2013

It seems every year comes and goes faster and faster.  2013 brought our family to some new adventures.  I asked each member of our house for their favorite memory.

Andrew:  LTC, going to Austin with WCS, getting to see Wicked, Camping with Nana and Papa, winning in the Art show, going back to WCS Homecoming to see my friends, going to Oak Hills Church to hear Max Lucado preach.

Anna:  Winning the Art show both at school and district, Meeting Peter Pan (Cathy Rigby) getting to go to the American Girl Doll Store with my Mom, going camping,  going to see Wicked, going to the beach and going back to WCS homecoming to see my friends.

Alan:  Camping, Branson, Getting the Girls AD job.

Abigail: Getting the privilege to sing with the Praise Team at Oak Ridge almost every week, Meeting La Donna Gatlin, Cathy Rigby and Barry Williams. Getting to take my kids to see Wicked, going to New York City again, getting to go to Branson for free!, going to the beach, going to Fredericksburg with my friends.

Hmmm, not one of us said moving was our favorite memory. Ha! Ha!

I know 2014 will bring a whole new set of adventures and memories.  May God bless you and your family in 2014.

Christmas Around the World

Andrew and Anna are my students at school in music.  This is the first time other than bible class that I have taught both my children in a classroom setting.  On December 19, we had our Christmas program at school.  I did a play that I wrote the year Anna was born for another school program.  For everyone to be able to fit on stage and be a part of the program, we had the same play performed twice with different grade levels.  Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd (Anna's grade) performed in the morning and 3rd, 4th and 5th (Andrew's grade) performed in the afternoon.  Both of my kids were in the first and last scene.  Anna was kid one and Andrew was Kid 5 and he got to throw a football and run on stage.  It is funny how I wrote this play with no knowledge or even a thought that one day my own children would be in that very play.

Now anyone that knows me on the professional level, knows how meticulous I am when it comes to the final product.  For several weeks, I felt this was not going well and it just was not up to my standards.  I was quite frustrated and just wanted it to be over.  At the same time I could not let Andrew and Anna know my frustrations for they were doing their part really well for two shy kids. 

The day came and went.  Many of the teachers said it was the best they have ever seen.  My principal told me for the first time Facebook blew up with positive comments over how well behaved and how well the kids sounded.  Wow!  All of the stop and start over until it is done right did pay off after all.

Now speaking from a Mom's point of view.........I was proud of Anna and Andrew.  Anna spoke loudly and did her part as if she was really having a conversation with Uncle Bob and her cousins.  Andrew spoke clearly and loudly on his part and he made it through the whole play without coughing! Yes!!!!

Plans next?  The next few weeks will be some of favorite lessons about composers.  I actually dig deep and bring these composers to life so my students get to know them and appreciate their music.  I do different projects with them.  My favorite is "Who Murdered Mozart?"  This is a lesson that I have written and developed almost 20 years ago and it never gets old.

Special Agent Advent Angel

We have a new visitor in our house this Advent season.  The kids found a package at the front door yesterday and they found an angel in a box with her reason for being there and what she has planned for them.  She has a verse that we are to read and a activity.  I took it a step further and added a special assignment for the Andrew and Anna to complete during the day.  It could be something like paying a compliment to someone to helping someone in need out.

While I think the Elf on the Shelf is cute, I really wanted something that focused on the reason we celebrate this season and to give of ourselves everyday.  Andrew and Anna have enjoyed this new addition to the Advent season.

A Ladies Weekend!

Last weekend I met three other ladies from our church in Willow Park (yes we are still calling it our church even though we do not live in that area) in Fredericksburg for a weekend of fellowship, shopping, games, church and more shopping and of course FOOD.  It was really nice to reconnect with dear friends and catch up with each other. 

