I am loving life!

I did it, well...Santa did it. I came home from Amarillo the other day with a travel trailer behind my truck. It is now beside my house. And, in Clark Griswald fashion, I am soon to take the family to The Palo Duro Canyon!
I am sure to blog about our experience with the new trailer and the Canyon in December.
Man, what a great Christmas! Kris got a dog, Katy Baby got about 1,000 new dolls, and David got a science lab. Of course they got too much. And I am sure a lot of those toys will end up at the bottom of the closets. But, it sure was a fun Christmas morning.
If you know me at all, you know that once I get my mind on something I can not get it out of my head. I started thinking about this trailer about 6 months ago. I fought it and I fought it, until I made the mistake and went by to visit with ole' Jack at Sisemore Traveland. Oops! Once I was there and saw what I just had to have, it was all over except the cryin!
Of course I paid too much for it, of course I am in over my head, and of course I should have passed. But...Man, it is so AWESOME!
Just look at the pictures...
Just look at the room...
I cannot believe I own a travel trailer.
I AM LOVING LIFE!
Poor Amanda and the kids. I am really just like Clark Griswald.
I will blog about our trip soon.
Wish us luck.

Change

Christmas brings about great feelings and joy. It also brings about thoughts of change when reflecting on or looking back on past Christmas holidays. I read Sharon Blackburn's blog and she really got me to thinking. (Great post, Sharon!)
Last Christmas was a tough one for my family. My mom got sick and had to stay in the hospital over the Christmas break. She spent Christmas morning in a hospital bed. It was awful. I felt so sorry for her. (and being selfish, sorry for myself, cause I didn't have my mom with us at Christmas!)
My cousin was dying of pancreatic cancer, and we all knew she wouldn't be with us much longer. That was tough.
A family tradition on my mom's side is we (35+ people) all sing Christmas songs and always end with "silent night" before we open gifts.
Last year no one but the kids made it through "silent night" cause Teri Jane, (my cousin) and my mom. As I look back on that night I think how bad that feeling was. But in the same thought, I am reminded of how thankful I am that God provided me that memory of Teri in her rocking chair singing, laughing, and spending Christmas with us one last time...As long as I live I will never forget that and other images of that night. That in a sense I guess is what it is really all about...
Merry Christmas everybody! I hope this year's Christmas fills you with joy, peace, love, and happiness!

OUCH!!!!!

So I am at work Friday and start to get a little uncomfortable in my lower back. No big deal, I have occasional back pain and thought it would pass... But boy howdy was I wrong!
It is all pretty comical now...but at the time I thought I had a alien in my kidney trying to cut himself out of my back.
I am not joking, worst pain I have ever had. I couldn't get comfortable and honestly thought I was in trouble. So much trouble in fact, that I limped to the gym to get my B.I.L. to take me to the E.R...but, the pain let up and I only went to see my friend Peter Jones at the Family Clinic. Pete took care of me. Gave me a C.T. scan and discovered that my alien was only a 3 mil. sized stone. Big enough for me to pass on my own. I hope I passed it. I don't know if I did, but I feel fine. I really don't want that pain again. If I do, I will know what it is and will instantly get in the fetal position and weep like a baby.
I am really embarrassed by the whole deal. I do appreciate everyones calls and concerns. I just wish no one knew about it. Of course when I am lying in the Assistant's Principal office floor rolling in pain in front of God and everybody it is hard to keep it hush-hush.

Random thoughts

As always, I am sitting here at my desk at home instead of getting ready for bed. And as always, I am reading blogs and past posts that I have written. So, I decided to add another post. Only thing is, I have nothing to post about...
Random Thoughts:

-As I was watching the basketball games tonight, I could actually feel myself getting sick. Scratchy throat, upset stomach, the works. Now I have a fever. Awesome...

-Ran a mile today...trying to work up to 3 in 3 weeks. But of course, I am getting poorly feelin'. Figures...

-Trying to lose weight and be healthier...goal is to be 225 by 35...I hope I can do it, gotta stop overeating though...I love to eat.

-My son wants Rosetta Stone for Christmas. Wants to learn Japanese so he can understand the Godzilla movies he watches. Smart kid. I tried to explain to him what it was...still wants it...Crazy.

-What is invisalign? Will it work?

-Camper or not?

-Why does fever make you ramble?

-House is decorated for Christmas. Looks awesome. I love it. Not looking forward to taking it down. Gonna try talking Amanda into keeping it up all year.

-Katy is better from her illness...I am so glad. Every time one of my kids get sick, I always think the worst. Thank God for my children's health.

-Why are Pirates so cool?....Cause, they just AARRRRRRRRR!

Thanksgiving!!

It is funny how smells and sounds of Thanksgiving can take you back. I love those moments. When your brain takes you to a place and time in your past as vividly as if you were really there. I loved Thanksgiving as a kid. I am like my good friend Trey in that Thanksgiving marks the time for Christmas Prep. We have a tradition here at my house that on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we start decorating the house for Christmas. My kids love it. Here are some of the things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving: (in no particular order)

1. My mom has moved to Childress
2. My healthy kids
3. Tonya graduates from dental school
4. My Bride
5. This life that God has granted me
6. Great friends
7. My new nephew
8. Darlene's cooking
9. Time with family
10. Sleeping in
11. Watching a movie with my family
12. Shooting quail
13. Filming fatboy outdoors
14. Visiting with family I haven't seen in a while
15. This great country
16. Our soldiers
17. Our President
I am thankful for so much. We absolutely live in an awesome country. I have an awesome family. I have an awesome life. I realize being thankful is a state of mind. But, it helps when I have all these great things to go with me along the way.
I hope everyone has a great Big Bird Turkey Day!!!

Eight Things

I was humbled to see that I was tagged by Stephanie Tucker on this deal. So, here it goes.

8 FAVORITE T.V. SHOWS
1. Dirty Jobs
2. Entourage
3. Wheel of Fortune
4. SpongeBob Squarepants
5. Sportscenter
6. The (early) Cosby Show
7. Murder She Wrote
8. Fat Boy Outdoors

8 FAVORITE EATS
1. Abuelos
2. On the Border
3. Buffalo Wild Wings
4. Sullivans
5. Taco Bell
6. Whataburger
7. Steak World
8. Steak House

8 THINGS I DID TODAY
1. Woke my kids up and fed them breakfast
2. Went to work
3. Stopped global warming
4. Administered a peace treaty between two warring nations
5. Repeatedly watched the Fat Boys blog to see how many people were watching
6. Actually danced in front of Shelia just to make her laugh
7. Try to convince myself that this was not a dream and that I was really awake
8. Came home to my amazing wife and kids!

8 THINGS LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. Raising my babies the way God wants me to
2. Being the husband Amanda needs
3. Getting my Sup cert.
4. My mom moving here
5. Becoming wildly entertaining with Fat Boys or anything else.
6. To learn to not bring work home
7. Running a 4.5 40 yard dash
8. Learning how to dance with the stars

8 WISHES
1. Have 3 healthy beautiful wonderfully awesome Children
2. Marry a beautiful woman
3. Own a big maroon 4x4 truck
4. Own a big house
5. Have my mom close to me
6. My sister becoming a Dr.
7. Have great friends and family
8. To make more goals that I can reach.

My kids

Like Amanda I will attempt to list just 10 things that I love about our children. Impossible to list all, but here is just 10. (in no particular order)

1. I love the way they still think I am the strongest man in the world.
2. I love the fact that they think I am the smartest man in the world.
3. I love the way they smell.
4. I love to hear them laugh, sleep, talk, and breathe.
5. I love how I can get them to wrestle with me at a moments notice. All it takes is for me to lay down in the floor and before long all three of us are in a tangled mess, and Amanda is yelling at us to stop.-love that.
6. I love that they are well behaved (most of the time) in public.
7. I love the fact that they love their mother.
8. I love how they love each other.
9. I love it when they pray to God.
10. I love to hear them sing
11. I love to hold them and watch t.v.
12. I love to brag on them
13. I love how when they were younger and got off the bus they ran to me at school. (David still does it) I don't know how long that will last, but I will never forget the image of them running towards me.
14. I love when I come home from work and I am greeted with hugs and kisses.

