Cool Experience Squared

I am smack dab in the middle of my 11th year of teaching. Typing that is a bit of a strange reality check. It sure doesn't feel like I have a decade of experience under my belt! Teaching this long means that I now have former kids (as I call my students) who are married and having babies. I have kids who have successfully navigated college and many more who are on that journey now. Funny, they grow up so fast, but I don't think I have gotten much older! :) It is kinda fun to see where they go after they leave those middle school years. And I actually look forward to seeing all their destinies play out! Writing of destiny...

A couple of weeks ago I had the cool opportunity to watch one of my girls play college basketball. Not just any basketball -- but Big 12 Conference ball. And not just play, but start (as a freshman) for #2 Oklahoma Sooners. A couple of fellow educators rode with me to Waco to see #4 Baylor host the Sooners. Now, remember, I attended SBU which is a small college, so just attending a big NCAA event was pretty cool. But then to actually know one of the kids playing was even cooler! :) We were there not necessarily as Sooner fans, but as Whitney Hand fans. It doesn't seem that long ago that Whitney sat in my Texas History and US history classes, yet there she is -- a college freshman living a dream. God has blessed with her an amazing athletic ability. Just to brag a bit -- this week she was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the 4th time this season. I am telling you, this girl can play ball! She makes it seem so easy and natural -- just like breathing. But what is even cooler is that she is authentic about living out her Christian walk. Several times this year she has been thrust into the national spotlight (and if things continue as they have been, she will be there more and more in the weeks to follow), but she continues to be gracious and humble. She plays with class and poise that is a testament to her faith. I am proud to say that I had the honor of being one of her teachers.

(Cute Jairus story inserted here just because we have to have one! The other night I was watching Whitney play on ESPN via my computer. I tend to be a vocal fan and sitting alone in my computer room was no exception. Well, eventually Jairus became fascinated by the basketball game. Of course, he thought the Eagles were playing because in his mind EVERY team is the LCCS Eagles. At one point after one of Whitney's baskets (she only missed one shot the whole night), I cheered "That's my girl!" But Jairus turned to me and firmly said "No, that's my girl!" Ok Jairus. I think we just might have to share on this one!)


Now onto the second cool experience (remember, the post is titled cool experiences squared!). In the couple of minutes before the game started, my comrades and I were getting settled up in the nose bleed section when the crowd irrupted in a great roar. We looked down to see what the commotion was about. The cameras were back peddling in front of a lady in a nice sparkly jacket and I heard someone around us say something about the coach. I thought to myself "geez, these Baylor fans LOVE their coach!." About that time I looked up to the video monitor to see Former President George and Laura Bush at court side! Now we joined the crowd in the applause! It was one of the fist public appearances Bush made after leaving office. I had to laugh because I have been to DC 3 times during his presidency and been in the White House even when he was in the residency, but I have never seen the man. But when I attend some random basketball game in the middle of the week, I am in a crowd of 8000 who get to watch a game with him. :) It was like the icing on the cake of a great night!

Do you see them on the 2nd row?

How about now?? :)

#1 Fan

I have a list of 4 or 5 things that I want to blog about. But, tonight I am too tired to even think straight. So instead of writing something cute or interesting or thought provoking or anything...I am just going to post this picture. It was given to me today by a parent at school. She took it last Saturday at a LCCS high school basketball game. The bleacher steps were a perfect place for Jairus to cheer his little heart out. He is so intense! The picture made me smile. It just might have the same effect on you.

Ice vs Snow

This is what we found when we woke up this morning.

Everything covered with a nice layer of ice. So, that makes 2, yes 2, days home from school because of icy conditions. Yesterday's day off was more of fluke, but today we had honest to goodness ice. I love it! :) What a nice gift -- time you didn't expect to have.

Now being from the north, I know that it seems silly to cancel school for something that looks so insignificant. After all, Wyoming will get feet of snow before anything is canceled. I remember having snow days as a kid, but it seems like it had to be super duper below freezing AND lots of snow blowing around (because the wind always blows in Wyoming) before school was canceled. But, having driven on both, I do think that the ice is worse. Plus, you have to admit that Fort Worth just doesn't have the same snow/ice removal priorities as Powell, Wyoming!

Anyway, lest I blah, blah, blah on about snow and ice. Lets have some pictures instead. I thought you might enjoy a few pictures from Jairus' Christmas snow experience in Wyoming.

He LOVED the snow. He chose to walk in the deeper drifts, not the packed down ruts.

He practically tried to swim in the snow bank. Unfortunately he got wet and cold pretty quickly, but it still was a fun time.

Using the sled Grandpa Bane used as a little boy!

