Are we there, yet?

Summer time... Summer time...

2010-07-27T21:08:00.002-05:00

Ah... where does the time go? Let's see here...

Finished my 2nd year at Santa Fe and am still enjoying where I work and what I'm doing. It's been a blessing to be at this school. This next year, I'll continue to work with the Ruff Draft (newspaper), teach 2 Web Design classes, continue with the Credit Recovery program... and this year (drum roll)... will be adding a new subject to my "teaching arsonnal"... GEOMETRY! Aught to be interesting... but I'm excited about it. Only issue? I have 4 different preps a day! That's quite a bit to do on top of coaching basketball too. Thank goodness that I'm not the head coach with that schedule. :-)

The kids have been having a great summer! Joel has been going on field trips with his day school almost daily. They have special places that they go to (and mommy and daddy pay for it too). He likes it, but I think that he's ready to start first grade. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?!?!?! Lindsay, on the other hand, has been loving her class at school but will be in a pre-K program at her day-school. I think that she's ready to take some "big kid classes" now, but I'm not so sure that she's excited about school as Joel was. Oh well... they are different.

Jeanise is doing well at her work. Works very hard to keep the company she's working for floating financially and some days are better than others. We're proud of the work that she does and know that she's just the best accountant/controller around. (not biased one bit!) :-P

Well... better close for now. Getting a bit tired (only 9:15 pm) and so I should shove off!

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-01T08:52:00.002-06:00

Long time... no update. In the "Facebook" times, it's tough to keep both of these up. However, after looking back to when I started filling this thing out, I felt compelled to press on and one day read all of these again from start to finish. I did that a while back ago and some of the memories were very good to reflect on... some... not so much.
It's been a very busy finish to 2009. I'm coaching the sophomores and helping with varsity girls basketball teams and (although fun) it's been taking a lot of time. Not as bad as it's about to turn on Monday; (gone 4-5 nights a week every week in January). School is going well and we're looking at starting Semester 2 the second week in January! My how time flies!
Jeanise has been keeping things going/running at Heartland Homes and still enjoys her job. She's also been staying pretty busy with managing the accounting "books" for the ROC Foundation for our missionary groups. It's a full-filling thing that she does for that ministry and she's pretty good at it.
Joel saw his 6th birthday this year... and LOVES school! He's going to be the "brain-child" I think. He loves to learn and is a geography nut (loves countries and drawing the states). He's in 1/2-day Kindergarten and just loves his teacher. When we bought a Wii for the family in October and a Nintendo DS for his birthday, he's been introduced to the "gaming" world. He's pretty good at playing games, and it's a nice time for he and I to conquer the Star Wars Legos galaxy (or Indiana Jones fantasies) together.
Lindsay saw her 4th birthday just a few months ago and it's hard to believe that she's just 4. She's a very spunky little girl and is a very cuddley little girl. Plainly put... she's a daddy's girl. She has to be with people... she LOVES her brother (which is very sweet)... and she's a pretty good singer (there's mom's influence).
All-in-all... we've had a pretty good year in the Morton household. We look for a lot of "growing" this year with the kids (and hopefully a lot of losing--pounds--from the rest of us). :-) God bless you all!

Still here...

2009-10-05T06:03:00.002-05:00

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...

2009-07-13T23:15:00.007-05:00

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?)

2009-05-18T23:15:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-04-25T13:58:00.002-05:00

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...

2009-04-04T20:32:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-02-24T20:05:00.003-06:00

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...

2009-02-21T09:57:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-04T21:49:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-19T22:37:00.004-06:00

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...

2009-01-11T20:45:00.002-06:00

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!

Tribute to Star Wars...

2008-12-22T15:30:00.001-06:00

This is really funny... I've seen a couple of different ones doing the same thing, but I really like these guys' facial expressions and 'funnyness'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAPr6UKhs

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

NEWS UPDATE...

2008-12-07T21:37:00.003-06:00

Well... I really hadn't realized that it has been a few weeks since I've posted... A lot's been going on since the last message.

We had a great Thanksgiving 1/2 week. Thursday, we all loaded up the car and went up to Newton, KS to visit my grandma and to see the MORTON-side and eat together. We had about 36 people in grandma's house. I don't ever remember a time when we had THAT many people in that house. It was fun, though. We had some 4v4 football going on in the back 2 acres and soem kite-flying... some chasing by the young ones and just an all-around-good time. It was really nice to see all of my cousins and their families. I love those times.
On Friday, we went over to Jeanise's folks for our 2nd Thanksgiving. We saw John, Mary, and the girls, who came up from Alb, NM (of course, I'm not going to spell out that city) to visit. We ate, watched football, played cards, and ates some more. The girls got to shop a bit, but I thought they were crazy for going out.

The last several weeks have been coming down to "crunch time." First basketball game was last Tuesday. We beat Stillwater at home pretty bad... something like around 20 points or so... 19 actually now that I think about it. And Friday night, we played the #3 team in the state and WON in OVERTIME! That was a really stressful night, but a LOT of fun! The kids really worked hard and pulled it all together. We have a game at Choctaw Tuesday night... and then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we're hosting our Edmond Tournament... so this week is going to be a VERY... LONG... ONE.

Thursday, I stayed home because I have been having a scratchy throat and was just run-down. Turned out... Joel gave me (he would say shared with me) his strep-throat from the week before. Just LOVE that boy! It's been a tough 4 days not being able to kiss my kids and my wife. I don't want them to get sick (although, that might be too late for Jeanise...oops). Makes me appreciate them more.

Have a great week!

Is it break yet?

2008-11-18T21:40:00.002-06:00

I actually had someone in class, today, ask me when "FALL Break" was. "Well," I said, "next October... but that's a long way away." I just can't fathom the fact that: 1) basketball games are about to begin in about 2 weeks and 2) Thanksgiving & Christmas is about here. Not to mention the end of the 1st semester is about here. This school year is really shooting by (which I'm not complaining about). But one question: Is it just me, or as you get older, do you notice that time moves quicker? Some days, now, just drag... but look at it over a period of time. I know that in a heartbeat... my kids will be teenagers in middle school... then high school... then college... then married... then have kids... AH! In the time that Jeanise and I have been married... Joel will be graduating from high school and Lindsay will be a sophomore or junior. Scary. Guess that just isn't the hammer on the head that we should enjoy every moment because it doesn't last as long as it once did for us...

... Just ask the Lakers who haven't seen a championship since... when? :-)

It's ALL MY FAULT!

2008-11-08T08:07:00.001-06:00

I know that the results are wrong... but this is so funny!

What happens when Mike Doesn't Vote!

And the winner is...

2008-11-04T06:19:00.002-06:00

A lot has been joked about this year's presidential election. Love the jokes... the SNL skits... but now it's time to actually make the decision and I'm a little bit worried. There's been a lot of mud-slinging and he-said/she-said/he-said or going to do's... but I'm just not as secure about the results this year. I don't think that there's ever been a year where I've thought, "you know, it's not going to be too bad if either of the candidates win." I don't think that I can say that this year. I know that we'll have to follow whoever is elected... but I just don't feel very confident about our country's future for the next 4 years. I mean... I'm going to be 40 by the time we have to elect a president again... and that just seems too old to me! :-)

In the 14-15 years that I've been allowed to vote, I think that I've only voted 1 time. I missed the last one because I had a scrimmage or something and didn't make it on time. But this year, I really want my vote to count.

I just hope and pray that God's hand is all over this election and that He makes the right decision.

Here we go again!

2008-10-20T21:22:00.003-05:00

Fall break is over... and we start back up tomorrow with school. Can you believe that the first 9 weeks is complete and we're now into the 2nd nine week period!?!?!?! It's been a pretty good first 9 weeks and I hope that they get better. The new freshman academy opens tomorrow and I will be teaching my first 2 hours there, before going back to my current room for the rest of the day. It's very nice and I have a SmartBoard again! I'm super pumped about it and hope that the kids like the change.

Jeanise took the kids to Alb., NM and had a pretty good visit with John, Mary and the girls. Would have been better had the weather not cancelled the Balloon Fiesta events (which is why they went in the first place).

Well... I'd better see what school stuff I have to get done before tomorrow and call it a night! 2 weeks before our first basketball scrimmage! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S HERE ALREADY!?!?!?!

And the crowd goes wild!

2008-10-12T08:11:00.002-05:00

Well... not so much on the OU end... but OSU looked really good last night. After going to Stillwater a couple of weeks ago and watching the Pokes' defense and offense play Troy, I told Shane that they're going to give OU some problems and may actually up-end them. Well... the preview, I guess, came last night against Missouri. Defense looked solid... and offense was pretty stout. Congrats to the Cowboys and OU... get back in there and look impressive and maybe if you win out, you could get to the National stage again. Only time will tell.

On a personal note... I took advantage of the quiteness of the house to call up a friend of mine and go play golf. I wanted to play somewhere I hadn't played before, so we played a course in Guthrie (Cimmaron National... Aqua Canyon) early in the morning, so we could watch the OU/Texas game afterwords. It was a rough first hole start... double-bogeyed it... but after listening to Keith's suggestion about the 2nd hole (305 par 4) of going right at the flag... I was about 15 yards from the green. Things started looking up. Then on the 3 hole... Keith's shot went left, hit a tree and bounced in the fairway. I tried to play my shot straighter... it hit a tree... and put it into the fairway and only 65 yards from the green! We had a great laugh about how we both used nature to help our shots. So, next time you go there and you get to #3 hole... Use the trees to better your shot! (ha ha ha) It was a great morning... we were about the only ones on the course and could take our time... and just enjoy the morning. So when you want to go play golf... go on a day of a BIG football game. I ended up shooting 42 on the front and 40 on the back (par 70)... so only +12. For me... that's pretty good... except the 4 holes that I kinda' blue up on. A fun day... but I was pooped when I got home. I fell asleep around 8:30 in my chair (Jeanise called me and woke me up)... and then went to bed around 9. That was kinda' nice. Makes up for those last few 5:30 am practices that I had Thursday and Friday.

How can I keep from singing...

2008-10-05T22:22:00.003-05:00

I've had several songs that have just been in my mind this week... and for the last hour or so... the one in the title has been "echoing in my soul." Just a catchy little tune and has really gotten me through the last hour or so, while I'm grading papers.
We started Basketball Oct. 1 (Wed.)... at 5:30 am! That's right... in the MORNING! It was nice though, because then we were home by 4. Kinda nice. Things are going well at school and we're about in the 7th or 8th week (believe 8th) of school. Hard to believe it.
We had a milestone today... Joel cleaned his room ALL BY HIMSELF today! And it was VERY clean! I'd like to say that he just did what mommy and daddy asked him to do... but it was more of a response to a "gonna take your cars away, unless you clean your room" threat. :-) But he did a very good job and I was very proud of him.
Jeanise and I went and saw the movie FIREPROOF on Saturday. It was a very emotional movie, but very well done. Kirk Cameron did a fantastic acting job and the message of the movie was EXTREEMLY well done. I've had so many friends... close to my age... that have gone through some kind of difficulty in their marriages and ended up in a divorce. I think about them all the time and can't even imagine (and DON'T want to even imagine) something like that happening to me. I love my wife very much. And we've learned so much from each other in the 14 + years that we've been married and we compliment each other really well. I just don't see my life without her or without my kids. I believe that if I look at the kind of love that God has for me, that I can have that kind of love for my wife and my kids.
OK... time to go to bed. Everyone else is in bed, so I'd better get there too.

Take me out the ball game...

2008-09-20T21:30:00.002-05:00

Today, at Oklahoma Christian, was the baseball field dedication to long-time coach, teacher, AD, etc. of Max Dobson. Before the ceremony, we had an alumni game. There were about 40-50 alumni players in attendance... only about a handfull of us were after 1990, though. It was really a good day and to see all of those players that once put on the OC(C) uniform and represented the school on the field. I got to see a couple of people who I hadn't seen since 1991 or so, and also got to rub elbows with a lot of older guys who were catching up themselves.

