March 27th - Back to the Grind

Today was the first day back from spring break.  This is a day full of catching up on email and getting back into completing projects that were not done.  But walking the halls of the schools I work and see students and teachers back in the classroom made me feel like all is well.

When I got home tonight it felt good to know that I worked a full day and that the rest of the evening was to spend with the family.  After dinner Ben and I went outside and shot our bows, which was a lot of fun.  I'm trying out my brothers bow and Ben has a starter bow.  I had a big round bail put in our back yard so we can shoot when the weather was good.  It has been a lot of fun to do this together.

I remember when I was younger competing in archery shoots with my whole family.  Yes, that is right, even my Mom shot a bow.  We shot in a league in a nearby town and it was a lot of fun.  Maybe Ben will get to this point, but for now we will stick to shooting for fun.  

 

March 26th - Project list and Farming

The last 5 days I missed my time of blogging.  No real good reason that I didn't except that I was very busy getting projects for spring break done and farming.  Here is a list of things that I have completed during our time off.

1.  Finished electrical in basement
2.  Finished plumbing in basement
3.  Worked 200 acres total to prep for planting corn
4.  Cleaned basement after work was done
5.  Saw Beauty and Beast with family
6.  Took son to a birthday party
7.  Hosted a BBQ for church small groups
8.  Didn't turn on my computer

So you can see that my last 5 days have been full of events some fun but some work.  I like the fact that every one of my breaks from school have meant time to finish more on my basement.  This has been a long time coming and I hope that I can finish before the baby arrives.

Update on names for new member of the family.  Cole has decided on Peter.  Have no clue where he got this from, but told Grandma that this morning.  Karen and I have been thinking of E names.  I like Eli, and she is thinking of Evan.  Who knows?  We will let the saga continue.

March 20th - Spring Time

Today marks the first day of Spring.  I really have not paid attention to this day in my lifetime, but with it being spring break, I guess I have more time to pay attention.  I do remember spring growing up.

This time of year was a time to get the baseball gloves out and golf clubs out.  I didn't usually get to the ball field or golf course, but would hit balls into the year or through a baseball up against the garage at a red dot that was in the strike zone.  I would  start the year out with a brand new baseball and by the end of the summer most of the seams would be busted and the cover would about fall off.  That is what happens when you throw a ball as hard as you can at a cinder brick wall with a red dot.  I got pretty good at throwing.

My brother and dad would be out working in the fields and I would help sometimes, but we really only had 2 tractors that could do the field work and I loved sports.  Once dinner was done, I would grab my worn ball and glove and go throw the ball against the wall.  The ball would come back just as fast as it went and the ground was rocks so I got pretty good at ground balls also.  After throwing the ball for a while I would always want to hit so I would go get my bat and toss the ball up in the air and hit the ball towards our cow pasture.  Lots of fun during those spring days.

Today I played catch with my oldest son Ben and tried to teach Cole some about catching and throwing also.  This will hopefully stick with them through their years and they will enjoy the game of baseball also.  They are both signed up for T-ball and machine pitch respectively.  So, hopefully the seeds of enjoyment have been planted.

March 19th - Spring Break

Today in my mind marks the beginning of spring break.  This is a time that only teachers and students really understand. You are 3/4 of the way through the year and we all need a little break.

Some people take this time to travel, others to relax and do nothing. I feel like this year my break might be a little of both. Spending time with some family will for sure be on the agenda. 

March 18th - Driving

Today I spent about 4 hours driving with my family to and from a location.  Driving has always been one of my favorite things to do.  Karen claims that I am her personal driver.  I drive almost all the time when I'm riding in a car.

This all stems from how young I was when I started driving.  Growing up on a farm, I was driving the riding lawn mower when I was about 7 or 8 years old I think.  By the time I was 10 I was driving tractors and soon I would be driving vehicles.  I think the first time I drove a truck on the highway, I was around 13 years old.  3 years from getting my license I was driving a vehicle from field to field as needed.  No, the normal situation for most but the life of a kid on a farm is always a little different.

Driving long distances or for long periods of time doesn't really bother me.  I enjoy looking at the scenery and listening to the radio.  Long trips I would almost prefer to drive.  So family vacations become a great event.  Last year we traveled to Colorado and I drove to and from pretty much on my own.  We even eat lunch at one point and time in the car so that we didn't have to stop.  It was was raining also so stopping wasn't an option when we had planed to picnic for that meal.

I wonder how many miles I have logged in my life.  Way to many for sure.  I wonder where I will go next.  

March 17th - Memories

Today I think back 16 years to this date and one of the most memorable moments in my High School career.  On this day I competed in the Class 1 State Basketball Championship game.  I remember walking out on the basketball court in Columbia, Mo and preparing to play the last basketball game of my life.

