Fun, Food, Family & A Few Days Off

I haven't had much of an opportunity to provide an update on life & the general pursuit of happiness. I have seen a lot of that this week in the eyes of my daughter. The joy on her face when we surprised her with an iphone and a new guitar. First, let me put in a shameless plug for Art's Music in Inverness and Jessica Freehling-Kazzie. She was so helpful & patient and really led us to the right instrument for Ellen. The Breedlove has a sweet sound, even to an old hack like me. I would recommend Jessica & Art's to anyone looking to make music. Also to Shannon Grider at Planet Cellular for his patience with me & the iphone purchase. Thanks for all your help! We've had a great weekend together as a family. We even saw a little snow today. I am so truly blessed by a wife & daughter who love me and a God who loves me no matter what. He gets all the praise and glory!

I hate to lose

I don't really have a competitive nature (ha!) I just hate to lose. I hoped Bama would win, although I feared that we didn't have an answer for the Cam Express. I didn't think we could stop him, but I thought we might be able to control the game by holding on to the ball. The first quarter was magic, the second was nerve-racking and the 3rd & 4th were a nightmare. I've got to hand it to them, they never quit and kept believing they could win. Bama just couldn't close the deal. Oh well, Roll Tide anyway (as my Mother-in-law says). I'm trying to overcome the loss by focusing on the positives. I'll let you know when I find some. :) RTR

I just can't figure out what is wrong with the Tide. One game they look like a pro team & the next like the team from a few years ago (pre-Saban). We have to successfully run the football. There is no reason why we can't. Trent & Mark are world class and so is our O-line. keep pushing to be the best boys! Fight on, Fight on, Fight on men. Remember the Rose Bowl, we'll win then. I write this as I sit with my best girl watching DWTS. She loves this stuff, so I love it too. It takes a real man to sit with his wife & watch people dance. I'm switching back & forth between ESPN. Love does strange things to your mind!

Off Week

Congratulations to my Crimson Tide for taking care of the Vols 41-10. Maybe we are climbing back in the saddle. It was a great weekend of worship, golf, football and time with my girls. I even was blessed to see my Nashville daughter Libby. She looked fabulous and is as sweet as ever. Her real Mom & Dad did a great job raising her. Bama has the off week this week and it comes at a great time. I guess I will have to do yard work this weekend. :( Next week it is on to Baton Rouge to take care of the Bengal Tigers. RTR!

Tennessee Week

There is just something about the 3rd week in October and the Saturday that fills the air with sound of pads popping and the rivalry between TN and the Crimson Tide. The season is officially in the second half and began in good form with a defeat of the Ole Miss Rebels (or Rebel black bears). I'm not sure which & I don't think they are either. It's now on to Knoxville and a Saturday evening date with the Vols. No one should have to wear that orange color. I saw a license plate the other day (Bama of course) that said RNJH8R. Think about it. I can't wait to watch the game with my girls and pull for Bama. RTR!! Even at 6-1 we still have a shot at a 14th NC. Take care of business.

Football

Football season...welcome back! We have missed you! What a great weekend with beautiful weather and the start of the 2010 football season. The Tide wins and the sky is so blue it almost hurts your eyes. The only blemish of the weekend is my struggling golf game. Giving it up completely is not out of the realm of possibility. When you can't even play to a 14 handicap anymore, it may be time to give it up. Embarassing only begins to describe the way I have been playing. Oh well, at least the time at the pool this afternoon with my girls was good. BBQ chicken for dinner with a baked potato & John's slaw. It doesn't get much better. Let's get the week started: Roll Tide, beat Penn St!!

what a blessing

I am blessed with the best wife & partner on earth. She has always known the way to get to me. She makes the best cornbread in Alabama! What an awesome dinner we had tonight: black eyed peas, corn, slaw & cornbread. I'm off to finsh off the night with cornbread & milk. I love you peanut!

Back pain stinks

It is great to have the girls back home! By all accounts, they had a wonderful trip and feel that God has worked through them to help & touch others. It's all about our mission to "Be" for the praise of His glory, Ephesians 1. Friday afternoon I took off work early to help Lee prepare for a shower she was hosting for a dear friend's son's future bride. Sometime during the mowing & weed-eating, I reinjured a recurring lower back strain. There are only a few things I hate worse than being incapacitated by back pain! Of course it would also be on a weekend when I planned to go to Hville & play golf with my Dad. We were both looking forward to spending some time together and it stinks that I had to cancel. He was very understanding, but I could hear the disappointment in his voice. I will make it up to him as soon as possible. I have to recover quickly b/c we lay sod in the front yard this weekend. Stay tuned. Thanks to Lee & Ellen for taking care of me and for a great Father's Day!

Coming home!

After two long weeks, my girls are coming home tomorrow night. I heard from them earlier today and I know that while they enjoyed the trip and feel good about their work, they are ready to come home. Their desire to come home is mirrored by my intense need for them to BE home. I realize that my life revolves around them and when we are apart, my life is much less eventful. Thank you to all my friends & family for checking in on me and for praying for me. I am especially grateful that you prayed for Lee & Ellen. I will forever be grateful!

Quiet at my house

With the girls off in Honduras on their mission trip, it has been extremely quiet at our house. Izzy (our dog) & I have had a number of detailed conversations that have mostly been only one way. I am so proud of how Lee & Ellen have given their time & hearts to this effort. They seem to be having a great time, even though the work is hard & dirty. They never cease to amaze me.

Today's thoughts

While studying for my upcoming Sunday School class on Ephesians, it never ceases to amaze me how BIG, MIGHTY & EVERLASTING our God is. Thank you Father for loving us so much and for sending your son. Be blessed today!