Right before her first ever soccer game
Ally and her best bud Victoria
Kayleigh starts high school in 5 months...sigh.
Baby Fergie (aka - Luke)
Monday, February 25, 2008
A few pictures...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
One of the greatest causes of disappointment and depression...
Taking ourselves too seriously.
Its great to take life, family and our job seriously...but one of the greatest abilities we could ever develop is learning to laugh at ourselves. I'm thinking its a life-long lesson b/c I still revert back to "protection" mode sometimes (often). But I'm convinced that taking myself too seriously is what leads to alot of my stress.
Next time you get embarrased or do something to humiliate yourself...embrace it and laugh. Life will weigh less.
Have a great Wednesday.
P.S. - Remember the pink "No complaints" bracelet? Thought i'd give you an update...I've now been wearing mine for 5+ months and my record is 11 days without switching. The goal is 21. I shall not give up! (though i'm becoming convinced one of my spiritual gifts is criticizing other people) For more info read the October 30, 2007 post.
Its great to take life, family and our job seriously...but one of the greatest abilities we could ever develop is learning to laugh at ourselves. I'm thinking its a life-long lesson b/c I still revert back to "protection" mode sometimes (often). But I'm convinced that taking myself too seriously is what leads to alot of my stress.
Next time you get embarrased or do something to humiliate yourself...embrace it and laugh. Life will weigh less.
Have a great Wednesday.
P.S. - Remember the pink "No complaints" bracelet? Thought i'd give you an update...I've now been wearing mine for 5+ months and my record is 11 days without switching. The goal is 21. I shall not give up! (though i'm becoming convinced one of my spiritual gifts is criticizing other people) For more info read the October 30, 2007 post.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Choose your words carefully...
Do you have one of those "thorns" in your life that you feel no matter how hard you try...you can never get rid of? One of mine seems to be shooting off my mouth without thinking about how my words will affect other people. Whether its my wife or kids or the fast-food worker or the police officer who pulled me over a few weeks ago...once the words come out I never get them back. The damage is done.
The fix is simple...THINK BEFORE I SPEAK. Stop long enough to collect my thoughts and calm down for a second. For whatever reason (self-centeredness mostly), sometimes I just blurt out what's on my heart in the heat of the moment and when I do...the hurt I cause others can never be "taken back".
I know...we're all human and from time to time say things we wish we hadn't said. I'm not trying to be Ghandi...just something I've been more aware of lately.
Next time you're about to stab someone with your words. Stop and think.
Have a great day.
The fix is simple...THINK BEFORE I SPEAK. Stop long enough to collect my thoughts and calm down for a second. For whatever reason (self-centeredness mostly), sometimes I just blurt out what's on my heart in the heat of the moment and when I do...the hurt I cause others can never be "taken back".
I know...we're all human and from time to time say things we wish we hadn't said. I'm not trying to be Ghandi...just something I've been more aware of lately.
Next time you're about to stab someone with your words. Stop and think.
Have a great day.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Slow down...
I almost had a serious wreck yesterday because i was in too big a hurry. You know, one of those close calls that leaves your heart pounding for a few minutes. For what? Chick-fil-a Diet Dr. Pepper. (I know, some of you agree that's something worth hurrying for.)
But, it made me (once again) stop and think..."Why am i always in such a big hurry?" So i resolved (once again) to slow down and enjoy life wherever i am. Whether its in traffic or the grocery store line...slow down.
Have you ever noticed that old people are never in a hurry? I wonder what they know that we don't?
But, it made me (once again) stop and think..."Why am i always in such a big hurry?" So i resolved (once again) to slow down and enjoy life wherever i am. Whether its in traffic or the grocery store line...slow down.
Have you ever noticed that old people are never in a hurry? I wonder what they know that we don't?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Save your comments...
I know...its been like 57 weeks since i left something here. Like most good habits in life...blogging takes effort. I resolve to put forth effort at being more consistent with this little writing thing.
Now that confession time is over...
2008 is well underway. I'm still plugging away at school. My days consist of things like Geology, US History and American Literature to name a few. It looks like we are facing 1 of 2 scenarios as far as when i will finish my degree.
#1 is that i have 4 semesters remaining, which is actually 3 since i'll take all the mini-terms that i possibly can including summer. #2 is that UNT will give me "Life Experience Credit" which is basically free hours for old people who've come back to school to begin a second career. You tell them what you've done with your life for the past 20 years and they say, "we'll give you this many hours." Or, they could say "we don't do that." So, that's where we are with school.
Life in general is blessed as usual. I know that when i resigned from my job in September and told people i was going to mow grass and go to school full-time, there were probably thoughts of, "those poor folks will be on food stamps soon." (which by the way, there is NOTHING wrong with food stamps :)). But, we haven't missed a beat. God continues to provide and other than "tightening our belts" a little, life is pretty much the same. Mowing season starts here in Texas in about 1 month and we're hoping to be overwhelmed with customers. We'll see.
In closing...if you're a reader (which you should be), i just finished a book that's short, easy to read and pretty challenging. Its called, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. Go pick it up.
Have a great weekend.
Now that confession time is over...
2008 is well underway. I'm still plugging away at school. My days consist of things like Geology, US History and American Literature to name a few. It looks like we are facing 1 of 2 scenarios as far as when i will finish my degree.
#1 is that i have 4 semesters remaining, which is actually 3 since i'll take all the mini-terms that i possibly can including summer. #2 is that UNT will give me "Life Experience Credit" which is basically free hours for old people who've come back to school to begin a second career. You tell them what you've done with your life for the past 20 years and they say, "we'll give you this many hours." Or, they could say "we don't do that." So, that's where we are with school.
Life in general is blessed as usual. I know that when i resigned from my job in September and told people i was going to mow grass and go to school full-time, there were probably thoughts of, "those poor folks will be on food stamps soon." (which by the way, there is NOTHING wrong with food stamps :)). But, we haven't missed a beat. God continues to provide and other than "tightening our belts" a little, life is pretty much the same. Mowing season starts here in Texas in about 1 month and we're hoping to be overwhelmed with customers. We'll see.
In closing...if you're a reader (which you should be), i just finished a book that's short, easy to read and pretty challenging. Its called, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. Go pick it up.
Have a great weekend.
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