Dr. Myrlene Kennedy

Every year around this time of year I get a bit nostalgic about a great time in my life.  I long for the days in high school when I would be memorizing lines, learning songs, and staying after school for long rehearsals in preparing for the annual high school musical.  I don't mean Disney's cheesy show.  I don't mean just ANY high school musical.  Really.  It.  Was.  Legendary.

I never could do it justice with the words describing it, and I hated for people to think I was wishing for my "glory days" or even bragging while trying to explain the awesomeness that was the Friendswood High School Musical.  I tried to tell my husband and when he did end up seeing it one year he was very impressed with the quality and talent, but I still knew deep down that he didn't get it.  He didn't experience it.  And I actually feel bad for him.  He missed something very special.

Tears come to my eyes thinking of my beginning with the musical in Friendswood.  I was a wide-eyed freshman, just happy to be in the chorus, as were all freshmen….every year.  It was 1988 and the musical was Mame.  It was breath-taking.  The seniors seemed like Broadway stars.  My part was just making sure I got on the stage for the chorus scenes.  I still have nightmares to this day about missing my cue or forgetting my lines.

The music was directed by my music teacher, a beautiful opera-singing Carmen-like voice and character, named Jane Ann Quevedo.  The drama teacher, Ms. Bennie Nipper, was new to me but like most drama directors a little nutty, and the choreography was by the sweet young drill-team director, Sondra Schaaf.  The entire show was produced by the scariest woman I'd ever heard speak and I was pretty sure I just wanted to stay out of her way.  She was the assistant principal of Friendswood High School, Dr. Myrlene Kennedy.

The next year I went to audition in front of all of these same ladies and to my surprise, and everyone else's I got the lead.  I have no idea to this day how that happened, except I was so shy and maybe a little afraid of boys like Marian Paroo.  They all seemed to be matchmaking as they told (now Baptist Pastor- foreshadowing?) Freddy Nelson and I to endure our first kiss (pretty sure it was his first kiss ever too!) in front of the entire cast on that bridge made by the Art class.  I don't remember much about the next few years, but I do remember the dress rehearsal critiques by alumni rock stars of the FHS musical, backstage quick changes, and the Great Fire of 1991.  I remember standing on stage in my pajamas with Rhett Perry in Pajama Game, and marrying Kevin Kabell in 1991 my senior year in Showboat.

…and I will always remember that I eventually made Dr. Myrlene Kennedy smile.  I remember beginning to feel at ease with her and not so afraid as she encouraged me to come out of my fear, like a coach pep-talking a player onto the field.  I learned that under that tough outer shell, she saw something in me I didn't.  In her own unique way, she inspired me to be more than I was.  My senior year I spent a lot of time in her office, as an office aide and I think just skipping classes. :)  She challenged me to take a math class that wasn't on my "on-level (loser) path".  She "Baptist Bet" me (read: no $ in this for anyone at all) that I couldn't do it.  I couldn't take Pre-CALCULUS.  And sure enough, I got a B.  I really showed her!  :)

Later after college I invited her to a senior recital I was having at my Dad's church in League City.  She honored me when she took the time to come, and her comment while leaving was "You should've gone to Baylor.".  Haha!  Oh I loved her.  Not many people can say that they were close to their….assistant principal in high school.  I thought of her as a great influence in my life.  We kept in touch and I got that amazing Christmas newsletter in the mail every year.  I loved that she loved her family.  She even had me call her sister on several of her birthdays and sing Happy Birthday to her.

I will miss her.  She passed away today, and I know all of her kids will miss her.  There must be thousands of us.

I think I heard that she was engaged once, but looking back I see that she had one love.  It was Friendswood High School.  The musical was her baby, and she had many kids.  Anyone who graced the stage can remember it like it was yesterday.  We were all blessed to know the woman that first scared us to death, but later challenged us and encouraged us to live life like we're on stage…

 I wish I could have hugged her one more time or heard her voice one more time.  I wish I could tell her how much I loved her and will forever be grateful that once upon a time, she believed in me.

Wordless Wednesday

Friends

This weekend we had our first visitors come see us from Kansas, our good friends that have become like family through our involvement with CYT Wichita.  

 Grace & Gracie love to read.  They are sweet little friends.

 Easy to see the acting bug is in each of these little characters!

 We have NO idea where they could have gotten it!  Oh My Cow!  :)

 (credit to Dean for this one:) Ladies and gentleman, the new cast of Sesame Street!  

 My dear friend Audra.

 The oldest & the youngest, Moriah & Savannah

 Even the dads are good friends....and so much alike it's scary!

 Gracie x2

 Wedgie moment for Luke

Girls really do just wanna have fun! 

August & September in Pictures

August 17, 2011

Luke likes to get settled.  His room was the first one finished, unpacked and set up for living.

