After practicing all week with a group of 90+ 4th, 5th and 6th graders, Ariana’s summer show choir performed a selection of songs from The Wizard of Oz and Wicked tonight. Ariana auditioned for both a solo and a speaking part and was thrilled to be selected for both. I was so proud of her stage presence and her clear, sweet voice as she sang Glinda’s part in the opening number.

I was also very impressed with what the music teachers were able to pull off in a few short days. They are a sweet group of ladies who really seem to love what they do. I am grateful that we live in an area with so many opportunities for Ariana to learn and grow.

New songs … new friends … good stuff!

ye shall not be cowering in the laundry room closet with no food, no water, no shoes, no flashlight, and no clue what you’re going to do if your house blows away (because you just opened a “notice of cancellation” letter from your homeowner’s insurance company moments before the tornado sirens started going off.  I sure thought I had paid the bill???)

(Thankfully, our new fence had not yet been completed … only the poles have been installed.)

I threw the cat in the dryer to keep her contained and safe. (Vivi FREAKED out about her kitty being stuck in the dyer).  Ariana then rushed off, saying that she was going to grab something important. I was super irritated, thinking that she was going to grab her American Girl doll, but my irritation quickly turned to humility when she returned with some special sets of my dad’s scriptures. (Good thinking, Guppy!)

I don’t know if I will ever be so prepared that I will not FEAR when all heck is breaking loose outside, but I am definitely going to take our preparedness to another level.