Budget

Just in case you've been living in a hole, I should probably start this by reminding everyone that the state of Texas is projecting a huge budget shortfall for next year.  For Wichita Falls ISD, the estimate is $11 million.

About two weeks ago a budget committee put out a report with some recommended cost saving measures for the school board to review. In that report there was a recommendation to eliminate two of the district's orchestra teachers.  I'm one of only seven orchestra teachers in the district, and the last one hired.  Needless to say, this has caused me some stress.......

I'm writing all this to ask for your prayers.  Not just for me, but for the hundreds of teachers who will lose their job this year.  I know that God has a plan, but it sure is hard to sit and wait until they tell me if I have a job next year!

Meeting Kate

As if my spring break hadn't been exciting enough, to top it all off I got to have dinner in Grapevine on the way home with my cousins Mark and Jen Whittenberg.  Mark is my first cousin (his dad and my mom are siblings).  Since they got married in the late 1990's they have moved all over the country and we have probably only seen each other 3 or4 times in the last ten years. 

In Feburary they moved to Dallas (glad they finally saw the light and came back to God's country)!  I was so excited!!! 

So, on Wednesday I got to have dinner with Mark and Jen and meet precious Kate.  I'm sure I'll have many more pics of Kate in the future but she got shots that day and was a little cranky! 

Mark and Jen, here's to more great times together!

Gabriel

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Gabriel.  He is my oldest nephew, thanks to my baby brother Blair (well....he is 25 years old but you know what I mean).  Gabriel was born on August 5th but since they live so far away I didn't get to meet him until this week.  I must admit I'm already smitten!  Isn't he adorable?  I feel very lucky that God has blessed me with my nephews!

He just might already be wrapped around my little finger!

Daddy's Boy!

Gabriel with his Great-GREAT Aunt Laura

Gabriel, even though we have just met I love you already.  I'm so lucky to have you as my nephew!  Love, Aunt C

Spring Break Fun

Most years during spring break I try to visit friends who don't live in Wichita Falls.  This year was no exception.  On Sunday afternoon I drove to College Station to visit the Krajca family (Kierstyn, Curtis, Elizabeth, Micah, Benjamin and Timothy).  I've been friends with both Kierstyn and Curtis for a long time and I love their kiddos! 

The first night I was there we played Uno Attack....which I have to say is quite the adventure with these guys!

 

Kierstyn and I often talk about how different her life is from mine and I love the little glimpse into what it is like to be a mother of four young children!  They are all great kids and I just love them.  

Elizabeth will be 7 in June.

Timothy just turned ONE last month.

Micah had his 5th birthday while I was there.

Benjamin will be 4 in May.

I can't wait until summer so I can go see them again!

Stations Of The Cross

For those of you who aren't familiar with the stations of the cross, here's a brief summary:

The Stations of the cross refers to the depiction of the final hours (or passion) of Jesus.  The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death. It has become one of the most popular devotions for Roman Catholics. It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent.


Because I grew up in a protestant church, I was not familiar with the stations of the cross until I started playing the organ for Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic church three years ago. 

The whole reason for this blog is to serve as a reminder for me.....you see, two years ago on the first Friday of Lent I received a call from my sweet friend Vinnie who also happens to be one of the cantors at Queen of Peace.  The conversation went something like this:

6:52 p.m.
Me: Hey friend!
Vinnie: Hey....are you on your way?
.....long pause.....
Me: On my way....???
Vinnie: To the church...
.......long pause.....
Vinnie: For stations
Me: Crap!  (that's not actually what I said, but my parents read this blog....)  I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt....I'll be there as soon as I can.
 Vinnie: I don't care what you are wearing....we start in 7 minutes.

As you can guess, this conversation was followed by my acting like a crazy person in an attempt to not look like a slob and get out the door at the same time.   I got to the church at 7:02....

I tell you all of this to say:  If you see me online, get a phone call, or a text from me, or even think about me tomorrow after 6:30 p.m., please make sure I'm ON MY WAY TO CHURCH!!!   And if you are a member of OLQP, I'll see you there!