December Fun

We enjoyed several fun times this month. Our annual trip to Roper Mountain Science Center to see the pretty lights is always a hit. Daniel, Owen, Nanny, and I loaded up the car on a frosty December Saturday to follow Sara and the colorguard to the State Championship Football game. Even though the Rebels lost, we still had a great time. Then, we were treated to Owen's first band concert as the 5th grade band played Christmas songs and impressed us with how far they've come since August.

Happy Birthday Zeb

Eighteen years ago today God granted a wish I had been praying for my entire life - I got a brother. I didn't really enjoy being an only child, but for many years it looked like that's how it was going to be for me. Then, shortly before my college graduation I found out that God does listen to our prayers. He just works on his own timetable and not ours.

He sent me Zeb, who I like to think of as my practice child. With him I learned many things about parenting - how to change diapers, why one should always take a change of clothes when going out with a little one, when not to overreact, and most importantly, how to really listen.

I have had the honor of bringing him home from the hospital for the first time, helping cut down and decorate his first Christmas tree, watching him take his first steps, watching him play soccer and basketball, driving him home from school everyday his freshman year, helping teach him how to drive a car, providing "locker space" and emergency school supplies in my classroom, and being his shelter from the storms of teenage madness.

I am so proud of him today. He's quite the young man. He's intelligent, strong, funny, caring, and fiercely loyal to those who put their faith in him. I know good things await him on the road ahead and I hope he allows me to keep tagging along for the ride.

Happy Birthday to my Zeb, you funny little monkey.

STATE

November 7, 2009 - Sara's first State Band Competition

The 2009 Rebel Regiment

Our Guard Girl

Taking the field


Warming Up

Getting ready

Highlights of State Day

* Bus Trip (except for the part where one of the buses broke down)

*State Gifts from State Buddy and Family

*4th place finish :-)

Congrats to our Sara and the entire Rebel Regiment for a great season. Pipe Dreams was a wonderful show. We can't wait to see and hear what you do next year!

Happy Halloween!

Here's how Daniel and Owen spent their Saturday morning. Happy Halloween!

Our spooky front porch!

What it must be like to be a jack-o'-lantern...

Daniel and his masterpiece

Owen and his creation

Homecoming Parade!!

Every year for Homecoming the high school celebrates with a parade in front of the school. The contestants get to ride in convertibles, the football team and other groups pile in the backs of trucks, the band and ROTC march, and each class creates a float around the theme for the year. It's always lots of fun. This year was extra special because Sara was marching with the colorguard and Jeri was riding with the annual staff (they won best yearbook in the state for the '09 edition). Here are some pictures of the girls. Happy Homecoming!

Wise's Barbecue

If you're reading my blog, either you've been to Wise's and are now planning to go back very soon OR you need to get your tail down Hwy. 76 towards Newberry and get yourself some barbecue!

Trips to Wise's are a Camp family tradition dating back to the 1970s. The prices are a bit higher now, but the food is still just as delicious as it was when I first went in 1991. Chicken (not fried), chopped pork, hash, ribs, rice, beans, pickles, and white bread are all on the all-you-can-eat buffet. Smother it all in a peppery mustard barbecue sauce and yum! There's sweet tea to drink or you can buy a soft drink from the machine outside.

Here are some pictures from our most recent trip. That's Carl at the top. He works at Wise's and he's a hoot! He's the resident icon, much like J.C. is at the Beacon. He won't yell your order, but he'll definitely make you laugh.

"Band Geeks"

"Band Geeks" is the title of one of my favorite episodes of Spongebob Squarepants. Actually it ranks right after 1) Procrastination and 2) Frankendoodle, both of which I have been known to show to my students. Anyway, this month we have been in the midst of band competition season and we have all turned into "Band Geeks" traveling here and there to the various contests.

The first competition of the year was held at home so we really didn't compete. I guess it isn't fair for the home band to have an advantage. Anyway, the day began before noon and ran late. Daniel and I spent several hours working with some other parents in the concession stand. That was fun. Then we were finished in time to watch the Rebel Regiment perform their show for exhibition. Nanny came to see Sara perform that night. Scores were good and we were hopeful for a winning season.

The next competition was held at Mauldin. I should have known this one wouldn't go as well when we missed the turn for the school. Sara had a big crowd there that night: Grandmama, Madeline, Granny, Pa, and the three of us. Our band did an okay job. We placed third overall, not what we were expecting.

The third competition was held in Morganton, NC, about 2 hours away. That meant a road trip for the rest of us. Daniel had recently attended a youth leadership retreat at nearby Lake James so he knew of a neat place to eat along the way. We went to a place called Moondoggy's Classic Diner and ate something scrumptous - corn nuggets! Think hushpuppies with creamed corn inside and you've got it! Then we went to Freedom High School for the contest. We were the only band from SC and the biggest band by far. Let's just say the people were really nice even though our band took all their trophies home with us.

This weekend is a USSBA contest in Wise, Virginia. Sara has to be at the school before 7 am and won't return until midnight. It's a three hour drive and it's Halloween so we're not going to make this one. Owen really wants to trick-or-treat and he hasn't complained at all about attending these things so we need to let him do what he wants this weekend. Still, we will be there with Sara in spirit.

Besides, we have to get ready for next Saturday - it's STATE Saturday, the final competition of the year. We'll be traveling to Orangeburg to compete for the title. Be sure to wish the Rebel Regiment good luck and if you're in the stands and hear a shout out for Peanut or Chewy, you know those are for Sara from her loyal followers - Mama, Daddy, and Owen. Even though this season is coming to an end, there's still more fun to come - football playoff games, Christmas parades, and Winterguard season!