Two Years.....

As I post today I realize just how long it has been.  I have been taking a few pictures, but hope to have the time to really get back into taking them. But for today I am using a picture that was taken by someone else almost four years ago.  It was taken during my surprise 50th birthday party.  In the picture are my family including my dad and my brother and sister-in-law.  

In January of this year, my dad has been gone for 2 years.  A lot of things have happened in my life in those two years.  Just to name a few, I have celebrated the birth of two new grandsons, through my daughter's marriage in October I have acquired a new son-in-law and a new granddaughter.  All are things that my parents would have been so happy about.   They would have both celebrated these events with me and I would have taken lots of pictures of them enjoying all of it.  

Some people think I take too many pictures.  I know that sometimes I probably do.  When I take a photo, I take more than one to try to get the shot, the perfect one.  So many times I miss the one that I am going for, or the ones that I did take don't turn out quite as I had pictured them in my head, but for the most part, I haven't regretted ever taking a picture.  

The older I get, the more I appreciate the pictures I have taken and have received over the years.  It is amazing to me to see how my kids have grown into adults that I cherish as some of my best friends.  As I have taken pictures of them with past boyfriend or girlfriends it makes me appreciate the ones they have in their lives now and as my daughters have given me grandkids, I get to compare the pictures of them with the pictures of their kids, and I hope to someday compare those with my great-grandkids as well.  

When I see pictures of Mom and Dad, and when their birthday or death anniversary I look through my pictures and always wish I had a current one to post.  I look at Dad in some of the pictures we took at his 80th birthday party and see in his eyes how tired he really was.  He always put a smiling face on for me and seemed to sugar coat how he was feeling, but the signs of his health were there.  

I guess where I am going with this, is err on the side of too many pictures.  Irritate everyone if you have to because you really don't know when the last chance you have to take a picture of those people will be.  It is an inconvenience for a moment for them to stop and smile but those pictures, one day, will be some of your most prized possessions.  Pictures don't always have to be posed, snapshots, when those you love don't even know you are taking them, can be priceless.  

And always know, especially with digital photos, you can always delete it, but once the moment has passed you will never have the opportunity to photograph it again.  

Love your family and friends and love yourself, life is short!

New Starts

Every morning I notice the sunrise.  There is something about a sunrise that has always intrigued me. This morning's sunrise was no exception.  My morning commute to work is spent in silence.  I turn off the radio, I talk to my parents in Heaven, and I thank God for another day.  I know that each day is a new opportunity.  It is an opportunity to begin again, to be a better person.  I know that I don't always succeed at being the person I want to be, I know that I could be so much better than I am, but every morning I set my goals to be the best I can be.

Every day is a blessing.  We hear that all the time, but it is so true.  The new day is a chance to apologize to someone who you have wronged, a chance to give a hug to someone you care about, and even just a chance to smile at a person who is having a bad day.

When my mom passed away, we were going through her things and I found her journal.  She didn't write a lot in it, but the days that she did write, she always ended it by writing Thank you Jesus for another day.  Mom didn't grow up with a lot of religion in her life.  She always believed in God, but it wasn't until late in life that she really began to feel comfortable in church.  She had always wanted to join a church but didn't want to feel stupid or out of place.  When she moved to Keyesport she joined he small Christian church there.  Almost immediately she felt at home there.  She told me many times how the pastor there had the most beautiful voice.  Mom loved her sermons, and she loved hearing her sing even more.  Mom's pastor sang at her funeral and I agree, she sounded wonderful.

I believe a new start is something that is a blessing, it is something to not be taken for granted.  If you have been given a second chance be happy and make the best of it.  If you need to give someone a second chance and you get the opportunity to do so, think about it and if you can please do.  Most of all, make each day the best it can be.  Smile at others and hug those you love.  Like I have said so many times life is too short to be grumpy.

PaPa

I

I decided to post this picture of two very important guys to me.  The young man on the left is my grandson.  He is the youngest of my oldest daughter's kids and he is jumping into the arms of my husband, Todd.  This little guy as well as his two older brothers think the sun rises and sets in Papa Todd.  

