It's just been that way for a while now so it's probably time for some updates. My dear grandfather (Ella's bunicul, great-grandfather) passed away a few weeks back before turning 89 and that obviously affected us a lot, especially my parents who were there through his last days. This happened right before the General Conference weekend. It was hard and still is. Regardless of age (old age) and circumstances, losing a loved one is very hard. For me it has been especially harder as I have never been there for any of my grandparents' passing. I've been very close to each of them and have wonderful and lasting memories. Summer and winter vacations at the countryside, daily school pickup, weekend visits, just a lot of quality time spent together for which I am truly grateful now that I only have the memories of those moments. Although Ella only saw bunicul once or twice, was too very affected. She cried and it broke my heart as she was looking forward to seeing him when we'd visit over her summer break. I am grateful to the Lord for watching over my parents through these tough times and for watching over me and helping slowly recover.
Meantime life has been moving at its very speedy pace with Ella's school and extracurricular activities being in full swing. Horseback riding is going very well with her new instructor, who is a world record holder in the hunter/jumper division. Ella had to go back and re-learn many of the basics as they were not taught to her correctly and we now know that she's bound to shine with continued hard-work and passion (neither of which she's lacking.) Since she started instruction with her new trainer, we've all been exposed to a very different approach to this discipline that focuses a great deal on the connection between horse and rider, utmost respect for the horse, the rider's body strength, and grace. We are in awe of the difference her new trainer has made in Ella's riding and outlook. She has switched horses, said good bye to Rex and is now Kipper's newest rider.
This weekend she's competing and is so excited. But more after tomorrow's practice when after the riding lesson, she gets to give Kipper a bubble bath and practice how she's going to clip a pretty blue bow in his lovely tail. (They'll be matching.)
Piano is also going swell, two weeks away from the recital and she's playing her Fugue like a maestra to her teacher's and my own surprise. This year we're blessed as we get to have grandparents and cousin from India with us for the piano recital, ballet recital, and some other neat family events. We are in fact over the moon about that!!!!!! :) We need some happy filled moments around here.
Meantime life has been moving at its very speedy pace with Ella's school and extracurricular activities being in full swing. Horseback riding is going very well with her new instructor, who is a world record holder in the hunter/jumper division. Ella had to go back and re-learn many of the basics as they were not taught to her correctly and we now know that she's bound to shine with continued hard-work and passion (neither of which she's lacking.) Since she started instruction with her new trainer, we've all been exposed to a very different approach to this discipline that focuses a great deal on the connection between horse and rider, utmost respect for the horse, the rider's body strength, and grace. We are in awe of the difference her new trainer has made in Ella's riding and outlook. She has switched horses, said good bye to Rex and is now Kipper's newest rider.
This weekend she's competing and is so excited. But more after tomorrow's practice when after the riding lesson, she gets to give Kipper a bubble bath and practice how she's going to clip a pretty blue bow in his lovely tail. (They'll be matching.)
and the invitation I put together for her show:
Piano is also going swell, two weeks away from the recital and she's playing her Fugue like a maestra to her teacher's and my own surprise. This year we're blessed as we get to have grandparents and cousin from India with us for the piano recital, ballet recital, and some other neat family events. We are in fact over the moon about that!!!!!! :) We need some happy filled moments around here.
