Smash

Bear Stage Players

My talented Alexa Rae your mom couldn't be more proud of you! What a blessing all of your talents have been. I can't express into words just how proud I am of you but during this post I will try my best.

I would first like to give a brief background on how theatre became such a love in your life! 

Dance was your first love and to help fulfill that you tried out for high school drill team. After being a part of the drill team for 3 years an unexpected turn happened your junior year. We said good bye to drill team and locked those memories up tight and welcomed your next love....theatre! Please remember my baby, you may be in a storm and not understand the reasons but that beautiful rainbow waiting at the end can be better than you ever expected. Theatre was your beautiful rainbow! 

Right before Christmas break your Senior year we heard the news that you were casted as one of the leads in the upcoming play Smash! You called me screaming and crying...I'll never forget that phone call! I know this was such exciting news for you but as a parent it's excitement at another level. (one day you'll know this feeling) Seeing your angel excited at something that they accomplished and worked hard for and prayed for...I just sat back, soaked it in and lock it up tight in my heart! I knew you deserved it and I knew you would be the best you could be for this play....once again...I was right!

This was a British comedy set in 1910. I loved the British accent and I believe the whole family was talking in a British accent for a while! Your school did this play for One-Act Play and did absolutely amazing! Y'all advanced to area and I know the entire cast worked so very hard and all of you deserved such recognition! what an amazing play and such awesome memories to wrap up your Senior Year!

I do have to add of course that you were awarded UIL Best Actess!! A scholarship to a local college came with your award! I was sitting at the table getting ready for Easter parties and received the most beautiful phone call...crying and could barely understand you...you finally got out...MOM...I WON BEST ACTRESS!! I just sat there and cried with you! So proud my angel! As you explained through the following days to come..You were sitting in the audience watching awards. After they called out several awards for different categories you knew the last one was Best Actress...you explained...you knew you didn't receive that honor so you sat back and exhaled...until you heard your name called! 

This was the last play we would watch of you as a part of Bear Stage Players...

Very emotional time! I tried so hard not to cry at the end but it was such a mixture of happy, proud, and sad to say goodbye tears. We all went to dinner to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment with all your aunts and uncles. Beautiful memories my baby and we can't wait to see what's in store for you!

The Sky is The Limit...Break a Leg~

Fireflies & Divas

A new game for the Russell Girls

Your mommy is so very excited to post about Soccer! First, I will have to explain how this new adventure started....

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jason bought a new house and were cleaning out everything. They gave ya'll tons of clothes and toys. One toy they gave y'all was a soccer ball!! Both of you started kicking it around in the back yard until one day Ella Jo asked if we could sign her up for soccer! Daddy and I both were excited and couldn't say YES fast enough! On our way to sign up Addi Grace asked if she could sign up for soccer too! We were kind of surprised for Addi's desire to learn about soccer and play with other people but ofcourse we signed both our girls up!!

Daddy nor Mommy knows anything about the sport. NOTHING We were both eager to learn and jumped straight in!! We bought all our things needed..soccer socks, shorts, balls, bags, etc.

Practices were starting and both of you girls were in love! Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more excited! Then games...

Ella Jo

Fireflies

Ella Jo, you love practices...games? not really! Every practice you did so good but mommy thinks the games made you a little scared. You didn't understand that when another girl (from the other team) had the ball that you needed to take it from her. My sweet baby, we've always taught you to not take toys and to share..then we throw you on a soccer field and try to tell you all bets are off and take that ball!! You made a few goals  and one was in the other teams side....that's ok though! (mommy still counted it)

Running, sweating, and being aggresive was not your cup of tea and you would run to your coach and ask if it was your turn to be out...mommy still laughs about that! Your favorite part was one of your very best friends was on your team!

 We will see if you would like to play in the fall?? The jury is still out for now..

Addi Grace

Diamond Divas

My sweet Addi Grace, I do believe other than horses, you have found a new love! Mommy has to explain a little bit so y'all will know why I cried like a baby your first game! (this doesn't surprise anyone)

Ever since you were born you have been shy! You don't want any attention brought to yourself what so ever. Just like your daddy I have to say. Mommy would talk to a wall, so sometimes your shy bugs are hard for me to understand until your daddy explains what you're feeling to me. Little Leauge Cheer, cheer clinics, school plays, etc you refuse to particiapte in. I've tried but you shut down when it comes time to cheer, sing, or say your part in a play in front of people. It doesn't matter if you know them or not. So, the morning of your first game I was a little nervous for you and was waiting on you to come sit by me and refuse to get up and play.....Your mommy and daddy couldn't have been more surprised!!

One time and one time only you will let those shy bugs go, and that's when you are on a horse....now I can add soccer to your list! Not only did you play...you played well! We yelled for you and you waved as you ran past me! The second those soccer shoes hit the field you had a smile that made all the grass glow! You not only learned every part of the game you even wanted to play when it was time for Ella's game...Yes, my girls, your mom had her happy tears streaming down her face and I couldn't stop them! (Daddy made fun of me) The coach always asked who needed a break and you would yell back..."Not Me!!" You were aggresive and would block with not only your feet but arms as well! I have to say, your mommy didn't recognize that little girl! But..on the soccer field I kinda like her!!

Awesome new memories my angels!! I think soccer has opened many doors and your mommy can't wait to see inside! I love watching y'all in dance and anything else y'all will do but there is something about sports that I adore watching!! I can't wait for more to come~

A Black Tie Affair

Senior Prom 2013

Ok Miss. Alexa Rae, it's been a few months since Prom...but my heart traveling back to that precious memory will call for some tissues so I don't flood my keyboard! What a beautiful young woman you have become and this night is one we will never forget!

When you were a little baby and started holding your head up and then sitting alone then moved on to crawling and walking with every mile stone made I sobbed. I soon learned that with every step forward you made was so much fun but I locked the memories up tight in my heart. Knowing that every new chapter is fun it's sad for your mom to leave behind the memories. There a certain highlights in a girls life and Prom is one of them! We looked forward to this night for so many years. The dress, hair, nails, shoes, the list goes on.....Watching my little girl get ready for her special night was so precious to your mom. What a blessing it is to share these most beautiful memories with you! Nails and spray tan was done earlier in the week that way we would have a relaxed time preparing the day of Prom. You tried on a few dresses but the one you choose was the very first one you tried on and fell in love!! (so did I)

I do have to say in our blog that when I took the picture you did not have your high heels on so your dress looks too long in the picture but when you put your shoes on it fits perfectly!!

The day of Prom you were so relaxed and had fun getting ready! You wanted to do your makeup because you are so picky when it comes to that! A couple friends came by to finish getting ready and moms to take pictures...Ya'll then loaded up and headed to meet more friends at a resturant. There are some moments in your life that I wish I could be a little fly and watch you...this is definately one of those moments!

Two of your aunts came by to watch you get ready also!

I stayed outside and watched ya'll laughing and probably planning all the fun as y'all drove off....

I'm so proud of you my angel....

My beautiful little girl! Just yesterday I took pictures of your first recital and playing dress up but now you are grown into such an amazing young woman right before my eyes...with all the makeup and hair spray you are still momma's baby and I will always be able to see through the lipstick and see my little girl that used to let me brush her hair and paint her finger nails. You are absolutely beautiful my baby! Thank you for being exactly who you are and letting your momma be a part of all of these special moments in your life! I treasure them and will never let go....My Baby Always You'll Be~