Christmas concert

Disclaimer: I wrote this December 17th but for some reason it didn't publish so you get to read it now in April. I really need to check this thing. 

Well it is Christmas concert night and I am sitting in possibly the most uncomfortable chair in our auditoriom and that is saying something because our chairs are uncomfortable. I get to listen to amazing music of some pretty neat kids. Also my niece is in beginning band and my nephew is in 7th so I am not just the band directors wife. 

Yes I am doing this again this year but it is one of the hats that were all get top wear at least once in our career as spouse. It is fairly easy to do. My niece is gettongreasycto play. Yes I am a basket case. Very proud of that young lady. Yes there will be pictures of both kids. 

Here is the cutest flute player

She isn't happy with me. Very proud of her. Next I get to embarrass my nephew. As you can tell these two are definitely my favorite band kids. I know you aren't supposed to have favorites but this wife will always have two till the graduate. 

I got his head but I will take another one. Like I said I love these two kids. 

Last post of the 2015 football season

I'm Well it is the final game of the season. We are playing for the last time for football season. At least it is the first and final game that it is cold. We have gotten very lucky this year when it comes to weather other then some rain and the game last week got pushed up by a day because of the potential for storms. Funny thing about that, other then being a little cold last Friday it never stormed like they predicted. 

Tonight has already been fun. Our drum line does a cadence we call monkey beat and after we played it the opposing and played it and it became a drum war. That was one of the things about being in high school band I loved. In those days most of us had the same assortment of stand tunes. We would play and they would play. There were some games it seems endless. Hearing that tonight reminded me of those nights.  It was also neat to watch the crowd get up and dance and support our kids. 

OSU Homecoming

So I am still trying to process the tragedy at the homecoming parade in Stillwater yesterday. I cry for the sweet baby who lost his life and the 3 others who we haven't learned a lot about yet. I heard about an MBA student from UCO and that hit me hard. See I never met the young lady but she attended my Alma Mater so it me hard. I also heard about a LSU who sacrificed her life to save a little girl who was attending her first OSU game. To me whoever this lady was she was a hero yesterday. 

So my dear readers you are probably wondering why I am writing on my blog about this. Yesterday morning I found out that a friend of ours was there with his band and also a band that is close to us was there with their small band. As a directors spouse I have tried to figure what I would say to the kids who had to witness this and the young lady whose mom was hurt and is in the hospital in Oklahoma City. Sometimes as a spouse we just have to be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. We can join in their prayer circle and just love on the kids the best way we can. 

For me this tragedy hit closer to home then I thought it ever would. After I learned about it, I tried to put it out of my mind and not think of the former band kids that attend OSU. Being that close to the stadium I knew if they attended the parade that is where they would have been standing. About 2 I got a text from one of our band moms who has both sons attending OSU that one of our former students was standing on the corner where it happened and I needed to go read his post about it. When I wasn't around people I went to Facebook and read his post and I cried because see he is one of my kids. No matter how many years he has been gone he is still one of my kids. He definitely has guardian angels around him. 

Happy Marching Band Friday #8

Well it is week 8 my dear readers. I will start by saying it has not been a great week for the directors spouse. On Monday I lost my job and that is sad but I know I will come out better then I was and stronger. Hey this just gives me more time to update the blog right. Yes I will admit this isn't fun and it will be trying but I will keep head held high and know there is a greater plan for my life. 

Okay now that the PSA is done I can get back to confessions of living this crazy life. Tonight we are the only band here. The opposing band is on their way to OKC to compete in OBA competition early tomorrow morning. So good luck Jeremy and Dave and the marching Bulldogs of Wagoner and do great tomorrow and hold those heads with pride. See I know some band parents from Wagoner and their daughter is in that band so I have got to see bits and pieces of their show and I will admit I was looking forward to seeing their show this week. Oh week I will just keep watching the videos and pretending it is live. 