Now the results of this basketball game was not what anyone wanted, but we did make history.  The Liberal Bulldogs lost to the New Haven Shamrocks on St. Patrick's day by 45 points the worst lost in state basketball history.  I still say that they had some luck with them.

I have had many experiences, since this moment.  One experience was being an assistant coach in a State Championship game with Webb City, but the same outcome happened a very bad loss.  I guess I'm just not that lucky when coaching or playing in Columbia, Mo.

March 16th - Let the Games Begin

Today is one of my favorite days in sports.  It is the start of March Madness.  You can literally sit down at 12 pm and watch basketball the rest of the day.  I really enjoy this time of underdogs and cinderellas.

I love seeing small schools that play team basketball push larger schools to the limit.  This makes me want to coach again.  Getting a team to play hard, together and in sync is such a great thing to watch. I remember all the work it would take in practice and watching video to get a team to play so well.

So as I sit here watching a game I write this blog to say I hope someday I will return to coaching.  I know it takes time, but it truly is a great time.

March 15th - Enemies

Tonight during our Lifeteam (small group) for church we talked about when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.  This act puts into action the end of Jesus' life on earth is such a teachable moment.  Usually you focus on the rest of the story, but we focused on a different part tonight.

When this event happened, Jesus greeted Judas with the phrase "my friend".  This might be overlooked by most, but this is one of Jesus' last teaching in a sense.  Jesus knows Judas is betraying him and he still refers to him as a friend.  How many of us could do this?  Still call someone a friend when we know ultimately will die because of a kiss and a betrayal.

I hope that in my life I'm never faced with this exact situation, but I do know I will be faced with enemies in my life.  During these times I will strive to remember Jesus in his time of betrayal, and how he continued to love his enemy.



 

March 14th - Pi Day

Pi Day, a day that most people just let go by on the way to St. Patrick's Day.  But as a former math teacher this was a great day in my classroom.  I would usually have some activity involving circles and finding circumference and area with exact measurements using Pi.

My most memorable pi day was my 2nd year of teaching.  I was teaching a Calculus class and I only had 9 students.  They begged to do something special so I told them they could all bring pie to class and we would enjoy the pie together while we worked some problems.

The pies that they brought in where amazing.  One student brought in this homemade peanut butter pie that was "amazing".  Not sure if the students realized that I enjoyed the day just as much as the students.

Needless to say, I miss having special days in the classroom.    

March 13 - Forgetfulness

Ok, so I have been doing so well with posting on the day of for my slice of life blog, but yesterday I missed my post.  To make up for it, I am going to talk about forgetfulness.  Yesterday was full of this.

I have always been good at remembering things, items to complete, details, birthday and other special events.  Yesterday just seem like one of those days that I found things to do that were really not the priority at the time.  I had some great conversations with teachers and forgot some of the things I needed to complete.

I almost missed a meeting and I forgot to blog.  Things that I have not been used to doing.

Last night I got motivated to work more in my basement, and putting the drop ceiling in the last closet.  I got all the frame up, with some struggles.  Needless to say I need to adhere to the saying "measure twice, cut once".  I did not waist any pieces of material, but I got close a few times.  I got the grid up and a light put in its place and I was proud of myself.  So I went upstairs and relaxed and went to bed.

I forgot to blog, but oh well.  I didn't even realize it till this morning.  So, forgetfulness, I might be at the beginning of getting older I guess.  Hope I don't forget anything today.

March 12th - Instructions

Do you ever try to put something together with out reading the instructions?

I'm known for always reading the instructions and then putting together the item.  Today I was installing a new light fixture and I read the instructions and then tried to install the fixture and I had some problems.

So one hour later I get it installed well at least it is up not correctly but it is up.  I found my problem and need to fix it but can't due to some screws that are stripped and will not turn, and one bolt that fell into the wall that is not able to be retrieved.

Needless to say this was a so, so fail, but I will probably try to fix what I messed up later.  So a quick 30 min job will now probably take 2 days to get done correctly and probably a trip to the hardware store.

Not sure if I'm as handy as I thought I once was.  

March 11th - Farm Work Family Time

I have mentioned to many that I live on a farm and work with my dad and brother on the farm on the weekends and summers.  Today was one of those days.  Called my dad this morning to find out if there was anything that needed done and sure enough there was a load of hay to be delivered after noon.

This is a usual event on Saturdays for me.  Loading a load of hay and delivering it.  It is a good work out and sometimes I can get my sons to come an help.  Ben went with me today and he helps as best he can.  This is quite fun watching Ben trying to drag or move small square bales that way pretty much the same amount he does.  He has got stronger as time has gone along, but he still struggles sometimes.

