Merry Christmas Friends and Family!

It’s hard to believe that 2025 is just around the corner—and even harder to believe that 2024 is almost over! It feels like just yesterday it was December 1993, and we were living in Seguin. Since it’s been quite a while since my last blog post and Christmas card, it’s time to catch some of you up on our lives.

The biggest and most exciting update is about our oldest daughter! She’s now out of law school, married, and raising the most adorable little boy on the planet. Clark turned two in August and has quickly become the center of her world. Courtney and Rick live in Rockwall, Texas, where Rick is running Patriot Paws, and Courtney works as a corporate lawyer for a franchise holding company. I’ll include pictures at the end of this letter!

Meagann has also been doing wonderfully. She’s married, graduated from college, and is living her best life close to us in Las Cruces. Her husband, Erik, works as a university police officer, and Meagann is teaching at a local middle school.

And then there’s our youngest, Clay—can you believe he’s 25 now? What?! Even bigger news: he’s engaged to Ellie, a lovely young lady from Denver. Ellie is currently finishing her master’s degree in Barcelona (yes, definitely living her best life!). Meanwhile, Clay is a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is stationed somewhere in the Middle East. While I wouldn’t call his current situation “living his best life,” we couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s become.  Their wedding is scheduled for September 2025.

Greg and I are now living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He’s working as a corporate HR professional, and I’m teaching ELA Resource and Inclusion in El Paso, TX. As for retirement—well, I can’t say when that will happen just yet. Right now, I’m absolutely in love with my students. They make me laugh every single day. Sure, there are rough moments, and not every day is smooth sailing, but the good times far outweigh the bad.

Greg and I spend way too much time driving back and forth to Dallas. If anyone’s looking for the perfect Christmas gift for us, a time portal or a 737 would be ideal—just imagine how much easier that trip would be!

Merry Christmas!!!

 Merry Christmas Friends & Family!

Has it really been 3 years since I last wrote a post here?   It seems so.  Time flies.   So much has happened in the past 3 years.  

The good part about life happening is that the good memories can fill all the right buckets.   Our son, Clay,  has graduated from high school and is currently active in the NMSU ROTC program with intentions of going active upon graduation.  He has settled into becoming a good student with a strong desire for greatness.   Now, he repeatedly plays too many video games.   What teen doesn't these days? 

Our oldest, Courtney, has graduated from law school and is anxiously looking forward to passing the bar so that she can be a US Army Jag lawyer beginning in August 2021.   Her and Rick are living in the Dallas metroplex with their two dogs, Winston and Jake.  Courtney is baking cakes in her spare time and Rick is working with his mom at Patriot Paws as the general manager.

Meagann is currently on  the downhill slide for graduating NMSU with her bachelors in History Education.  She is hoping to snag a job teaching at the university so she can work on her masters and be debt free.   Next Sunday afternoon, she will be marrying the love of her life.  Her fiancee, is a young man whom she met here.  Erik is a police officer at NMSU and is pursuing his criminal justice degree.   And before you ask, she didn't meet him and obtain a speeding ticket along with a first date.    

A huge shout out to COVID for screwing up all the wedding plans.   What should have been a beautiful golf course wedding has turned into a backyard event with catering courtesy of Costco.      The only bright spot is that this wedding is costing us pennies in compared to what it could have been.     I can't say that Greg and I are unhappy about that.

I wish I could offer up some personal pictures this year for Christmas of the kids or something.  I only have dog pictures and for whatever reason my photos aren't syncing easily with the computer.   Santa needs to bring me a new mac.   I AM NOT REFERRING TO A BIG MAC HAMBURGER. 

I found this video earlier today and wanted to share.  Anthem Lights is one of my favorite groups.   These 2 songs mesh together perfectly.  Enjoy!  

 Lots of Love, OG

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

Yes,  I had to do it!    The ugly pajamas were calling my name.    I planned this card all year and it makes me so happy!   And yet, I didn't get the opportunity to send it.    I had all sorts of good intentions.      Here is the latest information on our clan.     

