Week 15--Show Time!

 Monday, Apr. 7th

This is the long, heavy tech week.....it's me managing a stressed tech team, assuring them they'll get there, fist-bumping every actor, telling them they've got this.  It's me liason-ing for an exhausted cast.  It's me complimenting, correcting, encouraging, stroking.  It's me taking and sending notes and working with more than 150 adults and kids to get the show ready.

Meg took these at flag football.

Tuesday, Apr. 8th

Extras for the day.  Renna is a help and fun playmate.

Wednesday, Apr. 9th

Just a few years and many inches ago...

Rocco had a long, 2-part dentist / ortho appointment.  The next step in a perfect smile.  They finally filled in his big gap with a fake tooth attached to his braces.

Maddy, Mason, and Ezra flew out to Sioux Falls for 10 days.  Brent still runs the full version of the show containing the dancing angel in front of the tomb, so he convinced Maddy to do one more year.  We died when we saw that Ezra would also be making her stage debut!

Fine-tuning our special FX.

Thursday, Apr. 10th

Trevor and 250 classmates went to NYC for the weekend to evangelize as part of his 1st-year curriculum.  

I love him so very much and his heart to understand where others are at and lead them to the Cross.  He said one of his most profound conversations of his time there was with someone who didn't speak any English so they chatted with Google Translate.  Trevor never misses an opportunity to share Christ.  Sharing his faith is not reserved for a missions trip to New York.  He is bold, he is courageous, he is obedicnt.  It's inspiring and convicting.

I spent the afternoon at the church working on some set pieces.

Friday, Apr. 11th

Opening night!!!!  Finally made it to the "finish" line.  First of five shows.  I was delighted to see Dad walk in 5 minutes before the start!  He surprised me.  Gone are the days of grandparents coming to watch a bunch of grandkids on stage.  This year he came for his daughter, knowing I had put a lot of time in.  He got a ticket online, came by himself, and totally filled my heart.  (Colombo ushered and R&R served in the kids area.)

I was blessed by this sweet 8-10 y.o. girls glued to the story the entire time.

Caught on camera by the paparazzi.

Opening night in Sioux Falls.

Saturday, Apr. 12th

Not so flattering, but sweet of Bruce to capture me at my post from the catwalk.  Such a good, committed team!  Show #2

Nicky sent this new-to-us picture of Colombo (the first) / Ganky.  We all agreed there's a strong resemblance with Trevor.

My dad also sent us a couple I'd never seen.  Toddler Lisa and Baby Amy.  Renna thinks teenage Amy looks just like Gramma here.

Lisa

Sunday, Apr. 13th

First service on Palm Sunday with our bonus boys.

Harlem and I then went to watch the first 20 minutes in East Windsor where C4 was playing.  Harlem thought C was just the coolest!

Quick FT on my way to show #3.

I mean......just.so.stunning!  

Week 14--Sisters' Birthdays

Monday, Mar. 31st

Renna and I went and spent a couple of hours helping a friend who had identical twins a few weeks ago.  They're itty bitty and just the sweetest.  So far, they mostly just sleep.

Hockey banquet.  Short and sweet but lousy pictures.  He jetted as soon as he could to get to flag football.

Wedding invitations were stuffed, stamped, and sent!

Tuesday, Apr. 1st

Wednesday, Apr. 2nd

Renna and I drove nearly an hour to watch Rocco's first tennis scrimmage of the season.  He looks great!

I was at rehearsal with some down-time, scrolling the gram only to find the cutest video in Maddy's stories!

Thursday, Apr. 3rd

Harley needed me last minute, so I had him make a birthday card for his mom's birthday the next week.

Then he had to stay with me through co-op.  The older classes were so sweet about involving him.

Friday, Apr. 4th

Saturday, Apr. 5th

Little Miss looking so cute for at the wedding her dad officiated.

The rest of us enjoyed a bit of a crazy evening.  I got home late from rehearsal to find the house full.  Trevor had come home for a quick weekend, so friends and family gathered.  I love the extra noise and activity.

Sunday, Apr. 6th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADDY!

I saw these at Job Lot and couldn't leave without them.

We worked for nearly a month to set aside a time for Renna (March) and Maddy's (April) birthday celebration.  In the end, we did a brunch (because I had a 3 hour window) on Maddy's actual day.

We sang first so the coffee cake could be part of the buffet.

Nathanael and Tina gifted Ezra this bear as the official ask for her to be the flower girl.  She said yes!

Then I was off to a very long rehearsal.  

Sarah had posted this in her stories to wish Maddy a happy birthday.  Sarah was about 4 and Maddy maybe 7-8.  Sarah's family was visiting from Guatemala where they served as missionaries, and staying with Bob and Jules across the street.  Since we were meeting for the first time, I came up with an activity and helped the girls make some very easy Christmas cookies together.  Here were are 17ish years later, they are super close, Sarah is about to stand in Avery's wedding, and our family bonds have only grown.  Life is crazy!