Couple of pictures from last weekend's tournament...really good mug shot of the Abbinator.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Softball photos
Couple of pictures from last weekend's tournament...really good mug shot of the Abbinator.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Quote of the day
Interesting quote, courtesy of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, spoken by Mr. Magoium (Dustin Hoffman) himself: "Life is an occasion. Rise to it." Nice...
Weekend update
Good times this weekend...Abbie played in a tournament, winning one game and losing two. We were slaughtered in game one (Abbie homered), won game two and lost a competitive game in game three. It was fun. Tess came down with strep throat on Thursday, but bounced back and did a taekwondo class on Saturday. Later Saturday, we kept the Partain kids - the girls had a sleepover, but Isiah called it a night when John and Sharee came and picked him up. Lots of fun. We watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - fun flick.
On Sunday night, Tess fell asleep in our bed for three hours, woke up at 7 and was a bit confused. She asked if it was still Sunday, which was kind of funny. And then she was hacked when I sent her to bed at 9. She stayed awake until Angie came home...
This week is busy - taekwondo demonstration team on Monday night, Abbie game on Tuesday night, church group on Wednesday, taekwondo on Thursday, church camp Friday, Abbie and Miles game on Saturday....Busy, but fun.
On Sunday night, Tess fell asleep in our bed for three hours, woke up at 7 and was a bit confused. She asked if it was still Sunday, which was kind of funny. And then she was hacked when I sent her to bed at 9. She stayed awake until Angie came home...
This week is busy - taekwondo demonstration team on Monday night, Abbie game on Tuesday night, church group on Wednesday, taekwondo on Thursday, church camp Friday, Abbie and Miles game on Saturday....Busy, but fun.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Taekwondo trip
Angie and Tess went on a taekwondo trip recently and had a great time - here are some pictures from that event. When I figure out how to use the video portion of this deal, I'll drop some video here as well. They stayed in a cool house and had a great time with Angie's college roommate, Jennifer Halm (a.k.a., Dawg).
Quotes for the day...
Saw a couple of good quotes yesterday in various stuff I read...
"We don't recognize our most significant moments while they're happening." - Moonlight Graham (Note: Moonlight Graham played in one major league baseball game in 1905 - he entered the game defensively in the eighth inning, and was in the on-deck circle when the last out was made vs. his Giants in the top of the ninth. He then played in the ninth inning defensively, but never played another game in the big leagues. Don't feel too sorry for him, though - he went on to become a doctor. Still, a nice poignant story.)
"Criticism is like being in the rain. Once you're wet, what's another drop?" - Jack Kent Cooke
"We don't recognize our most significant moments while they're happening." - Moonlight Graham (Note: Moonlight Graham played in one major league baseball game in 1905 - he entered the game defensively in the eighth inning, and was in the on-deck circle when the last out was made vs. his Giants in the top of the ninth. He then played in the ninth inning defensively, but never played another game in the big leagues. Don't feel too sorry for him, though - he went on to become a doctor. Still, a nice poignant story.)
"Criticism is like being in the rain. Once you're wet, what's another drop?" - Jack Kent Cooke
Thursday, April 24, 2008
In the news...
Abbie's picture was in the Free Press - our local paper - when she was snapped in the background of the Girl Scout event, behind one Elvis Presley. Also, they printed my letter to the editor, which is below....hopefully the bond will pass...
Invest in our future
As the father of two (soon to be three) students in the Hays school district, I would like to encourage everyone to vote in favor of the bond package May 10.I have spent many hours with our district's kids at church, schools and at the ballparks as a recreational coach, and can clearly see the promise and potential all of our kids have to ultimately make our world a better place. I have also worked with many of their teachers and administrators, and I feel confident that our kids are all in good - great - hands when I see them run up the steps and into their school. We're all very blessed.We have one of the top five fastest-growing school districts in Texas, and frankly, our kids need the projects on the ballot as our growth continues. Enrollment in our school district has doubled in approximately eight years; clearly there is a need here that must be addressed. Our facilities have bulged, giving our kids less direct contact with their teachers and causing us to lean more heavily on the portable classrooms.Our growth has also given the school district a chance to offer this package with no tax rate increase. How is this possible? Because our commercial tax base has also grown rapidly.Finally, I think a "thank you" is in order for all who have discussed this issue with care and civility. On May 11, we will all have to get up and work with one another and take care of our kids, regardless of the outcome. It's nice to know we can disagree without tossing one another under the bus. Our national leaders would do well to pay more attention to us in this regard, and I hope this good will continues from now until May 10.It's cliche, but true: We are truly investing in our future with this bond election. And fortunately, we are investing with our vote, rather than our money.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Girl Scouts...