Papa Todd is the guy that will tote them around for hours when they are little enough to be held.  Mama snuggles with them but when it comes to hossing them around I am not one to do that.  Papa Todd is the one that purposely ignores the sound of the candy jar opening when it is too early or too late for them to have more candy.  They know Papa Todd will probably allow them a few more handfuls of candy then what they should have.  

On this day Papa Todd was teaching Keaton to jump into his arms from the top of a picnic table.  He was a little hesitant at first, but he knew Papa wouldn't let him fall and eventually jumped into his arms. 

We are blessed to have wonderful grandkids and along with our kids they are what makes life so very wonderful.  I look forward to any chance to spend time with them and being called Grandma or Mama is some of the best times I have ever known.  

I remember my Grandparents.  I had some wonderful ones and the ones that have passed are dearly missed. I am glad we have been allowed to be here for our grandkids and I hope we will be around for a long time to enjoy them.  My Grandad is going to be 105 years old in a few weeks.  He is my step - grandfather, so I didn't get any of those genes, but he is a really wonderful man who has always been kind hearted.

The trust a child puts into an adult is so heartwarming.  Even before we have had the opportunity to earn their trust, they instinctively trust us.  When I watch Todd play ball or interact with our grand kids I love him even more than before.  I know he loves those kids so much and he enjoys the fact that when we walk in the door, the boys normally say "Grandpa!!! oh, hi Grandma"  It makes me happy to know that we are loved and our grandkids know they are and will always be loved as well.

We all need to remember to earn the trust that we have been given and show those we love how we feel.  If someday a tomorrow comes and I am no longer here, I feel confident that my family will know that I care so deeply for them all and they have been such a blessing to me.  I hope that I am around for many more years, but through the loss of my parents and other loved ones I know all too well that life is too short to not be happy.

Total Relaxation

The picture above was taken from the back of a houseboat last summer.  Every few years some of my in-laws and a few friends take a houseboat trip to get away from it all.  This past summer we decided to make the trip to Kentucky Lake.  We boarded the boat on Sunday and we headed home on Thursday.

The trip is one of complete fun and relaxation.  I have often wished that the trip was one that my husband would enjoy and go along.  Everyone else on the trip brings their spouses and I, instead, bring a wonderful friend.  Julie and I have been friends since we were in high school.  She went to college while I got married and had kids.  After college she married and has a wonderful family of her own too.  Our sons are the same age, the difference is her son is her oldest child and mine is the baby of our family.  We have so much in common, even though we live so very different lives.  I live in a small town and am an office manager.  She lives near a bigger city and is an attorney.  We are the type of friends that even though we don't talk often, when we do it is as if we spoke yesterday.  I wish we lived closer, but even though we don't we know if needed the other would be there in a minute.

This trip is one I look forward to.  It is filled with laughter, some drinks, and a lot of relaxation.  It is one time where I don't feel responsible for anyone but myself.  I do my share of work on the boat, but I eat when I want to, I sleep when and however long I wish, and I float in the water for hours at a time.

When I look at this picture I can still hear the waves slapping against the houseboat and the birds chirping as they were flying around.  I can feel the warmth of the sun hitting my face as I relaxed on the deck of the boat.  I can feel the calm rocking of the boat and if I listen real close the sound of a fish that has flipped out of the lake can be heard as it slaps against the water.  I usually am the first one up in the mornings.  I like to get up and take in the peace and quiet of nature for a few minutes before I make breakfast and begin the days.  It is times like this moment that I am at total peace.

There is a spiritual feeling when you take the time to bask in the beauty of nature.  Taking the time to enjoy the wonderful world that we have been given.  It is so easy to believe in God when you are able to sit and pray in silence while being surrounded by such amazing sights as this.  Watching the sun come up over the lake and realizing that each morning we are given a new day, a new chance to make ourselves and the world around us even better is such an overwhelmingly good feeling.

The boat trip is only four days every couple years.  I am already looking forward to the next one.  I love the people that I get to spend those fun filled days with and for some reason, spending the time on a boat with them makes it even more special.  My goal, though, is to find this same beauty in my everyday life.  I have been blessed with the most amazing people that I am allowed to spend my days with and even if we aren't on a boat, or in such calm surroundings I am so glad they are along with me for the trip called life.

Spider

This was a picture of a spider and it's web that I took last fall.  I kind of forgot about it but when I came across the picture I remember the night I took the photo.  We were out on our deck and in the light I watched the spider working so hard to maintain the web.  It worked quickly and constantly as other things would get caught in the web and tear it up.  The spider is something that I enjoy watching as long as it is outside and not near me.  I don't like them in my house or when I walk into one of their webs; although I have a fear of them, they still intrigue me.

Spiders bring on fear in a lot of people.  Fear, whether it is real or all in a person's mind can be debilitating.  Many people suffer with fear and anxiety on a daily basis and for some it is paralyzing.  We have all felt fear, and most of us know what anxiety feels like.  For many people these are things that affect their everyday life.  Most families have at least one person who suffers with anxiety.  Some people are able to hide it and live somewhat normal lives and many take medications to help them through the day to day things that others don't even think about.

I have talked to few people who can't leave their homes because fear overwhelms them.  In their conscience mind they know that what they are afraid of is not realistic, but their sub-conscience tells them otherwise.  I have chatted with a person who wanted to die because she was afraid every day of her life.  The anxiety had pushed her to a point of wanting to end it all because she was tired of fighting it.  Our conversation lasted for hours as she poured her heart out about the things that terrified her.  Some of these things seem so trivial, but it was keeping her from going to work, from visiting her kids and even from wanting to wake up the next day.

In the bottom left hand corner of the picture, you will see a moth that is stuck in the spider's web.  That moth was struggling to get away from what seemed like it's fate.  The fear that moth was probably experiencing represents what a person suffering with anxiety disorder must feel like.  As I watched the spider make its way to what seemed like the web's victim the moth was able to free itself and escaped with its life.

If you know someone who is suffering from any form of mental illness please do what you can to help them break free from the paralyzing effects of their life.  I know that you can't do a lot, they have to fight for themselves to break free, but sometimes being there for them may be enough to give them the strength they need.  If you are the one suffering from depression or anxiety disorder, know that you aren't alone.  Know that there are people out there that want to help.  If you have tried therapy and it didn't help, don't give up.  Keep looking for the right therapist, you deserve to get the help you need to break free from the webs in your life.

I am so proud to volunteer my 4 hours a week for Crisis Text Line (CTL).  The people I am lucky enough to chat with have shown the strength to take the first step to get better.  Some are suicidal when we begin to chat and, for me, there isn't a better way to end a conversation with a person than having them tell me that they feel better, that they will seek the help they deserve and they will make it through another day.

If you are in a dark place and are feeling like you are in crisis.  You can text 741-741 to chat with a caring volunteer counselor.  We are there because we want to be, and whether you know it or not, we really do care.

Friends and Family

It has been a while since I have posted.  The other day I realized that I miss posting to my blog.  I decided a picture to start the routine back would need to be something that made me happy.  The picture above is of two important people in my life.  The baby is my newest grandson, Drew, and the person holding him is Laura.

Laura is a person I first met in school.  She was in the class behind me.  She was one of a set of twins.  I usually couldn't tell them apart, so I told them both the same thing.... "you are pretty short for your height".  Were they short? Yeah they were, but so was I.  We were the same height.  When Laura began working with me at McDonald's I got to know her better, but after she quit working there we kind of lost touch.  Our paths crossed again when I began dating Todd.  Todd's best friend, Terry, was engaged to Laura.  We began hanging out and became close.  Our kids were close and as we followed our husbands to softball games and basketball tournaments our connection grew.

Our kids grew up and Laura's daughter began playing high school basketball.  I enjoyed following the team.  The coach, Dennis Koester, referred to Laura and I as "gene killers".  You see we are both under 5'5" and my husband is 6'5" and Laura's is 6'10".  Coach said had we not married the guys, they might have married tall girls and had even taller kids.  It was a joke he enjoyed saying over the years.
As time has flown by I have depended on Laura for a lot of things.  We have called one another when things have gone wrong with our kids, our parents and sometimes our husbands.  She is like an aunt to my kids and is even the Godmother of one of my grandsons.

I have been blessed with some wonderful friends and Laura is one of them.  She is always smiling and is always there.  Many times she has known that I needed her there even before I did, she is a very genuine person who is like a sister to me.

