"Malevator"

So, typically, I don't think of myself as an extreme feminist. However, this past weekend I was constantly reminded of my feminism. Beginning with a conversation with my husband over lunch:

A: Why are we watching this?

B: B/c that is what was on when I turned on the TV.

A: You didn't want to change it?

....silence.....

A: I can't believe we are watching bowling.

B: I can't believe we are watching Women's bowling.

A: What's wrong with it being Women's?

B: Everything Women's is second rate to everything Men's.

(in all fairness to Brent, this conversation was not serious)

The next time I was reminded of my feminism was during the explanation the Executive Director of the BGCT gave about a drawing he hosted in which the prize would go to "a pastor and HIS wife". "Excuse me", I thought, "what about a pastor and her husband, or heck, even her wife?"

The final blow of the weekend was the sign labeling the elevators in the Hilton Hotel.

Do you see anything wrong with this picture......? Apparently, this elevator is only for men.

Hope everyone is having a blessed week. I'm going to continue to embrace my inner feminist!!

Homecoming 2009

Before the pep-rally, we were so excited to run into the Cooks. Cambell has grown up so fast!

Can the Cowboys!!

Pep-rally!!

Bonfire!!

Me and Brent

Brent and Clint

Religious humor.....love it!

Bearopoly float

Jungle Book Float

One of our two mascots, probably Lady.

Indiana Jones

They had to lower the balloon b/c of the power lines.

Picture of the church where we got married - just for kicks.

Popeye Float

Boo OSU Float

On Sunday after Homecoming, Brent preached at our church in Austin. After the service our family gathered at our home for lunch. We had a lot of October birthdays to celebrate! Happy Birthday to all: Brian, Caron, Bryant, Amber, Celeste, & Sean! Oh, and Happy 30th Anniversary Brian and Caron!!

Nannie & Jim

Grandma, Gray, Amber, and Mom

Brian & Caron

My little handyman....

Brent has been finding work doing odds-n-ends for various people who find him on craigslist. I thought I'd take just a moment to brag on his latest.....

This is a headboard he made for a lady in San Antonio:

Meant to Be

It was meant to be. Brian Phillips has been a friend of mine and Anna's for several years now. He and Anna worked together in Waco and I got to know him through their friendship. We both came to value Brian for his music and carefully honed whit. What's more, we found true friendship in his always-honest perception of the world around and unrelenting willingness to put up with our own sometimes-jaded, shaded view of the same (especially Brent's).

They say that all good things must come to an end and it seemed true as graduation and life's journeys pulled us in separate directions. Nevertheless, Anna and I moved to the Austin area just over a year ago and found out that Brian was nearby. We were able to get together casually a few times, but never so joyfully as attending Brian's wedding. If ever there were a perfect compliment to Brian's sense of humor, intuition, and care for all, it must be Holly. No question - it was meant to be.

The best part of this tale is that Brian and Holly have "set up housekeeping" (as the old timers say) only about fifteen minutes from Anna and me. It seems that a valued friendship just got a little richer and a little easier to maintain - it was meant to be.

You may now kiss the bride.

We are so lucky to have such great friends! Here's to Brian and Holly!

Breakfast at the House

Anna and I recently had the privilege of hosting a small gathering of family for breakfast at our house. A few events happened to coincide in the Austin area for family members from various branches of the tree on the same weekend. We took advantage of the opportunity to show off our humble abode. Pictured above are uncles Brad and Ruben, grandmother "Munner" (Betty), and cousins (my brain makes nothing of that second cousins, twice removed, blah, blah, nonsense, they're cousins!) Beth and Jo. Anna whipped up some scrumptious brunchiness and we enjoyed delightful conversation before everyone had to head off in their own directions. A fabulous, late summer's morn with family. Fabulous!

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.

To the Morrows and many more...

