History in the Making...

TURN VOLUME UP!

What is so great about working at Weslaco East High School? Well, as one of our teachers once said, “You have to work here to understand”. No words can ever explain it.

I remember the games where you knew all fifteen people in attendance and that is because 5 of them were the administrators, ok, ok – so maybe not exactly- but sort of. Back then you never worried about ticket lines or what your ticket said about your seat because you’d just buy one and sit wherever you wanted to.

I remember having to defend “the few, the proud, the Wildcats” even to other students in class. Often asking, “Are you out there trying? Then don’t talk!"

I remember arguments with community members and even my own family members about the Wildcats… this was as recent as yesterday! I have held back a lot as well… and I know- it will never end… but, I will also, never quit defending them.

I remember the 0-10 seasons.

I remember the “Crawling into the Play-offs” shirt and yes, I proudly own one.

I remember each and every football player that I have had the pleasure of knowing. Who I have had the pleasure of seeing walk down the hall -proudly sporting the Wildcat jersey.

I love what WEHS was and what is has become. I love what it represents. I love the opportunities it has provided for our Wildcats.

I love that “tradition” will not blind me when it comes time to select a high school for my daughter.

I will admit that for a brief time, I was blinded by tradition – I quickly saw the light!

So, here we are – enjoying these students and watching them make history. What is all this history we keep talking about you ask? Well, allow me to enlighten you…

• For the first time ever, they have an 11-1 record.
• For the first time ever, they are Co-District Champs for 32-4A.
• For the first time ever, they won a play-off game and became Bi-District Champs.
• For the first time ever, they won a second play-off game and became Area Champs.
• For the first time ever, they are now in the 3rd round of the play-offs and playing at the Alamodome and they are the first football team in Weslaco- yes, I did say WESLACO, to make it to the 3rd round by playing every single one of those rounds against out of valley teams.
• And, for the first time ever… I will say – BRAG boys!!! You’ve earned it!

Did I mention this has all been done in less than 9 years? Not, 19…oops… did I just say that? ;-)

These boys did this not only for themselves, not only for WEHS, they did it for ALL the Wildcats – Past, Present and Future… Not only are they EAST SIDE, STRONG SIDE – they also have a STRONG HEART!

You and Me, Forever... Everyday.

So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday.

— Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

So, 7 years later... it hasn't been easy. It has been hard; we've had to work A LOT at it, every.single.day, but we did, because we wanted "US", forever, everyday. He and I... everyday.

And it has been worth it.

Michael,

I’ve said hurtful things that I regret – you've always accepted my apologies.

I’ve panicked over all things big and small- you've been there to calm me.

I’ve felt hopeless when things got rough- you've shared your hope with me.

I’ve wished for more than I should have- you’ve done your best to grant those wishes.

I’ve cried many tears- you’ve been there to wipe them off.

I’ve weighed the highest I have ever weighed- you were there to make me feel beautiful.

I’ve thrown my fits- you’ve been there to give in to them.

I’ve needed more than you had to give- you've made it all possible especially in giving me Jayda.

I’ve questioned you- you’ve answered.

I’ve shared my deepest secrets- you’ve been my greatest listener.

I’ve laughed until my stomach ached- you’ve been the reason for much of the laughter.

I’ve given myself to you unlike any other- you’ve accepted me as I am.

I’ve loved more intensely than my heart thought possible- you’ve done the same in return.

I've given up on many battles- you've fought for me.

I’ve grown as a woman, as a person, as a wife, as a mother – you’ve been my greatest fan.

"We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.

'Even longer,' Pooh answered."

Thank you for being my love, my best friend, my supporter and the best father to our Jayda.

I promise to be your friend and to love you even longer than forever!

-Myra

Spirit of the Sun, The Moods of the Moon and the Will of the Wind...

She is my Jayda, my miracle, and my perfect blessing from the Lord. She makes us laugh, she makes us wonder, she makes us worry, she makes us proud, and yes, she even frustrates us on many, many occasions. But, we would not want it any other way.

This year, her kinder year, oh boy has she made me worry-- well, stress is more like it and yeah it is only the 4th week :-/. But, you know what? That is Jayda! LOL! She made me worry and stress the minute I knew I was pregnant with her.

So, when I started worrying about her ability to be on level in kinder and wondering... should I have "red shirted" her and had her start kinder at the age of 6? Is she mature enough to be in kinder right now? I started asking questions, I started e-mailing many people that could give me advice, I started googling everything I could... and quickly I realized, once again, THAT IS JAYDA! She is going to test her limits, she is going to prefer to dance around instead of sitting, she is going to want to make things entertaining, but in the end... she IS going to learn what she needs to learn, she IS going to be on level, and she IS going to shine... it may not be in the most ideal and structured way... but it WILL be in the most creative, most fun, and in the way that will definitely cause the most stress for her mama, because again, that is the way she rolls. That is what Jayda does best.

I stated in my previous entry that she "thinks outside the box", Michael made me realize that I needed to correct that, for Jayda, there is no box. And, although, it stresses me to no end... I never, ever, ever want her personality to change. That is MY Jayda... she is the girl with the sun in her eyes.  She is sure of herself, she knows when SHE is ready, she has herself figured out... and figuring out who you are is the whole point of the human experience... and boy does she know who she is... now it is time for the world to embrace her!

How I, Uhm, I Mean... How Jayda Survived her first day of kinder...

The day had arrived. It was time for the "big" school. No more Mid Valley Christian, sigh. I wasn't sure how it was all going to be. I was preparing myself for the first day of school jitters. How would the crying go? How long would the nervousness last? How would the "goodbye" go? Would the tears start before or after the" goodbye"? Or the entire time? How would the day go? Were the minutes that day going to go slow?

Well...

I only cried a little... it was in the car AFTER the goodbye. I was strong and held them back as I, nervously, walked her to class and hugged her. My day went ok, although my mind was on Jayda the entire time. And, yes, the minutes that day... went.by.very.slow.

Oh, did you guys want to know how Jayda did?  Oops!  Well...

She was FINE. She had no tears, she was not nervous, she said goodbye with a smile on her face. She LOVED kindergarten. She LOVED her new "big" school. She LOVED being with grandma. But, that is my girl... so brave, so independent, so open to new adventures, so NOT like her mama!

Jayda,

Never change baby! Always keep that enthusiasm. Always keep that smart, loving, outgoing, crazy, fun-loving, strong-willed, caring personality of yours! Don't EVER stop "thinking out of the box", because we all know, that is what you do best! I love your courage, I've learned from your courage. Have a great KINDER year my baby! I know you will shine... it will be YOUR way, but you will shine!

-Your biggest fan, Mommy.

Jayda's Kindergarten year at Ybarra Elementary: