30 Days of Gratitude - Day 14

I am so thankful for Jonathan's participation in band.  It has been an amazing opportunity for him.  He has learned new skills and had to take on the responsibility that comes with being a part of an organization or group.  We love watching and listening to the band.  It has been fun for Mom, Dad and Sister, too!

Sitting in Parking Lots Watching YouTube

So, I was sitting in the Memorial Stadium parking lot chewing up some data on my phone.  I was listening to a live stream of the Frisco ISD board meeting while Jonathan was finishing up band practice.  I was trying to figure out if we would be a Knight next year or a Titan with the whole rezoning process.  You don't even know how big of a deal this is for us.  Our neighborhood should have never been chopped off and zoned for Independence, but it turned into a beautiful thing, so don't send us back!

Anyway, I saw a text push through from AT&T that we had used 75% of our data this month.  My text was pretty generic, but it turns out that Fred got one that ratted me out saying that my phone was the one that used the majority of the data.  Dear AT&T, I find that to be RUDE.  You should only rat out the dependents in the family!

Anyway, it seems that I've been spending a very large amount of time this month sitting in parking lots waiting on my son.  Fine.  I've been watching YouTube videos.  I confess.  It is my guilty pleasure.  Fred's response?  Take up Solitaire.  It uses less data.  Again, RUDE!

(As it turns out, it is proposed that our neighborhood will attend Centennial again.  If I understand it correctly, it will only effect the incoming Freshman.  Hallelujah!)

Band Mom

UIL Regional Contest

I'm a Band Mom and I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a Band Mom.

I didn't think we were crazy, but maybe we are.  I was sitting with another Band Mom at the game on Friday.  We were hooting and hollering for our boys.  A non-Band Mom friend just kept shaking her head. 

There is a neighboring school.  I won't say their name, but those Band Moms are a special brand of crazy.  When they were the Visitors at our game, they came to our Home side to cheer for their band.  And, mercy me, you should have seen them at the UIL marching contest on Saturday. 

For me, being a Band Mom means wearing a wild looking pink shirt all day (so that I wouldn't have to change) for the Pink Out game that said "Fight Like a Knight." The graphics took up the entire front of the shirt.  Perfect for the teenagers.  Maybe not perfect for me.

Being a Band Mom means that I sometimes go to football games by myself, because Fred often has other obligations (usually church obligations).  However, we usually stay within the city of Frisco, so that makes it easy.

Being a Band Mom means that I am cheering on boys in a game that I know nothing about.  And, I usually stay until the last second even when we are losing by a landslide.  Only cold weather or Fred's firm insistence will make me leave early.  

Being a Band Mom means that I've cheered on the same show for weeks and weeks in a row, but always do it with more enthusiasm than the week before.

Knights Band Warming Up

Being a Band Mom means that I sit in a parking lot ready to take Jonathan to band practice just as soon as he gets out of seminary.  It means that I've sat countless times waiting for him to finish up from practice or after a game.

Being a Band Mom means going to bed late on game night and getting up early on the morning of marching competitions.  It means hitting McDonalds to buy his favorite breakfast and Subway to pack his favorite lunch on competition day.

Being a Band Mom means sending good luck text messages and congratulation texts to your boy and others that you hold dear.

Being a Band Mom means rushing back up to the school to see them off even though your tuba player never even realizes that you are standing off to the side to see the bus off.

Being a Band Mom means attending Marching Competitions.  Sometimes by myself-- like on Saturday.

Being a Band Mom means cheering so loud at competitions that your head feels like there is a percussionist INSIDE your head.  (I seriously had a migraine from no food and cheering on Saturday.)

Being a Band Mom means skipping lunch to get to the competition or missing dinner to make it to the football game.  Or, worse, eating meals from the concession stand.  

And, for me, being a Band Mom means not just cheering for our Knights Band, but also cheering for every underdog on the field.  I feel like our band is the underdog.  Last year, they were brand spankin' new and marched without any seniors.  This year, they are more seasoned, but they are still smaller than most of the bands in our area.  I also played in a smaller band in high school. I want all the smaller bands to do well.

UIL Regional Contest

 Jonathan asked me about volunteering and wanted to know why I didn't want to be a chaperon this year.  Of course, I want to.  You have to be available at 5:00.  They already had volunteers for the days I was available. However, I can be an IHS Knights Band groupie!

If we have children, then we are some kind of mom.  We are cheering, buying spiritwear and following our kid around. 

I love the band and I love being a Band Mom.

