I hate school.

(Update:  After taking a beating from some of my teacher friends, please allow me state for the record that I do NOT really hate school.  I actually always loved school and did quite well.  Please... read to the end of the post... you'll get it, I hope!)

Actually… I hate the start of a new school year.

Oh, sure… there’s some exciting elements about it. 

I love buying new school supplies and always find a few that I need want, too.  (New Sharpies, Bic Crystal pens, a planner, and Post-It Notes… anyone else with me here?)  Buying a few new outfits is always fun… and then the repeated fashion shows in attempt to determine which will be the winning outfit to be worn on the first day.

And then there’s the anticipation of new opportunities. New classes with new teachers. New friends and memories just waiting to be made.

A return to routine is kind of nice.  (Any other calendar-keeping, list-making, control freaks agree on this one?)

And yet… I hate the start of a new school year.

I’ve never been one of those mamas who start counting down days ‘til the first day of school on the first day of summer.

(What is wrong with them???) 

I don’t want my children to go back to school.

Of course, I realize that I truly don’t hate the start of a new school year.  I just don’t like giving up the one-on-one time with my children. The unhurried minutes of hanging out at home, the pool, the beach or between the many summer activities.  Activities spent with them.

What do I really hate?

That the first day of the new school year marks the passing of time.  The day symbolizes the marching of time that I can’t stop despite all the control I like to think I wield.  It reminds me of our ever evolving relationship and emphasizes how fast my kids are growing into adults… and the fact that there’s nothing I can do to stop time. Nor would I really, truly want to.

Kat started her sophomore year of high school yesterday.

 And this one?

Today is Burrito’s first day of classes at THE BIG UNIVERSITY.  (Hook ’em!!!)

Signed,

A Slightly Melancholy Mama

(P.S. – A big “thank you” to the group of mamas who met yesterday morning after the school drop-offs for The 7^th Annual Moms’ Back-to-School Breakfast. There’s nothing like copious amounts of coffee, deep discussions, side-splitting laughter and a little retail therapy with “the girls” to lighten a mama’s heart. Each one of you is a very special woman!)

Signs of the Season...

There's this:

Oh, yes! *Starbucks* Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back! I received an email from them yesterday announcing the return of the pumpkin latte as well as their new Toffee Mocha Latte.  Naturally, I had to stop on my way home this morning to try one. Just to make sure they were as good as I remember.  I think they are but I might have to try another one or twenty just to make sure.

It's definitely the season for this:

The first day of school - one senior and one freshman! Don't worry - that's not a gang symbol they are flashing.  The name of their high school starts with the letter "R" - so the school spirit symbol is a combination of the American Sign Language symbols for "I love you" and the letter "R." 

Then there's the sounds of the season:

Drums beating... my center tenor playing his way through the fall of his senior year.

Wondering why Burrito has a buzz cut?

That's because the back of his head has his drumline logo shaved into it.  All the tenors decided to do this as a team bonding experience.  One mom was not as thrilled about it as I was.  (Did I mention it was my idea? Definitely earned me "cool mom" points.)  Hey, if that's the worst thing he does during his senior year, we're in good shape!

There's cheerleaders cheering.

Did I mention she was selected as captain of the Freshman squad? Oh, yes, she is! 

Now, if we could just convince this Texas weather that it's truly time for Autumn.

North Pole, Alaska - Recorded for Posterity

Thank you for those of you who followed along with Burrito's mission trip to North Pole, Alaska - especially if you prayed for him and the team.  It was a wonderful trip and we still have many stories and pictures to share with you.

In the mean time, I'm moving the updates I had posted on my sidebar to this post - for posterity.  And, because I can't archive the stuff on my sidebar like I can posts.

So, if you've already read them you can just skip the rest of this post!

*********************************************
Saturday, July 24, 2010
2:29 AM: Made it to the airport. Checking our bags now. Praise HIM for a safe drive!
5:04 AM: Good morning parents! We are boarding the (first) plane. Hoping for some sleep!
8:37 AM: Touch down in Seattle. 4 hour layover. Too tired to say something clever.
1:21 PM: Getting settled on our last flight! Looking forward to real beds and showers. Airport floors are not conducive for healthy sleep.

Friday, July 23, 2010
9:16 AM: Just a couple of hours of work then we begin the 24 hours of travel to home - beginning at 5 PM Texas time with a 7 hour drive to Anchorage.
4:34 PM: Beginning the 24 hour journey home right now. Pray. Hard. The first leg is the 7 hour drive to Anchorage.
11:58 PM: Food stop about 45 minuts outside of Anchorage. Almost done with the drive.

