Awakeland

My oldest son, Seth’s blog is a work of art. One never knows what will appear, and certainly his ability to write what he is feeling is something he gets very honest - from his mother, of course!

His entries on Wednesday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 27 are simply remarkable.

Seth has always had the most amazing imagination possible. When he decided to attend Baylor University his freshman year, I have to admit, I was stunned. I just didn’t see it, but God did. Not only did he connect with a church (and more importantly, a community) that will always be just that - a community of genuine people who love God and want to love one another - but he learned to express himself through written word - at least that’s my opinion. (Maybe he knew how before that year, but it really came to a reality during that year)

Seth has always used his sarcasm as a defense mechanism. That used to bother me. No longer does it bother me because we all have our defense mechanisms, and I know Seth’s heart. Regardless of how a person behaves, or what you think he thinks, and what you think you know about a person, if their heart is right - all is good with the world.

Seth’s heart has always been right. No one I know has a bigger or a more tender heart. I know because I have one, too. No one I know wears it on their sleeve more than my wonderful son, Seth. When you have a “right” heart, it will always be compassionate for those things that are worth being compassionate about. It will always care way more deeply than most hearts. It will also be broken way more than one can sometimes handle. It will always be in a position to be damaged.

When Seth’s heart is broken, it comes from a deep sense of validation. I so relate to this because all my life I have worked to prove myself to anyone who will pay attention. Parents, teachers, coaches, professors, friends, colleagues……..I have never felt that I could or would measure up, so………I convinced myself that if I work harder than the others, I will be appreciated - validated.

I am so sorry that I have lived my life this way for way too many years. I am sorry that I have worked myself into sickness for what I believed was what I was supposed to do at that time.

I so NOT desire that for my son - or any of my sons. I don’t regret caring for people, and serving them as Christ would serve them, but I have to believe I could have taken a more healthy approach to doing those things.

So, please, Seth - learn from that! Don’t worry about validation. Don’t worry about being appreciated. It will NEVER be enough. Most people are too busy dealing with their own “stuff” to concern themselves with appreciating your art. Sorry - brutal, but true.

Instead, concern yourself with being appreciated by only God Himself. For all the triteness of that phrase, it could not be more profound. If what you create pleases Him, then that really is all that matters…….

and……more importantly, if you never created another video/film for the rest of your life, you would find a way to express yourself in ways that would still make God smile and people stand in awe…….

I could not be more convinced of that…….

you are an amazing young man, Seth Byron Worley…..
Dad

Counting The Days

In a few days, Karla and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage!

We will get away from the stress of our lives and relax at this lovely cabin.

I so much respect my friends who make the time, create the space, and get away periodically to "recover".

The older I get, the more I realize how important that "recovery time" is.

It's interesting that the definitions that come up under the word, "recovery" are:

1) return to health - the return to normal health of somebody who has been ill or injured

2. return to normal state - the return of something to a normal or improved state after a setback or loss

3. gaining back of something lost - the regaining of something lost or taken away

I relate to all of these - in some ways. Illness manifests itself in many different ways. The returning of something to normal always makes me laugh because I have yet to discover what normal is! The regaining of something lost or taken away often relates to me because there are too many times in life when I have allowed something inside of me to be taken away or lost - maybe it's a piece of my soul.....or some fabric of my emotions that for whatever reasons prevent me from being passionate about those things I once believed in......

I have had several medical surgeries over the years. Not once have the doctors "wheeled me out of surgery" directly into my car to go home - there is ALWAYS a recovery period.

I am in need of a recovery period for reasons that I still don't fully grasp. I just know I need this time for me, and as selfish as that sounds, I know it's true.

So, admitting to my selfish motive and grateful to my wonderful wife who wants to get away with me - here's to an anniversary weekend with this person who has loved me unconditionally for 28+ years! You are one amazing woman!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Disturbing

I witnessed something this evening that will stay with me (unfortunately) for a long time.

It was a wonderful winter Friday night of high school basketball, and the only thing that would make it better would be a great rivalry, so why not....

My son's basketball team was playing "on the road" at a rival high school just south of us. The place was packed and there was tremendous "electricity in the air" (as they say!)

Early on in the game, it was very clear that a woman seated behind us would become somewhat annoying because she was ONE person representing the opposing team seated behind a larger group of visiting team fans.

Fans in the stands are always going to have a "friendly" competitive spirit - that's part of what makes these kinds of environments so much fun, not to mention entertaining.

