What doesn't kill us...

only makes us stronger. That's the saying more or less, I believe. Is that a lesson we're supposed to teach our kids? Or will life teach it to them at some point?

Tonight Jim and the three older kids are participating in a camp-out for Malaria Awareness. Yes, outside. With temperatures that probably will stay in the low 30s. In a parking lot, no less, to make themselves more visible than if they had camped in the Lions Park area that is set off the main road a bit. Jim had several church members interested, so there will be a small but hardy crew out there.

Samuel, it must be said, was NOT enthused about the idea.
He asked me to let him get out of it. I deferred to his father, who said Samuel *was* camping.
He offered to watch babies tonight so I could go, if that would get him out of it. Um, no thanks.
He asked what happened if he threw up, if that would get him out of it (and then asked if we had syrup of Ipecac). Ha, ha, darling.
So he grumpily went along and will likely continue to grump as he shivers all night.

This is where the post title comes in. Should I have been more sympathetic and asked Jim to consider giving Samuel a break? Should I have given him some sage hard-earned advice regarding what life has to teach us through adversity? Should I have kept quiet (as I mostly did) and let the scenario play out as it would?

After all, whatever doesn't freeze you to death kill you will only make you stronger. Right?

Just have to say

Moriah and Susannah were amazingly wonderful in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Girdwood School play. They had performances last night and tonight and the girls did so well. In fact, the entire cast was awesome. Truly.

Moriah was the Cowardly Lion and was completely in character the entire time she was on stage. She sang two solos and nailed both of them both nights. Moriah was quite the scaredy cat and had a lot of fun cowering and flinching.

Susannah was Dorothy and was just the right sweetness. She sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow right at the beginning and did a lovely, lovely job. She stayed in character, too, and made us so proud of her acting.

Pictures will follow, once I find my camera cord. We also recorded the entire thing, so I may put their songs on here. Depends on if it would take FOREVER to upload them or not.

My heart overflows with love and pride. Way to go, girls!