The Play

 My parents have had a big week. My only brother took a teaching position in China and boarded the plane just days ago to head over.

My mom, brother Kent and my dad

 This isn't Kent's first overseas adventure. He taught in Taiwan before and has done work in South America. We are all praying for him as he battles serious medical conditions and the care in China isn't quite America.

Before boarding

 My mom made the trip to Virginia that both my parents were planning to come on, since Kent wasn't home to care for my mother's array of rescued animals. She currently has two dogs that would literally kill each other if there was any contact, so she didn't feel safe leaving that to someone who may slip up. So basically, my Dad didn't get to come so he could doggie-sit. 

On a side note, he used to have "stray rules" way back when I was young. Generally, we were only allowed one stray animal picked up on the side of the road at a time. Over the years, he has softened and currently he has a pit bull in the backyard and a cat colony that lives on the front porch. (I remember one time in high school when I brought home a supposed neutered male cat missing his tail from the mall parking lot. Shortly after, we were a bit shocked when "Bob" delivered a litter of kittens. We were concerned we had drastically violated the one stray cat rule, but that wasn't the only litter of kittens I brought home, so somehow litters kind of started counting as just one.)

JD was wise and learned early on that I had my mother's same animal compassion, so he hasn't really bothered with many stray rules. Of course, it really helps to live on a farm, not in a neighborhood. 

Anyway, my mom has come for my sisters' drama production that is tonight! My children are all in it. Julia, Elijah, Selah and Bella have non-speaking parts, but they are going to try and control the passover lamb as he also makes his debut performance. (JD is off at the farm picking him up as I type). Between the children and the lamb, it will be most entertaining I am sure.

These pictures were taken at last night's dress rehearsal. It was semi-dress for my crew as Bella looked like a gypsy, rather than a little Hebrew girl, and Ben had an elaborate costume of his own choosing that resembled the prince of Egypt. I will get new pictures tonight of their final costumes.

Selah, Elijah and Bella

 After attending Seussical last weekend, Elijah was pretty excited to be in the play and he wanted to know if I thought he was a good actor once he had completed his "just stand here on the stage for this scene" performance. 

Tori and up have speaking parts. They are doing a good job, especially since the first thing we all say to Tori and Ben every time they speak is, "I can't hear you!"

Tori

 The pictures I took in the pitch black with the spot light on were really bad other than this one of one of Ben and James' scenes.

Ben, David and James

Hoping for good attendance and reception tonight since this is put on for the Afghan refugees that my sister works with!