100 Year Flood

The 100 year flood Lubbock experienced last week was impressive. Luckily I didn't really have to get out in it on the initial day. However last Friday I did attempt the Wal-Mart on 4th street knowing even before I got there that it would have some water issues. It has always, even from the beginning.

This particular Wal-Mart was built on the former Treasure Island golf course. It was a great little 9 hole, par 3 course with lots of trees. It was much more appealing to the eye than Wal-mart is but I guess that is growth. This Wal-Mart was built when I was pregnant with Zach. The first big rain we had after it was built, before it even opened, the store flooded. Not just the parking lot but the whole store. Flooding will always be a problem in this spot and I always wonder how much money is washed away for Wal-Mart since there is such little parking available during these times. Not that they can't afford it.

Sept. 11th--Mixed Emotions

These flags are placed every September at Kastman Park here in Lubbock by Murfee Elementary students. I know it is only a small gesture but I am glad that American State Bank makes it a point to do this each year in remembrance of the 9-11 victims. These flags are an awesome site as you drive along South Loop 289 in Lubbock. It is a beautiful site but then you remember that each one of those flags stands for a lost life and it is very humbling.

I remember the initial Sept. 11th. As I took Zach to kindergarten there was the report of the 1st plane hitting the World Trade Center. I thought to myself, " I guess some small plane must have had some mechanical problem." Then I got back home just in time for the 2nd plane. I was then mesmerized in front of the television just trying to make sense of what was going on. Then in late morning I get a call from Shawn, "Hmm, Happy Birthday" in an unsure voice. Yes, everyone, my birthday is Sept. 11th. The rest of the day, as well as the next several weeks was spent in front of the television with the rest of American trying to make heads and tails of it all.

As the years have passed, I have received unusual responses when others find out it is my birthday. Most of the time the response is, "Oh, I'm sorry" or "What a day to have a birthday." I guess for the first couple of years these responses bothered me. But now my response is that it was my birthday long before it was a national tragedy and to be honest even though my birthday is know as one of the worst days in American history, I look at it as a privilege to share that day with such people who gave their lives.

As this day continues please remember and pray for our troops as they do the duty they need to do for our country and show respect to those families who have lost loves ones. Never forget what they have done for us.

Who Will You Vote For?

You will be pleased to know that I am not a huge political person. Politics is usually something I don't venture into. However, in this political season I have had a heavy heart. There are so many things that I have concerns about. I was actually at the point of thinking not to vote at all.

Society spends so much time trying to make a big deal about separation of church and state. I can understand that to some extent. However, it dawned on me, you can have separation of church and state but you cannot have separation of God and state. That is what this country was founded on. With this thought, I decided that I had to turn this over to Him and have him guide the choice I make.

After all, God is the maker of all this. We are just players in it. During this presidential election we must ask ourselves, "Who are the players and who are the pretenders?" Trust me, there is both in this election. So what I ask dear ones, be wise in your decision making. Know the game, know the players and where they stand. Figure out who is for real and who those pretenders are. Stay strong my friends!

GOD BLESS AMERICA------------IN GOD WE TRUST!!!!

Last weekend of Summer, 1st Day of School

Well, we finally had the last day of fall baseball. We didn't have alot of wins but I feel that some of the boys that wanted to learn the game did. Now that we are done with that it is time to turn our focus on football and school. Just more busy days, Whew!

Had a busy morning. Worked last night until 1130, came home got to bed @ 100 then up by 530 to get ready to get Shawn to the surgi-center. Left him there and ran back home to get the boys to school. I was very proud of them, they were up and ready to go for me. Drove them to Shallowater and then back to town. Made back just in time to see Shawn before he went in to get his umbilical hernia repaired. He was pretty loopy from the Versed and just being a comedian for everyone. The surgery only lasted about 20min. Recovered for about an hour and got him home. He is taking a nap now.