So Wagoner has this large what I can only say is a plastic big bulldog that i have seen at their stadium but I don't remember them bringing it here for an away game before but I am listening to three of our kids talking about it and it is making smile. See this is one of the reasons I love being a band directors wife. These kids make the cold nights better and the stinky bus rides worth it. Granted there are times I want to bang their heads in cymbals but they are good kids more times then not. 

Well it is getting close to pre show so I better put this down. Looks weird when the band directors wife is on her phone during the anthem. 

Happy Marching Band Friday #6

Holy jeez it is the sixth week of marching season. It feels like we just had the first game a week ago. Granted this is only about the third game I have been able to attend because of work. Tonight we battle the Indians of Catoosa. I hope it is a good game. The last two games our football team got beat but we are 3-2 in the season so I consider that a positive. Granted the 3 wins have been against non district teams. I have high hopes tonight. I know the band kiddos will sound amazing. 

The kids have taken the track for pregame and the playing of the National Anthem. I will try to update throughout the night. I just hope this week we have more respect but I won't hold my breath. 

Fundraising

Oh how I hate that word. It seems like a never ending necessary evil, but right now I am so excited to be doing a fundraiser. We are doing a Rustic Cuff bracelet fundraiser. We are selling a blue and white Emerson that is absolutely beautiful. 

See I told you it is pretty. They are $32 and if you need them shipped we are charging $6 to get it to you. If you love where no one can get to you you can send the check and your address to Vinita High School c/o Matt Young 801 N Adair Vinita, OK 74301. Make your check out to Vinita Band. My husband made a funny statement earlier that he couldn't believe we have already sold so many. I guess we will just have to find stuff people are excited about to sell for fundraisers. This one makes me happy so I am happy to help. 

Homecoming Week 3

Well it is homecoming night. Been uneventful so far besides the rain. It smells like Grand Lake right now but to me that is a beautiful smell. Most people might think it is fishy and not a nice smell but not me. That is a different post. This is the third game of the season and so far we are winning. The Vinita Hornets are so far undefeated. 

The only bad thing about the rain is we don't get a run through. Our first contest is next week for the Stallion Batillion Invitational in Oologah. Oh well at least they will get to play the songs. They sound amazing so far and we are about halfway through the second half. 

And we have a future percussionist for the Blue Pride Band.  

Well it looks like the Hornets will beat the Dewey Bulldoggers. 1:20,left in the game and it is 70-12. I don't remember the last time we have scored this many times in one game. 

Very proud of the way the kids sounded tonight but very disappointed in our fans. It wasn't all just some people who think we don't deserve the same respect as everyone else out there. As an alum of this band that just angers me. Here are some pictures of the kids playing. 

Happy Marching Band Friday

Week it is officially football season in Oklahoma. Our kids go to their first away game tonight and I won't be there. This isn't the first nor will it be the last one I will have to miss for a prior engagement. I am taking my niece to Branson this weekend and since I don't get off til 5 I can't make it to pick her up and make it to the game then come home and make goodies for the bake sale for JT tomorrow. So I decided my niece and I will just stay home, make pizza and make stuff to take to the bake sale. 

Yes if you just did the math I am a glutton for punishment taking an almost teenager to Branson over a holiday weekend. I don't think about it until about 24 hours ago, but hey it will be fun. 

So I want to say, don't ever feel bad if you can't be there to help your spouse or significant other out every weekend. For years I struggled with this because I thought I did so much to help that it would crumble without me there. Yay that came quickly tumbling down when I realized that I am just there to be close to the man I love. I will still love him even if I am with him or we are 2 hours away from each other. I probably won't update about the game or even have pictures of the kids but I might tell you about my fun filled girls weekend with my almost teenager niece. Btw she is 11 going on 21 and I love her to pieces. Oh and she started band this year and loves it. She gets to use my flute until hers is fixed and ready to go and that makes this band nerd aunt so very happy. 