Thursday, July 22, 2010
12:46 PM: Dinner cruise on the river last night was great and the last full day of work is going very well. Pray that we finish strong!
7:39 PM: Finishing out the day by visiting Santa's house before worship. Even Mr. Story got to sit on his lap.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
11:18 AM: Day 2 of work is rolling! Pray that the rain doesn't interfere with work and community outreach.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
9:45 AM: Done with a great breakfast and now we're getting ready to head out for our first work day. Pray for chances to share our faith!
7:35 PM: Getting reports of a great first day of work. Cleaning up for dinner and worship. Pray that God moves our hearts tonight.

Monday, July 19, 2010
10:08 AM: Rolling out to North Pole. Hope to see some mooses, er, meese... Hope we see a moose. 3:24 PM: Pit stop in the middle of Denali National Park. Most of us have never used the bathroom in a more beautiful place.
7:18 PM: Finally to North Pole. Talk about Christmas in July... Lots of Santa pics but no Jesus. Good thing we're here to be the image of Christ.
11:59 PM: Ate dinner, met our crews, and worshipped Jesus. Great first night at World Changers.

Sunday, July 18, 2010
11:04 AM: Up and eating breakfast. It's raining but we're still excited!
12:47 PM: Sunday funday in Alaska. First stop: Eskimo shopping.
4:56 PM: Hiking on a glacier. Awesome!
6:01 PM: Glacier cruise. A three hour cruise... Ok, it isn't really 3 hours but it is going to be sweet.
9:11 PM: Finishing off the day with a meal at Red Robin. Then devotion time, showers, and bed. By the way it's very cold.

Saturday, July 17, 2010
7:06 AM: Only issue through security was some suspicious hot wheels. Waiting to board!
7:39 AM: Everyone is boarded and phones are going off. Pray for a safe flight!
11:31 AM: Brief stop in San Jose, CA. On to Portland next. Only issue in flight was the flat Coke Zero. Lame.
2:04 PM: Layover in Portland begins right now. In the air again in 5 hours.
7:03 PM: We're all boarded. Waiting for take off. Alaska in 3'ish hours.
11:00 PM: Safely on the ground in Alaska and our bodies don't have a clue what time it is. It looks like 4 pm, feels like 11 pm. It's 8 pm.

HE'S HOME!!!

Details soon!

This Is It!

Today is the last day Burrito and the mission team will be in North Pole, Alaska.  They will continue working through this morning and wrap things up in time to have lunch before starting the 24 hour, long journey back to Texas.  They will retrace their steps with a seven hour drive back to Anchorage to catch the first of their flights.  They are scheduled to arrive back in Austin at 5 PM on Saturday evening.

We're anxious to hear about all the fun, adventures, and God stories that have to tell.  We already know that at least one 7-year-old girl accepted Christ while they were in North Pole! This alone made the week successful.

So, please pray:

• That much is accomplished this final day and that projects are successfully wrapped up by before the three teams leave North Pole.
• For the people of First Baptist Church in North Pole as they continue the ministry that was started this week.
• For safe travels for our team and the other two teams (from Alabama and North Carolina) as they travel to their homes.
• For the health of all the team members - it's been an exhausting week.
• That the spiritual growth the team members experienced will continue once they return to their everyday lives.

I will continue to post any Twitter updates I receive on the side bar.  Hopefully, Burrito took lots of pictures and we'll post these later this weekend.

Finally, here's a photo of the entire North Pole mission team (all three churches) that was made before their worship service last night:

Do you see Burrito? Look at the fourth row from the front (the first "long" row), fourth person from the right.

Weather: Texas vs. Alaska

Right now in central Texas, the sun is blazing and it feels like 100 degrees.

Right now in North Pole, AK, it's cloudy and feels like 59 degrees.

Where would you rather be???

News From The First Work Day in North Pole

From an updated received last night:

"The day started off bright and early, breakfast at 6am sharp! We sent the crews off to their work sites for the first time this morning, but first started off with The Great Send Off! All participants gathered in a large circle where we rallied and got pumped up for the work the rest of this week. We had a large group prayer and everyone all rushed off for their work sites.

Participants worked hard all day long.. roofing, painting, backyard bible clubs, give away, you name it, we did it!

Participants ended the night with the Concert of Prayer. This is a special time of worship where students spend one on one time with God praying and worshipping. Students were challenged to give up something this week that hindered their life from the Lord. Each student was given a rough rock that represented the distraction or sin that hindered them, when they were ready to give it up they placed it at the foot of the cross, and picked up a new smooth clean rock. This week should be good, we are excited, pumped and ready to serve the Lord!"

Please keep praying for the team members in North Pole.  They are working long hours at hard jobs they may have never performed before this week.  Pray that they will retain both their energy and enthusiasm and that they will be constantly aware of opportunities to share their faith in Christ. 

