Career Crisis... Great is thy Faithfulness

June 17, 2103
God will ALWAYS provide

Today, after 2 long weeks of interviews and phone calls (within the same district) and nearly 3 months of job searching and interviewing in general, I was offered and accepted a teaching position within one of the most prestigious and sought- after districts in the North Houston Metro... Willis ISD.

The very last day of school at Spring, June 3, I received a call for an Middle School Band Job interview the next day and that went VERY well. So well, in fact, that I went on vacation that week thinking that Band Job was in my back pocket. The following week, June 11, I had a 2nd interview for that job and it was there that I realized that as much as I longed for a band job, the reality was my family may not be ready for this type of FULL-TIME job!

Elementary Music is a very limited "outside of the work day" type of gig and most people who know me and anything about band, know that teaching BAND is NOT so easy. Band jobs require nearly as many hours OUTSIDE of the school day as are in the ACTUAL school day. In the midst of this career crisis, I got a phone call from an elementary in Willis ISD. In fact, this particular school had not even posted the music position on the main HR website yet and they had already scheduled me an interview. I went to this interview on June 13 and it went VERY well too. Going into the summer months, my goal was to get a band job but since realizing that may not be in God's plan, my 2nd choice was to teach elementary music in this AMAZING district.

As I sat at home pondering and praying about my career options and choices I kept feeling torn between what I wanted and what I felt God was telling me HE wanted. I had not been offered ANY job yet but was told by the Head Band Director of the district that they would be making a decision soon regarding a candidate which led me to believe I was the #1 choice. I kept thinking "I really don't want to have to TURN DOWN my dream job but... I don't think it is the best for my family RIGHT NOW!" I would cry myself to sleep each night just thinking about it. This was seriously, exactly what I was looking for in a Band Job and as I mentioned before IN AN AMAZING DISTRICT! I prayed and prayed and CRIED AND CRIED about it but still felt God telling me that the band job was NOT "the one" for me. Finally, the Head Band Director called me to tell me they had hired someone who had been teaching 34+ years and I was not going to get that band job. As much relief as I felt to NOT HAVE TO TURN DOWN MY DREAM JOB, I still felt awful in knowing I didn't get the job and I was not the #1 choice. The Band Director told me that "Our paths will cross, again... TRUST ME". Little did I know at that time that he had talked to this Elementary Principal about me and knew I was getting the Elementary Music teaching position.

The following morning, the Elementary principal called and offered me the Elementary Music Teaching Position. I prayed about it overnight and called the following morning and accepted the job.

While this was not my 1st choice this particular year (or at least I didn't THINK SO)... It was GOD'S 1st Choice and while I still may feel a little defeated for not getting that or any BAND JOB, I know that there is a reason why I didn't get the job or any band job for that matter. I have always prayed and it is a life philosophy of mine that GOD IS IN CONTROL and ALL things work together for GOOD for those who are called according to his purpose!

I feel really good about this year and I cannot wait to start this new adventure. I have already begun creating lessons and curriculum's to help these kiddos and I know God has put me in this particular school and teaching position for a reason and I cannot wait to Glorify HIM through my daily job!

Thank You, Lord for your continued blessings and let me be a witness and example to these kids!

Even through a Career Crisis,  GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!

Still not good enough

Friday, May 17, 2013

I feel defeated

 

For the past 4 years, I have steadily been looking for a job and I hate that feeling and want it to end. In 2010-2011, I was looking for a job in Texas, anywhere in Texas, to move Chris and I from Shawnee, OK. In 2010, I was offered a job in Midlothian, TX but declined the offer because we just felt Houston was a better choice over the DFW metro area for our family needs. In 2011, after Chris accepted his new teaching position at Aldine ISD, I spent over 2 months looking for a job teaching band or elementary music. I accepted my current position in late June and felt as if it was all part of God's plan, and ours too, as we wanted to continue our family's growth and have a 2nd child. In June 2012, Baby Luke graced us with his presence and while I was going to stay at my current position so I could have some maternity leave in the fall of 2012, I was still on the look-out for any possible band positions since I knew that is where I wanted to eventually get back in! Now here I sit in the spring of 2013 still searching, at this point frantically, for a band job! I have a "To-Do" list EVERY SINGLE DAY that I check countless school district  and other websites for postings. I feel like I cannot even relax or enjoy the fact that it is May and the end of the school year is near because I am anxious about finding and locating a BAND job.

 

I went on an interview last week for Huntsville ISD. This was an interview for 1 of 2 jobs at the intermediate school. The interview went really well except for 1 area when the Head Band Director asked me what I knew about Huntsville and Sam Houston Music Department. I did not attend or graduate from Sam Houston so honestly I did not know very much about the university or its music department. It seemed as if several of the directors, presidents and other higher up people at Sam Houston had kids who were part of the band program at Huntsville so they wanted someone who was familiar with Sam Houston and its Fine Arts department. Despite having a MASTERS and 8 years of teaching experience, they went with 2 people straight out of college from Sam Houston.

Honestly, this is where my frustration and depression started. I feel like all the hard work I put into getting a Masters degree in 2009 is a "moo" point and not even appreciated. I feel like since I have not taught band in Texas and am not in band currently, many people are overlooking me and finding others who have that experience in Texas or are young enough that Head Directors can "MOLD" into their own liking. I get that feeling like "I am still not good enough"! What else can I do to get these jobs?

All of that frustration happened in mid-May and then last week I saw on Facebook that a friend/ colleague of mine from OU had been offered and accepted the Director of Bands Position at a major university in Oklahoma. This friend and I spent all of our undergraduate days together in Catlett and were pretty competitive with each other by nature. We even taught in the same region in Oklahoma and were colleagues for 5 years. He quit teaching and started working on his Masters in PERFORMANCE about 3 years ago. He had always wanted to perform and teach horn lessons and not so much band. We always joked that I could be the band director and he would teach applied lessons. While I did not know this Director of Bands Position was open and did not apply, as I saw the post and update on Facebook I immediately felt joy and happiness for him but selfishly I was jealous and frustrated. He never wanted the "Head College Band Director" gig I like did. I have always had a dream of doing this and there was my dream job just miles away from my home and I was not there to apply or even know about it!