On to the game... we all (the players) arrived around 9:30 to the field with the same question, "how is this going to work?" As we checked out the field and began to warm-up in left field, the current OC baseball players were in the practice tops and shorts watching us. "Are we going to play them?" We all thought. Once all of the alumni was in the dugout, Coach Chuck White asked US how we wanted to do it; just take batting practice or play. WE WANT TO PLAY! was the unanomous decision by all. OK... so where do we all play? Catchers? We have a few of those, great. Position players? We have those covered. What about the pitchers? We have a few. Since that was the only position I really ever TRUELY played at OC, I told Coach White that I could throw a few innings if there weren't enough to go around. I ended up throwing about 4 innings! It was a lot of fun, but took me about 10 pitches to even get into the catcher's glove. Haven't thrown a baseball since my last year at Deer Creek and that was just for batting practice. Needless to say, a lot of guys got some really good hits and impressed all of those families in the stands. It was a good day. If I ever get some pictures, I'll post them. I'm just thrilled that my arm isn't sore! Guess all of that working out I'm doing with the basketball team is paying off. OH! What about my lone at bat, you ask? I grounded into a double-play (I was really safe at first though). Enough of that.

OUCH!

2008-09-13T21:29:00.004-05:00

Tonight we went to a birthday party at the Edmond Bowling alley. Joel was doing well... and so was Lindsay... until... dum dum dah dum... Lindsay ate it. She was on the lower step and stepping up to the boards with her bowling ball and miss-stepped--landing lower-chin first on top of her ball. She had a pretty good sized gash on there and Jeanise and I had to take her to one of those pm doctors. They gave her 4 stitches and she was a real trooper. It hurt a little, but by the time we got dinner and got home, she had her second wind. She's ok, but it is still a bit sore.

She got her t-shirt a little bloody, and I think that she was more concerned with how "dirty" her t-shirt was than her "owwey".

Another one bites the dust

2008-09-13T09:03:00.003-05:00

Well... Another week in the books. Think that we've been in school about 3.5 weeks now? It's been a pretty good year, so far, and I am slowly getting into the routine now. The biggest and hardest thing to change is the whole homework and discipline forms thing. In 11 years... teaching computers and business... I didn't give homework (really) because kids can't exactly take a computer home with them. Well, now I give homework just about every night and have to look it over and grade it all. Thank goodness I don't have more than about 18 in 2 classes (which that may all change in about 8 weeks when my classroom changes to the newer part of the building... thus a BIGGER room). I'm staying on top of it rather well... but the 3, 4, or 5 different detention, tutorial, after school study hall, lunch study hall, forms are enough for a guy to spin his head off of his shoulders. I figure that I'll get that down oh... in about another year!

This picture is a few months old... but I thought it was pretty cute. My mom dressed Joel up in my 5 year old Halloween costume (which is fitting, since he'll turn 5 in less than 1 month). Mom made my brother and I Batman and Robin costumes. We were so into that TV series and he's always been my favorite superhero. I think that Joel looks pretty good in blue...

THUNDER-Struck!

2008-09-03T21:16:00.003-05:00

OKC THUNDER is what we are! The announcement came today in a press conference and the color-scheme is pretty cool. I like the thought that was put into it and the logo. Haven't seen the uniforms yet (aw...) but I hope that they're cool. I may just HAVE to get a jersey. Check out this video opening. It's THUNDEROUS! What do you think?

Let the good times roll (The Cars)

2008-08-28T20:12:00.002-05:00

Ok... so tonight... Pre-season and my Redskins are getting beat and my Mets are trying not to have a repeat performance of last year's choking.
Been in school alittle over a week and I'm still liking it. It's been a real challenge with the subject change, but I've got good people who I work with and have given me some great advice and have also been there to support the decisions that I've made. I'm feeling pretty good today... yesterday, however, I had 4 out of 35 kids pass an Algebra 1 quiz (review of last year's stuff). That was disappointing, but can be fixed. Basketball is going well. It's been going late (which isn't the most beneficial for picking up the kids), but hopefully it'll get better now that tryouts are over... yea!
Getting ready for that 3 day break and I'm looking forward to it!

The first of many

2008-08-23T23:24:00.003-05:00

The first week at my new school (well, first 3 days) went pretty well. Here's some "it's toughs"... for my first week.
First of all, it's tough to get back into the routine... even if you've been at a school for some time.
Second, it's tough to get into the routine of a new schedule.
Third, it's tough to get into a new subject area that you haven't taught in quite a while.
Fourth, it's tough to get into the niche of how things go and how people operate at a new school.
Finally, it's tough to have to do lunch duty again. :-)
All-in-all, it's been a good week. I was definitely ready for the weekend though. On Friday, the coaches scrimmaged the boys. We played from 2:40 until I left around 4:30 (they were still playing when I left). Needless to say, the coaches never lost! Now is that to say that the coaches are just that good? or that the players just aren't up to the ability as the coaches? Don't know. All I know is... I WAS PRETTY DARNED NEAR DEAD when I got home. I did have to take a couple of games off. Just not in shape... PERIOD! I was winded and tired... still took some really good shots (a 3 pointer to win the 4th one over a 6'7" kid coming at me) and got some really good rebounds. The tools are there... just a tad too rusty. :-) It's going to be a good year.

In Moments Like These...

2008-08-15T23:07:00.003-05:00

Well... this last week has just been a whirlwind, but it all came out in the end. For the last 2 days, I've been in teacher professional development, training, getting-to-know-you stuff, etc. and it has been a blast. I commented to a couple of teachers today that I don't think that I've had as much fun or have ever seen a faculty have so much fun going over the faculty handbook since I've been teaching. We played games, had contests, and a few other things to keep the fact that we HAD to be there more fun and enjoyable.
As I walked out of the building today around 3:45 I just thanked God for blessing me and allowing me to be at the school that I am and that I pray that he use me in the position to glorify Him and to be a light to those who come around me. I have a lot to do... the person who occupied my room last year, just moved his stuff out today, so I'm already behind the 8 ball and will probably have to go in sometime this weekend to at least move my stuff into the room. Lucky for me that I only live about 5 minutes away from the building. :-)
I was pretty tired today when I came home... have to get used to the teaching thing and standing up kinda of thing again. That's ok... I've had 3 months of rest. :-P

Shall we gather at the river?

2008-08-11T18:15:00.003-05:00

After days like this, you always come out of it with something that you've learned.
1. I am NOT in control of my life... GOD IS!
2. Don't be pridefull.
3. Pride leads to being too cocky
4. Being to cocky eventually leads to disappointment
5. Disappointment leads to bitterness
6. Bitterness leads to being moody and no-one wants to be around you.
7. Being moody leads you to your knees.
8. Getting to your knees leads you back to #1... and maybe you'll take a different road next time.
Today, I reported to Deer Creek teacher meetings... waiting to hear from Santa Fe's principal. I didn't hear anything until about 12:30 today, that the math teacher DID resign officially. Now I just had to do my part... resigning from DC. So now it's official... I have resigned and am waiting for them to fill my position (they had a business interview 30 minutes ago). So I think that I'm secure. I'll write more later, but I am so relieved right now... and know that when I get out of the way and let God do His work, things always work out the way they're supposed to. Gotta go celebrate! Thanks for all of the prayers!

A Funny before bed...

2008-08-10T22:40:00.002-05:00

Jeanise has me hooked on this site: wordspy.com
I found a word that describes me! I'm not a big fan of soccer... I played 1 year (3rd grade) and coached 1 year of HS boys. They're just a different breed of cat... but anyway, I found this definition (sorry for you soccer people whom I offend... but oh well).

anti-foot adj. Describes a person or group that actively dislikes soccer (football), particularly the France 98 World Cup tournament.

Example Citation:
"Thousands of football-haters have teamed up in 'Anti-Foot' cells dedicated to resistance, ridicule and escape from the World Cup fever sweeping France."—Susannah Herbert, "World Cup widows join the French resistance," The Daily Telegraph

Daddy day... part 2

2008-08-10T07:35:00.005-05:00

[Sorry Grandma... this one has a bunch of pictures] On Friday, I took Joel for his Daddy-Day. We went to breakfast (McDonalds) and then Joel went over to Grandma Morton's house to play. Grandma taught Joel a new game... Go Fish. And Suprise, Suprise... he won. He's pretty good at games. Mom and I are going to just have to team up on him someday. After Grandma's, I took Joel to the Firefighter Museum in OKC. It was pretty neat, but you really couldn't touch anything inside, and Joel wasn't too thrilled about it. But he listened to the guy showing the group around and then we got to go off on our own. Here are some pictures:

He did a good job. The museum had just finished (the prior week) adding a fire-house-like playground outside. Joel liked to run around and check out all of the things. He really liked the slides.

On the job front... no new news really. Just waiting for the phone call from the new school letting me know if they've received the teacher's resignation letter yet. As soon as that happens, I'm sending my letter to my school. I decided last Friday to just wait it out. It's better that I have a job either way, than to resign and HOPE for something to maybe happen. Have to do the responsible thing and to think of my family first. Just hope that I get a call soon... I'd hate to get that call in the middle of my meetings tomorrow. But I think that's what is going to happen. Oh well...

Bobby Murcer

2008-08-06T18:01:00.003-05:00

My mom and I attended the funeral for Bobby Murcer today. It was the most moving funeral I have ever been to. Memorial Rd. Church was almost completely filled with people and the 2 hour service was a celebration of this man's life. A very down-to-earth person who didn't have a bad word for anyone. After 62 years, he's now on heaven's team. A smile that never quit. A celebrity who wouldn't allow himself to be thought of as one. A kind word. An Okie in an Yankee uniform. As I sat there for the 2 hour duration, I just thought of the things that I could do in my life that were demonstrated thru his.

On a separate note... as I got into the car to go home, I had several missed calls. 2 from Edmond Schools. I got a call from Ed. Santa Fe about a Math position! Only thing... will DC let me out of my contract when we have to report on Monday?!?!?! That is in the works and I ask that everyone just pray for what's best. I'm excited that there is FINALLY an opportunity to be there... just hope it works out. Wish me luck!

Daddy Day part 1

2008-08-05T17:14:00.002-05:00

Today, Lindsay did not go to school... instead she went to breakfast with daddy, then went over to her grandma Morton's house to play. We had a great time at... you guessed it... McDonalds and then headed on over to grandma's. Lindsay had a great time and went to hide when daddy showed up to pick her up. She just didn't want to leave grandma's house. She cried and cried and talked about going back to grandma's, but we had lunch plans with mommy.
After lunch, we came home to take a nap... but Lindsay took her 20 minute nap on the way home and didn't go to sleep when we arrived. Oh oh... guess that means that she'll go to bed early tonight, huh? She watched tv all by herself for about 30 minutes in mommy and daddy's room.
Segue: After about 30 minutes... I hear the door close. Lindsay has shut the door and... LOCKED IT! I looked around for a key and tried to get her to unlock the door, but she just wouldn't do it. After getting a quarter out and unlocking the outside of the door, it opened. I have to tell you though, that there came a refreshing smell before the door opened. Lindsay had gotten a hold of Jeanise's "refreshing smell" auromatheropy lotion and had it all over her hands and belly. Said her "belly is all better now." Oh oh...
And just when you thought it was over... about 10 minutes after clean up... she came into the study and said "Daddy, I didn't do anything." :-) RED FLAG ALERT! When your kid strolls in and says that... what is going thru YOUR mind? Anyway... she had just knocked off her clock. FUnny moment and just a classic moment of what is YET to come.
Gotta run and check and see what she's in to now!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

2008-07-30T07:50:00.002-05:00

Today is #36! That's right, I'm officially a year older. Had my father drop the news that he was 36 when we were on our way to JAPAN. Kinda' funny how the last 7 or 8 years that I've been comparing my age change to where he was in his NAVY career and what grade. Interesting. Had a wonderful party at mom and dad's last night, with my family and my brother... and now I don't know what I'm going to do today. Oh I'm sure that the spirit will move me somewhere... :-)

Photos, photos, photos

2008-07-27T16:11:00.002-05:00

We got new pictures of the kids... I may be a bit biased, but I think that I just have 2 of the cutest kids on the planet. I'm not going to post them, because Jeanise has them on her blog site.

