A Dozen Years in Education

2016-2017 School Year 

The Woodlands, Texas 

The "Backstory"

This school year was my 12th year of teaching, my 6th year in the great state of Texas and my 4th year in my current district. During my 12 years in education I have taught beginning, middle school, high school, marching and even jazz bands. I have also taught elementary music ALL 12 of those years. For the past 4 years I have also worn the "art" hat and taught art as well as theater arts TEKS and helped maintain a campus art department. I have been the district Honor Choir co-director in both of my Texas school districts and have helped developed full curriculums and programs for this organization. In addition, I have received numerous grants and awards as well as being named the "Teacher of the Year" and "Teacher of Today" in the 2010-2011 school year. 

On paper I have it all and have had some pretty FANTASTIC experiences during these 12 years. But as I enter my 13th year I am realizing that it is more than just a good resume... It's WHO you know! And I have learned that I may just not have what it takes. 

You see, I have always wanted to be a band director. In fact, I knew in my sophomore year of high school that I wanted to be a band director and help change the lives of many students as my high school directors did for me. I entered college with a clear major and path and did a 140 hour/ 5 year degree in just 4 years and was eager to get out there. During my time in Oklahoma I taught at 2 districts and taught both elementary music AND band, including both beginning and high school bands. I developed and grew my band program from 40 to over 100 students and made a well known name for myself and my campus during my tenure. When Chris accepted his teaching position at Aldine ISD in 2011 I just knew I would land an amazing Texas Band job and life would be PERFECT!

HOWEVER...

The summer of 2011 came and went and it was late June and I did not have band job leads. I had been offered 4 different band positions but they were all about 1.5 hours away from our temporary residence in Conroe, TX where we would be living with my in-laws  or they were in TERRIBLE parts of Houston ISD and I was just too scared to take them thinking I would land something closer to home. (Rosenburg ISD, Pasadena ISD, Anauac ISD and Cesar Chavez HS in HISD).  I got nervous again so I decided to apply for elementary music positions as well. Within 2 days of applying for elementary music jobs I was interviewing and was offered a job in a large district in north Houston just 20 minutes from our residence. I accepted the offer and thought "Well at least my foot is in the door". Ha... little did I know what would happen next! 

During my first year at Spring ISD I became pregnant unexpectedly with our 2nd child, Luke. I had Luke during the summer of 2012 and oddly enough was offered a band director position while still at the hospital after having him. This position was at a very wealthy and fancy private school in Conroe but would not have maternity leave and the pay was about 1/3 of what I would be making at a public school so Chris and I turned down that offer. 

A year later I interviewed for a few band jobs, one within my current district, and was rejected for each. (Pearland ISD, WISD and Huntsville ISD). I did land on my feet within WISD as an elementary Fine Arts teacher at my current position. The head band director advised me to stay in district so when new band jobs came open he would consider me. Well that is all he ever did as in the past 4 years there have been 5 different openings and I have not gotten one of them including this past year. I have been patient but the heart wants what the heart wants and MY HEART wants to teach band and obviously God has different plans. 

That is the "back story" but here is this year's experience:

2016-2017 School Year- CCH 

This year started off very well after what would be labeled as the BEST SUMMER EVER! I came back refreshed and mentally ready for another year of molding students. The year began well with a new administrator who I respected and was doing a tremendous job "flipping" our campus. After Thanksgiving she resigned and we got a new administrator, who also did a good job with our campus. 

Shortly after Thanksgiving my co-teacher, the PE Coach, got injured and remained out of pocket for the rest of the school year. This meant I had to do my job and her job. Later in the spring semester my PE aide also went out on an injury which then left me with a team of myself, 1 aide and the rest were subs. This was exhausting to say the least but I made it work and these subs actually helped me so much in the end and are now true friends. 

As the rest of the fall semester and spring semesters would pan out I would be doing multiple jobs and many that were not only mine or my teaching partners but also campus wide improvement or administrative jobs as well. I became the "Git R Done" girl and all excess jobs or demands just naturally fell on me (I AM good at that though... Seriously, if you want it done and done RIGHT, give it to me).  This might have dug my own grave in the district as these many duties caused minor issues for me in the Spring semester. I was hardly focusing on my own music and art job at all. The stress and more so the frustration was getting to me and I started to gain weight. By the end of the year and time of this post I had gained 25 pounds or more and depression had started to sink in like never before. 

In March I knew it was time to move on and this next year (2017-2018) Luke would be in Kindergarten and out of the advanced PreK program (which was part of my "plan") so I began to apply for band jobs yet again after the previous summer just not having the emotional stamina. I had a great lead with a friend from church at a school in my current town which was all but a shoe-in, or at least I thought. Then I got rejection #1 in late April and took it VERY hard. I had a very bad attitude but kept praying and tried to keep the faith. 

Shortly after that rejection I was offered a job at a local district not far from my house but it was for elementary music and not band. The whole situation was not what I wanted and would be a lateral move and after nearly a week of praying and deliberating I turned down the offer. This may come back to bite me in the butt but it is what it is. 

The month of May came and I was crazy busy with end of the year programs of my own plus those of my teaching partner. It literally was the most hectic and stressful close of a year of my entire career. I was holding events like musicals, field day, End of Year Awards, Talent Show and other school wide fundraising events like Staff Basketball games.

Meanwhile my husband was asked to come and interview at the most prestigious district near us and while there was not a single HS math job open at the time of the interview, because of his amazing STAAR scores and personality (I have always said you either love him or hate him... and they, and me too, LOVED him) they offered him a job. After prayer and deliberation he accepted the offer and will now have his dream job in a dream district. Chris's personality is just to teach and do his thing without advancement or recognition at all... pretty much what I do currently. All the meanwhile, I am dying to get noticed and offered a job. 

The month of May continued and I do not know how I did it looking back but during the stress, turmoil and chaos of this month I still found time to interview for 6 more positions, 5 of which were band director positions, and got 6 more rejections by the end of the month, many of which I was notified by email (Conroe ISD, WISD, Tomball ISD, Hunstville ISD).  My own district didn't even let me know they filled the position, I found out via small town gossip. 

So here we are first day of June and I have no offers and barely any leads. I have gotten emails from local Fine Arts directors explaining the high level of candidates applying for the same jobs I am. I have cried more in the past 6 weeks than the past 6 years combined. I feel burned out in education and especially my current position yet it looks like I will have another year of this come August. I feel like a terrible wife crying over "spilled milk" all while my AMAZING hubby is smiling in his new position and chapter in his life. I am depressed and quite frankly losing my faith. 