Double post

Am I sick? I never do two posts in one day. Well today something has been on my heart. That something is our former band kid JT Larson who is fighting AML. One week after he graduated from high school he was diagnosed. Well very quickly he will have a Haplo or half match transplant. They haven't found a a full match bone marrow donor so his mom or his dad will be half match donors to their son. Well a week from Saturday some of us are getting together and having a bake sale/be the match event. Now I do understand not everyone who reads my blog live in the small hamlet of Vinita, OK but you can request to try and be a match and if you aren't the perfect match for JT you could save bother life. Here is the poster with all the info. 

You can go to bethematch.com and get the kit to become a donor. 

Rodeo Parade

Yes Well it is rodeo parade day in our sleepy little town. All of the town seems to shut down, well at least on Main Street to watch the horses and the the queen and the princess and the floats and of course the Blue Pride Band. This is also the first year it isn't 95 in the shade. 

Yes you read that right, it is 74 as I sit here and type. I believe this is by far the nicest rodeo parade I have ever sat or marched at. See this parade was the first on the schedule for me as a band student and it being this cool just isn't fair.

 

Even Holst the blue pride mascot seems to be enjoying it this year. 

When I dropped the hubs off at the beginning of the parade I noticed something that I wished would have happened when I was marching. There was only one horse in front of the kids. I must admit I was a little jealous. One thing I remember is Mr. Pry always said, don't look down but dodge the poop. Yes my dear readers that is a known thing to have to look out for in any parade in this small town. See we consider ourselves agricultural and we are very proud of our animals and like to show them off. If I remember right since I was in band and since I have been involved in helping the queens and princesses have always lead the parade behind the sheriff and police cars. When I dropped him off the kids were in front of all that. Well I can hear the sirens so the parade is getting close to me here at the end. I will start taking pictures and maybe some video of the kids. 

The orange ribbon is for JT. 

Ok so I lied. The kids were behind about 6 horses but that is better then about 12. The kids sounded amazing and looked good. 

I didn't great pictures. I usually do better but I did a video which will be on my Facebook page. 

Happy (almost) Marching Band Friday

I tumult can't believe the new school year is already upon us. It feels like only yesterday I was sitting in the gym crying and saying goodbye to a great group of kids. The kids officially reported to school on Wednesday but our band kids have been their for two weeks prior getting ready for the new marching season. This year our show is the music of Bon Jovi. Oh how I love 80s music so I know I will enjoy this show. From what I understand for the hubs they have gotten the open "You give love a Bad Name" and will start cleaning it before the first game in two weeks. Our first game is an away game and unfortunately I won't be there. I am going to be hanging with my niece because the next day we are going to Branson for a girls weekend. I would also say I am excited about the next game since it will be a home game but I have a meeting for work that day and so I get to miss that game so my first game will be the third week which is homecoming for our little town. Wecalsochave our first parade of the year on Wednesday. This is the annual rodeo parade so it will be warm and stinky. Oh yes there will be horses and they just love to be stinky. 

I have a wonderful peice of news and that is we for our band shirts and I have pictures to prove it. I was so proud to get to wear our new shirt to work today. 

Don't they look so pretty. Our local shirt shop did a great job. If you live near NE Oklahoma and want to know where we had it made just ask and I will refer you over. 

We interrupt this marriage...

For marching season. Yes it is official that marching season has begun. We have been setting up for about two weeks and getting the room back in order after a summer of cleaning carpets and maintenance moving stuff and not putting it back where it goes. So far that is my only gripe of the school year, but today is just the first day and we have 10 months of the year left. 

What is so funny about this blog post I have tried to start it three separate times. I either couldn't find the right words to type or I thought I would do it at work. My life is so hectic right now and I absolutely love it. I miss being at home as often, but I love my new job. 

The best thing about the summer is my sweet husband introduced me to a Facebook group of fellow director spouses and it has been great to talk to others who deal with the same stuff I do. It will be interesting to see what they do during football season. Our first performance is the annual cookout next Saturday. Oh it will be fun. 

Graduation day

Holy jeez it is graduation day. I don't like this day. I already want to cry and the "festivities" haven't even started yet. When I graduated 15 years ago I don't remember wanting to cry this bad. 

For four years these kids have been apart of my family. I have watched them hurt and watched them succeed. I have watched their trumps and their failures. This group of kids is more than just a batch of students my husband teaches everyday but a a group of kids that become part of my heart and I know they become a part of my husbands. Yes there are times that they drive nuts but what family member doesn't.

 For the band kids that are reading this know you become a part often heart and apart of my family in a small way. I know there are other wives out there that feel this same way about their band kiddos. If you ever feel alone know I pray for each of you every night. My favorite verse Phillipins 1:3-4 says I thank my Godevery time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. I do pray for you all. 

End of the year

No it isn't possible that the 2014-2015 school year is over. Today is not only mothers day but also Senior recognition Sunday at our church which means Baccalaureate is tonight which means the end of the year and graduation is Friday. I can't believe the year is ending. I also missed a post about our final concert. I know my few readers are completely heartbroken and I apologize. It was a great night of music. I missed the first year band because of work. The kids did a great job and I am proud of them. When I look over at administration and they are "dancing" in their seats it was a great concert.

I must admit I am not ready for this week. This group of seniors I have watched since they were in about 8th grade and some, well two, I have known since they were tiny babies.  I must admit I am not a mom but seeing those two young men and watching them for the last 18 years it goes by way to fast.

I will try to update on Friday during graduation but I don't think I will do a great job through the tears. This group will definitely be hard to say goodbye to. I have watched them grow into ornery freshman who thought they were smarter and more talented then anyone else in the band room to very humble and mature young men and women. OK there are still a couple who might think they are better but I don't think I would want them to be any different.

I am partly glad we don't go to Baccalaureate because I highly doubt I could make it through both graduation and baccalaureate without a total break down.

I know these kids aren't mine but for a short time they become my kids and I pray fervently for each of them. There are times that I don't feel worthy to be apart of their lives but God placed me there for a reason and if that is to be an intercessor for them, I will do that.

Like I said, I will try to update on Friday but I don't promise it will be there or if it will be any good.

First and Second year Honor band

Tonight is my nephews big night. He is playing in an honor band that is chosen by their directors. 

I am so proud to call this young man my nephew. He is playing in the first year group a so tonight will be a quick night. It is neat to say that for the next at least seven to eight years not only will I be the wife of a band director but the aunt of two aspiring musicians. My niece wil be in sixth grade next year and is excited to play the flute. My nephew plays the trumpet. I think he secretly wants to be like his uncle Matt. I could honestly see Seth as a band director one day but we will keep that hush hush. 

You can't see him very well but he is the stock next to what looks like a trumpet case. The sad thing is I want to always see the cute little boy that was shorter then me but I can see that in no time, maybe by the end of summer, he will be taller then me. He is already taller then his mom. 

I am one proud aunt. I am keeping this program. Granted I have no clue what I will do with but I have it for something. I will update once the concert is over. 

Well Seth did awesom. Okay so the entire group did awesome. Thank you Heath Miller for directing these kids. And now some blurry pictures of Seth. 

Fine Arts Festival

 Well it is the fine arts festival in Vinita tonight. Right now I am sitting the middle school band room remarrying all the days and many evenings I sat in here for junior high band and choir. The smell is different because they did some remodeling and so the wet smell is gone. The sound is still annoying but that is the joy of a very oddly built room with risers. This is such a bitter time of the year. This is the beginning of the end of the school year. Tomorrow we leave for Branson then all to quickly after that is band banquet then spring concert then before we know it graduation. I have been with this group of seniors since they were in 8th grade. How crazy quick five years have gone. 

I know I will be spending more years coming to this building and sitting in the auditorium of possibly the most uncomfortable seats for any auditori and being envious of other auditoriums I have sat in nice seats. I think these were put in so people wouldn't fall asleep during speeches of the time. I know nice cushy seats existed when this auditorium was built. Oh well wood lasts longer then cloth so this works. 

