winter

So much to write, so little time and I have been going on too little sleep. 

What a winter is has been so far.  WHere do I start?  With the kids!

Juliette is doing well in school.  Art is her favorite class.  She has such a wonderful and HUGE imagination.  She still sings to herself and if they would let her sing at school she would sing all day long.  Singing seems to help her concentrate, and she seems to enter a whole other world.  I wish I could live in her mind for one minute.  JuJu is a loving and fun big sister.  Every morning, she goes into Vaughn's room and climbs in his crib and reads to him.  She is quite attached to V and does not even like taking baths without him.  I hope they are always this close.  Her creativity blows my mind.  Last night she made a swing for her pet shop pets out of play dough.  Today she made a boat for them out of duct tape and a heart shaped box.  Recently, she went to the historic Mutual Musicians Foundations where several jazz musicians were holding a rehearsal.  Brad Williams taught her how to play congas.  He called me the next day and tell me how impressed he was with her rhythmic capacity.  SHe has been listening to Nancy Wilson and ANita Oday at home...SHE puts these cd's in, not me.  I love it!  At home, she plays the piano every day and night and has taught herself how to play every theme from Tim Burton's Corpse and the Bride...single note melodies, but I am impressed with her ear.  Her memory is flawless...I have been corrected more than once when she asks me to hum a tune, and by golly she is always right.  She is so artistic, and this presents challenges now and then, but we are so proud of her progress this year.  I miss her when she is at school and so does Vaughn.

Mr. Vaughn.  What a WONDERFUL little guy.  Vaughn is almost 18 months.  He adores people, and so far seems to be quite the chic magnet when Adrian takes him anywhere....the ladies love Vaughn!  He is very social and rarely passes up an opportunity to give a high five and knuckles...both, in that order.  He is obsessed with toy cars of any kind, and dogs.  He demands a bath twice a day and hates getting out...which could be why we are unable to get rid of what looks to be eczema on his arms and legs.  Vaughn was a picture of perfect health until winter really hit.  The longer we are stuck inside, the more often he catches things.  COuld also be the indoor play parks, but what other choice do we have...this kid needs to climb and run and while he is at it, build an immune system at the Play Place.   
One weird thing he does that drives us nuts...he gags himself.  Sticks his whole fist in his mouth, throws up, and seems to love it.  Someone told me their kid did the same thing, as if this is completely normal.  Weird.
Vaughn is becoming more of a picky eater but still loves cheese, bananas, and salsa.  He downed three bowls of spicy salsa at a mexican restaurant.  Loves salsa! Vaughn loves his Dada and sister.  He calles her "Sisssss."  He loves to try and beat box like Dad.  Vaughn's favorite words are "outside" and "whats this,"  and "toot."  Still loves the lap top and recently skyped Darlin and Grandad...he LOVED that!  He kept walking behind the lap top looking for them and was so blown away that they were on the screen talking to him.  His latest achievement was going number 2 on the toilet!  Well, actually what happened was I saw him grunting in the bath tub and yanked him up, sat him on the toilet, and voila.  So, it was mostly good timing.
Vaughn LOVES Sesame Street, esp Elmo and Murry.  He is a sweet little boy and loves to give kisses or blow them.  On the contrary, he also loves to hit and steal and hide things like my keys, the remote..Boy has a sweet tooth as well.  If there is candy, he will find it and he WILL find a way to take it.  His hair is still red but our stypist thinks is may be turning blonde.  His eyes are a dark hazel but mostly brown, if that makes sense.  We just love him.  He and Juliette..."good cop bad cop" those two...they will play so many tricks on us in the future, and I can't wait!

Adrian is doing well, esp since he will be starting a new job with AT&T on March 1st!  It is a great opportunity and what we have been praying for!  The hours are amazing, esp compared to what he has been enduring.  For the first time in a LONG time, we will have a normal schedule AND he will be able to finish school faster.  Adrian is considering law but still heading towards finance.   Escapist is still up and running and we pop in from time to time.  He is a teacher at church for the high school class.  I am proud of Adrian.  It has been difficult.  I have worried about him as much as he has about me.  Med students don't get mad at me, but I'm pretty sure he has gone on less sleep than most residents...he has been juggling a full time job, a part time job, and a full time student load.  Now he will be able to get up and go to school, then go to work and be home for dinner, AND have a weekend!  Of course this means no Austin, TX for now, but his office will be downtown and it's looking more and more like we may move in that direction.  One step at a time.  Keep us in your prayers....here we go on yet another new journey. 

Me.  I have had a lull in my gig schedule lately.  Not working drives me crazy...I don't sit still well, BUT I have had time to work on things like new recording projects, collaborating ideas and rehearsing and planning, shooting photos, and enjoying time with the fam.  It is so nice to have a full Saturday day and evening with Adrian and the kids.  We go on our little adventures and always have a great time.

  I did apply for a music teacher position in KC but will not know anything for a while.  I have missed teaching. BUT..they are going to cut HALF of the schools in Kansas City.  300 teachers will be out of a job, so I am not holding my breath to be hired anytime soon.  There are many private and charter schools though so who knows.  It would be nice to teach music again but I won't be upset if I don't.  Sometimes I crave a normal job, esp when acting and singing has it's ups and downs.  Right now I am just trying to be a better person, a better mother, a better wife, a better artist.   This winter really kicked my butt.  Stress got the best of me and I ended up getting shingles for the first and hopefully last time. PAIN, and it was on my face so that was just PERFECT!  Needless to say I cancelled a few gigs. 

 Last week, Anna's mother died.  I was there when she passed.  She was surrounded by her family which was such a blessing.  I was blown away by the strength of her family and glad to be there for Anna.  We left the hospital and just drove.  The snow was beautiful.  Anna made a snow angel on the rooftop of the parking garage right below Kathy's ICU room.  It was and still is very hard.  We miss her so much and I worry about Anna and Mr. B.  I don't want to write too much about the details but what a hard journey it has been.  I miss Kathy and my heart breaks for her family.  Juliette used to rub Kathy's feet after treatments and hospital visits.  She loved going to visit her with Anna.  Kathy is the friend we stalked Willie Nelson for....it has been a hard journey, but beautiful in a way.  Many wonderful memories.  I am helping with the memorial service and honored that her family trusts me to do so.  I just want to support our friends..they have done so much for us.  Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.   

Phew, I am exhausted from this post.  Next time photos only!

On a side note..I CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO ARKANSAS FOR SPRING BREAK!!!