I have always dreamed of being a "Big-Time" band director, teaching high school or college and here I sit just longing to teach ANY type of band. I feel so anxious and am yearning to be on the podium once more. I know I just have to relax and trust God to open the right door. But that is easier said than done!

 

I realize it is only May and several weeks remain in the prime time job hunt but I am feeling defeated and as if I will not be able to locate a band job. I have my name in several different schools and programs in the North Houston metro area but have yet to hear anything from any of them. Some of them have implied they may not interview until school in out (Second week of June) but I am getting restless.

 

I really REALLY want to teach band again and I feel as if that is where God has called me to be and teach. I am anxiously waiting for Him to open and close doors but once again, I am failing at the PATIENCE game. As my dad ALWAYS says, "This is a FAITH issue. Trust Him and He will do the rest". I do currently have a job and even though I am not satisfied with it and have basically become burnt out of teaching because of it, I do have a job so that is a good thing.

 

Please continue to pray for me as I strive to find a band teaching job. I pray that God will open my eyes to His plan and help me and guide me in the way HE wants me to go. I covet your prayers!

 

Even in a time of waiting...

GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!

Beach Day- May 2013

Saturday, May 25, 2013
First Family of Four Trip to the Beach
Stewart's Beach- Galveston Island, TX

What a wonderful and beautiful day to visit the beach. It was a nice 88* and the overcast and breeze made it a very pleasant experience. My Cousin, Curtis, and his family were visiting my mom and dad in Tyler and decided since they had never been to the beach before, they would travel down to Galveston on Saturday. Since they were practically driving right by our house and we only live less than 1.5 hours from the beach, we decided to trek on down there and enjoy the day with them.

It was so good to see Curtis and his family. I don't think I have seen them since October of 2010 at my grandmother's wedding. And before then it would have been my own wedding in March of 2006. It is hard to believe how big his kids have gotten. I realized that his kids were teenagers by pure mathematics but seeing them live and in person made me realize how old I was getting. I swear Tristan was just Natalie's age and Emilee was just a baby! That is how I remember them... WOW! They are not that small anymore. Tristan, and Emilee for that matter, were both taller than me and Tristan was creeping up on Chris and Curtis' heights! They both were so smart and bright and it was good to get to know them as teenagers. Shelly, Curtis' wife, was also a pleasure to talk to and I miss being able to talk to her on a frequent basis. Curtis and I were the oldest of all the grandchild on my mom's side and we kinda always had a special bond because of this! I miss seeing and talking to him too!

Daddy and Luke at the beach

While at the beach, Natalie and Luke once again showed how different they really are. Chris and I predicted that since Luke was so active and mobile he would LOVE the water and the waves. We took Natalie to Galveston for the first time when she was this age and she went CRAZY! She could not walk by herself yet but she LOVED the waves and water and we practically had to pry her away!


Luke... was not like that at all. When we first arrived he was enjoying the sand but as soon as we took him out to the water, he hated it! I think he was scared and not sure what was going on. He likes the water in the bath at our house but at Gigi Shirley's house and anywhere else he hates bath. Still Chris and I figured he would love the beach and I even imagined me having to chase him down the beach. Instead he was a little frightened by the water, but he did love the sand. Once we fed him and got him all sunscreen-ed up, he was ready to go. He did however like to eat the sand toys. He had one shovel in particular that he seemed to want to always have in his hands and mouth.

Luke eating the sand toys!

 

Luke LOVED playing the sand!

 

Luke trying to help Tristan build a sand castle

 

While we all stopped to eat lunch, Luke decided he would have a ham SANDwich! He took his ham and shoved it in his mouth like usual but when it hit the ground, that was ok to him, he just picked it up and continued to eat it! This drove me crazy but the more I tried to keep everything nice and clean, the more things went wrong and he would just continue to cry and whine. Chris said to just "let him be a boy" and as soon as I did this, all was well. He ventured over to our snack bag and got out the Oreos and starting running down the beach as if he knew he had stole them. I opened them and gave him one and that too was almost immediately covered in sand! None the less, he LOVED it!

Luke eating the Oreo he tried so hard to get

He started digging in the sand with Tristan and Poppy and loved tearing up sandcastles after Natalie put them together!

Poppy and his grandkids playing in the sand

 

Luke playing in the sand!

Natalie on the other hand had the TIME OF HER LIFE! She loved playing the sand more than usual and was able to fill the sand buckets and actually create a sandcastle. She also learned from Cousin Curtis that she could be buried in the sand. And of course, against all of mommy's wishes, she asked Daddy and Gigi Shirley to bury her in the sand at the end of the trip! Her and Gig had so much fun out in the ocean chasing the waves and screaming at them as they came in. I remember the one and only time I went out into the ocean with Chris. I kept hearing her scream and I wanted to go and check on her but this was a fun scream. She absolutely LOVED it! In fact, on our way out she said "Mommy, I want to come back for my birthday!" She loves the beach and will forever be my BEACH BABY!

Natalie and Gigi Shirley in the ocean

 

Natalie playing in the sand and building sandcastles

 

Daddy and Gigi Shirley burying Natalie in the sand

 

Mission Complete! Natalie is buried in the sand!

 

 

 

Chris and I too had fun but despite me being a crazy anal mom about putting sunscreen on my kids, I failed to put enough on myself. I used a small amount from the last of 1 tube of sunscreen on my left shoulder and back but failed to go and get the new tube and re-apply to my right side and even apply a 2nd coat. After about 3 hours, I could feel the heat coming from the top half of my body! At this point, it was too late! The DAMAGE was done! I am a LOBSTER on my shoulders and top of my back! Even though I stayed under the umbrella 60% of the time, I am still feeling the burn. I think it is going to be a long road to recovery! NOT FUN!