I am sitting here praying and listening to my favorite "Songs of Faith" saying "Wherever He leads I'll go" and I truly mean that but it still hurts. Today, I looked at the help wanted ads for REAL jobs... REALLY? Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be where I am at 12 years ago. Even 6 years ago I just knew I would be directing bands and life would be "perfect".
That was my plan... Not His! 

I have no idea where I will be come August and I hope in the next  7 weeks I can keep the faith and change my bad attitude. There is lots of other personal stuff going on as well and I know this is a TEST. I fear I do not have what it takes to teach band in this area of Texas or the whole state for that matter. I feel that I will never get over this want and desire to teach band and not elementary music and will live miserable in my career for the remaining 18-20 years. I am embarrassed in my own district for yet again not being selected (which really means I am not viewed as a good enough teacher) for the past 4 years of openings. I am depressed... I am praying daily and continuously. What else can I do? I know how to keep the faith. I was born and raised in the church and am literally a faithful Christian yet I feel so lost? My current pastor preached a sermon once saying "When the going gets tough, you just keep doing what you know to do". I know to keep the faith and I know GOD is in control! 

My tag line is always GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME and I DO believe this but it seems so cliche right about now. I KNOW He is good and He is good ALL the time. Even in the VALLEY... I know this and I believe this, but why am I not feeling it? 

Chris tells me all the time that I need to LEARN to be happy. My mother used to tell me to "Bloom where you are planted". I guess they are both right... I need to be happy in my current situation and CONTINUE (because I DO count my blessings and name them one by one) to be grateful for all I have, including the ACTUAL job I DO have and my beautiful family, home and friends as well as many other things. Thank You, Jesus for these and many other blessings YOU have given to me. 

I am sure there are readers who are rolling their eyes or who have already stopped reading 10 paragraphs ago and will bash and condemn me both in private and in public but this is how I feel. I have learned in my adult years, that when I share my personal feelings, frustrations and thoughts is when I get in trouble the most but I guess I needed to get it off my chest. Judge me, condemn me or bash me if you feel the need but this is how I currently FEEL... please forgive me! 

I am going to continue to do what I KNOW to do, which is have my quiet time and pray to my God and Saviour. I do not know what will happen in the next few weeks but God does so I will just go and try to get rid of my attitude, find my faith again and try to enjoy my short, small summer. 

It is my tag line, I believe it and I will say it yet again... 

God is Good... ALL the time (Even in the valley). 

I Want to be a GIANT

Spring 2016
Year 11... Houston, TX 

Disclaimer: I realize that no one may care or be even remotely interested in this topic but this post is more for me. There are days where I feel like I have no one to talk to or vent to and this is just a little of my frustrations that I am going through right now. Almost like a "Dear Diary" page. In 11 years of teaching I have not felt this depressed throughout the whole year and felt as if this is not really where I am supposed to be. This is unusual to me because I have known I wanted to be in the education field since I was 16, literally ½ my life. Yet at this point I feel like I could be anywhere but here.

A little about my personality

All my life I have been somewhat of an outcast and never REALLY fit in with the popular, strong or successful groups or at least not the groups I “wanted” to fit in with. In high school I was a cheerleader, volleyball player, basketball player and golf player but I was just average at all of those and I wanted to be the best. I decided in 10^th grade I would go down the music/ band road and I pretty much did that alone. I was the sole BAND NERD at my school. I “made my bed, now I have to sleep in it” at that point but I had no idea this road would be so political and so lonely at times.

By nature my personality wants to be recognized for a job well done, it’s just who I am. I have tried and am still trying to not be this way but I thrive on someone telling me “Good job” and “Way to go”. In addition, I have always had a mentality of “keeping up with the Jones’” and want to be a part of the successful group and I have let my successes (and failures) define me over the years. 

A little about my career

I have taught music for 11 years, 6 of which were band, and the past 5 years have been in Texas. I have always dreamed of being a band director and growing a successful band and music program. When I was in college as a music education major there were 2 distinct groups within that major; 1) those seeking band/ choir director positions and 2) those choosing to teach general or elementary music. There were several more directors than there was elementary music and I noticed real quickly the attitude that went with the general (classroom) music teachers. “Oh, you want to teach elementary music? That is great. That is where the heart of the music field is but we (the directors) will build up the programs and make them look successful. Good for you though.” This literally was the mentality and attitude, from the upperclassmen all the way up to the professors.

My freshman year of college I did not make the Pride of Oklahoma marching band, which was a MAJOR reason why I chose to go to OU. This was a huge set-back for me but I pressed on and stayed at OU instead of going home like a puppy with my tail between my legs and go to Tyler Junior College like 90% other graduates of my high school. From that point on I followed the same path as my high school days and never really fit in with the music ed/ band director crowd because they all had the bond that developed by being in the Pride. That whole freshman year was really hard on me and wondered why I was there and why I was trying to be something that I may not be... but yet I still knew that I wanted in my heart to be a band director and I was determined that I would overcome these issues. 

My sophomore and junior years I did in fact get into the Pride of Oklahoma and have made friendships with fellow players and I am grateful for that experience and those friendships. However, I turned that 136 hour/ 5 year degree into 4 years by pressing hard and taking incredibly heavy course loads because all I wanted to do was get out into the field and teach band.

I did my student teaching with arguably one of the absolute best band directors in the state of Oklahoma, and easily the best female director within the OKC metro. I had a passion for teaching band and both my mentor teachers could see that. They helped me blossom into a very good middle school band director and led me on a path towards band success.

In late spring 2005 I had an interview at Bristow, OK to be an assistant band director alongside an incredible educator and well known band director in Oklahoma. He offered me the position but I was seriously dating Chris at the time and knew a long-distance relationship would not work. Instead I was later offered a “one-man K-12” band director job at Bowlegs, OK. There I would serve as the K-12 general music AND band director. I got married during that year and I was only there for 1 year and then left to teach band at Grove School in Shawnee, OK to be closer to my now husband, Chris Davis.

I spent 5 years teaching band and general music at Grove and enjoyed it 85-90% of the time. There is always times were a bad situation or turn of events can bring you down but I LOVED teaching band and the actual JOB they hired me to do! During those 5 years I built the band program from 52 kids (5-8^th grade) to over 100. We received the first ever superior rating in the school’s history and I was elected “Teacher of the Year” for my campus and even my county. My administration liked me and I was “golden” but I was still an outcast amoungst my colleagues.