Got back yesterday from a day trip to Newton, KS to play Sand Creek Station golf course. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed playing with my uncle, my dad, and Lee (a friend of dad's from church). Being the younger "lad" of the group was kinda interesting. Conversations were fun, educational, and shared some areas of interest that I had no idea that I'd ever be a part of listening to. Take for example: Yesterday morning, on the way to eat breakfast, topic of conversation was my uncle's hearing aids. Dad chimed in with the fact that he was probably going to need to get some. The Lee said that he too would probably need them soon. Other than the fact that Jeanise would probably tell you that I've needed hearing aids for the last 14 years! (ha ha)... I couldn't believe that this was a conversation that we were having. I guess this is what guys 55+ in a vehicle talk about? OH NO... THAT WASN'T IT! Then they passed around one of the hearing aids to try it out! :-) That was kinda' funny. Odd... but an interesting story for the trip. Guess that I'll also admit that eventhough it was a bit strange... I was rather curious to experience the hearing aid thing myself. But then that would have given in to the fact that "I don't hear too good." :-)

Yesterday was a great time... 75-80 degrees (overcast) in the morning and it didn't get hot until about 12... we were done just after 1:00. Not too bad considering it rained for about 5 hours off and on the night before.

Have a great week!

Drumroll please...

2008-07-23T21:08:00.003-05:00

Well, tonight I received a phone call from the principal at Ed. Memorial High School... and I have an interview at 8:00 am tomorrow! YEA! Don't think that there are any coaching positions with it, but I'm going to try and see if there's something in my big 3 (basketball, baseball, volleyball) that I can be a part of. Wish me luck!

On the other side (literally), I may have an interview at Edmond North high School on Monday. They said that they were going to begin the interviews on Monday and I'm assuming that I'll get a call tomorrow or Friday (probably Friday) to set that up. The positive thing there is that there IS a baseball position open and the coach knows who I am (from a great reference from a former mentor-coach-friend of mine) and wants me there! Tough situation on what to do... but guess what?... I GET TO MAKE A CHOICE (hopefully). I know that God will enlighten the situation and place me where he knows that I can make the biggest impact and biggest difference for Him and His glory. I'm excited about these opportunities and hope that it all works out.

On a lighter note... I got my new golf bag! (It's Kahki and Black -- really nice I think) I'm so stoked about it. It's bigger and holds more stuff and it's pretty. Dad and I bought matching golf bags, except his is blue, and we're going up to Newton, KS this weekend to play Sand Creek Station Golf course. I'm pretty excited about the trip and will get to see my uncle Mike. He's pretty good and I like playing with him. Might even get to see grandma and have dinner with her. Who knows... but I GET TO PLAY GOLF!

Al-la Peanut Butter Sandwiches...

2008-07-20T21:25:00.003-05:00

Ok... so you have to be a fan of Sesame Street to remember the magician who used that term as his magic words.
Tonight, we had David Allen (magician) come to church tonight and perform for our VBS subistitute. He was great and even had a christian message at the end of his performance. The kids in the audience really enjoyed it... Joel even got picked to help with a trick! YEP, you read that right! He went up on stage and did EXACTLY what was asked and answered all of the magician's questions! Jeanise and I were so proud and it was SUCH a huge step for him. Didn't even matter to him that about 200 or so pairs of eyes were watching him. I hope that there are some better pictures of this later, but I'll post a few for now. We're so proud of him...

On the other side of the hallway, Lindsay is about potty-trained! Jeanise made the decision to go cold-turkey on her last Monday. During school, she came home dry 3 days and had a 1 day where it was just bad... but all in all, she's been doing pretty well with it.

This is too fun!

2008-07-13T22:43:00.001-05:00

I found this on a coaching web site I surf... try these two sites out and see what your score is out of 100!

http://www.theprogramkc.com/toolbox/CollegeFootballHelmetQuiz.xls

http://www.theprogramkc.com/toolbox/CollegeFootballHelmetQuiz-2.xls

I got 76 out of 100. Not too shabby...

And the hits just keep on comin'...

2008-07-13T17:09:00.002-05:00

Since the last post, we've been pretty busy with family, traveling and just "stuff." We got back last Monday from our July 4th trip to Alb., NM to visit John (brother-in-law) and his family. It was the first time that I've gone down there with Jeanise and the kids and Steve and Lisa in 2 years. I haven't been able to go due to basketball going on, but since bball is over the end of June (and I'm not coaching it next year) I got to go. We had a nice visit and took Steve and Lisa's RV down and back. It was nice... kinda' like traveling in a house. :-)
As of yesterday, I'm still at Deer Creek (teaching) and unsure about my coaching situation. I'm going to have to wait another year to do basketball, because the jobs just aren't out there. Something may come up in the last couple of weeks of July, but it's highly unlikly. If it's God's will, it'll show up.
On a more "family" note... we went to the zoo yesterday. And although it was a little warm, we had a good time. Joel and Lindsay both got to see the animals that they wanted to see and we saw several animals that we typically don't get to see, because we were there early enough in the morning that it was cool for the animals to be out and "seen." We they took the kids to the movies... dum dum dum dum... to see WALL-E. It was fun and cute. Joel enjoyed it, but not too sure that he understood all of it. He watched the whole thing and laughed and payed attention (YEA! We can go see movies again!) Lindsay LOVED the previews and the cartoon at the beginning. About 20 minutes into the movie, she took her nap and woke up about 20 minutes left of the movie. She was pretty cute laughing at some of the stuff outloud and everyone in the theatre laughed with (at) her.
Joel is really growing up. He's a little boy now. It's really hard to believe! We have pictures all over the living room with his baby pictures and such and those memories are so vivid in my mind that I can't believe that he's a little boy. He's a lot of fun to play with and is just silly. He's starting to talk to other kids (very outgoing it seems) at the pool or in his classes... and stuff. It's a big step for him from where he was 10 months ago. It a pretty neat thing... and he'll go to Pre-K this year and we're so excited for him. I think that he'll just rock the house (room). I'll try and post pictures later of our zoo excursion.

Names (from my cousin's blog)

2008-06-30T19:34:00.003-05:00

Ok... so I stole/borrowed this from my cousin Cheryl's blog site and thougth that it would be funny. I guess we'll see.
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet/current car): Brady Avalanche (that's a rockin' name)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor/ favorite type of shoe): Mint Chocolate Chip Basketball Shoes (somehow, just NOT that mean-sounding...)

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color/favorite animal): Blue Elephant

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name/city where you were born): Allen Midwest (City)

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name/ first 2 of your first name): MortMi (that's too funny)

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color/ favorite drink): Maroon Mountain Dew

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Russell Robert (I could do it the other way, but that would end up being my brother's name)

8. STRIPPER NAME (the name of your favorite perfume,cologne or scent/favorite candy): Tommy 3 Muskateers

9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher’s last name/ a major city that starts with the same letter): Sammon San Francisco (that's gay...)

10. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/favorite holiday): Fall SummerBreak (the NEXT James Bond?)

11. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit/ article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Watermelon Shorts (that's a good one)

12. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast/your favorite tree): Shake Cherry-Blossom (can't get anymore "hippie" than that, I don't think)

...

13. RADIO DJ NAME: (last name/ mother's maiden name) Morton Stout (I think that's what that was...)

Please just pray for me...

2008-06-29T22:29:00.002-05:00

Been sitting here for about 3-4 minutes trying to come up with some clever or funny thing to write about... when I just need prayers for peace. Peace about what I'm doing in my career... peace about not getting the job I wanted... peace about the unknown future about my job/career... peace that I'm making the right decisions... or more like, peace that I'm doing/going where God wants me to be/go.
The kids were watching VeggieTales the other day in the car and the story of Jonah came up. Reminding me that God is going to be faithful and guide us where he wants us to go. I've been blessed by the doors that have been opened for me and walking thru those. Now I've experienced doors opening that I'm not getting to walk thru, and that's rather troubling. Maybe I was just a bit "over-confident" and "cocky" and the doors closing is the result of my actions. Who knows? It's a humbling experience and I guess that I'm sitting in the belly of the whale waiting for the next door for God to open for me. Please pray for me for peace of mind and peace of heart...

It's all good...

2008-06-23T23:39:00.003-05:00

Just some updated pictures of the 2 rug-rats. Can you believe that Joel's costume was once worn by the Caped Crusader himself?!?!?! Yep! That was my Halloween costume from when I was 5... Bob (my brother) was Robin. Mom made our costumes when we lived in Edmond before. We were both HUGE into Batman and Robin and we wore those costumes out! I think that I have a bit of "worry" here... He's fitting into that costume at age 4! AH!!!!!
We got a picture of "cool Lindsay". She's wearing her sunglasses (doctor told us that it might help with her squinting her eyes so much) and we got her to wear a hat too. We were on our way to a birthday party and I took this with her in the back seat of the van. She almost looks like a tourist!
No new news on the job-front. Still waiting to hear back from Deer Creek about my schedule for next year... waiting to see if Santa Fe will have a job posted in the next 4 weeks in Math or Business... got a phone call from another school wanting to interview me for a teaching/asst. girls basketball position. It would be nice... but it's kind of a drive.
It's late and I'd better be off to bed.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

2008-06-20T10:09:00.003-05:00

The BIG 3 take the BIG #17! The CELTICS DYNASTY IS BACK!

What better way to finish up a 66 game season than to 1) beat the Lakers... 2) win at home... and 3) win by 39 POINTS... and 4)... that I GOT TO SEE IT! (on TV) I know that it took 3 superstars and a deep bench (how 'bout RONDO in game 6 with 21 points?!?!?!), BUT I'LL TAKE IT! Now all that's left is a Back-2-Back! Celtics Website

Take me out to the ball game...

2008-06-12T18:25:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of the kids when we went to the Redhawks game the other night. We were way up in the nose-bleed seats (but the tickets were free). The kids had a pretty good time, but it was muggy and hot.

Great game and we won!

Got Updates?

2008-06-09T10:39:00.003-05:00

No real idea what to title this one.... so here it goes....
1) Got my answer in the mail last Wed. about the Santa Fe job and I didn't get it. I was really disappointed because I thought that I had the job! I'm still kinda' bummed about it... but there's still a chance that something will open up this summer. Just have to keep waiting to see what happens.
2) Our AC that was fixed a couple of weeks ago, went down last Wed. Not too fun. Especially the money that they're probably going to charge us for the repair! But we have a cooler house and that's nice (not that you'd know... since it's raining and the high is supposed to be 76 today!).
3) Jeanise and I had a wonderful anniversary last Wednesday (although the SF news was a bummer). I was rather proud of myself. During the day, I texted her 14 reasons that I love her. Not going to share because those are personal... but I thought that it was pretty clever on my part.
4) Went up to Tulsa to visit Shane and Alice yesterday. It was great seeing them again. Sure do miss them here, but Shane has his Dream job (worship minister at Memorial Drive CoC) and is loving it. I think that he's been there for about 2 years and he is doing such a great service in that congregation.
Well... that's all on the home-front for now.

Getting there...

2008-06-02T22:57:00.002-05:00

Well, I had my interview at Ed. Santa Fe today. It went really well (I thought) and I should find out whether or not I have the job by the end of the week. I'm relieved to know that the interview process is over... now (AGAIN) the waiting game brings it's dirty face. Keep prayin!

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

2008-05-30T22:27:00.002-05:00

Celtics beat the Pistons... MY BOYS ARE BACK IN THE FINALS!

Watch out Kobe, here comes the Green Machine and the big 3! Stay tuned next Thursday!

Drumroll...

2008-05-30T09:12:00.001-05:00

Celtics vs. Pistons tonight... GO BIG GREEN! How cool would it be to have a Celtics/Lakers Finals?

That 'ol snake in the grass...

2008-05-23T13:56:00.002-05:00

First off... BUMMER THAT THE CELTICS LOST LAST NIGHT. They'd better get a win on the road, or it's going to be a short week.