I think for future trips to the beach we will invest in a large "Tail-gating" canopy and camping chairs. This will give us plenty of sun coverage as well as seating for numerous people. We spent $60 on rentals for 4 chairs and 2 beach umbrellas but the cost of the canopy and other minor supplies would balance that out and pay for itself within 1 trip! I think with the BEACH BABY in Natalie and the SAND GNAT in Luke, we will need to make these investments!

We had a great time with Family and hope to be able to come back soon!

 

 

GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!

My Growing Boy: Month 10

Friday, April 12, 2013

 

It is hard to believe that in 2 short months I will have a 1 YEAR old! It seems as if only yesterday I was holding my tiny little baby boy for the first time. God has blessed me so much these past 10 months and I cannot wait to see how He will continue to bless my family and I the following 10 years and then some!

 

As always, Mr. Luke has been on the move and in to trouble this past month! That is just going to be his personality, I'm sure! This month he took his first steps on his own and has been crawling to the stairs to try to climb up! He loves crawling over there and then screaming until you come and see what's going on then smiling and grinning with excitement like "Haha... look mom, I made you look!" He is such a little stinker!

 

Feeding
This particular month, more than previous months, he has looked more at the food we and especially Natalie are eating and crying til we give him some. He loves our crackers and breads. I just recently tried to give him deli meat and tiny bites of hot dogs! He loved both of those and would just grin and grin eating "Big People" food! Either way, he is still eating us out of house and home. I have to send 2+ containers of baby food to school each day and in the evenings he will eat 3 containers of food at dinner and then a LARGE bowl of rice cereal before we put him to bed! I have to wonder if he is still only in the 30% for weight! I am sure he has gained some ground there because he is eating and eating and EATING!

 

Sleeping

He still LOVES his swing to sleep in and we have been having a hard time trying to get him to nap in his crib! He is improving nightly with sleeping in his crib during the night but he doesn't want ANYTHING to do with it during the day! In fact, the past week I have been able to put him down while he is still awake or half-asleep and he will cry maybe 10 seconds and then go to sleep on his own. This is the exact OPPOSITE of what Natalie used to do. Haha... we had to Ferberize her! I am hoping he wont force us to do that with him! He still naps 2-3 times a day but again, they are in the swing. I am hoping between us and MDO we can get him to start sleeping in his crib for all his naps!

 

Playtime
Since he has taken steps on his own now, he wants more and more to follow Natalie and chase her around. He loves her SO much and wants to be with her ALL THE TIME! Natalie will be doing a puzzle with Chris or I and Luke will come over and just destroy it. Natalie of course then cries and Luke just looks at her and laughs... But then he starts to cry too! Chris and I each take a child and within minutes they are ok but it is amazing how much Luke wants to be with and be LIKE Natalie! I cannot wait to see what this sibling relationship will be like when they are bigger!

 

I am so very blessed and I thank God for His blessings each and every day! I have always dreamed of having a little boy and girl but NEVER in my wildest dreams did I expect these perfect angels! I am so very lucky! Two months from now we will be celebrating Luke's first year of life and looking back at how far he has come in the past year! I think we need to slow down a little bit PLEASE!

 

God is good... ALL THE TIME!

Mother's Day 2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day 2013

 

 

Today marks my 4th Mother's Day and once again, I am reminded of how blessed I really am. This morning Baby Luke was dedicated at Mims Baptist Church and this was a very special in my family's lives. It brings me back to 5+ years ago when I sat in church nearly in tears longing for a baby! In fact, Bro. Gene preached from a passage that became the backbone of my prayer life in 2008!

 

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth was proving to be more and more true of Chris and I (Except for the old age... we were still "young" but seemed to be getting old with each passing cycle and no baby) and we would read and review this passage numerous times daily as a reminder of God's continued faith! This story is found in Luke 1:

 

⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. ⁷ But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

 

¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

 

I kept thinking "Lord, you provided these two Godly people with a child. Why cant you provide me with a  child?" Selfishly, I was thinking about me and my happiness and as most people, even the best of Christians do this, I was also thinking about MY TIME and not God's Time!

 

The time had passed and it had been over a year since Chris and I started "trying". I remember this day like it was yesterday. I had become more and more discouraged as each month came and went and no pregnancy. It was early October on a Sunday morning and I had just completed playing the church orchestra. Bro. Todd Fisher was preaching a sermon on "The right way to pray" and as a preacher's kid, I naturally thought "yeah, I have heard this one before" and started to drift away during his sermon. God immediately pulled me into this sermon with an illustration by Bro. Todd. My hardened heart was being molded in the next to last row of the auditorium and tears began to fall from my cheeks as he continued to preach. I remember Chris just reaching over and holding my hand and putting his arm around me not even knowing why I was crying. Bro. Todd continued the sermon and each word that came out of his mouth seemed as if he was speaking directly to ME!  I remember bowing on my knees there in my pew during the invitation and I could literally hear God's small voice tell me "Kellie, keep the faith! I will take care of you." He never told me I would have a child but He told me to "Keep the Faith". These words really spoke to me and I left that worship service completely changed.

 

Another month's cycle came and went and still no pregnancy but this time I was not as depressed as usual and I continued with my daily and weekly routine with no emotional issue. I kept replaying God's small voice words in my head and this helped me get through the day! Chris and I continued to pray numerous times daily and I continued to read the passage above and know that He would take care of me! In November of 2008, we found out that after 15 months of "trying to conceive" we were pregnant with Natalie Grace.

Natalie Grace Davis- August 25, 2009
One of the GREATEST days of my life...

 

I sat in the service yesterday, May 12, 2013 and cried as Bro. Gene read from this passage and spoke of being a "Good Ol' Fashioned Mom". I remember wanting a child so badly those 4-5 years ago and here I sit on my 4th Mother's Day having just dedicate my SON to The Lord for a good Christian upbringing! That Sunday morning in October of 2008 as I sat there and heard the voice of The Lord speak to me "I will take care of you", I never imagined this beautiful life as a mother and I am eternally grateful to Him for allowing me to be Natalie Grace and David Luke's Mom!