His door represents his journey.  

Happy to be living close to Cousin William & our godson.

Grace's church friends, Mandy & Ryann

 Moriah- happy to be going to Preschool.

Luke's friend at church, Mandy

More friends at Shady Oaks - OAK FEST!

Acclimated & Blessed

Oh my goodness.  Blow the dust off your screens.  It's been a while.  I tried to clean out the cobwebs by getting a new background, but it's still awfully quiet around here.  If you go over to facebook or pinterest, you may see more movement, but even twitter has gotten the shaft lately.  There is just way too much going on in my over-stimulated mind to put down into 40 characters.

But since you obviously didn't come here expecting to spend too much time reading....   (Actually, if you are here at all, you must really love me.  *By the way, Hi 'Chelle!)  I will put down a timeline of what I've been doing over the past few months.  August was a blur.  September was... Wait, is September over already?!  *sigh*  I do heart fall.  So glad it's here but I'm not sure that Texas got the memo.  Maybe that's why I'm so discombobulated.  I think I'll go back and start with July.

July 10 Shady Oaks Baptist Church calls Brad to be their pastor.
July 14 Brad & Luke go to Brazil (see Mission trip blog) while the girls & I go home and start staging our house to sell.
August 6 We receive an offer on our house.  (Note:  That's less than 3 weeks on the market, in a market that's not selling, in a town, much-less a neighborhood that's not selling....Oh, and at the end of a triple-digit heat wave, with a pool.  Sorry about the heat wave, Kansas, but thank you, God for that selling boost!)
August 14 Last day at RiverPoint Church, Drive to Texas
August 17 Moving truck arrives at our rental house with all of our possessions.
August 19 Offered a job teaching voice at a middle school close to our new house!
August 22 Luke and Grace start school!  Luke is starting 8th grade and playing football in his last year at middle school!  He's in Advanced Placement Science and getting good grades in everything!  Grace, after K-4 homeschooling, is starting 5th grade which here, is the last year of elementary school.  We decided on public school after much research and have loved it!  All 3 of Grace's teachers have told her that "the most important part about them is that they are Christian".  Praise God!  Grace is now Gracie to all of her classmates, but Mom's not budging.  She'll always be my Grace Caroline!  Grace enjoys choir and reading and has friends in our neighborhood that she wants to play with daily!
August 30 Moriah begins Preschool 2 days a week at a church down the street from our house.
September 3 Open House for staff, search committee and all those who helped us move in to our new house.
September 6 Start teaching voice on the days while Moriah is at preschool.  Luke's football games begin every Tuesday in September & October!
September 15 SPARK SEATTLE trip - My favorite trip ever!  God is so good.
September 24 My mom's surprise birthday celebration reunion with friends and family back in Kansas!

What miracles!!!  See what God has done!  I'm overwhelmed with His provision and love and blessing.  My friend, Hopie, texted this a while back and I still think how wonderful God's blessing is....

Definition of blessed:  "one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life.  The hand of God is directing all his affairs for a divine purpose and thus the person lives before the face of God."


Hearing Rich Mullins' song "Hold Me, Jesus" the other day, I realized that right now....He is King of my glory.  There are times in life, and have been times and will be times again when I need Him to be my Prince of Peace.  But right now, I'm praising the King of my glory for directing all of His affairs for a divine purpose and that I am getting to live before the face of God.  It's a beautiful place to be!  *sigh*  It's good to be back.  Thanks for dropping by.  I hope you are BLESSED today.

Newletter: Summer Edition

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Supportive

When I was in high school, I was in Wranglerettes, the jr/sr drill team.  If you didn't grow up in Texas, then you aren't impressed at all.  You may not know what a BIG DEAL drill team is and how hard it is to make the team and how drill competitions are as big as football games.  Okay not really.  Nothing in Texas is as big as football.  But drill teams make those football games' halftime so much more colorful and FABulous!

At the Senior Mother/Daughter banquet, it is customary for each senior drill member to stand up and thank her mom for all that she's done during her high school years.  You can probably gather that there are many tears and mushy moments....and you'd be right.  It's a mush fest.  I wasn't a big fan of mush.  (Since I married Mr. Mush himself, I think I may have changed just a bit....but not much.)  So the night before the banquet, I sat in my room (I can still remember this.) and wrote this poem for my mom...

A common thing in Wranglerettes is to create cheese
But common more in daily life is for our mom's to please
This ritual of finding words for seniors and their moms
became a bit annoying cuz our moms are just our moms
Get ready next year, juniors, cuz already I can see
that all your moms are supportive and don't take much to please
And Mama Schaaf is leaving cuz now she's mama for real
and it's important that she's there for them because they need to feel
the love that our moms gave to us from Ema and Ty's age up to now
She'll be a wonderful mommy cuz on all of us she learned how
I chose the word supportive and then I thought of....brassierre
cuz she's kinda like my bra in ways (now don't think I'm too weird)
Seriously, just think about it, it really is no lie
She works all day and rests at night just like this bra of mine
Now she does compare in most ways but there is on major exception
my bra is large as you can see, but she is sheer perfection
Just like my big brassiere she lets me know she's here
dancing, singing, acting, breathing...she always will be there
Supporting me and hugging me for everything I do
and when she's happy she bounces, just like these two

Four Weddings Friday Night!

