Du's & Don'ts

James' New Look

2008-04-25T08:27:00.004-04:00

Here is a picture of James' new look.Notice the missing front teeth, the lack of hair and the nice bruise on the forehead.The teeth had been loose since around Thanksgiving and finally were knocked out with assistance. The first was knocked out while wrestling with a buddy and the second was knocked out while playing with me. The haircut was James' idea. He told the barber what he wanted and he

2008-03-09T07:36:00.003-04:00

The regional spelling bee didn't go as we hoped. Grace went out early on a tough word. There are a great many reasons to feel good about her experience. However, sometimes we need disappointment in our lives to teach us important lessons. They may not be easy to learn but they are important. Grace has made us proud with the mature way she has handled the disappointment. Thanks again to all

2008-03-08T08:28:00.002-05:00

Today is the regional Spelling Bee for Grace. She is calm, cool, and collected right now. She is like her dad. We only get nervous right before the event. Shannon, on the other hand, is nervous for her right now. Thanks to family and friends who have sent messages and made phone calls to wish her luck.Here is the list and pictures of the competitors that appeared in Sunday's Knoxville News

Role reversals

2008-02-27T06:41:00.003-05:00

It's snowing in Greeneville! And it is sticking! We will probably get around an inch but it is enough for the kids and Shannon to get a snow day. Every time it snows, I am struck by the role reversal in my and Shannon's relationship. When we were in college, I was the one tempting her to skip a class and go do something fun. She was always the good student who was opposed to the practice of

Fun Geography Game

2008-02-15T15:51:00.005-05:00

I discovered this geography game last night. It is fun, & challenging. How smart are you about your world? Go ahead give it a go but set the timer to tell you when you need to do something productive.

Tacky Day?

2008-02-12T09:46:00.001-05:00

This morning, Shannon was getting ready for school. She put on a new pair of pants that have buttons on the front similar to sailors pants. Then she added a ruffled shirt to it and proceeded to call it her "Pirate Outfit"James who used to be the first one up has now become the last one up trudges down the steps in time to hear Shannon ask, "What shoes should I wear with my Pirate Outfit?".

Dinner Table Guy Update

2008-01-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

Valentines day is not far away. That day is important for many reasons as it applies to relationships and the chocolate & flower businesses. This year however, it also corresponds to the day pitchers & catchers report to spring training. As I wait for that day, I thought I would catch up on where our dinner table guys are and where I expect them to play this year:It has been a busy off season

In Character

2008-01-14T21:45:00.000-05:00

NPR is doing a great series on great fictional characters from our popular culture and the impact they had on our culture. So far, they have done Bugs Bunny, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, and Richard Prior's Mudbone. You can click here to read/hear the stories. I am looking forward to the rest of them. What fictional character has had an impact on you?

Rolling Over

2008-01-08T08:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my 2000 Toyota Corolla went over the 100,000 mile mark. It was fun to watch all those zeros appear. It brought back memories of riding in the back of my families' car and dad telling us to watch as it "rolled over". I remember leaning up over the back of the front seat and watching it go from 99999.9 to 00000.0. And for a little while, it felt like the car was new again.Going over

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T06:17:00.000-05:00

I am actually up this morning before the children. I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and share another nugget of James wisdom. As the anxiety over what Santa would bring built last night, he doled out this gem:"I will be happy with whatever Santa brings, even if it is a hockey puck without sticks."No he hasn't asked for a hockey puck or sticks. He has asked for sports stuff. But you

Spelling Bee Video

2007-12-03T11:36:00.000-05:00

Here is the video of Grace and the 21 words she got correct at the system wide spelling bee. Sorry for the quality but the lighting wasn't great.

Prayer Request Update

2007-11-29T13:55:00.001-05:00

Back in October, I posted the situation regarding James's teacher and our friend, Rita Wells. Yesterday, we received news that she had passed away. Please pray for her family, the school and the community as all are grieving right now.

