Art Show number 3 for both kids!

Andrew and Anna were entered in the Parker County District Attorney's Art Show which was held April 26 by their art teacher.  We are very proud of both kids.

American Girl Store and Restaurant

I found a great deal on an American Girl doll back in December.  It was regular $124 and I got this one for around $50.  I decided that I would save it for Anna's birthday and take her to the American Girl store in Dallas and shop and have lunch.  She loved every minute of it.  I have always loved dolls and this was a treat for me too. 

Anna's doll is a historical character, Marie Grace.  She lives in New Orleans and is shy and takes voice lessons.  That is Anna!  She loves the fact that it comes with a book too!

As we were headed to the car, Anna grabbed my hand and said, "Thank you for taking me to the American Girl Store. I had so much fun!"  That was worth the crazy Dallas traffic.

 Andrew and Anna look alikes

Anna is having a coke and Marie Grace is having real pink lemonade.

Anna's Birthday

Anna turned seven on the 24th.  She wanted to go to Olive Garden for her Birthday Dinner and after that, we went to church.  She also took cupcakes to school to share with her class.

Most people think she is quiet and shy, which she is true but there is a side that many do not see.  She is quite funny.  While Andrew checked on me often and brought me things to drink and eat when I was recovering from surgery or chemo, Anna helped me on some of my darkest days by just walking in my bedroom and saying something funny and making a silly face.  She made me smile at least if I didn't laugh.  She has brought so much fun and joy into our house.  I look forward to seeing all the many things I know God has planned for her.

Andrew's Art Project Update and Baseball

When I picked up the kids at school Friday Andrew excitedly told me that his Art teacher had taken his art project (professor Plum) and entered it in a third show here in Weatherford.  It is the Parker County District Attorney's Art Contest.  He loves Baseball but loves art too.  When we went to Michael's Friday, he was looking at all kinds of things to draw for his next project.  He was super pumped.

Andrew is doing great at baseball.  He is hitting the ball more but there seems to be a strategy to walk Andrew by most teams to keep him from out running them.  They have won all but one of their games.  It has done wonders for Andrews self esteem and morale.  Last night one of his team mates hit a grand slam.  The neat thing is he is autistic.  His team cheered for him and they all ran out to him when he got to home base and celebrated him.  That was a really cool moment.

Thursday, Andrew and his class will take a charter bus to Austin.  Alan gets to go as the male chaperon and of course Alan is excited about it because of all the history they will encounter.  I just hope he remembers to take pictures (and not of UT!) since Anna and I will stay and go to school.   

Five In a Row and an early Birthday Surprise.

Alan's track team did it again.  They are advancing to state for the 5th time this coming Tuesday in Spring Town and my Junior High Choir continued their winning streak by being fifth consecutive choir to win an award at UIL as did the High School choir this past Tuesday in Decatur.  These consecutive wins have never happened in Mineral Wells choir history.  In fact Junior High has never won two years in a row.  Now they have five in a row.  I am so proud of my ladies and their dedication to go above and beyond.  This 8th grade group has really matured into some amazing ladies.  When I first started teaching them in 7th grade, they were my most challenging group BUT have been my most rewarding group.  I am not ready to send them on to High School but it is almost time.

We are beginning the last six weeks and I am ready for a break. On Friday June 14th,  I leave with the High School Choir for New York City.  I am very excited to go back to New York.

Last Friday April 12, we gave Andrew and Anna an early Birthday present.  We took them to Music Hall at Fair Park to see Wicked.  When I went to NY two years ago, I saw it on Broadway and told the kids about how they would enjoy the story.  Since then they have talked about wanting to see Wicked.  The opportunity came and they were so EXCITED to see it.  Now I get to see it again in NY :-)

Leadership Training for Christ

Andrew participated in LTC for the first time this year.  He chose to do a power point based off of this year's theme, Going the Extra Mile.  Matthew 5:41 and he did a Lego art sculpture as well.  On Sunday March 24 he was one of the few chosen to participate in the LTC worship service at our church.  He read his power point presentation to the church and there was not a dry eye in the house.  (except for mine.......I was back there trying to keep him calm, poor kid)  He did great.  He talked about how he learned to go the extra mile while I was battling my illness this past year.  He is just a sweet kid and so kind.  He really has an understanding of biblical things more than I thought he did. 

We had watched The Bible on the History channel and when Andrew saw something incorrect, he would yell at the TV saying that's not how it happened!  He would run get his bible and prove it.

He received a Gold (highest obviously) rating in both the power point and his art sculpture.  He was very surprised.  It's funny how when we do something really good, we do not see the impact it can have.  Andrew was the same way.  He has no idea how his power point impacted many people at church or at the conference.  God has big plans for him. It is fun to watch and guide him to that big plan.  Anna has to wait two more years, but she is so ready now.  She has decided she wants to do the "Teaching Challenge" (big surprise ha!) scrap booking and the Chorus.

  Recognizing Art participants.

 Saving the Best for Last! Recognizing the only Power Point this year and the first one ever entered by an Oak Ridge participant.

 Receiving Awards

Easter 2013

I tried a couple of new things for the kids this year.  I woke them up bright and early Sunday morning and they found only one egg in their Easter basket.  There was a note inside saying, "Oh no! No gifts?  I guess you will have to wait for the Easter egg hunt this afternoon and be sure to be ready to think!" 

We then made "Empty Tomb rolls."  You take a marshmallow which is Jesus and dipped in melted butter and cinnamon sugar which is the linen cloth.  You take one crescent roll and and roll the marshmallow up inside the roll (the tomb).  Seal it shut.  Dip in cinnamon sugar and put in muffin tin.  I was suppose to read them the story of the death and resurrection but instead, I asked Andrew and Anna questions about it and they answered me. We made 8 of them and put them in the oven and when we pulled them out, they discovered that Jesus was no longer in the tomb........He had risen!

We then got ready for church and took pictures in our new outfits.  The kids had an Easter egg hunt during their class time.  Alan went to our normal class and I was rehearsing with the Praise Team.  We then came home and had Ham, Mash potatoes, salad and pineapple. 

Anna is so proud of her shoes........they have a little heal on them.

Their Easter egg hunt had rules this year.  Andrew's egg were green and blue and Anna's eggs were pink and purple.  They could only pick up their color.  All but two of their eggs had little presents in them like erasers, Christian jewelry, lip gloss (not for Andrew) etc.  They each had two eggs with number 1 and a number 2.  The first egg had clues to the first prize and the second egg  had clues leading to their big prize.  It was a scavenger hunt.  They had a lot of fun.  Andrew ended up with the new Passion CD and Anna got the Jesus Calling book for kids.  She was so excited and she sat down right a way and began reading it. 

After that, I went to bed to rest.  I was worn out and had been hurting from my surgery.  I ended up taking pain medication and a muscle relaxer.  I was pretty much out.  We did manage to watch the conclusion of the Bible on the History channel.  I love the fact that Andrew knows his bible stories so well, that when they did not do the scene just right, he would yell at the TV, "That's not how it happened!"  He would run get his Bible to prove them wrong.  He was quite funny but  I loved it!