Ready to go get the boys later to see how the day went. Zach in middle school, scary thought. He was excited that he had band 1st period instead of a regular class. Hayden didn't even want me to walk him in this morning. He is growing up so fast and is so sure of himself. I will let you know how it went.

It Is Official, I Am An Olympic Junkie

Maybe I need some rehab because I am addicted to watching these crazy Olympic Games. Those of you that know the crazy routine I keep know how little sleep I already get, now just add some more sleep deprivation to that. I really cannot help myself, I love the excitement of it all.

I know it all started with the Winter Olympics of 1980 when the American Hockey team won over Russia. I was sitting in my grandmothers living room in Goree, Tx watching that game. It was so awesome. With every Olympics since then, I am watching.

This Olympics has been so entertaining. Michael Phelps has been a one man wrecking crew,the men's and women's gymnastics have offered some excitement and the Redeem Team seems to be taking care of business on the hard wood (Go Coach K), but I really enjoy getting to see sports that only get air time during the Olympics. Who knew that Ping Pong could be so entertaining or the lighting of the heads of the fencing team could be so bizarre.

The setting being in China has been intriguing all its own. That reminds me, we have a team leaving Aug 30th to go to China to spread the gospel. These 2 men and 2 women are setting out on their own form of the Olympics. Please keep them in your prayers and hope they can bring the message to those whom are ready to receive.

Go USA and Team Heights. Conquer all you can in China.

Hayboy Turns 8!!!!!

Hayden turned 8 on Friday, Aug 15th. He has been so excited about his birthday for the past couple of weeks. Even though I worked Thursday night he really wanted to go to the movies on Friday. With Zach going to the lake with the youth group, that left Hayden and I to the movies all by ourselves. We decided on Journey To The Center of The Earth-3D. I am happy to say it was really, really good.

On Saturday we were busy with baseball as usual. Two games in 1 day but Hayden even got a gift from one of Zach's teammates mom. Lots of candy and alot of little play things. (Thanks Liz).

The rest of the day was spent getting ready for company for Hayden's party on Sunday.

Sunday started as usual with church when we received a call from Shawn's dad. They had had a fender binder in Tye and decided not to come and Nanny Sue was unable to come due to flooded road conditions. That left us and aunt Christy to celebrate but we had a really good time. Hayden had another little party with Granny today due to her work schedule and now will have another on Sunday with Shawn's dad. He is really cleaning up on the birthday parties.

Hayden is such a fun kid. I think he gets his strong will from Shawn but he has a free spirit that he gets from my older sister, Melinda. I think these two would be two peas in a pod. Wish he could have known her. I know how much they would have gotten along. Happy Birthday Hayboy. We all love you so much.

Battle Scars of Youth: lessons learned

Beware of the microwavable raviolis. We found that out late this past Saturday night. Zach had his first baseball game of this second season and we didn't get home until late. I put some hotdogs on to cook and we went outside to sit, unwind and discuss the first win of the season (check out Lubbock Grays blog). Unbeknownst to us our very independent, hard-headed, soon to be 8-yr-old decided that he didn't want to wait on the hotdogs and opted to cook the raviolis.

Shawn happened to walk in the house shortly after the "accident" occurred. It appears that Hayden had decided to get the raviolis out of the microwave himself and spilt them on himself. Immediately we had his hand under the running water when I realized he had spilt it on his feet as well. Off to the bathtub we went. In the end I realized his feet were ok. The part that took the brunt of it all was the left thumb. It was really red with no blisters, so being a nurse I covered it in aloe and dressed it in gauze for the night.

The next morning before church the thumb appeared the same, no blisters. It was not until late Sunday evening that the blisters appeared. I took him in to one of our pediatricians partners the next day. I have know her since she was a lowly medical student back in the day. She told me many years ago that burns to kids on their hands and feet were an automatic admission to the burn unit. She said silvadine cream should do the trick and told Hayden his masterpiece of microwavable raviolis was no more.

Thank God that it turned out to be a minor thing that could have been major. Watch out for the raviolis.