Mourning to Dancing

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Dancing From The Heart

I am often overwhelmed by the dancer I once was and now am not. I don't want to cling to the dancer I used to be or continue to live in the past. I deeply miss a lifestyle of dancing. At the same time, I want to be who I am at this stage in my life and truly embrace it. Much flexibility and technique is gone. I want to be able to accept that I am a 35 year-old mom who once was a great dancer and still is...only in a different perspective. Where flexibility and technique fail, my heart dances deeper.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Si's 4th Birthday

Silas is 4! What the heck!!!! How did that happen?!!?!
Jamie and I were at CHEA on Si's big day so we had to celebrate the next day. He wanted to go roller skating. So we did. The boys did pretty good on their skates. A little wobbly at first but eventually they were getting along pretty well. They didn't make it off the carpet for long, but that's ok. So, do any of you remember your first roller skating experience? I do! Holding onto the wall for dear life. The boys were far more brave than I. And had fantastic attitudes too! After our skating, we headed up to Julian and spent about a week camping. As soon as we got to our trailer, we locked ourselves out! Holy moley!!! Yeah, that took a while. Thank goodness the cake was outside the trailer. I had to borrow plates and forks from our dear friends who were camping with us. But we had cake!!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Great Choreography

The incredible variety of movement within the

human body. We are fearfully and wonderfully

made by an artistic Creator.

My favorite pieces of choreography.

(This post will be occasionally updated.)

"Sweet Dreams" choreography by Mandy Moore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQC5tvcJILs

"Our Favorite Son" from Will Rogers Follies,

choreographed by Tommy Tune. I learned this

dance when I performed this show for Fullerton

Civic Light Opera in 2001. What a blast!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9-1XutZfPY

Cyd Charisse & Gene Kelly in "Singing In The Rain"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YWBOfsXsDA

These girls are deaf...and totally stunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPB87oq7RzQ

7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Barn Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjsjsudv49o

Of course I have to include the Treadmill Dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaRfxjcpYvM

Michael Jackson, 1995 MTV VMAs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7h3RyCjjak

Katie & Josh in "No Air". Choreography by Tabitha & Napolean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGG_w6vFApM

Oksana

Oksana is my niece. She will be 16 next month and is beautiful. My heart's desire for her is that she will settle for nothing less than holiness and will discover her true beauty in the Lord. She has been staying with us for about 2 weeks this summer and we are hoping to have her with us for as much of the summer as possible. Please pray that we will be able to reach her heart and live our lives as an example of godliness and purity. And pray that God's will will be done in our home regarding our involvement with her. We are willing to have her live with us permanently. This, of course, would require a major life change (particularly for me) as I would insist on home schooling her.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Koop Island Blues

My latest favorite bit of choreography...again Mia Michaels shows her genius.

I think the piece should be renamed "Derriere".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCBIBRSEn0

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Boys' Birthday Party

We spent Saturday morning at Old Poway Park celebrating the boys' birthdays. Brandon turned 5 last month and Silas will be 4 next month. Old Poway Park has a train that runs on the weekends. It is a really quaint and peaceful place. The Del Bono's and Mellor's joined our family (they practically are family to us) and we had a sweet celebration of my two little angels. As I was setting up for the party, it began to rain...yikes! But cleared up just in time for the guests to arrive. The weather was beautiful and perfect. God is good! Here, Silas is decked out in his Armor of God and Brandon is enjoying a birthday cupcake.

Joanna Mellor & Nicole DelBono; Michael Mellor; Breanna & Danielle DelBono

From left to right: Brandon, Silas, Danielle, Nicole, Joanna, Michael, Breanna, Sarah, Anika

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Rest of The Story...about policemen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB9-NcunsKc

A sweet tribute to police officers by Paul Harvey. Maris, thank you for sharing this.

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Insights from Brandon

"My brother is crazy because he drinks a lot of fruit juice." (7-5-10)

A phone call.

Dad: "Hey Brandon, do you miss me?"