I don't know if it was this woman's ridiculously loud, shrieking whistle that she made anytime she thought it might help her team or what, but it/she was terribly annoying.

Nonetheless, in spite of her obnoxious whistle, everyone around her seemed to be able to ignore her and engage wholeheartedly in the game - which after all, isn't that what the whole evening is about anyway?

Well, I was wrong. Not everyone around us ignored her. In fact, one visiting team
lady seated near us seemed to be VERY annoyed by this woman's whistle, and the whistle lady's subsequent attitude to the point that during halftime, these two women "got into it" - with me and my friend sitting between them.

I have to admit, I have NEVER experienced anything like this. I have never heard words exchanged (no profanity) that cut like a knife to another person like these two women exchanged. The timing and responses of the dialogue rivaled that of anything you have ever watched on "Gilmore Girls", and at times, I honestly thought it was scripted. I was surprised, appalled, embarrassed, hurt, sad, and wanting so badly to not be where I was, but I (like my friend) was trapped by the crowd seated around me.

My friend and I could not believe what we were experiencing.....simply unbelieveable.

I could go on and on, but as I sat there in the middle of this juvenile exchange of verbal assaults, I could not help but wonder what God was thinking all this time. Is this really how we are supposed to behave around our fellow humans - at a high school basketball game for crying out loud? I don't know these women (and part of me is really glad that I don't), but they revealed enough about themselves that I know they will be meeting again in a work environment outside of this high school basketball game setting. I can't imagine what that will be like, but I know I don't want to be around to personally witness the second round of that!

I am sorry, God for how we behave sometimes. We truly are human, and we are disgusting, humiliating, and horrible creatures at times. Tonight's display must have grieved you tremendously.

I am sorry that I did not have the wisdom to intervene with something that might have made this situation better. I have no idea what that would have been, but I just sat there, and maybe......just maybe, my "minding my own business" contributed in some small way to the lack of potential and possible reconciliation.

I guess I will never know.....I was too busy being terribly disturbed.......

Me And My Gang

Apologies for the long dry spell from blogville.....

I read on one of my favorite blogs the list of top selling CD's from last year. I was somewhat surprised that #2 on that list was Rascal Flatts.

I don't know why I was surprised except that it just confirms that I need to pay more attention to this pop culture in which I live. If I did, I would realize these guys are something!

Their most recent CD - Me and My Gang sold 3,479,994 CD's. Good grief - that's more than a truck load of discs......

If that isn't enough, consider this -

My friend, Neil Thrasher wrote or co-wrote (5) songs on that CD. Can we all say a collective WOW!?

Have fun doing that math and figuring out how much more wealthy Neil is as a result of these incredible accomplishments! It could not happen to a greater guy!

So, congratulations Rascal Flatts and congratulations Neil!

Re-Connecting

As a friend of mine said recently with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, "this internet thing is pretty cool."

I was reading a friend's blog last evening when he mentioned an artist who performed at his retreat. The artist's name was/is BRENT LAMB. Well, that name represents a blast from the past for a significant portion of my life.

In September of 1980, Karla and I moved here for me to take a job as a publisher for WORD Music. There was only one other Christian Music Publisher (or as we were called back then - tune plugger) in Nashville at the time. This particular job description consisted of encouraging songwriters to write songs "on demand" for particular artists who were looking for specific kinds of songs. Your songwriters would work hard writing a song "just for that particular need", and then we would record a "demo" of the song doing our best to tailor-make the song for that artist, then pitch the song to that artist or their producer or anyone else who had influence with the artist in getting someone to decide to record your song..... what a racket!

and oh, the stories.....(and BTW, in the "country music world", this is very much alive and well to this day!)

Well, as I realized that I had been hired to find songwriters, songs, and make somethnig happen, I discovered this kid in my church who had written some songs. His name was Brent Lamb, and I loved this kid. As I began to learn more about how to do the job I had been hired to do, I came upon yet another talented individual who only wanted to collaborate (write with another writer).

So, one day, I had the two of them meet in my office for an appointment to write a song - any song - it did not matter - just get together and see what would happen.

Well, Brent was about to get married, so why not write a song for his wedding - which they did. I loved the outcome, and I called the most talented male studio singer at that time (Steve Green) to come sing the demo, and the result was one of the most well-known contemporary wedding songs ever written - Household of Faith.

Fast forward to today - I had not had any contact with Brent since probably mid-to-late 80's....until I read about him last night on my friend's blog.....

