Turner's first dance recital!

It was a whirlwind of a weekend and I have so many pictures and moments to share, but the biggest event of the weekend was Turner's first dance recital! Both sets of grandparents were in town to join us for this special occasion which made it extra special for sweet Turner.

Now, it's important for me to be honest and tell you that my own excitement level surrounding the dance recital was off the charts.  I couldn't wait for costumes to come in, for picture day, and for us to get a sneak peak of the show at dress rehearsal.  On Friday we did a trial run of "stage makeup" and I realized that I was in need of recital supplies - blue eyeshadow, bobby pins, and some bright red lipstick (red 720 if you grew up in Andalusia). I started dancing when I was 3...and for the next 15 years of my life dance classes were a part of my weekly routine.  It was something I enjoyed immensely and I know that through dance I gained lifetime skills such as confidence, stage presence, poise, and self-discipline.

We had a tough start to dance classes in the fall with some separation anxieties and emotional moments when Turner had to attend her first dance classes without me present. She was still two when she started in the fall, and most of the girls in her class were already three, some of them four - so she was the youngest by a good bit.  I honestly had to do some soul searching and ask myself if this was something I wanted her to do, or something I thought she wanted to do.  Thankfully her dance teacher encouraged me to stick it out for a few weeks and gradually Turner really began to look forward to her weekly tap and ballet class at Nix Dance Studio.  But, even as late as Sunday afternoon, just before the recital, I still had some worries about how she'd do for her first time on a stage with lights and an audience.  When we entered the auditorium Turner said, "Oooh look at that stage!  I want to go up there!"  Definitely a good sign, but I still wasn't sure and could think of a million things that could go wrong.

See what you think...

Yes, she did have a little issue midway through with one of her gloves...do you think she might have some obsessive tendencies like her parents?  It might have just been the slightest bit uncomfortable and it just HAD to be adjusted at that moment.  I am just glad she didn't start pulling them off!



Y'all, I know there were lots of proud family members in that audience, but can I just tell you I was about to bust out of my skin with excitement and pride to see my little girl up there doing that??!!  But the even greater treat for me was her reaction after the show and when we got home last night.  After each number I went to meet her backstage and Turner was always jumping up and down saying, "That was so fun Mommy!  That was SO exciting!"  Last night as I was snuggling with her in our nightly routine I asked her if she wanted to take dance class again next year and she said, "Yes!   Mommy, at my recital, I LOVED IT!"

I just couldn't be prouder of this sweet girl!

It was also fun to see her with her dance friends backstage.  When we went back the first time she grabbed two of them around the neck and said, "Mommy these are my friends - take our picture!"  And of course, not knowing what to expect with timing, backstage needs, etc. all the moms back there at that moment had left our cameras in the audience with family!  I did snap this picture before her tap number with a few of her dance buddies.

Check out the hair whipping going on here - she's shaking her head "NO!" and that pony tail is just flying around!

And of course, she loves her flowers from her Daddy.  Who, by the way, if you haven't figured out yet is the most awesome Daddy in the whole wide world.  I had a field trip last Thursday and didn't get back in town until about 6pm.  Dress rehearsal started at 5:30 and it was our opportunity to get instructions on how to fix Turner's hair for the recital, where to go, when to be backstage, etc.  And I couldn't be there.  So my sweet husband, (who mind you had never been to a dance recital in his LIFE until Sunday), got Turner in and out of two dance costumes for dress rehearsal, took meticulous notes for me regarding the specifics of recital day, and shot video of both of the dance numbers during the rehearsal in case I didn't make it back in time.  Turner and I both know, we are LUCKY GIRLS.  Thank you Mark, you are the best.

Not my lollipop in the picture above.  Just in case you were wondering.  And yes, if you look really closely you can see the bobby pin clipped to the front of my dress.  Not trying to make a fashion statement, just in case you were wondering.

We ran into Francie and her family after the recital and got a quick shot of the girls together.  Francie's mom and I danced at the same dance studio for the majority of our childhood - I think we both felt the same way about Sunday and were flooded with special memories from our dance recital days.

