Monday Nights

Hanson Ellis has a late dance night on Monday.  I usually drop her off and Richard picks her up.  She always comes in literally beaming.  It is the sweetest thing to witness.  Hands down it is probably my favorite part of every week.  And it's not just her pure sweetness, but I know that she is beaming from both her tap classes and a 15 minute ride home with her Daddy.

Hanson Ellis has become quite the helper to me this past year.  Life is busy and she is always ready to step in when I need a hand.  It is bittersweet to see her growing up, but I don't know what I'd do without her!  Richard says it best, "She is a great kid."  Yes, she is!

Hanson Ellis came in the door tonight thrilled with how her practices went.  She instantly started demonstrating everything she had learned and improved upon.  And you know what?  She is really good, but seeing her in her tight purple leggings and turquoise bedroom socks just sort of cracked me up!!  I laughed (and therefore she laughed) so hard!!  I recorded it and will perhaps share the humor one day when I figure out how to turn the video right side up!  For now, here are some very special images to me.  Richard grabbed a glass of wine and a stack of papers he'd printed out today and started reading them to us.  Medal of Honor winners who have died as a result of the act that was deserving of the honor.  They dated back from WWI ... 1918 ... and are fascinating and chilling and thought, heart provoking.  I had my camera from recording Hanson Ellis and her tapping skills, so I started clicking away at the moment I was witnessing.  Just a day in the life of our little family, but a very familiar moment.  Richard sharing some random bit of history with us ... Hanson Ellis soaking in every word.  I love how she listens to her Daddy.  I love how she sits close to him.  I love how she thinks about what he is saying and how she giggles when he says something silly (in that "DADDY!!" sort of way).  For those of you who know us and those of you who have followed this blog for a while, you know we will not always have these simple moments.  My heart brakes when I think about these moments that will be missed.  So many have been missed already over the years and so many more are to come.  Once again, I am so thankful I have my camera to capture such sweetness.

Goodnight to you all and to God be the glory.