Just a reminder:

I sang "The Prayer" in a wedding this summer that is set to be on a reality show on TLC (Wichita channel 43/Cox cable) called FOUR WEDDINGS this Friday night, Oct.1st at 9:00pm. (Set your DVR if that's past your bedtime.) ;)

I may or may not be seen during the ceremony but I did have to sign a waiver. There will be 3 other brides/weddings in this episode (hence the name) so be on the lookout for AMY & LAUREN. Amy is the daughter of my good friend, Molly in Plano, who started SPARK ministry, which I've gone on many mission trips speaking and leading worship with her.

There are beautiful pictures taken of her on this amazing photographer's blog. Check it out! SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!

It's that time of year again.

GO BOYS!

Ants!

So the kids went outside after lunch (81 degrees at noon on August 11--We're not in Texas anymore, Toto!) and played with Moriah. I had the screen door open so I could hear the conversations. Moriah became curious about the line of ants she saw on the sidewalk and bent down to get a closer look or even a touch. Luke freaked out! He immediately grabbed her and pulled her away, while yelling at Grace at the same time.

(This would be a point where I need to explain my native Texan boy to those of you who've never lived in Texas.) Fire Ants are the only ants he's ever known. Fire Ants bite! And they hurt. Once after picking up a swimming pool to dump out the water, he was swarmed by them all the way up the legs, and that, my northern friends, is something you never forget. Thus, the "freak out"!

So my protective oldest child says to his younger sister, "Grace, you have to be more responsible with her!" Which I loved but I knew there'd be a comeback....

"Responsible? I am responsible! I always take care of her. And YOU don't!"

I love that my big kids will always take care of their little sister. I love that Luke's nature is to protect, and that Grace's nature is to nurture...and, is also a little feisty! :)

Vacation to Remember

Here are a few highlights that I don't want to forget...

•  Good 12 hour car ride thanks to dvds, plenty of pacis, snacks, new books to read and Brad's Journey cd.
  
• Yummy Mexican food!
• Time with Terri & Tim (Brad's sis & bil) LOVE you guys!
• Walking on the RiverWalk at night in the cool Spring weather
• Riding the Log ride with Luke & Shawn, and getting soaked! 
• Riding the "Great White" with Brad, screaming the whole time, embarrassing him.  hehe.
• Having Grace need one last hug, afraid to let mommy go on this "scary" ride 
• Watching Luke ride the Atlantis water ride with his best bud/cousin Shawn 5 times in a row!  (yay---no lines!)
• Watching Grace laugh out loud at the Sea Lion show and her amazement when Shamu waved to us.
• Seeing Moriah just take it all in with her laid-back, "whatever" personality.
• Seeing Leah's beautiful face as she walked down the aisle.... laughter + tears = priceless moment of happiness.  The sweetest wedding (& the shortest) I've been to in a long time.
• Brad's time away from working and getting time with his best friend and mentor, Dale.
  
• How easy it is for my kids to make friends....swimming at the hotel pool, they made fast friends with the kids there and started a game of Marco Polo....(poor unsocialized homeschooled kids)  (that was sarcasm)
• Sitting in the hot tub watching my kids and thanking God for them.
• Quality time with my family, relaxed and carefree.... thanks to a sweet little tax refund.

Meal Plan Monday

Ok, really I'm doing this because I CAN'T WAIT to eat the food I'm going to be eating this week.  
Monday:  Bowties & Meatballs...boring...keep reading... 

Tuesday:  Eat at Memaw's with Aunt Sharon, in town for a visit...better, but...keep reading...

Wednesday:  Crock-pot Chicken meal of some sort....KEEP READING!!!!! 

Thursday:  MI TIERRA on the Riverwalk in San Antonio!!!  YES!  I LOVE THIS PLACE!  Reeeeeal Authentic Mexican Food.   YAHOO!  (I know.  I've got problems.)

Friday:  Somewhere else in San Antonio with my Awesome SIL & BIL and niece & nephew!

Saturday:  Cousin Leah's Wedding and BBQ Cookout Reception....YEE HAW!!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Dinner:
Mesquite Barbecue Pork loin by Hormel
Texas mashed potatoes--my own recipe (Texas: add ranch dressing and Kraft mexican cheese)
Yellow Summer Squash--grilled with I Can't Believe It's Not butter and TexJoy on the stove top
Kool-aid
Blue Bell Ice Cream


Well, that's all I have so far. One day at a time, sweet Jesus.
From the looks of this meal, I'm missing Texas. Looking forward to some sweet southern hugs from my girls this weekend!

