We had a wonderful week of visiting, sleeping in, and enjoying the traditional turkey and dressin' with family! It was so nice to have a break from all the homework, kid's activities, and schedules. I often wonder what life would really be like if it could be like this last week all the time...who decided that a life of family, fun, and togetherness wasn't enough? I guess it might get old after a while, and we wouldn't have progressed as a country if we just kept it the way it used to be, but man I sure miss the gool old days....or at least what I hear about it. Marv's cousins came down from Illinois for a few days of fun. We went and saw Happy Feet (not my favorite movie by far), saw the trains at North Park Mall, learned how to make some jewelry from Alicia, and then went to lakehouse to visit with Darin and Cara before heading down to San Antonio. We decided to take the country road to stay off of 35 (it sometimes can take up to 2+ hours to get through Austin this time of year). Well the road we were on was shut down for over 3 hours due to a fatal wreck, so our 5 hour trip turned into more like 7. We were thankful to arrive safely though and said a prayer for families involved in crash. It was a great time being in the car together and driving away from all our worries!
We actually spent our Thanksgiving at my precious Aunt Jackie and Uncle David's home in Boerne. When I lost both of my dad's parents in the same year the Curbo side of family just kinda seemed to stop. We used to ALWAYS get together for holidays and summers at my grandparents place in Medina, but it was all gone until Jackie and David got a great place in the country for us all to have room to meet. We don't get everyone back, but it is so fun to see how life has continued on and how the little kids are now having their own kids. And so life just continues on.... I got to see one of my favorite and closest cousins (since we're the same age) and met his wife and two precious baby boys. I also got to play games and laugh with my Aunt Janice and Jackie just like old times. My sister and I swear we are turning out to be them!!! It's so fun to sit around the table again sharing, talking, laughing, and having deep discussions about politics and religion, and the way the world is going today. What is amazing though is how we can all either have similar opinions, or totally disagree, but we all leave loving and knowing that there is a bigger picture to this life and the way that we are called, or choose to live it.
I love my Curbo side of family and how we have survived even though we don't have my grandparents here on earth to hold us all together anymore. I'm certain that they are in heaven helping us along though and keeping the kinship fires burning with us as we make time and sacrifice to get together!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
The good old days
We had the best time going back for Howard Payne's homecoming weekend and seeing my roommate Audra and her hubby Daniel and kids! It was the first time that we have ever taken our kids to see where it all started for Marv and me! What a fun day of remembering....
We met the DeVinney's at our favorite place to eat as students in Brownwood....Underwood's BBQ!
Julia and Madeline are discussing how they will decorate their room when they come to HPU!!! They hit it off really well!
I saved my cheat meal for the week for Underwood's and man was it worth it!
Marv and I first sat next to each other at a concert on the first weekend of fish camp. I never could have dreamed that our three wonderful kiddos would be sitting on the same steps all most 20 years later!
Marv's dorm was Jennings Hall. I used to throw rocks at his window to get him to come down and meet me....before cell phones y'all! Man that makes me sound and feel old!
I lived right across the street in Veda Hodge Hall! The same dorm that my own mom lived in when she was in college! Did I mention that my parents also met at HPU back in the late 60's?
This is a new gate that blocks off the main drag down the middle of the campus.
The top 3rd floor balcony of the Presidents Mansion is where Marv proposed to me with his roommate Asa's help! It's a long story, but a great one! This happens to be my other roommates home (Julie Newbury~her dad was the pres.) We also met for the very first time in the president's student apartment that is in the backyard of this home! How ironic is that. We just realized that as we were standing to let Jeffrey take this picture for us! God's plans are so neat!
Sting 'em Jackets!
Wonder if he will meet his future mate in this very spot in a few years!
Our very first home....married students housing. We loved our little duplex! The yard looks exactly the same as it did 15 years ago!!!
Tiff and Audra....we missed you Julie and Brian!
Marv and I used to walk down this sidewalk to class, etc....
The first time we ever kissed was in this very spot! WAWOW!!!
Marv would walk me to the bottom of the stairs to say good-night. I also kept him waiting many minutes over the three years that we would be on our way to dinner, class, or a date!!!
Trick or Treat 2006
What a bunch of hams! They said mom just take some pictures and we'll do some acting! These are my afro brothas (brothers, but pronounced the way I spelled it for the teachers in the family), and my hollywood star....HOLLYWOOD!!!