David Luke Davis- June 12, 2012
A moment I had waited for SO LONG!

 

I have now dedicated both of my children to The Lord and I have made a commitment to be the best Christian Mother I can be! I will continue to need help and guidance from The Lord to help me be the best I can be but I know He will Take Care of Me!

 



 

 

Thank you Lord, for your continued blessings! This has been the best Mother's Day yet!

 

I LOVE YOU NATALIE AND LUKE!

 

 

God is Good... ALL THE TIME!

Top Ten Things I Learned From Traveling with Little Kids

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

This past weekend Chris, the kids and I met up with some Oklahoma friends in San Antonio for their Spring Break. This was only the 2nd family vacation we have taken and the 1st trip to have taken with Luke. Approximately 2 years ago after moving to Texas in June of 2011, Chris and I decided to try to take a "Family Vacation" to San Antonio with Natalie. This was a complete and utter diaster. She was not even 2 years old yet and she was OUT OF CONTROL! She had a temp-tantrum in the San Antonio Zoo that was just epic! She also didn't do well with the typical tourist attractions in San Antonio like the Alamo and the Riverwalk.

Despite that vacation record, we decided Natalie had grown up a lot and we REALLY wanted to see our friends. This quick- QUICK 48 hour trip turned out to be AMAZING and a blast. I am so glad we decided to go ahead and meet our friends.

I did learn a few things though:

10. When having to use baby food... Jar Food is better.
The 1st evening and day we were using the plastic containers that come in 2-packs. Then after an entire container spilt all over the back seat and diaper bag, we went to Wal-Mart and decided to get the jars that had screw-on lids! I swear this was just pure genius!

9. Don't forget the DIRTY CLOTHES bag!
Haha... So we already had a TON of stuff with a baby and two kids but after the 2nd night we realized we didn't have a large bag for all the dirty clothes. With Luke contributing several dirty clothes from blowouts, it would have been nice to have a plastic bag for those and some way to keep those nasty clothes from our remaining clean clothes.

8. Don't detail your car until after the trip!
This is a "DUH" thing I know but I spent a lot of time the previous week leading up to the trip cleaning out my car and getting it ready for our trip. I vacuumed and Armoral-ed all over the place and even went to the car wash to get it detailed further. We had not even reached San Antonio before there were cracker and chip crumbs everywhere and a container of baby food had stained my seats! I think next time I will just tidy it up and leave the real cleaning and detailing til AFTER the trip!

7. Sometimes McDonald's just isn't worth it!
Having traveled with my family my entire life, I was brought up to eat snacks in the car and way back in the day my family would not even stop to eat fast food. Instead, we would buy bread and peanut butter and jelly supplies and make sandwiches on the road. I use to hate this because I wanted to eat out, especially McDonald's for breakfast! However, it was on this trip that I discovered (Well... I should say I was REMINDED) that McDonald's is just terrible and should be avoided at all costs! We stayed at a hotel that did not have breakfast so both mornings we had to stop and get breakfast for all of us. We ate at Sonic on the first day but on the second day on our way to the Safari, we saw a McDonald's and decided to stop and get breakfast. WHAT A MISTAKE! The service was AWFUL and the food wasn't any better. I guess my Dad WAS right... NEVER EAT AT MCDONALDS! Thanks dad! I will remember next time!

6. A Hotel is just a place to sleep.
Our friends from Oklahoma had originally asked us to stay with them on the River walk at a very extravagant hotel and was pretty pricey per night. Having not stayed with Luke in a hotel situation I was very hesitant to pay that kind of money to stay with a newborn. I remember Natalie as a young child in a hotel room and I wanted to PULL OUT MY HAIR! We decided to stay at a Red Roof Inn close to the airport. My dad also taught me that if you are going to stay in a cheaper hotel, at least stay near the airport because those hotels are usually nicer! I looked and looked and looked and finally found one that was recently remodeled and still under $100 a night! Again, I didn't know what to expect. It turned out that this was a hotel that worked well for our family! I do think next time we stay in San Antonio we will stay closer to all the amenities, however! It did NOT have breakfast so that too became and added expense and hassle! But overall, it worked for the reason we needed it... TO SLEEP!

5. In Texas... Vacations are ALWAYS better when it is not as hot!
Nearly 2 years ago, Chris and I took Natalie to San Antonio in late July and that was just a nightmare. She is naturally hot natured (Just like her Mama and Poppy) but this was just ridiculous! She was sweating and getting so hot she would need to be held all the time! We tried to go on a river boat tour on the Riverwalk and she just screamed and screamed and screamed! That was in July... This time around, in March, she and all 4 of the kids were just fine! It was very pleasant at only 80* most of the time! We did the Kiddie Park and it too was very nice and pleasant! I don't think I will do San Antonio in July again! Whew... it was too hot!

4. Don't Let Mommy (Kellie) feed the Zebras
So on Sunday before we headed home to Houston, we stopped in New Braunsfel at a Drive-Thru Safari. We figured Natalie would just love it! SHE DID! We reached a point in the Safari of feeding the Zebras and a sign said "Don't let the Zebras eat from your hand... THEY WILL BITE". I immediately got a little nervous since we had been holding our hand out the entire tour until then. Chris had Natalie in his lap first and he continued to hold his hand out for the animals to eat from. Sure enough, a Zebra bit him! This scared me so when the zebras came to me I still placed my hand out the window to allow them to eat from my hand but I was nervous! One Zebra came and ate and did not bite but I only had a handful in my hand. The rest was still in the bag in my lap! Like any other animal of the wild, he smelt the rest of the food in my lap and reached his head into our car and took the entire bag. I think I had a "My life just flashed before my eyes" type of moment. Natalie started immediately crying and said "The Zebra took all the rest of our food". Poor Natalie was so upset. Luckily, we had 2 more bags of food for the rest of the Safari. I get freaked out by big animals and obviously I should NOT feed Zebras!