Here are some shots from the father-daughter Girl Scouts event over the weekend. It was fun - daddy did great with the chicken dance, not so hot with the hula hoop.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Weekend
Time to go...lots going on with the kids, per usual. Abbie with a Girl Scouts sleepover, Tess with a friend sleepover, Miles and Tess with games in the morning, etc., Angie with Pokeno tonight. Always something...fun-fun-fun!
Mike
Mike
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Misc.
Miles' team played the Indians last night, and he hit the ball good twice, though he was forced out of the game in the last inning with leg cramps. He's had those a little lately - must be growing. He looked pretty content sitting in the stands with Angie watching the end of the game.
We had a going away lunch for Mark today at work - Brian and I went to Scholz with him. Mark went to college in Florida and said Destin was the best beach he's ever seen - white beach with clear water and lots of dolphins...sounds like fun whenever we get the inclination to go. He said you could be there in about 9 hours driving, so it's considerably closer than Colorado.
Got another game tonight vs. a Dripping Springs team we've already beaten - Abbie's team is in first place now, a game ahead of our rival in the league. We beaten them 7-3 last time I believe, so hopefully we'll take care of business. Angie and Tess have taekwondo, too, so another "late arrival" home night for all of us. The girls really do well in school, considering how busy they are. We're obviously pretty blessed.
Mike
We had a going away lunch for Mark today at work - Brian and I went to Scholz with him. Mark went to college in Florida and said Destin was the best beach he's ever seen - white beach with clear water and lots of dolphins...sounds like fun whenever we get the inclination to go. He said you could be there in about 9 hours driving, so it's considerably closer than Colorado.
Got another game tonight vs. a Dripping Springs team we've already beaten - Abbie's team is in first place now, a game ahead of our rival in the league. We beaten them 7-3 last time I believe, so hopefully we'll take care of business. Angie and Tess have taekwondo, too, so another "late arrival" home night for all of us. The girls really do well in school, considering how busy they are. We're obviously pretty blessed.
Mike
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Richards letter...
Here's a letter I wrote to the girls in 2006 after the death of Ann Richards. Soon they'll be able to read this and understand it...
September 18, 2006
Girls –
Today Ann Richards, a former governor of Texas, was buried in the Texas State Cemetery. I’ve been reading accounts of her life, and I felt compelled to write you a letter for you to read when you are older and are more understanding of history. Hers is an inspiring story, and the type of story I can envision you each writing before your time on earth ends.
She was just a girl from Waco, and she raised four kids. She grew up in a time when women weren’t given a lot of opportunity to take part in the political process, and in fact, it was a time when women were expected to stay at home, rear children, cook and clean and be submissive to men. There were few women in politics, few women in places of professional prominence, and even fewer women who were on equal financial ground with men professionally. It was a tough time, tougher than any of us can imagine.
She came through that time and ran for a local office. After being a housewife (she was determined to be at home with her kids, just as your mother made the same commitment to you), she decided she wanted to run for office. She won.
But during her political life, she also had to overcome some personal problems, bumps in the road that you, too, might experience. You will have problems in your life, that you can be assured. She was an alcoholic. She smoked for 25-30 years. She divorced her husband, and had to deal with that upheaval and hurt; it was a tough time for her and her kids. When she was knocked down, she got up and went about her business. She made do.
She didn’t quit, and she was incessantly positive. She was always positive!! Every day she got up and fought forward and persevered. She worked. Every day was a new chance, a new, clean slate. And she also maintained great compassion throughout her life. This compassion was one of the reasons people were so attracted to her, and were so willing to vote for her. She was strong, but she also related to people who weren’t as fortunate as she. She was giving and approachable. If either of you decide to go into politics – really, these are lessons not limited to politics…just remember that there are people who will always need your help. Reach out!
What she did for women was simple: she gave them opportunity. She ran for governor and won, and promptly named more women and minorities to different commissions and boards than anyone in history. She gave women a chance when, in the past, others didn’t do so. She opened doors. History books will say that she “empowered” women, and that is so true. She was smart, and she did not allow anyone – certainly not men – decide her fate. You, too, can accomplish what you want if you are willing to work hard – but do so only if you maintain your compassion for others. I believe compassion and empathy are the traits that truly shape your soul and make you human. Always love others. Always. Especially those who might not get as much love in their lives otherwise. This will enrich you so much, in addition to helping others.
A funny story about Richards…Once she was at Scholz’ Beer Garden in Austin with a fellow politician named Bob Bullock (the state history museum is named after him). At any rate, with them was a black man named Charles (I believe that was his first name) Miles, another friend. Well, this was a big-time political party, and this racist old judge from East Texas came upon the group.
“Hello, Bob!” he bellowed.
Bullock shook his hand and said, “Jim, I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Charles Miles, he heads up our human resources department.”
The old judge looked at him derisively and barely shook his hand, saying, “Hello, boy.” It was an awkward moment, and Miles felt about two feet tall. What the judge said was cruel and wrong and full of hatred.
Then the judge looked at Ann Richards.
“Well, who are you, good lookin’?” he said with a grin.
And Ann Richards smiled a big smile back at the man, looked him in the eye and said, “I’m Mrs. Miles.”I’ve always thought that was a great story.
I guess I’m rambling…I just want you to do me a favor and do some reading on Ann Richards. I hope the history bug bites you as it has me…I love characters like her! Most of us – and I am included on this list – never feel like they quite have given enough to the earth, you know, to others. I guess everyone, at the end of their lives, wonders if they’ve given enough, if the world is better because they spent some time here.
I think Ann Richards probably did make this place better, and I think hers is just one example of people who have in fact maximized their time here. And there are others all around you, great examples that you should use as mentors.
Your mom is the prime example. Selfless, tireless, passionate defender of her kids and husband – that is your mother. You cannot measure the love she has for us, and you’ll never know the hours she has spent FOR US. Your grandmothers are also such perfect examples for you to emulate as well. Like Ann Richards, times were more difficult for them. They are givers, living for others, caring for others, worrying about others. These are the people you need to pay attention to. I hope you realize just how special it is for you to gaze into the kitchen and see you mother, quietly preparing your lunch each morning before the sun rises. This is a great gift!!
I just want you to take the time and pay attention to the women in your life, and strive to be like the great ones. And pay attention to each other! You both have great gifts, though they might be hard to see because you are so close. Being a woman is much more difficult than being a man – I am certain of this. You’ll have to work harder and endure more pain than most men. Allow the strong women in your life to imprint on your heart and soul. Read about women in the past. Imagine what it was like to be them – this might be the best tool to truly appreciate their significance.
Imagine being your mom, having a 17-month-old and a newborn, in a new city, trying to adjust personally while surrounded by all kinds of demands. Your mom did this – appreciate it, know it, understand it, love her for it. Remember…
Can you imagine, in the 1950s, in Alabama, and being a black woman and being ordered to give up your seat on a bus to a white man? Knowing that blacks were being lynched all around you? How strong must you have been to endure this? Read about Rosa Parks. Read about the women who had to march and protest in order to gain the right to vote in the early-1900s.
Read about Harriet Tubman, who led slaves to freedom! Put yourself in Tubman’s place – in the deep south in the 1800s, running through the woods under a moon’s glow, knowing that any minute you could be killed. But don’t just imagine the fear she must have felt, but also imagine the exhilaration! What must she had been thinking as she watched a man, a woman and their children continue on to freedom they had never known? And what strength it must have taken for her to not only get them to freedom, but to return SOUTH to save more folks? That’s the part I don’t get – standing, alone, in the dark of night, and seeing freedom just across the pasture…and then turning around, heading south. I don’t know if I could’ve done it, but Tubman did it, and I know for a fact your mother would’ve too. Just imagine that feeling!!! Frightening and wonderful at the same time!!
Your modern day role models are certainly the women in your family, in your blood, but they are also all around you in normal society. Pay attention to women who adopt children and love them as their own. When you see women break through man-made (literally) barriers in athletics, make mental note. Use them as building blocks in your soul! Pay attention to teachers. Build yourself not only with what you have – innate – inside you, but also from what you learn from others.