During June of  last summer, our oldest and her husband moved to Birmingham, Alabama.  She was admitted into school at Samford University in the Cumberland School of Law.  She is currently in the top 15% of her class and will soon be running the world.   Courtney is loving her life right now.  Rick is currently working with JC Penney's in their theft prevention department and has gotten a recent promotion over several stores.  Don't ask me what he does...but he seems happy doing it.  Greg & I are thrilled that life is going well for them.    Last week, they were forced into buying a new car because of his travels and found a 2006 Toyota Corolla with 30,000 miles.   It was an epic grandma car score for them!!!

Meagann enrolled into NMSU this month and is doing well.   Transitioning here to EP has been the most difficult for her but she is looking forward to the summer when she resumes marching with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Core.  She is still a part of their leadership team and this summer they will be performing a version of Hamilton.   This one should be amazing!!!

Greg is now employed by Mesilla Valley Transportation.   MVT is a conglomerate of several companies.  Don't ask me what they are.  I can't remember them all.  However, he is the HR man for all of them and is loving how the company is re-shaping for the future.

On the first day we arrived here  in EP,  I walked into the local high school to finish registration for our youngest child, Clay.    He was ready to start summer band camp.  He has acclimated nicely here and now has a whole new posse of friends.    That same day, I walked out with a job.   It was pretty exciting for me.    Fortunately, because of all my certifications...... special education teachers are hard to find... and there I was!    I am loving being in the high school environment and I can say that I never knew how much I would love it.   Go figure!!!  There is a huge possibility that I will soon begin the process of adding to my certifications and get a bigger degree.    Please pray for decisiveness and discernment... and maybe clarity as to when or if I begin this huge step.    The Lord works in mysterious ways and there is always a good reason for what he does.    I can say that several times during the past few years.....  I have questioned and been angry a few times at him.    At this point, I will never doubt his will again.     Moving here was a good thing for our family.   

Our desire is to move out of this rental this summer and with that get a permanent address....so next year......Christmas Cards will happen.   Finally, no excuses!  Right?    

I can't end this on a Merry Christmas but I can wish all of you a good day/month/year.   

All our love............

Life Happens...and we go on.

This post is  a difficult one to write.   There are so many words to say and most of them sound meaningless and void.   They may sound trivial to the heartless soul.  They may sound empty to the person who has never experienced this kind of loss.    But it stinks.

He didn't ask anything of me.  He didn't want to be groomed...yet he let me do it.  He didn't ask to have his nails trimmed....yet he survived the experience.    He seriously loved chasing bubbles and flashing lights.   A favorite pastime of his was to get in the car and ride anywhere.  Take him to home depot and his world was complete that day.  Who could forget the disco ball that spun in the tree all summer so that he would just play around outside.   Then, there was the year that  he chased bubbles so much that we purchased an electric bubble machine.  Good times!   He loved to pose for pictures.   He always let me take christmas pictures......the price was cheap.  He worked for cheerios.

My favorite Tramp story happened last fall, 2015.  We sent him to the groomer for a trim.  The groomer was new and interpreted that as meaning...  "buzz him bald".  Tramp laid on the couch for a week and acted embarrassed to go outside.  He looked like a spotted beagle.  His glorious ears were gone!  This was pure humiliation for him.  Poor guy!

Would someone please tell me what happened to my ears?

On Monday, February 29, 2016, we laid him to rest.  Tramp was the perfect pet.  The only thing he had to give was his unconditional love and the ability to snuggle up and he did it without hesitation.  

Tramp was only 6 years old.  Rest in peace big guy!  I know that up there in doggy heaven you are pain free and playing with your friend, Tigger.   

December 2009

December 2010

Christmas 2010

                                                     

                                         

His wingspan before the buzz him bald cut occurred.

Christmas 2015

Last one...  

God's Little Silver Platter

As most of you know,  I have been working at a school here in Frisco that I love.   How I got the job is quite the story.    I  told a friend that I had always loved that campus and just couldn't seem to ever get a job there.  It seemed elusive to me and I even had classroom experience!  She told her principal about me and magically I was hired a week later.   Yes,  it wasn't as a teacher in my own classroom.......but it was in a classroom as a para-professional at the same campus I had been drooling over for several years.   HAPPY!   God really opened that door for me!!!  Gotta love that!!!