Yeates and JFort

So, I got a text yesterday from my sweet friend, Cara, letting me know that she had the great fortune of having my boy, JFort, in her class that day at school.  Okay, maybe she didn't say that she had the great fortune.  I added that part.

When I got home, I asked Jonathan about it.  Here's how the convo played out:

Me:  I hear you had Coach Yeates today.

Jonathan:  Yeah, why?  (He looked a little concerned.  Like maybe Cara had given me some inside information into his day that he didn't want me to have.)

Me:  No reason.  I was just wondering how it went.

Jonathan:  Well, when we came into class one of my friends said, "Hey Jonathan, when I walked in I heard Coach Yeates say, 'Oh man, there's Fortenberry.  I think I'm going to hurt myself.'"  So I told him that it's okay.  I know her.  Technically, we're neighbors and we go to church together.

Me:  What?  You didn't tell him that Coach Yeates is one of your mom's favorite friends?  Or, can you not talk about your mom at school?

Jonathan:  (Looking at me like he was thinking about rolling his eyes) No, Mom!  I just didn't have time to tell him ALL the ways that I know her.


What does that even mean that we are "technically" neighbors?

Also, the first time I referred to Cara as Coach Yeates, Jonathan said that sounded so weird.  He said that what is more weird is trying not to call her Sister Yeates at school!

JFort and I are thankful for Yeates and how she serves others.  This mama considers it a tender mercy that she is at IHS each and every day.

Walking the Halls

Last night was one of those nights where it was kind of exhausting being a mom.  I had been at work all day and made it to IHS just in time for Meet the Teacher Night.  Fred (bless him) made it home in time to get Jonathan to Memorial Stadium for 5:30 p.m practice or this mama would have made it, but she would have probably cried.

Meet the Teacher Night required me to walk Jonathan's schedule and learn about his classes.  I am thankful that I only have one in high school right now.  There were many moms alone trying to prioritize two schedules.  I have to admit that I was a little jealous of those families that were there with their child and I identified with those moms there walking the schedule alone.

All the teachers were super nice.  There were some that I loved. Some that I thought were nice enough and one that I'm a little worried about.  Back and forth I went from B Hall to C Hall.  Up the stairs and down the stairs.  Every single time I go to IHS, I wear this one particular pair of cute shoes that flop a little on the back of my heels.  I don't notice how badly they fit until I'm heading down the stairs at Independence.  They make so much noise.  The last time, Jonathan just hung his head in shame.  Yesterday, I was kind of glad that Jonathan wasn't with me as I took the stairs.

I was exhausted, hungry and really wanted to be at Memorial Stadium watching my son's practice.  I was headed down the hall looking for Jon's Communication class when there she was like a beacon in the night sky. Dear, sweet Yeates called out to me and gave me a big hug and sent me on my way to the rest of my classes.  I wish I could have taken her with me for the rest of the night, but she had her own class to take care of.  She was the highlight of my night and helped me make it through the rest of the evening.  I love her (only she knows how much)!

There were two teachers that just made my day-- Coach Mokler and Sra. Ginn.  Coach Mokler is Jonathan's Chemistry teacher and we first acknowledged and discussed how Jonathan is performing far below his capability.  Then she told me how smart Jonathan is and how impressed she is that he can complete the problems without showing his work.  She said some very nice things about Jonathan that touched this Mom's heart.

Due to a family emergency, Jonathan's Spanish II teacher was not there.  I was redirected to Ms. Ginn's room.  She was his Spanish I teacher.  Jonathan loved having her last year.  She is a super touchy-feely/huggy person.  She recognized me right away and hugged me.  As I was leaving, I told her that she had been Jonathan's favorite teacher.  Favorite teachers are hard to come by in Jonathan's world.  He was so excited on the first day of Spanish last year.  He told me all about how his new teacher was just like Aunt Angel.  He really liked her.  When I met her last year, she had nothing but compliments for my boy.  Yesterday, she told me that if he could get a schedule change that she would love to have him in her class again.

I made it to Memorial Stadium in time to see about 5 minutes of their show.  Afterwards, we came home and Jonathan had homework and we ate Sonic at 10:00 p.m.  Yep, you read that right.  These are the nights that you feel like you could do so much better as a parent.  But, today is a new day, right?

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.

Last Friday night our boys played the Little Elm Lobos.  Will someone call me up and let me know what a Lobo is?  Please?  I need to figure this out.  Fred said that it is like a wolf or a coyote.  

By the way #24 (I think that was his number) is our cute friend Parker.  He plays on JV but got moved up to Varsity for this game.  

