Sweet Sixteen and a Thousand Gifts

Hello last day of 2012!

You, dear year, have been quite exciting and full of growth.

This was evidenced well on Saturday. 

I had my sixteenth birthday,

And was surprised with a roller rink full of family and friends!

There was even an assortment of beautiful balloons in the deal! 

Later (with the comparatively smaller group of my mom, dad, and sisters) I enjoyed my first ever carriage ride around the city. . .

See the wheel theme? :)

Strawberry cake ended the day fittingly sweet. . . 

And today? 

It was exciting too, with snow deciding to fall. 

I attempted to take pictures of the flakes. . 

Then my sisters and I enjoyed the wonderland in our backyard. . . 

Today also happens to be a Monday.

And, though the time is always right for gratitude, it is nice to participate in Multitudes on Monday on the day it specifies. . . . 

989. candlelight Christmas Eve service

990. afternoon enjoying Christmas decorations, trees, and lights in the city

991. gift giving and opening 

992. going bowling for the second time this year

993. reorganizing/decorating/expanding Barbie World in the basement

994. seeing the movie Parental Guidance at the theater (really enjoyed it!)

995. my mom finding chai scones to make for my birthday breakfast

996. surprise party! sweet family and friends celebrating with me

997. my parents giving me a fountain pen 

998. full, golden moon

999. big, beautiful snowflakes

1000. a new age and a new year

This year has shown me the beauty and freedom that comes with Giving All to God, trusting His Grace, and allowing Him to spread what I have. 

Spread it around dance and school, gratitude and art. 

And, despite growing responsibilities and varying busyness, there has always been enough. 

Extra, in fact. 

When contemplating my name for this new year, another g word came to mind. 

Gather. 

Gather the beauty and freedom, the over-flowing extra.

I am excited for what 2013 holds! 

Blessings~ Megan

Showing Your Heart

This past weekend our homeschool ballet program performed The Velveteen Rabbit. That, combined with rehearsals at the theatre last week, have had me dancing instead of writing. I tried to soak in the whirlwind week, snapping pictures along the way. . . 

Even before the show, excitement sent chills through me as I stood in the wings. . . 

I found it curious to see myself on a poster board in the lobby. . .  

The theater constantly buzzed with activity. . . 

But now I would like for you to imagine you are sitting in this chair and the show is about to begin (thank you to the very talented photographers who shared pictures from the performance). . . 

The lights come on and we find ourselves in Christmas. . . .

Youngest Sister in the middle row on the far right

There are presents and a party. . . .

The Girl is delighted with the gift of a Velveteen Rabbit. . . .

However, that night, the Model Boat, Wind-up Mouse, Jack in the Box, Ringlet Doll, and Jointed Lion aren't so happy about the Rabbit. . .

They make fun of her. . .

But the Skin Horse comes. . .

She offers encouragement, strength, and wisdom. . .

The next morning the Girl and the Rabbit play. . .

Spinning Tops come in exactly as they should. . . spinning!. . .

Middle Sister in the center

Tin Soldiers are among other toys that also make an appearance. . .

Youngest Sister stands at attention next to the Girl

Then it is bedtime, but not before more fun . . .

The Girl and the Rabbit dream awhile, then finally become sleepy. . .

Unfortunately Nightmares prance into the room, spin the bed, and attempt to take the Girl's toys. . .

They don't succeed :) Youngest sister is here in the red headpiece

Act 2 opens with the Girl and Rabbit going on a Picnic. . . 

They imagine walking in the air and encounter snowflakes. . .

They also meet lovely Lady Bugs. . .

Middle Sister with her beautiful dress and parasol 

They even enjoy a tea party! . . .

Middle Sister in the standing in the middle row on the far right 

Then, while the Girl is away, two real rabbits come and the Velveteen Rabbit wishes she could jump like them. . .

The Girl soon comes back and takes the Rabbit inside to read about the Three Blind Mice. . .

All the toys then join them to hear about the Three Little Pigs. . .

The toys accept the Rabbit and all have fun together. . .

Then Scarlett Fever Germs attack the Girl. . .

Youngest Sister very intense on the left

Doctors and Nurses come to try and heal her. . .

The Rabbit and all the toys pray for her healing. . .

Then the Girl wakes up and is better, but the doctor demands her Rabbit and sheets be thrown out to rid the bed of germs. . .

The Rabbit is devastated. . . 

She longs to be with the Girl. . .

Then the Skin Horse comes. . .

She leads the Rabbit to becoming real. . .

They dance African style with all the other Real Rabbits. . .

Later, as the Rabbit is outside playing, she spots the Girl. . .

The Girl recognizes her. . .

And they just touch fingertips as the lights fade.

It has been such an honor and joy to be in this performance. There is amazing depth and beauty in this story, and I have loved the experience. The opportunity to put your heart into sharing how love transforms is incredible.

But that's not to say the end of this show is easy. It actually seems absurd that months of practice can be exchanged for three shows. Thankfully the performing, though our goal, is not everything. The whole process is wonderful. We cry at the end. Funny how reaching our goal is sad. I suppose, though, that the goal of any really good story has a side of sadness. New things loom on the horizon, but it looks like a sunset at first glance.

Now I'm beginning to see the sunrise. Tomorrow my family and I leave for a long trip to the northwest for my dad's sabbatical from work. My hope is to post a picture each day- some sort of window onto what we see.

Thank you taking a seat with me. Blessings~ Megan