Each of you have a destiny – read about all of these great women, watch your mother and how she lives and loves, and gather all of this and hold it all with great strength near your heart. Talk to your mom about what makes her tick, about her feelings during certain times of her life, about love and raising kids and being a wife. Absorb. Learn. Listen. Above all else, listen!
This is something Ann Richards said that I think you should always remember, about being a woman: “Set your own course. Dream your own dreams. Go to places you want to go, even if no one has gone there before. Stand your ground."
I think that’s a good thing to remember.
I’m proud that you are my daughters.
I love you.
Dad
September 18, 2006
Girls –
Today Ann Richards, a former governor of Texas, was buried in the Texas State Cemetery. I’ve been reading accounts of her life, and I felt compelled to write you a letter for you to read when you are older and are more understanding of history. Hers is an inspiring story, and the type of story I can envision you each writing before your time on earth ends.
She was just a girl from Waco, and she raised four kids. She grew up in a time when women weren’t given a lot of opportunity to take part in the political process, and in fact, it was a time when women were expected to stay at home, rear children, cook and clean and be submissive to men. There were few women in politics, few women in places of professional prominence, and even fewer women who were on equal financial ground with men professionally. It was a tough time, tougher than any of us can imagine.
She came through that time and ran for a local office. After being a housewife (she was determined to be at home with her kids, just as your mother made the same commitment to you), she decided she wanted to run for office. She won.
But during her political life, she also had to overcome some personal problems, bumps in the road that you, too, might experience. You will have problems in your life, that you can be assured. She was an alcoholic. She smoked for 25-30 years. She divorced her husband, and had to deal with that upheaval and hurt; it was a tough time for her and her kids. When she was knocked down, she got up and went about her business. She made do.
She didn’t quit, and she was incessantly positive. She was always positive!! Every day she got up and fought forward and persevered. She worked. Every day was a new chance, a new, clean slate. And she also maintained great compassion throughout her life. This compassion was one of the reasons people were so attracted to her, and were so willing to vote for her. She was strong, but she also related to people who weren’t as fortunate as she. She was giving and approachable. If either of you decide to go into politics – really, these are lessons not limited to politics…just remember that there are people who will always need your help. Reach out!
What she did for women was simple: she gave them opportunity. She ran for governor and won, and promptly named more women and minorities to different commissions and boards than anyone in history. She gave women a chance when, in the past, others didn’t do so. She opened doors. History books will say that she “empowered” women, and that is so true. She was smart, and she did not allow anyone – certainly not men – decide her fate. You, too, can accomplish what you want if you are willing to work hard – but do so only if you maintain your compassion for others. I believe compassion and empathy are the traits that truly shape your soul and make you human. Always love others. Always. Especially those who might not get as much love in their lives otherwise. This will enrich you so much, in addition to helping others.
A funny story about Richards…Once she was at Scholz’ Beer Garden in Austin with a fellow politician named Bob Bullock (the state history museum is named after him). At any rate, with them was a black man named Charles (I believe that was his first name) Miles, another friend. Well, this was a big-time political party, and this racist old judge from East Texas came upon the group.
“Hello, Bob!” he bellowed.
Bullock shook his hand and said, “Jim, I’d like you to meet my friends. This is Charles Miles, he heads up our human resources department.”
The old judge looked at him derisively and barely shook his hand, saying, “Hello, boy.” It was an awkward moment, and Miles felt about two feet tall. What the judge said was cruel and wrong and full of hatred.
Then the judge looked at Ann Richards.
“Well, who are you, good lookin’?” he said with a grin.
And Ann Richards smiled a big smile back at the man, looked him in the eye and said, “I’m Mrs. Miles.”I’ve always thought that was a great story.
I guess I’m rambling…I just want you to do me a favor and do some reading on Ann Richards. I hope the history bug bites you as it has me…I love characters like her! Most of us – and I am included on this list – never feel like they quite have given enough to the earth, you know, to others. I guess everyone, at the end of their lives, wonders if they’ve given enough, if the world is better because they spent some time here.
I think Ann Richards probably did make this place better, and I think hers is just one example of people who have in fact maximized their time here. And there are others all around you, great examples that you should use as mentors.