And now... the REST of the story...
So I'm running some books home to mom from my school. Before I go to the front door, I decide to check out the duck nest (as I do every time I come by) and see how things are going. As I'm looking over the bushes I see 1 egg in there and a bunch of duck feathers. Mom's been sitting on her eggs... good for her. And check that out! Dad put a rubber snake by the nest so that the turtles don't come and get them. (he and mom mentioned the part about hoping that the turtles stay away a lot) So I go inside and tell them, "good idea about the rubber snake by the duck nest." WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!? What rubber snake?!?!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN... WHAT RUBBER SNAKE?!?!?! So dad goes running out there with the duck fury that he has his account here:
Dad attacked the snake with great abandon while you cut the snake's escape route and kept him spotted for the assassin! Then held the snake down while Dad disected the snake to see how many of the duck eggs it got. Three left, but don't know if the hen will come back to the nest or not, yada, yada! Cute little duckies almost ready to be hatched.
We're hoping that mom will return... but it was quite an event.

Look what the cat dragged in...

2008-05-21T21:43:00.003-05:00

I went to pick Joel up at his Daycare school today and THIS is what greeted me... The Mel Gibson BRAVEHEART look-a-like. I later found out that he arrived to Hands On like this... and he had his face painted at Rose Union. I think that they had a carnival (last 2 days of school) and he chose to have his face painted. WHen we went over to pick Lindsay up... she went sprinting over to Joel for a hug (like usual) and she DEAD STOPPED... went around him... and came straight to me! :-) A couple of Lindsay's classmates kept walking up to him and stared at his face. He'd walk away... they'd follow and get in front of him and re-stare. Quite funny!

Just one for the road

2008-05-14T06:30:00.003-05:00

Ok... This is getting really old, Mr. Doc Rivers and team. Can the Celtics get just 1 ROAD WIN this series?!?!?!? I don't know what it was this season, but most of my girls' wins came on the road and we didn't play as well at home. Go figure that one! Game 5 is back at the Garden tonight and hope that after tonight's WIN that they'll go back into Cleveland and take care of business and finish this thing and move on.
Any takers?

'Dats my Kids

2008-05-08T17:36:00.004-05:00

Both of the kids did VERY well at school today, so I took them by Sonic and got them both a sundae (buy one, get one free!). Their sundae was bigger than my blast... go figure; but here are pictures that are worth a 1,000 bites.

Isn't it funny...

2008-05-06T20:44:00.002-05:00

Kids are so funny sometimes. It's amazing the silly things that they do when they're little. I guess that the funny part is that they always find some way to make you laugh at the weirdest times. Things like:

Lindsay run-hopping all over the house with her diaper 1/2 on
Joel coming up with some new voice to talk to us in (that's my influence)
Lindsay giving mommy or daddy one of her sinister grins when she knows that she's acting cute.
Joel riding super-fast on a tricycle during our walks. When he get to a cola-sack (sp?) he speeds around the side-walk like he in NASCAR.
Lindsay doing a super-cute smile in the hot-tub, when the water comes right under her chin and all you see is her head.

That's the recent. It's pretty cute what kids can do. Hope that I can remember these when they're teenagers and doing something stupid. :-)

Ya do a lota thinkin' when doin' yard work...

2008-04-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

It really never fails... for as long as I can remember, I do some of my best thinking when I'm mowing or working in the yard (well, maybe not my best, but I do think a lot when I'm out there). I remember years ago, thinking about what I'd say to a friend when I saw him after he left his wife... I remember coming up with plays for basketball season or what I'd say in a practice... I'd even have conversations with people, well actually, I have "pre-conversations" so that I have practiced things before I say them. It's weird... but does anyone else do that? Anyway, Saturday (yesterday), I mowed the lawn... which means an hour and 1/2 of thinking and then today (Sunday) I continued where I left off. I remember doing this a long time ago... junior high or high school... and wondering "what will the girl look like that I marry; what will she be like; or even, will I every get married?" and then moving on to "will I have kids; how many; will there be one of each, 2/3 boys, 2/3 girls; how many will my wife want; will I get divorced; what will I do about the kids..." and on and on it went about my overall future. Guess you could say that I was a worrier, because I really WORRIED about these things. My clearest "I wonder what..." moment was sitting in my dorm room in 1990 and wondering where I'd be 5 and 10 years from now... and I wonder what my 20th high school reunion would be like (if we even had one--Japan high school, ya' know). Then in 1995, I answered that question... "Still in college, married to Jeanise, and finally focusing on school." Then in 2000, I answered... "well, you're a pretty successful teacher and a high school coach. Not bad." I guess that it's fun to look back and answer some of those questions.
Now you're probably asking yourself, "Ok Mike, this is just weird." Well, I looked back at what was going on when I first started on this blog site. Joel was very young, and Lindsay was in transit. So while I was working in my flower-beds (THANKS MOM FOR THAT GENE) I started thinking about what kind of ten year old Joel would be; will he get in trouble a lot; will he have friends; will the girls like him... that kind of stuff. Then I started thinking about the example that he sees in me... will he grow up to be like me (Phillips, Craig & Dean song-I wanna Be Just Like You was playing on my mp3 player) and am I someone that looks up to. Do I do things right? That kind of stuff. Then, when I've finished watering all of my plants... I get my answer to all of them... "Don't worry about it. God is going to take care of everything."
SOOOOOO, on a funny note. Lindsay was watching me look at emails on my computer, when she found a penny or a nickel sitting on my desk. She quickly grabbed the money and took off. When I asked her what she had, she said, "I go put my money in the piggy bank." So those of you with teen-age girls... is this the way it works? :-)

Too much fun with Photoshop

2008-04-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

This is just too funny. I was talking with a coaching friend of mine while he was looking thru a catalog of videos that we occassionally buy from. We began to joke around about the fact that Kelvin Sampson's videos were on sale. So I decided to come up with my own videos!

The Waiting Game...

2008-04-18T06:28:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad could both attest to this... as a child, I HATED waiting. For anything! I can rememeber mom telling me that I "needed to be patient and wait"... or "why are you in such a hurry?... just wait." You'd think that after #% years of growing up, that I'd be better or have more control of the waiting situation. It's a tough battle for me as an adult.

I hypothetically ask myself, "I wonder what kind of kid Joel is going to be when he's a teen?" or "I wonder who is going to marry and steal my little girl away from me when she's 25 years old?" HA HA !! I don't know if it's the unknown that just eats at me, or just the fact that I want to know and know now.

As for this possible new position, I still have not heard and am in a holding pattern to wait. It's tough, because I know that I'm wanted at this new place, but the wheels of finalizing are just not turning fast enough (for me). It's been tough seeing all of my coaching friends in their off-season programs, preparing for their future and putting in the time... just like I should have been doing this year. Well, I'm feeling a bit outside looking in and it's tough, because I've been very active in our off-season for the last 3 years... I SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING SOMEWHERE! And then it all comes back to the waiting.

I've learned that God wants us to have faith... and sometimes waiting is a part of that. At times I sit back, and when I take a breath, I realize that this is probably my "recovery time" from what I've had to go thru these last 2 years and just get my bearings back on reality and what's important. I've enjoyed playing with Joel and Lindsay when I get home from school (picking them up at school is just a joy and seeing them run to me). I enjoy my TV Shows time and wife time with Jeanise at nights, and not thinking in the back of my head about basketball. It's kinda nice.

"Good things come to those who wait." God has been faithful with that. When I've trusted in him, waited... good things have come my way and doors are opening.

I guess that I needed to write this so that I could remind myself over and over this lesson and re-read it when I go back to impatient-mode. :-)

BTW... GO CELTICS! I've waited since 1987 for them to have this kind of success... that's good, isn't it?

Another one bites the dust...

2008-04-07T21:06:00.000-05:00

Not exactly the best title to use, but it fits (sadly). Last Wednesday, I resigned from my coaching position at school... still have my teaching spot, but won't be coaching girls basketball anymore. This was really tough for me to swallow, but it was a decision that came highly "advised" by my administrators. They felt that the kids just weren't going to follow my lead and buy into what I was doing. I don't doubt, though, that there was more to it. I had some very supportive parents and some very good kids... but there are some parents who just don't get it and think that they know everything. It's sad and I just hope that I'm not one of those crazy parents who's going to cause a stink that my son or daughter isn't playing or getting the playing time they deserve. It just chaps me to think about it and to have to deal with it.
But that said... I'm 'looking' and 'keeping my eyes open' for that next door that God is going to open for me. He's always been watching over me and always has been faithful.

Morton Look-alike Meter

2008-03-31T21:47:00.001-05:00

Ok... So the answer to the question is... BOTH OF US! I personally think that she looks more like daddy... but you know.

Morton Look-alike Meter

2008-03-31T21:42:00.001-05:00

So my cousin Cheryl did this on her blog and I just HAD to check it out. This one is a lot more convincing than the one of Lindsay. Looks like Mommy... but acts like Daddy. I always said, as long as he has Jeanise's brain and looks (does) and my height (so far so good)... We're good to go.

On the Road Again

2008-03-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

Well... we're getting ready to go camping on Friday. I decided to pull the tent out of the attic... and as a SURPRISE for Joel and Lindsay, we set it up in the living room. Hasn't been out of the bag since probably Bob and I's last set up in Virginia Beach (unless dad set it up for some reason that I don't know about. Anyway, It looks like it's old (actually bought it when I was in Weblos in 6th grade! So it's about 25 years old! It's a little stained from age but still is in in great shape. Should be... only used about 10 times, if that.

Here are some pictures of the kids. There is a picture in mom & dad's house of my brother and I camping out in the tent. I decided to take one just like it of my 2 kids. Cool huh?

It's so hard to say goodbye... (Boys 2 Men)

2008-03-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

One more day until Spring Break... ah! It's been a busy last few weeks. I got to watch basketball regionals and finals the last 2 weeks and now March Madness is about to start! :-) We had our end of season banquet tonight... it went very well and I think that the girls enjoyed it. I was able to talk (might have been brief for some) with all of the parents and it was a good atmosphere. Different from last... different good. Which was... well... good.
Jeanise started a new full-time job this week as a controller (what else would she be?)... for a home builder. Controller as in an administrative accountant-type person. (what did you think I meant?) :-) Anyway, she seems to really enjoy this position and it'll help us out financially. It didn't help, though, that Joel started coughing too much and had a slight fever, that I had to stay home yesterday. Today, I had to go get Lindsay because she got sick at school. Ah the fun of being a parent. I think that it's that wonder Oklahoma Allergy index that has us all really messed up. Welcome to OK.
Well... it's 11 and time to get to bed. Going to be a little earlier these days... having to get Joel and Lindsay up early to take them to their day-care and then school. They've adjusted (other than getting sick) extreemly well and we've been blessed.
How about that Celebrity Apprentice! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO WAIT 1 MORE WEEK!

It's all over... for now...

2008-02-22T20:46:00.000-06:00

Well... last night we ended our season with a 36-39 OT loss to Altus. We were CLEARLY the better team offensively and defensively... but they were the better team on the free-throw line. We had to make up a 5 point deficit with about 1:15 left in the 4th quarter, but tied it with about 45 seconds left. We had the opportunity to take the last shot, but I didn't call a timeout to set something up... they got a steal... we blocked it with 15 seconds left... and then we kept their inbounds play from working to go into OT. We made 3-16 from the free-throw line and you just can't go into a playoff game without one of your guns. I was sad for the girls, because they worked so hard this year and they have come so far this season. It was a good year, but I'm sad it's over. Glad in that I get to see my wife and kids more!
Joel made a funny tonight. He had taken off his seatbelt while we were parked and I got out of the van to put it back on. After opening the door, Joel asked me where the spare tire was. Jeanise was a little shocked about the question... and answered, "we don't have one Joel. We have runflat tires." I didn't really think much about that (it was a good point, while I was finishing thinking about where it was...), but soon after said, "around daddy's belly." That was pretty funny.

TIme to put the munchkins in bed and go watch a movie. Night!

Just when you thought you knew everyone...

2008-01-25T06:22:00.000-06:00

This is going to be pretty general and short (hopefully) because I still have to take out the trash and head over to the school (7:15) to get started on the preparations on our tournament (we lost by 12 last night but played great defense).

Anyway, one of the things that I really enjoy on the first day of the tournament is handing out coaches packets and meeting them. I met 2 coaches who are about 6'10" but are very soft-spoken, yet respected coaches in the boys game. But the best story came from someone that just made my entire LIFE!