This is not the normal family event for most but it is for my family.  I see my dad smiling every time Ben comes along with us.  Dad really enjoys seeing Ben trying to help.  These simple events become memories for all.

March 10 - Success

Success is sometimes hard grasp for unique tasks.  The last 5 weeks have been a success in my point of view of a project that I hoped it would.  The last 5 weeks myself and team have put on a event that turned out to be a lot of fun.

This project wctopchef (for more info check out wctopchef.weebly.com) was a dream that we started planning back in September and was a vision of mine starting last February.  So needless to say I was really nervous on how it would go.  It far surpassed my vision.  Teachers got excited to do things in the classroom.  Students where encouraging teacher to participate also.

So the event was a success.  But sometimes knowing if what you have been successful is hard to tell.  Especially in raising children.  I always wonder what is the best thing to do for them.  I will not know if I have been successful until the are older also.  Waiting for the verdict of a success or not will take patience and that is hard for me.  Oh well, I guess time will have to tell.

March 9th - Change

Change in life is inevitable.  Today I think back to some of the big changes in my life.  Anything from different jobs, getting married, to having kids.  Every little or big change seems to make life more interesting.

Karen and I made a big change 6 years ago when we decided to move from our 1st home in Bulter, Mo, to live on my family farm in Liberal, Mo.  This was a big move and a big change for the whole family.  New house, new jobs and new church.

I have found that all change in life seems to be God centered in some way.  Karen and I have been blessed to be a part of some great churches.  If it wasn't for these churches we would not be who we are today.  God has opened doors and shut doors for us and he has truly guided our lives.

I talk about change tonight because of the successes of a team that I formally coached making history.  They will play for the State Championship Saturday and I can't be more happy for them.  The school and community is so deserving.  This school was my first job, and first coaching job.  I will always have a special place for the people there in Adrian, Mo.  Good luck, Lady Blackhawks!

March 8th - Sharing

Today I had the chance to share at RCET Technology Conference.  This is one of my favorite things I get to do in my job.  I enjoy the networking, and conversation that comes with being around learners.  I still am amazed on the community of learners that teachers are and how they are willing to share knowledge.

I still have to say that I do get nervous before presenting though.  I thought that today I would not due to being the last session of the day and doing a presentation I had done before, but no.  Waiting outside the room I was going to present in my stomach started to get knots in it.

These knots don't keep me from presenting, they just are a reminder that I want to do good.  I also shake sometimes when I speak.  I don't know if others see it, but I can most definitely tell that I am shaking.  This happens at church especially, don't know why.  Might be that I'm speaking from the heart and there is such a big purpose behind it.

Today was a good session, seemed to reach the audience well.  One thing that I shared wasn't even in my presentation, but was a tool I used.  So I would say today was a success.

March 7th - Reading

I have never classified myself as a reader, but as time goes on I accumulate books.  Books that people recommend or I think I would like and these books sit on my desk, or travel around with me in my backpack.  I think I have had my current book with me for about 3 or 4 months.  I will take time and try to read, but I just don't seem to get anywhere.  Fellow co-workers love it when they need to use a book they know I have because very likely my book will be in good condition.

My wife on the other hand will read a book a week or little longer.  This just amazes me, but she reads to get away.  I would rather go numb with the TV on or read social media posts.  I just don't see what reading brings to me.  My 8 year old son is starting to take after her.  He has been bringing books home and sitting and reading all evening.  This challenges me because I know I should be reading more.

Currently I'm trying to read "Mindset" by Carol Dweck, and I do like the content, but I have a hard time staying motivated.  I will make it though, eventually.

Anyone have suggestions on keeping motivated to read more?

March 6th - Names and more names

This blog post might only appeal to teachers, but most of my readers are of the profession so here it goes.

As the saga of baby number 3 continue, we are now on to picking of names.  Since both my wife and I are teachers this is a hard task.  We have names we like, but don't like to use names that are used to often or remind of us of former students too much.

My wife has picked some names, and I listen.  Pretty much the routine right now.  I like to think about it for a while.  We also choose 2 names and decide once we see the baby.  So the last couple of nights she gave me options.  I like some of them and some I have not decided on yet.

We also have gone with a "B" and "C" so if we kept the pattern, it would be time for a "D" name.  David, Daniel, and many other names have come up, but who knows what we will decide on.

I guess I might write more on this later.  I don't want anyone out there to steal our names though.  So might just have to wait till late July to find out the next name for our family.

March 5th - Day of Rest

Sunday the day of rest.  I enjoy waking up on Sundays and having a day that is usually filled with worship and learning in the morning, then cleaning and relaxation in the afternoon and evening.

This weekend we were blessed to be hosting family and Sunday morning was a time to say goodbye to them and then head to church to praise and worship.  Once we got home from church I take my spot in my favorite chair and enjoy the afternoon of short naps and doing small things around the house.