During our region meetings despite proving I was capable of growing a band program and having kids sit in the top bands at All-Region, I was still not selected as a leader or served as a chair or officer. This always bothered me and honestly I let it get to me too much but it is what it is. In fact, there were always certain people who were selected and got the awards and the mention (again, I need that and thrive on that... it's just who I am). Those same people currently have my dream jobs and are doing incredibly well. While I am happy for them, it eats me up inside thinking that could be me or “when will that be me”?

In 2009 Chris was laid off from his job and began the search for a new job and eventually a new career. In 2011 after nearly 18 months of unemployment Chris got a job offer to teach math in Houston, TX. We were ready for the next step and chapter in our lives. Personally I had been highly successful as a band director for 6 years and FINALLY I was going to be able to begin my dream of teaching band in the great state of Texas. I was so excited and had already been working on my resume and my portfolio. During the summer months I had several interviews for band jobs but I was never offered any of them and they were all far from where we would be living in north Houston.

I ended up spending 2 years teaching elementary general music in large north Houston school district that was very urban and not at all like the rich “white” school I came from in Oklahoma. During those 2 years I got pregnant and had our 2^nd child, Luke, but was not satisfied with teaching “just elementary music”. There were 1,100+ kids in this school so I had 40+ kids in each class on a daily basis. This was WAY too many kids to have a successful music class but I did try hard and looking back in some areas it was better than my current position as I had the instruments and support I needed as a music teacher. 

Towards the end of my 2^nd year there all of the SPECIALS teachers had to begin teaching core subjects during their class periods to help with decreasing test scores. I knew this was not for me as I am NOT a math teacher so I took that as a cue to look for a new job and I did.

So no it is summer 2013 and I am now diligently seeking a band job. I have been out of the field for 2 years and within 1 interview I could tell this would be a lot harder than I thought. I had taught band for 6 years, have a Master’s degree and have proven I can build and grow a SUCCESSFUL program but I still was not offered a band position. In fact, I had an interview in a small rural district in far north Houston that was well known for having a good band program. The interview went well and the administration loved me and practically offered me the job saying “We enjoyed talking to you today and think you fit in well at XXXX, now we are just waiting on Mr. _____ (the HS band director) to choose”. Well what do you know, I was passed by again. I took this particular rejection very hard as I knew people within this very small district and realized it was all about "who you know" and I just knew this is where my dream would begin. Yet again, God had other plans.

Later that summer I was offered an elementary music position across the street from the middle school where I was rejected (my current position). I was hesitant to accept another elementary position but honestly, I did not have any other offers at this point and I thought “Well, at least I will have my foot in the door when there is another opening”. Little did I know there would be 2 openings within the district the following summer. Did I get either of those jobs? Oh no, they hired someone younger, straight out of college, with “fresh” ideas and more importantly, someone who they knew. 

I spent the next 2 years watching from the outside just itching to get in there and teach band and be a part of a successful band program. I’ve offered my time and services for private lessons and helped with recruiting and really tried to put my name out there but there isn’t even vertical alignment in this district so the band directors barely even know my name let alone my abilities and capabilities.

The past 3 years I have spent at my current school have not been ALL bad. I have been able to take Natalie with school to me the past 2 years and while this is not the environment I would like or would have ever dreamed her being in (remember, I like to be in with the “good” groups) she is thriving and doing very well. In addition, I have become really close to all of my administrators and become more of a team player than I ever have in my life. Not to mention that teaching elementary music is much less demanding on my personal time than band would be. I have been able to spend a lot more time with my family and take extravagant trips that I may or may not be able to take if I was teaching band. But still my heart is just not in it… or better yet, my heart still wants more. My heart wants to teach band. I still have the OU mentality of “Oh good for you teaching elementary music”. I feel like if I retire as an elementary music teacher what impact have I made on the world, really? I feel like I would have settled and that bothers me! 

To this day I have kids from Grove tell me on social media how much I impacted their lives. I see old students of mine be HIGHLY successful themselves in music in higher education and I know that I had a part in that. But the past 5 years… how many kids have told me I have made a difference in their lives? ZERO! These kids do not like music and do not want to be in music. They want to be in PE. In elementary they do not get a choice so far too often I get classrooms full of negative attitudes and a lack of desire to be successful at music. Sure there are some that enjoy it and I relish in teaching those few but the majority of these kids could care less. Not to mention my passion and joy is gone as I am teaching music and art and wearing multiple other hats around the campus and it is just draining.

Fast- Forward to March 2016 and oddly enough there is another band job opening at the middle school across the street in my district. The same job that has been posted for now 3 years (hello turnover). My principal, of whom I am close with and respect, put in a good word for me to her husband, the principal at the middle school, but their family is moving so I am on my own again. I applied for that job but the current MS head director (who took the job originally in 2013) told me “we are already looking at other high qualified candidates but feel free to apply.” He also told me that he would like to “meet with me” and discuss the position but never got back to me. Why even bother? 

That position was closed in April but I found out that the HS Assistant job would be posted soon. The MS head director is going to slide into that position because EVERYBODY just LOVES him. So that leaves the MS wide open. This is my chance… Or so I thought. Oddly enough the wife of the MS director is also a band director and she will take the head MS job and then the assistant position will be filled by someone else they all know. Why am I even here? What is my purpose in the district? What difference am I making?

That was supposed to be me… I was supposed to get the job in 2013, and then become the head director in 2014 and now moving up to high school in 2016. That is the dream I have had for the past 10 years, literally!  And here I still sit… working to pay the bills as my passion has been sucked out. I have friends/ family who have struggled with this type of situation for years and they are some of the strongest people I know and I have high respect for them... I just need to be like them and not let these things get to me! 

It’s hard to watch… Now I know most of you are thinking “Get over it. Life SUCKS! Put on your BIG GIRL panties and deal with it” or "Get over yourself" and others are thinking "at least you have a job" and you would all be right! I know my husband is thinking this and probably my parents (who raised me better than that) too but I just feel defeated and crushed. I feel like I should be allowed even a small amount of time to be upset about this! 