Sorry ,couldn't stop at 10. Could go on and on but I don't want to bore you.

New Dad

Guess many of you know now, that my B.I.L. is a new Dad. He is the proud father of a very handsome looking little boy named Koen Reid. I am very proud to be an Uncle for the first time.
John and I have been friends a long time. We first met in 1993. Amanda introduced us at Jarrett Hall. I was playing volleyball in the court yard with a bunch of guys and Amanda showed up with this tall, good-looking guy, and I remember thinking, "what the....." but, thankfully it was her brother.
1993...that's 15 years. Long time. Over the years John has always given me advice. (whether I wanted it or not.) He is quite possibly one of the most intelligent men I know. But, finally the tables are turning. Thanks to Koen Reid and John's inexperience, I get to sit back and let him come to me for some advice for a new Dad....yeah right, he won't ask me. He'll figure something out and get by without asking my opinion or what he needs to do...Dang it!
No, seriously here are some tips my friend:
1. Enjoy the diaper changing now, while the poop is little, just remember it is fixing to get bigger and smell a lot worse.
2. Sleep every chance you get. I told you, from this point on, You will NEVER sleep the same again.
3. Tell your wife how beautiful she is often. Women weird out some for about 2-3 months after they get home from the hospital. Keep encouraging her by telling her mushy stuff. And just listen and try not to fix anything when she freaking out about socks or something stupid like that.
4. I can specifically remember people telling me that I needed to soak it all in because it goes way to fast. Used to frustrate the crap out of me...BUT, soak it all in my friend because it goes way to fast.
5. Lastly, don't worry if you are going to be a good dad or not. I have full confidence that you will. You will bring him up in a house where he is loved, where he knows God, where he knows the difference between good and bad, and where he will be held accountable. And for the rest of his life, he will call you Dad and love you forever.
Good Job John.

whatever....

Am I being a baby? I don't know... Maybe my posts are not that good. Maybe no one wants to respond. Maybe some folks read them but just don't leave comments. I have a lot of blogs that I read and each of their posts carry numerous responses. Maybe I am being a baby. I just need to suck it up and keep writing. Who cares who reads my stuff or responds...right? Why doesn't anyone respond...For those that have, I appreciate it. I read your responses over and over. Sorry to vent...I am just being a baby. Have a great day!
You realize I am just joking? Please don't respond out of pity...well, .....maybe you should. No, nevermind. I don't want your sympathy. But, if you want to, feel free... Later

been awhile...

If you know me at all and been around me much you probably know that I have a little sister that I am extremely proud of. She is 8 years younger than I. We are very close. We always have been. My wife says that we are just alike. I have to disagree. I am way cooler and smarter than she is. Speaking of smart, she is fixing to graduate from dental school. If she thinks I am going to call her Dr. she has another thing coming. That is a title for highly educated, noble people with a high intelligence. That can't be my sister. The sister that I know is sitting at the table with her hair in her food, her room is a pig's den, and she is annoying the crap out of me. This is the girl who told her 1st or 2nd grade teacher that I was mean and abusive to her just to get out of a spelling quiz. I could really go on and on about that child...
But honestly, I am so very proud of her. She graduated 2nd in her class from Burk High, she was an all state volleyballer, got a full academic ride to Texas A&M, got accepted to dental school in Houston, and is now graduating this May to practice her craft in Wichita Falls. And did I mention that she is absolutely beautiful. My wife and her are great friends. I love this picture of them. I am so lucky that my wife loves her and truly considers her a sister.
Her birthday is coming up Nov. 8th. I can still vividly remember the night she was born. Exmouth, Australia is where we were. That was the night that I met my baby sister. I was proud then, and I am proud now. I love you, Tonya!