3. Having an older child around to help is AMAZING!
Natalie Grace was so AWESOME on this trip! Seriously, looking back on our previous trip to San Antonio when Natalie was 22 months old was so depressing going into this trip! On that trip Natalie was very needy and cling-y and was constantly fussy! Now as mentioned above, it was 110+* in San Antonio and this was our first trip as a family (As parents!) but I was very nervous going into this trip remembering that trip. It turns out that taking a baby or a toddler on vacation BY YOURSELF is HARD but when a young child is available to help AND ENTERTAIN the baby... it is pretty easy and FUN! Natalie Grace was a life-saver at some moments on the trip! She would go and help entertain Luke while we paid for a food bill. She would also help keep him entertained and HAPPY on the car trip! She was able to ride in the stroller or walk along side us! She even helped out with our friends' 2 year old and baby! Thank you Natalie Grace! This makes me want to do it AGAIN!

2. I need a BIGGER car!
Our poor Small SUV was loaded to the ground with all the stuff you need for a baby and a toddler. Chris and I had to practically share a suitcase just to have room for all the gear and equipment needed for a family of two small children. Plus we needed snacks and  a cooler for the car. It felt as if we were actually moving to San Antonio at some points of the trip! I know Chris likes NOT HAVING a car payment but I am thinking that if we are going to take anymore family vacations, WE NEED A BIGGER 3rd row SUV!

1. A Family Vacation is ABOUT THE KIDS!
I think one of the things we did wrong on the 1st trip in 2011 was trying to meet the needs of Chris and I... Not of Natalie. This time we realized that this "Family" vacation was about our kids! For example, as soon as we got to the hotel and got our stuff unloaded Natalie was so Excited! SHE WENT CRAZY! She started chasing Luke around and just having fun! The OCD person in me kept wanting to get the suitcases unloaded and other stuff ready for the next day and get on to her and tell her to settle down. Instead I was just let her run around and get her energy out! She wanted to have fun and she has stayed in hotels with Gigi Shirley and Poppy numerous times so she was just having fun! Luke loved it and was belly-laughing frequently. Both nights were like this and it was fun! We also planned our activities to meet the kids needs! We ate pizza instead of a nice sit-down Mexican restaurant. We went to the Kiddie Park and Safari instead of spending tons of time at the Riverwalk! This allowed it to be a memorable experience for Natalie! Despite this being "ABOUT THE KIDS" I still had a ton of fun! I think it was because I got rid of my "All Serious, All the Time" attitude and started to act like a kid! Thanks Chris for helping me get into this "MODE"!

Our mini-vacation to San Antonio was really fun and I hope to be able to meet up with our friends from Oklahoma ANNUALLY to see each other and watch our kids grow! We really miss y'all and are so glad we got together!

God is good... ALL the time!

Beginning to Feel the BURN

Thursday, April 25, 2013

 

When we think of how our life, career and dreams will pan out, we often think of all the wonderful things that will happen to us and never really think of the reality. This is probably why there are millions of people in the world suffering from depression (One of the many reasons, I'm sure!). But then again, who really wants to think of the bad things or "REAL" things that might happen.

 

I have been performing music since I was 5 years old. I have always had a knack and talent for music and I knew at a VERY early age that music was going to be a big part of my life. In fact, I figured out when I was only a freshman in high school that I wanted to be a teacher, a band director specifically.

 

I was VERY ACTIVE in sports, clubs and pretty much everything in Junior High and High School but through all the things I did, I never received the personal attention and care that I needed and DESERVED until I was in band. I was part of the volleyball, basketball and many other sports teams where I was just part of the team but the coach or sponsor never really focused on me. When I was in band as a 6th through 8th grader just learning how to play the saxophone my band directors would stay late into the afternoon to help me and some of my peers. They would help use learn songs we were playing in band class as well as help us prepare for other solo performing opportunities. Often times when my dad would come and pick me up from the band hall, all of the other teachers were long gone and sometimes even the principals and administration would be gone as well. My band teachers really took the time to help their students. I learned as a freshman in high school as my Volleyball coach left in her convertible before my dad even picked me up from a 4:30 practice that I wanted to take the time to help students just like my band director did. He had touched my life and made me feel like somebody important, just by being there for me and taking the time to HELP me. I knew right then and there that I was supposed to do that too.

 

From that day forward, I have had the blinders on and been on what I thought would be a path towards greatness in a career of Music Education. I went to OU in Norman, OK and was so determined to "get out there" and teach band that I took a 140+ credit hour degree that is usually completed in 5+ years and gradated in 4 years. In fact I was one of only a handful of OU Music Ed graduates EVER to do so. I just wanted to teach SO BAD!

 

I graduated from OU in May of 2005 and in June I was offered a job teaching at "Smalltown" , OK (Name to remain secret...). I would be teaching K-12 Music and Band. I was THE music department. It was a very small class C school in Eastern Oklahoma with an entire school enrollment of only 400. I taught elementary music, beginning band, intermediate band, marching band and even Jazz Band. But even after just 1 year, I was wanting more from my career and wanted to get closer to my home of Norman, OK. I got married in the spring of 2006 and in June 2006 I was offered a new job at a small school in a suburb of OKC.

 

I stayed at that job for 5 years and while there I had many emotions about the position itself as well as my career. There were days where I was elated with excitement about teaching elementary music and middle school band there and then there were days where, once again, I was left with a  desire with wanting more with my Music Education career. After my 4th year of teaching there, I tried to look for a job teaching High School Band so I could get that much needed experience of Marching Band. In 2008-2009, I decided to go ahead and start my graduate degree and attained a Master's of Music in 2009. At this time I still wanted to one day be able to teach at the collegiate level and get a PhD in Music or Music Education.

