Do a Little Dance

Yesterday was the official Dancing Classroom competition for the 5th grade class.  I took the day off work and was so excited to be apart of this milestone in Alex's and my God-Daughter, Monica's school career.

The Dancing Classrooms program started about 6 years ago.  Holy Trinity has been fortunate enough to receive some funding from the archdioceses to provide this program for all of the fifth grade classes.

When I attended Grace's class competition a few years ago, I was so happy with the quality of the program.  It's not just about the dancing. It's about building character. I was brought to tears several times yesterday and am actually tearing up as I write about today.  To see the transformation of this fifth grade class is truly amazing.

Now,  Holy Trinity does not have a reputation for winning. Anything. Ever. So, my hopes were never high that this class would advance to the finals.  But once I saw the first performance of the Merengue, I was singing a different tune.  These kids were really good!  As they moved through the different set of dances, I was more and more impressed.  Monica flawlessly preformed the Fox Trot and Alex not only perfected the Tango, he never lost eye contact with his partner,  a trademark of the dance.

During the award presentation, the class sat together holding hands and offering prayers.  When the final silver medal winners were announced,  the class erupted in cheers! They knew they had won the gold!

The fifth grade class of 2015 is the first class in Holy Trinity history to bring home the gold!

I'm so proud of each and every one of them! And so happy I was there to share in this historical moment with them.

They will compete again during the evening of May 12.  I can't wait!

*I'm working on compiling the videos I took off their dances.  Hopefully I'll get those added soon.

In the meantime,  a few pictures.

Just a Swinging!

The kids are absolutely in love with our new house.  Then to top it off, my dad and brother moved the play set from my sister's old house and reconstructed at my new house.  Needless to say, they are in heaven.

Layla particularly loves to swing!

God is good!

Moving On

It's been in the works for months.  The friends that saw me through some of the worst times in my life,  have walked out of my life just as it was getting good again.  For months, I struggled with the question of "what did I do? " I racked my brain trying to recall an event or disagreement or anything that caused them to distance themselves.  I've talked to my family and I've prayed about it.  I believe it's possible to offend someone unintentionally and for many months that's what I believed happened.


There is nothing I've done or said to intentionally hurt them.  But something had to have caused this rift and I've been searching for peace and understanding.

Then, last week, I found my own personal clarification.

But let me start a few weeks sooner than that. 

At the end of March, I stopped in to the local bar and grill late in the evening.  I had been in Columbia earlier that day and there was a basketball game on that night plus a band that I liked was playing.  I approached the table where my friends were sitting. One friend in particular looked like she saw a ghost when she saw me walk in.  I sat at the opposite end of the table. Chatted with one girl. Watched the game, drank a couple beers, listened to the music, paid my tab and left. I said goodbye to everyone, including the girl that was not happy to see me.  Somehow,  deep inside,  I knew that was the final goodbye.

On Good Friday, we've had a tradition of a crab leg fest followed by "Jesus Christ Superstar ". This year, I didn't get an invite but did see the two particular girls post about it on Facebook.  I tried not to take offense as I was closing on my house that day so there was no way I was going to make it anyway. But I knew I was intentionally not invited.

The next weekend,  I met my sister to see the same band at a different dive bar.  Apparently, my "friends " (and I use that word loosely now) were there celebrating the other particular girl's birthday.  Again, I received no invite.  One lady that I can still consider an acquaintance at this point came over and said hi and inquired about the new house.  The other two and their group didn't acknowledge my existence .  I considered buying the birthday girl a drink but when I passed their table on my way to the bar, it was glaringly obvious they were snubbing me.  I finished up my drink a short time later and my sister and I called it a night.

The following Wednesday was the one girl's actual birthday. I went onto Facebook to wish her a happy birthday only go discover we were no longer friends. Out of curiosity I checked the other girls page and sure enough I had been unfriended.  Knowing well enough how these girls operate, I updated my settings and blocked them both.  It was crystal clear they ended our friendship. I wasn't  going to give them the opportunity to witness any of the good things going on in my life.

That is also when I realized just what I did for them to end this friendship. 


I became happy!


My life is no longer in the gutters. My career,  my family and my faith has grown through God's love and blessings.  I no longer relied on them to help me through the tough times. The tough times are gone and it was God's grace that got me where I am now. 

I've found  peace through the Lord.  Haters gonna hate,  but that doesn't mean they need to bring me down.  And I don't want or need to call anyone a friend who would desert me in my happiest of times. 

The weight has been lifted and I know the Lord has amazing plans for me.

"I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone"

-Rascal Flatts

 

Our House

Today, I signed the papers, got the keys, and took in the new house by myself. It took me about 15 minutes to make it through the living room. The tears just kept coming.  The struggle of the first 12 years of my adult life are officially behind me.  This new start has been in the works for 3 years.  It has taken a lot of hard work, sacrifice and commitment.

And now we celebrate!