I only live 2 hours away but the other three beat me there.  I just have to love San Antonio traffic..........thus taking me four hours to get there.  We stayed in a cozy cottage and the king size beds were so comfortable.  When we woke up, I took a shower in a jacuzzi tub with a rain shower.  That was a first!  I step outside afterwards and felt like Snow White.  There were deer and elk everywhere on the property.  Wow!  It was so serene!  We eventually all were ready to head out and we had breakfast vouchers to certain restaurants in the area.  Both mornings we ate at the "Old German Bakery."  That must be the place to eat because it was packed.  It really was good and I was able to find something to eat easily with my diet. 

We then headed out to Trade Days and found several things for stocking stuffers for family.  I saw all kinds of ideas that I know I can make.  I hate buying something that I know I can make cheaper.  We all had fun finding little treasures and one of my favorite parts was one place sold ice tea with free refills for the whole day!  Yes!!!! It is the little things that make my day sweeter.  The other favorite part was I met a World War II Veteran that was a prisoner of war in Germany and he wrote a book about his experience.  I thought to myself, "Perfect for Alan's Christmas."  He was such an adorable man and I was reminded of my Granddad Adams who also served in WWII.  My friend Brenda offered to take a picture of us with the book that he signed for Alan.  I am sure Alan will not read this blog before Christmas...........at least I hope not.

Around 2:30 or 3:00 we headed back to main street to do more shopping and went to a German restaurant that evening.  Our music mininster's wife and I shared a rib eye because I am not a huge fan of German food.  We then returned to the cottage and played spades and talked about our church hunt adventures with laughter invovled.

The next morning we went to Oak Hills Fredericksburg Branch (Max Lucado's church) to church and it really was a sweet time with each other.  After church we went to do more shopping and ate at KBOBS and did even more shopping and parted ways around 5. I was a little mad at myself for spending so much money but then I realized I got a lot of Christmas bought so, then I wasn't so hard on myself.

Even though this move has been hard on me, weekends like this, make it easier.  It is good to know that I still have true friends that are still there for me and I am there for them. 

Halloween in our new town

In the last few weeks, many people have warned us that we live in the most popular neighborhood for trick or treating.  I gathered coupons and headed to HEB and bought a total of six bags of candy.  I am thinking for a small town that has to be enough right!  Nope.  Alan ran out of Candy in 30 minutes.  I was shocked!  He only gave one piece to each kid. Wow!  I took the kids through the neighborhood while Alan sat in our driveway handing out candy.  We had not been trick or treating 30 minutes and both are complaining of being too hot and tired.  Andrew said "it is suppose to cooler in October, this is ridiculous!"  I reminded him that we live in South Texas now and we will not have quite the same temps that we are use to.

In fact, on a side note,  Alan and I have been laughing at people down here complaining that 67 degrees is cold.  I had duty Friday morning and I had on a white sweater which was more for fashion than to stay warm.  I was not cold at all but I saw kids in heavy winter coats and hats on their heads.  I just giggled to myself.

Andrew and the case of Bronchitis

Two weeks ago, I took Andrew to a doctor in our small town.  He was given a breathing treatment and was told most likely he had asthma.  He got better.

Last Monday morning he woke up coughing hard and complaining of a headache.  I told him to go on to class and that it is just his allergies.  I left to go over to the Middle School choir and when I came back an hour later, I was met at the side door by the school nurse and Andrew.  She said it was his asthma.  I heard him wheezing and grabbed the inhaler, he didn't respond to it.  I told the office ladies to cancel my classes and I took Andrew to the emergency room.  When I got there I explained that he needs a breathing treatment, he is having trouble breathing.  They took him on back as I was signing paper work.

When I went to his room I thought he would have had a breathing treatment.  No, that was not the case.  He was in a bed but they were taking his vitals and started asking me all kinds of questions.  They did blood work and an X Ray on him and an hour later.......still no breathing treatment, came in and said he had viral bronchitis.  They gave him a inhaler and steroids and sent him home for 2 days. 

By Tuesday evening he was coughing really bad again.  We got him up the next morning, still coughing and went on to school.  When I came back from the middle school, no sign of Andrew.  Yay!  He did show up to my class room during first grade music but he went to my purse and got his inhaler and returned to class.  But at 12:30 he shows up not able to breathe AGAIN.  I call the first doctor he went to and they said they could see him at 1:00.  I go to the office and make arrangements and take Andrew on to the doctor. 