The picture above was taken at my grandson's bowling party.  No, it wasn't Drew's party, he is still a little young for bowling, but it was great to see Laura and Terry at the party.  When I count my blessings Laura is one of the ones I always include in the count.  I have also been blessed with four grandsons and when Jill and Kevin marry I will also get a granddaughter in the deal.

Being Grandma is something I treasure, and I also value being a friend.  I have many friends that I hold dear, and I can only hope that they value my friendship even half as much as I value theirs.  I know that without my friends and my family my life would not be what it is.

If you have true friends, value them, and try to be a good friend to others.  A nice gesture or even a smile can go a long way in making another person's life better.

To my friends, thank you so much for making my world brighter, and so much more fun!

Innocence

This is my youngest grandson, at least when this picture was taken he was the youngest.  Shortly after this photo we was bumped from that position.  His world is about to be rocked by a younger cousin.  He will have to share his Aunt Jill with a new little being and I am not 100% sure how much he will like that.

Aunt Jill has always been the one that spoils her three nephews, she spends too much on Christmas, she loves to take them shopping and she loves never saying no to them.  Life as they know it, and as she knows it too will soon change.

As I look at this picture I see the innocence of this little one.  He is such a sweet little boy and full of wonder and excitement.  He loves his Grandpa Todd, and he and his brothers have brought so much to our lives.

When I see this little guy sometimes I am greeted by a big smile, sometimes he just shuts his eyes and pretends I am not there.  He is so much fun and although he is one of three Davis boys he is different than the others.  It is so wonderful to watch as each one of our kids and grand kids develop their own personality.  This little guy is so sweet and so loved.

When you see a young child and their view of the world it is refreshing.  They are inquisitive of things that we take for granted.  They trust everyone, something that over the years we have learned not to do.  They, for the most part love until they are given a reason not to.  A young child can enjoy the simple things, like a box or a small toy.

This little guy doesn't even realize how much he is loved and how much his being a part of this grandma's world means.  Each child is a miracle in their own way, it is up to us to take the time to realize and enjoy those miracles.

Just Jump

Trampolines.  They are responsible for a number of accidents each year, just ask any insurance agent.  But they can also be a source of much fun and laughter.  As a kid growing up we didn't have much exposure to trampolines.  About junior high age I had my first friend that owned one and I was in awe of their flips and their ability to jump way too high.  When I began working for Bahrns Equipment I realized that they sold trampolines.  We don't sell them anymore, but I was able to save up and buy one at a little over cost so my kids were lucky enough to grow up with a trampoline around.

We didn't experience any broken bones.  We had a few bumps and bruises, more than our share of bloody noses, but we also had a lot of fun.  I realize as I watch the grandsons jump on this trampoline that it is hard to not smile when jumping.  It is hard to not smile when watching someone jump because the fun they are having kind of overflows to everyone around them.

This picture is of Kale jumping really high, or at least that was his opinion of this session.  He was almost to the sky and having a great time.  After giving birth to three children, I am much less likely to jump on a trampoline these days, but after seeing this picture again, I am going to make an effort to take a few sessions of jumping with the boys myself next summer.

Laugh often, Love deeply and Live Life like there is no tomorrow, because there very well may not be.

Joy

Another Summer picture.  I love Summer.  I love being Grandma so I decided to post another summer picture of a grandson.  I called this one joy because seeing a kid have fun and being able to be part of why they are having fun is one of life's greatest joys.

I remember swimming being one of my favorite summertime activities.  A group of friends would go to the beach and spend the entire day.  I don't think we ever used sunscreen, but I don't remember ever really getting burnt very often.  My brother would get burnt to a crisp and he would peel and he would go back for more.  We really didn't know much about sunscreen or the terrible affects of too much sun.  Now it is habit to grab the sunscreen before doing anything else.  The grand kids stand in front of me in an assembly line fashion with their eyes and mouths closed and their arms straight out.  No one argues about putting sunscreen on, it is just a way of life.

