Portrait from Emma

So my Mom-in-Law called a couple of days ago and told me a wonderful story. Naunie's youngest sister, Emma, is missing us terribly. Every time Omaha calls us, we're told of stories or asked when we're coming to see them. Well, I get a phone call telling me that Emma came in the room, and would not tell what she had been up to. She was afraid of getting in trouble. After being prodded, she admitted to drawing a picture of Naunie, Emma, and myself...on the wall...of her closet. And y'know, you can't get mad at her for this! She misses us! And we miss you, Emma! We'll see you in August!

Reading Troubles

Oh, and for those of you keeping score: I am struggling with finding my next book to read. (this is why I hadn't done any real reading for so long) When I figure out what it is for sure, I'll let you know. I started on a book called TOMORROW'S GOD, but I don't think I like it. Then I started CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP, which is a history of hip-hop. I like it alright, but there is no intrinsic value that I can glean from the bit that I've read, and I want to read things that will help in either music ministry or school. So, I'm still looking. I know there's a ton of good books out there - I just have to find the ones that interest me. BUT I'M STILL COMMITTED TO READING BOOKS!!!

Just Sittin', and Hopin', and Wishin', and Prayin'...

Well, the final two days of school are come and - sigh...ALMOST - gone. I'm sitting in my room, which is now bare of any materials (save some trash that I figure doesn't matter), typing on my laptop because my computer and all of the music room belongings are in their new summer home - a corner of the library. The music room is being moved over the summer, and my current room is being changed as well. So, all my stuff gets to be moved around twice! Yay me! Actually, I'm hopeful that the magic elves will have all of the music room stuff at least in the new room when we come back from summer break. Of course, I will have to organize it all when I get back. LOL - me and organization: what a great combination! Anywho, we do not get to leave early because the evil trolls that live out in the parking lot will eat us and grind our bones to make their bread. So I'm waiting until the appropriate time. However, I did not take a lunch break (I ate - but didn't leave the building), so I'm hoping to get out of here at 2:00. I am also curious as to whether or not my new room will be bigger than this one. Once upon a time, it was going to be two rooms put together, but rumor has it that idea has been changed. We shall see...

A Book Report On Peter Rabbit...

And kudos to anyone that actually got that musical theatre reference!

No, I did not read Peter Rabbit, but I have finished two - count 'em, TWO! - books now! Yeah, I know it's not much, but it's more than I've done in a while. This morning, I finished TEACH LIKE YOUR HAIR'S ON FIRE, by Rafe Esquith. It took me a little longer than Rob Bell's VELVET ELVIS, but it is finished! Now, I am not a good synopsis or report giver, so I won't be telling what each book is about that I read. But I will let you all know things as I think of them, or read them. I think I will also put a list on this page that tells you what I have read, and what I'm going to read. That way, when people ask me what my last book was, I don't have to think TOO hard about it - I can just go here and look! My very small brain forgets quickly, so this way I can keep tabs on my literary smartitude. :)

As soon as I pick my next book, I'll let you know. I might finish up EMERGING WORSHIP, which I started a long time ago. That's my problem: I will start books but not finish them. I have never finished reading THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL by Brennan Manning. I've read 3/4 of it three times, but I have never finished. Likewise, I'm about 2/3 done with EMERGING WORSHIP. That is why it's an accomplishment for me to have finished two books in the last couple of months!

Have a great Sunday!
Jermaine

HAPPY FRIDAY WORLD!!!

Only 4 1/2 days to go before school is out for the summer! Well, for the kids. We (the teachers) have to return for two days after Memorial Day. But that will be good, because I have to pack my entire room up and move it to it's temporary home in the library. I'll have a new room next year. However, those two days - as well as the next 4 1/2 - will be used to go through lots and lots and lots ... and lots of magazines, papers, and unregistered books, deciding what to keep/pack, and what to recycle/throw away.

For no reason in particular, I was thinking about the wonderful world of 80's Christian music. Here's the first CD ever purchased by me (or, more likely, by my parents for me):

Ahhh, Bryan Duncan. Y'know, if you replace the cheezy synthesizer keyboard and drum sounds with the real thing, this really is a great project! (minus "Dont'cha Wanna Rap," which is great, but in that terrible aweful I-can't-believe-I'm-listening-to-this sort of way)

This thought and subsequent shuffle through on my ipod was followed by the realization that my first concert CD was probably Michael W. Smith: The Live Set.

Just putting it on here got me singing "Nothin' But The Blood's" chorus of woah woah's. While this does NOT hold up as well as Bryan (curious that MWS is the one still cranking out music), it's still a great memory. I was so sad that I didn't get to see this concert live. I did, however, get to see the Amy Grant "Lead Me On" tour, which included MWS "I2Eye," a much more worthy memory in the 80's Christian market.

Anyone reading, what are your first memories of CD's bought or concerts attended?

So the end of the school year apparently plays havok with my schedule and ability to write down thoughts. Here's why I haven't put anything down for the last week or so, and why until the end of school I will probably be sporadic...

- Spending time with my wife trumps the blog, as well it should!

- I can generally only blog during the daytime, and as you see below...

- I still have two more school performances before the end of the year
- My room has to be completely packed up, because it is being moved across the hall to a (hopefully) bigger room
- Grades are due
- I still have to do the lesson plans for "watch a video" and make it sound more worthwhile (for any teachers reading: don't worry - it is worthwhile! It's Music!!! )
- While watching said video, my children do not allow for me to pack up the room that has to go bye bye
- Sitting at the computer for Church work gets priority over sitting at the computer for blogging
- Travel on the weekends
- I'm still trying to finish my monthly book, and I'm QUICKLY running out of time!!!
- Between all of this, I do like to sleep occasionally.

So there ya go. Naunie and I are headed to Wichita this weekend for Loni's graduation, Pa's birthday, Mother's Day, and I think a baby shower.

Changed my mind - THINGS OF NOTE!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BEN LOBAUGH!!! My little bro is now 21. This makes me feel very old. But hey, I'm happy for him! I just remember the little red head with the round head that toddled around in Wichita. Well, I can still beat him in arm wrestling...

CONGRATULATIONS TO LONI LOBAUGH!!! My little sis (over 21...sigh...) has signed a contract with Wichita Public Schools! She has a real job and will get to pay real taxes! Yay!!! "Who is FICA and why is getting all my money?!"

Nothing of note

Hello readers (I've found out that I have some!!!),

Nothing of interest to say right now. Last week was my first week back in the classroom, and this week is my first week back teaching full time, so I'm remembering how to balance my time. Hence the long pause between posts. Please forgive me!

Having said that, I'm still reading TEACH LIKE YOUR HAIRS ON FIRE, only slower, because...well, I have to teach instead of sitting on a couch all day. My student teacher is leaving on Thursday. Sigh...back to the real world...

Naunie's school district gets Friday off for Cinco de Mayo (even though it's really Cinco de Quatro), so I'm playing hooky with her that day. I'm hoping to get her to take me to see Spider-Man 3. Actually, I'm hoping she will go WITH me to see Spider-Man 3, because I'll be there at some point in the day regardless! It's just more fun to sit in a dark theater holding hands with a beautiful woman, y'know?

So apparently my youngest sister in law has been planning a trip to Texas. She's telling her mom that they have to pack to come and see us because it takes many hours to get here. I'm thinking though that she will have to wait for us to go see her in June or August, seeing as how she's four and can't really drive yet. But Nebraska family: we love you and miss you!

(Kansas/Texas/Georgia family, we love and miss you, too. We've just been able to see you more recently)

Blessings all around!!!
Jermaine