With Grandpa and Grandma Bane (one of my favorite pictures)

White Christmas for the Wolfe family (note: real snow, not ice )

Yep

I have learned something new about myself. I say "yep" a lot.

How did I make this fascinating discovery? It was easy -- I just have been listening to Jairus. And Jairus says "yep" a lot. I now find myself smiling every time I catch a "yep" slip past my lips -- which is pretty often. So, we have been trying to correct Jairus several times each day to say "yes ma'am" or "yes sir" when appropriate. He will get it...eventually!

Jairus is in the fun parrot stage. For a long time now he has been parroting what we say. And we have been noticing him imitating us in actions more and more. One of the best examples was when we were traveling to Wyoming for Christmas. The very first thing Jairus did when we got to our hotel room was start "talking" on the phone. There was a pen and notepad on the end table too. So, Jairus started taking notes as he talked. His whole conversation (and I am not kidding) was "yes, yes, um hm, sure...yes..umhm...yes." He has been watching his daddy during many, many work conversations. Joe must be a yes man. :)

It is good to be reminded that Jairus is always watching us. (yes, a bit overwhelming if you dwell on it too much...so lets not!). I hope he is also learning how to love and how to pray and how to serve and ....the list could go on and on. This actually gave me a better of understanding of when Paul tells the Corinthian church to imitate him (I Corinthians 4:16). It wasn't that he was being arrogant or self-righteous. He was following Jesus and so by imitating Paul, they were following Christ. It is my prayer that we can say to Jairus "imitate us" and in doing so Jairus will walk with Jesus. It makes sense at least at this age and stage and in my little brain. :)

Ok, ok...enough deep thoughts. I think I need to post a couple recent pictures. Yep, I sure do! :)

Nice fashion :) Don't worry -- he wears moms and dad's shoes equally!

Yes, the letter organization obsession continues.

For some reason, Ducky had breakfast with Jairus this morning. What a great place to perch.

Family Band

It all started with these: a VeggieTales pail, Chinese chop sticks and the drumming book.


Jairus has had an interest in drumming now for several months. Really,what little kid doesn't like to beat on things? Reading and practically memorizing the book, Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb has only added to his fascination.

One night when Joe got out his guitar to play a few songs, Jairus showed his usual interest in playing with daddy.

But this night was different. It didn't take Jairus very long to dig out his pail and chopsticks so that he could drum along with daddy. What beautiful music!

But a bit later Jairus was concerned that Mommy was being left out. He found the drumming book and another chopstick. With a precious "come on mommy," he convinced mommy to drum on the book so she could join the band too.

Maybe we will release a CD this summer... stay tuned!

Bye Bye

Crib: Dec 31, 2006 - Dec 16, 2008

The big crib seemed to swallow our sweet, innocent, baby boy. But the decision was made. He was to sleep in the crib. We believed it would be best for everyone -- for him and us.

A cruel, heartless cage? We think not! Just look at the smile!






But the day came...we knew it would. We actually had been more fortunate than most. We had made it over 2 years with crib life. But, on that fateful Monday afternoon, as Joe was working away while Jairus napped (or so he thought), our boy displayed the monkey skills we didn't even know he had. Unexpectedly, Joe heard Jairus' bedroom door open. Out walked Jairus like this was normal -- nothing unusual about his crib breakout. Joe also played it cool, like there was nothing out of the ordinary, but inside he was deeply saddened. Maybe, just maybe this was a one time lucky break - at least we tried to convince ourselves. But the next morning at 5:45 am, we heard his bedroom door rattle open and next ours slowly crept open followed by a cute little boy half asleep. That was it -- the crib's usefulness had come to an end.



That morning, Joe switched the crib down to the toddler bed. And now our lives are forever changed -- again.

The first toddler bed night only included one tumble out of bed waking in tears and 2 other times to wander the house just because he could. The next night included only 2 middle of the night wanderings. Since then we have some perfect sleep nights and some have-to-wake-up-and-go-find-parents nights. Nap times are also a bit of an adjustment. Why sleep in the bed when you can play, play, play until you just collapse on the floor?




Ah yes, the process of growing up continues. Jairus sure loves his new found freedom. We appreciate that it is a natural process to independence. But we already miss hearing him awake, playing in his crib until he called for us. And we miss the bit of control that gave us. Now, no more writing -- we need to do the next stage of baby proofing -- more locks!

Special Christmas friends

December 2006 the tradition begins! Which of these things is not like the others?

Dec 2007

Dec 2008 -- 1st attempt.

"I don't want to sit here mommy!!"

A few days later, we try the tradition again. First, lets warm up to the special friends a bit more...

"I will sit here...but this is a as close as it gets"

Examining the special friends as he throws them off to the side!

Well, maybe as a 3 year old he will be more agreeable to being manipulated again for cute pictures. :)