Prima Ballerina

 I know I'm bias. I know I'm her mom. I know I'm her biggest cheerleader. I know I'm her protector, BUT man on man this picture takes my breathe away. Stella truly is a beauty both inside and out. Her heart for her friends and family is worn on her sleeve. I learn so much from this sweetie everyday!

 Anyway, this ballerina had a Christmas dance for the other day. She was calling it her recital, but that's not until June. But what joy it was to see them strut their stuff. This is Stella's sweet friend Addy.

 Stella loves Miss Diadra. She is so patient with the girls.

 Oh these sillies: Lily, Stel, Addy and Addison.

 I love watching her dance. She gets so into it and very serious.

 I don't know if she'll always love dancing, but I love that she's learning about good posture and a positive self esteem with her friends while having fun.

When did she get so old?!?!?

Preschool Performance

 Before Thanksgiving our other performer in the family sang at the church she goes to preschool. Oh my word, Stella knew every word, every motion and sang them loud and proud!

 All the mom's around us were talking about how cute Stella was and how into it she was. She never had the deer in the headlights look and kept her eyes on us. She was definitely performing!

 There were lots of motions.

 Lots of excitement.

 I told you she was into it.

We are very proud of Stella this year. Junior Kindergarten can be a bit overwhelming but she is taking on head on. She's come a long way from the beginning of the year and LOVES school. She is in a room of 7 boys and just 3 girls, but it's working. Not to mention she loves her teacher, Mrs. Robin, and talks about her all the time. You know you're little one is being loved on when they want to do extra homework so they can share it/show it off to their teacher.

Good Job Stell-Bell!

Bringing Home A Baby Bumble Bee

 Emerson may be the cutest bumble bee I've ever seen, I know I'm bias. This fall I decided to enroll Emme is dance at our local community center. I wasn't sure how she'd do in dance so I wanted something not too intense. She loved it, but there were some tough days too. BUT when it came to perform she was the STAR.

 Finding her X and standing still waiting for the song to start. It felt like forever and I was nervous we'd miss the window of focus, but she likes attention and loved being in front of crowd.

 Waiting with her hive.

 Ha! Gotta include this. At this point a lot of the other dancers were being wrangled to the stage.I have to admit, Emme surprised me. She was on mark even with her friends running everywhere. If I'm honest, it was usually the other way around during class. But like a said, a star was born.

 Tapping...

 Singing...

 Doing the motions...

 Ending with a bang...Go up (she says this)

 Go down...

TA DA!!! She was so proud of herself. And if you listen to the video we have I was one proud mama too!!!!

Proud of her flower for Mrs. Alex. 

I have no doubt this is one of MANY performances from this little bumble bee in the future. 

We're taking a break this winter because we're so busy, but I'm sure we'll be back at it in the spring.

Oh and by the way, Emme wears this costume at least once everyday. It's usually the attire at breakfast before getting dressed for real, ha!

Go Team

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." Proverbs 12:25

If you know me at all, then you know I was NEVER a cheerleader (at least not the type with pom poms and cute hair). My coordination and height nipped that opportunity in the bud. But during a recent "ah-ha" moment with the ladies of my Bible study we were talking about dreams, what excites us.

Well, I love to write (hence why you're seeing more of me on this blog), but when I really sat down to think about it I realized I get a major high on watching people's visions/dreams become reality. Is that weird? I don't know, but if someone has a vision to start something new I LOVE to see it become reality. Big or small I get so excited. I remember when I was a reporter back in the day I enjoyed telling "feel good" stories not only because it was a positive in a very negative world, but it usually meant I was telling a story on a topic someone was passionate about or proud of. Whether it's some one's desire to further their career, start a new adventure, expand their family, explore a new hobby, visit a dream location...I get excited to hear their plans, their goals to get there, and then of course watching the dreams become reality. And when/if possible I love to help in anyway that I can. If that means i just encourage them along the way, then sign me up.

So you see...I AM A CHEERLEADER. I may not have pom poms or a cute little skirt, but I can encourage my fellow dreamers. Maybe I'm meant to be a motivational speaker?!?!

Right now, I bust out my "pom poms" for two little princesses that prance around my house and keep me on my toes and knees all at the same time. Stella's dream right now is to be The Tooth Fairy when she gets older, so we talk a lot about pixie dust and how she'll get into rooms to leave treats for other little toothless kiddos. Emme is entrenched in dance and princesses right now, so she wants all things magical. I just asked her what she wants to be when she grows up...her response, "Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, Brave, Tiana..."

Big dreamers here at the Yazwinski house! And since my dad is awesome and has an incredible bucket list we're ALL living a dream with him in January. He and my mom are taking us all to Disneyland in January. Wahoo!!! To say I'm excited is an understatement. 

Disneyland is one of my most favorite places and to experiment it with my girls while they're consumed with princesses will be beyond magical.

Ok, I feel like I'm rambling...so GO TEAM.

Rain, Rain...thanks for the Blessings

Every time I hear this song I find myself singing the chorus at the top of my lungs. I love this song by Laura Story. What if blessings come through rain drops? What if...sometimes we're so wrapped up in the "now" that we can't see the blessings around us.

"Blessings" by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Today I'm thankful for the rain...and even the sleepless nights.

There's a Time to DANCE

Let's face it life can just get in the way of, well, life. We get too busy. We commit to too much. We say "yes." We say "no." And at times we can look back and realize we didn't take time to DANCE. Now I don't mean literally. But I must admit...I love to bust a move even if I do have two left feet. I mean that sometimes we don't take time to breathe and enjoy life.

Whether its work or kids or school, we can just forget to take time to revel in what makes our heart happy.
Ok, so you're probably wondering where is this coming from? Sydney dance? What's going on? Well, there were two triggers for this post.