I e-mailed him last night, and he responded. What a very, very pleasant surprise to see how God is using him today!

I so love this re-connecting thing........

Read more about my friend by going here

Lunch At Wendy's

I eat lunch at Wendy's maybe twice a year.....maybe

Today, for reasons that are not important, I had a window of time open and the closest eating establishment was Wendy's.

The very kind and personable gentleman that took my order kept calling me "my brother" at the end of every sentence. He was having a great time, and I appreciated his enthusiasm.

I took my food, sat down to eat in the almost empty restaurant (it was 1:30pm), and in a few minutes the most interesting of things happened.

That same jovial gentleman, began cleaning off the other tables, and then as he a walked around the room, he began singing at the top of his lungs to the song being piped into the ceiling speakers of this fast food place. The song was non other than the classic Frankie Valli - "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You".

This guy was amazing - I don't know if I was so stunned to hear and see him doing this, that I could not compose myself to ask him to come join my choir, but I sure should have! He was great, and it made my what would have been extremely boring lunch at Wendy's oh so more memorable.......

Singing is SO good for the soul.........

And finally, for some "who cares" bits of information - Wendy’s International, Inc. today announced the completion of its previously announced sale of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill for approximately $31 million. Baja Fresh operates about 300 restaurants in the United States. The purchaser of Baja Fresh is a West Coast restaurant operating company owned by a consortium of investment groups led by David Kim. Mr. Kim and his team own or operate several restaurant concepts, including Sweet Factory, Cinnabon and Denny’s.

Happy 17th Birthday, Matt

It does seem like only yesterday that Matt and Martin (his neighbor buddy and friend for 16 years) enjoyed this Christmas present together - man, did they wear out the pavement in our cul-de-sac.

Now, he's taller and heavier and stronger than many adults. The photo (above right) shows Matt with his beautiful friend, Jessica at Seth's wedding.

He told me this morning that now that he is 17, he gets to stay out later. We'll see about that!

I keep reminding myself that God has entrusted to me and to Karla these three young men. They are on loan from Him. We are simply stewards with His gifts. They do indeed belong to Him, and we are very, very grateful for the time we have with them - the life experiences we have with them.

If you read this, and you don't have kids, please feel free to adopt ours whenever you want to - share in their joy and in their growing. I love it that our family and friends consider our boys "their boys" - that is the way I believe God intended it to be.

If you have small kids, this post is yet another reminder that they do indeed grow up way too fast before your very eyes.

So, Happy 17th Matt - even though I can no longer compete with you in one-on-one (without wearing boxing gloves to make it even close to fair), I am still older and wiser, and I am your Dad and last time I checked, the Bible still said to honor your father and your mother!

Lethal Lefties or "It Really Is Basketball Season"!

A person should never have to sit through (3) basketball games in an afternoon and evening, but such is the case with high school basketball.

It IS that season again, and I am beginning to get pretty excited about it.

Tonight, we watched our team completely dominate our opponent on their home floor - that is always fun and impressive.

This photo is a favorite because I so love these three guys!

(left to right) - Ryan (senior), Gabe (senior), and Matt (junior).

Ryan and Gabe are two of the most lethal left-handed high school 3-point shooters I have ever witnessed. Matt is one of (4) juniors just trying hard to contribute to a team that is rich in senior leadership, strong in junior representation, and blessed with one of the most amazing sophomore classes EVER in the history of Franklin High School basketball!

I took this photo this summer when we were all in Orlando, FL for the AAU National Tournament........what an experience for our guys!

If you ever get the opportunity to come to a Franklin High School basketball game, I promise you you will not be disappointed! This team is fun to watch, and oh so deep with talent!!

52 Sundays A Year

It seems to always happen to me.

I take a week off from standing in front of the people I have led in worship now for some 13 years, and things are so much more real when I return.

Today, I watched people's faces like I always do. On the one hand, you can tell alot from watching people's faces - on the other hand, don't trust what you see.

Through the years, I have been blessed to have the extraordinary privilege of knowing some really incredible people - people who are so amazing - not just what they do, but who they are.

One of those people is Andy Stanley. Some other time, I will blog about how we met, but for now, I want to write words he has written because they so much articulate what I feel EVERYTIME I stand before the people of my church and lead them in worship.

These are very real observations, and very sobering at the same time.........please ponder as I ponder......and it makes me wonder what is really going on in the lives of those who occupy space in the pews each week........

