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Island Fest!

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 I have been incapable of posting because my depression got so bad that I was in the most basic survival mode each day. But I have seen my doctor. I have talked to my family. I have been taking steps to do better. And I am slowly finding light. Along the way, the kids have been so, so, so busy with Island Fest 2026! It was yesterday. Himene Tarava A song about the planting of the seeds with Little Princess, Ladybug, Mister Man, Brother, and Beowulf Haka Puaka  (The Pig Dance) With Mister Man, Brother, and Beowulf This dance was choreographed by native Marquesas Islanders who gave this group permission to dance it for this festival.  It was accompanied by live music--one musician was born on one of the Marquesas Islands. Otea (The Rooster Dance) With Ladybug and Little Princess Otea again This time with Little Princess soloing (She's the one in the yellow) Himene Uru (The Breadfruit Song) with Lola Ladybug and Lola got to play Uncle Dave's big drum--the one he used to acc...
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So Close to the End that We're Planning the Next Beginning

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 We finished Human Anatomy and Physiology. We finished Ali and the Golden Eagle . We had the best discussions while reading this book!  The kids were so provoked by the bringing of modern technology to a previously undisturbed village still living as their ancestors had for probably 1,000 years that they had to talk it out.  I had the privilege of just listening as they discussed pros and cons to modern life vs ancient life. At one point I couldn't resist asking them if they wanted to move somewhere and try to live like long ago.  Most of them said, "No!"   Brother said, "People from long ago can live just fine because they don't know what they're missing.  People from now can't go back because they'll know!" Lola said, "Sure!  As long as we can take medicine with us!" It was really, really fun to listen to them voice their opinions and their reasons! We finished Seven Daughters and Seven Sons .  This book is definitely on our list of T...
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More Endings

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I think the worst ending of the past two weeks is the ending of a friendship that I thought was solid.   It's a long and ridiculous story. Pride. Pride is a terrible thing. So is self doubt. Both of which I have in spades. (We literally just finished The Screwtape Letters this week, so we've been studying pride and self-doubt!   " . . . if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronise me, or show off?’" I was snubbed, not taken notice of, had an oar shoved in what I thought was my space, patronized, and shown off in front of, and I got mad. Really mad. I am trying very hard to repent. I am trying very hard to forgive. But I no longer feel safe around this person that I previously trusted with my real self. My flawed, imperfect, real self. I think I'm somewhat muddled up with the teachings of Christ and the teach...
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Dance Finale

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 Yesterday ended the 2025-26 American Rhythm season. Stars Sparklers Stripes Firecrackers My dancers and me The whole troupe We had a blast putting on our Friends and Family show--a good audience always helps. :) Now we're on a break for a wee bit. This summer we optional clogging/swing dance workshops on the calendar for those who want to develop their skills a little bit. And by June, the other teachers and I will be deep in planning and choreography for the 2026-27 season. As for my personal crew, we are making progress on our academic goals, but we also had a week long spring break--mostly for my mental well-being. (Though I must admit that the change in schedule did not do my kids much good.  We had a few rough moments that made me very glad we're starting school again tomorrow!) We finished up our Book of Mormon Family Reader during Morning Meeting, and we started the book of Alma in The Book of Mormon during our after-dinner reading time.  We're still on volume 2...
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