Brandon: "Actually, Dad, I've been having such a good time, I haven't really thought about you."

While watching the Perseid Meteor Shower, Daddy put away the telescope. B says: "Well, we'll have to depend on our eyes now." (8-12-10)

Was watching AFV with B. I said, "I've never seen a cat do that." B looked at me and stated very matter-of-fact: "Well, now you have." (8/22/10)

B: "Mom, Si said he was mad at you and daddy because he couldn't go miniature golfing. I told him he should be mad at satan because satan made him be bad." Me: "Brandon, you know satan doesn't make us do anything. We all make our own decisions." B: "Oh! Thank you, Mom. I guess I don't know everything." (9/11/10)

"I can only find my sandals. If Jesus can wear 'em, I can wear 'em!" (11/15/10)

B: "Mom, instead of just buying milk at the store..."

Me: "...we should just get a cow?"

B: "Yes! Cows are my favorite animal."

Me: "Do you like cows because they make milk?"

B: "Yes! Milk is my favorite drink."

Me: "Yes, well, where would we keep it?" (1/12/11)

J: "Does anyone know what 'reproach' means?"

B: "Well, I think I sort of know. It's like when you first approach somebody and then you reproach them later." (1/17/11)

"I love me! I love myself! I'm a genius!" ...upon great success playing his math game. Don't worry, I reminded him of the Proverb: Let another man praise you and not your own lips. And then I praised him and told him he's a genius. (2/18/11)

"Mom! I didn't know I could have so much fun in one day!" Excitedly pronounced as we exited Circus Circus. (3/18/11)

B: "Mom, Si's having an otter pop. Can I have one?"

Me: "Yes."

B: "But, you said we couldn't have dessert."

Me: "Well, Daddy said yes."

B: "Oh! It doesn't matter what you say, Mom; it matters what Dad says!" (8/27/11)

B: "There's 2 reasons why I was in the bathroom for so long. I was going poo...that's number one..." Mommy: "Don't you mean that's number 2?" (2/15/12)

Me: "Brandon, I'm teaching Sunday School tomorrow and I need you to help me collect some Legos for a game we're playing."

B: "Wow, Mom! Thanks for telling me. I'm a Lego genius!"

Me: "Your brother likes being dirty."

B: "Yeah. Dirty's his favorite thing. I think he likes it more than his favorite color." (2/18/13)

At a memorial for our friend, Sharon Bergman:

Dutch (Sharon's husband) to B: "I'm really glad you guys came today. It really means a lot."

B: "Well, I really didn't have a choice." (6/1/13)

"One thing's for sure: I never get tired of going to church! (2014)

Silas speaks

"Mommy, Jesus was in my dream and He said, 'You should obey your mom and dad everyday.'" (4-5-10)

I got the ice cream out of the freezer and set it on the stove to dish some up for the boys and Silas says, "Don't warm it up, Mom! Then it won't be ice cream, it will just be cream." (6/4/10)

Silas: "Dad, why is the earth made of dirt?'

Daddy: "That's a strange question coming from a kid that should be asleep."

Silas: "But it's a good one." (6/6/10)

"I picked up Daddy's rubber band (the theraband Jamie is using for p.t. on his arm) and I looked around and no one was looking, but I knew God was looking so I put it back." (6/7/10)

We were having lunch at Calico's (a restaurant) and Silas says to the owner, "Brandon is sad because he likes the Fudge Factory better." (7/22/10)

B: "Grammy we got Twinkies at the Bottle Shop for an after-lunch treat."

Si: "Yeah, We had zucchinis...I mean, whatever-they're-called." (8/21/10)

B: "Mommy, I want to sleep with you."

Mommy: "That's nice, but you need to sleep in your own bed."