Oh, and that weather? It's still being a little pesky, too.

Pictures from North Pole

The team from our church. Burrito is in the second row from the bottom, fourth from the right.

This will be their "home base" while in North Pole.

They will eat, sleep and worship here.

Look at those heavy clouds in the sky. Keep praying the rain away!

E-Couragrams Are Now Open!

The team arrived safely in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday with no reports of lost luggage or team members. They spent Sunday walking on glaciers and shopping at an Eskimo trading village in 50-degree, rainy weather. (That's winter weather to thin-blooded Texans!) And today they made the seven hour drive from Anchorage to North Pole with a pit stop in Denali National Park.

Tomorrow bright and early... the hard work begins!

E-Couragrams are now open. If you'd like to send a note of encouragement to Burrito while he's there, follow THIS LINK and fill in Burrito's name, our church's name and our home city.  If you're not sure about this info, e-mail me and I'll make sure you have the correct information.  E-Couragrams will be delivered to the mission team members each evening and will remain open through Thursday evening.

Hopefully, we'll begin receiving some pictures soon and I'll post them here as they become available.

The weather forecast is still predicting temps in the mid-50's to upper-60's and rain for the rest of the week.  Please pray that the rain will hold off or occur during times that the teams are indoors.

North Pole, Alaska Weather Forecast

Sunshine would be nice. Would you please add that to your prayer requests for Burrito and the mission team? Thanks!

North Pole in July

WORLD CHANGERS provides a dynamic week-long MISSION TRIP for students seeking to make a difference in the lives of those with SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL needs.

Ever wonder what it would be like to go to the North Pole? In July??

Burrito is part of a team of students from our church's youth department and their sponsors who are headed to North Pole, Alaska, for their annual mission trip in coordination with World Changers.  Despite the name, the city of North Pole is about 1,700 miles south of the geographic North Pole. It is a small city of less than 2,000 residents and is located thirteen miles to the southeast of Fairbanks.

Red "pin" indicates the city of North Pole, Alaska.

(Last year they worked and ministered in Birmingham, AL. You can read about that trip here, here, here, here, here and here.)

This year's team is unique in two ways. First, it's the farthest they've traveled with World Changers. Second, it's the largest team they've ever taken - 47 individuals including 40 students and seven sponsors.

While the team is in Alaska, they will combine their efforts with groups from two other churches to do community service within North Pole as well as providing construction crews at homes to do roofing and painting.  Burrito has been assigned to one of the construction crews.  (This training could come in handy when our home needs a new roof some day! Ha!)  These are practical projects to serve the people of North Pole while also providing our youth with opportunities to meet and interact with individuals and allowing them to share Christ with them.

Our youth pastor will use Twitter keep us informed of their travels and adventures while they are in Alaska.  Like last year, I'll post these updates on my sidebar so you can follow along with them if you'd like.  I'll also be posting their activities each day and will include a link that will allow you to send "encourage-grams" to Burrito or other team members.  Check back tomorrow for that link.

Would you join me in praying for Burrito, the team, their projects, and the people they encounter?

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

They're Baaack!!!

Burrito and the team arrived back at our church at 6:15 this evening. Everyone is happy but tired. That hasn't slowed Burrito's mouth down any - he's been talking non-stop and we're enjoying hearing about his week in Alabama.

And, I'm thinking we're all going to sleep so well tonight!

Thank you, again, for praying for Burrito and the team. After he settles back into the real world, I'll have him share some of his week with you.

Good night!

World Changers: Final Work Day

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Burrito and the team this week as they have worked and ministered in Birmingham.

The end is in sight... today is their last work day! They will work throughout the day to complete all projects. Then, they plan to clean up, pack up, have dinner and hit the road for the first leg of their trip home. They will be staying at the same church in Mississippi that hosted their overnight stop on the trip to Alabama. Saturday will be the long driving day as they complete their trip. Hopefully, they'll be home in time to have a late dinner with their families.

I'll continue to update the Twitter messages on my sidebar as I receive them.

World Changers: Work Day #2

For someone who just two weeks ago was scoffing at the need for texting...

(And we won't even discuss my derogatory comments about all those Twitter-crazed people...)

I have to confess that my cell phone is staying close to me these last few days. Today, the phone stayed very quiet. All. Day. Long. (Okay, not all day - I did finally receive the first of two text messages at dinner time tonight.)

The mom in me just kept muttering the mantra, "No news is good news. No text is good news"

And it was! Our kids are hard at work in Birmingham and finding lots of opportunities to share their skills along with Christ's love.

