In August 2002, Julie (Piekarski) Probst sent a message to the NMMC Yahoo! Groups discussion group. Here’s what she said, in part:

" . . . I have a few minutes before going to sleep before my son Patrick has a midnight to 5am practice for his show at The Muny, the largest outdoor theater in the world. Guess what. I typed this really long note and then stopped to make dinner and forgot to save it and the internet shut down. So I'm actually writing this twice! Let's see, basically I stay very busy being a mom to Patrick, Jacqueline, and Christian. We are so lucky to have such precious, smart, beautiful, talented, loving (should I go on...ha ha ha) children. John and I are truly blessed. With the beginning of summer, life gets actually more hectic here. Swim team/dive team begins, tennis, baseball, and The Muny too. All 3 were in "Peter Pan." My youngest, Christian, was chosen to be Michael Darling. So he got to fly. Imagine the let down after the show ended... Patrick had a fun, crazy part as Twin #1 lost boy. Jacqueline was picked to dance next to Tiger Lily. So I went crazy trying to watch all of them each night when they were on at the same time. They did a fabulous job and I spent each night with tears in my eyes thinking that I had helped create those 3 wonderful beings. The boys are in "Annie Get your Gun" at another professional theater next month. Then Patrick just got a part in a straight acting play from Oct. to Nov. Jacqueline had to bow out because her gymnastics kicks in then with competition season starting. She just had a national testing that would send her to an Olympic caliber type camp. Yes, sounds like they're following in my footsteps, but guess what? It just sort of happened. It started at church when Patrick was 8 and subbed for a cantor and sang with this gorgeous soprano voice. He truly has a gift. The other two just sort of followed and the rest is history...ha ha ha. Patrick's first love is select soccer. I told him unless he goes to Europe to play, he better find another job to support a family. Jacqueline is an incredible dancer, like her mother, but she lives for gymnastics. She wants to go to the 2008 Olympics. A scholarship is all we want.... Her coaches seem to think she has it all. For me, that's scary. The worst that can happen when you dance is falling and getting embarrassed. In gymnastics, there's alot more danger involved. So as a mother, sitting on the side lines, it's really hard. Then there's my Christian who has an incredible animated personality. I think he'll be the one to rake in all the money and take care of me! ... I feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful man who has put up with me for 16 years already. And he has a great voice and music background besides being a dentist. So I have to give him some credit for the kids! I still do some acting locally, commercials, industrial films... As for theater, it's a bit hard to commit to a show when I want to be able to be there for the kids. As for my dancing, well let's see, I'm 39 and can still do my splits, kicks, heel stretches,and whatever else I use to be able to do. Some times the double turns make me a little dizzy now and then.

The kids have watched some of the FOL reruns but if SpongeBob is on, or Rugrats, or soccer, the channel gets flipped! Talk about staying humble... Life is great. I'm scared to say that. Like maybe a lightning bolt might strike and change everything. The only thing that's hard is time. Boy, does it go by fast. Summer is almost gone. And each day is filled. See, I haven't changed. I still talk alot. Hopefully this makes up for the long wait. It's wonderful to know that all of you appreciated my dancing and natural happiness. My mother filmed movies of the Disneyland summer shows and had them transferred to video. Boy, do they bring back memories. I remember bringing some of you up on stage for the "Friends" song. ... I've pretty much dedicated my time and energy to my kids since they only need us for such a short while. Instead of writing books or tapes or seminars, I'm still in the phase of giving my children all of our efforts until they're in high school. That's just the way John and I have decided to raise our children. I'm very lucky that I can stay at home (though I'm never at home) with them and provide them with a good sound basis for life. I'll have plenty of time to do "my thing" later on. I love being a wife and a mom. I hate ironing though. I think it is the stupidest thing. Okay now I'm rambling. Time to go to bed if I'm going to make it from midnight to 5am for his rehearsal. I can't tell you when I'll write again but go ahead and ask some questions and I'll see if I can get to them. The only time I can really get on the computer is after 9:30pm. That time is really suppose to be for John and I. And that even ends up being time for organizing the next day's schedule. So maybe when the kids are in school, I can find a time to sit and type.

Take care, stay positive, and always look for the good in people and things. Have a Mouskawow day!"

Julie