Still here...

I'm still around... don't think that I've abandoned the blog. It's just been really, really busy. I'm back to teaching business classes this year (new subjects and new books -- it's like I'm a first year teacher again), so I've been hopping. Basketball practices officially started last Thursday... can't believe it's October already!
Joel and Lindsay are growing like weeds. Lindsay's been a bit under the weather the last couple of days. Amazing how a little girl still has that kind of energy, but is coughing and a bit warm. We've been really proud of Joel at his school(s). His teachers are telling us how well he's doing in classes and showing us what he's drawing. He's on this big geography kick... wanting to know where everything is. I don't remember whating (or even caring) where New Zealand or Austrailia is. But oh well! I'm not going to complain...

So sorry...

This was taken outside of our hotel the first night we were there. It was the GREEN building...

This is the 18th green at the TPC Course... it was really pretty...

This rainbow was in Alb., NM... It was so bright that you just WANTED to go look for the pot of gold.

This is the golf course in NM, where I played golf with John (Jeanise's brother). It was a really beautiful day.

This is "sports heaven". This was a lobby down in the MGM casino area. TV's EVERYWHERE... but they were mainly for betting on games. Got to watch the College WS and the Mets play at the same time. What more could you ask for?

This is Joel at ESF Basketball camp. He did so well at following directions and trying. He was the youngest kid there. The kid standing next to him actually lives in our neighborhood and we see him at the pool a lot. The kids and the players really did well with him. Check out that form!

The kids and I went on a bike ride in the spring (still wearing sweaters, go figure). A mommy duck and her ducklings were walking around and the kids followed. Pretty cute.
_________

Well... they say that the first part is acceptance that you have a problem. Yes, ladies and gentlemen... I'm addicted to Facebook! I've been just posting and reading and catching up there, that I've neglected the faithful few (mainly just Shane and grandma) that continue to read my blog here.

Well... let's see, where to begin:

1. Jeanise and I took a trip for our 15th wedding anniversary to Las Vegas. Jeanise got a steal of a deal to stay at the MGM Grand for 2 nights and we just couldn't pass up the deal. So the kids stayed with her parents for 3 days and we took a trip to "sin city." We walked around 2 of the nights that we were there... and we even saw a show "Ka". It was a pretty neat night too, because it was their 25th anniversary (that night) and so we got to take an audience photo with red-Rudolph noses with the group. You couldn't see us, but it was pretty neat. On the second day, Jeanise had a 4 hour spa day, while I played golf at the TPC Las Vegas course. IT... WAS... FABULOUS! I felt like a pro... it was really neat and I got a great deal on a tee time and clubs that I rented there in Vegas. It was a wonderful break together and we had fun. Only bad thing was that it was just a bit... "uncomfortable"... for obvious reasons, but once you kept your eyes focused on where you wanted to go and the sites around you, it was fine. That place, though, is REALLY for a younger, fast-pace type of person... I think. It was good to say that I'd been there, but I wouldn't frequent there. Except for maybe to play golf and/or to go back to that casino, in old Vegas, where I started winning some money! :-P

2. Summer school started last week. I'm teaching Algebra 1 to 22 students from various schools. I'm actually some-what enjoying it and the pay isn't that bad either. Only go about 4.5 hours a day and it's 4 days a week. Not too shabby, really.

3. Kids are doing well. Joel is growing out of his clothes and we're having a tough time keeping up. He's excited about starting Kindergarten next fall and so are we. I'm personally anxious to see how well he does (or how smart he really is). Lindsay is really a cutie. She's a little me... little Ms. People-person. She loves to see her friends at school. Whenever I pick her up at school, she has about 4 or 5 other kids giving her hugs before she leaves. Teachers and kids like her... daddy likes to hear that.

4. I almost forgot! For those of you who know me REALLY WELL... you're not going to believe this. I'M LEARNING HOW TO PLAY THE ELECTRIC BASS! It's been a lot of fun learning (mainly the reason why I'm still up right now) and playing songs that I've been listening to for a long time. I've been working pretty hard at it for about 4 weeks. There are chord charts out there on the internet and I just play a long on the songs that I have at home. It's a ton of fun and I just KNOW that dad is going to have me playing some Bluegrass music one of these days... I finally can play an instrument and include myself in it.

Ok... since I was up WAY TOO LATE last night, I'd better post some pictures (if I can find them) & run.

Nite!

Oiy vey! (sp?)