I have had similar feelings in the past 5 years but this is stronger than previous years and times. I look at friends be successful at “stay at home” jobs or multi-level marketing and see close friends and even family completely change jobs and careers and are doing better than ever. Maybe that needs to be me… maybe this is the road I wanted and not the road HE wanted. I have become literally depressed about it and just feel lost. I have a great marriage and great family... so I guess "2 out of 3 ain't bad"! 

So... I want to be a GIANT

I read an article posted by a college friend and colleague about standing on the shoulders of giants. The article mentioned as a band director you stand on the shoulders of giants and then others stand on your shoulders to become successful.

Because now you’re the Giant. If you’re a band director – you’re the Giant. You may be the deciding factor of whether a child learns to play an instrument, feels included in a great organization, wants to come to school and believes he can face a challenge and reach a goal.

It’s a big job.

It’s a huge responsibility.

It’s scary.

It may be more than you signed up for.

But remember, someone did it for you.

Someone lifted you up and put you on their shoulders and let you see the world of music. The family of band. The satisfaction of reaching goals. The reward of dedication.

All I want to be is a Giant… I just want to be the shoulders for someone else.  At one point I was dreaming of being a MAJOR successful band director and even directing at the collegiate level (who was I kidding) and now I just want to be a director at all. I guess I will just have to keep dreaming.

My heart wants what it wants! I can't help that... Now to get over this pathetic pity party and press on. On to what? I have no idea but I cannot continue to let this crushed dream ruin my days! As I practiced my saxophone for many hours growing up I used to play "God is in Control". I need that song today... I know He is in control but it does not make this long journey any easier. I just have to remember that NO MATTER WHAT 

God is good... ALL the time! 

Saddle Up Your Horses

Monday, April 4, 2016 

"The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman 

Have you ever had an everyday moment where the many memories just come flowing in like a flood? I just had that moment this morning. I was driving to school with my kids and oddly enough they were getting along and not yelling, whining and screaming like usual. I was listening to KSBJ (Houston’s Christian Radio) as I do each morning during our commute. As the DJs began talking about the morning show they said they had a special guest, Steven Curtis Chapman. I immediately turned the radio up as he was a true music hero and inspiration to me.

I kept listening through dropping off Luke at the daycare and eventually got to my office and logged onto www.ksbj.com so I could continue to hear this 2 hour morning show. As the songs came rolling in and the music continued to play I just sat there at my desk thinking of my teenage years and how these songs and their lyrics literally changed my life. All of the sudden the many tasks I needed to do before the students arrived didn't matter. The lyrics and songs swept me away. I was reliving memories and saying prayers to my Lord and Savior. 

I was somewhat of an outcast in my younger and teenage years especially. I was somewhat of a loaner and always felt better by myself. I remember I would carry a Walkman with me and it ALWAYS had a Steven Curtis Chapman CD in it. Albums like “More to this Life” and “For the Sake of the Call” were some of my all-time favorites. I remember going to youth camp and taking that Walkman with me wherever I went and I would listen to these songs to and from the dormitories to the chapel. In fact, often times I would sing these songs as specials and solos in my Dad’s church.  

When the album “The Great Adventure” came out the theme song “The Great Adventure” (Saddle up your horses) was a huge hit and was on the radio often. Of course, I was late to that party and didn’t get that album until many years later but once again I was listening to the CD almost daily I’m sure. It was another song I sang in church and a song I thoroughly enjoyed.

I remember a summer Allison and I traveled to Wichita, KS to be with our grandparents for a week as we traditionally did in the summers. We went to my Grandma Pat and Grandpa’s house in Derby, KS and I was an attitude filled teenage (probably 13-14 at the time) who was bored with their “rabbit ear” TV selections and boredom had set in after a few days. Grandma and Grandpa raised four boys but it seemed like (at the time) anytime I went to visit them they had nothing or very little to do.  I remember sitting in the basement with my Walkman on singing the words to “The Great Adventure” while Grandpa watched the news and sports on the TV. All of the sudden he turned off the TV and came over and asked me what I was listening to. Again, I was an attitude filled teenager and never in my wildest dreams would I have expected my Grandpa to say “Oh I know that song”. But he did and he knew this song and many other Steven Curtis Chapman songs I listened to. All of the sudden we had a bond (one of many we shared through our years together). 

The rest of that day Grandpa and I spent talking about the lyrics of these songs but I will never forget what Grandpa said about the words to “The Great Adventure”. He said “Kellie, you have a great adventure ahead of you. You’ve got a trail to blaze. There will be times where you will struggle and go through valleys but you will also see the very highest of mountains. Follow your leader. Do you know who your leader is?” I do not remember what I said after that but I will never forget him reliving those lyrics with me in the basement of their house. He told me stories of his "Great Adventure" and his trials and tribulations. 

The next summer when Allison and I came to visit our grandparents in Wichita, KS I sang “The Great Adventure” at both my Grandma Juanita’s church at my Grandma Pat and Grandpa’s church.  I sang the song at Pleasantview Baptist Church in Derby as my Grandma Pat and Grandpa watched from the congregation, I saw Grandpa mouthing the lyrics and smiling at me and pointing up to Jesus. “Follow Your Leader Kellie. This is the Great Adventure”. Thank you Grandpa for that life lesson!

The words of this song spoke to me then and are speaking to me now. I have no idea why this radio morning show spoke to me so much today but it did and I know that even now I need to “Follow my leader”. I am on a Great Adventure and I do not know where this journey will take me but I am ready to follow Him to the glorious unknown.

The Great Adventure video

The Great Adventure

Saddle up your horses

Started out this morning

In the usual way

Chasing thoughts inside my head

Of all I had to do today

Another time around the circle

Try to make it better than the last

I opened up the Bible

And I read about me

Said, I'd been a prisoner

And God's grace had set me free

And somewhere between the pages

It hit me like a lightning bolt

I saw a big frontier in front of me

And I heard somebody say, "Let's go"

Saddle up your horses

We've got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder

Of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our Leader

Into the glorious unknown

This is a life like no other

This is the great adventure, yeah

Come on get ready

For the ride of your life

Gonna leave long faced religion

In a cloud of dust behind

And discover all the new horizons

Just waiting to be explored

This is what we were created for, yeah

Saddle up your horses

We've got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder

Of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our Leader

Into the glorious unknown

This is a life like no other

This is the great adventure

We'll travel over, over mountains so high

We'll go through valleys below

Still through it all, we'll find that

This is the greatest journey

That the human heart will ever see

The love of God will take us far

Beyond my wildest dreams, yeah

Oh, saddle up your horses

Come on, get ready to ride

Saddle up your horses

We've got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder

Of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our Leader

Into the glorious unknown

This is a life like no other

This is the great adventure

Come on, this is the great adventure

Saddle up, saddle up your horses

We've got a trail to blaze

Through God's amazing grace

 I spent the rest of my morning and the majority of my day listening to other songs by Steven Curtis Chapman and reliving my younger days and thinking of the many memories I have created through these songs and the lyrics they provide. Thank you Steven Curtis Chapman for these beautiful songs and lyrics. They have truly changed my life.

God is good… All the time! 

A Sad and Emotional 1300+ Miles

From Texas to Kansas and Back

May 25-30, 2015

Monday, May 25, 2015

It was Monday, May 25th and it was Memorial Day. Chris and I had a great day planned of getting stuff done around the house and just taking it easy as we approached the last 2 weeks of school. I started out to do my 2 mile run and I was just not feeling it at all. I had planned to do at least the 2 miles but for whatever reason I could barely do my usual 1-1.5 and had to stop multiple times. I got home from the jog and got ready for the day. Around 8:50AM Chris got a call from my dad on his phone. Chris said "Hmmm, it's your dad. I wonder what he wants?" I knew that my dad, mom and sister, Allison, were in Boston on vacation so almost immediately knew what the phone call was about. In fact I said out loud as Chris answered "This is it... This is THE phone call". Sure enough, Chris handed me the phone and the very 1st words I hear my dad say are "Kellie, I love you honey but..." and I knew how the rest of the phone call would go. My dad and I talked and cried on the phone together as he told me how it all happened and what the plans were going forward. I was very emotional and upset but almost immediately I went into "Mom Mode" as I will call it and tried not to cry too much in front of my kids and was careful about how I would present this new situation to my kids, especially Natalie Grace who is 5. Oddly enough, as I was on the phone with my dad Chris took her aside and told her. She had absolutely no clue what it meant but the 1st hard part was over. 

I tried to grieve but oddly enough I kept it all bottled up and didn't think or talk about it too much. I was selfishly thinking more about my school work, the long list of to-dos and so much more. I privately went out on my own around lunch time to clear my head and found myself just walking up and down the mall crying as I reminisced about the time I had with Grandma Pat. I came home and Natalie reminded me that I had promised her a hair-cut so we went and got ourselves a hair-cut. A word to the wise... DO NOT GO AND CUT YOUR HAIR ON AN EMOTIONAL DAY SUCH AS THIS! I am usually pretty specific about how I like my hair but on this day I was very nonchalant about it. "Sure, whatever you think" and "I trust you". Yeah... I am not liking this hair-cut! 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Monday ended with crying myself to sleep and looking through pictures I had on Facebook or on my computer. As I got to school on Tuesday several teacher friends gave me hugs and words of encouragement. I was truly touched and humbled that so many people thought of me on this day as we are all feeling the stress and pressure of the end of the school year. Houston was experiencing MAJOR flooding during this time and oddly enough Chris's school was cancelled. He was able to stay home with Luke all day whom he later told me called Grandma Pat multiple times to tell her "I Love you Grandma Pat". Thank you Jesus, I was not here to have to experience that. By this time I knew that I was going to be playing my saxophone for the memorial service so I practiced that evening. I do not know if it was the devil or The Lord himself but I was not able to get anything done as both of my kids were whiny and needy all evening. I wanted to grieve at this time but I bottled up again and just kept being MOM! 

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 

This day was much of the same as Tuesday and once again my kids were very needy, fussy and yet hyper all at the same time. I tried to stay in touch with both my dad, who was in Wichita already, and my mom/ sister , who were flying home from the vacation in Boston on this day. I spent most of my planning time and all of my lunch time looking for funeral songs for the saxophone and a good arrangement of Amazing Grace of which I would be singing at the memorial service. I was not satisfied with any of the arrangements and spent that evening trying to find a song to play out of my own stash. I ended my saxophone practice session with Great is thy Faithfulness, as I always do, and it was then I began to feel the spirit tug on my shoulder. I knew this was the song I was supposed to play! Grandma Pat was such a woman of Faith and the words of this song, while not a typical funeral or memorial song, spoke to her Faith and her life. 

Thursday, May 28, 2015 

We are loaded up and ready to hit the road for the next 10 hours!

Both Chris and I took this day off to make the 10 hour trip up to Kansas to be with the family and attend the viewing/ wake and the funeral services. We left our house at 9AM for the long trip to Wichita, KS. Before leaving we had both of the kids go and get a "baby" (stuffed animal) to take with us on the trip. Luke originally brought down a massive Easter Bunny that Gigi Jackie gave him. Both Chris and I told him it was too big and to go and get a smaller one. He then brought down the smallest one he could find and it was a blue Gingerbread Man that was given to him by none other than Grandma Pat. This was a God thing and as emotional as that was I did not shed a tear. I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me.

After sending him to look for a smaller "baby" he came back with this gingerbread man from Grandma Pat! 

We made an extended stop at Buccee's in Madisonville. We usually stop here on our way to Dallas but rarely to we spend a large amount of money like we did this time. I swear we got "one of everything". This is where the coping= shopping trend began. We made it to Dallas in a record time and decided to eat at In-N-Out Burgers before meeting Mom and Allison at Allison's apartment in north Dallas to caravan with them.

No matter the roadtrip... Buc-cee's is a MUST!

We all loaded the cars and headed towards Oklahoma. We stopped for dinner in Guthrie, OK at a local Braums. Chris and I LOVE Braums and miss both their ice cream and their burgers. Even as we sat there and ate our burgers and fries I was reminded of Grandma Pat and Grandpa. They used to take us to the Braums in Derby EVERY TIME we came to town. We would go and get a double scoop of ice cream or a milkshake. Poor Luke did not want his fries and mom says "Look Luke, GiGi is eating HER fries". I think both Allison and I felt that one a little because Grandpa Pat always said "Look girls, Grandma is eating her broccoli (or whatever the veggie was we weren't eating). Again, I felt a small tug but no tears or grieving. We continued to Wichita and arrived around 9PM to my other grandma's house, Grandma Juanita. Here I saw my dad for the first time and tears began to fall and I was feeling the loss but once again, I then had to stop and go and take care of a kid who was screaming. 

