Edumacayshun?

Looks like the marquee operator-changer-person needs to go back to kindergarten to learn how to spell ‘kindergarten’..

Photo taken at Smith Elementary in Lubbock, TX

2008 Resolution

New Year’s Eve – time to make a resolution.

With everything that Katie Lynn has gone through, it’s only fitting that my 2008 resolution is to get more in touch spiritually. It states in the Bible that the husband/father should be the spiritual leader of the house:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

My daughter (and any future children) will be raised in a Christian home, and I need to be a strong presence and advocate in that.

I want to get more involved in our church, and make a very conscious effort to attend church on a weekly basis. Monica and I have started praying together, and that is a huge step for me personally as I find praying aloud extremely difficult. It’s getting easier, but it’s a hurdle I will overcome.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

It’s That Time of Year

Christmas is upon us once again!

This season means many different things to everyone. I’ve always thought of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday and that is what we’re truly celebrating. This year, Christmas has taken additional meaning. Katie Lynn‘s situation has truly changed my perspectives on almost everything in life. The good Lord works His miracles daily, and I’ve experienced one in Katie Lynn.

Monica and I did Toys For Tots this week. We were at the mall for family pictures and so Katie Lynn could see Santa. We went to The Disney Store, made our selections, and went to the main drop-off point. It is a great feeling knowing that our gifts will significantly impact the life of a less-fortunate child. We don’t do it to make ourselves feel good; we do it because we can. Monica and I are fortunate enough to enjoy some of life’s niceties and pleasures, and it’s the least we can do.

I sincerely hope that people reflect during the season and remember what is truly important.

Merry Christmas.

Betrayal

This will be a random post, but that’s okay.. I tend to be random anyways.

So I needed a new pair of tennis shoes. Anyone that knows me knows that I despise buying shoes. We went to every place under the sun and ended up at Academy. I found three pairs that I liked and selected one finally.

So what’s the big deal you ask?

They weren’t Nike.

Yep. For the first time that I can remember I do not wear Nike tennis shoes and instead purchased a pair of New Balance. It’s not that I don’t like Nike anymore; I still love Nike. The New Balance pair simply felt better than the other two pairs I tried on (which were Nike).

I feel like I’ve betrayed Nike though after being such a loyal customer all these years.

Oh well.

Observations, Ramblings, & Utter Randomness

This will be a hodgepodge post containing a random assortment of topics. So clear your mind, start reading, and try to keep up.

Family & Friends
Monica and I have some of the greatest family and friends. Everyone has been exceedingly generous with baby gifts. To everyone that has been kind enough to send us or give us cards and gifts, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Additionally, a huge thank you to my Mom, my sister Kim, Monica’s sister Amanda, and friends Dru, Stephanie, and Mandy for throwing two wonderful baby showers for Monica.

Fuel Costs
Gas costs significantly less in DFW then it does in Lubbock. By significant I mean $.10 – $.20 cheaper. Ridiculous.

Tollways
I love tollways. Sure you have to pay, but it’s worth the money. Driving from Irving to Frisco took ten minutes. Can’t beat that.

Texas Tech
I hate using this phrase, but once again, it fits. Typical Tech. Come off a great win versus Texas A&M, get cocky, get put in your place by Mizzou. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Mike Leach is not the man to lead Tech to the next level. Until we hire a head coach that realizes a team is only as good as its weakest link, Tech will continue to be the red-headed stepchild of the Big XII South. On a happier note, we received our Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball season tickets in the mail. This is the first year we’ve bought both men’s and women’s season tickets, so we’ll have an abundance of games to attend!

Chicago Cubs
Swept out of the first round. I’m definitely not a fair weather fan, but it’s rather repetitive to have to keep saying “Just wait until next year”. I guess it could be worse..

NFL
The Bears are struggling for consistency. It’s too early to assess whether or not they can rebound and turn the season around. The best news is that Grossman was finally benched; he was given far too many chances and failed almost every time. On a happier note, I’m in a fantasy league for the first time, and through yesterday, in first place! Let’s hope I can sustain that for the rest of the season; I could use the $120 prize.

Work
I’ve been at my new job for over a month now and I’m loving it. Like all jobs, there have been some stressful situations – namely a rather large one that still is on my mind. It’s a different kind of stress than my former job, and I am much happier where I am now. It’s what I was born to do.

2007-2008 TV Shows
Lots of great shows this year – new and returning!

• Damages – GREAT new show on the FX network. If you haven’t been watching this show, wait until they start over and replay it from the beginning. It’s another “serialized” show in that you can’t just pick it up mid-season. It was a summer show that I would imagine will come back next summer. The season finale airs this coming Tuesday.
• CSI: Las Vegas. We have too many shows we DVR, so we’re only following CSI: Las Vegas this year. We don’t watch the Miami version as David Caruso is a horrible actor. We’ll put CSI:NY in our Netflix queue.
• Heroes. After a rather slow start in the first episode, it’s gotten far better. I don’t know how long this show will last after last year’s fantastic rookie season.
• Back To You – A new show on Fox staring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton.
• Carpoolers – A new show on ABC staring Jerry O’Connell and a bunch of other people I’ve never heard of before.
• Grey’s Anatomy – This is more Monica’s show than mine, but it’s actually not that bad.
• Private Practice – As we watch Grey’s Anatomy, of course we’d watch its spin-off..
• Desperate Housewives – We’ve watched this show since day one, and this season is already far better than last year’s.
• Jericho – After the widely-covered fan outrage, CBS will be bringing Jericho back as a mid-season show to close up the storylines.
• Cold Case & Without A Trace – We love these mystery-type shows!
• The Big Bang Theory – This is definitely Monica’s show.. I’m not really that sold on it.

Hmm.. that list makes it seems like we have no life! Oh well – we enjoy it.

Well, that’s the end of this post.. I’ll be surprised if anyone makes it this far!

Congrats Florida!

Been a while since my last post.. sorry about that. A recap of the Chicago trip is coming in the near future..

Congrats to the University of Florida for beating the crap out of Ohio State University. I’m sick of hearing about OSU.

Yes, I know that is a Photoshop job, but it’s still pretty damn funny.

Is The Mail Here Yet?

Monica gets home from work today and immediately calls me. Seems someone left us a wonderful surprise!

At least the woman left her phone number though.

Today’s Entry in the “DUH” Department

Parents are suing Starbucks because served hot chocolate spilled onto their child daughter was too hot. No shit? Hot chocolate? Served hot? What is this world coming to? Next we’re going to see someone sue McDonald’s for coffee being served hot.

Oh, wait. That already happened. And the stupid lady won the lawsuit which prompted McDonald’s to add to their coffee lids and cups the phrase “Caution! Hot!”

Again, no shit? Seriously? We’re this sue-happy these days?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006611160497