I remember learning to swim and going off of a diving board for the first time like it was yesterday, even though it was so many yesterdays ago.  Being able to go in the deep end at the public pool where my dad lived was a big deal.  It was like taking a huge step in the growing up process.  My brother and his friends would always hang out in the deep end before I had the skills to join them.  I realize now that it was probably just a way to get away from his annoying little sister without giving me a reason to tattle on him.  I think he was probably as disappointed as I was proud of the day I made my first jump, while holding my nose of course, off of the low diving board.

I remember we would ride our bikes to the pool because we were too young to drive.  Dad and Kathy would spring for a summer pass for us so we could go every day.  The only days in the summer that we didn't go were when we were on the road at a rodeo or when the weather was bad.  I look back and realize that even when my brother was avoiding me he was always still looking out for me.  There were a few times that someone would pick on me at the pool, and if it wasn't one of his buddies he would just seem to show up and hang around until the person would leave me alone.  Getting bullied didn't happen often, but I do realize that he has always had my back.

I remember the joy I felt the first time that I had the guts to climb the high dive ladder and jump off.  It seemed like it took days before I hit the water but when I came up to the surface afterward I felt a sense of accomplishment that I can still remember.  Above is Kaden, I know when he first started going off the diving board he seemed to have that same feeling.  This summer when he finally learned how to dive, I saw an accomplished look on his face, and it was priceless.

I will always love Summer, it is my favorite season, and I will always love the memories I have.  I know I am not a fan of Winter, but without it I don't know that I would realize how much I love Summer.  If there were never bad in our lives we really wouldn't have the ability to appreciate all the good.  We all need to take the time to experience the joy, and appreciate life in general.

With Fall here, and knowing Winter is around the corner, I will reference those Summer memories and try to remember without one the other isn't so sweet.  I challenge everyone else to do the same.

The old bird dog that didn't hunt

This is Lou.  Lou has been in our family for about 15 years now and he an English Setter.  Lou was introduced to us by a friend who had gotten a bird dog that was a "little gun-shy".  I am starting to believe being a "little gun-shy" is like being a "little pregnant"...

Lou is a good dog, although a little skiddish, and he has been since we brought him home.  He likes to hunt, as long as there is no shooting going on he will hunt all day.  When the first gun goes off he likes to find a hole or dig a hole to hide in.

Why would any hunter keep a gun-shy dog around and feed him year round?  Meet our family.  We tend to take in those animals that no one else wanted and give them a home to live out their natural lives.  What did we, as a family, get by taking in this particular porch hound?  He, as most dogs, has always shown unconditional love and loyalty.  He has also fathered one of Todd's favorite hunting dogs.

In our lives many dogs have come and gone.  We have had some that haven't been around long and we have had those that have secured a place in our hearts and will always be remembered.  As for Lou, we are estimating his age to be somewhere around 17 or 18 and although he is starting to show his age most days he is still pretty full of life.

This weekend is the coveted opening day of another quail season.  After Todd and the other dogs leave for their daily adventure I will try to have a special treat ready for Lou to enjoy. I will be able to look out my front window and see Lou, sitting in the front yard looking toward the road waiting for their return.  He always looks so sad, as if he wants to hunt, but knows it just isn't possible.  As we look at another winter, we wonder if this will be Lou's last one, or if he will make it through it at all.

Loyalty is something that is often overlooked and unappreciated.  We can depend on Lou to be there, at least as long as the good Lord allows him to be.  Sometimes we think we have been put on this Earth for one reason because  we have always been told that, when in actuality maybe our purpose in life is something completely different.  This English Setter was born to hunt, or at least that was what they thought would be his main purpose, but this one was destined to be something different and in some ways something more.

Enjoy..... Really Enjoy

I have gotten very lax with my blog posts and am hoping to put it as a priority again.  I really enjoy posting and love getting feedback from those that read what I write, so I am not sure why I have let it slip down on my list of priorities, but I have.  

This picture was taken in a family member's pool.  It was a memory for me of two brothers having fun together.  They are 10 and 4 but they still, for the most part, enjoy one another's company.  This summer I got to take them with me when I went to house sit for my in-laws and had the opportunity to spend some much needed Grandma time.  

As I write this I am waiting for a call from my youngest daughter to let me know that another grandson is ready to make his entrance into the world.  I have three grandsons now and am looking so forward to another one.  Can I honestly say that I would have been disappointed if the sonogram earlier this year had shown that I was going to need to start shopping in the little girls section?  No, I would have been happy with a little girl too but I am also excited to add another boy to our bunch.  