2nd place

2007-11-28T11:36:00.000-05:00

Last night Grace held her own in the system wide spelling bee. It started out with 22 contestants from the middle school and 4 elementary schools. After 6 rounds, it was down to 6. Those six were 4 middle schoolers, Grace and her friend Mansi. After 8 rounds, it was down to two middle schoolers and Grace. They went round and round. In round 22, Grace misspelled indelible (she gave it

Grace is home

2007-11-23T22:20:00.000-05:00

Grace and Shannon arrived back from the hospital tonight. It is nice to have every one back under one roof again. She will go back to the doctor on Monday to see how she is doing. Thanks to everyone for the prayers.

Grace Update

2007-11-22T20:16:00.000-05:00

Grace is spending her second night in the hospital and hopefully her last. The Dr. came by tonight and didn't hear the crackling he was hearing in her lungs this morning. He said if her fever stays low, she should be released by tomorrow evening. Thanks for the prayers, please keep praying.

Quick Prayer Request

2007-11-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

Grace has pneumonia. She was admitted to the hospital today after being sick since last Friday. They are testing to find out what type she has and that will determine how long she stays.

A blog-able weekend

2007-11-12T08:48:00.000-05:00

Friday night, I picked up the movie Glory Road . The movie follows the journey of Texas Western through integrating their team to being the first team to have all five starters be black in the NCAA championship game. The movie was well done and was based on a true story. My kids' reaction to the movie and the treatment towards the black players reminded me just how different the country is now

2007-11-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

James is learning to be smooth. Last weekend, Grace had a spend the night party at a friends house. Shannon ask, "So guys, what are you cooking me for breakfast?" I get the deer in the headlight look. James, doesn't miss a beat "It's a surprise." he deadpans. Later Shannon took me aside and said "We are in big trouble with him." Is it possible to be proud of you child and scared for them at

Back To Back Champ

2007-11-02T12:43:00.000-04:00

Grace won the EastView Elem. spelling bee for the second year in a row. This year, her best friend, Mansi, pushed her and was the other finalist. She is the one giving Grace a hug on the video. Not only are both good spellers, they are very smart, and sweet young ladies. Both of them will be in the system wide spelling bee later this month.

Climbing the Walls

2007-10-19T13:32:00.000-04:00

Grace chose to have a Climbing Gym party for her birthday. We had to wait a week to have it ,but it was a blast! She and several of her friends took turns climbing in the climbing gym at Holston Home. This is a picture of Grace after she scaled a 20 foot wall.They even got Shannon to climb up one of the walls. Imagine that, an 11 year old girl driving her Mom up a wall.

Proud to be from Greeneville

2007-10-18T22:10:00.000-04:00

Today is a day I am proud to live in my town. A few post ago, I mentioned James' teacher's health issues. She is still in the hospital and is still in serious condition. Today is six weeks since her esophagus ruptured. Today, the teachers from EastView, my kids school and the school Rita Wells has taught at, worked busing tables at Zaxby's so that the family could receive 20% of each purchase

A mustache?

2007-10-04T08:15:00.000-04:00

James had one of those springy bracelets that broke and he was playing around with it. He put it on his nose and said, "look Mom!". To which Shannon replied, "You have a mustache."James said, "No, the worlds biggest booger!"Gotta love 7 year old boys!

Phil Fulmer an Auburn Fan? & A Prayer Request

2007-10-03T08:29:00.000-04:00

After the Auburn's win Saturday night, he apparently is for the time being. He greeted his players with "War **** Eagle" when players returned from their off week Sunday night."That's actually the first thing I said to them, to be honest with you,'' Phillip Fulmer revealed Tuesday.On to more serious matters. I have told several of you by phone that our community is been touched by an illness

Philippine Trip 2007 - part 2

2007-09-19T09:28:00.000-04:00

Philippine Trip part 2 Saturday began with a trip to Asilo, an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity. It provides care for around 75 youth with 31 of those being under 3. Many of their children were not free to be matched with families. They also provide services for the elderly, community assistance such as job skill training and services to

Philippine Trip 2007 part 1

2007-09-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

Keith Hinkle, Holston Home's adoption director & I left Knoxville at 10:15 AM for our journey. After a plane change and brief layover, we left Chicago for Seoul. We arrived in Seoul and after some confusing instructions, I went through customs to leave the “secure” area of the airport to meet my Uncle Ron for supper. Ron is currently working for