We made our way back to Derby to the Hampton Inn where we would be staying and had a funny time of getting the kids to bed in the hotel. They have stayed at many hotels on vacations with GiGi and Poppy but not with us. Natalie immediately decided that the kids would be in one bed and the adults in the other, which was MORE THAN FINE with Chris and I. Both Natalie and Luke whispered and talked and giggled for about an hour before finally settling down. Luke would start singing "Jesus Loves Me" and Chris would tell him to be quiet only to remember that Luke sings himself to sleep. Eventually, around 11:45PM or so, we all fell asleep. 

Friday, May 29, 2015 

I did not sleep very well the previous night, as to be expected, but got up and went jogging anyway. It was a gorgeous 60* in Derby and I did 2 laps around the hotel to a 1.6 mile run. Unfortunately I had to stop because it was beginning to rain and I just didn't want to get soaked. Ironically, shortly after I got back, we all went into the indoor pool for about an hour. 

We went back over to Grandma Juanita's house around 10:30 and I told Allison, I was just not satisfied with my funeral attire that I packed and asked if she would go with me to pick out something new. Of course, she said yes and frankly almost everyone in my family needed something or another. Chris too did not sleep well and wanted to take a nap. Grandma Juanita came and showed Chris the spare bedroom in her house and turned down the bed, pulled the drapes and quite nearly tucked him in. Chris said "Wow, it has been a long time since anyone acted like a Grandma to me like that". Thank you Grandma Juanita, he needed this reminder! 

Allison and I then went back into Wichita to get all of our items we needed and do some coping shopping only to decide that we wanted to go and see Grandma and Grandpa's old house just one more time. We both knew we would not be back into town for quite some time so we ventured back south 12 miles to Derby. We made it down to the far south end of town to Pointer Lane where we saw the house Grandpa built with his 2 hands but it looked NOTHING like we remember. We shared a few memories and tears and then headed back to Grandma Juanita's house for the family lunch.

My grandfather designed and build this himself and Allison and I had SO MANY memories in this house! It looks TOTALLY different but the memories are the same! 

Afterwards we went back to the hotel to get ready for the family viewing or "wake". As we pulled up to the Funeral Home it hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn't want to face that grief. In fact, I told Chris "I don't want to go in" but like the AMAZING husband that he is and was during this time he opened the door for me and got me out and took me into the chapel where Grandma Pat's body was. Allison on one side and Chris on the other I made my way to her body and all of the grief I was missing all week hit me. I cried and cried and cried thinking about Grandma Pat and her life and legacy as well as the memories we shared. 

I had my moment with Allison and Chris viewing Grandma Pat and was amazed at how good she looked. We then went to the table of pictures where I saw a picture of Grandma Pat and Grandpa on their 50th Wedding Anniversary and it was at that moment that it all hit me. The lyrics "Reunited and it feels so good" came to me and I knew ALL WAS WELL! 

Natalie and Luke did EXTREMELY well at the viewing and both had moments of sorrow. Natalie said things such as "Did she die because of all of those boo-boos" (sores on her hands) or "Wow, she was pretty in that picture" and my favorite was Luke "Wow, that guy (Grandpa) looks like Poppy". Natalie, especially, went down to the casket multiple times and would say things like "I love you Grandma Pat" or "I miss you Grandma Pat" which made it hard for me but I knew those were the times I had to be the mom. One of the last times Natalie went down to view the casket she said "This is Grandma Pat but she is not here. She is in Heaven with Jesus. This is just her body". The last time I took Natalie up there she was very emotional and stared at the body for what felt like an eternity but NEVER CRIED! 

We ended the night with a family meal at one of Pat's favorites... Village Inn. That night when we got back to the hotel Luke and Natalie both were exhausted and fell asleep almost instantaneously. 

Saturday, May 30, 2015 

I woke up at 6AM and started to pack and get ready for the day. The memories started to creep in and I had to re-do and fix my make-up 2 separate times. The kids were very fussy and needy, especially Luke, and I could tell that the weekend was paying it's toll on them. We loaded up the car and headed to the church early so I could practice with my Aunt Connie who would be accompanying me on the piano. We were the 1st to arrive at Pleasantview Baptist Church, even before Grandma's body arrived. Luke was still having a bad morning so Chris went across the street to get him some food from Dillon's. 

Connie arrived and we went through Great is thy Faithfulness and it was perfect. She has played for me many times and it just gets better with each performance. I was feeling emotions but held it together. It is easy to cover up tears on the saxophone. Not so much while singing. I then started to practice Amazing Grace and that is when it all came rolling in. Every tear, every emotion, every memory. I just wailed and wailed down in the basement and choir room of that church. Then I got down on my knees and asked for The Lord to help me perform this song for Grandma Pat and for His Glory.

Taken from afar as my two kiddos say goodbye to Grandma Pat one more time!
This makes me cry every time I look at it!

I went back upstairs and saw more family members and even friends who drove all the way from Arp to be there for my mom and dad. Allison and I said one last goodbye to Grandma Pat before the closed the casket. As the time approached to line up with the family, Luke was still fussy and only wanted ME. Not daddy or even Poppy but ME! I had to hold him and carry him in as we walked in with the family. Throughout the entire 1st half of the funeral Luke was eating his Fruit Loops daddy got him from Dillon's and holding on to my hand as tight as he could. Of course he was also repeating things from the sermon and prayers like "Amen, Amen" but it did in fact distract me. I knew I had to hold it together during this service as if I didn't, I would not be able to sing Amazing Grace for Grandma! 

The time had come for me to sing and my childhood Youth Minister and my dad's ministry partner, Bro. Tommy, came up to accompany me and he said "Take your Time sister... take your time". That encouragement was all I needed. I was able to sing Amazing Grace for my Grandma without losing it and breaking down (of course I never looked at my family). The moment I stepped off stage I was bawling my eyes out and so were all of my family members, including my husband., Chris loved Grandma Pat and this hit home for him too. 

My dad preached a wonderful sermon and testimony of Grandma Pat's faith and life and here is where I got to be the grieving grand-child and not the professional musician. Afterwards as I hugged my only living Grandparent, Grandma Juanita, I knew the finality was happening. 

We made our way to the family car/ limo and went to the cemetery. Here we all got out and sat under the awning and wrapped up in blankets (it was 55* in MAY so none of us saw that coming nor were prepared) and as the seriousness of the moment began to sink in Luke shouts out "I have been to a baseball game with Poppy" and the whole crowd laughed. It lightened the mood enough for my Uncle Mike to request me to play "BOOMER SOONER" on my saxophone as that is what I did at my grandfather's graveside service back in November 2005.