Nearing the end of summer, it seems as if weddings are in the air. All around me many of my friends and family are tying the knot. Brent was cleaning out his computer last week and ran across a toast I had given last Christmas at my best friend Liz's wedding. In honor of this wedding season and in honor of the Morrows, I share this toast with you. I hope it reminds you of your own marriage (if you are married) and encourages you to embrace one another and simply enjoy the journey.

Wouldn’t it be nice if life came with directions; if we knew the exact location of every intersection, every turn to make, every bridge to cross? Things might be a lot easier with a map, but then again I suppose they might be a lot less interesting too. A road map for life would probably have given me specific instructions about who to go to dinner with, where and when one evening about 6 and a half years ago. That would have kept me from bumping into this girl named Liz who stood in the lobby of our dorm at Baylor with the same lost look on her face as I had on mine. Interesting is probably an apt choice of words to describe the friendship that would come from that chance happening. A simple set of directions probably would have had us in our dorm beds sleeping comfortably in the middle of night before every test rather than hundreds of miles away finding our way home from a Tim McGraw Concert, but how fun would that have been? A simple set of directions would have told Liz and I not to go in a lot of directions that we went together, but we sure had fun and we’re here to tell the story none the less. We’ve found ourselves inadvertently flirting with Sonic Drive In employees asking them if their bacon is crispy, when really we just wanted to know if their bacon really was crispy. We’ve found ourselves in Houston threatening our significant others within an inch of their respective lives not to make one more U-turn…and somehow that was funny – to them! We’ve been a lot of places together, even the country of Africa, right Liz? Nevertheless, the memories are mine and Liz’s, but the point of the story is for Allen.

You need to know that you’ve married a girl who doesn’t follow directions very well. In fact, she doesn’t even like to hang out with those who do. Nevertheless, there is one enduring truth that I have cherished for 6 and a half years and now you get to share in it. The truth is, the directions are far less important than most people seem to think. Even the destination is worth less than we might realize, but what really matters is who you take the trip with. With a girl like Liz at your side and with a family like the Aldriges at your back every turn is the right turn, even if it is a U-turn!

Take care of her! I love you both!

December 13, 2008

The Haynes Kiddos

From July 2007 to July 2008 I worked as a nanny for the three most wonderful children - Hudson, Avery Anne, & Sawyer. This past weekend I got the privilege of returning to Waco and spending time with them for an entire weekend. We had so much fun!! It was such a joy to be around such lovable and loving kids.

While the twins were at art camp, Sawyer and I went to the zoo. We were looking at the fish exhibit when he looked down and pointed, "Hey, that's my name." I was so proud of him for recognizing his name at the zoo. Explaining to him why it was there was a little more difficult.

That evening we made beautiful pictures at home. We had a lot of fun making pictures for mommy and daddy.

On Friday Storey - aka Toey - and Baby Cambell came over to play with Sawyer and I while the twins were back at art camp. We had so much fun. Baby Cambell has gotten so big. We enjoyed watching her take her big girl steps!!

On Friday afternoon the kiddos, Nana, and I packed up the Yukon and headed to the pool. We had so much fun practicing our swimming in the deep end. We were all very good at taking turns swimming back and forth. After our practicing we ventured to the water slide. And, of course, the afternoon would not have been complete without Hudson showing off his diving board skills.

On Friday evening we spent some time in the backyard playing on the new swing set. We were so excited when Brent and Judge finally arrived!!

I think the kids enjoyed their time with Judge a little more than their time with me (j/k). They enjoyed making judge sit, lay down, roll over, and play dead.

On Saturday morning we went to the new Baylor practice facilities and watched a football practice. We enjoyed finding numbers, watching to see if the kick was good, and watching football players "shove" each other. Hudson was absolutely mesmerized.

On Sunday morning we made sand art. The kids enjoyed pouring the colored sand into their bottles. However, I think they enjoyed shaking/mixing the finished product up the best!

Overall, I had a wonderful time and it was hard to say goodbye. Thankfully, we will hopefully be seeing the whole family at the upcoming Baylor football games. I love them all and I am so thankful to still be a part of such a wonderful family.