4 days and counting...

I can't wait for this week to be done. Basketball continues to take a toll on my already dwindling life force. Last week we actually beat a school that has historically whipped our butts, but last night, we were shut out. Our 7th graders try hard but they are not ready for serious competition.

I had my formal appraisal/observation yesterday. I think if was fine. I never like to trick things up for one day. I try to do what I do each day. It annoys me when people stress and put on some sort of artificial display for their yearly visit. Get over it already!

I just wanted to tell my wife how much I appreciate her. She is so wonderful. I love how she looks and smells in the morning. She would disagree, but she is most beautiful then. She is such a great mom. So much is required of her each day and she always comes through. Thanks sweetie for all you do for us. ILU!

We are heading to my favorite place on Earth next Monday. Yes, that's right, over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go. Thank you Grandmother and Granddad! Can't wait to see you again. I will try to post again before we leave but all bets are off.

Shout out to my BFF Big Daddy. You are the man. Thanks for your unselfishness. I appreciate you!

Merry Christmas to all...God Bless you and your loved ones!

Bring on Christmas Break...

I know it has been two weeks but things are crazy. Between basketball, teaching, holidays, and other stuff, blogging seems to get the shaft. Every time I read my wife's blog, I see the link to mine. It says, "Last post 2 weeks ago." Nothing like a blog to make you feel guilty (accountability). By tonight, I will have stubbed my toe 8 times already, with 8 more stubbings coming before Christmas. We have one team that has talent and will be competitive. The other 3 lack talent and athleticism but have plenty of ability to bounce back quickly. That is one thing I miss about youth. Our players can get on the bus after a 64-4 butt kicking and play around as if nothing happened. It usually takes me a few minutes longer to blot it out of my memory. As I think about the kids perseverance, I think about how I am called to do the same. I used the Internet for good and found this verse.

Psalm 37:24,28
24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever,

God has promised me that when I am down and discouraged that he will protect me and hold me up. Some days I need his protection, while other days I fight and scratch to get out from under his hand. What a paradox?

Working out has been easier as of late. it has become routine now and some days I look forward to it. The other days, I make myself. I feel stronger and hope to continue through the holidays.

Another year older...

It has been a while since I have blogged. I have gotten older by a year. I now have to up the age when I get on the tread mill. At least it doesn't say 40 yet. Football season has come to a merciful end. In addition, our feeder high school lost in the first round of the play-offs saving me a trip out west near Lubbock. The only dark cloud in my holiday season sky is basketball. We have our first game Thursday with 8th grade. If you have ever kicked a large piece of furniture in the middle of the night with your pinkie toe, you have experienced the joy of a basketball game at my school. Imagine kicking the same piece of furniture with the same pinkie toe 4 times a week for 2 months and 8-10 times for 6 weeks of tournaments in January and February. That is basketball season for me. There are a few funny moments along the way but you know that settee (I love ours!) or armoire is coming quickly. My wife is so wonderful for putting up with it (coaching not the settee). I love you so much!



My workouts have been a lot more consistent than my scripture reading. However, there was a funny moment last night while reading. The passage was proverbs 17:25.

• 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

To fully appreciate the verse, you must read my wife's blog referenced on my page. We laughed and I believe God was trying to say it will be alright, it's just a toilet. The punishment will remain but it is OK, boys and toilets are made for each other. Thanks for Dave in California (and $100) for the new lid. I hope to blog more often this week. I do enjoy it, but it is on the back burner on my commercial kitchen 12 burner stove top of life.

Bad Week... How's yours?

Just a quick hit, a friend of mine at work is having an interesting week. Monday in class, he was the recipient of the "Two fisted flip-off" and this morning at practice he was issued the proclamation, "not everyone wants to be in cross-country so shut up!" Being the supportive friends and colleagues we are, we gently offered our support and reassurance. Be strong Dawg!Teaching is great! One day a kid tells you how much they like your class and the next you get F-Bombed. I love my job! Things are never dull.

Tuesday's Musings

Tuesdays seem to be my only days too blog. After today, there are only two more football games. In class, we are reading The Diary of Anne Frank. It is interesting to see how the students respond to what is read. Today, we have begun to watch some Holocaust survivor documentaries. I cannot begin to conceive the atrocities portrayed in the video. It is very heavy but the kids need to see the evil unleashed by darkness and depravity. I am a little depressed by it all. We are taking the kids next week to the Holocaust Museum in Dallas. I pray the kids are respectful and reverent.