It was our Forthcoming and we won 20-14!  It was exciting.  It was our first district win, ever!  And, only our third win in the history of the school.  Being a new school is exciting, but it can be hard.

Grandma and PawPaw Larry were in town so they got to attend Forthcoming with us. 

We cheered and cheered and held our breath!  There were some scary parts, I'll be honest.

The band was amazing.  They have worked so hard on their show performance.  I can't even believe how awesome they are.  I just love how far they've come since last year.

After the game, we went to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard.  I think everyone else thought it would be a perfect place to celebrate a Victory.  I don't blame them.  

A Mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard = victory to me!

Don't forget to scroll down and enjoy the pictures of the band!

Try a Little Harder

I don't remember last year being so hard.  Maybe it was.  Sometimes Fred and I have different expectations on how a night is going to proceed.  I made a grocery list and left it for Fred and then grabbed my keys, so that I could go pick up Jonathan from band practice.  Fred loves to grocery shop.  I don't.  It is only natural that I would think that he would buy groceries while I ran to pick Jonathan up, right?  Instead, Fred imagined that we'd both go pick Jonathan up from band practice.  Then, we'd go out to eat.  After that, we'd hit the grocery store.  It was a nice thought and an enjoyable evening.  (Except for the part about the groceries.)  Only one problem.  Jonathan dozed off without taking a shower last night.  We woke him up several times and he kept falling asleep.  Finally, at around 11:00p.m. he got up for his shower.  This put the entire family to bed way too late. 

This morning my alarm went off telling me that it was 5:20 a.m. and time to get up.  I snoozed and snoozed and snoozed until 5:40.  One problem.  There was no rushing Jonathan.  He was exhausted.  We finally shuffled out the door and arrived at seminary at 6:25!  Fred wondered out loud (from the comfort of his nice, soft and comfortable bed) if it was even worth it to go and I exclaimed that we were going even if it was only for five minutes!  Jonathan has to leave at 6:40 for band, so he only got in 15 minutes of seminary, but he was there for a few minutes.  I'm sure it seemed silly, but if I let him sleep in that one time, then he would push me to sleep in every time.  Not to mention, I would let myself sleep in!  It really did seem ridiculous, but we did it.

I dropped him off at IHS for band practice and drove back home.  Tired and possibly a little cranky, I saw the prettiest sunrise.  Maybe that was our reward for such a challenging morning.  

"Try a little harder to be a little better."

-President Hinckley

The Cezar and Odin Chronicles

A couple of weeks ago, Fred and I had been out late with friends. Jonathan had band practice that evening, so we seemed to have missed each other that night.  Fred and I left before he got home and he was in bed by the time we got back.  However, I found this creepy little gem on my love seat.  The Cezar and Odin Chronicles.  I'm not sure which frightens me more, the evil looking squirrel or the giant guinea pig.  If you find this in a comic book store near you, then you know that I stand corrected!  Meanwhile, I'll be having nightmares of evil squirrels and giant guinea pigs.

America the Beautiful

Our Independence Knights played the Liberty Redhawks at Memorial Stadium on 9/11.  At the end of halftime, the two bands took the field together and played America the Beautiful in honor of 9/11.  Two bands with such fitting names-- Independence and Liberty in a stadium named Memorial.  It was such a very special moment.

You can't help but be proud of all these musicians.

Get Ready to Rumble

This Independence High School's 2nd year and our 2nd annual Rumble was August 15th.  The Rumble is an opportunity for the extracurricular sports and activities to shine. It is also an opportunity for them to sell their wares, so they can make some money.

The Rumble allows every extracurricular sport/activity to run through the  tunnel like the football players while the band plays the fight song for them.  Do you know how many times the band played the fight song, while everyone ran/walked through.  It felt like a million.  However, I felt excited for those kids. I love that we do that.

Just so we're clear, the band doesn't get to run through the tunnel.  For one thing, I don't think the sousaphone and drums fit through the tunnel.  And, another thing, who would play the fight song for them?  They march down to the end of the field, so they can get into position.  Still, it is pretty exciting.  I waited and waited for the swim team, so that we could take a picture of the swim team and our favorite swim coach.  Hmmm... they never showed up!  Turns out, running through the tunnel was optional.  

After the band plays the fight song 500,000 times, we get to watch a little scrimmage and hang out with friends!

What more could you ask for!  I just love the tradition of the Rumble!