 

In 2009 I was blessed with our beautiful daughter Natalie Grace and my momentum took a slight turn as my heart was more with Natalie than with my career. But even with my blinders taken off for a short amount of time while she was a baby, I still desired to do more with my career. In 2009, Chris was laid-off from his business job and we began down a long road to where we are today. I continued to teach at that small school in the OKC suburbs during 2009-2011 and those turned out to be the best years of my career. I was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for my school and even "Teacher of Today" for my county! Even though I was not at a large high school teaching Marching Band like I wanted I was still make an impact on the students lives at my school and I was still doing what I LOVE... Teaching BAND!

 

In 2010, Chris changed careers and he too got into education. I think he has a gift for teaching and he does really well with kids. Within a few months of searching for a job in Math, Chris was offered a job teaching HS Algebra at a LARGE district in the Houston metro area. And just like that my "perfect" little job of teaching band had disappeared. I had wanted all my life to come back to Texas and teach band and now, even though I was FINALLY content were I was in MY CAREER, I would  get the chance to do so.

 

In the summer of 2011 I was on a mad hunt for a band job in the Houston Metro area. I went on several interviews and some of them were very promising. Some were going to be a haul of a commute (1.5+ hours each way) but I would be teaching band. In late June I decided that I was more "marketable" in Elementary Music since I didn't have that much needed Marching Band experience. Within days of applying for Elementary Music positions, I was offered 5 different interviews and 3 jobs. My current job was offered to me only 3 hours after the interview. Clearly, I was correct in making myself marketable in Elementary Music. Luckily, I took the job I am currently at and I have LEARNED a lot!

 

However, my heart is still with band and I really, REALLY want to get back into the performance side of Music Education. I have taught Elementary music at EACH AND EVERY one of my jobs and positions over the past 8 years but my heart has still been with band. During the previous 2 years, I have discovered that I still long to be in the band directors chair. That is where my PASSION is.

 

I have been job hunting for the past 4 years in a row... each year looking for band jobs. I know and realize that the band jobs usually don't come open until late in the game (Late April until June) but as I sit here and reflect my current state of emotions I feel defeated as I only see 2 band jobs posted and they are already full. Even with a Master's degree, I have been over-looked in these positions. I am so discouraged with my current position and depressed that I have even looked at other Elementary Music positions and of the 4 I have seen available I have been over-looked there too.

 

I realize it is VERY early in the Job-Hunting game but I feel as if I am in a deep hole that I may not be able to climb out of. My hopes and dreams of teaching collegiate band have LONG vanished and I have settled in the head and dreams for just teaching HS band and now I am so discouraged and depressed, I just want to teach BAND... I don't care what level, I just want BAND!

 

As a Music Education student (Heck, even a regular Education student) they would warn us about the dreaded "Burn-Out". They would say "The first 5 years are always the hardest and once you get past those you should be fine". I am currently in my 8th year of teaching and for the first time EVER I am beginning to feel the BURN. I LOVE music and I LOVE kids and I want to be able to combine the two but somewhere along the way (In the past 2 years especially)... my passion has diminished. For example, I am currently taking 15 minutes out of my designated 45 to teach math or reading on a daily basis! My personal Music Ed philosophy is based around performance and I believe students learn best by doing. I am just NOT getting that from my current position. I could go into much greater detail about my current frustrations but that is not necessary to understand my frustrations and sadness to the whole situation.

 

I went on an interview last week and the results did not turn out how I had hoped or even imagined but I know everything happens for a reason. As always, I know God is trying to teach me something from this happening in my life, unfortunately, I just don't know what He is trying to teach me.

 

As a 16-17 year old I dreamed of a life with a big happy family (That part came true... I love you Chris, Natalie and Luke) and myself being a band director and living the "Good Life". Over the past 8 years that dream has drifted further and further away and I feel as if right now that dream has almost vanished. I have such mixed feelings and emotions about the whole situation and I currently don't even know how or what to feel. I covet your prayers...

 

 

Even in the midst of this trial...

 

GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!

7-7-7 years (and counting)

Monday, March 11, 2013

7 years I ago I bet on Chris and it has paid off BIG-TIME!

 

Today is Chris and my 7 year Wedding Anniversary! It is hard to believe that we have been married for 7 years! There are days where it seems like only yesterday! Then again, there are days I have a hard time remembering what it was like to NOT have kids! I have been blessed so much by Chris and I thank God for him each and EVERY single day! I do not deserve him and I he is such a gift from God. Thank you, Lord for my honey!

 

We decided this year we would go for an Anniversary trip. We originally wanted to go to Las Vegas but trying to find and nail down a babysitter for our two kiddos and then that match up with the traveling days available for REASONABLE travel prices were nearly impossible. We looked at other destinations but I kept thinking about how young my kids were and I just wanted to be near by. We were able to get my brother-in-law, John, and sister-in-law, Leeanna to keep our kids for 2 nights while we escaped across the State Line to Lake Charles, LA. This allowed us to visit L'auberge du lac Casino and Resort. This was AMAZING and such a rejuvenation from our busy teacher schedules followed by parent schedules. We were able to get away and just relax.

 

L'auberge du lac- Lake Charles, LA

 

 

L'aubrege is ABSOLUTELY amazing and I reccommend it for anyone looking for a nearby get-away and relaxation destination. We started off the trip by eating at the small cafe within the Casino called Cafe L'auberge. They were having an "All-you-can-Eat" Prime Rib special so we opted for that. I am not really a Red-meat eater... well I wasn't 7 years ago. That, along with many other things, I have changed since March 11, 2006. I even ordered this special and I completely finished one portion and tried to eat a 2nd! We gambled a little this night too and Chris was actually up after that night was finished. I on the other hand was in the RED! We did however, each win a free Buffet Coupon good for Monday.

 

On Monday, we slept late and then went out to get a few things like a bathing suit for me so we could relax at the pool. The temperatures were in the high 60s so we thought we would try to get in the pool or at least the hot-tub! We ate lunch at Jack Daniels Bar and Grill and we each had a burger (A VERY LARGE burger). I got the full-loaded Man's burger which had all types of fixins and even an onion ring it it! It was might tasty! After lunch we hit the hot-tub and pool area and stayed there (drink in hand) for a while. We finally came in around 5 pm to get ready for another evening of eating and entertainment.