Your mom is the prime example. Selfless, tireless, passionate defender of her kids and husband – that is your mother. You cannot measure the love she has for us, and you’ll never know the hours she has spent FOR US. Your grandmothers are also such perfect examples for you to emulate as well. Like Ann Richards, times were more difficult for them. They are givers, living for others, caring for others, worrying about others. These are the people you need to pay attention to. I hope you realize just how special it is for you to gaze into the kitchen and see you mother, quietly preparing your lunch each morning before the sun rises. This is a great gift!!
I just want you to take the time and pay attention to the women in your life, and strive to be like the great ones. And pay attention to each other! You both have great gifts, though they might be hard to see because you are so close. Being a woman is much more difficult than being a man – I am certain of this. You’ll have to work harder and endure more pain than most men. Allow the strong women in your life to imprint on your heart and soul. Read about women in the past. Imagine what it was like to be them – this might be the best tool to truly appreciate their significance.
Imagine being your mom, having a 17-month-old and a newborn, in a new city, trying to adjust personally while surrounded by all kinds of demands. Your mom did this – appreciate it, know it, understand it, love her for it. Remember…
Can you imagine, in the 1950s, in Alabama, and being a black woman and being ordered to give up your seat on a bus to a white man? Knowing that blacks were being lynched all around you? How strong must you have been to endure this? Read about Rosa Parks. Read about the women who had to march and protest in order to gain the right to vote in the early-1900s.
Read about Harriet Tubman, who led slaves to freedom! Put yourself in Tubman’s place – in the deep south in the 1800s, running through the woods under a moon’s glow, knowing that any minute you could be killed. But don’t just imagine the fear she must have felt, but also imagine the exhilaration! What must she had been thinking as she watched a man, a woman and their children continue on to freedom they had never known? And what strength it must have taken for her to not only get them to freedom, but to return SOUTH to save more folks? That’s the part I don’t get – standing, alone, in the dark of night, and seeing freedom just across the pasture…and then turning around, heading south. I don’t know if I could’ve done it, but Tubman did it, and I know for a fact your mother would’ve too. Just imagine that feeling!!! Frightening and wonderful at the same time!!
Your modern day role models are certainly the women in your family, in your blood, but they are also all around you in normal society. Pay attention to women who adopt children and love them as their own. When you see women break through man-made (literally) barriers in athletics, make mental note. Use them as building blocks in your soul! Pay attention to teachers. Build yourself not only with what you have – innate – inside you, but also from what you learn from others.
Each of you have a destiny – read about all of these great women, watch your mother and how she lives and loves, and gather all of this and hold it all with great strength near your heart. Talk to your mom about what makes her tick, about her feelings during certain times of her life, about love and raising kids and being a wife. Absorb. Learn. Listen. Above all else, listen!
This is something Ann Richards said that I think you should always remember, about being a woman: “Set your own course. Dream your own dreams. Go to places you want to go, even if no one has gone there before. Stand your ground."
I think that’s a good thing to remember.
I’m proud that you are my daughters.
I love you.
Dad
Concession stand...
Worked the concession stand cash register last night at the ballpark. Just after I started, I opened a huge can of nacho cheese sauce, and managed to cut my thumb, which I immediately had to cover, of course. Also, the bees were plentiful, so I killed a few of those during my shift.
The rival team in our league lost in a game against a team from Manchaca that we had already beaten, so we are alone in first place by one game. We play them twice more late in the season, so hopefully we'll stay ahead of them, then if we beat them the first time, we'll have clinched the title. Winners of the league get to coach the all stars...
Going to try and post some video stuff on this deal at some point.
Mike
The rival team in our league lost in a game against a team from Manchaca that we had already beaten, so we are alone in first place by one game. We play them twice more late in the season, so hopefully we'll stay ahead of them, then if we beat them the first time, we'll have clinched the title. Winners of the league get to coach the all stars...
Going to try and post some video stuff on this deal at some point.
Mike
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
In the beginning...
Well, didn't realize my free yahoo account included a blog, so here it is! Going to be fun to do, and it will allow folks to see photos and funny stories about us, etc. Looking forward to doing it....I'll be posting some photos now...
Mike
Mike
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