Natalie got a rose from the casket centerpiece!

Natalie and Luke at cemetery!

We said our goodbyes and made our way back to the church for the family lunch before we made the trek back to the great state of Texas. In true Grandma Pat fashion the pot-luck dinner was one of the best I have had and she would have been so proud. She served on the "Care Committee" for years serving others in this situation so it seemed fitting to have a wonderful pot-luck meal in her honor.

We left Derby around 1PM and as we kept driving south the memories and smiles kept coming and coming. I think I spent the entire state of Oklahoma wiping up my tears and sharing stories with Chris and the kids. We made it home at 11:30PM that evening and as I was helping Luke get ready for bed and Chris was unloading the car, Natalie came into the hallway and was weeping with tears. I asked her what was wrong and she said "I miss Grandma Pat". She never shed a tear the entire weekend until that moment and there we were in the hallway both crying and weeping. I eventually put her to bed and then went o my own room to cry for a few more hours.

Before we even made it to Oklahoma he was out!

The Red River at the highest I have ever seen it! 

I'm always glad to be back in Texas but especially this weekend!
I just wanted it all to be over!
Home Sweet Home!

It was an emotional few days and 1300 miles but I am so glad that we made the trip AND that both of our kids came along with us. It may not have been the best for them and their routines but they needed this. I am so glad that my kids got to meet and know my grandma. She is truly a HERO of mine and I am glad Natalie and Luke can have memories of their own with her too. 

I love you Grandma Pat and I WILL see you again! 

God is good.. ALL THE TIME!

A Faith That Increases

Patricia L. Klingsick

July 10, 1929- May 25, 2015 

My Grandma Pat was always a role model for my sister and I growing up but it was not until her passing did I really understand what a true model of God she really was. As a young child I used to always see her as the prim and proper grandma who always presented not only herself but her family, children and overall household well. She never went out of the house without makeup on and her hair fixed. These two would follow her all the way to her passing as just days before she passed she got her "hair did" at the beauty salon inside her Senior Living Apartment Complex, Georgetown. As I continued to grow and mature I began to see that she was not all about hair and makeup. In fact, she was the true definition of a submissive and support wife and Godly mother. 

Her and my Grandpa were married for 51 years before he began walking the streets of gold in November 2005. During their 51 years of marriage she was always serving him and going above and beyond as Mrs. Klingsick. I remember Grandpa having his socks or shoes laying out in the living room and instead of asking him to pick them up or nagging him, she would just pick them up and put them away... without saying ANYTHING. As I ponder about this now (having been married for just shy of 10 years), I am truly inspired. In fact, as I was reliving these memories and explaining them to Chris and he immediately responds "Hey, if that is your definition of a perfect marriage, then sign me up. I will start to leave my stuff out all the time" (There he goes again, always making me laugh). 

Grandma Pat was always cooking for Grandpa and often times she did not even care for the dishes she cooked but he did so she would make them, serve them and eat them with a smile. She would then continued to serve after the meal was complete by cleaning, again not asking for helping or nagging him to help clean up. She would just do it, with a smile on her face and service in her heart. Of course, Grandpa was at the fore-front of the manual labor in the household as he was continuously repairing things, planting his garden and so much more.

She was always cautious about making decisions and would say "Let me ask Grand-Dad (as she called him)" before committing to anything or voicing any family opinions. She was extremely obedient of the book of Ephesians and was submissive to my grandfather their entire marriage. Their marriage worked so well and I never saw them get upset or even frustrated with each other. And even before I got married, and more so now, they were one of the examples I wanted to be like in my own marriage. 

Both her and Grandpa read their Bibles daily and had their quiet time before they did anything else. I can remember waking up and going into the kitchen to find Grandma Pat reading and praying at the kitchen table and then finding Grandpa sitting in his chair in the living room doing the same thing. "I'm hungry Grandma", I would say and she would respond "Just a minute dear, I am reading my Bible and praying". I am sure at the time I would roll my eyes like an attitude-filled teenager but now I tear up thinking about how strong her faith really was. When it did finally come time for breakfast, or any meal for that matter, when it was her time to pray, you knew EVERYONE was getting prayed for. She would literally list them all by name.. from her kids, to grand-kids, to the neighbors kids and grand-kids. Even the missionaries on the magnets on the refrigerator were prayed for daily. They all got prayed for EACH AND EVERY MORNING! 

Her and my Grandpa raised 4 red-headed honery boys and in this field too (Motherhood), she soared above all the rest. Her and my grandfather raised these boys very well and their legacy has been passed on to future generations through these 4 boys. She sang in the choir with Grandpa and she would tell you "I cannot sing, but I can make a joyful noise". She taught Sunday School for years and attended Pleasantview Baptist Church with Grandpa and her four boys. She was a dedicated member of the care committee as she was continuously serving others as an example for Christ. She would make food, especially pies, to take to families who had lost a loved one or were in the hospital. Even during my childhood days of visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Derby for just a few short days, I remember helping her make pies and cakes and then taking them to Pleasantview with Grandpa for a needing family.  My sister, Allison, and I remember visiting her as teenagers and finding her in the kitchen making pies and listening to old Country music on the radio. Just singing and cooking away. She was always serving, rather it be in the church or at the house.

She became a Believer of Christ later in life but from the day she accepted Christ her Faith just continued to grow and grow. She lived a full life with Grandpa, watched her 4 boys grow and start families on their own and in November 2005 my Grandpa joined the ranks in Heaven. Her faith was strong before but it was at that moment that she truly became mine and so many others' HERO. She became a widow on November 15, 2005 and from that day forward she grew stronger and stronger and her faith increased. On May 22, 2012 her 3rd oldest grandchild and military hero Jeffery Klingsick passed away unexpectedly yet her Faith continued to grow. She was perhaps one of the strongest people at that funeral and emotional family time... Her Faith Increased.  Then shortly after that her only remaining living brother, O.D., passed away in September 2012. Still during this time and at that memorial service she was strong and confident in her own faith and the faith of those whom had passed. Yet again, her faith increased! 