As for this particular picture, the smiles automatically make me smile.  The days that I can sit back and enjoy, I mean really enjoy my grand kids are some of my most treasured days.  To listen to a giggle that you caused by something you said or did can make any day better and bring me out of any negative state of mind immediately.  To hear the word Grandma, or ma ma as my grandsons have called me when they can't pronounce grandma is one of the best sounds in the world.  

The ability to spend time with kids and enjoy them is a treasure that is worth more than any monetary thing could be.  If you have kids or grand kids, or nieces or nephews take the time.... really take the time to enjoy the moments you get because they won't be little long and the days that they have time for us will be only a memory.  Their lives will get busy like our lives are now and when the shoe is on the other foot we will be wishing we had taken the time to enjoy...... really enjoy them when we had the chance.  

Day 56 - Imagination

Day 56 - This is a picture of a lawn ornament my kids bought for me and it "lives" in my landscaping in the front of our house.  It has been a a fixture of my lawn for a number of years and I think it has become even more interesting with time.  If I remember right this was a gift for mother's day and I loved it.  I also got the little girl figure to go with it. She just might be a future post.  I was outside the other evening and this one happened to catch my eye and I decided to snap a shot of it.  I see when I look at it a little boy playing make believe with his faithful companion at his side.

If you know me you know that I have one son and two daughters.  I now have three grandsons and are expecting another grandchild in November.  Each of these six people have distinct personalities.  Two of them come to mind when I really look at the little guy in the garden statue.  Josh's imagination when he was young was incredible.  He had some of the best imaginary friends, they may have had strange names, but they were dedicated.  They were there each day as he played with his toys and they were ever faithful to him.  These friends made for interesting conversation among the rest of us. We all enjoyed the many tales of Josh and his friends that he would describe in detail.  I only wish now that I had recorded him telling those whimsical anecdotes, or at least written down the details.  I look at the man Josh has and is becoming and I see even back then the creativity of his mind was developing at an amazing pace.

Now that Josh's imaginary friends have grown up and moved on (at least as far as I know) I so enjoy watching Kale's imagination go to work.  He is fun to just sit back and watch as he creates his own world that corresponds with the one we live in but seems so much fuller of life.  He can entertain himself for long periods of time just playing with not much other than his own imagination.  When I get the opportunity to watch any child using their mind in this way it makes me smile.  It warms my heart because I hope that the child will grow up, like Josh has, with the ability to continue to use that mind in creative ways.

I think all kids have some imaginary friends, some just develop them more than others.  It is my hope that everyone takes the time to remember one or two of those places in our childhood when times were simple and we were able to just relax. I hope that this week everyone takes the time to reconnect with one or two friends that help you remember those simpler times.  Childhood is so wasted on the youth because when we are young we really don't know how good we have it.

Although in life, sometimes those that should be important to us turn out to be people that we may have been better off never knowing, but they still help form us into the person we eventually become.  As we go through life the people in it change, some of those that were so important to us as kids, like our grandparents, pass and we are almost forced to find new important people.  Be grateful for those that are there for you, lean on them when you need to and be their leaning post when they need you.

Let your imagination run free - maybe check in with a couple of those imaginary friends that helped you get through life, but more importantly keep in contact with those real ones that continue to be the wind beneath your wings and when given the opportunity, be the wind for someone else.  

Day 55 - The Sky is the Limit

Day 55 - As I left the Keller Convention Center after spending a little time at the 2015 CEO National Trade Show I noticed the sky, this cloud in particular.  I was glad I had my camera, which I normally do in order to try and capture it's beauty.  I don't think I quite captured all of it, but you can get some of what I saw.

I thought it was fitting to notice something in the sky after going through the 25 exhibits inside.  I believe the sky is the limit for the kids involved in the CEO National Trade Show.  I was very impressed with their products, but what impressed me even more was the way high school kids presented themselves in such a confident manner.  I felt like they had been in business and dealing with trade shows for years.  I believe that Craig Lindvahl has brought such a wonderful thing to the schools that are offering this class.