We finally set out for our friends and neighbors homes in our hood! Jacob was battling asthma so we had to take it easy with him since it was cold, but man it was so fun even for me! I have never been trick or treating either since I grew up in the boon docks!
The boys decided this year that they were getting too old for the full costume, so they went with these fun wigs and funky glasses for their costumes this year. Righteous....doodley, doodley, doot, do as they say from the Barnyard movie with a little Napolean mixed in!
Peace bro!
Sugar for the brothas!
I let Julia wear my newest diamond! She wishes and so do I!
Awwww they do love each other!
Ready to help make some cavitites!!! This was the best Halloween ever! We handed out candy for an hour, went around to houses for an hour, and then went to our church for an hour to work a booth with our sunday school and let the kids do all the fun stuff there. I think next year the kids have all voted to do more of running around the neighborhood. It was so fun to see all of our friends out. We even had block parties and people were grilling out serving to everyone who came up to their home! What a great opportunity to really feel like a kid again!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
My Fridge
Okay I finally got around to taking some pics of my fridge for Kim~who tagged me. I guess it's just like any other fridge full of fun memories, friends, and families. Not to mention the vaca magnets, business and informational magnets, and kid's art work. Notice my pile o stuff that is hidden somewhat from my fridge. Flylady wouldn't be happy with this pile of clutter, but sometimes it's the only way to function until I have time to fling it. Funny thing about this fridge is that we bought it from one of Marv's clients for cheap cheap. We were so excited to be getting a stainless steal side by side. Little did I know until I tried to put up my FIRST of MANY pictures that the front of the fridge doesn't hold any type of magnet! So I can only utilize the sides which makes me keep the front clean and neat looking the way Marv loves it! Too funny! He was always fussin' at me for junkin' up the fridge and now he found a way short of taping stuff to it~now that's an idea!!!
I tag Michelle and Amy my sisters. Show me the fridge!
It is Well with my Soul!
I have this song playing right now over and over on my cd player in my kitchen. It is the version sung by Natalie Grant...who was at the Women of Faith conference this summer. It fills my entire heart, body, and soul with peace and makes me want to shout HALLELUJAH to the neighbors who pass by and may see me singing along and worshippin' our Lord! I am so amazed as I look back over this first semester of middle school, fourth grade, and second to think of what God has brought us through. I only WISH that I could have gone under it, or around it, or over it, but NO~ I HAD to go THROUGH it ~with and by his strength and grace only Y'all!!!
I am amazed at how much our life and little family have changed and been through with the onset of our pre-teen's struggles at school and the hormones! It was something that I have always heard about, and even remember going through (although at a much later age), but you just can't really appreciate it until you are in the midst of it. I'm perplexed, surprised, frustrated, puzzled, and just in awe at the true changes that can occur when your precious baby can seemingly wake up one morning with a crackling voice, stinky pits, and an attitude that just won't stop even when the cows come home!!! My prayer life is about to pick up speed, and I have a book on order at Barnes and Nobles that my dear friend Kim has told me about...AGE OF OPPORTUNITY by Tripp. I know that Jeffrey and I are very much alike, and that it literally kills me to see him struggling cause I know that he got all that from me. Marv has been a great buffer, and rides in to save the day...daily....with math homework, and dealing with the TUDE. I'm so thankful for his wisdom and unconditional love! He helps me to try and remember to laugh instead of yellin' when the mental school child is in full gear, and I've got nothing left to even TRY and understand what is going through the boy's head!
I'm just so thankful for the times that sanity creeps back in, and reminds me that he still is my precious son just trying to break out of this painful coocoon time of life. It's not pretty, but it will be so worth it Lord! IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL thanks to the hope that I have for his future in YOU O LORD!
He is doing so well in band on the trombone, which Marv is so excited that he is following in his footsteps. He is also doing great with his guitar, and just began his last season of basketball with a team of friends that have played together since second grade. He has grown so tall, so we are hoping that will be an advantage for him this season. Jacob is loving his fourth grade school year with all his friends. He is such a friendly little guy, who is so much fun to watch at school. He just comes alive, and is ready to talk to anyone that will listen. It's neat to see him really excel in his piano lessons this year. He had a fall piano recital, and played a duet with his teacher. She is from Russia and has been great for Jacob pushing him to do amazing things! Marv and I got to sit in on one of his lessons, and couldn't believe all the things that she taught him in just 30 minutes on a new song. He was playing the thing by the end, and we were both in awe! He also does and hour of theory before his private lesson, so he is really going to be able to write his own music down soon! He is also going to play basketball this year with a new group of friends from his school through the Y. They are so excited, and it should be fun! NEWS FLASH....Jacob just came home from church choir practice and shared that he got a solo in our church Christmas program! He will sing his solo and then the adult choir will join in! How exciting!!
