Dr. Ben Kyzar of Community Pet Health Center has sent a generous donation in memory of Serena to the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. This thoughtful contribution was directed to suport the Class of '99 Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Financing the cost of a professional education can be challenging. Tuition costs have caused a tremendous financial burden on our students with an average debt upon graduation of over $79,000. Every dollar makes a difference to these dedicated young men and women.
We cannot think of a more fitting tribute to a faithful companion. As animal lovers, we can fully sympathsize with your loss. At the same time, we greatly appreciate the benefits from pet memories which will ultimately mean better health care for our animal friends.
May Serena always remain a beautiful memory for you.
Sincerely,
H. Richard Adams DVM, PhD Dean
O.J. Woytek, Jr., DVM Senior Director of Development
Nothing can replace Serena - she was a special cat, but to know that our vet is so thoughful, generous and kind just reinforces our decision that he was the best choice for our animals.
When we made the decision to move to San Antonio it was because one of our friends (and a man for whom I worked) suggested it. Initially Terry and I thought of selling our home and moving to Tampa Bay. After some reflection and job searching in Tampa (for Terry) that didn't turn up anything, we made the long trek south.
A few months after moving here, we discovered Warrick's wrestling coach is VP of a company that Terry had adored from afar. NewTek produces a software program called Lightwave that Terry bought many years ago and even used at our old church. Pat, the wrestling coach told us the company was looking for a graphic artist, and the rest is history. Terry was hired by NewTek in May 2004. He has loved working there. The 'offices' such as they are, are located in a big warehouse. The central hub of the warehouse has a drum set, several guitars, a pool table, video games, seating for everyone, and even a tent for the kids to play in. Scooters are scattered throughout the building, making it that much easier to access the free chocolate, hotdogs and soda.
However, we all know from experience that no job is perfect, although this was close! NewTek tends to pay below the San Antonio average, and it was time for Terry to start looking around for something that came close to paying the normal pay scale for his qualifications. About 3 months ago he applied with a couple of different contract companies and both of them set up interviews.
Then a friend of ours from church, Robert asked me how Terry was doing. It is quite common for people to not see Terry if they come to the second Sunday service because he teaches in that time slot. I told him Terry was good, but job hunting. "Hmmm. Tell him to call me," Robert said. Robert is an architect, and owns Luna Architecture, a very successful company about 10 minutes from our house. Two years ago he decided that he wasn't busy enough with the architectural side, playing in the church band and totally gutting and remodeling a home for his family, that he would add another challenge to his life! Enter media301, a 3D visualisation and graphics company that he founded specifically to market to other companies. Well, they have grown so much that they need a Senior Graphic Designer. Robert and Terry have worked together on a church project, so they know each other reasonably well, and Robert knows the work Terry can produce.
Yesterday afternoon Robert took Terry out for lunch and formally laid a job offer on the table that Terry accepted right away. It was a no-brainer really, they'd been talking for about a month. Terry knew NewTek could not pay more than they are right now, but he needed to increase his earning power. He gets that with his new position.
So, on Tuesday morning, the day after Labour Day, Terry will hop in his little Honda and drive the few miles (no highway driving either!) to his new position!
I am so proud of my hubby! He has had only two jobs his entire adult life - Ford Motor Company, and NewTek, so this is a new adventure for him!
Backpacks are packed, lunches made and kids sent off to school. I drove the three younger ones to school this morning, and unloaded their scooters from the van. This afternoon I will walk down to the school (with the dog) and fetch them. It's good excerise and we look forward to the walks home. I then returned and picked up Teagan for her first day. From tomorrow she will take the bus to school but for this first day we wanted to drive her, especially since she missed the orientation on Saturday because of Hayley's birthday party.
Carson came blearily downstairs this morning and whined, "But it's still night-time outside." No more sleeping in until 7:30 or 8:00 for this boy - 6:15 came all too soon for them. By the time they finished breakfast and brushed their teeth it was daylight outside though.