"Every single person who sits politely and listens to you on Sunday is one decision away from moral, financial, and marital ruin. Every one of 'em. Many are considering options with consequences that will follow them the remainder of their lives.

There are husbands teetering on the brink of unfaithfulness. Wives whose schedules are un-sustainable. Couples who are drowning in a sea of debt. Teenagers who are there because their parents forced them to come. Young men who have been told they are gay. Young ladies who have been told their worth goes no further than their physical beauty.

There they sit. Silent. Waiting. Hoping. Doubting. Anticipating. What are we going to do?
What are you going to do? What are you going to say?

This is the world we have been called to address. These are the issues we have been called to confront. There is much at stake. There are many at risk."

My How Time Flies

I really was minding my own business.

I really was driving the speed limit.

It really was my favorite car, and I still miss it.

An innocent Saturday morning returning from an early morning meeting at church resulted in some fairly significant changes for the next six weeks of the end of my 1999.

I don't wish this on anyone, and I know many have been involved in automobile accidents with so much worse results. I can't imagine some of them.

I only know that (7) years ago on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, my life changed.

I still feel sorry for the poor girl who was late for work that morning. It had rained, and the streets were more slick than she realized, and that "dead man's curve" on Berry's Chapel was not kind to her.

I will always remember that violent collision - if you have ever been in any kind of automobile accident, you know what I am talking about. It is simply horrible, and to this day I am cautious to drive anywhere near the center line on any road.

So, as I approach my 7th anniversary of losing my beautiful 1989 Nissan Maxima, I am grateful that is the only thing I lost in this experience.......besides not being able to do my "job" at the most crucial time of the year - Christmas....... (thank you Vicki, Karla, and Barry!)

Who Are You And What Have You Done With Ben?

I am still in shock!

My son got a haircut.......after two years of quite a head of hair!

(there is a full trash can at Great Clips next to Publix)

Loved the hair, Ben, but sure is nice to see that incredible face - thank God he got it from his Mom!

Toby Keith - Ford F-150 Truck - NPR

One of the first things you hear when you move to Nashville - especially if you happen to work in the music business - is everyone knows everyone. It really is a very small community of folk who pretty much know each other. If you don't know "everyone", then you at least know someone who knows someone.

A few years ago, Karla and I went next door to our neighbor's home to join in a small party (more of a celebration) for their daughter who was graduating from high school. There were several folks there that we knew, and others who looked familiar to us. One of those people who looked familiar to me came up to me (later in the evening) and said, "I think we know each other, my name is Phil Madeira." I did in fact know and remember Phil - one of Nashville's finest session musicians, and a pretty great songwriter himself. I asked him what he was working on, and he said he had just written a song that was going to be on Toby Keith's next CD. He then started telling me all about the song (this is why I LOVE Nashville). I love hearing songwriters tell their stories about their songs. The most interesting thing about this song was it's title - "If I Was Jesus". After I initially got over the shock of Toby Keith singing a song about Jesus, I was thrilled for Phil since that particular cut assured him of some fairly decent income for sure.

Of course, as soon as that particular Toby Keith CD was released, I went out and bought it. To say I caught grief from my sons for buying a Toby Keith CD would be an understatement.

That whole story came back to me a couple of weekends ago when I was home sick, and watched a stupid amount of TV, and guess what commercial I saw over and over and over again - yes - Toby Keith promoting Ford Trucks. Well, for those of you who don't already know - I have a new (new for me - it's a 2003) Ford F-150 Truck. I love it.



I am sure that by now you have concluded that I must keep that Toby Keith CD in the center console of my truck, but actually I don't. I just might be the only person in Nashville who drives a truck, and the music that you will hear (more often than not) coming from my cab will be the music played on our local NPR station.

Go figure - a guy listening to classical music in his Ford F-150........

Sorry Toby.........

A Resilient Life - Part "Last"

OK, this has gone on long enough - I will choose to combine the final list of questions and end this saga of "oh, my, why must I deal with life in such a manner as this" confrontations.......

Hey, it's the real deal - I can't help it if the truth hurts, but it really does sometimes, doesn't it?

Oh well - here are the final list of questions, and since I don't know of ANY 60-80-somethings who read my blog - just humor yourself with these - maybe they will bring some insight to our future - maybe not - regardless, here they are, and if God is gracious enough to allow us these years, here are the questions we might be asking:

(BTW - I just happen to think they are incredibly powerful questions!)