Turner was so excited about the recital that she didn't take a nap on Sunday (and she naps every day for about 2 hours), and immediately after the recital we headed home for a quick change and back to the church picnic for a few hours.  So you can imagine the exhaustion that set in on Sunday evening for all of us!  But, it was an AWESOME day of memories and fun for our family!  We are so proud of you Turner!

Celebrating the "escape from deadness"!

Thanks to a fabulous set of teachers at both Sunday School and Mission Friends (Wednesday night), Turner has really started to key in on some of the Biblical truths associated with the Easter season.  Last week I found her in the kitchen, waving her two hand-made palm leaves and shouting, "Hosanna, hosanna!"  She also crafted a tomb, which was a vocabulary word that required clarification.  But my very favorite was her exclamation last week over dinner, "Mommy, Jesus escaped from deadness."  It took me a moment to grasp what she had said, as I was sort of stunned at her astute description of such a complex event.  I know we'll never reference the resurrection again without thinking of this simple, yet profound proclamation.  Yes, sweet Turner, "He is not here, for He is risen, just as He said!" (Matthew 28:6)

Our weekend was full of wonderful moments and memories made with friends and family.  Saturday morning we attended the Easter Eggstravaganza hosted by the children's ministry at our church.  It was a hugely successful event again this year and Turner had a blast hunting Easter Eggs with a bit more purpose than in the past!

These three are a MESS!! Jamie Claire, Turner, and Andrew are three peas in a pod at church almost every time the doors are opened.  They get so excited to see one another and can't help but run and hug - they almost suffocated Andrew I think when they all reached one another on Saturday morning.

Mark and I have laughed at this picture - our little "old lady" shading her delicate eyes while listening to the resurrection story.

 One of my favorite pictures.

Of course there were lots of things to occupy our time as we waited for our turn to hunt - Turner is really good at hula hooping, which is a directly inherited trait from her Tootsie who won a hula hooping contest in her younger years.

When they called for the 3-5 year hunt Turner and Jamie Claire took off...

...surveyed the scene...

...and Turner gave me the stink eye...I think she hadn't comprehended that all the eggs weren't hers to find?

But once she got started...

...she was quite successful.

This girl may very well be a photographer one day...she can look through Tootsie's viewfinder and actually capture some really good images.

Easter Sunday was especially busy since we had Sunday School breakfast duties in addition to my musician responsibilities, so we opted to let the Easter bunny find our house while Turner took her afternoon nap.  We did snap a few family shots before lunch and were blessed to have the Stones, the Fuscos, and Mrs. Norma all here to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of celebration.

After Turner's nap, she went to the front windows to see if the Easter Bunny had located her house.  When she saw the trail of eggs she started squealing and jumping and immediately wanted to go follow the trail.

The trail led her around the entire house and up into her playset in the back yard...

And of course we had to dye some eggs (dot some eggs according to Turner) and every day since she has begged to dye more!

BB was really into her egg...

How many people does it take to help a 3 year old dye Easter eggs?

Check out that lip...it has to be held in just the right spot for maximum concentration.  (That's inherited too.)

It was SO fun and refreshing to see Matt and BB...we haven't seen them since the wedding and I am even more grateful for the gift of their marriage after spending time with them on Sunday.  They were so relaxed and happy, and comfortable...and they make me laugh.  I love this picture and the way he's looking at her.  He's starting to realize that the egg she's working on is a gift for him.  We gave her a hard time about all the lovey dovey hearts and words on this egg...oh to be newlyweds again!  :)

And just before everyone left to head home Turner put on her dance costumes for our guests and gave a little preview of the dance recital this weekend for Matt, BB, and Norma since they won't be able to join us.  This pose just cracks me up!  (The band-aids are purely fashion .  She still has one of them attached even today and told me tonight she planned to wear it for 100 days.)

Picture snapped mid- Échappé.  Look at that vertical leap! :)

We enjoyed a beautiful and blessed Easter weekend with family and friends!  A special thank you to my sweet Daddy and sweet husband who worked tirelessly on Saturday to make our flower beds look beautiful.  Another special thank you to my sweet Mom who helped me all weekend with anything and everything - especially the food preparations for my Sunday breakfast (I think she cut fruit for an hour straight) and our Sunday lunch.  I am a blessed girl indeed.