Julia is our little writer, which she did not get from me, but I have been trying to get from her! She is also taking a piano class lesson, and will begin private lessons this month because she is ahead of everyone else in the class and has already memorized all the songs. The teacher is also from Russia and has a beaming smile on her face when she whispers to us that she really needs private lessons....yes and how much more will that be, HUM? She also loves her jazz/hip hop dance class with 12 of her nearest and dearest friends from school. I love watching her move and smile the whole time! What a HAM!!! She MAY get that from me!!!? She is going to try her first year of basketball also with her friends, many also in dance with her. It should be a fun, and funny experience to see all those divas out there on the court trying to keep the ball under control! Our sweet friends the McAfees are coaching both Jacob and Julia's teams. It is always so much fun to share life with a group of families who try and live life the same way you do. We are thankful that all three kids love being active, involved, and love sharing life with their friends.
We have also been busy doing a new ministry this year along with directing our adult sunday school class. We have stepped into the 6th grade world of HOTSPOTS on Wednesday nights. The 6th grade NORTH group meets at our house where two men, and two women lead a small group of girls and boys from our church in bible study. We have been studying the book of James, and have really enjoyed learning how to live our lives in a different way from the world. We have snacks, fellowship time (trampoline/gameroom), whole group time, and then break off into smaller groups of girls (which I and the other lady take), and boys. It so neat to hear these girls hearts. They each have their own set of struggles, and hurts they are going through. It has been great for Jeffrey to really get to know some of the other guys from church since he doesn't go to school with any of them. He is quite the little actor when they do their skit to share their part of scripture. It has really been neat to see him gain some confidence and watch him become who God is making him through this group. Jacob and Julia are getting in on the big group time as well, so we are truely enjoying the ministry as a family!
Marv has been busier than ever with traveling, trying to recruit more and more agents to his office, and just keeping up with the goings on at the office. I'm so proud of him! He has met many obstacles that can just knock the wind out, and keep us looking up to God for the strength, wisdom, and peace to get through some of the things he has had to experience. He has grown and been stretched though. It's neat to see HIM be glorified when Marv has choosen to take a stand for his faith, and still lead the office to success.
I have been able to sub ALOT lately and love it! It's so great to just get in there and do what I love...teaching and loving on those sweet kiddos...without all the other stuff that goes with it. I don't know if or when I'll go back to full time teaching...it's a daily prayer and seeking God's timing on that. I taught first grade for several years before the babies started taking over, and have always thought that I would never want to teach above like 2nd, or 3rd grade, but these last few jobs have been in 4th and 5th. It's amazing how fun it is to teach kids that can do for themselves. I even taught a 5th grade math class a few Fridays ago...I was so nervous cause they were doing fractions....but I had the teacher's book, which has ALL the answers!!!! Now all I had to do was try and figure out how to get to the answer! Well I would pick the smartest looking kid and say..."I have the answer, but I just wonder if YOU could tell me how YOU think that I GOT the answer!!" I really did kinda start to learn it by the 3rd class that I taught it to! Maybe that's what I should do.... teach math so that I could learn it better! SCARY THOUGHT!!! I do have a dream of painting, or creating something to sell someday. There are so many things that I would love to get involved in...for instance learning to play the banjo, or square dancing~no joke!!! But Marv isn't much of a dosey doer, and I don't think pickin' and grinnin' would be good for my nails. So maybe I will just get into painting of some kind and trying to keep up with the 6th grade math. I have only 2 weeks left of my boot camp and although I have had some great successes with it...I have still only begun my journey. I plan to join some friends who work out every morning, and possibly join a weight watchers group here in Frisco to help me stay accountable for food. My precious children are my little encouragers and help me keep the french fries from going in the pie hole!
Well sorry for the long post, but just felt the need to get everyone updated, and maybe even feel a sense of accomplishment myself when I look back on the new season of growth and blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving to all Friends and Family. Can't wait to hear from each of you via Christmas cards, emails, and blogs!