Coach Kenny Blair... a football coach at Northeast Highschool is filling in for their girls' coach who had an unexpected death in the family and is attending to the family. I had the opportunity to speak to coach Bailey for about 30 minutes. From 1980-84 he played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles... was a rookie the year they played the Raiders in the Super Bowl (Back when the roman numerals were still rather low). I was telling him that during those years, I was the BIGGEST Eagles fan. WHen I played outside football, I was either Ron Jaworski (now a commentator) or Warren (?) Carmichael. He was smiling ear to ear and just listened to me tell him how big those 2 were to me when I was little. "Just spoke to Carmichael 2 weeks ago." HOW BIG IS THAT?!?!!? Still keeps in contact with those guys. He went on to play for the Cardinals (when they were still in St. Louis) and has been a trainer for celebrities in Florida before coming here. His story is amazing! He spoke at the NFL Hall of Fame the last few years... He's trained players like : Shaq (but admits that he did NOT work with him on Free-throws), Allen Iverson, Tiger Woods, and others that I didn't make past those 3.

Most of all, what really caught my eye, was his passion for kids and his mission for them. He is such an encourager. Northeast isn't your Edmond-type school at all. There's a lot that goes on there... but here is a guy who teaches life-lessons in sports and has the experience the celebrity resume to go with it.

That was just so cool to talk about sports with a man who was on the field when I was experiencing them. I told him that I was so bummed when the Raiders won... and I gave them one more year before moving down the conference ladder to become what I am today... a Redskins fan! He got a chuckle out of that. :-)

Ok... gotta take out the trash and get to school!

Just gotta love it

2008-01-22T12:36:00.000-06:00

Ok... so I made probably the BIGGEST mistake this morning. I was putting away (ok I'm admitting to everyone that I didn't do this last night) Joel and Lindsay's leftover dinner away... put it down the sink... and saw a lime rine in the sink. HM... I'll run it all down the garbage disposal and make the sink smell better. OK... fine... but it's VERY LOUD! Needlesss to say, Lindsay (our light sleeper) woke up. Our little girl was up and I needed to leave to come to school. Well... I tried to get her to go back to sleep, but it just wasn't going to happen.
So what turned out to be kinda bad, got better. You know, that there's nothing like you little girl (or boy) who just let's you hold them, puts their head on your shoulder, and just hangs there. They feel comforted and it just gives me the warm-fuzzies all over. What was really funny, though, was that I guess she didn't like putting her head on my sweater, so she fought and fought flipping her diaper cloth until it landed on my shoulder where she could lay on it. It was quite humorous. I really hated to leave her and go to school. So I put her in my chair (she really likes my big chair) and she watched cartoons. Hope that she let her mom sleep in.
Big game tonight... down the street-rival Guthrie coming here. We have been playing well and I hope that we can keep this up!

Love in an elevator... (Aerosmith)

2008-01-20T21:25:00.000-06:00

Not really... but it caught your attention didn't it? :-)

Last weekend was a really tough one for me. Since our boys took their tournament trip to Hawaii in December... it was our turn to travel to our tournament... so we went to Ada, OK. Not exactly Hawaii, but it was fun to go somewhere outside of OKC and stay the night. The girls liked it and had a good time. And then we did have to play 3 games too. We won the first one big... 45-25. We then played Choctaw... who starts 3 girls over 6'. We hung with them and did things right and only trailed by 2 points at half. THen we quit making shots and stopped doing the things right we did in the first half... lost by 26. The final day, we were playing for 3rd place. We played a tough Ada team who shot 51% from the field and lost by 24 points. The only real good part of that Saturday... I took the girls bowling as a team and I bowled a 215. Only reason that I didn't bowl better was that in the 2nd and 3rd frames, I was trick bowling and showing off. I had strikes in 7 of 10 frames and in the 10th I bowled 2 strikes and an 8. It was cool.

So then this week was going to be the challenge. Long story short... we won Tuesday 63-49... that was really cool. And then on Friday, we knocked off the #6 team in our class (5A) 47-34 at their place... during Homecoming. It was an end to great week. We're starting to play better and gain some momentum. We play Guthrie on Tuesday and then we host our own tournament THursday thru Saturday. Hoping to get at least 2 wins (if not 3)!

Wish us luck!

Oh yea... the family is doing well too. :-) I really appreciate their support during basketball season. It's nice to come home and have the kids just hug the snot out of you... and especially nice when Jeanise is thrilled when we win... and comforting when we lose. You guys are great and I love you!

Monkey's off my back...

2008-01-07T06:31:00.000-06:00

Not sure if that's a song title or not... but it should be. FINALLY GOT OUR WIN! We won Friday night... away at Chickasha... 50-45. We didn't exactly start off real steady, but we started really doing things right offensively in the 2nd quarter and on. It was a real battle and the girls really played together well. Some of the things that we've been working on during Christmas break really paid off.

Saturday night, however, didn't go as well. We lost to El Reno by 12. It was one of those nights where you just KNOW that someone put a plexiglass top over the rim and nothing was going in. We did a solid job defensively, but just couldn't get over the hump. We threw several different things at them, and they had to burn several time outs to make adjustments. Good to see that we can do that to teams.

Gotta run. Have 1 game tomorrow... RIVAL PIEDMONT! and then it's off to the Ada Tournament!

Back in the Saddle Again

2008-01-03T23:26:00.000-06:00

Well... WInter break is over and I started back to school today. Where most districts were SMART and waited until Monday to start back, we started back today. I shouldn't complain, though... we have MLK Jr. day as a Professional Day (others do not)... and we get 2 days to get back in the swing of practices before we play tomorrow night and Saturday night (others do not). Guess I should be happy about that.

Got back late from a freshman game tonight. I'm kinda worn out and tired from having to drive 1 hour to Harrah, OK. That's a job of a coach sometimes. I got to see my Freshman team in action and they're really improving. My freshman coach has really done a great job with these girls and I just hope that I can keep her on for next year! (she just finished at UCO getting her student teaching done and graduated in DEC.)

Well... I'm about to fall asleep. Just wanted to let everyone know I'm alive and that we'll HOPEFULLY get our first win tomorrow night. Wish us luck!

Ya' just gotta go slow, I guess...

2007-12-17T06:29:00.001-06:00

Last week was definitly a tough one weather-wise. We were out of "activities" for about 3 days... and there are still some in OK without power and haven't had it since LAST SUNDAY! It's pretty tough.

FUNNY QUOTE:

Joel: "Daddy, what's that white stuff?"
Daddy: "Joel, that's snow and ice."
Joel: "Daddy! Green grass makes the snow grow!"

Just gotta laugh at that one...

Well... It's been about 3 weeks since we started off our season. We're 0-4, but have been in every game that we've played. We've lost 2 that we shouldn't have lost, and 2 that we let get away from us. We're all pretty disappointed with our start and have to do some things differently. I'm hopeful that we can make those adjustments in the next several weeks and start seeing some success when we come back from Christmas.

Jeanise is relieved that the choir concert is now over. It was yesterday evening and it was very nice. Mom and Dad, and I went and sat together. I saw a man who is a legend at OC... he was a professor of music there... Dr. Harold Fletcher. I don't know how old he really is, but he's just going strong... probably in his 70's or 80's. Anyway, when I showed up to the lobby, I found my parents talking with him and saying hello. Then when I showed up, he was, "Mike, it's good to see you. How have you been?" Here is someone who I don't see very often... but ALWAYS remembers my name. I wish that I had that gift to remember everyone's name that I have come in contact with over my lifetime. He's a wonderful man and very brilliant. It was great to get to see and talk with him. But I was just amazed that he remembered my name... I guess with a wife with a strange name like JEANISE (ha ha j/k)... you'd have to remember an easy name like Mike, huh? :-)

Last week of school before break! Better get there. Merry Christmas!

It's been too long

2007-12-10T09:10:00.000-06:00

Sorry that it's been almost a month since I posted last. Basketball season is in full swing now, and I've been gone quite a bit.

We started out 0-2... not the start I wanted, but it's been good. We lost by 2 points in our first game. We were a little nervous and didn't shoot the ball well. Then last Tuesday, we played the number 4 team in class 5A and lost by 11. We were down 3 with 4:00 left, but just could close the deal. But to play them as well as we did, says something about our girls. We have a game tomorrow night, but we've got this nasty ice-storm that's hit us, and it may cancel our game. The other team just came off a 3 game tournament, so they've got to be a little tired. We've been rested, so we should have a bit of an advantage. However, this ice may blow that theory. We have our DC Festival this weekend... Friday, Saturday... should be interesting.

Kids are doing well. Lindsay is really talking quite a bit more than she did. She's pretty funny. Joel got a good report from his teacher last week. She wants to move him to the afternoon program (which means that he's doing better and ready to advance on). She said that he was pretty much telling the other kids what/how to do things and that he was ready to move into an environment where he wasn't so (I guess) bossy. :-) I'm glad that he's making progress, but not so glad that he's being bossy. But then... that's a 4 year old for ya'.

Jeanise took a part-time job at Kohl's. She's working some nights as a person who changes the ads in the store. It's her favorite place to shop, so she get's a great discount and it even has benefits! So that's pretty cool and will save us some money. It's taken her some time to get used to it (as is me), but she seems to enjoy it.

Gotta see what the kiddos are doing. I'm home from school (due to the ice) and it'll be nice to have a day off (actually, I need to do some school work).

Since you're gone... (The Cars)

2007-11-17T22:47:00.000-06:00

"Life has been strange, since you're gone."

It has been a strange few weeks and I'm sorry to those who check this regularly. Jeanise has summed it up rather well... severall times... this week. "It's basketball season." Sad, but true.

We've played all 6 of our scrimmages and now it's just polish time until we tip-off on Nov. 30th. We're actually playing a school who's coach was offered my job before it was offered to me. Aught to be interesting... We've been playing very well, defensively... but offense has been our heel. But, I think that we're going to start putting things together to make the things happen that need to happen. Was that coded or what?

Well... guess I'll go watch the rest of the OU massacre. Poor Sam...

BTW... can you say 8 & 0!!!!?!?!?!?!

It's Tricky...

2007-10-29T06:17:00.000-05:00

It's been a pretty tough few days over here. Lindsay has had this little cough-thing all during the weekend, which means that mommy and daddy didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Thankfully, I could let Jeanise sleep in a little on Saturday since she was up off and on with Lindsay.

Joel is really liking his new school... his teachers... and his classmates. He's coming home everyday with something new that he learned! We are just so thankful and blessed that God has been watching over him and his situation and know that Joel is just about to turn the corner with his communication. In the last week or so (maybe longer, but I'm not home during the day) Joel has become more of an older brother... a BOSSY older brother. For the most part, he's looking out for Lindsay, but the other side of him is .... well... bossy. Sometimes it's good... sometimes it's not so good. The other night, Jeanise was out with her mom and I had just finished cooking the kids their dinner. While I was thinking about what I was going to have, Joel says to Lindsay, "Lindsay, let's pray for our food." Lindsay then drops her fork on to her tray, and they both put their hands together while Joel said his little prayer from church. It was really cute and it was a candid moment.

Lindsay, is just a little character. Joel likes to quiz her about animal sounds... I was quizing her on colors the other night. "Lindsay, what color is your shirt (orange shirt)?" "Orange!"... "Lindsay, what color are the flowers (yellow)?" "Orange!"... "No Lindsay, they're Yellow" REPEAT QUESTION... "Orange!" By this time, I'm laughing and she knows that she's funny. A friend of the family heard what was going on and said, " Sounds like you have an OSU fan." THERE YA' GO SHANE! :-) She's also into the buckles on her high chair at grandma Wynn's house. She'll buckle them (but can't undo them) and says, "Ba-gain?" It's really funny at first, but after about the 20th time (she can go on for hours) we have to rotate to another person. Last night, I tried to convince Joel to show Lindsay how to do it. That a-way dad! Pass that on to your son! :-)

Gotta get to school early today. Have a great week!

A Green ThumB?

