Dancing Queen

My littlest sister, Amelia, had her ballet recital this past weekend! She has been learning ballet for 2 years, but this was her first year at this studio. Since Idaho was home last year, I didn't have the chance to see her perform; obviously I was very excited for this year!

The whole studio put on the production of Mary Poppins and though it was enjoyable, Amelia was only in once scene, the auditorium was very hot, and the performance was a bit lengthy. Nonetheless, I was so proud of her talents and was grateful for the opportunity to watch her dance! :)

Right after the performance!
I caught my dad a little off guard!

So proud!

Our best ballet moves ;)

Two More Cents

A week ago, Carl wrote a post about Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. He really wanted me to read the novel, and so I am now in the middle of this amazing story! I too add in my two cents that all should read it! I recently came across this quote:

"Of course, in a novel, people's hearts break, and they die, and that is the end of it; and in a story this is very convenient. But in real life we do not die when all that makes life bright dies to us. There is a most busy and important round of eating, drinking, dressing, walking, visiting, buying, selling, talking, reading, and all that makes up what is commonly called living..."

Now this quote doesn't apply to me at this point in my life. However, I enjoy how intriguing this thought is. In the novel we have just learned that a man cannot marry his true love, and is stuck with a most disagreeable woman instead. He does not divorce her, but continues living his life and strives to find joy. How different this is from today! When something is disagreeable to us we rid ourselves it or replace it; we acquire the "next best thing." This portion of the novel is indeed heart breaking--especially after you come to know his horrible wife!--and yet he continues to live his life to the fullest. How can we do the same in our life?