I am amazed at how much our life and little family have changed and been through with the onset of our pre-teen's struggles at school and the hormones! It was something that I have always heard about, and even remember going through (although at a much later age), but you just can't really appreciate it until you are in the midst of it. I'm perplexed, surprised, frustrated, puzzled, and just in awe at the true changes that can occur when your precious baby can seemingly wake up one morning with a crackling voice, stinky pits, and an attitude that just won't stop even when the cows come home!!! My prayer life is about to pick up speed, and I have a book on order at Barnes and Nobles that my dear friend Kim has told me about...AGE OF OPPORTUNITY by Tripp. I know that Jeffrey and I are very much alike, and that it literally kills me to see him struggling cause I know that he got all that from me. Marv has been a great buffer, and rides in to save the day...daily....with math homework, and dealing with the TUDE. I'm so thankful for his wisdom and unconditional love! He helps me to try and remember to laugh instead of yellin' when the mental school child is in full gear, and I've got nothing left to even TRY and understand what is going through the boy's head!
I'm just so thankful for the times that sanity creeps back in, and reminds me that he still is my precious son just trying to break out of this painful coocoon time of life. It's not pretty, but it will be so worth it Lord! IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL thanks to the hope that I have for his future in YOU O LORD!
He is doing so well in band on the trombone, which Marv is so excited that he is following in his footsteps. He is also doing great with his guitar, and just began his last season of basketball with a team of friends that have played together since second grade. He has grown so tall, so we are hoping that will be an advantage for him this season. Jacob is loving his fourth grade school year with all his friends. He is such a friendly little guy, who is so much fun to watch at school. He just comes alive, and is ready to talk to anyone that will listen. It's neat to see him really excel in his piano lessons this year. He had a fall piano recital, and played a duet with his teacher. She is from Russia and has been great for Jacob pushing him to do amazing things! Marv and I got to sit in on one of his lessons, and couldn't believe all the things that she taught him in just 30 minutes on a new song. He was playing the thing by the end, and we were both in awe! He also does and hour of theory before his private lesson, so he is really going to be able to write his own music down soon! He is also going to play basketball this year with a new group of friends from his school through the Y. They are so excited, and it should be fun! NEWS FLASH....Jacob just came home from church choir practice and shared that he got a solo in our church Christmas program! He will sing his solo and then the adult choir will join in! How exciting!!
Julia is our little writer, which she did not get from me, but I have been trying to get from her! She is also taking a piano class lesson, and will begin private lessons this month because she is ahead of everyone else in the class and has already memorized all the songs. The teacher is also from Russia and has a beaming smile on her face when she whispers to us that she really needs private lessons....yes and how much more will that be, HUM? She also loves her jazz/hip hop dance class with 12 of her nearest and dearest friends from school. I love watching her move and smile the whole time! What a HAM!!! She MAY get that from me!!!? She is going to try her first year of basketball also with her friends, many also in dance with her. It should be a fun, and funny experience to see all those divas out there on the court trying to keep the ball under control! Our sweet friends the McAfees are coaching both Jacob and Julia's teams. It is always so much fun to share life with a group of families who try and live life the same way you do. We are thankful that all three kids love being active, involved, and love sharing life with their friends.
We have also been busy doing a new ministry this year along with directing our adult sunday school class. We have stepped into the 6th grade world of HOTSPOTS on Wednesday nights. The 6th grade NORTH group meets at our house where two men, and two women lead a small group of girls and boys from our church in bible study. We have been studying the book of James, and have really enjoyed learning how to live our lives in a different way from the world. We have snacks, fellowship time (trampoline/gameroom), whole group time, and then break off into smaller groups of girls (which I and the other lady take), and boys. It so neat to hear these girls hearts. They each have their own set of struggles, and hurts they are going through. It has been great for Jeffrey to really get to know some of the other guys from church since he doesn't go to school with any of them. He is quite the little actor when they do their skit to share their part of scripture. It has really been neat to see him gain some confidence and watch him become who God is making him through this group. Jacob and Julia are getting in on the big group time as well, so we are truely enjoying the ministry as a family!
Marv has been busier than ever with traveling, trying to recruit more and more agents to his office, and just keeping up with the goings on at the office. I'm so proud of him! He has met many obstacles that can just knock the wind out, and keep us looking up to God for the strength, wisdom, and peace to get through some of the things he has had to experience. He has grown and been stretched though. It's neat to see HIM be glorified when Marv has choosen to take a stand for his faith, and still lead the office to success.
