reminiscing

There's a snow cone stand near our school. As I was leaving work today, I noticed several of the kids from our school had purchased snow cones. It made me think of when I was a kid and I would beg mom and dad for some extra money to buy snacks at school. Getting an ice cream or a coke at the snack bar was a huge treat. We usually purchased lunches from the school cafeteria. Only the "rich" kids got to eat in the snack bar every day. Also, during the summers, we would ride our bikes to the nearest convenience store to buy candy and drinks. I was so excited to be able to go. I was excited to be able to buy Nerds or Sweet Tarts or whatever. It totally made my day. Now that I'm grown up (begin laughter now), it's so much harder to appreciate and get excited by stuff like that. I can easily go to the bank, get a $20, and buy myself a snow cone. There is no longer the anticipation, the wondering if I'll be turned down (by my parents for money), and the pure joy of knowing getting a snack is special. God has blessed me in so many ways. But I think this gives me a little bit more insight into "Blessed are the poor..."

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Welcome Baby Will

My second nephew was born yesterday at 1:43 p.m. My older sister didn't take nearly as long as she took when delivering my first nephew. I believe this little guy resembles his father much more than his older brother. He weighed 10 lbs. 0.7 ounces, and he was 19 3/4 inches long. It's interesting to watch my older nephew interact with his younger brother. He definitely knows that this new little guy is taking a lot of our attention. He really wants to touch him and generally get to know him; however, we adults don't let him do what he wants to do. We're too afraid he'll hurt the little guy. Maybe we're too cautious. Maybe it would be best to allow Gabe to touch him - I don't think the baby will break. But our fear keeps us from letting that happen. Hopefully, it'll all work out. I'm sure it will.

I pray that little Will grows up knowing how much God loves him and how much we love him too. I pray that he grows up knowing his strengths and realizing all of his potential. Welcome to the world.

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OK...OK...I know it's been a while

Teaching my theories course ended last Thursday. Preparation for lecturing every week kept me really busy. I really do have much greater appreciation now for college professors. The students in my class did well. All of them ended up with A's or B's. If someone had made a C in the course, they would have had to retake it.

Also, this past weekend was my younger sister's graduation from ACU. I am really proud of her. She was even mentioned by Dr. Money as he addressed the class. Yup, she's one of those kids. Anyway, the day was made a bit awful by a few new friends of mine named Giardia. That's right folks, I am carrying amoebic parasites. I figure I got them from going to Mexico at the end of March, but I can't be sure. They have done a number on my GI tract for about a week and a half. Thankfully, I am now on antibiotics and doing much better.

Finally, for those of you who don't know, I totaled my truck a couple of weeks ago while on my way to church. Long story short: hydroplaned, fishtailed, did a 180, and came to a halt on some big boulders that were landscaping for Golden Corral. I'm OK, but I'm now searching for a FUEL EFFICIENT vehicle. I mean $3.70 per gallon, really!!

So what now you ask. Well folks, it's the same old song. I need to write my dang dissertation: the bane of my existence. However, I was inspired some by watching the ACU faculty walking in the processional at the ACU graduation. Long, flowy robes are cool...they remind me of Harry Potter!!

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