me. Beyond gifts that I am sure to like, they really know me.

And to great depths, I am thankful.

A December birthday. That's what I have. The kind of birthdate that can get swallowed up by the month it belongs to. But mine, because of those that love me, was set apart. I was celebrated. A midst the busyness, I was shown love. And I feel loved.

I am thankful.

#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.

#4 - Morning Carpool

Beautiful sky.  Coffee.  More importantly, coffee creamer.  Seat warmers.  A dependable car.  Happy kids.  The jokes they tell.  The questions they ask.  The conversations I overhear.  The sounds of studying.  And laughing.  The teachable moments.  The scenic drive.  The ponds, and horses, and golf course, and bridges.  The school that is our destination.  The ones that work there that love my children.  The Christian environment in which they get to learn.  The friends that they have there.  Visiting with long time friends.  And new friends.  The quiet that awaits me when I return to my car after drop off.  The peace that I have in knowing that I have left them in good hands.

#3 - The Aubreys

Cooper Aubrey & Aubrey Joy. Cousins. 3rd babies. Named after their great-grandfather. Glennon Aubrey Selke. Our Pap. One of the most kind, loving, calm men I've ever known. He left for Heaven when Cooper was on his way to me. I wonder, Did they cross paths? Can he see his namesakes and all their siblings and cousins? Does he know how we love him and honored him by naming our babies after him? I've missed him more this month than usual. Maybe because of anniversaries. His wedding anniversary. The anniversary of his death. Maybe because of our little Aubreys. So much I wish he and my Granny could see. So many I wish they could know. I can't wait to see him again someday and introduce him to my Aubrey. Cooper Aubrey. His namesake. My boy.

#2 - Ann Voskamp & Her Book

This probably should have been #1 since I am feeling so inspired to create this blog, in great part, because of her.  Here is Ann's website.  Go check it out if you haven't already.  Run, don't walk....

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/

#1 - Friends For My Kids

These posts will be in no particular order. They'll likely be whatever is happening in my life and/ or what is filling my thoughts.

Godly friends with families that I trust. Kids that encourage my kids in their faith. Neighborhood friends. Kids that are innocent and love good, old-fashioned fun. Friends of Jackson's that include Cooper in their fun. Today, Josh. Oh, and video games. We must not forget video games.