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!

One Year Older and Wiser, Too

Last Friday, we celebrated our sweet friend, Rod.  Not only was I happy to celebrate his birthday, I was happy that he picked Outback for his celebration.  It is one of my most favorite places.  I stuffed myself silly with steak and baked potato.  I personally chose not to partake of their yummy bread, so that I could have more room in my tummy for what I came to eat-- meat and potatoes.  However, Fred and Jaiden came for the bread.  They sat next to each other and shared loaf after loaf of bread and tub after tub of butter.  And, that was before the meal arrived.

Fred is serious about his bread.  My mom once threatened to serve garlic bread instead of rolls for dinner and Fred "jokingly" said he wasn't coming to dinner.  He was joking, but I think he was half serious.  Now, he has a bread friend.  Fred and Jaiden were serious about that bread, too!  I also think they were more than a little offended when I suggested they slow down.  I mean the bread was flowing like wine (if we drank wine, that is).

We are so thankful for great friends to celebrate birthdays with, to stuff ourselves silly with and to eat good bread with!  And, we think that Rod is the best!

Fun Friends on a Saturday Night

Saturday night, Fred and I spent a wonderful evening with the youth and other leaders from our ward (congregation).  We had the opportunity to attend an FC Dallas game and had so much fun.  We have amazing youth and leaders.  I feel so blessed that I get to hang out with all of these wonderful people.

 

Jaiden brought 2 friends.  Jessie seemed to find common interests with one of them.  They talked about all kinds of things that were foreign to me.  They traded numbers, so they could continue to talk about quirky/weird stuff.

Fred and I knew that our first attempt at a selfie was a fail.  What we didn't realize was that we had a photobomber in the background.   I posted this pic on Facebook and Instagram.  The Colony ward happened to be sitting behind us.  His daughter and granddaughter both claimed him.  One on Facebook and one on Instagram.  How funny!

And, last but certainly not least, I had the opportunity to get to know this awesome Beehive-to-be.  I mean I knew her before, but I feel like I really got a sense of her precious, fun, sweet and energetic personality.  I am counting down the days until we can be Personal Progress buddies.

I am so thankful for each of the youth and each of the leaders that I spent Saturday night with.  They are such great examples to both me and my family.  I am thankful that my family can spend a Saturday night hanging out with them and having fun.

Mentoring

We are in that busy time of year right now.  Last week was the busiest week of all.  Or maybe it was just a precursor to what was to come.  However, Jonathan had a band performance previewing their 2015 marching show and there was an Eagle Court of Honor for three Young Men at 6:00. Being the ambitious person that I am, I  decided to attend both events.  My parents held seats for me at Jonathan's performance and I went to the Court of Honor.  I called Fred to see if he wanted me to bring his Scout clothes to the church so he could just change there.  I could tell that he was frustrated and he told me that he wasn't going to make it.  Leaving work early on Thursday isn't something that he does often and he just wasn't able to make it happen.  Once he got on the tollway, the electronic sign was telling him that he was about an hour away from home.  We went to Plan B.  I told him that I would meet him at the field to watch Jonathan's performance and I would just attend the Court of Honor by myself.

I gave Cooper and Brendan each a hug beforehand and told them that I was proud of them and that it didn't look like Fred was going to make it.  I could tell that Brendan was disappointed.  Fred actually was able to slip in just a few minutes late wearing his Progressive Insurance shirt instead of his Scout shirt.  Each Eagle Scout was able to award someone a Mentor Pin.  Brendan saw that Fred squeaked in and awarded Fred his Mentor Pin and threw me under the bus for saying that Fred wasn't going to make it.

I think it was so very sweet that Brendan presented Fred with that pin.  I know that Fred worked very hard to help prepare Brendan to receive his Eagle.  However, I also know that Brendan also mentored Fred.  When Fred was first called as an 11 year old Scout Leader, Fred wasn't active in church at the time.  Brendan often invited Fred to church and cheered him on all along the way.  

So, in a sense, I think Brendan was a mentor to Fred, too.

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!