I am writing this while my husband is on a trip to the Dominican Republic.  He works with a local pastor to help Believers grow.  Our association has partnered with them and have provided several groups there to help with the Work.  It dawned on us that this was his 5th trip in 2 years.  I have not been able to go, mostly because of work and grad school. It really doesn't bother me, except when I am feeling really selfish from 6-7 in the morning.  Currently we have to leave at 6:45 in order to get every to their "places" for the day on time (I am SO GLAD my school is moving to a later time in the fall!!!).   

What it does remind me is to encourage my single parent friends.  I find myself not relaxed when Danny is gone because I have to keep thinking on to the next step or thing that we have to do.  Where is Connor's homework folder?  Has Anna gotten her room cleaned up?  What items are on my list of things to do? etc.....  I have these thoughts on any normal week, but I am a bit tense when Danny is gone because it is MY job to make it all happen.

This is a good reminder also to be grateful for Danny.   He is a super dad and a wonderful help around the home.  It is obvious when he is gone!

The work in the DR is doing well.  Great things are happening there.  We have also noticed that whenever those folks come back home from the DR they have a renewed sense of focus on Dad's work.  This may be the best lesson ever!

Choir director's weekend

I have just returned home from the MS All-state honor choir and music educator's convention. It was held in Jackson. I thought it went really well. The funny thing was that we had 5 directors and 2 students on a bus that took us from Meridian to Jackson (about 90 miles). It took us there Thursday, dropped us off and came back today to get us after the convention. We looked funny gitting off the big bus :)!

The boys that went with us were the honor choir members- One was for Junior high and the other was for High school. The high school kid was the first MHS'er to go in a few years- we were especially proud of him! It was also nice to reconnect with other directors and compare ideas.

But now, I am at home alone. Danny has the kids at Super Bulldog weekend and I hated that I missed it. Connor even played with the MSU girl's soccer team!

contests, contests, contests

So, I have had a tough couple of months. I did solo contest and honor choir (for both HS and JH) then almost immediately had district (for both HS and JH) along with musical auditions in between. I am going to blame it on distracted teaching, but my results were not what I have usually produced. And, to my surprise, I am a bit depressed about it. I really do know that I teach more than contests, but I was reminded this year how much I depend on them. Oh well, my pride needs to be challenged every now and then....

I am also reading Ruby Payne's book Framework for Understanding Poverty. This book has been a HUGE help to me in understanding my kids at the Junior High. It is a super book! Has anyone dealt with kids in poverty? Any advice? HELP!!!!!

SUPER CAST!!!

So, can I just say that the musical auditions AND the call backs went REALLY well? And I should apologize aobut the theatre teacher... she was SO organized for these two events! Things are looking good so far.

On a personal note, I have an incredible husband. He has been patient with long after-school practices for honor choir, solo contest, and now musical. Not to mention the stress of my grad classes. I am really gateful. Wonder how I should thank him.......

MUSICAL!!

I have been putting off the inevitable, but this semester I am doing the musical at MHS (well, sort of- there is a super theatre director I will work with but I think I am going to have to be the organizer ...). I loved the musicals I did in TX but I wasn't in charge. In MS I feel more pressure to make it work! My high school hasn't done a musical since the 80's (some say the 70's).

So we are doing SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! Anyone remember those cartoons? It is a small cast and easy plot. Music is, of course, very fun! Auditions are next week..... hope kids come.

Meanwhile, Connor has won 2nd place in the Kindergarten Science Fair! I am so proud!

a moment to breathe...

hmm.... I may not be as good at blogging as I thought... :)
Life is good here- My Meridian High Wildcats became state champs, beating the 98-winning streak South Panola, MSU has a new coach, and I am close to Christmas break! Right now, Danny is in the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with students from the Meridian CC BSU. He thinks they are a super group of young adults who are really open to serving our Lord. It should be a super week. For Connor and Anna it is not so unusual having Dad gone. They handle it well and I think they understand why he is gone. I am enjoying a nice calm in between 10 performances for the month of December with my school choirs (AAHHH!!!- what were WE thinking!!!???!). Today we stayed at home and played in the house all day. I did some grad work, but even the kids stayed in their pj's all day. We don't get to do that often but today it was a nice break. Maybe this is what the holidays are REALLY about- rest with family!

grad school

YIPPEE!! I just finished my requirements for the grad course I am taking! It is such a relief! I am now half-way through the program. I am in the greatest music ed program at William carey with some of the best people! Most of us are teaching (or have taught) and we compare ideas and work together- it has been really good. But I am SO GLAD to be finishede with this class.... now on to the next class :).
So, life here is good - my parents (mimi and happy) have graciously agreed to stay with us for a couple of days. Danny has responsibilities in Jackson with the Mississippi Baptist Convention and I had this class. That meant that poor mom and dad had to get the kids and get connor ready for a soccer game.... they had a good taste of being a part of our world!
Now I can relax for a few days and then my next syllabus will be sent to me... but for now I am happy!

NO WAY!?!?!?

Could it be? MSU AND MHS won the same weekend? Can't believe it.... but our house is wonderfully happy today. I was amazed at myself this weekend. I think I am becoming more sports-minded than I thought. Case in point.... we have season tickets to Miss State games. I could not go today because Lamplighters (my HS schowchoir) had a performance this morning. Danny and Connor went and Anna stayed with me. We did the performance this morning and then when it was game time I had my radio tuned to Jack Crystal (our faithful announcer) and my internet logged into MSULiveStats. I don't think I would have done that 5 years ago..... Being a MSU fan is so tough, but the few victories we have a so sweet! Go Dawgs!

YIPPEE!!!

WE DID IT!!!! GO CATS!!!!!! Oak Grove may have Farve and McNair's kids, but tonight we won!!!!! love my cats.......hope my dawgs go well.....

Football

I have always liked football but recently I have grown to really like it! Tonight Meridian (where I work) and Oak Grove are playing- it is a new rivalry for Meridian, but our kids are SERIOUS about it. Connor has his Wildcat jersey (we've got to get Anna's outfit together) and we are going to tailgate with some friends (I know- tailgating at a high school game? we are SERIOUS!!). The better part is that I get to see many of my choir students in action. I have some in the band, some in ROTC, and some on the team (no cheerleaders this year- working on that!). I always forget what a big deal it is to them to see me there as well. For example, one of my basses stopped me in the parking lot today. "Coming to cheer me on, right?" he said. "Of course- can't wait!" I replied and he smiled and walked away. See in his situation, there may not be any family coming. Wonder if they have seen him play? But we will be his family tonight...

I guess that is another aspect of teaching--we are their family too. By the way, Anna is VERY excited to see Wally, the wildcat. GO CATS!!!