Si: "I want to sleep on the crouton." (He meant the futon in our room.) (8/22/10)

Me: "Si, what was your favorite part of Sunday School today." Si: "Saying my memory verse." Me: "Really? What was it?" Si: "I don't remember." (9/12/10)

I'm going through Madeline for our Five-In-A-Row lesson, and I asked the boys what tower is in Paris. Si shouts, "The Tower of Terror!" I guess the ride at Disneyland made an impression. (9/27/10)

Si & I were at the Miramar Air Show when a man sitting in front of us fell unconscious. By all observations, he was dead. So, I prayed and helped how I could. After a while, we walked away and I tried to explain to Si what had happened. I asked him if he'd like to pray for the man and his wife and he did. His prayer was beautiful and perfect. After praying, he said to me, "Mommy, when I was praying I thought my eyes were going to cry." I told him that those are the best prayers. (10/1/10)

We were talking about the Lamb's Book of Life during breakfast, and Si says, "Mom, I think we should pray right now that our names are in the Book." "Okay, honey," I said, "go ahead and we will all pray." About 3 minutes later, I continued to read the Bible story and I saw Si, head bowed, hands clasped. "Siley, are you praying again?" "Yes, mommy. I really want my name in that book." (11/30/10)

Watching the Charger game.

"The reason why they call him 'Rivers' is because his shirt is blue." (12/16/10)

Spoken as dramatically as you can comprehend: "I am the golden child!" (12/20/10)

Daddy: "Are you excited to see your great-grandmother tomorrow?"

Si: "I don't even know who she is."

Daddy: "She is Baba's mom."

Si: "I didn't know moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas have moms and dads."

Daddy: "Baba and Dadu are my mom and dad."

Si: "How do you know?"

Jamie went into a lengthy answer about living with them while he was young, etc., then Silas asked, "Well then, why did you leave them?" (12/21/10)

After writing the letter 'q'. "Wow! That's a great whatever-that-letter-is!" (1/17/11)

"I burped three times. Excuse me... Thrice!" (5/28/11)

Me: "Boys, who is your favorite hero and why?"

Si: "God. Because anytime He wants He can turn me into a chicken." (1/12/12)

Me: "Real life is way better than school." Si: "I'll tell you what's better than school...learning about heaven!" (2/6/12)

Grammy: "Si, wouldn't you want a million dollars?" Si: "No, because it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (7/15/14)

Si: "Mom, you know how Obamacare only really works for people who are old?" Me: "Yeah." Si: "Well, if I become a famous ball player, I can take care of you. It'll be Silas-care!" (10/21/14)

"I'm just a big blob of tissue right now. Standing here, talking, walking around, looking like a person. I'm just a big blob of tissue." (5/15/15)

Ganging up together...

B: "Silas, you know, when you drop one of my favorite things, your brain tells your bones to do it." To which Si responds: "Maybe that's it! My brain's being mean to me!!" (9/1/10)

B: "Hey! You killed me! Why'd you do that?"

Si: "Well, you ran in front of my gun...what do you expect?" (4/23/11)

The boys are coloring.

me: "Who is that?"

B: "Abraham Lincoln."

me: "What's he doing?

B: "Reading."

Me: "He's reading by the firelight. Everything he ever learned, he taught himself."

Si: "So did Yoda." (2-12-12 Happy Birthday, Abe.)

Si: "Mom, you know why I like being the youngest? It's like Jacob and Esau...'the oldest shall serve the youngest.'"

B: Laughing, "Yeah, this morning he asked if I would sell my birthright." (9-17-12)

Great Quotes

"Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." ~Abraham Lincoln

"In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, [if we remove the Bible from schools] I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them." ~Dr. Benjamin Rush, The Father of the Public Schools under the Constitution

"Those who have known freedom and lost it have never known it again." ~Ronald Reagan

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~Mark Twain

"Act as though it's all up to you; Pray as though it's all up to Him." ~Glenn Beck

"God uses each of us within the limitations of our personalities. ...it is Him in me that will reach the world." ~Sally Clarkson

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior." ~Fanny Crosby (author of more than 8000 hymns)

"Cat food tastes so bad cats deserve it." ~Hank the Cowdog