2007-10-20T22:18:00.001-05:00

I don't know where it happened... my Grandma Stout won all sorts of gardening awards and was in some garden club. My Mom is Mrs. Horticulturist and always has the best looking flower beds (I've even participated in those a bit). Then there's me... I've been lucky if I can/could keep anything alive much less, looking beautiful. Mom used to have Bob and I pull weeds during the summer vacation. It was work, let me tell you, and we would have rather had our appendix out or a root canal than pull weeds. But, when she knew how much we loved it... she knew that she was going to have to bribe us BIGTIME! SHe paid us pretty good... $5 back then was great... but I never got over the weed pulling thing. So... now, we have these really pretty flowers in our flower bed at the house. But they've been all over run by that stupid clover. I knew it was there... just didn't want to have to pull any weeds! I'm not a big gardener like grandma, mom, or even my father-in-law (who by the way comes from a long line of gardeners--I'm surrounded!)... but I really didn't want to deal with. Let's just till it in a couple of months and let the snow kill it all!?!?! Nope. So anyway, I told Jeanise that I'd go to home depot and get a tool to help me control the bermuda grass and pull these weeds. I walked out of there with some really pretty mums. I was outside for about 2 hours working that flower bed. Not too shabby, but it still just isn't my thing...

Here's a picture of the kids at Joel's 4 year old b-day party. I love how Joel and Lindsay love eating together. They're so cute.

Not enough grace here... but it's AMAZING!

2007-10-15T20:49:00.000-05:00

You've GOT to see this for yourself! Fortunately, I saw this after I led service this last Sunday. Although, I did start a song a step or 2 too high. But I made it. Enjoy!

I miss you like crazy!

2007-10-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

Well... after 3 days of solitude, the family is on their way back. Jeanise, the kids, Steve & Lisa all traveled down to Alberqueque, NM this weekend to visit John (Jeanise's brother), Mary, and their kids. It also happens to be Balloon Fiesta weekend. Although, they didn't get to see much because it was very windy and they had to cancel a lot of the events due to wind (ya know... balloons and wind don't mix very well).

Anyway, they're on their way back and I'm ready for them to be home. It's too quiet around here and it really makes me value my family and that time a lot more.

Ok... so now it's time to go cook dinner (aka microwave something).

Du... du... du... dat... du... dah! CHARGE!

2007-10-05T11:40:00.001-05:00

THIS IS MY 100th POST!

WE HAVE A ROBERT SIGHTNG!... ATTENTION... WE HAVE A ROBERT SIGHTING!!!!

This is Robert W. (W for Jason)... he was my substitute teacher on NERD DAY for our homecoming spirit week. He did a pretty good job, but the kids really thought he was weird. He had all of these really weird quirks... humming while he was thinking... walking funny, short tie... matted down hair... the WORKS. Needless to say... a nerd.

Just had to share what kind of spirit I have for my school!

Hit me with your best shot

2007-10-02T06:27:00.000-05:00

We are off and running! Yesterday was the first Official day of practice. Basketball has begun! Last night, I had a later in the evening practice and had the freshman come out and have an opportunity to practice with the varsity girls... to see what it's like. They stepped right in and held their own. Granted... they have some way to go... but I was proud of them for not looking so scared. We did a lot in 2 hours and then had a small party afterwords. It was nice... until...

... I get out to the parking lot... I'm the last one on CAMPUS!... and my battery is dead on my truck. AH! This was almost as bad as when it was summer... 10:00 pm... and I locked my keys in the middle school building... with my cell phone in my locked truck! I was having flash-backs. But lucky for me, my cell phone was with me and I called my assistant coach, who lives close, to come and help. I got 'er jumped and then I was on my way.

We're off to a great start this season... but as much as I enjoyed being there... I really missed my family. I didn't get to see Lindsay at all yesterday... Joel was only up for about 10 minutes so that we can celebrate our little event (I'll let Jeanise tell you about that one). And then Jeanise and I got to watch a little bit of TV before I fell asleep on the couch. Last night was a unique time... and hopefully, we'll get back on schedule today.

Have a great week!

Remember me...

2007-09-23T20:08:00.000-05:00

OK... so when I log into this site and it has the "remember me" box... you would think that the next time that I do access this page/site, that my computer would already have me logged in and ready to go...

... BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It doesn't work! So this is another thing that I get to talk to my web design class about that are annoying things that web designers do! or what NOT to do with your web sites. Does anyone else share that frustration? Also... the time that I'm saving this entry is NOT the actual one. WHAT GIVES?

OK... now that venting is over. Yesterday, a very good friend of mine (with season tickets to all OSU home football games) invited me to Stillwater to watch the Pokes play the Red Raiders from Texas Tech. Both Shane and I have been battling a bit of sinus crud, so we didn't think that we'd be staying very long... mainly because we thought that OSU might get run off the field and blown out. But what we came to discover, was that OSU made a game out of it and eventially WON the game! It was a great game and I'm glad that Shane drugged himself up enough to make the drive. Eventhough we were both kinda sick, I enjoyed myself very much and enjoy the times that I get to spend with my friend. It was tough when he moved to Tulsa, but I knew that God wanted him there for a reason. And he's done so much for the community and for that church, that it's hard to be sad that he's not 2 minutes from my house anymore.

School has been going well... and basketball off-season is about to come to a halt. We officially start on October 1st (practice) and we have 24 days until our first scrimmage! AH! The first couple of months have just FLOWN! We are going to be in great shape and will be thrilled to get into the gym (I hope). The girls have been working very hard to get in shape and prepared for the season... and so it'll be nice to get down to the nitty-gritty on the 1st. We had a good showing at the ORU team camp in June and did pretty well with our summer league. Especially since we didn't really have any kind of offense or defense system in place back then. But we're going to really get after it in Oct. and I'm excited!

Yesterday (Saturday), before I left for the game, Joel and Lindsay were sitting with me watching ESPN... when I got up to make pancakes, I changed the station... went into the kitchen... came back and they were still in the chair! They were too cute not to take a picture. Enjoy!

Jeanise doesn't get into very many pictures, because she's usually taking them... but this is one of my favorite picture moments of her and Lindsay. Aren't they sweet?!?!?

And I just found this one that Jeanise took when we all went to the zoo on Labor Day. This was really a good one!

Oooo... la la

2007-09-11T22:22:00.000-05:00

Well... again, it's been a really, really, REALLY long time since I've written anything on here. Since mid-August, it's been school, basketball, and family stuff.

Tonight, Jeanise was at a ladies event at the church building... so I called Steve (father-in-law) if he wanted to go with me and the kids to Rib Cribb. First, a bit of background. We used to go (the family) to RC on the occassional Tuesday evening for all you can eat, St. Louis style ribs. It was great! and Steve and I always got our fill. Then... the unheardof happened... RIB CRIBB IN EDMOND CLOSED! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now back to our story... So, Steve and I loaded up the kids and drove to south-OKC to the store off of I-40. We walked in and was greeted by 2 of my former students from the high school where I used to teach (they remembered me... and I them). We sat down, ordered... and 10 minutes later I began my sonet... uh hum...

How do I eat thee...
Let me count the bites...
Carefully I must not inhale, though
One, two, and three if I mights.
I eat thee while on my plate...
I eat thee and down you go...
To the depths of my stomach... even down to my toe

It was just wonderful to eat there again and enjoy a place where we haven't eaten in so long. Anyway... now that you've died and cracked up laughing... I'll go now.

Hangin' Tough

2007-08-18T22:20:00.000-05:00

It has been a few weeks since I've blogged... I've been meaning to, but just didn't have the energy really (nor did I have anything really worth writing about). We got back from vacation ok (see Jeanise's blog for details) and it was back to reality. Florida was so nice and the trip was just so wonderful, I hated to leave.

I started back to school this week... reported back Monday, had teacher's meetings thru Wed. and Thursday was the first day back for the kiddos. I teach 3 Web Design classes and 1 newspaper class... then I have lunch, my planning time, and then 9th grade basketball, and then varsity basketball. I'm done with my 'teaching' duties at 11:30... it's pretty nice. My classes are good and I think that they'll do well.

Basketball looks good for this year. The girls are really ready to get going and be successfull this season. I'm looking forward to that as well. We start our off-season program/workouts this Monday. Hope the heat can stay away long enough for us to get some work done.

Played in Memorial Rd.'s golf tournament today with Dad, Uncle Mike and Lee from church. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad that I got to play. I had some good shots and some really bad ones. The only real funny thing was that I sliced a 5 Iron toward the group ahead of us and heard a loud BANG! I yelled FORE and just prayed that someone didn't get hurt. When I got up to the green, one of the guys in that group told me that I just HAD to take a look. WHAT?!?!?! The bang was actually a 3-point shot into their basket in their golf cart! It had rattled around and was wedged in between the basket spokes! I felt bad. But you know... I AM A BASKETBALL COACH/PLAYER!

Well... I am leading worship tomorrow and have finished going over my songs. Going to have to get up early, so I'd better head off to bed.
Nite!

Picture of Lindsay and me at Floyd's Seafood Restaraunt. It was REALLY GOOD SHRIMP!

We had a 3 hour layover in Houston... Jeanise and I thought it would be a good time-killer to ride the tram back and forth to all the different concourses. We made quite a few trips, but the kids loved it!

Jeanise and I on our date! We were waiting for the movie to start (Bourne Ultimatum)--didn't see the movie 'cause the cinematography was so jumpy that it made us nautious and we had to leave 30 minutes in. But we enjoyed the date, though.

BIG 3 NEWS!

2007-08-01T12:32:00.001-05:00

The biggest news since BIRD, McCale, and Dennis Johnson... THE CELTICS ARE BACK IN ACTION! Just had to share this news because it's HUGE! For the die-hard celtics fan, this is going to bring back the GREEN MONSTER and the FEAR in all NBA teams! Those stupid Lakers are a thing of the past... Watch out world... HERE THEY COME!

FORE!

2007-07-31T22:53:00.000-05:00

I went and played golf today at Kelly Plantation... which was created by Fred Couple off the PGA tour. It was a VERY nice place to play and I enjoyed it A LOT! Shot an 84 and that was without cheating and only 1 mulligan used. I felt pretty good about that. I didn't take any pictures, though, and am regretting not taking any.

FUNNY STORY: So before we started to play, the course Marshall (guy who tells you when you can start) was telling me and the 2 other guys I played with about the course.... yardages, rules for the carts, etc. Then... the last instruction that he gave us was, "watch out for the snakes and the alligators. You can go." I was like, "well I was with you until the snakes and alligators thing was said." Needless to say, I didn't see any of either (YEA!) but it didn't mean that they weren't stalking me. :-) Today I had some really good shots and some lucky ones that for SOME reason were still playable. I wasn't going to argue though. I'll try and have pictures of the next place I will be playing.

I write the songs...

2007-07-25T07:43:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to lose some of the creativity of choosing song titles for titles for my blogging. Too bad that I can't just write a song, so that I have a blog title, huh? THERE! Now this all fits... and now (as they say)... the REST of the story...

Summer has been very mild for OK... mid 80's and low 90's, which is great! It's probably due to all the rain that we've had (to make up for the last several years, I suppose). But nonetheless, I'm not complaining.

The kids are doing well. Here's a picture of Joel who has this fascination with rolley-polleys. He just loves watching them walk around and talks to them. It's kinda cute. Last Sunday night, our church reserved about 2 hours at a water park here in Edmond, for a post-VBS party. It was a lot of fun and the kids did great in the water! They had a lot of fun. Here's a picture of us in the shallow end (pay NO attention to the beached whale between the two kids!) ha ha.

Did you happen to take notice of the NO DIVING SIGN right behind us? We're in about 1 foot of water, maybe less. Sad that they HAVE to put that on there, huh?

I start back to school on the 13th! Can't believe that it's coming up so quickly! Well... need to get the morning started!

Summer time!

2007-07-17T08:52:00.000-05:00

It has been a couple of weeks since I've posted... so let's catch up.

On the 6th and 7th... we took the van (and the family) over to Missouri and met my parents at the Starvy Creek Bluegrass festival. Mom and dad took their 5th-wheel and we got to stay with them. It was good to see my grandma, uncle Mike and aunt Sharon, and my cousin Elizabeth. The kids seemed to have a good time... but didn't stay to listen to the music, like we thought they would. I think that it was just too loud for Joel... interesting. We had a rough night in the camper, though. The new place just HAD to be explored by 2 little, curious minds and they tested their mommy and daddy until about 2:30 am! It was a fun trip though and Joel especially enjoyed the site tractor that dragged a buggy behind and gave everyone rides around the park.

