Wizard of OZ~ A School Play

Last weekend, we had two performances of the "Wizard of OZ", performed by the 8th graders of London ISD. What an awesome time and experience for these kids; they did fabulous and everyone seemed to enjoy the play!!! London School Rocks!

(above photos taken by John and Milda Sendajar~ 8th grade parents and professional photographers who take many photos for school events. Thanks John and Milda!)

My 8th grade son, Andrew... the Tin Man!

After the performances, the cast signed their character autograph on programs and kids' arms!

I'm very thankful to Mrs. Pedraza, Spanish teacher at London and 8th grade parent. Her love for the kids and the time she poured into this production of Wizard of OZ is appreciated beyond words. As a parent of 3 children who attend London ISD, I feel blessed to be a part of a school that is full of staff that go the extra mile for our kids. As Mr. McMath, our loving Superintendent would say, "God shines bright at London". Mrs. Pedraza is among the the many shining bright.

Mrs. Pedraza initiated this play for the 8th grade class as a fun way to earn extra money to help pay for some of the 8th grade graduation. Not only did the 8th grade class earn over $2,000. (pretty good considering our entire school consists of about 350 students K-8), but more importantly, this play created a positive memory and life imprint for these kids that will be with them all their lives.

Thank you Mrs. Pedraza and all the parents who supported the children in this fun experience!

MUSIC MONDAY~ "Save A Place For Me"

I have not blogged a Music Monday in a while! I love listening to positive, encouraging music each day. It's one of the many ways God ministers to me and I am lifted up. I primarily listen to our local Christian station here in Corpus Christi, TX, 91.7 KBNJ. Nothing like our home town radio station! On occasion, I also listen to nationally syndicated stations K-LOVE and AIR1. Check out KLOVE & AIR1 web sites to find a station close to you or listen to any of these three on the Internet!

Back to Music Monday~ A song I've been hearing a lot on the radio lately is called "Save A Place For Me" by Matthew West. As I listen to the lyrics of this song, I long for my home in heaven more and more. I think about the many people in my life who have left this earth to be with the Lord in their home in heaven. I think about my niece, Brittney Jennings who was taken from this earth at the age of 17 this past November, just 4 months ago. I think about all the many friends and family Britt left behind so suddenly~ those who still think about her energy, her life, and her love. How we didn't get to say "good-bye". I think about Britt's boyfriend Sean, who, through Brittney's death, know's in his heart there IS a God in heaven... He looks forward to seeing Brittney again along with his baby brother who also passed at a young age when Jesus takes him there.

May the Lord encourage us through this song~




This song was made for "Tanya" from Janet.


I dedicate this song to any person grieving the loss of a loved one; that they may find encouragement that anyone who is in Christ Jesus and has left this earth has a place prepared for them in heaven and with Jesus by their side, they are saving a place for us as well. Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (New Living Translation)

Our renovation continues!

By now we thought we'd be a lot further along on the kid's bedrooms than we are, but the good news is, each day we move forward a little bit more, even if it's at a snail's pace.

Since my last renovation blog update, we've had all new double pane (energy efficient)windows installed on the entire house. The new window installation is the only project (so far) we hired people to do the work for us. Even as DIY'ers, Kirk and I know that an entire house needing windows is something we'd rather have the professionals do.

Over the past couple weeks, Kirk and I replaced a section of rotten subfloor (in Jessie and Joe's room); we framed out a wall that used to be a big window; we installed moisture barrier and prepped an exterior wall for siding (where a window used to be); Kirk updated a number of electrical cables under the house, old junction boxes, old outlets, and old switches for the bedrooms we're working on... they are all new! We are feeling little victories in each accomplished task.

New windows being installed!!!

This is the opening that used to have a large window. The window had an air conditioner unit in it that leaked and rotted out the wall and a small section of the floor. We've decided to NOT replace the window, but fix the rotten places and make a solid wall.

Little did we know when we bought this house that we were going to be rebuilding this much of it. It's a fun experience, that's for sure!

...all ready for new insulation!

...moisture barrier, and exterior insulation panels.

Our electrical issues... old cables that made a "crunchy" noise when they are moved around and several places that had exposed wires where critters had chewed through. YIKES!

(this photo is just a sampling of what Kirk replaced)

Kirk fit snug under the house getting the cables updated. Bless his heart, he spent a total of 8-10 hours total under the house. He even got bit/stung by a bug on his hand (we suspect a scorpion), which freaked him out when his hand hurt, tingled and went numb for a day.

...new outlets! Oh JOY! (a total of 10, so far)


What a beautiful sight... updated electrical!

We found a friendly gecko in Andrew's room, wondering why we disrupted his home behind some old wall boards. We relocated him outside where it's nice and warm.

We continue our renovation "process" at a snails pace . This week we've been putting up drywall (in 3 bedrooms) and are hoping to get the walls finished out over the next 4-7 days. I'm motivated to post "after" pictures of the three bedrooms all finished and decorated. But more than posting "after" pictures, to have the kids in their own bedrooms, with all their stuff, for the comfort and convenience of them having their own spaces again, this will be a reason to celebrate!