It was a busy weekend as Mom on the Campaign Trail! On Friday night, I was honored to sit with the Tomblin Family Foundation at the annual CASA of Central Texas fundraiser. CASA has been serving Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays Counties for 30 years—and the Tomblins have been involved with CASA for 20 of those years. The work CASA does is amazing, and the need is so great. In 2014, CASA of Central Texas served 421 children with 220 volunteers.
On Saturday afternoon, my dad surprised us by arriving in San Marcos a day early! An appreciation for and commitment to community service runs deep in my family. My great-grandfather was a Presbyterian minister who instilled in our family a strong work ethic as well as a dedication to “worship through service.” In addition to being a public school educators, my dad and mom were among the folks who started a volunteer ambulance service in my hometown over 40 years ago. Dad is here in San Marcos for a couple of weeks to help us move into our new house and to catch a few of the kids’ ball games and violin recitals. My mom died a few years ago and in buying our new house, Jeff and I wanted somewhere that we could build a casita in the back so that my dad and Jeff’s parents can come down to San Marcos in the winter and spend lots of time with us and the grandkids.
As a stay-at-home mom, I spend a considerable amount of time reviewing homework, packing snacks, helping out in one of my kids’ classrooms, and serving as the family taxi to my children’s various activities. On Saturday mornings, I am frequently found on the sidelines of two or more baseball or softball games. This spring, all three of our kids are on a team. Jesse is playing t-ball, Charlie is playing coach pitch, and my husband is co-coaching our daughter’s kid pitch softball team. Sadie is the pitcher on her team and I’m the Team Mom. Our family is so grateful for all of the extraordinary volunteer coaches in this community teaching our kids not only the fundamentals of the game, but the value of team sports and good sportsmanship.
Later today, Dad and I will be joining the amazing community force that is Ms. Rose Brooks for a game of bridge with the seniors at the Activity Center and tonight I’ll be at the Gary Softball Complex for Sadie’s game.
If you see me around town, packing sacks for School Fuel, at the post office, at the little HEB, or in the school pick-up line, please stop me and say hi. I’d love to hear your thoughts on our school district—both what you think is working well and the ways in which you think we can work together to do better! I look forward to speaking with you soon. Thanks so much.
–Anne