60-somethings
1. When do I stop doing the things that have always defined me?
2. Why do I feel ignored by a large part of the younger population?
3. Why am I curious about who is listed in the obituary column of the newspapers, how they died, and what kinds of lives they lived?
4. Do I have enough time to do all the things I've dreamed about in the past?
5. Who will be around me when I die?
6. Which one of us will go first, and what is it like to say good-bye to someone with whom you have shared so many years of life?
7. Are the things I believe in capable of taking me to the end?
8. Is there really life after death?
9. What do I regret?
10. What are the chief satisfactions of these many years of living?
11. What have I done that will outlive me?

70/80-somethings
1. Does anyone realize of even care who I once was?
2. Is my story important to anyone?
3. How much of my life can I still control?
4. Is there anything I can still contribute?
5. Why this anger and irritability?
6. Is God really there for me?
7. Am I ready to face death?
8. And when I die (how will it happen), will I be missed, or will the news of my death bring relief?
8. Heaven? What is it like?

Part 4 of 6 - A Resilient Life - 50-somethings

Some of these hit a little too close to home.......

50-somethings find themselves wondering how many years are left......

Here some additional questions 50-somethings are asking:

1. Why is time moving so fast? (because it is moving so fast!)
2. Why is my body becoming unreliable?
3. How do I deal with my failures and my successes?
4. How can my spouse and I reinvigorate our relationship now that the children are gone? (and I'm not so sure "a naked room" is the answer - and that is only funny if you have seen the movie, "Failure To Launch"!!)
5. Who are these young people who want to replace me? (I would add - and why do they insist on calling me Mr. Worley?)
6. What do I do with my doubts and fears?
7. Will we have enough money for retirement years if there are health problems and economic downturns?

A Resilient Life - Part 3 of 6

Sorry to not keep this going at least daily - life keeps getting in the way.

Here are the questions 40-somethings are asking - maybe not aloud - but trust me, they are asking them:

1. Who was I as a child?
2. What powers back then influence the kind of person I am today?
3. Why do some people seem to be doing better than I?
4. Why am I often disappointed with myself and others?
5. Why are limitations beginning to outnumber options?
6. Why do I seem to face so many uncertainties?
7. What can I do to make a greater contribution to my generation?
8. What would it take to pick up a whole new life-calling in life and do the thing I've always wanted to do?

A Resilient Life - Part 2 of 6

Part Two brings the questions that 30-somethings would ask if you really confronted them with what they really want to know out of life.

1. How do I prioritize the demands being made on my life?
2. How far can I go in fulfilling my sense of purpose?
3. Who are the people with whom I know I walk through life?
4. What does my spiritual life look like?
5. Do I even have time for one?
6. Why am I not a better person?

A Resilient Life

I have not had much time for reading lately with wedding, friday night football, stuff at church, and tons of other things going on.

I have, however been making my way through Gordon MacDonald's book, A Resilient Life.

Alot of this book is stuff I kinda already knew or at least had read before, but one chapter particularly nailed me - and still continues to cause me to ponder deeply. (is there any other way to ponder?)

He talks about the "real matters of life" questions that different generations ask - they might not come right out and ask them on a regular basis, but they are indeed the questions that when forced to examine the deepest soul-searching crevices of our lives, these are pretty much the ones that truly matter.

See if you don't agree:

20-somethings ask -
What kind of man or woman am I becoming?
How am I different from my mother or father?
Where can I find a few friends who will welcome me as I am and who will offer the familylike connections that I need (or never had)?
Can I love, and am I lovable?
What will I do with my life?
What is it that I really want in exchange for my life's labors?
Around what person or conviction will I organize my life?

I think I will close this post with this list. Next post will list the 30-something questions, and I will continue posting this next week until I have listed the 70-80-somethings questions - man, they are amazing!

happy pondering.....

Heismann - 2008?

OK, I realize how bold and even possibly arrogant this post may seem, but let's just consider........

Wait - before we consider - let me give you some background.

This "kid" is the grandson of my mom's first cousin. His great-grandfather was my grandfather's brother. Ponder that for a few moments. and of course, we have never met......

However, for as long as I can remember, his Dad and I have shared wonderful memories at every Family Reunion that has ever taken place. This guy is the "real deal".

Let's now consider......

Stephen McGee (Texas A&M) was impressive at quarterback in the final five and a half quarters of last season after taking over for the injured Reggie McNeal, who suffered a sprained ankle midway through the third quarter against Oklahoma … in those five and a half quarters, McGee rushed for 175 yards on 34 carries (5.1 per carry) and completed 9-of-29 passes for 83 yards, while leading the Aggies to 10 scoring opportunities on 19 drives … for the season.

