Senior Recital

Last night was Abigail's senior recital for viola -- 

I love this picture of Abigail below. There are oh so many posts of concerts on this blog of mine. I am grateful I took the time to put theme all here to remember. 

This one is darling. 

And this one I adore. 

But ya know what... last night was my favorite. 

It was more emotional than I thought it would be. I mean, Scott and I have have been going to concerts Anna has played in since she was 5 years old... that's a L O T of concerts. I love some and I really love some a lot. 

This one was exceptional and emotional because it was her senior recital, signifying her years in HARTT school. 

I took some photos when she had just completed her piece (you can't really take any pictures while they are playing -- I barely breathe when my girls have ever played a solo) 

All of her viola teachers were there. Her current one for the past 5 years. And her very first teacher, Mr. Lee who was her teacher from 5 years old to seventh grade in middle school when he retired. That certainly made it even more emotional. 

Look at this love in that one hug... 

This picture to me speaks of love, caring, dedicated teachers who poured into my daughter from 5 to 18... and for Melinda and Lee I am so very grateful. 

 Thank you Abigail for all of those years. You play with a beautiful heart. 

"We're WICKED proud of you"

I wrote back here about how Abigail made her college decision. It was truly in God's hands and we all felt led, followed his leading, and know she made the right choice. 

And it left us with a days after feelings of joy for her. We were just so proud of her and her decision. It really is hard to put into words but when something is so right, you just want to celebrate. 

On the week of school before our April break I had this idea. It didn't come from Instagram, a blog, or pintrest, just my heart. I wanted to decorate her door with all of the colleges she was accepted into. Although Fairfield University is the perfect place for our daughter to grow for the next four years, we almost all felt a little sadness for the other four colleges: 

~ Fordham

~ Providence

~ Sacred Heart University

~ College of the Holy Cross

She had these piles on her desk. (that post back here) One for each college. 

After she decided it was time of course, to not have those anymore. I took pictures, planned in my heart to blog about them because each was so unique and wonderful too. But something still felt missing. 

So I thought I'd decorate her door with all of them and put a bit "We're Wicked Proud of You" in the center. Perfect!

I love the way the door turned out! 

Abigail got home from Saturday orchestra and we asked her to come upstairs... I always love surprising my girls! 

I think the whole door was a surprise and gift alone... but then she realized what "We're Wicked proud of you" really meant! 

Along with that were tickets to the Broadway Musical, Wicked.

Abigail and I have already been to the NYC show (that post back here) for her sixteenth birthday but we've been talking about going back since then. This would be the perfect opportunity. 

So on Sunday of April break we headed into the city and loved every minute of it! 

Here we are just leaving home that next morning: 

Here are a few pictures of our day together... 

Scott (who was on another mission in NYC that I will blog about later), dropped us off just a block from the Gershwin theatre. We were so darn excited! 

Asked someone to take our picture and got some cute ones for sure! 

Love the lights in this one was were in line to walk in. 

Once inside she had to get a Elphba slushy too fun! 

During the intermission we headed to get a magnet to remember our day! 

It was breathtaking and spectacular. Every note, all of it. We really just didn't want it to end. But when it did we were so joyful. Still can't stop thinking about that musical. 

Scott was right there at the doors when we walked out and got these pictures of us! 

And he had made dinner reservations at a special restaurant right on Central Park so we got to walk through and see springtime there. It was so lovely. 

It really was such a special time and so fitting as a celebration for such a wonderful decision. 

There are so many other NYC memories on this blog of mine: 

Here is the time Abigail and I went to Wicked for her Sixteenth birthday 

Here Here and here is a time we headed to NYC during our April break years ago 

A Fun Concert

We went to see Michael W Smith last weekend and it was so fun! Scott and I love his music. During our college years, engaged years, and even first married years Michael W. Smith's music played an important part of our faith journey. We have so so many memories connected to each song. So when Scott found out he would be playing about 40 minutes away we jumped at the chance to see him and hear all of the songs we love. 

He has a new album coming out and from what we heard at the concert, it's going to be amazing! 

I'll have to say that MWS doesn't show his age at all! He is still a showman -- it was an awesome show! 

And it was fun to share this music with Abigail!