The Brant Bunch

My friend Sheila asked about ACU's changes in their alcohol policy. You can read about it in the online Optimist (student paper.) The policy used to be that you could not drink and attend ACU. If you were caught you were punished. Alcohol will still not be allowed on campus. Basically they are claiming that you can't punish kids that live off campus. When I was in school the Dean of Students spent his weekend nights cruising the bars busting kids for drinking. (they come a long way) I always felt like it really is none of the schools business what you did in your personal time if you lived off campus.

ACU has had Co-ed dorms since I was in school. However, there probably not what your thinking. In order for boys to get in the girls rooms they would have to leave the building and re-enter on the girls side of the building. So, I guess they are technically both boys and girls living in the same building, but they can't freely move from room to room

These words are music to my ears! We have a number of college students that live around us. Some of the students are fine, some are not so fine. One such group has a for sale sign in their yard. My neighbor and I are jumping for Joy tonight.

Ally of Samantha's tests were normal. So, I guess we just wait and see. She does seem better today.

Update: We have not heard anything. I'll let you know when we do.
Last week Samantha was diagnosed with a bladder infection. She was having a hard time going pee. She honestly thought I was silly to be upset that she couldn't pee. (it had been more than 24 hours) One week later I think she understand. The bladder infection is gone, but she is still having trouble. Tomorrow she is having a sonogram first thing in the morning. She has missed a whole week of school, of course the only thing she is concerned about is missing the play on Friday. Please pray that there is nothing seriously wrong.

This has been the best year for our Irises. These are from the front yard. We almost always take picture with them, but they haven't bloomed very well the last couple of years. The back ones are just about to bud out, so I'm planning to taking pictures of those when they come out.

Kase had a mosquito bite. (So, that what's wrong with his eye)

This year Arthur and I have been married 10 years. To celebrate we handed our kids off to the Grandparents and took a trip. We went to Austin and Fredricksburg for 4 nights and 5 days. We had a great time. On our first night we ate a Romeo's. This was the restaurant we ate at on our honeymoon. Tens years later it's still there and a great place to eat.
Later that night we had gotten tickets to a live music event. So we dressed up and went out on the town. We stayed out late with no worries about who was watching the kids.
We spent one evening with some friends who moved away from Abilene several years ago. It was so fun catching up with friends. One afternoon we spent shopping at the outlet malls. Saturday we drove down to Fredricksburg and stayed at a bed and breakfast. We also ate at their great German restaurant Fredelhiems.
On the last night we went the one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It was in an old gas station. You'd never think it was even worth going in, but it was incredible. It was called Hilltop Cafe.

At our church the first Sunday night of the month is Shepherding Group Sunday. We have been in the same group for nine years. We have missed for the last couple of months because we were out of town. There is nothing big about our group, we just get together eat, the kids play, and the adults talk.

But, it's always nice to sit back and visit with friends.

It's testing week at school this week. Which of course isn't too much fun. Still I am thankful for it. Our girls go to private school, so there are no taks test, but an achievement test instead. While it's never fun to take a test the teacher do there best to make it the best it can be. They have parents bring plenty of snacks, let the kids chew gum (it's the only time all year), and they get some extra outdoor time. While this is enough to be thankful, I am mostly thankful that if my kids fail they don't fail the whole grade.

This last week I have at least four conversations with parents who where thinking about pulling their kids from public school, because their kids were having trouble with the taks test. I just really think it's horrible that kids are totally stressed out because of a test. I really think those test are totally messing up kids education. Instead of making it better they are making it worse.