Let's Rodeo San Antonio

Last weekend I took Lyla to the rodeo fair grounds. My parents had a free parking pass and Andy was going to be rehearsing for his gig, so Lyla and I packed up and met my parents and my sister for some rodeo bliss. It was a beautiful afternoon. We walked around and looked at the horses, the pigs (which are quite stinky), the cows and the chicks. We even ran into Matt, Kate and Annabelle Martin.



(Check out her cute camo boots courtesy for Aunt Autumn.)

We then headed over to the petting zoo. Autumn and I took Lyla in the check out all the animals. She wasn't too sure of the animals at first. She held on to me (or my necklace to be exact) for most of the petting. We saw a lama, goats, a pot bell pig, deer, a billy goat and some baby lambs. Eventually I found some goats that were lying down so I set Lyla down to be at their level. Finally she warmed up and petted some of the animals. Then she tried to start crawling around in the hay. Not a good idea.



After the petting zoo we found an area for Lyla to crawl around and stretch her legs. She enjoyed a quick juice break before eating lunch.


All in all it was a great afternoon. While I gave up the chance to see the actual rodeo, I still had a great time. There is nothing like getting out and enjoying some good sunshine in your cowboy boots. I still find so much joy in watching Lyla experience new things. Being a parent is like getting a second chance to view the world through fresh eyes. I can't wait to take Lyla back next year because then she'll be big enough to ride the real ponies.

Clap Your Hands Everybody

My sweet baby girl FINALLY learned to clap her hands. We have been working on this for so long. Lyla would clasp her hands together and shake her arms up and down, but she would not clap. We just couldn't get her to open her hands up. Finally on Monday, out of the blue, she started clapping. This is what Andy told me. She would hold her left hand still and hit it with her right hand. Andy and Lyla met me for lunch and Lyla showed off her new skill. She has been clapping ever since.

I know it's such a silly thing. It's not walking or saying a new word, but I was so proud. It was like...finally! I tried to get it on video, but she hasn't cooperated yet. Maybe I'll have some better luck this weekend.

My mom taught her to pat her mouth like an Indian. I have been keeping up this practice. She has so much fun making noise and patting her mouth. She aims more with palm then with her fingers, but it's cute none the less.

It so much fun watching Lyla learn new things.

R.I.P Mr. Martin

My beloved principal, Larry Martin, passed away Thursday night from a long battle with cancer. During his chemo treatments he developed pneumonia and could not recover. His family was able to be with him.

I am incredibly said to have lost someone who I held so dear and in such high esteem. Mr. Martin was the man who hired me. He gave a 21 year college graduate a chance. He valued my job and the hard work I put in. He was a listening ear, a soft place to land, and always up for a joke or a prank. He use to tell me that when he won the lottery he was going to build me a subway from Boerne to Helotes so I wouldn't have to drive. That, or get me a driver, but told me I could ride in the front seat since the backseat always makes me nauseous. I asked him if he played the lottery and he said no. Ha! That was Mr. Martin.

He loved his grand kids more than anything. Just ask him about Annabelle, Jody or Hudson and he would light up telling stories. He loved his job. The first one to arrive and the last to leave. He would send me home from games saying he would cover student pick up..."that's why I make the big bucks" he would joke. He also told me I was the best spirit director he had ever met. (He obviously hasn't met too many, but I am honored just the same).

10 years ago Mr. Martin was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. They removed what they could and monitored him from then on. This fall they found that the cancer had come back and had spread rapidly. After taking a 3 week leave of absence, Mr. Martin announced that he would retire on November 30th. It was sad day, but as he said goodbye to the faculty, he had something personal to say to each one. He truly knew everything about everyone on this campus. He was a "man of the people". This man who loved this school, the students and teachers was no longer going to be around. This man whom I have loved and admired was leaving...who would be coming in to replace him? A few days later I walked by his empty office and cried. It was always a place I could go to talk about family, school, whatever. Now what?

The news of his passing came to me at 10:15PM Thursday night. The numbness set in. Some how it was easier to take since he hadn't been on campus for about 2 months. I knew he was in a better place. I knew that Mr. Martin and his family were prepared and at peace with his moving on to something better...heaven. It wasn't until I watched the story David Chancellor, of WOAI, did on Saturday night that I broke down. He showed a clip of Mr. Martin talking about heaven and it hit me that he is really gone. I won't hear that raspy voice. I won't ever see him again on this earth. I spent 5 wonderful years working for and with this amazing man. I am thankful and blessed to have had to privilege to call him my boss and my friend.

To view the news story go to:
http://www.woai.com/content/sportsvideo/default.aspx?videoId=792118@woai.dayport.com&navCatId=16

On the right hand side you will have to find the clip of a man in a blue shirt standing in front of hanging jerseys.

Ecclesiastes 3 says:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance..."