One thing that makes me happy about the fine arts festival is to see the great talent we have in such a small town. Makes me hope this little town will always support the arts and music. 

Tonight our kids will play their district music that they got excellent ratings on. One is called Alamo and the other is The Legend of Ida Glen. If you are from Oklahoma you might recognize or think that looks familiar. That song was commissioned by JoAnn Johnson and the Glenpool High School band in honor of the history of their Townsend the oil boom of our great state.  This history nerd found this very interesting and fun. I love the story of Glenpool and how it was discovered to say the least. If you don't the story of Ida Glen and the Glen pool you might just google it to find out. Now I sit here and wait for them to set up chairs and stands.

Sorry I had to. Doesn't my husband look so in control. He is the one I blue directing traffic. 

Now isn't that a great looking group of young men and women. I  so proud of these kids and all their hardwork. Days like this excite me for the next school year but it is also bittersweet to say goodbye to a great group of seniors.  

I will try to update from here on out. We have a lot of great things getting ready to happen. One thing I am most excited about is the 1st year clinic in Wagoner next week. Granted I am usually not excited about the junior high bands because I don't get to spend that much time with them but my nephew got chosen for that band and I am excited to hear him play his trumpet. 

Branson

UIt is Branson morning. Granted it is not as early as Dallas morning was two years ago, not as tiring as Dallas morning. It is going to be interesting because I am driving our car up there. I will try to update as the weekend goes on  I won't be as quick on the draw as when we went to Dallas because I am driving but I will update when we stop. 

Ok so I am a horrible updater. I thought I had when we stopped at Lamberts but I must have not hit done and publish. Whoopsy bad. Well we made it to Branson about 1:30 and had some wonderful downtime. So much more relaxing and not rushed like Dallas. We have also been treated wonderfully and have met my expectations and beyond. 

We ate dinner at McFarlains at the IMAX and there was a special table that rose as you ate. To see the look on the kids faces was pure hilarity. 

A couple of our kids had to use booster seats to finish their meal. It was definitely a highlight of the weekend. 

We are playing at the Hughes Brothers theater and I was told in the 80s it was the Roy Clark theater back in the day. I think I might remember it. 

Our kids definitely made Vinita proud tonight. They did an outstanding job. 

Also isn't my husband handsome. 

Steven did a great job on his solo as well as Rowdy. I didn't get a picture of Rowdy because I was to afraid to get up. Very proud of these kids. 

JT and Noah were having a blast playing Circle of Life. These kids make my days when I am with them. Granted there are days I have to take a deep breath and count to 10 but those are fewer and far between every time. 

Also a little treat for my readers this is a rare sight but it is teenage boy in their natural habit flirting with a pretty girl. The adults were saying it was more like a teenage girl in a Branson show flirting with gullible teenage boys to buy stuff. 

Day 2 

Day started out uneventful and ended the same. I completely forgot to update while at SDC because I was having such a great day. It was cold at the beginning of the day and turned into a beautiful spring day. I think I got a beautiful sun kissed, ok I got a slight sunburn. We are eating dinner now at Cici's and once done we will head toward home.

I want to leave a little bit of advice and that is encourage your spouse if he or she is a director to consider taking a group to Branson. Parents encourage your director. They rolled out the red carpet for us every where we went. At Lamberts because we had such a large group they gave us two free meals and two goodie bags. At Branson the tourism center went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. The Hughes family were so nice to the kids. After a two hour show they did a q&a with our kids and allowed them to ask any question they could think of. Definitely look forward to the next time we get to go to Branson. 

Catch up

I told everyone that I was a horrible blogger that forgets this exists. Well it is the end of March so that means that districts have come and gone. Our kids got a II on stage and a II in sight reading. I was so proud of all of their hardwork. We head to Branson on Friday to play at the Hughes Brothers theater. This has been a great year and I will try to keep everything updated from here on out. I have a new job so it should be a little easier. See you on the flip side.