Tomorrow afternoon was to have included some downtime for our students. They have fun and educational activities planned for them including a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Because rain is forecast for later in the week, they will postpone their afternoon break until Thursday and will work through tomorrow.

Thank you to all of you who have sent E-Couragrams to Burrito. Your note is somewhere on the walls pictured in this photo - just waiting to be picked up and read. If you'd still like to send one (or another one!), the E-Couragrams can be sent through Thursday evening by clicking on this link: Birmingham, AL E-Couragram!

World Changers: Work Day #1

This is the entire Birmingham team. The team is comprised of 310 participants from twelve churches, coming from eight different states including Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Mississippi. The participants are divided into 31 crews consisting of 10-14 people. These 31 crews will be working on 26 houses this week throughout the Birmingham area.

Can you see Burrito? No?? That's okay, even these mother's eyes can't find him.

The last I heard, they were experiencing a rain delay. Hopefully, that didn't last beyond this morning and they are hard at work this afternoon. (Update: They made it to their worksites at 9:30 AM and the rain held off all day!)

If you'd like, you can still send Burrito a note of encouragement using this link: Birmingham, AL E-Couragram! The E-Couragrams will be open through Thursday.

I'll post more of their Twitter updates on my sidebar as I receive them. Thank you for your prayers!

Wait A Minute, Mr. Postman...

Want to send Burrito a note of encouragement? Follow the directions in the Twitter message on my side bar or follow this link: Birmingham, AL E-Couragram!

Resistance Is Futile!

Twitter.

I've resisted it. Truly I have. And it hasn't been hard since I didn't have a texting plan on my cell phone until last week.

I mean, really...

Do I need to be texted when my neighbor finds a great buy on toilet paper? When my friend from church decides to boil eggs for her salad? Do I need to know that a fellow PTA mom is up from her afternoon nap?

Ummm... no! I'm blissful in my ignorance, thank you very much!

Until this morning.

Unexpectedly, an event in my life made me dash home, jump on the computer and set up a Twitter account. I'll bet you're thinking, "Wow, it must really be something special!"

And you'd be right!

This morning, I dropped Burrito off at our church where he and 30 other students and 9 adults loaded up in three vans to head to Birmingham, Alabama.

Once there, they are partnering with World Changers for five days on projects that include painting, roofing, building and repairing decks and doors, and yard work, as well as walking the neighborhoods and sharing Christ with those they meet.

So what about this event made me run home and set up a Twitter account?

All cell phones have been left at home during this trip, cutting off communication with our kids. And that's okay. I understand that they need to be immersed in what they are doing. Set apart so that God is able to stretch them beyond what they think they can accomplish. All without the security net of being able to "phone home."

Just before the last kisses where planted and the final wave given, our youth pastor announced that they had set up a Twitter account to keep us all up-to-date on what was happening while they are traveling and working. (I may or may not have actually heard angels singing at that moment.)

Would you join me in praying for Burrito, the team, their projects, and the people they encounter?

I'll be posting their Twitter updates on my sidebar as they are sent. This way, you will also know what is going on and can pray appropriately for them.

And the answer is...

This...

is the inside of this...

And is the new instrument being played by this happy boy...

Who used to play this...

Signed,

One very proud percussion mom

Happy Mother's Day!

Blessed to be their daughter and friend...

(The Queen Mum... aka, my beautiful mom.)

(My mom-in-law... and my sweet friend.)

Honored to be their mother...

(Burrito and Kat, summer vacation 2008)

Just for the fun of it because all mothers can relate to at least some part of it...

Overheard...

In our home, the kiddos' bedrooms and the game room are on the second floor of the house. The main living areas and our bedroom are on the first floor. So quite often the kiddos are able to carry on conversations without us hearing them.

Burrito left at six o'dark-clock in the morning to participate in an indoor drumline competition in another town. (They placed second! Woohoo!!) That left Kat an only child for the day and stuck alone with me as Bud had also left on a fishing trip.

Apparently, they both have a lot of catching up to do as they've been talking pretty much nonstop since Burrito arrived home about an hour ago.

As I was preparing to order pizza for our dinner (don't judge... I already told you Bud was fishing!), I overheard this conversation as Burrito passed Kat on his way back to his room following a shower.

Kat: You're so skinny!

Burrito: That's okay - at least I won't ever have to worry about getting fat.

Kat: Ya, but you're almost too skinny.

Burrito: No I'm not. Plus, look at the muscles in my arms from playing drums. It's sick!

(Sick is a good thing in teenager speak.)

Kat: I think you should get a six-pack.

Burrito: Okay.

Because it's just that easy, right? Let's not tell him about the cruel trick his metabolism is going to play on him somewhere in his mid-30's, okay?