This time we saw the nurse practitioner.  She thought Andrew needed an anti-biotic and a strong cough syrup.  What? No breathing treatment?  She didn't think he was wheezing.   By this point I am not sure what to think.  I staid home with him on Thursday and he slept until 8:30 and wasn't coughing.  He decided to hang out in the living room for the day and I went into his room and strip down his room.  I washed all his pillows, sheets, blankets etc.  Vacuumed and dusted.  I didn't allow him back in until about 6:30 that evening. 

Then he started up the coughing again.  I am pretty frustrated by this point.  He does manage to get through the school day on Friday.  Today he has sounded a little better, not coughing near as much.  I hope he can get this illness knocked out and not have it return.  He has been pretty miserable.

Anna's future career

We recently had red ribbon week at our school.  One of the days you could dress as your future career or future college.  Andrew dressed for Abilene Christian University and Anna dressed up like a Math Teacher.

Fall Fun

I took the kids to a church on the South East of San Antonio to a fall festival.  There was a hay ride, a maize, jump house, games, a haunted house and a pumpkin patch.  We had a great time.

This was only about 45 minutes from our house.  We had the option of eating there but they chose to go into Floresville to McDonalds.  That was a treat for them since we do not have one where we live.

Alan is 40!

Alan had cross country on his birthday and when I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday he said eat and watch Texas play.  Anna and I made red velvet cupcakes and made one of his favorites.....Tater Tot Casserole with a salad. 

First Day of School

August 26 was our first day of school and the very first day that Alan, Andrew and Anna had ever been in a public school.  Alan went to Midland Christian his entire school life and has only taught in Christian Schools since.  Andrew and Anna both started at Weatherford Christian.  While this has been a challenging time for both kids, Alan is on cloud 9 and loves his new position.  It is nice to eat lunch with Anna once a week and have the opportunity to teach my own children but it is insightful to see what kind of students Andrew and Anna are.  Very quiet! 

 First Day of school picture......Anna was excited to put together her new outfit.

First Day of school treat!

Rock Port Beach

Sunday before Labor Day we decided to go to the beach.  We drove to Victoria to church, ate lunch at Red Lobster and headed south to Rock Port Beach.  We did not get to spend much time in the water because of so many jelly fish that day but we still had fun.  I enjoyed putting my feet in the sand and sitting in my chair relaxing and letting the sound of the waves and the smell of the beach take my stress away.  The kids built a sand city and Alan liked poking dead jelly fish with a plastic knife. 

 

Changes and A New Adventure!

Over this summer, Alan was offered the Girls Athletic Director and Head Girls Basketball Coach Position at a little 1A school in South Texas.  They just happened to have a Elementary Music position opened and wanted me to start a choir at the Middle School with adding High School Choir next year.  This ISD really pushed to get us here.  They wanted a couple with young kids to come in as a team that would be around for a while.  While I did not want to move and pull our kids out of a Christian School, and leave our church, I knew Alan could not pass up this opportunity.  I will get to see my kids more often and have the honor to teach music to them and hopefully choir.

We have lived here almost two weeks and it is taking a lot of adjustment for me.  Our next door neighbors actually brought us brownies which I thought only happened in movies/TV.  Everyone in our Neighborhood KNOWS who we are and WHY we are here.  Our house sits against a cow pasture and so we see cows everyday behind our backyard.  I can't just go to a shopping center anytime I want.  I have to drive 30-60 minutes to go any place fun to shop.  Restaurants are limited.  It only takes us 10 minutes to get to school versus the 25 minutes I have been traveling back and forth everyday for five years.  Most everyone is friendly and local businesses even knows Alan and call him "Coach Weaver."   We live in one town while our school is four miles away in the next town, but many know who we are in BOTH towns. 


