The Nutcracker and my GREAT Christmas Idea!!

When I look back on my childhood the one thing I remember about the Holiday season is going to the Nutcracker. I still think I could be graceful and a ballerina. Trouble is I am too accident prone and lets be real...I would be feeling pretty bad for the guy who had to lift me! Ha!

About 5 months ago Mil and I went to Dancing with the Stars. After the show my eyes got so big when I saw a poster saying the Moscow Ballet was coming to the City. Uhm!! The MOSCOW BALLET!!!! I didn't even care what they were going to do at first but then when my heart started to slow down I saw it was the Nutcracker. Someone...STAT...I need some heart medicine or something!

I knew at that moment that I was going. Ryan however didn't know, or MIL for that fact. I researched prices and seats. I knew the kids wouldn't be with us for Thanksgiving so it would be just Ryan and I or Mil, Ryan and I. I talked to Ryan and as usual he said ok if it was something I really wanted. Its kind of spendy at 65 dollars a ticket. Its worth it though. The ballet so beautiful. So Graceful. So Amazing.

I am sure not everyone feels the same way as me on the ballet. You have to kind of snow the story. The sets were really cool and the dancing amazing. I just kept thinking of when I was a child and I would watch The Nutcracker when we lived in Germany. When we left I knew I wanted to be a ballerina. I remember my mother touching my back to scoot me out the door because I was trying to dance down the aisle. I miss my mom. Going to the Nutcracker made me think of her and put a smile on my face. I am thankful I had parents who really took us to places, had us try new things, and tried to give us culture. That is not that easy to do now a days but I try to do the same with my children. Its important......open your eyes to new things. Go and SEE things. Have great memories or even so-so memories haha! I mean everything you go to you might not LOVE! You will still have the memory of it. I am sure Ryan didn't LOVE the Ballet. He enjoyed going and see something new though. Take a chance! Get out there.....go DO something:)

This Christmas I have set up the 5 days before Christmas. I want each day before Christmas to be something WE are doing as a FAMILY. We have already bought tickets to enjoy an event with the family. I cant tell you what yet as the kids might see this. We have three events planned and then one day we are going to go bowling as a family. The kids really wanted to do that and its been a long time. I cant wait till Christmas break.

Do they have presents under the tree? Yep...! Will they probably get everything off their list from us and all their family members? Probably! Will they remember that though in 20 years...doubtful. We will however remember going places as a family, seeing things and being all together to open those presents. This year I plan on making a big Christmas dinner of Turkey and Ham. Its going to be a family event as each child is going to help with the meal and a dish. Those are good memories.

As usual I start talking about one thing and go to another. Like I said in my disclaimer of my blog however. This is Everyday Rae Rae....you get what you get:)

The Nutcracker was amazing. I am so thankful that my husband and MIL went with me. Its a memory that I have tucked away now along with the memory of my mom pushing me along as I am dancing down the aisle. I will remember looking over at the end of the Ballet to my husband and MIL and they had a subtle smile on their face. All dressed up and trying something new. Love them! Love they always go along with my antics. I am truly blessed.

Just as I am so blessed and thankful for my mother and father who ALWAYS made us try new things. Traveled with us and opened our eyes to more than just our little town. Thank you! You raised us well! Love you!

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So Excited!! She is coming here!!

After this week of not so great news I am so excited because in a couple days my Best Friend will be coming for the week with her kids to Auntie Rae-Rae's Farm! You know how sometimes you just feel like you NEED something. I am so needing her to come and for us to talk and have fun.

I met Laura when we were in 7th Grade. I don't think we really hit it off at first but by 8th Grade we were best of friends. We have stayed Best friends throughout the years also. She has been there for me and I for her for almost every important event in our lives from Weddings, Births, Divorce (mine not hers lol), and even Losses like our mothers.

Laura in Front, I have my hand on my face (high school)

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This is someone who has been there for me through thick and thin. She is one that has been constant in my life. I can talk to her every day, every second or not talk to her for months. Doesn't matter because we always go back to the same ol same ol of being great friends. She has been my rock. She has always had my back but she has ALWAYS told me how it really is and showed me the other side too.

I think everyone needs a friend like this. How can you not love her? She is known as being shy but she really isn't. She is smart, sassy and fun. How many people do you know would go to Lamaze classes as the coach because their BFF husband was in Basic Training. She would! How many people would travel all the way to NYC to make sure she was okay after surgery to talk about Cushing's to a group? She would! How many people cry when you cry and laugh when you laugh. She does. She literally is one of the most important people in my life. I am graced to have known her for so long and know the God has kept us together as friends even though I have moved as far as Japan at times.

She takes awesome pictures and doesn't care how

We have the best memories. I still say to her that she called me a bad name in 7th grade. She still says that it was one of our other friends. She still says that she wasn't my bridesmaid at my wedding. I often tell her that she was at my second wedding and that's the one that counts! I still laugh how she was my Lamaze coach and I had to tell everyone, every single time that my husband was in Basic Training. All that just for Cassie to be born by C-Section. We always did cooking classes together. We were young and cheap though so we would always just buy a cook book and do full dinners for our families. This time is not an exception either...we have meals planned to make and she isn't even here yet. We are Foodies at heart. We laugh at each other and our kids all the time. She is always telling me about my teens and I am always telling her how she has her time coming. She has been there when my son had the biggest fit EVER in the history of life when he was little and I still swear I wont go back to that restaurant even though its been 10 years ha! We love sushi and have to have it! I cant keep writing because it will take me forever ha!

Its weird how life works. We have planned this whole trip for months and it just so happens that now is the time I need my friend the most.

I am too excited about the kids coming and visiting the Ranch. I have all these crafts and ideas planned because I want them to beg to come back each and every year. Makes her come back and I love my babies. Ok they aren't babies anymore but I love them all the same!

See each other even if it can only be for lunch going through town

I am sure we will blog some of our adventures. Stay tuned because when we are together craziness and fun often ensue and laughter is plenty.

Its fun to have a friend that you have known for over half your life. One that has been a true friend. I am literally counting down the minutes till she is here.

Tick tock...is it Monday yet?

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