Show Performance Preview

On August 20th, the band treated us to a Show Performance Preview.  They unveiled their 2015 Show Performance-- Metamorphosis.  It was amazing.  You can't even imagine how far this little band has come in the last year.  I am so proud of all their hard work and determination.  I am proud of each and every one of them, but especially my favs-- Jonathan, Faith and Kyle!  Great job!

We Need More Jalapeno Ranch, STAT!

The last time we were in Austin, we made our usual stop at the local HEB for some fajita meat, because we believe that the HEB has the best fajita meat around.  And, as you know, we don't have an HEB around our parts.  While we were there, I bought Jonathan some Whataburger Spicy Ketchup-- which he hasn't even touched, by the way.  While shopping in the Whataburger condiments aisle, Fred spotted the Jalapeno Ranch and thought for sure he needed it.

As it turns out, Jonathan has used every last drop of Fred's Jalapeno Ranch.  He uses it like mayonnaise on his sandwich along with a slice of Pepper Jack cheese and ham.  But, no lettuce or tomato.  Never, ever does he add a single vegetable to his sandwich.  Now we have reached September 3rd. Not even two weeks into the school year and Jonathan is out of his beloved Jalapeno Ranch.

Life is so not fair to Jonathan and there is no HEB to be found!

Go Knights!

The Independence Knights played the Princeton Panthers last Thursday.  It was our first game of the season.  Our boys tried really hard and gave the band several opportunities to play the Fight Song! I think the final score was 39-27.  Not bad, I tell ya!

Princeton's Fight Song just happens to be Washington and Lee Swing also known as Community High School's (my alma mater) Fight Song.  I really, really love that song.  I feel like it is bad form to clap along to your opponent's Fight Song.  You probably aren't supposed to yell Go, Big Blue or Git 'Em Braves, Git 'Em!  (You read that right.  It is git.  Not get.) I mostly apologize to my friends at IHS.  I couldn't quite help it.  I still yell BRAVES in my head when the Star Spangled Banner is sung and it gets to the part that goes "and the home of the brave."   Old habits die hard, I guess.

Everyone worked so hard and played well.  Those tubas were in fine form.  I feel like someone needs to get those squirrely boys in sync if they are going to let them dance around in the stands.

The band's performance was amazing!

I am so proud of their new show, Metamorphosis.  They've come so far since last year.  Jonathan says there is more to the show than what we've seen.

I went to the game by myself, since Fred was under the weather, but I hooped and hollered enough for both of us!

Wouldn't you hate to get stuck behind a bunch of drums and tubas?  Or, wouldn't you hate to lose your footing and fall backwards and then cause a domino effect with all those large instruments?

I sat behind the Royals all night, so that I could be close to the band.  This was my view.  Fred usually likes to sit on the 50 yard line.  Since I was by myself, I got to sit over by the band!

And, the first game of the season is in the books!

Silver Linings

Last Friday was the day designated for checking out your locker and finding all your classes. Let me tell you, Jonathan could have cared less.  I took Jonathan up to the school, so that he could put 2 packages of paper and his Spanish binder in his locker.  Everything else he decided to carry with him on the first day.

He didn't want to pose for a picture because that wouldn't be cool.  His only concern was that he had a bottom locker and he dislikes bottom lockers.  I tried to find the silver lining.  If he has to have a bottom locker, at least it's on the corner.

He had 2 classes that he wasn't 100% sure of their location.  So, he found them in about 2 seconds flat.  I think he was just humoring me when I suggested that he look for any classes he wasn't sure about. 

Then, we found our favorite teacher and swim coach's classroom.  It was open.  We weren't the first to sneak into her room.  Must have been fate that her door was open for visitors.  Jonathan and I are sad that his locker is down the hall and away from her classroom.  I love my updates.  Mom's like updates even in high school. 

Here's to a great Sophomore year!

Green Eggs and 10th Grade

And, this guy started 10th grade today! Seriously, I don't know how it is possible.

He chose "Green Eggs" for breakfast.  That is his go-to breakfast when he has an important event, test or just gets to pick breakfast for some reason.  They really aren't green they are really gray eggs, but he is color blind and they look green to him.  They are gross and they make my whole house stink for a couple of days.  It is some concoction that Fred brought into our family and Jonathan loves. Eggs, tuna and cream of mushroom soup!  Yuck!  Fred dutifully makes it for Jonathan anytime there is a standardized test or something special (I think I would hurl from the smell, if I made it).  That was Jonathan's breakfast this morning.

Fred gave him a Father's Blessing.  And, he grabbed his stuff and went to the bus stop even though I had to go by his school this morning.  He felt that he needed to let the bus driver know know that he was riding the bus. He has a wonky band schedule and he felt like he needed to go ahead and establish with the bus driver this morning that he would be riding the bus.  