I was saying prayers with my boys last night and I was surprised how well they are doing. My 4 year old spouted off 5 or 6 sentences without stopping. At that point he said ,"What else dad?" My oldest (8) even prayed to be drug free, thanks Red Ribbon Week. I love to hear my boys pray. You never know what is going to come out.

Been a while...

Things are as hectic as ever. Good news is that we have only one more Tuesday night game. We had a fairly severe injury last night. Our starting QB dislocated his index finger and one end of the bone came through the skin. It reminded me of my arm and shoulder some 20 years ago. Our brave team leader texted me at 12:45 am to tell me was OK. He is a great kid.

• Proverbs 10:13
• (13) Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

This verse was one of the verses that spoke to me today. I can remember my dad telling me I have the gift of discernment. At the time, I took that to mean knowing the difference between right and wrong. Now I see that it is easy to see the right and the wrong but maneuvering in the gray is the challenge. As I get older, there seems to be more gray areas. I pray for the ability to discern the right path for my family and me. The second half of the verse is fairly straight forward. I remember the rod as a child but fear it more as an adult. God is good to discipline his children when necessary. I try to do the same with my own children. Does God say,"This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you?" Oh the irony of it all!

I am on sort of a streak working out as of late. I began last Tuesday running. I have added squats on the squat rack. It is not much weight, but dang the pain. My own quote haunts me, "If it aint hurtin', it aint workin'!" I could hardly get up and down or is it down and up from the comode (under used word). I worked out T, W, TH, F, M, assembly yesterday, and plan to get back today.
Shout out to my awesome wife. She inspires me each day. Not only is she the most beautiful woman I know, she has the best work ethic I have seen. She is relentless at the gym and most other areas of her life. I love you baby! You are scorching hot!!

Questions for fun

1. Do you like blue cheese? yes
2. Have you ever smoked? cigars
3. Do you own a gun? yes
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? fruit punch
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? no
6. What do you think of hot dogs? thumbs up!
7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? milk with ice
9. Can you do push ups? no, due to injury many, many moons ago. Ask me to show you my scars!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? watch
11. Favorite hobby? golf
12. Do you have A.D.D.? nope
13. What's one trait you dislike about yourself? control freak
14. Middle name? Earl
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment... hot wife, my elbow hurts, tomorrow is Friday
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? tea, Kool-Aid, water
17. Current worry? stock market woes
18. Current hate right now? basketball tournaments (thinking ahead)
19. Favorite place to be? the Pond
20. How did you bring in the New Year? asleep
21. Where would you like to go? New England
22. Name three people who will complete these questions? Jana, Grandmother, blog stalker
23. Do you own slippers? Do Crocs count?
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? burnt orange
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? yes
26. Can you whistle? yes
27. Favorite color? yellow
28. Would you be a pirate? no, too close to butt pirate
29. DO YOU SING in the shower? no
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Jana
31. Favorite boy's name? Drew
32. What's in your pocket right now? you mean I should be wearing pants?
33. Last thing that made you laugh? my wife's questions
34. Best bed sheets as a child? striped ones
35. Worst injury you've ever had? arm ripped off my body, seriously. Ask me and I will show you my scars!
36. Do you love where you live? yes
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4
38. Who is your loudest friend? Kelly
39. How many dogs do you have? two, Jessie and Belle
40. Does someone have a crush on you? my wife
41. What is your favorite book? Lord of the Rings
42. What is your favorite candy? Reece's Peanut Butter Cups
43. Favorite Sports Team? Cowboys
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Can Only Imagine, It Is Well

How 'bout this Weather!

I love Fall. I am in a better mood just because of the temperature. Last night I read Proverbs 8. Pretty standard stuff until these verses.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Following this logic, I assume the opposite is true as well. What must I be bestowing on others if I walk the paths of unrighteousness? I know people who drain my Treasury and I do not want to be that person. It is interesting that if you care to look, the scripture can confirm what you have been praying about. I have read the bible, but I not for content. I want my student to analyze literature and reflect personally about it. I guess I should take my own advice. I am enjoying my few minutes of bible time.

By the way, I did run on Tuesday. I also ran yesterday and plan to run today. There's the bell, got to run!

Monday Game Day

Only a few more games left. It is bitter-sweet because basketball will begin after football. Basketball will not be too bad until after Christmas break. This weekend was lonely but I had fun yesterday. Saturday my wife went on a road trip with our boys. I stayed with the baby. yesterday was spent at church and at home with my family. Cowboys sucked.

Last night's Proverbs reading emphasized avoiding adultery. I can honestly say that that is one area that is not a struggle (too many thats, but hey, it's a blog). I have many others areas but my wife is my life. My dad demonstrated how to love and honor a wife. I know there were challenges in their marriage but he always showed honor and respect to my mom. I thank him for that legacy.

I am going to run a mile today if it kills me. Football season takes all of my time but I will take the 15-20 minutes today. I won't be able to look my blog in the face if I don't get it done.

Bible Speaks

Proverbs 3
25) Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26) for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

These are three verses that stuck out for me while reading today. Verse 25-26 reminds me to chill out about the stock market's free fall, I have been silently freaking about the economy but I have no control there anyway. Verse 27 just reinforces that God wants me to be more encouraging and positive to others in all situations. BTW...I love my wife! I forgot my bag today and she brought it to me. She's the best:00:

Mid Week Ponderings

My wife (totally hot) follows lots of blogs. She reads the very tragic stories and will sit and cry with the blogger. I am glad she is so sensitive and compassionate. I guess I do not like the uncomfortable feeling of grief and helplessness. The latest story involved a sweet family whose baby did not live long after the birth. It made me thank God for my healthy kids and for the first time in a very long while, I had some real empathetic feelings for someone I did not know. I can only imagine the heart ache and frustration that couple must be enduring. I don't know them but I will be praying for them in the coming days.

Hmm...

I am a coach, I am a coach of some less than talented players, I am the coach of some less than talented players at a school that drains you dry. Despite that, we won last night against a greater foe from across the tracks, up the hill, through the gates and on the left. I am proud of our kids and other coaches. Victories are rare around here, so we tend to cherish them. I ramble through all of that to make a personal observation about myself. I am definitely a less than talented player in God's athletic program. At times, I feel like I have been kicked around whichever sporting venue is in season. What is sad is that I have been pretty much satisfied bitching about the other sucky players and ignoring my own suckitude. (I like new words and sports analogies) Just an observation as we were beating a team that usually kicks our butts.

I have begun to read the bible. No, not anything too deep, just Proverbs. I can remember my dad reading them to me when I was a kid. I remember thinking how repetitive it was and thought the book could have been 2 chapters long. I am only 2 chapters in and it is repetitive, but I am looking to take some things to heart and dare to apply them. After two days, I have read and prayed and things are going OK. I hope to start a new habit. My wife (devastatingly beautiful), has even read my blog and likes it. I will try to leave out names to protect the innocent. I won't be able to exercise today due to a game and getting in late but Wednesday through Sunday will be my exercise days. I am looking forward to getting back at it.

Something has to Change

This is my inaugural posting. I am a virgin to blogging so this is a different thing for me. My wife has been blogging for a couple of months but I have not been interested in doing it myself. In Sunday School today, I made a comment about talking to someone at work that I usually avoid. I realized that if you are not on my radar, I would never go out of my way to talk to or get to know you. I made a decision in class to try to start changing that. By choice at first and now by habit, I limit my circle of people I know. I am a social person but like to control the situation and surroundings. I am a retentive and controlling individual. It has gotten worse in my graying days. I feel it is time to begin to work on it. On the way home today, my wife said some things that were right on. One of them was about my comfort zone. I have a very small, cozy, safe zone. I've had it for a long time and it has begun to get very stifling. This blog is way out of my zone. I share things with my wife but never with others. No one may read this but at least it is out there to be seen by somebody.

I plan do work through 4 things in this blog.

• things I pray for
• things from the bible I read
• attitudes about God, religion, and being a Christian
• physical fitness (or lack of)

I usually pray each day but it is never scheduled or disciplined. I plan to use this blog as accountability for my bible and prayer time. As the son of a preacher man, I have always been in church but not always in the proper spirit. Over time I have become crusty and sceptical and slightly critical. I am asking God to change that about me and help me to be more accepting,and compassionate. In addition, I will throw in my exercise for the day. I was exercising a lot before school began but have stopped. I feel like that this is enough blogging for my first time. I would not want to strain something. Thanks for listening...stay tuned!