McGee completed 24-of-53 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns and one interception in eight games … he rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries (5.5 average) … started the Texas game … best passing game was a 9-of-15 effort for 112 yards and a touchdown against Colorado … best rushing game was 108 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries against Texas.

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year starter at quarterback for Class 3A Burnet High School, leading his team to a combined record of 36-5 (including a 28-2 mark as a junior and senior) … Burnet appeared in the 3A state finals in 2002 and 2003 … did not throw a single interception in the 2003 regular season … finished his career with 8,256 passing yards and a 3A state-record 101 passing touchdowns … as a senior, McGee completed 196-of-313 passes for 3,579 yards with 47 touchdowns and three interceptions … as a junior, he completed 155-of-276 passes for 2,841 yards and 34 touchdowns and five interceptions … as a sophomore, he connected on 93-of-176 attempts for 1,829 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions … two-time all-state selection and three-time all-district pick … named the 3A Offensive Most Valuable Player after his senior year … also earned Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine Super Team second-team and Austin American-Statesman All-Centex Co-Player of the Year honors … coached by Bob Shipley … also played basketball and track and field … all-district on the hardwood as a sophomore, but was injured as a junior … advanced to the regional meet in track with the 400- and 1,600-meter relays … an excellent student, McGee was Burnet’s No. 1-ranked student-athlete and ranked No. 9 overall in his senior class of over 250.

CAREER BESTS
Completions: 9 vs. Colorado 2005
Attempts: 23 vs. Texas 2005
Yards: 112 vs. Colorado 2005
Long Pass: 40 (td) vs. Colorado 2005
Rushes: 24 vs. Texas 2005
Rushing Yards: 108 vs. Texas 2005
Long Rush: 49 vs. Texas 2005

Last week vs. Kansas -
AT&T Offensive Player of the Week: Stephen McGee, So, QB, Texas A&M (Burnet, Texas)

In Texas A&M's come-from-behind, 21-18, win at Kansas, quarterback Stephen McGee engineered a pair of 80-yard, fourth-quarter scoring drives for the Aggies. He led A&M on a 12-play drive in the closing minutes by converting three third down passes including a 35-yard strike to set up the game winning touchdown with 0:34 left. McGee completed 25-of-40 attempts, with no interceptions, for 240 yards.

He has thrown ONE interception in his last 137 attempts.

I just have to believe - based on what I know and hear about this young man - that he HAS to be a contender for the Heismann in 2008.......

you can say you read it here on October 11, 2006......

to keep up with Stephen, go HERE

Wedding

Since we have never had a child get married, we only knew what friends and family tried to tell us.

Today, I have nothing to offer anyone. I have been tired in the past - on the heels of major productions, after an intense, extended time working on a project/recording, etc..., but nothing like this.

A friend told me that it would be overwhelming because never before have you experienced so many people expressing their love for you and for your child at one time.....maybe not since birth! They were/are so right.

This weekend was so full - so emotional - so very, very wonderful. I am truly overwhelmed.

I had pre-determined that I would not bother with taking photos. I did not want that to distract me from "experiencing the moments". The temptation was too much for me, so I decided to take some before the ceremony. I was having trouble with my flash on my camera, so Kim and Seth worked on it, then Kim tested it.

We were really just "messin' around", but this photo might very well be one of my favorites - and there are many.....

Happy Marriage, Seth & Arley - I love you both!
Dad (The Lion King)

Friday Night Lights

I forgot what that feeling felt like until last Friday night.

What is it about high school football on Friday nights?

Attending our son's first high school varsity game was just absolutely a ton of fun.
Yes, it was brutally hot (90-something-with-no-breeze-sweat-in-your-seat-without-moving-around weather), but it just didn't matter. We even tried our hand at tail-gating - never done that before, but we will do it again...

Growing up in Texas, it was all about Friday night football. It's no different in Tennessee even though I still believe that the "real" UT orange is burnt, not bright.

The photo above is several of Matt's closest friends - most of whom play on the basketball team. They are "true" fans, and I love these guys after spending most of my summer with them! This photo was on the front page of the sports section of our newspaper on Saturday morning.

Funny how traditions never change. Players wear their jerseys to school on game days. Here is Matt (and Ben) heading off to school last Friday morning very early. Don't they both seem thrilled?