I have always been a fan of Craig, he was the reason Josh, a Teutopolis High School Student at the time, was allowed to be a part of the Multimedia class that was held at Effingham High School.  He enjoyed the class, learned a lot and met a lot of very talented media students.  He was so proud to be a part of the AHA film festival and to have been able to act in a number of the different short films.  I remember well when the Teutopolis band was led by Craig, it was fun to watch the camaraderie he had with the band members. T-Town still has a great band, don't get me wrong, but back in the days that Mr. Lindvahl was at the helm it was like a well oiled machine.   Watching the THS Band back then was like viewing a masterpiece.  As a spectator, it appeared that the members of the band worked hard to be good, but always seemed to enjoy it at the same time.

I guess as I left the CEO Trade Show I realized how the lucky students that have been allowed to participate in this class are.  And that because of this class they are leaps and bounds ahead of so many kids as they leave high school.  Will everyone of their businesses thrive, probably not.  But I do believe that they have a much better chance of being a successful part of this country's future due in part to the skills they have learned from this class.  If this group of young adults is any indicator of the ones that will be running our country, there is a pretty good future ahead for all of us.

So many times the troubled youth are the ones getting all the headlines and attention.  I honestly believe if we gave kids like the ones I saw this evening more press and the thugs in the world a lot less of it the world would be a better place.  Too many young kids are looking up to the ones that are causing trouble because that is all they hear about and see on television.  If the media would concentrate more on these success stories and less on the opposite the kids would see that the path these students are taking is much better than the alternative.

I would love to have had the opportunity to take a CEO class when I was in high school.  If Craig decided tomorrow that he was going to start one for adults I would ask where do we sign up because learning is a never ending thing.  No matter what our age we can always better ourselves, we can always better our situation and education is never a bad thing.

To Craig Lindvahl and all the teachers of the CEO Trade classes and to the many students that have been lucky enough to take the class KUDOS TO YOU.  Thanks for making the future brighter and I wish much success to each and every one of you.  

Day 54 - Summertime Baseball Time

Day 54 is a picture I recently took of my grandson playing baseball.  Summertime is all about baseball in the Davis household.  Since that is the current sport the boys eat, sleep and live it.  This is Kaden's first year of regular baseball.  We had about three years of t-ball and then a year or two of coaches pitching to the boys and this year it can be real exciting, or real slow, depending on the abilities of the current pitcher.  I can see how much he enjoys the sport, he looks forward to each game and takes to heart the losses and celebrates the wins.

I enjoy going to the games when I can and it is go great to see so many people watching their kids, grand kids, nieces and nephews take the field.  It is especially great when you watch them encouraging the kids and cheering them on.  At this phase there aren't as many kids out there that really don't want to be, only the occasional outfielder that is just out there praying that the ball doesn't come to them and that the game will hurry up and get over. If I had played, I would have probably been that kid.

The average baseball player is out there hoping to hit that game winning run, strike out the batter to win the game or make the game winning catch.  They have played it over in their heads a million times and dream of being the star on a major league team of their choice in the future.  It is so much fun to watch these kids interact with one another.  Kaden's team is pretty good and when someone gets out they are there to tell them that it is okay and the next at bat will be better.  I always love seeing teams that play well together.

I remember back in the days when Josh played baseball.  He only played a few years. Like me, he didn't enjoy playing the game and after only a few years of it he realized that it was cutting in to his time at his best friend and cousin, Carsen's house where they had an in-ground pool and where he had a lot more fun.  Josh makes jokes about being the kid with his mitt on top of his head and looking more forward to sitting in the dugout than being on the field.  I know that Todd had hoped he would turn into a major league player, but I can honestly say I was more proud of my son, who didn't get many hits and didn't really love the game than I would have been had he been a poor sport or made fun of the others on the team.  Yep, I remember the sighs of disappointment from a few of the kids when it was Josh's bat and there were two outs.  I also remember a few times when he would get on base and as the protective mom I wanted to say something rude to the parent or two that had muttered under their breath, this is an out...  but I didn't.

