God's hand

Last summer I started thinking about sabbatical plans. An initial Google search lead me to two possible schools. By "happenstance," we visited one of the towns to celebrate my IL's 50th wedding anniversary. I went to a conference, and ended up "randomly" car pooling with the chair of one of the two departments. She helped me set up a visit. While I was visiting the campus in October, I received notice that a "hail Mary" grant I had submitted had been funded. While sitting in the hallway, waiting to talk to the aforementioned department chair. When we visited one of the area elementary schools, the principal was from the same very small (population: 657) town as Patrick's mom. While going through a tough time, I posted a scripture that spoke to me. The pastor of the church in sabbatical town posted a very helpful blog on the exact same passage that day. Last night I freaked out about not having housing, and about finding a good school for the kids. Today the postdoc in the research group I'm joining sent me a note, saying they're going on sabbatical and wondered if we'd like to rent their house. I'm very thankful that God has basically put a big "go here" arrow to Knoxville--I can't wait to see what God has for us there!

Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal Drinking Game

I don't drink, so this is mostly just for fun :)

Every time you're confused about the rehearsal schedule, take a drink.
When you can't figure out how to assemble the costume, take a drink.
When your child complains that their shoes are instantly too small a week before the recital, take a drink.
Every time your child loses a shoe or a piece of a costume, take three drinks.
Every time the director adds a costume or prop during the dress rehearsal, take a drink.
Every time your child complains of being tired, hungry, bored, take a drink.
If you are working backstage and someone else's child who you've never seen before needs help with costume, bathroom, or directions, take a drink.
Every time your child sees you from stage runs to you or yells your name instead of paying attention and doing their dance, give them a hug and file that memory away :)
Every time a child loses a hair piece or costume component on the stage, take a drink.
If your child throws up or has an accident on stage, take five drinks.
Every time your child is chasing imaginary butterflies instead of doing what they're supposed to, take a drink.
Every time you write another check (tickets, costume, DVD, T-shirt...) take a drink.

Every time you tear up, wondering when your child got so big, coordinated and beautiful, give thanks to God and take a picture, for this moment will not last.

Amazing what two months of lessons can do...

(for Henry, that is...)

Harmony lost something at lunch...

The "Big" number from Harmony's dance recital (at rehearsal)

Henry's "graduation" ceremony from an 1880's simulation