Here we go again!

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!

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...

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...

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!

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

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!

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)

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

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...

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?

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...

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

[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

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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!

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...