The energy that I'm able to acquire with this day helps me make it though the week to come.  I usually even do fun things with my kids.

I think we can learn much from the pattern that was given in the very beginning of working hard for 6 days, then taking a day to reflect, worship and rest.  God Bless!

March 4th - Birthday Party Time

Today was the big 5th birthday party for my son Cole.  We are so blessed to be able to celebrate with family.  My wife and I have not tried a "friend" party yet, we still stick with family and host it at our house.  We get a cake and cook a meal and enjoy the family time together.

This time with the family is one of my favorite times.  Our kids and their cousins all enjoy playing together and after the party time seems to fly by as the kids play and adults sit and visit.

I try to think back and remember my birthday parties and I remember all my cousins getting together and celebrating, just like we have done with my kids.

I hope that my kids will remember these simple times of playing and being together with family.

March 3rd - Learners and Nonlearners

I don't divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures. . . I divide the world into the learners and nonlearners. - Benjamin Barber, an eminent sociologist

Learners or nonlearners, great concept.  Which one do you fall into?

Learners are people who are constantly trying new things.  Also, people who has a can do attitude.  These people fall in the growth mindset category.

Nonlearners are people who do the same thing over and over again.  Also people who think they can't learn new things.  These people fall in the fixed mindset category.

I read the above quote in a book in that last week and it really did make me think.  I like the phrase nonlearners and learners.  Growth mindset has been a focus for many this year and I think this puts the theory into a language I understand.  I always thought of myself as a learner.  I really like learning new things and trying new things also.  I'm not afraid to fail.  Which is hard for some, but to me it just makes me human.

So as you read this my question to you would be which one do you feel like you are learner or nonlearner?

March 2nd - Bday for a Special Someone

As I woke up this morning I reflected back on the last 5 years of my son Cole.  He is my youngest and most curious boy.  He always keeps me on my toes.

I recall 5 years ago getting up and going to school, dropping Ben off at day care and thinking it would be a normal day.  Then I get a phone call from my wife saying I'm in Labor.  It was in the middle of class and the student I was helping at the time didn't know what to do.  I told the student to go to the office and tell them I'm leaving my wife is having a baby.  I was teaching at Lamar High School at the time, while my wife was teaching at Webb.

I rushed to my truck and starting driving to Joplin.  Karen was on her way from Webb to the Hospital.  I was thinking she is probably going to have this baby before I even get there.  I was wrong, we both arrived at the hospital and waited in the waiting room.  Can you believe that.  We actually had to wait.  The thing was that 9 months before was the Joplin tornado and there where a lot of pregnant women.  Soon we were shown to a room and the process started.

Hours later, seemed like a life time, we welcomed sweet little Cole to our family.  Now today he turns 5 and life has truly been a blessing.  It is fitting that he shares his birthday with Dr. Seuss.

On a side note, I wrote yesterday that we went to find what the baby in July will be.  Add the verdict is...

Everything is going well and the baby is healthy.  We are excited to be a family of 5.

March 1st - Day my path will change

Today is my first try at blogging my own thoughts of everyday life events for the Slice of Life writing challenge.  It is also the day that my wife and I find out if our baby will be a boy or a girl.  This event for me will change the path of my life for sure.

Currently, I am a father of 2 boys, one 8 years old and the other currently 4 years old, but his birthday is tomorrow so you will get to read more about him tomorrow.  (Yes, I will have a topic for tomorrow)  Today will determine if I'm a father of 3 boys in the future or if I'm a father of 2 boys and a girl.  I will be excited for either as long as we have a healthy baby.

Coming from a family of just 2 boys and me being the youngest I'm venturing into uncharted territory.  Either one of 3 boys that will be rough and tough, or one of little sister and hopefully brothers that will care and look out for her.  Dresses, Barbies and other girly items might be entering my house and lifestyle.  I will be up for all of it, but will I know what to do?

My wife coming from a family of 3 girls has been living in uncharted territory all along.  Raising boys can be quite different than girls and she has done great.  I would love for her to have a little daughter to share things I will never understand with her.

Going back to a little bit of history.  I was a Girls Basketball coach for a total of 5 years and I have been a teacher for going on 12 years in the high school setting, so I do have a little bit of experience with dealing with teenage girls.  But experience with younger girls I do not have.  My boys right now are easy for me to relate to and I can be real / hard on them and know it will help them become the men that I hope they become.

Do I do the same with a girl?  I don't know.

Do I spoil her more than my boys?  I don't know, but probably yes.

So, my life will most definitely change paths today.  I'm excited to find out and I hope to share in future posts this month.  Maybe a little more pink will be nice.