Bryden's Blue Suede Shoes!

 

Christmas Time

The tree from Oregon

We didn't buy a tree last year since we left to New York, but for the past seveal years our tree has been bought from a family that travels down from Oregon and sells them. We all agreed that the tree we picked this year was the best one there. When we lived in Luling we went with Pape to chop down our tree. That was always a treat for the kids. The thought makes me miss my Daddy.

Third in the State of TEXAS Not too Shabby!

It was not the end result that the team and all of Calallen had hoped for but, I and so many others, will always be proud of the great effort and heart that this team showed. Given played an amazing game! Exactly like an "ugly wolf" would have.

Fired up for Round Five!

"Dude, Y"all are going to the State Semi- Finals!"

Monica Anne McClure published in the Adirondak Review Winter Issue 2010

http://www.theadirondackreview.com/MonicaMcClure.html

On to Round 4!

Game 2 Playoff Win!

 

THANK YOU!

Love It all, Love it all. LOVE IT ALL!

Kmac at 22

Kmac came for a visit Friday November 5th. His birthday 22 years ago! That sounds so unbelievable. Funny how the visions of your children as children never leave your mind. I will never forget how after we had put him to bed in his crib he showed up in the living room and Bray and I both looked at each other wondering if the other had taken him out;neither of us had. He had climbed out alone! And just to make sure we put him back in and waited to see if he would do it again. Without a word and a sound he showed up again. We knew then that he was ready for a big boy bed. I suppose we will tell and retell the story of how Brayde dropped me off at the hospital, got me settled in to labor for Kindred and then left to go and play his alumni basketball game at St. Edward's. I said he could but, looking back I can't believe I did.
He came back though and even though I can't really remember that clearly I am going to say that they won!

Kmac and Jmac shoulder to shoulder!

The" New Two" aka Cleopatra and a pirate

Oak St. Backyard Chill.

It's not Central Park, but it was a great place to rest and relax.

2 and seven is nine!

Photo opp very late Saturday night, saying goodbye to Rebekah. Gathering all at once is becoming somewhat rare and so we treasure every minute together.

The City of God, St. Augustine

In one introduction to the City of God by Etienne Gilson it is written that..."Many, perhaps most, readers never finish reading the City of God in its original form."  That will most likely be me!  I just picked it up Sunday afternoon because I can't just sit from 1:30 -7:00 watching softball and baseball and nothing else!  And while I love watching the "new two" play I can do more than one or two and sometimes three things at a time.
So, wow, I am only in the forward and even though it is abridged for modern readers it is slow go. Read and re-read for sure.
I am though already so revived mentally by what I have read.  The following paraphrase is what I want to share.  Indulge me with your time and even a comment or two.
This is from the foreword by Vernon Bourke:  ...through the one ancestor, from whom all men are sprung, this unity...is not just an ideal..but a fact....instead of considering themselves bound together by a mere likeness of nature ,men are conscious of a real family bond.  None of the faithful could doubt that all men, regardless of race, color or appearance, have their origin in the first man created by God.  There was no doubt in St. Augustine's mind that God Himself had created the human race in this way so that men might understand how pleasing unity, even in diversity, was to God, nor could they doubt that their unity was a family unity.  Thus, men are naturally brothers in Adam even before being supernaturally brothers in Christ; of this we are assured by faith.

The unique thing about humans...

is that they look forward to upcoming events in their lives.  I heard or read this somewhat recently and it speaks to me.  Sorry I can't remember where....but I don't even remember where I put my keys and I have only been home for about 20 minutes now! 
This day is one of those times when I am looking forward  to the weekend.   God willing I will be in the presence  of 7 of the most precious people I will ever know.  Monica will be visiting from New York and Rebekah is traveling down from Dallas, and the boys are taking a break from their college lives.
We will be meeting in Austin and Luling on Friday and Saturday and I can't wait to be together as a family.  We are also hoping to see other family in Luling and spend some precious time under the Oak tree.

