Long time no see

Hi there. I can't believe I have neglected my friendly blog. Well, here I am. Things are going fine here. Matt and I are heavily into school and getting our music planned for the year, ordering music, setting performances, etc.

His kids are going to get to sing "The Preamble" from America Rocks during the presidential debate that is coming to Oxford. I can't wait. That was my major influence musically growing up. I loved those groovy songs.

My kids are getting ready for a fall festival. Several of them are singing for the kiddie pageant that day and then the whole choir is singing later that day. Should be fun.

We had a great time Labor Day with Mom, Mamaw, Chris and the kids at Cossar State Park. Mamaw rented two cabins for three nights. The kids got to fish, swim, play disc golf, putt-putt golf and make lots of s'mores. It was awesome. We celebrated Benny's 11th birthday there. I think I overheard him saying that it was the best ever. Thanks, Mamaw, for getting the cabins. We also had some massive Rook games with Mom and Uncle Chris. Matt and Chris against Mom and me. My first night I had a streak going, but it fizzled out night 2. I think I just started going nuts and bidding whatever just to get the pot. Needless to say we lost.....by about 500 points. We were laughing our heads off, though.

Matthew's youth director gave him tickets to the Ole Miss game this weekend. Matthew has to work so I'm not sure who is going.

Claire starts gymnastics this week. I think the Olympics have inspired her.

I am just randomly writing off the top of my head. I converted our website the other day because I can't get Frontpage to open my website anymore. Not sure why. I have to say that the company's software is so much better. Check it out. jonesrestoration.com

Well, I hope that you all have a very blessed week. Please pray about the elections. Sheeeesh. I know God is in control, but I pray that America doesn't get what we deserve. I pray for God to have mercy on us. If you know what I mean. I think any of my friends reading this understand perfectly.

Take care,
Laurie

Wow, a lot of people are looking for Denny Terrio

Since I added sitemeter to my blog I have been able to see how people end up at our site. It is so interesting. A while back, I made a comment about how I needed judges for our school's upcoming talent show and that I wondered where Denny Terrio was. I think the majority of people come to our site because we came up on their google search for Denny Terrio. Then they stay about 0 seconds. I hated to disappoint them so I thought I would try to search for him myself and post something about him. I have to admit, what I found really took me back to (I think) Friday nights of my childhood. Dance Fever....wow! I can't believe how often I probably watched this. Maybe this is why I am such the dancer that I am. :) Here is a link to Youtube where you can see the Dance Fever closing. I so remember watching this on so many nights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7LugIpub2w












http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/mikeatkost/main.html

Sorry, Mom, I know you were expecting a big update from our life. I am actually only unwinding from a big day and ....talking about Denny Terrio. I could be talking about how school is going great. I love my schedule. Choir is great. I am excited about what I am teaching, etc.

I could be talking about the ginormous spider that was right outside our door while we were coming in the other night. While Matthew was keeping his eyes on it while I opened the door with my key, the garage light went out. Claire wanted to keep it as a pet, but Matt flushed it.

I could have talked about the fact that I got a call tonight from my former choral director asking Matt and me to be in the Oxford Civic Chorus. I would love to sing that quality of music again!

I could have mentioned that the kids are loving school.

Anyway...I want to say that I miss our mommies. Hopefully, we will get to see them this weekend. It has been too long.

Happy Monday, everyone.

In Christ,
Laurie

The End of School

Ok, I know the end of school is probably what I talk about most, but I guess it is almost all-consuming when you are a teacher. This year has taught me so much. I am very proud of a lot that has gone on. I am in a very rewarding job. My heart has grown a few sizes and has added a lot of new friends. The kids I teach at school have stolen my heart.

I am glad that I am going to be at the same school this next year. I am starting with a whole new group of kids which will be interesting, challenging, etc. I am listening to our first Spring concert. I am moved by the way the girls sound. Even where I hear bad vowels, wrong pitches...I can hear different voices coming through and I just think of them as my own kids. I am trying to think about what I can do to inspire them to work really hard for next year. The have come a long way.

One of my elementary kids broke my heart today when she told me that she has loved everything we have done this year...that this was the first year they had had music, etc. It made me so proud. Coincidentally, she just happens to be the one that won the music award. That might be why she loves music so much...or she won because she loves music...(was it the chicken or the egg) Ok, I am sorry for the goobiness.

Tomorrow is awards day and Nana is here to see the boys get awards. I love when things are different. A change from the daily grind. The kids get out of school at 1:00 everyday after Monday. So, I won't even have school at the high school. Am I sad or am I glad? Hmmmm......

A little of both.

I wonder how many we will have at the high school banquet. I am kind of in denial about all I have to do to get ready for it. Wow! Vote on awards....buy happies.....order food.....decorate....make CDs.....Ahhhhhhhh.....:)
Anyway, you all take care.

Concert tomorrow night

Well, our high school choir concert is tomorrow night and I am feeling so low tonight. I feel very hurt by the actions of a few students. I am sad that the commitment to our choir is not a very high priority to them. Another teacher told me to say the serenity prayer and let it go. I wish I didn't feel things so deeply. I guess there is a lot going on right now. Kids are so busy with so many other things going on. I haven't had all choir girls together much at all in the last few weeks. It isn't easy to get a concert together when this is how it is.

I really need to remember how great I have it. I have a job....4 healthy children ...a husband...my health. This issue is really small in the grand scheme of things. I am still hurt, though. I am just not a very strong person when it comes to emotions. They get the best of me sometimes.

The scripture yesterday on my blog was, I think, about thanking God in all things...praying continuously, etc. I am going to just do that even if I feel like having a poor me pity party. I am so thankful that God loves us even when we aren't perfect. I am such an example of that because right now my attitude is far from perfect. I don't like feeling bitter and I am ready to get on with life and get over all of this.

Thank you, God, that you are with me even when I feel so unworthy.

District Choral Festival is over

Well, it is finally over. I have to say that I am so proud of the girls in my choir. This is their first year to ever go to District Festival. They made a rating of GOOD. They were so poised and professional looking, and sang so well. Their sound was great.

I picked out some really difficult music for them, and they did it well. We know we have a way to go, but I am still so proud. I hope they are.

I met a really nice person who accompanied for us. I am looking forward to her playing for us in the future.

Matt takes his choir tomorrow. I pray that they do well, too. I guess there is a little more expected of them since they have been established for many, many years. He has done a great job with them. I know they will do great!

Speaking of Valentine's Day....we got the sweetest cards. Some from Mamaw, some from Nana, one from Grandma and Grandpa, and one from John Robert. We are so blessed.