SO,   I have been working there since December 2014 and loving every day of it.  The location, the people...both adults & children.   LOVE!!! LOVE!!!! LOVE!!!!!

In May, I was sitting at a table with teacher friends relaxing after a band banquet.    One was the person who told me and referred me for the job I currently had.  The other was teacher at another campus.   She asked me how I liked my job and if I had ever considered returning to the classroom and be the lead teacher.   I told her yes...but really didn't want to just throw out my resume anywhere and that I really wanted to obtain "God's Silver Platter".    I needed to feel that assuredly it was the place for me.   I felt I was too old to be somewhere that wasn't a good fit.

SO.......her next words were "I may have that silver platter."    "Send me your resume."  

In fairness,  I told my principal that I was interviewing for a job at another campus.  I also told her that my first choice is ECS but due to current living circumstances......   I planned to interview if/when they called.  I needed a big girl salary and responsibilities.

This really felt like my platter.   I quickly figured out that I personally knew the counselor and principal on her campus.  Life was really looking up and there were 3 open classrooms.    It doesn't sound much better than that.  Right?    There were open classes in K, 4 & 5.   I would love any of them...especially K.   It felt right.    As we all know now...........  
They just didn't see my sparkling personality!!!!!


It bothered me for about a day.  Then it hit me.......   God doesn't want me there.  Ok, I still love my current job and am quite content at this time.   I am content.   

  

A week or so went by & in early June,  I found out that a teacher on my campus had plans to quit at a latter part of the summer.   I emailed my principal and asked it I could be considered for that classroom.   It couldn't hurt, right?   Absolutely,  if God wanted me to have that classroom.....   It would be mine and on a silver platter.   I was content to just put my name out there.  

A month or so flew past and on July 20......  I noticed an email from my principal.    About 15 minutes passed and about 4 emails later.............. at 12:45 that afternoon.   I went into training the very next day.   I FINALLY RECEIVED MY SILVER PLATTER.  I had the classroom of my dreams.  I had the campus of my dreams.  

God provided that job on a silver platter!!!!!  

December! January! & WAIT!!!!! Today is February!!! WHAT????

Miss C.G. tied the knot!  She recently married her love.......  Mr. RS   What a day that was!   As if getting married isn't going to fill the calendar......We planned a wedding on top of Christmas & a mini vacation.   Fortunately, I am a bit OCD and over all a decent planner!
Everything went off without a hitch.   Did I also mention I interviewed for a new job 2 days before the wedding?  AM I INSANE??????    Hey, God's timing is not always my timing...but I'll take it.

The Ringbearer just didn't want to hang out in a box.......

The cake looked pretty on that beautiful platter!!!

Something old..  (my pearls) 

Something new... (dress)

Something blue..... (her tongue?)

Baby, is my tie ok?

Look who photobombed the pretty girls?   JESUS!

What a good place for a new life to start!!!

RS entered our lives a few years ago and promptly introduced himself by announcing that he had no intentions of being enrolled  in the "Flavor of the Month Club".   We immediately figured out at that point he was a keeper.

RS will do the family pose now......

Some may call the wedding punch a "punch casserole"  It was easy.  It had a ton of things in it.  It was delicious!!  Anything served with that ladle & punch bowl should be tasty......  And can you believe we found all those cups for virtually about .10 each?  WHAT???????

Since the wedding of the year is over.....Life continued on.  We survived Christmas.  We went to Branson for a few days after that to unwind and find a new kind of normal without the daily excitement of having Miss CG in the house.  WAIT......  She is now MRS. CS!   Gotta remember that one!!!

Hey, kids...gas was $1.89 per gallon at the Racetrack on the day you were married!

I started the new job....actually using my diploma and loving it.   Yep......  I am finally back in the classroom!!!!    Family things occurred and I found myself in the midst of crazy band planning events.    I REALLY NEED A VACATION NOW!!!  


                                             Road trip anyone?  The beach isn't that far....