Christmas!

We've had an amazing holiday season and I'm sad to see it end. Our family of four has created some wonderful memories and our time with Grandma and Papa was priceless. I'm not sure we left the house more than twice in an entire week. That means a lot of quality time and relaxation. As we end 2012 and look ahead to 2013, I will cherish the days ahead that I have with both kiddos before Ry leaves me to enter his school day career at the end of the summer. So many new adventures lay ahead of us...feeling bittersweet. Don't be surprised to find that in 2013 as we celebrate 10 years of marriage and a five year old heading off to Kindergarten, I will most likely to be found in an emotional and sappy state...sigh.

The World Through My Eyes: Juliana

The World Through My Eyes: Juliana

These particular blog posts from Compassion are always eye opening to me.  Please say a prayer for Juan tonight.  Pray that he is able to find God and feel love, joy, and hope.

Thank you Grandparents!!!!

Hollywood!

Only in Texas in December....

Snowflake got into trouble!

Sugar cookie mess making day!

CJs first preschool party

Here we go again with little bit! Preschool Christmas parties are always so fun! Decorating and eating cookies is yummy!

San Antonio

The surprise was followed by a trip to the San Marcos outlet mall, a trip to historic Gruene, Texas, dinner at the Gristmill, and then a Friday night stay at the hotel. Rylan got to watch the Polar Express from our room being projected on a wall in the courtyard, which was fun for him. Unfortunately, things went downhill at that point with a 104.4 fever from CJ. We still ventured to Sea World on Saturday but a sick baby and tired 5 year old proved not to be a great combination. In theory, the trip should have been fun :-/!

First there was the surprise...

Oh Christmas tree...

All Smiles!

Peter Pan was awesome! Cathy Rigby turns 60 tomorrow and was phenomenal as ever! We all had a great time and Ry loved seeing where J worked and walking through the tunnels downtown! What a special treat to be out with our sweet boy.

Peter Pan

We surprised Rylan today...again. This weekend was the surprise trip to Sea World, which is a separate post itself, and today was the show. Samantha arrived at 4 to watch CJ and Ry and I headed downtown to meet J. We handed out some care bags to the homeless, our family Christmas project, and headed up to see J's floor in the Shell building. We got to walk through the tunnels and then headed to the Hard Rock for dinner. We told him about Peter Pan as we were walking into the theater!

So proud of Anna!

Subject: Update from U of Houston

Hi there!

Happy near-end of the semester everyone--and what a crazy whirlwind of a semester it has been!

I think by this point, I can safely and confidently say that I'm happily settled into life here at the University of Houston and that, overall, I'm loving life. 

I couldn't be happier with how my classes are going here.  All but one of my classes this past semester were music related, and what a treat that was!  Music theory and aural skills have been challenging (especially when we have to sight-sing on note names in alto clef!), but I am ever improving and getting more and more comfortable with the challenges they present.  

As far as my individual voice training is concerned, I think I've made some pretty great improvements this semester, thanks to my wonderful teacher here, Professor Evans.  I can't even express how much I love lessons here and all of the repertoire I've been working on.  It's been a bit daunting, and he is far from easy on me--he tells me constantly that he picks on me like he does his graduate students, and I'd believe it.  He's so good about challenging me to be a better singer, musician, etc. all of the time, which I love.  

Perhaps the most exciting thing that has occurred just recently was my successful audition up into the Concert Chorale here at UH, which is the top choir in our school.  I was lucky enough to be one of only 8 people they accepted into the group for next semester, and I couldn't be more excited.  One of the most exciting opportunities on the near horizon with that group is going to be our performance at the Texas Music Educators Association conference (fondly referred to as simply TMEA to those involved) in February.  Apparently it's one of if not the largest music conference in the United States and possibly the world as well, so it's a huge honor that our choir was invited to sing this year--and that I get to go!  Of course, the amount and difficulty of music that I have to learn before then is more than a bit daunting, but I'm excited for the challenge at the same time.   

As a part of joining this new group, I received the opportunity to audition to be a part of a small select group of 32 out of the entirety of Chorale that will go to Marktoberdorf, Germany this May for the Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition.  I just figured out last night that my audition was good enough to secure one of the spots in this prestigious group sponsored by the university, so from May 15 through June 2 I will be in Germany!  Unfortunately, this means I can't compete in the Classical Singer competition again this year, but I think it's a worthy sacrifice!  :)  

So that's just about it for me these days!  Thank you everyone for the amazing support you have been in every part of my life.  You are ever in my prayers!

May you have a blessed Christmas!

Anna Montgomery

Lunchtime!

As I was finishing up laundry today, Rylan said that he was ready for lunch. He told me that he would begin to get it ready. Upon telling me that he had gotten his AND Callie Jaes things out, I gave huge praises of course. He said, "we'll, I'm practicing becoming an adult. I hope my kids do that for me someday, right Mommy?" You betcha! I love my little man and think he is one very special little boy that wears some big shoes.

Christmas stuff!

Christmas party, J combing Chris' chest hair sticking out from the ugly sweater contest, and mailing of Ry's list.

Oh what an appetite...

...is the report I heard from school. Apparently CJ is known as the food stealer. They say, "no Callie Jae, eat your own food," and she looks them right in the eyes and reaches her hand into her neighbors lunch. Sigh.

Today I caught her not only doing this, but then also trying to climb the shelves.