Haven't been doing much basketball-wise since the team camp. The girls have the month off and I dabble in a few things here and there... trying to get ready for the season. But I'm trying to take some time off as well.

Steve and Lisa bought them a RV last weekend... it's really nice. I believe that it's about 24 feet and it's nice for taking trips. Kids can sleep in the back if they wanted/needed to, I suppose... or more to the point if mommy or daddy wanted/needed to sleep they could. We left Sunday after church and drove it to Roman Nose State Park for a quick-trip. It was a nice ride and the kids did pretty well (until the N0-Nap thing kicked in with 20 minutes left of the trip).

What's going on this week? Well, we're hoping to go to the zoo... play some golf (mostly for me)... and do some other outside 'stuff' before we take off for a vacation.

Hope everyone is doing well!

2007-07-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

This is after our final game (8 in 3 days) at our ORU team camp. The 11 girls that I took (plus my assistant coach) wanted to eat somewhere before we made the trek home. This is our table at Red Robin... great food... but check them out! They all have their cell phones out and are non-stop texting! It was so funny that it was picture worthy. We had a good team camp... played some very competitive teams... and finished our summer on a good note. Ready for next season though... sorry Jeanise.

Jeanise had her lasik eye surgury touch-up today and while she slept, I took the kids to McD's... where else would I take 'em? Anyway, I thought that these pictures were funny. Joel was mazmerized by the video games. Not sure if he's REALLY playing, but I believe that he is. Whatever the case... he's in deep concentration.

This kid was just enthralled about Lindsay! From the moment he stepped into the play-place he went right over to Lindsay and wanted to kiss her. It was funny. And my daughter (I'm proud to say) walked away! THAT'S RIGHT>>> SHE'S NEVER KISSING ANY BOYS! :-) Anyway, this kid kept following her and trying to play with her and of course, Lindsay had her own agenda. Plus... it wasn't too long after this picture that daddy discovered that Lindsay was packing something in her trunk. And daddy told the kids that he wasn't taking a diaper bag because he didn't think that he'd need it. You would think that after the last 2 times that I did do that, that I had learned my lesson.

Sweet Child O' Mine

2007-06-25T07:49:00.000-05:00

10 days since my last post... let's see here...

Well, Summer Leauge is O-V-E-R... OVER! It went very well, I thought. There were a couple of snafuu's but nothing major to cry about. The weather cooperated very well and it was not as hot as it has been in the past. Last Monday, was probably the worst day... it was VERY muggy and humid, making it really tough on the kids to play. Several teams had double-headers that day and it was pretty tough on them. I really enjoyed hosting it and hope to make next summer's even better!

It's been fun having the time to play with the kids and being home for the summer. It's funny to start seeing more and more personality changes with Joel and Lindsay. We're still potty-training Joel and he just doesn't want to do it. He'd rather not take the time to go in there and just do it. We've upped the anty for him, but we can only go so high. We're sticking with it, though, and Jeanise is doing a great job of being patient with him on that. But you know it's frustrating. We also are seeing more and more about Joel's manipuative ways. It's funny that he's figured out that if Lindsay has found a toy that he really wants to play with... he'll bring her another one that is REALLY COOL (sure, Joel) and make a trade with her. You see sweat-heart... I see future business tycoon! :-)

Lindsay's pretty cute... there's not much more to say about that. She's starting to talk a lot more around the house and her high-pitched "HI" is just about the cutest thing in the world. She's starting to get a little bit of her brother's stubborn-ness though. She KNOWS that she wants something and she wants it RIGHT THEN! And she's going to hound you until you know what she wants... NOW GO GET IT! It's pretty funny.

Well... off to mow. More later...

Another one bites the dust...

2007-06-16T00:51:00.000-05:00

Well... this week marked the end of basketball camps. I just have 1 more week of Summer League and then a few days off... then off to ORU to take 11 young ladies to team camp. Then hopefully July will go a lot slower and we (the family) can go on a well-deserved vacation. It's been a fun couple of weeks, but VERY busy. I've been working my fanny off to make things go smoothly and make it so that the teams coming to the Summer League want to come back. [guess that's the business major in me coming back out] This last week brought several 'issues' (had 4 teams not show for whatever reason) but they're over and done with and I just want this last week to go over with no glitches and end smoothly.

I'm really looking forward to this week though... don't have to go to the gym at 7:30 am or 11:00 am for camp session. I get to spend most of the day at home and go up around 3. That's going to be a very-welcomed change!

Jeanise's birthday is on Sunday and we're going to all go do the Father's day/Jeanise... oops... Jeanise's Birthday/Father's day celebration and enjoy the day. Not very often that people can have a whole bunch of things to celebrate in one day. :-)

It's 1:00 am (the time on this thing LIES!) ... going to bed. Nite!

Up All Night...

2007-06-07T22:17:00.000-05:00

Aren't they just cute?

Well... the first official week of Deer Creek Summer League is done... 1 down... 2 to go. It was a nice week. We had a few issues on Monday (as to be expected) but as the week progressed, there were fewer problems... which was nice. We don't have AC in any of our gyms (not that it wasn't turned on... WE JUST DON'T HAVE AC!), so it's been a bit warm and sticky. I just don't think that it would be DC Summer Leauge if it wasn't just too unbearably hot.

We also had the little kids basketball camp this week. It was a lot of fun and I think that the kids enjoyed it. We had aboutt 75-80... maybe more. Tomorrow's it, though... THANK GOODNESS!

It's really good to be home or see the kids & Jeanise when they come out to the gym. It's a nice surprise and it's always needed.

This is it (Hewey Lewis and the News)

2007-05-30T21:47:00.000-05:00

Today was the last 'official' day of school. Doesn't really seem possible that this year is over. Summer break will start tomorrow and the days of camps, summer league, team camp, vacations, play dates with kids will commence. I'm pretty excited about it, but kinda' miss school. But not THAT much...

Getting final plans made for summer league and summer camps. It'll be my first as a head coach and I'm really excited about it. I'm looking forward to the fun.

Gotta go get the kids ready for bed.
Nite

I just can't think of a title...

2007-05-26T22:02:00.001-05:00

Today was a very relaxing Saturday. On many accounts. I only have 2 more days of school... and then summer basketball stuff starts up. I'm alittle anxious and nervous, because this is the first time that I've had to direct the summer league and be a 'leader' in our basketball camp. I'm really looking forward to it.

This morning was the first morning in a while that I got to spend with the kids. Joel is talking SOOOOO much more now... and Lindsay is talking and discovering her personality. I guess that I'm discovering her personality, but that's just funny. Jeanise warned me weeks ago that Lindsay likes to take her diaper off and run around naked. Well... I guess I had dozed off on the couch and awoke to a giggling 18 month old streaking around the living room! After choraling her... I put her diaper back on. About 45 minutes later, I went to check on her and Joel in their bedroom. Only to find Lindsay, diaperless, assuming the 'poopy' position. AH! Now my lesson is learned. Well... after getting it all cleaned up, I went to help my brother with his computer. While I was gone Joel came in to Jeanise saying, "mommy help please? Brown yuck." While she thought that a going to the potty break thru was in progress... evidentally Joel found one of Lindsay's "presents" from earlier that got missed. "Lindsay's brown yuck?" That was pretty funny.

Night all and have a wonderful Memorial Day!

On the road again... (Willie Nelson)

2007-05-22T06:26:00.000-05:00

Just got back (Sunday really) from the Nike Championship Basketball Coaches clinic in Robinsonville, MS (~30 miles south of Memphis). It was INCREDIBLE! 3 days of listening to college coaches teach drills, talk about basketball 'stuff', and the list goes on. It was SOOOOOO what I needed for this summer and next year. I'm really pumped! I got to listen to Roy Williams from UNC, Coach Romero (sp?) from Univ. of Washington, the Alabama Head Coach, Coach Maretti from St. Joe's... and more! There even was a trainer who specifically deals with off-season drills and workouts... it was perfect! I'm really glad that I went. Didn't take any pictures, though...

Anyway... it's been quiet around the house with Jeanise and the kids in NM visiting her brother, his wife, and Jeanise's new niece! Joel and Lindsay have gotten to play with Trinity for a few days and they're enjoying their time there.

Well... time to get to school. It's the last full week... and we begin finals on Friday. CYA L8R!

Speechless... (Steven Curtis Chapman)

2007-04-30T22:12:00.000-05:00

I knew it! I'd come up with some kind of title... I was a little worried there for a moment.

Well... sorry for those who are keeping up with me and my goings on. It's been a tough couple of weeks. Long story (and you know how those can go) short... I've got a parent who has gone to everyone but me about an issue with me being the head coach of our girl's program. It's just a rough situation and the bottom line here is that... NO ONE CAME TO ME ABOUT IT! You really have to know what our district is like to truely appreciate what's going on. I had thoughts of giving it all up and just, well, quiting... was it worth it? Well... ABSOLUTLY! I'm not quiting and I'm not letting 1 parent spoil it all! I've got too many others who are supportive of me and what I did last year. This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm not going to take it for granted.

So that's what has been occupying my time for the last 3 weeks. Now on to happier notes...

Joel is just growing so much and getting so much more vocal. He is a sweet little boy who loves to play with his sister (although, he's still learning about what's Lindsay's and what's his... everything is Joel's). I got to play with the 2 of them in the back yard tonight for about an hour. I'll admit... when I first came home the last thing that I wanted to do was to go outside. But after a while, it was the best thing that I could have done. I played ball with Joel and chased him around for awhile. Lindsay and I worked on her t-ball skills (she's gonna be good) and then we just ran around for a while. It was a lot of fun.

Tonight, Lindsay started fussing a little abit to Jeanise. Jeanise asked her if she was hungry... do you want a snack?... do you want some goldfish? She then quieted down and left the room. About a minute later... Lindsay had in her hands... the tupperware container from the pantry where we keep the goldfish and handed it to Jeanise with a 'uh!' Which translated to me: "You guys were way to slow with this, so I did it myself!" Jeanise and I just broke out in laughter and it was just the funniest thing.

Well... off to bed. Night!

Just Can't Wait.... (don't know if it's a real title or not)

2007-04-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

Well... it should be a title! Jeanise and the kids should be coming back from Alb., NM tomorrow. They left last Thursday night with Steve & Lisa (Jeanise's parents) to visit her brother and family. They had a good visit... short and sweet, I guess. But enough about them... I'm ready for them to be back! :-) I stayed behind because I had a baseball tournament this weekend. It was a bummer, but I got some things done with the alone time. It was annoyingly quiet, though. I kept waiting for Joel to come running thru the kitchen with a toy or a book or something and run into my leg. Or waiting to hear Lindsay's little feet patting the kitchen floor and see that sweet smile come around the island. It's also been tough sleeping in bed by myself. I get to hog the bed... but subconsciencely wait for Jeanise to kick me over to my side.

Interesting how you miss those little things... HURRY HOME! :-)

I want a new drug... (not really, but it's the first thing that came to mind)

2007-03-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

I borrowed, stole, took... etc. from another person's blog and thought it was funny:

The Three-Word Answer Meme:
01. Where is your cell phone? On the charger.
02. Boyfriend/girlfriend? Sleep with her... (for the last 12+ years)
03. Hair? Summer Hair do
04. Your mother? Loves her children
05. Your father? Very, very tall
06. Your favorite item(s)? Jeanise, Joel, Lindsay
07. Your dream last night? School and basketball
08. Your favorite drink? XL Mountain Dew
09. Your dream girl? Always been Jeanise
10. The room you are in? My hot study.
11. Your fear? Living by myself
12. What do you want to be in 10 years? Coaching and Teaching
13. Who did you hang out with last night? Same as 06
14. What are you not? Artistic, instrumental, creative
15. Are you in love? Absolutely, Yes, Si
16. One of your wish list items? An undefeated season
17. What time is it? 11:01 in Oklahoma.
18. The last thing you did? Watch the Apprentice
19. What are you wearing? Shorts and t-shirt
20. Your favorite book? Larry Bird's--Drive
21. The last thing you ate? I don't remember
22. Your life? Busy, busy, wonderful
23. Your mood? tired, sleepy, questionable
24. Your friends? Supportive, loyal, humorous
25. What are you thinking about right now? Bed and tomorrow
26. Your car? My black Avalanche
27. What are you doing at this moment? You haveta' ask (I stretched that one...)
28. Your summer? Basketball, mowing, hot
29. Your relationship status? Married 12 years.
30. What is on your TV screen? Nothing, black, light
31. When is the last time you laughed? At dinner time.
32. Last time you cried? Not real sure.
33. School? Really wanna' know?