Well... wondering why I haven't been posting? Well one word... BASEBALL. I've been coaching almost non-stop since Spring Break. My freshman went 13-11... not bad, really, since that group didn't win but maybe 4 games during the summer last year. I was pretty proud of these kids and it was a fun year. Our varsity went to the state finals! We played the 2-time state champs Owasso Rams in the finals. Unfortunately, our bats weren't as hot as their's were and we lost 10-1. It was fun ride and I enjoyed it a lot. Jeanise is glad to have me back home, though... as am I.
School is almost over... only 8 more days! Can you believe it?!?!?!!? This has been a great year for me and I'm so gald that I made the move to Santa Fe from DC. I've been rejuvenated as a teacher again and I'm excited about school again. I've got summer league and camps in June, and then in July I start teaching summer school! Fun FUN FUN!

Springtime!

WOW! The Oklahoma weather is ridiculous this time of year. For the last several weeks, it's been nice... cold... nice... freezing/snow... hot... cold... hot... I mean COME ON! My flowers in the front flower beds that I planted during spring break are just in shock! The grass isn't sure what to do... come out, or go back to sleep?
Baseball is going well. We've been at it pretty hard since Spring break. There was a stretch there for a about 2 1/2 weeks where we played almost every night! That was tough... then came our 1 1/2 week layoff due to no games or cancellations because of weather. We're back on track, it seems, and we finish off next week with 4 games. NO WAIT! There's supposed to be rain in OKC for the next 10 days!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Guess that gives me more time at home, right? So there IS a bright side.
End of school is approaching... can you believe it? This has been a good year and I've thouroughly enjoyed my new school. Looks like I've got my June and July nailed down... June is basketball camps/leagues month... and July will be me teaching my first year of summer school. Not a bad deal, really.... hopefully it goes fast.

Ain't no mountain high enough...

WHOA! Been a while, hasn't it? Well, let's see here... Well, our varsity basketball team went to the state tournament, but lost in the quarter-finals. It was a great ride and it was really cool to play in Llyod Noble (OU's home floor). Pretty nifty... Then, Spring Break came. It was a good week of really just nothing. I had a list of stuff to do and I got most of my things done. I felt rather accomplished. As soon as we got back from break, it was right into Freshman baseball. We've had a game ALMOST every day in the last couple of weeks. It's enough to wear you out... but this is a pretty good group of kids and we're doing pretty well. We just came back from a tournament this weekend and went 2-2. Not bad, but we should have done better than we did. We still have some ways to go.

So... on the bus ride home I had a "flashback" (silly Wayne's World music here). Funny how some of the very first lessons that you had as a child come back to you. I remember the very first baseball practice I had in 2nd grade. We were in a field... not a baseball field, but a field at a school. "Where's the diamond?!?!?! We are going to play on a real diamond, right?" That' was a good one. But I'll never forget our first lesson... hitting. We took our right hand and stuck it into the backs of our pants and brought our left arm out in front of our right shoulders. Then Coach Welch (still even remember his name) took us through our step, swing... steps and that was pretty much it for hitting. Didn't even pick up a bat (which I thought was odd at the time, but now that I'm a coach... not a bad move). So I say that to say... when we were struggling with our hitting today this was the image I thought of. Going back to this one little drill that I remember, may be "old-school" but it may help some of the guys out. Not sure... but I thought that it was interesting that I remembered it.

Oh! Yes, kids are doing well and Jeanise is doing well too. :-) Joel had a friend spend the night last night and that went better than I thought it would. Our little boy, ain't so little anymore. AND... he got enrolled into Kindergarten for next year! AH!!!!! We're getting older...

Happy, Happy, Joy Joy!

Well... BIG, BIG NEWS! We got a call from... drum roll... Joel's new Pre-K teacher today! For those of you who know the story and his history, this is a big step for him. He's been in a Developmental Pre-K program for a year or so... and is even in the program this year at his new school. But tomorrow, he starts going to a regular Pre-K class tomorrow... yes, with NORMAL kids! We are just so thankful and know that God has answered so many prayers. We're pumped about it and anxious to see how he does. He's very bright and are so glad that he has this opportunity! We can only thank his teachers for the job they did for him. Also... Joel's mommy did a great job of getting him the love and patience that he needed early.

Yes, I'm still here...

Basketball... last week of regular season... post-season tournaments start next week.... 'nuff said?

It's been real busy around the gym and at home. Kids are doing well at their school... Jeanise is staying VERY busy at work... and I'm teaching and coaching. Not a whole lot has been going on worth sharing. It's been a really long week. Just like it is at the end of the season, only this time around, I'm not stressing like a head coach normally does (that part is kinda' nice). Let you know how we do this week!