 

My Burger... IT WAS HUGE!

 

The pool and Hot tub area... there was even a "Lazy River" area! So cool!

 

 

 

After cleaning up from the pool I wen to shop at all the small shops within the concourse of L'auberge. These shops were so cool but EXPENSIVE! I knew I would have to win BIG on the casino floor to even be able to buy something small from one of the stores. I saw a purse that looked just like some of the "Bedazzled" purses from Sam Moon with a Cross on it that was listed at $1450! REALLY?

 

After window shopping, I met up with Chris to got to the buffet for the Craw fish boil. This was really cool because I have eaten Craw fish before but not at a boil/ buffet type of setting. I learned really quickly that I REALLY like to eat Craw fish BUT I don't like all the work that is involved in getting to that small bite of meat. I also learned that these CAJUNS really go after getting to that piece of meat. There were people on each side of our table that were sucking out the heads and beating the body of the fish on their table. It was quite an ordeal! I had several Craw fish but then I headed to sample the many different desserts! These were really good and worth the time I spent cracking the Craw fish.

 

My buffet of DESSERTS! These were YUMMY!
(Notice the Craw fish Chris threw on my plate!)

 

 

After dinner we hit the Blackjack table again and Chris played for several hours... I just watched. I was not seeming to be able to win at anything so instead of making the typical gambler mistake of continuing to lose money... I QUIT. This is where I believe gambling is OK if and when you know when to walk away! I seriously did not play anymore the rest of the day/ night. Chris on the other hand won big and despite my terrible losses ($380), he was able to bring us out of the RED hole and into a winning amount. Thanks honey!

 

The key is KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY!

 

ON Tuesday, we got up and checked out of the hotel and then went over to Isle of Capri to see what it was like. It was definitely a LOCAL casino. You could tell the clientele was different and less-class than that of L'auberge. But oddly enough that is where I came up out of my RED hole. I won $275 at Isle of Capri. I don't know what it is but I seem to do better at the "trashy" casinos than at the fancy ones. While we were in Vegas, I lost big at Bellagio, Cesear's and Mandalay Bay but WON lots as Harrah's and Boulder Station! Same thing while living in Shawnee and Oklahoma. I would win tons at Thunder Bird but then lose it all at River wind in Norman! I guess I belong with the Cajuns and locals when it comes to casinos!

 

We stopped around noon and headed towards Houston to go home to our babies! We stopped in Beaumont to eat lunch and then it was a race to get to hold and love on our kids! We got home around 430 where John, Leeanna, Jackie and our kids met us at the door (I don't know if this was a sign of tired-ness or excitement or both). We had an AMAZING trip and I would like to make L'auberge an ANNUAL thing! It was amazing!

 

A big thanks go out to John, Leeanna, Jackie and Dan for helping watch and take care of our kids to make this trip possible! We literally could not have done this without y'all! We love and thank y'all!

 

I am so lucky to have Chris in my life and as not only my husband but also my best friend! Words cannot describe my love and affection for him! I love you Chris and I cannot wait to spend 7 (no wait... 77! Inside joke! :) ) years with you!

 

 

 

God is good... ALL the time!

My Growing Boy: Month 9

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

 

My little man is 3/4 of a year! In 3 short months I will have a 1 year old boy! Crazy huh? This month has flown by too fast, as the spring months usually do. We have watched Luke crawl faster and FASTER across the floor and now he is even able to stand and balance on his own. He still needs to use something to pull himself up but he can balance for about 10-20 seconds at a time. I think as soon as he can stand on his own without any help he will be walking shortly after that!

Well Baby Visit
Tuesday, March 19th
Weight- 19.10 pounds (48 %)
Length- 29.5 inches (87%)
Head Circumference- 18 inches (66%)

 

 

Feeding

We are still on Nutramigen formula... FOR NOW!  We got the green light at his Well-Baby Check-up to ease off of the Nutramigen formula and get on to regular Cow's Milk Formula. We are going to start with Enfamil Gentle-lease formula and go from there. We have also taken him off the Reflux medicine and he seems to be doing fine. He is still eating solid meat, veggies and fruit but we have added snacks and bite size pieces of fresh fruit and meat as well. He likes to be able to pick these things up in his hands and eat them! I can tell he notices these things because he will look at our food and whine for whatever we are eating.

 

Sleeping

He is staying consistent and sleeping around 10-11 hours per night. He also takes about 1-2.5 naps during the day lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. He does still sleep in the swing during nap time and has a hard time taking a nap in the crib. As he continues to get bigger and bigger, I wonder how he will adjust when he HAS to nap in the crib. But... I am not going to worry about this just yet.

 

Playtime

This boy is IN TO EVERYTHING! He loves playing with the toys and he is so much more aware of the toys around him. He loves playing with the maracas and tambourine and has REALLY good beat. I used to joke with my percussion players about lack of beat and say "My dog has better beat that you do" (Oxford is pretty rhythmic) but now I can say that about Luke!

My little guy is getting so BIG and I cannot believe he is already 9 months old! I am so very blessed and I thank God for my little man EVERYDAY!

I love you Luke!

Standing and Cruising EVERYWHERE!

 

Absolutely PRICELESS!

 

God is good... ALL the time!

The Countdown is ON

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

52 days and Counting...

Today marks the 52nd pen-ultimate day until we are out for the summer (Well, Chris has a few more days that I do... HAHA!) It has been a crazy and hectic school year thus far and I have only been here since November due to Maternity leave. I hope and pray for a REALLY fast last 9 weeks and less chaos!

Last week during Spring Break my family and I had a wonderful time of rest, relaxation and little fun too! Unlike last Spring Break where we just sat around all week, this year we were able to take a short trip to get away, spend time with family and even have a few days to not do anything. I really enjoyed this year's Spring Break and it just reminds me of the much needed SUMMER BREAK coming (in 52 days)!

Saturday, March 9

Today my mom came into town after she dropped my dad off for a mission trip to Tanzania. They had to arrive at Bush Airport at 10 so by 10:30 she was already at our house! In fact, she made such good time getting here, she caught me at the final stage of my cleaning process. After this we went shopping at The Woodlands Mall with Natalie. This was really special because I have not been "shopping" (IE, clothes and personal shopping) since well before Thanksgiving/ Christmas break and since it was just the 3 girls it was neat to share this with my mom and Natalie.

That night Chris and I went to a "Celebrity Murder Mystery Dinner Theater" at The Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Houston. This was something Chris has ALWAYS wanted to do but our circumstances never allowed! This was a BLAST! Chris even got to have a role in the play! I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good show, laugh and dinner!

Chris as "Captain Cruise" in the show!

Sunday, March 10

Chris and I traveled to Lake Charles, LA for a 2 day trip to L'auberge du lac Casino and Resort. This was so neat because we were able to leave our kiddos with John and Leeanna so we could get a mini-vacation away together. In fact, we had not had a vacation away from our kids since... WE HAD KIDS! A HUGE BIG THANKS sent out to John and Leeanna for their help!

L'auberge is AMAZING! We had never been and had heard wonderful things about it but words could not describe. It really was a RESORT... filled with Pools, Jacuzzi, restaurants, shops and a casino all under one roof!

L'auberge du lac Casino and Resort (By the Pool)

Monday, March 11

This was our 7 year anniversary. On this day 7 years ago we were getting dressed and ready for the 1st day of the rest of our lives. It has been a glorious 7 years and I cannot wait for the next 77! 

We spent time at the Resort pool and jacuzzi, just enjoying each other and the beautiful weather. We also spent time in the casino as well as went to some excellent restaurants and buffets. I even went to my first "Craw fish Boil" at the Resort Buffet. This was a very interesting experience and I have to admit I LOVE craw fish but the work involved in getting to the tiny piece of meat is a little much for me. By the end of the day we were exhausted and headed up to the room for some rest and relaxation.

Tuesday, March 12

This was our last day at the Resort before we had to head home so we decided to sleep in as late as we could before we had to check out. We also decided we would go to the other Casino right there in Lake Charles called Isle of Capri. This was not near as nice as L'auberge but personally, I seemed to do better playing Blackjack here than at L'auberge (Part of this was due to the smaller minimum bet).

We left early-afternoon and were home by 4:30 or so. This was also Luke's 9 month Birthday so we spent some time playing and loving on him before I took his 9 month pictures. This little guy is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

My "little" boy... 9 months!

Wednesday, March 13

We started this day off with John, Leeanna and Jackie at Chick-fil-A for their awesome breakfast. Chris and I love Chick-fil-A breakfast but don't get it very often so this was a real treat. After that Natalie, Leeanna and I went out to do some errands and get a pedicure. This was so cool because Natalie got to go with us and watch us get the pedicure. I didn't let her get one because I thought she would not sit still and... I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE! She is not quite ready.

That evening we went over to Dan and Jackie's house and had "Mexican Stack-up" and watched Survivor! This is a tradition of the Davis family and it was really good to spend time with John and Leeanna!

Thursday, March 14

Today we woke up late and then the kids and I did some errands around town so Chris could stay at home and finish the book series he has been reading for the last 15+ years. He had been catching up on the series and re-reading these books for about 3 months so I wanted to give him some time alone to read. The kids and I went and made some returns and did other errands before meeting Chris for Brunch at The Egg and I restaurant. It was Yummy!

Friday, March 15

We tried to go to the Zoo today... WE TRIED! We didn't wake up as early as we had hoped and then we got caught in HEAVY traffic on I-45 due to a wreck (AT 10:30am). So the normal 1 hour commute to south Houston turned into a 1 hour 45 minute commute. Then by the time we got there around noon, the rest of Houston were there with us. I swear it was as busy as I have EVER seen it. We drove around looking for a parking space for nearly 30 minutes before deciding to go elsewhere. We tried to locate a park to have a picnic in and quickly realized we were not in the GOOD part of Houston so we turned around to go back home to our favorite park in The Woodlands, North Shore Park.

This was awesome because Luke had not been to the park and he really enjoyed it! He loved the "Big Boy Swing" and would cry if he got him out of it! Natalie loved the picnic and played on the playground for a while. We were even able to feed the ducks!

Luke LOVED this swing!

Saturday, March 16

We went to Drew's birthday in the morning. This was really cool because Drew lives next to Dan and Jackie and we were able to grow close to his family while living there. In fact, Jessica, Drew's mom, and I were both due on June 19, 2012. Jessica had Kate on June 5 and I had Luke on June 12. This is really special and having kids the same age is nice as well. Natalie was able to swing at a pinata, get in the fire truck and play in a bouncy house.

Luke and Kate born 1 week apart! They are getting SO big!

Natalie in the Fire Truck (This is a big accomplishment since she usually is scared to death of them!)

Luke playing outside

We ate lunch with Dan and Jackie and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and sleeping at home. We decided to go to Chuy's for dinner and then go and get a Blizzard from Dairy Queen afterwards (It's Spring Break... To heck with diets!)

Sunday, March 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We went to church in the morning for a very special service praying for friends and family who were lost and needed Jesus. This was a very emotional service for many and really touched my heart. In fact, I prayed for family members both known and unknown for Salvation and even though I didn't mention her by name my youngest cousin Angelica received Jesus Christ into her heart on Sunday evening! Praise the Lord!

We spent the afternoon playing indoors and outdoors, cleaning and doing laundry! The fun was about to be over and that was depressing enough but to have to clean and do laundry... what a downer!

Monday morning came and went and here I am today reminiscing my wonderful break and thinking about my next one! Summer is only 52 teaching days away and 10 weeks from Friday. I cannot wait.... Can you tell?

I had an awesome break and a lot of that is thanks to Chris and the rest of my family members! Thank y'all so much!

God is good... ALL the time!