It's been a long, long time comin' (I've got you...)

2007-03-19T07:19:00.000-05:00

Ok... it's not a song title, but the first line in (I think) a BABYFACE song. It was just the first line I thought of. Has it really been almost a month?!?!?! WOW! Sorry to all of those who have been checking this blog, wondering if I was going to post something TODAY! Let me catch everyone up...

Basketball is again and now officially over. The state tournament was last weekend and it was fun. I took my team to the finals of the 6A Girls tournament because (dah dah DAH DAH!) we are the 5A Academic State Champions! Which means we may not have won the big game at the end, but we're smarter than any other team in Class 5A! It was pretty cool to accept that award. These girls work very hard on their grades and this was a great way to acknowledge that effort. It was over a 3.8! Pretty smart kids, if I do say so myself... The team that beat us in the first round, went on the final 4 of the tournament before getting beat. That made me feel pretty good, but know that we've got to really do some things different for next year.

I've been coaching JV baseball for about 3 weeks, I guess. We're doing alright, but now have a break while the Varsity travels to Gulf Shores, AL on a baseball trip. It's a good deal for them and I'm sure will be fun.

The kids are doing great... Lindsay is walking EVERYWHERE and stumbles every now and then. Joel loves this new Tickle Me Elmo doll that Jeanise found at Kohls. It's the funniest thing that I've ever seen... but rather annoying when it goes off for HOURS! The kids love to play together and go outside. It's a lot of fun to watch them grow up together and to play the way they do.

Well... I'm going to go into the living room now and start my SPRING BREAK! Sometimes, I love being a teacher! :-)

One and done...

2007-02-24T14:07:00.000-06:00

No, there's not a song title like that (I was doing really well with that for a while)...

Well, my girls lost in the first round of regionals on Thursday. We played a very good Coweta team (ranked 7 in class 5A) and just couldn't get anything going. We played hard, but shots just didn't fall... calls didn't go our way... and it was a tough night on a team of girls who's only returning starter was on the bench in a cast. The girls fought and fought, and were quite disappointed in the way their season finished out.

I know that they're sad, but I'm kinda' depressed because the season is over. I put a lot of time energy and myself into this team since August... and now it's over. I'm going over to baseball next, but am going to take some time off so that I can take a bit of a break and get things wrapped up on the basketball end.

Just wanted to share...

Getting to know you... getting to know you... dah dah dah dah

2007-02-19T20:56:00.000-06:00

Ok... here's another getting to know you thing (which I sto... borrowed from someone else's blog)

1. The phone rings. Who are you hoping it is? Publisher's Clearing House... (I'm a teacher, can't I hope?)... Naw... really, Jeanise. I love hearing her voice in the afternoon of my day... it's a refreshing break.
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Yep.
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Sadly, I admit, I talk people's heads off. I really can't shut up. Is there an AA for people who can't shut up?
4. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? No... I die of not having people to talk to.
5. Do you like to ride horses? Nay... I mean... Naw... But I do do a really good Mr. Ed impression. That's about as close as I get.
6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? I did in Webelos (aka Boy Scouts) a couple of times. Never went to church camp because it always conflicted with baseball season (little league).
7. What was your favorite board game as a kid? Had a bunch... really liked Candyland, Stratego, but I really liked playing SORRY with my mom. She really got into it...
8. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was taken what would you do? RUN AND HIDE!
9. Are you judgmental? What are you trying to say, huh? I think everyone is a little bit. I'd say that I am some. I think being a teacher and a father has helped me to be less judgemental, in that regard.
10. Would you date someone with different religious beliefs? Did a couple of times...
11. Are you continuing your education? In a manner of speaking... I tell my students, I love giving tests... not taking them. I did spend about 5 weeks a couple of summers ago cramming in Algebra I, II, & Geometry for a Math certification test. It was a little fun. Made me realized what REAL studying in college was like.
12. Do you know how to shoot a gun? Yes, but not real well. Got to shoot my uncle Mike's colonial riffle a couple of times in college. Those are really big balls and they make really big holes in coffee cans.
13. If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d grab? My family... cat will just have to roll the dice.
14. How often do you read books? about every day... for about 5-10 minutes... all I will say... (TMI)
15. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Past... but working on the other two more.
16. What is your favorite children’s book? Green Eggs and Ham, and the Beverly Cleary books
17. How tall are you? 6'6" (basketball height)... 6'5 1/2" (reality, probably)
18. Where is your ideal house located? Myrtle Beach, SC on the golf course
19. Last person you talked to? Jeanise... watching tv and discussion which people should go from GREASE
20. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? On a date with Jeanise and the kids, about 4-5 weeks ago... Why? (so random)
21. What are your keys on your key chain for? Opening all sorts of doors at my school... mostly athletic facility doors (it's all about the # of keys, ya know?)
22. What did you do last night? Statted the last 2 games of the season and went to bed after Jeanise was asleep
23. Where is your current pain? in bed... JUST KIDDING! Hurt my shoulder playing basketball Saturday, and it's still sore.
24. Do you like mustard? sure... would you like some Grey Poupon?... GRAY POOP ON WHAT?!?!
25. Do you like your mom or dad? Absolutely!
26. How long does it take you in the shower? 10 minutes on a regular day... 3 minutes when I wake up late for school
27. What movie do you want to see right now? Bruce Almighty... Jim Carrey always makes me laugh
28. Do you put lotion on your dog or cats? My cat is the cleanest cat on the planet... he doesn't need anything
29. What did you do for New Year’s? Played dominoes with Shane and Alice Coffman and listened to Shane's OSU ringtone into the night... to the point that I now dream it! AH!!H!H!!!
30. Do you think The Grudge was scary? don't know... are they going to hold that against me? :-)
31. Do you own a camera phone? yep
32. What’s the last letter of your middle name? 'n' (again, really random)
33. Who did you vote for on American Idol? the girl... :-)

What is Love... (Night at the Roxburry)

2007-02-15T06:29:00.000-06:00

Tuesday on our way over to play Weatherford, one of my basketball player's cell phone rang with this ring tone and I just had to start the SNL head bob. Then... I just had to get that ring tone. So now, when most of you call me, I'll be head-bobbin'. :-)

Yesterday, as everyone knows, was V-day (as many of the DC kids called it). It was funny to see all of the youth of today just lighting up (because of flowers or candy)... and then seeing some in tears because of... well... not getting the flowers or candy.

So, what is love? I heard someone say that you don't fall in love with a person... you fall in love with who that person is and what they are. I think that is true to some extent. I love my kids and my wife deeply... why? Because I feel head over heels for who she is and what she's all about... and she just happens to make my eyes bug out (like those cartoon characters on 80's tv did) every time I see her. I love my kids because of who they are and that they were a gift from God.

Hope everyone had a wonderful... V-day! (intro... the song and the head---bob... you'll have to do that one on your own...)

GOODNESS GRACEOUS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!

2007-02-09T22:48:00.000-06:00

The streak is O-V-E-R... OVER! Senior night 2007... in front of ~400 in the audience... and in front of thousands sitting at home... my girls (5-13) beat the #13 ranked Heritage Hall Chargers (think that they were 11-3) 39-36. It was AWESOME! We played so hard and got the tough shots to fall. We didn't get some calls, but we just kept on playing hard and rebounding... AH! It was just crazy, fun, nerve-racking, and ... exciting!

Gonna go watch the KSBI re-play now... NITE!

3-2-1... Double OT

2007-02-03T13:34:00.000-06:00

Took on our neighbors at Piedmont for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, last night. We walked in 0-2 versus them and we knew that we were going to have our hands full. We played hard last night ... came back from about 16 points down, to tie it in regulation. After losing Lauren, a lot of girls stepped up to cover her missing performance. Long-story short we lost by 8 after 2 over-times... we just didn't hit some free-throws early on that we needed to make... actually... we just needed 1 more to fall. :-) I was/am very proud of my girls and we're really making some headway going into the post-season. Next Tuesday is Homecoming, and next Friday we'll be on TV on KSBI! That's a busy week, but very exciting...

On another note... I was in the Daily Oklahoman today (see quote--have to scroll down). The reporter called me and asked the question, "Would I want my child/child's (ha ha childern just kidding) playing for Bobby Knight." It was an interesting question, but I told him exactly how I felt. You can read it. I caught myself, at first, thinking, "what would everyone want me to say or hear?" But I stopped and thought, "no, what do I really and honestly feel?" What was "right?" I thought that I brought it home pretty well.

Anyway... gotta go and take a shower now. Had a church-league basketball game today. I was suckin' wind for the first 1/2, but came out really strong in the 2nd half. I think that I had 6 blocks! It was really cool. When I wasn't scoring, I was working for rebounds. It's amazing... I didn't used to think like that, but this coaching thing has really changed my playing perspective.

Well that'll be the day...

2007-02-01T23:05:00.001-06:00

My dad emailed this to me... just couldn't help but share with the world!

OKLAHOMA! Oklahoma revised... (you have to sing along)

SNO-klahoma,
where the cold fronts sweepin' down the plain;
And the piles of sleet beneath your feet
Follow right behind the freezing rain.
SNO-klahoma, Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Travel home from work and hope some jerk
Doesn't wreck our car in passing by.
We know we belong to the land
But it could use more salt and sand!
And when we sayYeeow! Ayipioeeay!
We're only sayin' You're slick as snot,
SNO-klahoma!
SNO-klahoma,
Oy Vey!

You don't what you've got... 'til it's gone. (Cinderella--Long Cold Winter)

2007-01-31T20:53:00.000-06:00

It's here AGAIN! Ice! We had our make-up Consolation Finals of a tournament from 3 weeks ago that was post-poned due to our last ice storm! Mother nature just doesn't want this tournament to finish... BUT... she DOES want us to play all of our 3 games as scheduled! Go figure that one...

... Anyway if a 5 game losing streak wasn't enough (6, after today's loss)... we lost our only returning senior-starter in today's game. She was going up for a shot on the baseline and a defender tied up her shot and WACKED her really hard on her other (left) hand. Call: JUMP BALL... Bad call... because she was in tears and trying to hold her hand up (this girl DOESN'T complain about being hurt at all--so this was a big deal). Diagnosis: She had an MRI or an X-ray done... broken hand in 3 places! OUCH! I felt so badly for her... she's a great young lady and plays so hard... not to mention that she's done so well this season, I hated for her to go this way. We won't know for sure about her future until probably tomorrow, but it's not looking good. I told the other girls that someone (or someones) was going to have to step up! We'll see what happens...

In other news... Lindsay and Joel are starting to act like their normal selves after having the "junk" for the last few days. Last night, I don't think that Joel even went to sleep! I checked in on him at 10:15 before I went to bed... he was in bed, in the sleeping position, but not sleeping. Then later in the evening, I heard him coughing and playing with one of his toys. THEN!!!!! From 2:00 am (yes AM!) until about 5:00 he came into our bedroom and was ready for the morning. Had to put him in bed a couple of times, then I just decided... "HEY! Why don't you watch Disney at 4!" When my alarm went off at about 5:45 this morning, Jeanise and I went to check on him... AND THAT TURKEY WAS SLEEPING! ah!!!!!!!! Lindsay woke up a few times too. Hopefully they'll both stay asleeep tonight.

On a funner note: Lindsay was walking from Jeanise to me for about 10 minutes tonight! It was pretty cool! She was so funny and thought it was some game. Then Joel wanted to get involved and then it was just halarious. She's been getting around the house with this little plastic chair that she pushes in front of her everywhere... we knew that it was only a matter of time before she started the walking thing.

Gonna get back to TV with the wife... L8r.