Football

I loved playing football. I wasn't the best on the field, (in fact on my best day I was barely average) but I loved to play. I was very blessed to play one of the greatest sports in the world. Those of you that have played football probably agree. I learned a lot of life lessons on the ole' grid iron. To be honest with you, I don't remember much of the high school days. I can remember some big plays and big games (partially) but overall, I can't remember a lot of details. I can remember a little more in college. But, not much. I am not sure if it was shots to the head, or just the growing distance from that time. But what I do remember is the thrill, effort, energy, excitement, sadness, passion, pain, joy, or basically any emotion you can think of. I know you may not realize it, but I was not drafted by the Cowboys. After my playing days in college were done, I hung my pads up for the last time. I can remember that day. I had played that sport for 10 years straight. That day in Canyon, Texas I walked away from that locker never to stand in front of that locker again as a football player. You know I still dream of playing. It is a regular dream that I have often. It isn't like other reoccurring dreams I have, you know the ones were you can't fight or run? No, in my football dreams I am playing...running after the ball, really getting after it. It is odd. My 88 year old grandfather told me the other day that he still dreams of playing football too. I wonder if I will when I am 88.

Dallas Cowboys

I have been watching these guys for a long time. For as long as I can remember I have been an avid fan. The first quarterback I can remember watching play was Danny White. I can remember being really upset when the Boys lost. To this day I still get a little upset when they lose. Like tonight, to the Cardinals. I am better now, but when I was younger I would get so worked up and it seemed like my week didn't go very well if the Cowboys lost on Sunday. I am really ready for another Cowboy Super Bowl. It has been awhile. I am not a fanatic, but I do like it when they win. I like watching Romo and his boys, but, I miss Troy (so does my wife). I loved watching Emmitt, Micheal, Newton, Norton, Harper, Jay, and the Moose. Man, those were the days. My favorite Cowboy moment was when they beat the Steelers like a drum in the Super Bowl. The Steelers had a hyped up defense under the play of linebacker Greg Lloyd. I can remember one play in particular when big Nate Newton pulled on a SCAT play and pancaked him...Awesome. What are some of your favorite Dallas Cowboy memories?

Funny People

Life is full of negative. When I finally get home and let my guard down, nothing lifts my spirits more than laughter. Kids, t.v., movies, or funny thoughts help relax me. In my profession, humor helps me get through tough times. Don't get me wrong, I can be serious when I need to be. But I really would much rather laugh and have a smile on my face. I really like making other people smile too. Speaking of funny and having a good time, I have several stories, no, check that, a ton of stories I can tell about myself or some of my experiences that can make you laugh. The best advice I love to give people is the following: "Never take yourself too seriously." and "Don't sweat the small stuff, and remember it is all small." Sometimes people hear that and get real frustrated with me. They may think in a conversation that I am not taking their point seriously. I am, I just don't feel like getting work up about as much as they are. One person worked up is usually enough, adding more worked up people in the conversation can get ugly.
I could try to type something funny here, but would much rather just let you experience that while we are hanging out. Honestly, I am not much of a writer. If I were to try and write how I am funny or share stories, I think I would bore you.
If you are going along in the day and you haven't laughed or made someone laugh, then you are wasting your day in my opinion. LAUGHING does a body good.
I don't know who the guy is in the picture I selected. I was looking for a funny picture for my post and came across this really handsome man. Couldn't pass it up.

Friends

I love living in this town. I could go on and on about this place. We have all kinds of great things going on here. For example, the hospital, Dr.'s, schools, church, are all great. But, out of all of these things I think our friends are what makes this place so great. I really have some great friends here. I always have had good friends. I have some scattered all over. Some I really miss. My friends here are very special to me. I could not imagine being in a place where I didn't have this many or this quality of friends. I got some from all walks of life. Old ones, young ones, you name it, I got them. We all have hectic lives. We all do our best in raising our families. It is so refreshing to me to be here surrounded by a bunch of wonderful people that I have the privilege to call "friend"!
Later.

Try again

I am new to this. I just got finished typing a bunch of cool stuff for you to read. But, when I pushed something to post...I lost it. So, I will use the ole' KISS method. (keep it simple, stupid!)
Here I am, I am blogging. Hope everyone is happy. I will try to make you laugh and make you think. Honestly, don't know if I can make you think, but I know I can make you laugh!
P.S. For those that know me, my choice for Will Ferrell is obvious. For those that don't know me...well, you're missing out.