ParkwayHills Shower

Angela & Miss Myra (We're at Angela's house!)Cake by RoRo, Roses by Suzie, Strawberries by Casey

Ashley Rawls brought these cute little bottles for our punch! Here's Ruthie demonstrating...

Thank you church friends for everything!

Ashley's Shower

Grace LOVED "helping" with Baby William. She's going to be wonderful BIG SISTER!We love baby showers!Beautiful girl cousins

Shawn & Baby William asleep on Terri's shoulder

Thank you Martin family for everything!

Weekend Overview

Great hug-filled weekend with family and friends in Texas! The kids were ecstatic to see their baby cousin and friends! The wild, jumping group hugs at church brought tears to my eyes. I will post pictures later of the wonderful showers of love. The drive home was easy until we got into Wichita. The windshield started icing over and the defroster didn't seem to do any good. I actually had to stop on the side of the road to de-ice it, so I could see to get home. It's 10 degrees right now, ouch! Thank God for our warm basement. Posting pictures later...

Da Boys

Who's not praying for my Cowboys?
What about that Marion Barber? He's like a train. It takes 4 guys to bring him down.

This is one thing Luke knows more about than me, so it's fun to ask him questions and get his professional football definitions and opinions. I've learned that I stink at his video games, which he loves to spend time on, but I can get into his world by watching sports with him.
God bless the Dallas Cowboys.

Not Yo Nachos!

My kids LOVE this, and it's so easy, so I thought I'd share my gourmet recipe. Yes, it isn't nutritious, or even very healthy but it is fun to eat on a cold wet day, and it reminds us of Texas....

NOT-YO-NACHOS
Melt together over the stove in a large pot, one Big rectangle hunk of Velveeta cheese, one can of Hormel chili (no beans) and one can of mild rotel. Pour over chips.

Beat that Rachael Ray.

Romo Sorrow

Poor Tony. My heart just hurts for him. He can't go back and change it. It's over and it's on his shoulders. What a big burden for such a sweet little guy! He apologized and that's all he can do. I hope the team forgives him and the fans are forgiving, too. He's young and has plenty of years to redeem himself. I hope Carrie Underwood comes over to comfort him and sings "Jesus, Take the Wheel" or maybe...."Jesus, Take the Pain" or "Jesus, Take the ball, turn back time and set it down for me"....UGH!!!! So sad. So close and yet so far. There's always next year.

thoughts from a fan

Since I've lived here, I've learned to love Dallas. I remember living in Houston, and hearing jokes and knocks on Dallas. I never really knew why. It's like Texas's stepchild. I get the idea Austin doesn't like us so much either. I know from my Dad that Kansas City doesn't even like us, because we got the NCAA playoffs? (I think that's right.) Maybe it's just jealousy or maybe someone can enlighten me on the whole bad reputation thing. Was it the TV show?? 'Cause... that's not real.

As far as I know....and I've lived here for 6 years altogether....it's great! We have everything anyone could want in a big city: sports teams, reputable fine arts, a beautiful downtown, Chili's, growing suburbs, Super Target, places to get your hair cut, and lots of people from many different countries and cultures. I've never lived anywhere, where there are so many languages spoken even in the aisles of the grocery store, McD's, etc. It's like a big, wonderful Texan-American melting pot.

I'm proud to say that although sports isn't my favorite thing in the world, (unless someone in my family is playing) I watched almost every minute of every game the Dallas Mavericks played (once they began the "chase for the championship"). It was so much fun to cheer them on and go through the ups and downs with them, as if we knew them and were a part of their lives. Yes, that sounds cheesy, but I really started to yell at them like I would my own family, so it's true. I just love that cute little Avery Johnson. He is such a great coach and leader. He loved his team and he believed in them, so we did, too. I don't think we got the fair end of the NBA deal and I really don't like that nerdy Mr. Stern (he was probably a poor, picked-on waterboy in high school). I don't think it was fair that just because the big, NBA money-making Shaq fell-down-go-boom, that our beloved Stackhouse had to sit in time-out. Seemed like a toddler league in many ways, at least to me...But what do I know about basketball? I'm just a fan, proud to live in Dallas and proud of my team for making it as far as they did. It's been fun. Now what are we going to watch....Big Brother? ugh.

Did you see that after the Heat got back to Miami, that the first one out of the plane carrying the trophy was Shaq? Probably because Wade was too tired from carrying HIM through the entire season.
paraphrased....Dale Hansen, Channel 8 Sports

If you're a Miami fan, don't comment. It will be deleted. We're tired of hearing it.