Fall breeze....thank you

I am breathing easier now that the cool Fall air is here.  The life pace is still as speedy, but the cool air on my face early in the morning warms my heart and makes me think of Autumns past.  I can't seem to get away from the sound of a train in my life, there is one near our house in Corpus Christi and with the tilt of the earth the whistel(horn) is muffled and it always reminds me of Luling. 
I am so glad that the Alaniz's invited us to the beach yesterday.  There were the usual reasons to say "no" ...wash, school work, yard work etc.!  Once mentioned to the "new two" they were on it.  They know exactly what to do, towels, boogie boards, drinks, chairs, suits on and ready to go in 15 minutes!  They are beach babies (bums) for sure.
Friday Football score- Calallen 49- Moody Trojans 0.  Boy #3 had a TD, 3 carries 53 yards.  Details and pics on http://www.callertimes.com/ click the sports icon.   We are off to church soon and then double header softball and baseball games this afternoon with the "new two."  October beach pics below.

Fall breeze and breathing at the beach in October

I

Fall breeze..."where are out thou?"

The Fall Breeze-   Monica feels it in Indiana or (New York) if she is back, Rebekah feels it in Dallas, Kindred in San Marcos and Bryden says it is faint in San Antonio.  I really need to feel the cool air and then I can breathe and be revived.  Hoping that it will be here in the morning when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.!

That chocolate cake, wine and apples!

First Day of Fall, Harverst Moon, Jupiter!

Tonight is the night of celestial coincidences (design-my word).  The autumnal equinox- the beginning of Fall comes at 11:09 p.m. E.T. and for the first time in 19 years it comes on the same night as a full moon the one known as the "Harvest Moon." 
And for good measure, if you are blessed with clear skies tonight you will see an unusually bright Jupiter coming closer to earth than at any other time since 1963!  (paraphrase-CBSnews)
19 years ago Bryden was just a baby boy, and in 1963 his Mamma (me) was a baby girl.  I love the moon and stars! 

An official goodbye to summer 2010!

A visit from Bryden and the Trinity bunch

Francis, Bry, Leslie, Ashley, and Nick (not pictured) came by for Sunday afternoon visit.  I made that special lasagna for his birthday.  Bryden is turning 20 Tuesday.  Leaving his teens forever!

It's raining, it's pouring

It is still raining!  Our backyard now has an earth pond as well as a cement pond!

Sports Blitz..Video of Given's run Friday vs. Carroll High School

http://www.kiiitv.com/sports/fridaynight/blitz/Friday-Night-Sports-Blitz--Part-I.html

Wildcats beat the Carrol Tigers! Run Given run!

September rain

This morning Dad said,"Go out and play in the mud and rain!" The "new two" did just that!

A Visit from Yoshi- Our friend from Japan

Boy 1, 2, 3 and Coach D after a big win!

After a great win against Victoria East!

See My Face

One of my "complaints" about FACEBOOK is that a true "face" is not always shown...so here is my attempt at reality, guarded of course, because who really wants to know all the truth!  Two pretty tough days have gone by and I am hoping to feel better tomorrow.  It is quite a feat trying to teach, manage, go with the flow of a power outage in a hot classroom with a terrible sinus headache and 22 kindergarteners.  It REALLY is!  Balancing health issues of one of my own children, getting that backpack to Trinity, the normal concerns of a mother, wife, money, - the "cara" somebody made at me, etc! Of course as I rant I know that I am blessed beyond measure and I give thanks for the opportunity to aprreciate the most normal of days.  Just sayin...just saying "I love you all so much!"

Archbishop Romero's last quote

God's reign is already present on our earth in mystery. When the Lord comes, it will be brought to perfection.




That is the hope that inspires Christians.

We know that every effort to better society,

especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained,

is an effort that God blesses,

that God wants,

that God demands of us.



Archbishop Oscar Romero, March 24 1980



These were the last words of Oscar Romero, said at a hospital Mass shortly before an assassin entered via a back door and shot him.

A surprise visit from Rebekah! Down from Big "D."

Stopped by Austin and picked up "hurt" Aaron.