I have been able to sub ALOT lately and love it! It's so great to just get in there and do what I love...teaching and loving on those sweet kiddos...without all the other stuff that goes with it. I don't know if or when I'll go back to full time teaching...it's a daily prayer and seeking God's timing on that. I taught first grade for several years before the babies started taking over, and have always thought that I would never want to teach above like 2nd, or 3rd grade, but these last few jobs have been in 4th and 5th. It's amazing how fun it is to teach kids that can do for themselves. I even taught a 5th grade math class a few Fridays ago...I was so nervous cause they were doing fractions....but I had the teacher's book, which has ALL the answers!!!! Now all I had to do was try and figure out how to get to the answer! Well I would pick the smartest looking kid and say..."I have the answer, but I just wonder if YOU could tell me how YOU think that I GOT the answer!!" I really did kinda start to learn it by the 3rd class that I taught it to! Maybe that's what I should do.... teach math so that I could learn it better! SCARY THOUGHT!!! I do have a dream of painting, or creating something to sell someday. There are so many things that I would love to get involved in...for instance learning to play the banjo, or square dancing~no joke!!! But Marv isn't much of a dosey doer, and I don't think pickin' and grinnin' would be good for my nails. So maybe I will just get into painting of some kind and trying to keep up with the 6th grade math. I have only 2 weeks left of my boot camp and although I have had some great successes with it...I have still only begun my journey. I plan to join some friends who work out every morning, and possibly join a weight watchers group here in Frisco to help me stay accountable for food. My precious children are my little encouragers and help me keep the french fries from going in the pie hole!
Well sorry for the long post, but just felt the need to get everyone updated, and maybe even feel a sense of accomplishment myself when I look back on the new season of growth and blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving to all Friends and Family. Can't wait to hear from each of you via Christmas cards, emails, and blogs!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
It's a crazy Fall Y'all!
You know life is too busy when you don't even have time to blog a little something every now and then! This year was a time for me to stop all the craziness in my over scheduled life and get some things taken care of like my health, but it seems that I have let the business of life creep back in and take over, and this time it has thrown me down on my back...jumped on top...and the countdown to 10 is on. I only have 3 weeks left of my boot camp and then I'm gonna catch up on some sleep! I have been subbing and babysitting all most every day of the week, and then once the kids get home it's homework, homework, homework, music lessons, 6th grade hot spots at our house on Wednesday nights, and basketball season hasn't even started yet!
This year all three kiddos wanted to play basketball, so we are gonna try it out. I know it's only a few months of practices and games, but man it's crazy to be outnumbered when you've got games and practices all over the place! One good thing is that Jacob and Julia are both being coached by the same dad and mom so hopefully their games won't have many conflicts! Even in the craziness I love being a mom, wife, and know how blessed I am to get to be busy and involved in their lives every day!
We are so ready for a week long break and look forward to having some great visits with family. I will get back on here soon and put some pictures up of our first ever trick-or-treating experience (we usually just do the fall festival at our church). Julia kept saying over and over how much fun she was having. For some reason it just feels like you are actually getting a treat when you are getting candy from all your friend's homes! It was neat seeing so many friends and neighbors out, and getting to meet new neighbors. Some of the kids from our elementary school even recognized me..."Hi Mrs. Jolly!" This was by far the best halloween we have ever had...even with Jacob wheezing the whole time!
This year all three kiddos wanted to play basketball, so we are gonna try it out. I know it's only a few months of practices and games, but man it's crazy to be outnumbered when you've got games and practices all over the place! One good thing is that Jacob and Julia are both being coached by the same dad and mom so hopefully their games won't have many conflicts! Even in the craziness I love being a mom, wife, and know how blessed I am to get to be busy and involved in their lives every day!
We are so ready for a week long break and look forward to having some great visits with family. I will get back on here soon and put some pictures up of our first ever trick-or-treating experience (we usually just do the fall festival at our church). Julia kept saying over and over how much fun she was having. For some reason it just feels like you are actually getting a treat when you are getting candy from all your friend's homes! It was neat seeing so many friends and neighbors out, and getting to meet new neighbors. Some of the kids from our elementary school even recognized me..."Hi Mrs. Jolly!" This was by far the best halloween we have ever had...even with Jacob wheezing the whole time!
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