So begins another year of homework, plays, safety patrol duty (for Hayley) choir, parent-teacher conferences, school trips and volunteering (I am on the PTA this year, ostensibly just to do the newsletter, but we'll see how many more things I am 'volunteered' to do!) Each season is bitter-sweet; I have looked forward to having the house to myself again, to enjoy the solitude and silence, but I also miss the hurly-burly of my four, plus all the neighborhood kids.
Here's to a great year for all my friends and kids!
I love the halycon days of summer: the long evenings, the kids playing outside, the endless afternoons spent at the pool, the sound of the trampoline being bounced on, the sheer number of snacks the kids eat on any given day, the bugs, the grass that needs to be mowed every other day..but I digress. However, all good things, as a wise man once said, come to an end, and so tomorrow I have to set my alarm clock and chivvy kids off to school. Teagan is nervous because tomorrow is her first day at middle school, the other kids though are just excited. They have been ready for about two weeks now to return.
It has been a good summer, with many an afternoon spent at the Northern Hills pool where the kids made new friends, and played with old ones too. Their dark tans are in direct proportion to how blond they became this summer - Hayley wins that contest hands down - the girl would be right at home on a Southern Californian beach.
Summer marks my birthday, as well as Hayley's; and this year she chose to have her party at the pool (last year she opted for the ice rink). As you can see by the photo, the girl is in her natural surroundings.
We also got to celebrate an important event in Warrick's life. He walked the stage as a high chool graduate. Walking the stage was not that big a deal for him now, but we told him that one day he would look back and probably regret not walking it. He complied and even though he said it was no big deal, we made it a big deal! And I do think he will look back one day and be happy that he made the decision to put on the cap and gown.
So now we have one high school graduate, one daughter in middle and three left in elementary - where did the time go??
In the stillness of the morning light I woke before the rest of the house and thought about this day 10 years ago. Hayley Claire Smelker made her entry into the world, four days before her due date, the only one of our children to come early. I remember so clearly waking up at 6:15am with a contraction and calling downstairs to Terry informing him that he should not go to work. Instead we called Star to look after Teagan (Warrick elected to come with us). By the time Star arrived at the house 45 minutes later, I was so ready to go to the birthing center!! Driving in rush hour traffic with contractions on top of one another is an experience I never want to repeat! We got to the birthing center at about 7:50am and Hayley came quietly into the world at 8:06am, weighing a good 7lbs 12oz and measuring 20 inches. She was the quietest baby of them all, although that has now changed drastically!
We nicknamed her, 'Helpful Hayley' because she is the most helpful of all our kids. She loves to help in the kitchen and is becoming a deft hand at cooking. She is a stubborn son of a gun though! Terry and I joke that Hayley is 'mini-me'. She loves to read, she does not take any guff from anyone and she loves to swim, dive, jump on the trampoline and play with all the animals we have.
I had to wake the kids up a little early this morning as I had to work at the school this morning (on the PTA this year, long story!) Hayley was understandably excited to come downstairs and find a gift on the table from us; her own jewellery maker. Her party is on Saturday afternoon at the pool, and we are all looking forward to that.
My life is immeasurably enriched because of who Hayley is and I am grateful that she is here.
About nine months ago I was approached by the founder of Faithwriters and asked to speak at the first annual conference. The venue for this conference was Livonia, Michigan. Livonia was picked because it so happens that is where the founder lives!
I accepted the invitation to speak and I am really glad I did. I flew in on Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning hooked up with so many of my old friends. And man, how I wished I had brought my camera! It was so great to see Christy (who confessed she reads my blog but NEVER comments!), Darlene, Heather, and Cheri. Then on Sunday I spent the afternoon with Shanita and her family.
I drove by the last house we lived in before we left, drove past all the lakes we'd swum in. I realised that although I miss my friends, and that even though I felt nostalgic when driving, I am right where God wants me - here in San Antonio.