Back to school gifts...thanks"M"...we love you!

Calallen Football

UGGGH! We lost to GP! Boy#3 had a great reception and sparked the Cats to a touchdown. We won last week against King. He had a great first game. I have put the Radio link icon on as a gadget. I hope you all can listen live and to previous games as the season progresses. A winning season for me is a healthy player...that is my prayer for as long as the season lasts. Hoping that it is all the way until December!

First Week of School is done, all went well!

Glenn Beck ... I, for one, have not forgotten!

Call me "judgemental", but I judge this as "dishonorable."

A Memory- Saying goodbye to Kindred

 

Back to Trinity

Inspiration comes in all forms- technology this day

Yesterday I received the call from our technology guru that I could come by and pick up my new tech tools for the school year. That was the spark I needed to go and start the overwhelming task of preparing my kindegarten room. It is a MAJOR task! Two ipod touch, flip video camera, mimio capture kit for our smart board,new headphones etc. Now if we could only replace our dinosaur computers we might get a little closer to entering the 21st century of technology. Still I am appreciative of what I have for sure! Hoping they will teach me how to use them, my students that is. Ha!

Searching For My Inspiration..School Year 2010-2011

As I prepare to go back to school I look for inspiration. Creativity is just as important as literacy.

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

A Baby In The Sink

After 25 years of domesticity I think I have finally figured out what will truly motivate me to keep my sink clean! Every night I ask myself "Is your sink clean enough to bathe a baby in it?" I don't have any babies to bathe anymore but it has helped immensely in making sure that the sink is clear for the next day! Hope this helps any young Mom or Dad reading.

Celebrating Boy # 4 - 8 years old!

Calallen Senior Pipes Gmac back tuck at the end!

Football Season in Texas

It is here! Across the state of Texas Football season officially begins with two-a-day practice in the hot Texas sun. Gmac was up at 5:30 this morning and at the field house by six. I will be out there later this morning, along with a lot of other mothers and fathers, making sure all goes well! I will post some pics later. Go Cats!

Cleaning the OFFICE! Thinking about war and peace

Hey guys you know what the office looks like! I am working on it! Bryden suggested that I just take a torch to it, but I had to remind him that it was connected to the house! Anyway...war is on my mind, and in the news just in case you have not noticed. It is actually "peace" that is mostly what I am thinking of and what I am most interested in. I ran across something this morning which started with a thought yesterday morning and then led to my St. Teresa of Avila post and now brings me to the following post ... Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador before he was assasinated in the 70's.

The church is calling to sanity,
to understanding,
to love. It does not believe in violent solutions. The church believes in only one violence, that of Christ,
who was nailed to the cross. That is how today’s gospel reading shows him, taking upon himself all the violence
of hatred and misunderstanding,
so that we humans might forgive one another, love one another, feel ourselves brothers and sisters.
NOVEMBER 20, 1977 -Oscar Romero

Still raining perfect rain

When, friends, will we ever begin to emulate this great God of ours? Let's not deceive ourselves into thinking that it is some major accomplishment when we suffer a little persecution. Instead, let's eagerly endure everything that comes to us. Let's love the ones who offend us. Has our great God ever stopped loving us? Not for one second! And we have certainly offended him plenty of times. He has very good reason for wanting us all to forgive anyone who hurts us. - St. Teresa of Avila

Rainy morning thoughts

May it please the Beloved that we never fail to love each other, because if we do we are lost – St Teresa of Avila

Sunset July 18, 2010 Mustang Island

Mamma and boy #4 at the beach AKA "The Judge"

A Day in July on the Beach

Rebekah's move to the Big "D" Day 2

Rebekah's move to the Big "D" Day 1

Our girls (women) working and living full.