Back 2 the Grind

Well... After a tournament weekend (first weekend in January) and 3 days of missed school last week (due to ice/snow), I was ready to get back to school and classes. Now I'm ready for the next BREAK! I hate being behind, yet, I seem to always find a way to remain behind. I have great intentions of getting ahead. Sometimes, I get ahead... but a few days later, I'm behind again. Does anyone ever feel like that?
We went up to my grandma Morton's in Newton, KS for her 80th birthday party. She CAN'T be 80... she sure doesn't look it. (saying that for you grandma! :-) ) It was great seeing the family and all the kids playing together. Wish we could visit more.
Basketball is going well. We're 12 - 4 and playing pretty well. We're the #6 team in Class 6A and we're beating the teams that we need to beat and playing real close in the games that we're going to have to scratch and claw to win. It's a lot of fun and I'm really enjoying it.
Well... I'd better go get some of my Bible study for Friday's coaches Bible study done. Don't want to wait until Thursday night to do it! ha ha

Eternal and Forever

I posted this in my FB too... but I thought I'd write this here.

It was time to open my Bible to the scripture reading for the sermon... I picked up my Bible off the pew. And as I began to open to the chapter in Matthew that was being read, something just plucked at my heart. A memory that has been etched into my brain that I will hopefully remember forever.

The date in the inside cover is from January 24, 1993... from a young lady I was dating...a Jeanise Wynn. We had been dating since September 23rd of the prior year and we were both IN LOVE! It was the weekend of the Lectureships at Oklahoma Christian, and I had been looking for a smaller Bible that I could carry easily to classes, but just didn't think that I could afford it. It was nice to have, but I had a bigger one that would do. Then, later in the Student Center, I was meeting up with Jeanise for one of the many reasons that I could come up with to be with her, when she handed me this box. It was a Navy blue Bible with my name on it... the one that I had been looking at for a couple of days. But that's not what really got to me... what she wrote inside did.

"Just as the words in this book are eternal, so is my love for you. I love you. Jeanise"

I looked back on that day, 16 years ago, and just smiled. Something about that day and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. She was special. She loved me eternally. At that point, I just looked at her (she was sitting next to me) and smiled. She loves me eternally. Lives it every day. She wrote it down in an eternal book... and she has lived up to that promise ever since that day. I'll love this woman for the rest of my life and then some. She has given me so many things in this life and continues to put a smile on my face. Eternal and forever...

Pictures from our Trip to NY in 2004... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY on the JUMBO-TRON

(BTW... Yankees vs. Mets @ Yankee Stadium... Mets got beat 11-7)

Still going... and going...

Well... Facebook has overtaken my blogging... sort of. I spend more time checking that out than posting. But since I'm pretty faithful to this, and enjoy it just a wee bit more, I thought that I'd make my first post for 2009. Not sure how many people REALLY read this though. So if you do, please just tell me, so I know that there's hope or still people who dare read the silly little things that I have on here.
OK... so Christmas break was great! Nice couple of weeks off and got to spend that with the wife and kiddos. We didn't do a whole lot... but that's not a bad thing, really. Jeanise took the kids on the AMTRAK train to Dallas, so that she could visit with her grandparents and let them see the kids. The kids had a blast and wore momma out. I stayed home, because I had basketball practice.
Basketball has been going pretty well. We're 7-1 and #6 in class 6A. It's a lot of fun working with the boys this year... but I still miss coaching the girl's side. It's tough not coaching a "team" or having my own group of guys to coach... I just get to assist every other coach on our staff. It's nice some times... but I miss that decision making and rush of drawing stuff up, calling stuff, etc. Don't know what'll happen next year, but I'm not worrying about it right now. We're just 1/2 way into the season, and not ready to even think about that yet. School is going well... I am blessed to be where I am and working with the people that I work with. I've fallen into the group at Santa Fe and have found my place. I like that... and I'm not worried 1/2 the time about who's looking over my shoulder. These people are great!
I've found a new hobby! I'm building golf clubs! During the summer, my former assistant principal showed me how to re-grip my current clubs. That was a LOT of fun! Over Christmas, I thought about trying to build my own Sand Wedge with some Christmas money that I got. After about an hour and a half of talking with the guy at GolfGalaxy, I took some pieces home. They did a few "prep" things for me on the club shaft, but once I got home, I started on it. It took about a day for the epoxy to dry and then another 30 minutes to put the grip on... but in the end... it took about 2 days to build my first club. I took it out today, for the first time, and LOVE IT! I made it about an inch longer than my current SW, which goes better with my other clubs that are longer... and now I'm ready to build MORE MORE MORE! :-) I think, though, that I'm going to start with another club first... and then think about constructing my own set. That would be a lot of fun, I think. My dad wants me to build him a wedge too... we're going to go get the pieces and I'll get it put together for him. Any excuse to build another club, ya' know. I'll probably HAVE to buy my parts for my 2nd one when we go get his parts... seeings how I'll have all of the equipment out and all. :-P
Well... in the famous words of Porky Pig.... "THAT'S ALL FOLKS!" Plus, Jeanise thinks I'm writing a book, now. NIGHT and happy 2009!