We had packed his school supplies on Saturday morning, but I gave him a new pen.  An erasable gel pen.  The most amazing creation in the world of pens-- besides the Flair Pen.  He thanked me, gave me a hug and away he went.  Off to be a Sophomore!  Hopefully, he has a great day!  I asked him if he knew how to catch the bus for the CTE center and he said he didn't, but he didn't seem worried about it.  I love that about him.  I would have been worried to death that I would miss my bus and then that would cause me to miss my off-campus class.  Not Jonathan.  He said, I'll just follow the crowd and find where I'm supposed to be. 

I just love that quirky, crazy, funny kid!

And, I Rejoiced

Last Friday, I rejoiced because it was the last day that I had to get up early and take the boy to seminary.  This morning, I rejoiced that I only have one more breakfast and one more lunch to make before school is out.  Next Friday, I will rejoice that Driver's Ed is over (only I will have spent much of my week at Girls' Camp) except for the drive times.  The girl is helping out with summer school at TSAS all month.  I will be rejoicing at the end of June that I no longer have to cart her around.

I feel like a poor excuse of a parent for all of this rejoicing.

And, I really feel like a poor excuse of a parent when I realized that all the boy expects or wants for breakfast is a cup of chocolate milk and 3 little donuts.  Therefore, why would one rejoice that she gets a summer long break from preparing breakfast?  I don't really know and I don't care.  I'm just tired.  So, judge me. Mock me.  I'm excited to have a break!  I will be rejoicing.

Lovin' Where We're At

I attended Jonathan's ARD Review at his school this week.  Can I just say that I love, love, love Independence High School.  They have been so amazing.

About a year and a half ago, my husband was starting to get a hankering to move.  He started picking up flyers from those little For Sale tubes in front of people's houses.  I believe that my house is too small and that we have been stuffed in our house for far too long.  We are really living in an oversized apartment.  We are living in our starter house.  We were just going to live here for five years.  Only it has been 18+!  Good grief.  Anyway, I started getting heart palpitations every time he picked up a flyer and showed me his latest find, because I gently explained to my sweet husband that "if" we moved we would need to find a house very close to Centennial High School.  Just like our current house.  See, our house is within walking distance of Centennial High School and I knew that my Jonathan would soon be starting his freshman year at Centennial and I needed to make sure that he was close enough to walk home.  So, Fred, feeling defeated, never picked up another flyer from one of those little tubes ever again.

The funny thing about my little declaration was that we were rezoned and Jonathan ended up going to Independence instead of Centennial.  I was heartbroken, because I felt like he needed to be able to walk to his school and that he might get beaten up on the bus ride to and from school.  For the most part, the bus ride has been okay.  Occasionally, we have to do some fancy scheduling to get him picked up and wish that he could walk home.  The school and the staff are amazing and that is worth more than anything.  I believe that this is where we needed to be.

No matter what event or meeting that I've attended at the school, I've been super impressed.  They've helped Jonathan to feel at home and well-adjusted.  His ARD review went so well that I didn't cry a single tear.  I usually leave those things bawling with frustration.

I am so happy that we are an Independence Knight!

Music Notes

Since it is no longer marching season, you must think that we have not had the opportunity to hear our fine band play.  Oh, but you are so very wrong.  They have had several concerts.

There was a Christmas Concert (that will have to be a separate post-- not ready to post about Christmas yet), a Winter Concert and a Pre-UIL Concert.

It is pretty frustrating when your child is a tuba player.  You really can't see him in concerts.  They streamed the Winter Concert Live.  Oh, yes they did.  We might be a new school and much smaller than all those other Frisco schools, but we are just as fancy.  My brother was able to watch Jonathan's concert from Lawton, Oklahoma while we watched from the auditorium at Independence High School.  He had better seats than we did.  Jeff texted and told us which one was Jonathan. I might stay home next time and watch from home.

I always take a picture of Faith for two reasons-- 1) she plays clarinet and I love the clarinet and clarinet players and 2) I love Faith so much and I always text her after a concert and let her know how awesome she did and remind her that I think that clarinets are the best.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Pre-UIL concert.  It was the same song, second verse.  I could barely see that crazy boy.  Just his tuba.

And, like always I took a picture of Faith.  And, like always I texted Faith my undying love after their performance, but you have no idea how amazing she was.  I'm not lying or saying that because I'm biased.  I would say that even if I didn't love her or clarinets.  She truly was the best musician of the entire night.  I love her!