In late 2014 Grandma Pat began to get seriously ill with pneumonia and other issues but despite being in the hospital and even worse, the rehab unit, for multiple days, weeks and in some cases months, she continued to be strong and her faith increased. On Monday morning May 25, 2015 Grandma Pat woke up and took her medicine and ate a few bites of breakfast before telling her nurse that she wanted to go back to bed. She was at peace and it was at that moment at nearly 9AM she went to be with The Lord. As she traveled down the road of life, instead of her faith decreasing, it was constantly INcreasing.

Her Obituary  

Klingsick, Patricia L., 85, passed away Monday, May 25, 2015. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby. Funeral service 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Pleasantview Baptist Church, 1335 N. Buckner, Derby. Patricia was a devoted 58-year member of Pleasantview Baptist Church in Derby. She was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband Gareld Klingsick, her parents, two brothers, and grandson Jeffery Klingsick. Survived by sons Michael Klingsick, Wichita; Ronald (Shirley) Klingsick, Arp, Texas; Russell (Mandy) Klingsick, Derby; Rodney (Debbie) Klingsick, Garden City; grandchildren Kellie, Allison, Nicholas, Jenna, Angellica; great-grandchildren Natalie and Luke; and sister-in-law Claudine Harlow. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Go Fund (missions) and Super Summer Scholarships, both in care of Pleasantview Baptist Church. 

My dad was officiating a portion of her memorial service and during his sermon he mentioned how she had a Faith that was INcreasing and not DEcreasing. Then he said a phrase that really hit home for me and spoke a true testament of Grandma Pat's life and Faith, "When Jesus is all you have left, He is all you need". Jesus was all Grandma Pat needed that Monday morning, and as much as it hurts to recall these precious memories I have of her and my Grandpa, it brings me great joy to know that they are BOTH holding hands and smiling down on us right now from those pearly gates and streets of gold! 

I love you Grandma Pat and I thank you for being such a GREAT Godly role model for me to follow. I may not have realized it while you were still here with us but you are truly a HERO of mine. I am going to try and strive to be that servant and loving wife that you were. I want my Faith to INcrease with the trials and losses in my life. I have a long way to go and I will never live up to your name and your legacy but I want to certainly try! 

I love you Grandma Pat and I WILL see you soon! 

God is Good... All the time! 

The Greatest Experience a Parent Can Have... Part 2

The Natalie's Baptism
Sunday, December 7, 2014 

"This is the day.. This is the day that The Lord has made, that The Lord has made. We will rejoice... We will rejoice and BE GLAD IN IT". 

Today my little Natalie Grace got baptized by her Poppy at our home church, Mims Baptist Church, in Conroe. Practically the whole family made an appearance in Conroe for this very special event. Our pastor, Bro. Gene, graciously allowed my dad to come and baptize Natalie in our home church. This was so special because dad was able to do it yet Natalie was able to proclaim her new life in front of all of her and our friends. 

Allison and D'Ann both traveled in on Saturday night and we were able to have a great time of fellowship with them and Dan and Jackie before Sunday's festivities began. Mom and Dad drove in from Arp early Sunday morning and arrived at the church around 10am. It was then that we learned from Bro. Gene that the water heater had broken the night before and the water in the baptistery was about 65-70*. It will definitely be something both Natalie and the other people who were baptized will remember for a long time to come!

I went and got Natalie out of her Sunday School class early and took her to Bro. Gene's office where he explained the whole process to those awaiting baptism. It was at this time that Natalie began to get a little nervous. What kept her going was knowing that no matter how cold the water was or how nervous she became, her Poppy would still be taking care of her and doing it all with her. Once again, it was so special and I am so grateful to Bro. Gene AND my dad for allowing it to happen this way! 

After the orientation with Bro. Gene, Natalie and I made our way to the women's changing room to get in her gown for the baptism ceremony. Natalie was so excited and could not wait to get into her gown. We met with the female helpers and even had a word of prayer with some of the sweet ladies helping us out.

Getting ready in the "ladies room". 

She was so proud and ready to go. 

The baptism service began and Natalie was the last of 4 that morning. And just as usual Bernard, our pianist, was playing my song "Great is thy Faithfulness" as the service began. This was truly a GOD thing as this is not only my favorite song but a song that has been EVER present in my life and extremely special to me. 

Bro. Gene introduced and welcomed my dad to the church and the baptistery and Natalie began crawling into the COLD COLD water. Luckily there was a baptism helper who carried her over to Dad since she was not tall enough, or brave enough since the water was so cold, to walk. Natalie was so nervous but kept saying "I want Poppy". She arrived at Poppy's feet where he helped her get settled and then he began the whole process. This was one of the most amazing, special and precious moments in both mine and Natalie's lives. I will never forget my dad and his emotions and feeling as he baptized Natalie Grace. I also remember me standing in the cold, COLD water to get a good view with tears just rolling down my face. I began bawling like a baby as I witnessed my own dad baptize my child. Honestly, even my dad began to show emotion as he called her out by name and baptized her as his "sister". It was so very special. 

I will never forget my dad's emotion during this baptism.
It truly was a special and memorable moment.

Poor thing... the water was SO cold. 

She weighs so little that dad practically plunged her beneath the water.

Natalie was buried together with Him and raised to walk in NEWNESS of life. After that I helped her get dry and WARM and we headed back into the worship service. This too was special because I was able to sit alongside all of my family members, including my dad, in MY home church. While the sermon was good... It was no "Ron Klingsick" sermon... BUT I am biased! 

After the conclusion of the worship service we all headed over to one of the Klingsick and Davis family favorite restaurants, Spring Creek BBQ where we celebrated Natalie's new life. We all had a great time eating our favorite foods and we ended the lunch with a special "Birthday" cookie cake for Natalie. 

Gigi Jackie and Grandpa!

Poppy and Gigi Shirley.

Auntie Allie and Natalie Grace. 

When we got back home Gigi and Poppy gave Natalie a baptism gift of a very special Silver Cross necklace. This too was very special because it was her first real piece of jewelry and it symbolized her new life and baptism. 

Natalie opening her gift and special Baptism card from Gigi Shirley!

Natalie and her new Cross necklace. 

This day was incredibly special and one that I will not ever forget. In recent years I have sat through the baptism services at our church and teared up thinking about how "one day that will be MY child". That day came and went and was even more special than I could have imagined. Now I will sit and cry thinking about my NEXT child becoming one of HIS and how his baptism service will be just as special. 

Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for MINE and NATALIE's sins! 

God is good... ALL THE TIME!