Nutcracker 2010
I'm so happy I finally have some photos from the Nutcracker performances. Here are the beautiful photos I purchased from Erik Tomasson Photography, SFBallet's official photographer.
Merry Christmas 2010
2 of the photos above (of the 3 boys and the one of Russ, Isabella, and myself) are courtesy of Owen Donnahoo of Most Precious Art PhotographyHighlights of the Blessings of the year 2010:
"Every good and perfect gift is from above"
January
February
- Ian's High School Graduation: With Honors at James Logan High School
- Trip to Chicago for Joffrey Ballet 3-week Summer Dance Intensive
July
August
- Family trip to Cancun
- Isabella promoted from level 2 to level 4 at SFBallet
December
- Isabella as a butterfly for SFBallet's Nutcracker production
Happy 11th Birthday Isabella
Our family's darling angel princess is now 11 years old.
(see previous comments here from her other teachers)
As most of you know, she has a demanding schedule with her daily ballet training at SFB. As soon as we arrive home from ballet, she goes straight to her study room to do her homework. And what's so admirable and awesome about it is that she goes to that room full of anticipation and enthusiasm in completing her work. Then she tries to finish as efficiently as she can so that she'll have time to show me the dance combination she just learned. And when I say efficient, I mean going above and beyond what is required. Like for example, in a recent assignment, the teacher asked for sentences using at least 8 of their spelling words. Isabella had fun writing a whole story using 13 of their vocab. words. Then I remember her brother Immanuel upon checking her math work that night, served her with his own concoction of freshly blended apple/jackfruit/pineapple smoothie. You see, being the only girl, Isabella is lavished with love:) She is also an angel sister to her brothers. And I am a mom in heaven:)
I feel so blessed having a daughter who is my angel on earth. Isabella is wise beyond her 11 years. I learn so much from her everyday. She's the one who gave me the quote "too blessed to be stressed" during one of our library days when we were in Pismo Beach back in 2007 and it has become my mantra since. She also has a lot of sense of humor (something she got from her dad:) Our conversations are filled with fun bits of wisdom. We look forward to our daily drive to and from San Francisco Ballet as it is always filled with blessed and fun chats.
One of her recent out-of-the-blue remark during our commute: "Mom, I'm so glad God gave me to you and made the doctor not tie your tubes before you had me". You see, in one of our commute conversations I mentioned that after I had her brother Ian, I asked the doctor to tie my tubes so I won't have another baby since I already have 3. The doctor said he does not advise it since I was still young then. I told her I'm so thankful that the doctor didn't grant my request. According to Isabella it was part of God's plan:) Praise the Lord God indeed for the gift of an angel daughter.
True to the saying like mother, like daughter, Isabella and I share a lot of the same interests. We enjoy many activities together. We love going to the library, reading books over tea, writing, dancing, watching movies, shopping for matching outfits and shoes:) and even exercising and cleaning together. She is truly my angel on earth.
As a student, Isabella is an ardent learner. Her passion for learning gives her the discipline and motivation in everything she chooses to do. Her 6th grade Science teacher recently wrote: "I'm enjoying Isabella very much. I totally agree that she is very self-motivated. You are lucky parents indeed. In many ways, she seems years older than her peers, but she never shows frustration with their silliness."
(see previous comments here from her other teachers)
As most of you know, she has a demanding schedule with her daily ballet training at SFB. As soon as we arrive home from ballet, she goes straight to her study room to do her homework. And what's so admirable and awesome about it is that she goes to that room full of anticipation and enthusiasm in completing her work. Then she tries to finish as efficiently as she can so that she'll have time to show me the dance combination she just learned. And when I say efficient, I mean going above and beyond what is required. Like for example, in a recent assignment, the teacher asked for sentences using at least 8 of their spelling words. Isabella had fun writing a whole story using 13 of their vocab. words. Then I remember her brother Immanuel upon checking her math work that night, served her with his own concoction of freshly blended apple/jackfruit/pineapple smoothie. You see, being the only girl, Isabella is lavished with love:) She is also an angel sister to her brothers. And I am a mom in heaven:)
Overflowing with joy and gratitude
It is inspiring and heavenly to a mother's heart to witness her child's dedicated, conscientious, and passionate efforts. Isabella had more homework than normal last night (including a project for her core classes). As soon as we arrived from ballet (about 8:30pm) she's off to her study area (as always) (oh!... but not before the usual "show" of what she learned in ballet...it had to be a short one this time). She finished all her homework and projects (past 11pm) and showed me her grades online....she's striving to maintain her straight A's....a passion for learning...for dance...for life....what more can a mother ask for? I am overflowing with gratitude..."Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17)
P.S.
Another delight to a mother's heart....when all her children continuously manifest sincere love and support toward one another. Isabella is blessed with wonderful, supportive, and able brothers. She has three excellent resources for homework checking when dad is unavailable (unfortunately this is not mom's department:)). Her first line of recourse is Immanuel (since he's the one here with us...brings to mind the meaning of Immanuel's name: "God with us"). If Immanuel is unavailable (i.e. "in music"), thanks to video conferencing she can take advantage of another great resource...Phil all the way in Pismo Beach. She has not gotten to her third option, Ian, as yet (though Ian was her first possible reference before he went off to Cal Poly). They all enjoy providing love and support to their little sister and to one another....truly a great joy and pure heavenly delight to a mother's heart and soul. Praise God!
"The Truth Will Set Us Free"
SFBallet students are reminded not to get their hopes up too much as there are a lot more students this year for the Nutcracker roles available. And yet Isabella is still unafraid and uninhibited to dream big. I am in awe of her confidence not because of her courage to dream big but because at such a young age her confidence is rightly placed. She believes that whatever role she gets is from God is therefore the best not just for her but for everyone concerned. This reaffirmed to me the time tested bible principle, “the truth will set you free”. In knowing and believing the truth that God gives us what is best, she feels free to dream big with confidence and without any fear, concerns or inhibitions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)