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.