The first is an amazing article from the Huffington Post. I'll let you check it out here on your own, but seriously can you imagine being part of that dance party!!! And HELLO that girl can move!!! I only hope I can have her attitude when facing an uncertain time. Shoot, I hope I have that attitude on a day to day basis.

The second trigger to writing this post...

(the energy and passion from my friends Lindsay and Kristine when I took this was contagious...so fun!)

 Dancing! About a year ago when I moved here I was on the hunt for a local gym. When we finally joined one, I, of course, had to check out all the classes offered. That's when I found Rizzmic. And the rest is history. I really love this class and the ladies that teach it each week. Their energy is contagious and I secretly want to be like them when I grow up :)
But in all seriousness...this class ignited my love to work out again. I attribute much of my weight loss and desire to live a healthier lifestyle to shaking it on the dance floor.

(this picture was last month at the Rizzmic Halloween event. We were Rizzmic fanatics)

 It lets me be silly and pretend I can really move like the talented ladies teaching the moves. And besides the health aspect, I've made and built friendships with some lovely girls through going to this class together. Who doesn't love to laugh at themselves every now and then...and with friends, that's icing on the cake.

So friends, don't wait until you've got perfect technique or the best moves...get out and DANCE. For me, dancing is literal,but not because I want to win the next season of So You Think You Can Dance, but because it sparked my love of feeling good. Yes,Rizzmic is my favorite workout class right now,but I"m starting to enjoy running (enjoy may be a stretch). And have a goal of running a half marathon. What?!?!?!

I have no excuse not to. So I'm choosing to dance! It's not always easy (ok, I really hate running) but it's fun. Set a goal and go!

 The munchkins are both in dance and oh how it makes my heart happy to see them explore their passions.

 Look at that smile!

They love to learn new moves and show us their talent. So, what are we waiting for? Dust off those tutus and dance! Wouldn't it be awesome if we all smiled like this because we were happy. Sincerely happy and doing what we love to do. And maybe some of us haven't found exactly what makes us beam...so lets explore what's out there. Maybe its a local art class, or a call to the nearest travel agent, reconnecting with an old friend or new friend.

Dream! And dream big. 

This was captured at a wedding my hubs and I went to this summer...I just love him. I'm thankful we took time to dance. Literally, but I'm thankful we take time just to enjoy each other too.
So, by now it's obvious to me, that the triggers that tugged at my heart to sit down and write were a reminder to ME to dance. yes, I'm going to Rizzmic tonight and will sweat, shake it and laugh with friends, BUT where else in my life can I seize the moment if you will.
So in the meantime, our house will be dancing. Come on over and prance around the living room and family room with the girls and I..we've got moves like Jagger :)

In a day and age of trying to get to the top and being the best ourselves...lets take time to encourage those around us to be the best! And even during the uncertain times, like the women video above, DANCE.

"Let them praise His name with the dance..." Psalm 149:3

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn; and a time to DANCE." Ecclesiastes 3:4

Keeping it Real: Those Reminders I Wish Didn't Exist, but Thankful They Do

 To say I love these monkeys is a gross understatement. They are my EVERYTHING. Their smiles are my sunshine.

 So if they are my heart...why do I feel guilt when I read something like this? Simple, I'm not perfect and I struggle too.

 But I will do ANYTHING to make sure they know they're loved, protected, and perfect in God's eyes.

 So while we were attempting to take a couple fun pictures at the park the other day...I was reminded of my own convictions. Just last year I wrote about getting away from the distractions in my life. Eliminating some of those screens, status updates, daily pictures, etc. I even wrote about it here.

 So while I look like I have it together on instagram or facebook or whatever other social media addiction...I'm not keeping it real all the time. And the LAST thing I want to do is hurt my little one's hearts, free spirit or innocence. I don't want to wipe away their smile because we're running late because I had to see what so and so was doing via facebook or make sure all my peeps on instagram saw their cute or "unique" outfits that morning. NO, I need to give them my time AND attention. To me that doesn't mean I'm just in the room with them playing on my phone...it means on down on the ground playing WITH them. Whether it be Barbies, kitchen, or super heroes I'm all in! I hope I follow through with my deal with myself. These precious years are going by too fast...all the other stuff will still be there.

 And because I always like to keep it real...Emme would only take pics laying in the leaves.

 Stella did NOT want another picture taken at all!

 And well, the sister shot I was hoping for....yeah this is it.

I really might frame this one because it's real life. It's my reality...I wouldn't change it for the world. So I'm going to enjoy it. I don't want to watch my kids grow up via facebook updates or instagram pics...I'm going to live in the moment and hold onto the real memories in my heart.

Love y'all!

Sydney

Happy Halloween...Super Hero Style

 My nephews are big into super heroes. Especially Sawyer. Well, when I visited them in North Dakota I did some pre-trip shopping and the girls were introduced to superheros. And WHAM...we had Bat Girl and Superman (not girl) this year for trick or treating!

 I think Stella is feeling the pleather here! Oh the sweet sass.

 And this hot mess was wearing a princess crown before this picture and it left her hair looking lovely, but I still think she's the cutest superman!

 Of course daddy joined in the fun and was Clark Kent. Emme still calls him that sometimes.

 We had a full house of little cuties, but I guess I only got a full group shot on my phone and I'm too lazy to load them. But this picture is special because Halloween was our last night to play with our besties, the Bealls. The next day, yes the day after pumping their kids with sugar and excitement...Sean and Courtney loaded up their gang and headed south. They're now in California getting ready to begin their new journey. We will miss them so, but we know God has an amazing plan for them!

 Showing off the loot.

Posing. Our neighborhood is crazy for Halloween. I mean crazy. I can't even explain it's awesomeness with words. Just trust me and if you don't believe me...join us next year for the fun!

Love y'all!