Our house is spacious and the kids want to live in it forever despite the blue master bath, pink guest bath and a strange green/blue kitchen, I like the features of the house. 

We started in-service this week and school officially starts the 26th.  Here is to a new Adventure.

Branson

We flew in from New York  around Midnight and Alan greeted me at the airport.  We jumped in the car and drove to McKinney to spend the night.  The next morning we headed to Branson MO to enjoy a free trip for Choir and Band directors.  We were there four days and saw many shows like ABBA, Buckets and Boards, Taylor Reed, The Hughes brothers and The Haygoods.  We went to the Titanic Museum where we met the great granddaughter of Margaret Brown (The Unsinkable Molly Brown), rode the ducks, and I drove a go cart that was four stories high.  Alan of course sped past me and ran into me at the very end.

I really enjoyed getting to know the business people in Branson and even getting to meet and talk with some of the celebrities.  The Hughes Brothers were by far my favorite because they took time after the show to sit down and talk with us.  They even showed up at the Go Carts and hung out with us.

My favorite moment was the moment when we were sitting in on a Band Group getting critiqued before the Haygood show.  I look over to my left because I noticed that someone walked into the theater.  I had one of those moments where I stopped breathing and looked at my husband with big eyes and got so excited.  It was Barry Williams!

After the stay was over, Alan and I headed for Oklahoma City and spent the night.  We we to see my old house and church and headed to downtown to see the memorial and have lunch on the River Walk.  We then headed home.  Those five days were a great get away for Alan and me.  We had not traveled at all the past year and it was great to get away.

Now where was Andrew and Anna?  While I was in New York, Alan and the kids went camping with Alan's parents in Junction and from there Andrew and Anna went home with their grandparents.  Even though its great to have a break, I was so ready to see my kids again.  I really missed them.

 Taylor Reed the Illusionist and Ziggy both from Texas

 Some of the Hughes Brothers and children

 Greg!

 The Hughes Brothers and the Oldest son with Alan and me at the Go Cart Tracks

The Hughes Brothers serenading our group on the Bus.  They sang the National Anthem and For the Longest Time.

New York! New York!

 Our choir made a return trip to New York City in June.  Several of the kids wanted to go back and I of course did not mind that at all.  We had our same tour guide and I was so glad.  She is amazing!  She makes mine and Mac's job so easy.  While we did see things we saw last time, we saw a lot of new things as well.  Again, one of my favorite moments was our first song we sang in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.  It was a fast pace song with a loud long ending note.  I loved seeing the expressions of our students faces when I cut them off and they heard their echo for several seconds after.  I even got to sing this time.  We saw Matilda and Wicked and I did not get sick on the boat ride on the Hudson River.  I enjoyed shopping at the Lego store for Andrew, the American Girl Doll store for Anna and NBC studios for Alan. 

Andrew's 10th Birthday!

Andrew had an extra happy birthday this year.  His birthday fell on the last day of school for him.  Happy Birthday to such a kind and loving son.  Alan and I are blessed to have Andrew as our son.

End of the 2012-2013 School Year

Anna's character from the book "You can be a Friend."  Her class was to dress up like a character from their favorite book and they went to the public library for a parade and each student checked out two books.  Anna had so much fun...........we get to go to the library every two weeks.  She really loves to read.

 Award Ceremony:  Andrew received Outstanding Citizenship Award, Outstanding Attendance Award, the Fruit of the Spirit for Patience, A/B Honor Roll, ACSI Art Excellence at the District Art Show and the "Read to Suceed" Six Flags Award.

Anna received Perfect Attendance, A/B Honor Roll, Outstanding Citizenship, "The Read to Suceed" Six Flags award, Fruit of the Spirit for Peace and the ACSI GOLD MEDAL for the District Art Show.

 Last day of Fourth grade and First grade.  Where did the time go?

 Andrew with his Science Teacher Mrs. Crawford

with his Math Teacher  Mrs. Rogers

 And his homeroom teacher Mrs. Hunn

Anna with Mrs. Pugh!