I guess as I close I only want to ask that you be supportive of the kids in your life in what they choose to pursue.  If they don't like the same things as you do, give what they like to do a try.  I can honestly say that I enjoy watching Josh on stage more than I ever could have enjoyed watching him play baseball, but only because I know that is what he enjoys and where he belongs.  If you have a child that loves a sport that you have never really embraced, suck it up and embrace it.  Encourage them to be their own person, and I believe that most times the person that they become will make you proud.

Have a great day, love those in your life and thank God for another opportunity to touch the lives of others.

Day 53 - The Rexes

Day 53 - The above picture was taken over a year and a half ago, but as I looked through some of my pictures I decided this one was one I wanted to write about.  Above are three important people in my life and they are all named Rex.  The one in the cap and gown is my nephew and Godson.  To the left of him is my brother and to the right is Dad.

This picture was taken before I purchased my latest camera and I wish the quality was better.  I wish my picture could even begin to show how proud my dad was that Rex had graduated and that he was able to be there.  I know he was looking so forward to Josh's college graduation and I know he would have been there if he hadn't passed away.

My parents were divorced when I was only five.  I grew up in a family with two parents that respected one another.  They agreed that they weren't happy as a married couple, but they always cared for the other and wanted what was best for one another.  My parents never talked bad about the other to us, so I didn't feel the negativity from the divorce.  When my mom passed away my dad came and stayed with us for the visitation and the funeral, it was great to have him there with us. I feel Mom would have done the same if the circumstances were the same as well.

The above graduation took place in Kilgore, Texas.  Dad, my brother, his wife and I drove down for the ceremony and stayed two nights in Texas before Dad and I drove my nephew, Rex's, truck home.  Let's just say Dad started the drive and as soon as I could find a reason to pull over for breakfast I took the wheel and didn't give him the opportunity to drive any farther.  You see Dad was a truck driver in his younger years and until the day he died he "was the better driver on the road".  I don't think he understood defensive driving.... it was all about the Offense.

I know that I often count my blessings that I am lucky enough to have and had these three men in my life  I always wanted to be Daddy's girl.  Growing up I always wanted to be the one Dad was proud of.  I think I was usually the one he was shaking his head about, but in a lot of ways I think it was because I was more like him than he cared to acknowledge.  Dad was one that could picture the way a project would turn out in his head one way and then the finished product looked a little similar, but definitely not "Pintrest worthy".  We heard (and I have said) more than once... "Close Enough".  My Dad was the first to offer the wrong comment at the wrong time.... just ask my family.... that is usually me.  When looking at a situation I am the first to get through it with humor, which sometimes isn't probably the preferred method, but I can hear what would have come out of my dad's mouth coming out of mine.  I always knew Dad loved me, but in a lot of ways and a lot of times I know that he would have changed a few things about me if he could have.

Then there is my big brother.  Rex, or JR as I have always and will always know him.  I don't know a more hard working, giving person.  He is always fixing something for someone (many times it is me).  If we are anywhere together he is always the first to see something that needs to be done and just doing it without being asked.  He is kind and giving to a fault.  He will take on projects that he doesn't really have time to take on because he doesn't want to tell anyone no.  I know he always has a project or two he is working on and a bunch of lined up behind those.  I have always believed that if JR can't fix it, there probably isn't a fix for it.  I know over my lifetime he has helped me more than I could ever repay him.  He is a good, honest man that I am so proud to call my brother.

The graduate above is and always will be Little Rex.  No, he isn't little anymore, he has graduated from college and is living the dream in the real world.  He has a great job and is doing quite well for himself.  He is a lot like his father, and if he is in his favorite places they will be outdoors.  He is an avid hunter and fisherman, and he is pretty good at it. I always look forward to seeing pictures of what they have killed during any hunting season.  Rex is a lot of fun to be around, his wit reminds me of my dad and the dimples on that boy are something else.  I am proud to have been asked to be his Godmother and he will always be special to me.  This aunt thinks he is a damn good kid and when he settles down the woman that gets him will have to be pretty special to get my approval.

The three men in the picture above are all known as Rex to others, but to me it is JR, little Rex and Dad.  They are all men that I admire and all men that I have been lucky enough to have in my life.  I hope that you have men like these three in your life because they are all good men that make the world a better place by being a part of it.

Have a great week and if you get the opportunity to be a "Rex" in someone else's life - do it because this world can use more "Rexes".