A couple of months ago we finally got the fish we’ve been talking about getting for so long.  On one of our date nights with the kids, Kenny took Anna to buy the tank, fish, and all the necessary things.  They set everything up per the advice at the pet store, and over the course of the next few days, three of the four fish died.  We’ve since gotten better advice about caring for fish and have mastered keeping Blossom alive.  The plan is to add a few more fish to keep her company.  Kenny and Anna are completely handling all things fish and I’m very grateful.  

My book club is down to three, but we’re still going strong!  So thankful to live next door to Jenny now!

I’m not sure I mentioned this before in my posts about our move but wanted to record another blessing the Lord provided.  A couple of years ago our eye doctor moved to the north side of town and I complained how far we had to drive to see her.  Then about a year later we switched dentists, and the new dentist was way north.  Shortly after that, we decided to start Invisalign with the kids (more on that below), and the orthodontist’s office was – you guessed it – north.  All three of these offices are now under ten minutes away from our new home.  God knew our new address long before we did, and He even managed to work it out that these providers were nearby for us.  What a blessing that has been!  Our God cares about even the smallest details in our lives.  

Anna recently got her first pair of glasses and she looks SO great in them!  She knew before we even went to look that she wanted a cheetah print frame.  She’s rockin’ them!  

Both kids also had Invisalign braces this past year.  You may have noticed them in pictures.  James wore his for about six months, is finished now, and just wears retainers at night.  Anna finished her first phase in seven months and now we’re waiting for more of her adult teeth to come in before finishing up her treatment.  Because the cost for Invisalign and metal braces was the same, we let the kids have some input into which they would prefer and both chose this route.  It’s turned out great and they’ve been very responsible about remembering to wear the trays and take care of them.  

Kenny took the kids to Top Golf a while back for some fun.

Kenny did lights for a show last month – The Secret Garden the Musical.  It was fantastic!  James’s fifth-grade teacher was the director; Kenny has worked with her before.  His lights were amazing and always bring the show to life.  We so enjoyed attending and seeing many familiar on stage as well.  

Kenny took Anna to the Daddy/Daughter Dance this year called A Daughter’s Heart.  This special event for dads and their daughters has been running for twenty years.  Anna and Kenny attended for the first time in February of 2020 when Anna was eight and finally old enough to attend.  It was canceled in 2021, so this February was their second time attending.  Unfortunately, this is the last year it’s being held.  The woman who has organized it all of these years is stepping down.  We’re praying that someone comes along to take it over because it is such a unique event.  

Anna SO enjoys fancy events like this.  Part of the fun for her is the “getting ready”.  We painted her fingers and toes, spent some time curling her hair, and even used a touch of makeup.  Kenny looked as handsome as ever in his suit and tie.  The evening included a four-course dinner, a speaker, and a dance with a live band.  Anna’s favorite part of the evening was the dance, of course, and they certainly danced the night away, staying through the last song.  

Kenny is such an amazing daddy to Anna.  He is always looking for ways to spend time with her and build their relationship.  He is the one she goes to every Halloween to discuss what kind of makeup she’d like to match her costume.  Or, some years, he’s the one researching something amazing and presenting the idea to her.  Kenny has jumped in since November, helping Anna with her pierced ears.  Helping her clean them, checking for infection, and offering his vote on which ones she should wear.  Many times, she prefers that daddy help her.  Kenny is also our resident dentist and he has helped Anna pull many teeth over the years and continues to.  Even this week, as Kenny has come back by the house to take Anna to school after dropping James off, I’ve watched him get out of the car and open her door for her.  Such a simple, kind act but one that’s teaching her how a boy should respect her and treat her.  I’m so, so grateful for Kenny and thankful for these new memories he’s making with Anna.

I think this is my last catch-up post from 2021!  It’s taken a while to finish, but there were so many memorable events from last year I wanted to include.  

In December, Anna danced in her ballet studio’s production of the Nutcracker, titled A Colorado Nutcracker.  Basically, the same show but Colorado history incorporated.  The evening takes place at Glen Eyrie castle with General Palmer the host.  Nikola Tesla was a guest of the Palmers, so he makes an appearance in the show too.  Anna played an orphan boy – not part of the original Nutcracker, but part of this show.  Her costume was a white shirt, black hat and black knickers and she was the cutest little orphan boy on stage (on the far right – below).

In addition to her regular three weekly classes, rehearsals began last September every Saturday for this show and Anna worked very, very hard for months.  There were numerous dress rehearsals as we got closer to performance time which was a lot, but in the end, was so worth it.  We knew it would be. 

The performance was held at the Pikes Peak Center, the largest stage and home of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in our city.  The same stage we’ve seen Skillet perform, STOMP, Les Mis, Cinderella, etc.  The list goes on and on.  We love this theater and Anna felt so honored that her studio was able to dance there.  

At the first dress rehearsal at the Pikes Peak Center, I took her picture before she entered backstage.  We thought it was so cool that she was using the entrance marked only for performers.  

The week leading up to the show with many dress rehearsals was very tiring for Anna.  In fact, before leaving for the first performance, she wasn’t sure she was going to make it.  I hustled to her room to say it was time to go and found her sitting on her bed.  We prayed and asked God to give her strength and trusted that her adrenaline would kick in once she got into costume.  

God answered our prayers and Anna had plenty of energy to dance in three shows in two days.  She was definitely exhausted afterward but had the strength to persevere and finish strong.  We were so impressed with this production of Colorado Ballet Society.  It was extremely professional – from the sets, costumes, orchestra, and quality dancing.  The cast worked tirelessly for weeks and it really paid off.  

This was an experience for Anna that she’ll always remember.  When we signed the commitment in early September, accepting her role, she wasn’t sure if she was going to enjoy it.  Everything was unknown to us then and we didn’t know what to expect.  In the end, we told Anna that she would either love it or hate it.  We knew which it would be but it took her experiencing it to decide for herself.  She loved every minute of performing and immediately said she wants to do it again this year.