When Josh and I were on our cruise over the summer, we made friends with the Park West Gallery auctioneer and his fiance. Wouter and Tineke are from South Africa and were on the Carnival Breeze until October, when their contract was up.
On the cruise, we were chatting about various things and the subject of football came it. It just so happened that the day their contract ended was the same day of a home game for the Texans. Josh offered to take them to their first ever American football game.
We were excited, but it was 4 months away. Fast forward 4 months and October 16 was finally here.
At 7am we left to go pick them up from the Starbucks at the port in Galveston. We brought them back to our house to chill by the pool. We drove around our neighborhood on our golf cart showing them the subdivision.
The guys went to Academy while the girls took naps. Then we took them for lunch at the Wursthaus and then got dressed for the game.
We got there a bit early so that they could experience the outside activities.
Then we ran into some other cruising friends of theirs and spent some time with them for a while.
The game was a nail biter...but we won. And the best part, was we were able to go onto the field after the game...just the 4 of us. I have never been on a football field like that before. It was amazing and surreal.
I'm so glad they were able to come with us. It was so much fun!
Since Caleb is in Symphonic band this year, his group gets to go to band night at the high school.
He had such a great time!
They played both in the stands and on the field. He is so proud to be a member of the band!
We had two preseason games scheduled at NRG.
It was the first time we would be able to see our seats, experience the Chairman's Club, and get ready for the season.
Our PSL's are in the Chairman's Club, which is basically a side entrance by the Ford entrance on the ground level. Once the doors open, there is a red carpet that leads to a service elevator, ready to take all the fans to the club level 7.
I was concerned that we were going to be so high up, but once we saw it, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Getting off the elevator, they put wrist bands on us and give us the fan signs of the day. We get free Game Day magazines and the food is ready to go. Each week there is a different menu, all of it included in the price that we paid for the PSL's. It ranges from brisket and sausage to pulled pork sandwiches shrimp po boys. They also have unlimited nachos, hot dogs, peanuts, peanuts, popcorn, sodas, and salad bar. It was worth it!
Our seats are quite roomy. Our knees and legs aren't bumping into the person in front of us, and we have an aisle seat. The people around us have been quite nice and we are super happy to be there.
We look forward to making more memories while watching our beloved Texans!!!!
Gosh! What's wrong with me? It's been two months since I posted and our lives have been going full speed ahead.
I'll try to get all my photos and events posted in individual posts, but on to the quick update:
I've been working at my new job for almost 3 months now. At first it was rocky. Not because I don't like my school or my co workers, but because I was trying to figure out a new job. I know how to be a nurse, but being a school nurse is taking some figuring out. Now that I am almost to the first major holiday of the school year, it seems like I have a better routine. Things aren't always easy, and I still have some anxiety about the professional relationships I am building, but it's good. It was a good decision to join this team. The teachers have all been very nice, I love the administration at my school, and there's a nice spirit in the building. I really couldn't ask for anything more. The thing I am dealing with the most is the autonomy. It's great and right up my alley, but that also means that I get lost in the shuffle. I'm not a teacher, I don't see the teachers every day, and I have to work harder to remember everyone and make sure to try to be as much a part of the team as possible. This will come with time.
Caleb and Jansen are cruising through school. Caleb is in symphonic band and they are pretty active. He has band sectionals Thursday mornings at 7am and private lessons on Fridays until 5:15. Right now he is at Regionals. He's loving band.
Jansen is in beginner band this year playing trumpet. He's enjoying that as well. He's also in drama but he doesn't want to continue that next year. He joined the choir and likes it. He has a lovely preteen voice. I'm glad he found something he likes.
Joshua is working as usual. He has been working a bit extra so that he can be off for our Texans games. That has been worth every penny we spent because it gives us plenty of fun times as a family. We are loving it!
So that is the quick version...more individual posts to come!
This week was the first week back to school for my boys and my first week back with the students at my job.
It was a whirlwind, it was stressful, but it was successful. We made it!
Last week, the boys had Meet the Teacher and they got their locker, supplies, and Chromebooks. I had two happy kids and that made me happy.
Then we were ready for First Day of School breakfast. The kids were so sleepy that they wouldn't take any photos eating breakfast, and honestly, I don't blame them.
Lunches were packed...
They were looking great and ready to go!
I dropped them off at 7:15 and went straight to my school for a busy, busy day.
The kids are so cute and everyone at my school has been very welcoming. I'm looking forward to this year!
As you know, I have accepted a job at Ogg Elementary as their new school nurse.
Initially I was extremely excited. That was in June. Then I went to ridiculously anxious. That was in July. Now I am feeling about 70/30 excited/anxious. This is August.
The beginning of school is always thrilling for me. The new supplies and clothes, the beginnings of organization, watching my kids as they begin their new 187 day journey, getting the school year started as Fall and Winter roll around...these are a few of my favorite things. It means football...all week long. Friday night high school games, Saturday college games, Sunday NFL games, Monday night and Thursday night football games...LOVE!
Now, this year, I am returning to the full time work force. Initially getting the job after the stressful time of interviewing was thrilling and exciting. The hopes of brand new employment is a challenge that I really looked forward to. Then as the summer progressed and I started thinking about the logistics, I started to get restless and anxious. I don't know anything about the school district. Will I make professional friends? Will they embrace me as a new employee to their school? Will I be able to organize things how I want them? Who are my contacts for questions? I just had a million questions. My personality is wanting to be the contact person, wanting to know what's going on so that I can help others. It's very disconcerting to be brand new employee, learning the ropes, protocols, who to eat lunch with, can I remember everyone's names, etc.
Last week, after finishing all the back to school shopping for the boys, buying two weeks worth of new scrubs for me, and finishing up supply purchases, I had a private moment with Jesus while doing some late night swimming. I prayed for him to take it over. My anxiety will take over as I try to plan for every what-if that may or may not happen. I'm fully competent, I'm fully capable, and I am prepared, but God needs to take me over. Every single darn time that I worry and ask God to do his will and change my perspective, He does. Like, why don't I do this every single day?!
So I'm now feeling pretty good about it. I got in to my clinic and was able to organize paperwork a bit and do a little decorating to make the office a bit more cheerful.
Now I begin work Monday. We have two full weeks of professional development before the kids return on the 22nd. I'm ready to get into a routine of early morning swimming for exercise, some coffee with breakfast and some quiet time with God before waking up the kids, getting their breakfast and lunches packed, getting dressed while they get dressed, and getting out the door at 7am to drop them off at Clute, and then head to Ogg for me. Off work around 4pm, head to pick up the boys, and back home for dinners, homework, and downtime before nighttime routines and prep for the next day.
Summer is a wonderful, blasty blast of time as a family when we can relax and not have to worry about band, homework, early to bed and early to rise, and extra activities. But it has had its season. I'm ready to return to Fall. I'm ready to take care of between 400-500 students and staff. I'm ready for the challenge of a new job. I'm ready for crisp evenings at the football field. I'm ready for a scarf! I'm ready for pumpkin spice. I'm ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Let's do this!