Where did she learn to do THAT?

We aren't totally sure where Turner learned to "shake it like a Polaroid picture" (attn grandparents: those are lyrics to a semi-popular song) as the song says...but the girl has got some moves!  This started spontaneously tonight as Turner thought of ways to delay her bathtime, but the more we laughed the more she wanted to perform!  The first minute and a half showcases some of her best moves (as well as her newest skill of snapping - which makes her totally proud that she can finally do that), as well as a variety of rhythmic tempos provided by her mini electric piano.  You'll notice sometimes music was needed, sometimes she was just feeling the rhythm!  The dance moves that start at 1:00 and 1:28 are my favorites!!

The last half of the video she introduces some new dance moves and gives an impromptu preview of one of her dance recital pieces titled "I Won't Grow Up" from Peter Pan.  After looking this song up on YouTube, Mark and I were pretty impressed with her knowledge of the lyrics and dance moves since she's used to doing this to music and with two adult teachers at the front of the studio providing prompts and movements.  Most of you may not wish to watch that long, but I know grandparents will enjoy this preview! 

Comments and questions came freely after watching the video montage..." Looks like she could have a future in show choir, maybe she can be an AU Singer!?  Is that what they do at dance class each week?  Does she think I look like that when I do Zumba?  Those hips shaking...what in the world?  Was she trying to do the sprinkler at one point?  I think she has more rhythm than the two of us combined!  (Speak for yourself Mr. Armstrong, Mommy's still got some rhythm...)

Mark and I have laughed and laughed...oh the joy Turner brings to our daily lives!!

Our friends on the lake

One week ago, I was recovering from the busy weekend wedding coupled with a nasty stomach bug.  I received a phone call from Mark's parents about 6pm and the first thing Mr. Ernie asked was, "Are you feeling any better today?"  The second thing out of his mouth was that they had just had a tornado come through their neighborhood.  Um...I am sorry, did you say tornado?

Mark and I both got on the phone and learned of damages to their home and to the neighbors' home.  A couple of windows had actually blown in (one shattering, one not) while they were there in the midst of what we later learned was an F2 tornado that basically passed over the island part of Lake Bruin where they live.

As the news stories circulated it became hard to watch since Mark knows most of those providing interviews to the media.  If you click the link you'll see a white house belonging to the Simpson family whose children were friends of Mark's growing up - the house used to have two stories and we believe will now be a total loss.  Another friend of the family, Mr. Arceneaux, has provided a few interviews for local news channels - his home was completely destroyed.

Granny and Grandpa had no power until Thursday and their water source was severly compromised so no water until then either.  They did manage to send us some pictures, which really hammered home with us how blessed they really were during this storm.  The picture below is Mark's parents house - I'll admit when Mr. Ernie said they had a tree leaning on the house I had pictured a small tree actually leaning propped up on the roof...didn't exactly picture the scene below.

And the picture series below is the one that makes me sick to my stomach.  The Hazlips are dear friends and neighbors of Mark's parents, and have painstakingly moved and restored this old depot into a beautifully charming lake retreat.  They preserved so much of the spirit and character of the depot, but modernized it in small ways for style and ease of living.  The picture first pic here is one of my favorites - preservation of the realities of pre-integration Southern life.  The second picture that I've always loved of Mark was taken two summers ago (with his then baby girl) relaxing on the back steps of the depot. 

And here's the depot after the storm...it just makes me sick.  (Those two doors shown above are on the left end of the house in the first pic below.)  The depot was literally knocked off it's blocks...you'll notice the back deck is now about 6 feet away from those windows pictured above.

 This picture shows damage between the two houses.

Would you join me in remembering the good people of St. Joseph/Lake Bruin, Louisiana in prayer?  This wonderful small town has many people - most of whom would be considered friends to the Armstrong family - who are facing heartache and hardship as they rebuild and restore what was lost in this storm.  We are incredibly thankful that God's hand was upon the people of this area and that no lives were lost as a result of this storm.  Thank you for your prayers!