The Game

So this is the season...

We Baylor fans say that every year beginning in late August. Football season is here and this is the year we're going to a bowl game! For you non-footballites (shame on you) that means we have to win six games during the course of the season to become eligible for a bonus game

for all the marbles (or at least for pride) at the end of the year. Over the last ten years we've hardly come close. We've only won 3 games in five of those last ten campaigns. Two more years we were less successful with only 2 wins and one really embarrassing year we only had one. We really got excited with a five win season in 2005, but no bowl game. The last time we actually went to a bowl game was in 1994 where we lost the Alamo Bowl to Washington St. scoring only 3 points. We've had our share of disappointment so you won't mind when we once more say, "This is the year." We have good reason to:

-Robert Griffin III (herein referred to as RG3) is an outstanding quarterback.

-Second year head coach Art Briles has generated a lot of excitement and has a good record helping UofH put together a very respectable program before arriving in Waco.

-RG3 was said to be the fastest human being ever to play the quarterback position in NCAA football history.

-Some really studly experienced players who are here for their senior seasons...Linebacker Joe Pawelek being the main reason.

-RG3 has a pretty good arm too.

-Anna and I have season tickets.

-RG3!!!

That said, the task is before us, but it will not be easy. See part of the problem is that we play in the Big 12 Conference. That means we play against world class competition week in and week out. We really have to rack up the wins in our four out-of-conference games to start the season. If we could manage to win all four, that means we would only need to defeat two of the "Big Boys" as I call them. That would be a manageable task. That's also why our two opening games this year are so important. We played (and defeated) Wake Forrest on their home field and this past Saturday Anna and I headed out to watch the University of Conneticut game with high hopes. These two teams are certainly not slouch teams. That's the problem, two of our four "money games" are certainly not easy wins. We need easy ones, we have to work REALLY hard for the other ones. That's how it came to pass that anxiety was so high so early in the season last Saturday. It's only the second game, but losing it will make the rest of the season that much harder. 3 wins in conference play is VERY ambitious against the Big Boys.

Nevertheless, off we went. This was the first of our season ticket games. We started the outing with FREE PARKING. It's not just a space on the monopoly board folks. If you support Baylor Athletics through the purchase of alumni season tickets you actually to park for free, a $10 value. It doesn't stop there. We got to go in to a select area of the stadium prior to the game for "refreshments" supplied by local eateries. We were delighted to think that we might be able to start the game with nice cup of water and maybe some pretzels. Imagine our surprise when we walked through the gate to find our choice of a sandwich box (chips and pickle too), fajitas or cheeseburgers. That's right, our tickets come with an honest to goodness real football style meal...gratis. The day couldn't get any better. Well yes it could, only moments after kickoff Jay Finley busted through a massive hole in the offensive line and scampered something like 75 yards for a quick Baylor score. Unfortunately that would be the last time for a good while that the team would look impressive. We could have overcome our defensive inability to stop the run OR our two consecutive turnovers at our own 20 yard line, but not both. After putting together a decent drive or two in what would later be known as a "too little, too late" effort the Bears fell to the Huskies by a score of 22 to 30. If there is any bowl hope left it will require victories in both of our next two non-conference games, taking advantage of any two soft spots in the Big 12 lineup (perhaps Iowa St. and Texas A&M), and finally we'll have to knock off one of the Big Boys...whose gonna get it?

Perhaps the most sobering part of the story is my dog. You raise the little ones to do the right thing and then when your back is turned they go and do something stupid. Judge knows that gambling is a bad habit, but he was so sure that Baylor was going to beat those big, arrogant Huskies that he made a friendly wager on the game. Since Huskies are so proud of their beautiful coats of furr, he put his own hair up against the same with a husky friend...bet he won't do that again.

BEFORE

AFTER

Beauty and the Beast

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Michael,my best friend from high school. About 6 months ago I met Naxhiely for the first time over dinner. Least to say, I was very impressed. She was beautiful, had a gorgeous smile, radiated a caring personality, achieved lofty goals, but most importantly I could tell she made my Mikey happy. Nothing describes them better than their wedding dance song - Beauty and the Beast. I'm excited about the future the two of them have together and I look forward to getting to know Naxhiely even more along the way.

Mr and Mrs. Michael A. Ramon!

A beautiful bride, inside and out.

On a side note, I have to add a little more about my dear friend, Michael. Over the years, Michael has never failed to make me proud - and his wedding was a perfect reminder of just how wonderful he is. Michael has always been an achiever in life. Even his groomsmen during the toast called attention to the achievements Michael has made in his life. However, they failed to mention one thing - the upmost character in Michael that drives him to accomplishing his goals in life. Michael, I am proud of you. I am proud of you for keeping a hold of your dreams. I'm proud of you for sticking with them. I'm proud of the man you have become and I'm proud of the man you are setting yourself up to be. But, who needs my opinion. The glow from Mrs. Ramon's face told it all! Michael, thank you for being someone I respect and look up to. And thank you for being my friend.

I love you both, enjoy your marriage!!

Update

Brent and I have decided to post our thoughts, sermons, and ramblings as a minister and seminary student on a separate blog. You can check it out at ataleoftwopreachers.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

Best Friends

Throughout the past 25 years I have been blessed with the privilege of wonderful friends. The kind of friends that no matter how much time you spend apart, you are still just as close as ever. The kind of friends that are there for you no matter what they have to sacrifice. The kind of friends who aren't afraid to set you straight when you need a good slap across the face. At the end of August, I got to take a short trip and quickly visit four of these very friends.....

First stop - Lacey in Gore, Oklahoma. I first met Lacey in 5th grade when I moved to the small town Gore, Oklahoma. You see, Lacey was a unique girl in the bunch. I never had to worry about her "stealing" my boyfriend - although, we once agreed to swap boyfriends for a week. I never had to worry about her talking behind my back. Lacey was the kind of girl who loved me for who I was and stood behind me no matter what. It was never Lacey first and friends second - we were always in it together. 10 years later, Lacey is still the same sweet friend. Just as concerned about me as she is herself. Thank you Lacey for being such a great friend. I love you!

Second stop - The Aldrige's House in Kansas City. Although I attribute two best friends to this stop, it is really more like a family. We laugh, we cry, we fight, we tease, we triangle - all the best qualities you would find among three sisters. The thing is, sisters are as thick as blood and no matter what, we are always there for one another. But, this family doesn't just come with two sisters. It comes with a mom, a dad, a brother-in-law, 3 dogs, a niece, and a soon-to-be nephew. I'm so lucky to feel a part of this family. I love you all!

Third stop - Michelle's House. Michelle is another one of those great, true friends. Typically, we are known for our crazy moments - such as mooning Brent out the window of a moving car. However, I always know Michelle is there for the serious moments too. Over the past 6 years Michelle and I have gone through some major life moments and I've been lucky to have her there by my side. I love you girl!

Here are some pictures from my journeys....

Lacey and I posed for the same pictures we took 10 years ago!

Liz at about 7 months. Can't wait to meet Mason Eli Morrow!

Katherine's kiddos: Cooper and Ellie.

All the girls (and the dogs).

Michelle and I with our favorite pastime. Chocolate chip cookies, Dr. Pepper, girlie movie, and skip-bo.

Finally, I'm especially lucky to be married to my "bestest" friend. I love having someone to live life with - even when things get a little tough. Here's to the next couple of months, whatever they bring. I love you B!

Brent and I before Celeste's rehearsal dinner.