We have clear skies after a storm of confusion for Rebekah when her anticipated career move with a not worth mentioning company did not work out a few months ago. God has given her a very cool spot on earth to live and work. She is living and working in uptown Dallas and her office is less than a block away. Of course she will walk to work and run on the Katy trail located just behind her apt.
Our Monica is still very much enthralled with New York and has started making her way into the the work force in the big city. She is a talent in all that she does and is currently marketing a quintessential line of custom made men's designer shirts for Clifton Charles. Her work as a poet continues,and I expect that it will all her life.
Rebekah and I are enjoying setting up her new abode and we will finish setting up when the big stuff arrives with Brayde later this afternoon. I could live in Dallas! However, I do miss the Corpus Christi breeze. The heat is stifling here.

July 4th Video McClure Reunion

Celebrating Joey's 50th w/old friends & family

Two jobs for two girls!

Both Monica and Rebekah acquired jobs this week! Rebekah in Dallas and Monica in New York. We are very happy for them.

McClure Family Reunion Day 1

P. F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps - 15865 - Recipezaar

P. F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps - 15865 - Recipezaar

Practicing Pointillism with the Neighbors

Summer Stuff with the "New Two"

Father's Day Pics

Weekend Father's Day Fun

I hope Brayde and Mr. Alaniz (Rudy)had as much fun as the rest of us this weekend.(Mrs. Alaniz,Noble, Justice,Aaron,Rebekah,Dennis and I)It started on Saturday afternoon at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin with the viewing of Toy Story 3. It was very entertaining and we all had a great time! Go see it at an IMAX if possible. Then we went to the famous Salt Lick and had great BBQ chicken, brisket and all the fixins'! Brayde and Rudy were thrilled that it was allowable to bring your own ice chest in and that it could be filled with adult beverages.
The next day we floated down the famous chilly San Marcos river, which is an old family tradition. I am thinking it will also be a new favorite outing for the Alaniz family. We went up and down twice!
Rebekah and MaMaw prepared a great Father's Day meal for the Father's in Luling and we sat under the Oak Tree, which is always a treat. Thank you Rudy and Brayde for all that you do as Dads.

Happy Father's Day

Last Allstar Game!

Oilbelt Allstars!

Allstar Fun!

ddmcclure85 pics

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Impressive!

Beautiful Blog!

Summer tunaberry

The regular tuna process but I added dried cranberries, flax seed and poppy seed as well.
Bryden helped me with the name.

I also added an apple and dill relish for a twist.

Served it to my Rebekah. She and Noble like it, but the "Judge" passed on that new recipe!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

Girls Night Out!

Girls Night Out!

The Poet -Monica Anne McClure

dkwRdA">The Poet -Monica Anne McClure

Whirlwind in NYC!

 

Mom and Monica in New York!

 

A trip to New York City!

When Monica was 10 years old she visited New York City with MaMaw and PaPaw and said ..."Some day I am going to live in New York."
She lives in New York and I am going to listen to her speak with the voice of more than angel on Thursday. She will privledge a few with her poetry.

I am one of the privledged.

I know she will delight others as I have been delighted for so long now.

She is afterall "our" Monica Anne.

She inspires me.

Against the Wind...

Against the wind, still running against the wind. I'm older now but still running-against the wind!

Bob Seger




I hear this song in my head as I begin my next attempt to become a runner-way in the future.

Blog commit- 4 days a week-minimum 1 mile.
Log...Sat. 1mi.
Sun. 2mi.
Mon. 1mi.

Gotta start somewhere!

If you have a facebook, does that mean that you have a face now? by Deanne McClure

If you have a facebook, does that mean that you have a face now? by Deanne McClure

April

A busy month...
Not over yet. Given is on his way to Regional Competition in San Antonio on May 2,3. He placed first in District in Pole Vault and 300 Hurdles!

I will be traveling to New York April 28th-May 1st to listen to the famous poet Monica Anne McClure. I am looking forward to the trip and expect that it will be delightful and inspiring.

She has been inspiring me since I first laid eyes on her and heard her sweet voice 24 years ago.

To say that time flies can only be understood by an old person or an old soul!

"Time does fly." said the old soul.

Spring Break Video

GIVEN POWERLIFTING VIDEO

St. Patrick's Day

Who is holding that beer?

Spring Break 2010

Six Home 1 to go! 

Spring Break 2010

Five home two to go!