The conference began on Friday night with a dinner and an informal get-to-know you time. The real work began on Saturday morning with the first conference speaker, Sally Stuart. It was good to hear the voice of experience give a nuts and bolts talk on publishing and its world. Faithwriters is an online community of writers and one instrumental person in the community is Australian Deb Porter. She has made great inroads in the Australian Christian community and even has a radio show 'down under'. There were many other speakers (including moi!) to entertain and educate. Seeing this was the first conference, it was only one day, but the talk is next year the conference will span two days with break out workshops and the like.
Sunday morning was a real highlight for me as I took a trip down memory lane and attended the church I called home for my 10 years in Michigan. Brightmoor will always hold a special place in my heart as will the friends I made there. When Terry and I attended there we were involved in so many different areas and we were well-known in the church. So when I walked in on Sunday it was not unusual to have a person walk past me, wave say, "Hi Cori" walk on for 2 or 3 paces, spin around and yell "CORI!" It has been four years since I was last there, but in many ways it felt like I had never left.
I flew back to San Antonio early on Monday morning in almost record time. I had a stop in Dallas and I literally walked off one plane and boarded the next and we took off.
Life now goes on as usual, with editorial deadlines, kids to entertain and keep busy until school starts again. I appreciated my four days away, I loved visiting my friends, but it is good to be home.
Whew! I have been so busy getting all my deadlines met because I am leaving for Detroit in less than eight hours (speaking at a writing conference), but I wanted to blog about my lovely birthday weekend. I was completely and utterly blessed and overwhelmed with good things!
First of all we arrived at the Watermark Hotel, a four-star hotel and we were were warmly welcomed by the staff before going to our room on the 6th floor. Everything was top notch! Wendall and Laurie surprised us by arranging to have chocolate covered strawberries on hand. There was also a beautiful gift basket filled with yummy goodies for us to enjoy! We stayed in the room all night Friday...
Saturday we donned swim suits and enjoyed the beauty of the rooftop pool and hot tub, all the while watching the ebb and flow of people on the Riverwalk below us. I had been itching to see "The Bourne Ulitmatum" so we took in a matinee before heading back for a nap and then hitting the pool again.
Wendall and Laurie had invited us to a five star restuarant for dinner. I can highly recommend Las Canarias! The food was divine and the company entertaining. We had a wonderful time before walking back over the river to our hotel.
Sunday morning - I am now officially 40 years old! Tell me - how does 40 feel? I certainly feel no different! Unlike many others I know I haven't sunk into a depression wondering where my life has gone. For the most part I feel I am exactly where God wants me, doing what He has given me to do.
We checked out of the hotel at noon, and then drove 30 minutes to a special event. A custom built home was built out in the country and the builder decided to open the home to the public for a price. However all proceeds went to the San Antonio Food Bank. We might not have made it a priority, but a friend of ours, Chris Voss, who is a fourth generation iron craftsman was commissioned to create all the iron work for the house, and he asked Terry to do some of the designs. The house, worth 2.9 million apparently does have a buyer! Pity I didn't have three million just lying around! I would have bought the house on the spot.
After we left there, Terry suggested we take a scenic drive into the Hiil Country. His little Honda is so zippy and with the sun roof open the wind creates just the right atmosphere. We had a pleasant hour drive in the country before heading back to kids and responsibilty!
Little did I know the drive was just a diversion. Terry, the sneaky man that he is had planned a surprise birthday party for me! I was completely taken in - a first for Terry. He's never been able to pull a party off before. I was completely bamboozled because I had planned the entire weekend, from the hotel stay, to getting the tickets for the home tour that I had no clue he was plotting behind my back! Opening my front door and having about 20 people yell SURPRISE can be a little disconcerting! Janelle, our sitter for the weekend even arranged for the guests to park around the corner and up the hill so I wouldn't suspect anything.
So, I am now 40. I think I am entering the best years of my life!
Well, as the blog implies, there are seven of us (not including pets!) Terry, Cori, and the kids - Warrick (who is 18), Teagan (12) our pottery genius, Hayley (11) our little mermaid, Garrick (10) our artist and Carson (8) our jokester.
