howdy

Whats up out there in blogger land. The vacation is going fast! We are now at my inlaws in Lima. My days alternate between taking the puppy out every thirty minutes - reading James Patterson's new book Cross - watching Battlestar Gallatica (the new series) season one - catching up on emails. Not really much to report. We saw The Departed and I liked it. Ultimately violent and crass but what movie by Scorsese isn't. DeCaprio was really good in it and of course Nickolson is the master! We also saw the new James Bond film which I liked also. It had a good edge to it that allowed it not to be "just another Bond" film. I lost in the "Super Bowl" of my fantasy football league. Very discouraging, Tony Romo and T.O. played their worst game right when I needed them!! All I can do now is get myself prepared next years season!! I actually like that the Fantasy season doesnt last into the late stages of the NFL season. Its good to watch some games and not be obsessed like some guy who has no clue about football and just wants to see stats. My hopes are for Kel and I to get out and see The Good Shepherd. Movies and relaxation are the plans for the next couple of days before we get back to the Falls!

Later

Fantasy Football Greatness

I will allow my wife to give everyone the details of our trip to Ohio (home of the #1 college football team in the Nation, The Ohio State). We are here and everyone is doing great. I do have a new lil pup in my life - shout out to my puppy Scout. I would also like to give a shout out to my wife Kelly for standing by her word NOT to help if we get this dog. "If we get this puppy Jeff, its going to be you who takes care of it". "Yes mommy dearest" hopefully my wife won't read this entry or I'm dead. No, I knew that I would have to take care of her with all the other drama going on in taking forty people across country. My wife did a great job getting three boys and three dogs ready for this trip! Shes Awesome! I love her so much! Hopefully I'm creeping out from under my mommy dearest comment.
Who is in the Super Bowl in the North Texas Dynasty League? Why me, of course, silly reader! The Stonewall Knights (named after my two favorite generals - Stonewall Jackson and Bobby Knight) have become one of two teams to battle for the first ever league championship! Alyssa - Stonewall Jackson was a general for the Confederacy in the Civil War. The Confederacy was the South. The Civil War was a battle in which the Northern States in the U.S. and the Southern states were waging a war over (among other things) Slavery and States rights. Bobby Knight is the greatest college basketball coach of all time. My wife and family are so impressed. Just today Kelly said, "yeah thats cool honey, get off the computer I need to check my email". With love and support from the family it was destiny for me to achieve this lofty stature.

Later

DSM

Day 2 without Kelly started well. The boys got up and we all got ready for our three mile journey to school. This is no easy occassion when you try to load Owen in the car. He has this outstanding new trick where he stiffens his back when you put him in the car seat. Oh the fun then begins, trying to get him to fit into the car seat while he alternates between tightening his legs to arching his back. So I decide to take the entire DSM (During School Mafia/ Dakota, Owen and me) to take the kids to school. Owen and I have to go along but its an added bonus for our newest member our lab Dakota. We get back and its time for our youngest member to take his morning nap! He is scheduled to go down at 9:30 in the A.M. So keeping with the schedule he gets a bottle and goes to his crib (no slang his real crib) and decides to play for 45 minutes all the while talking to his stuffed rabbit. I go let him know that he is a tad off schedule and try to convince him to go to sleep - which results in 20 more minutes of rabbit talk. He finally gets to sleep and the day is off to a hour and half delay! I decide to use this time wisely by watching The Sentinel with Michael Douglas - horrible movie! We then went on the afternoon run to pick the kids up all from school - all members of the DSM not present Dakota was left to guard our headquarters. Then the fun filled after school activies of homework and getting ready for AWANAS. We get that accomplished and the boys polish off a gormet meal of fish sticks and Mac and Cheese. After dropping the two oldest off at church and ran over to the Burney's for chili dogs. This is a meal that really is deceiving. It looks like it could be fun and great to eat..its neither. Anywho back to grab the boys and then the race to baths and snacks and bed.

Things learned yesterday...
1. watch out when feeding Owen and he looks to sneeze.
2. watch out when feeding Owen and he decides to talk and make noises .
3. Got to get a new technique to getting him in his car seat- simple force no longer works.
4. Kiefer Southerland couldn't even save the movie The Sentinel
5. Get the book rights reserved for Owen Trimble the stuffed bunny whisperer

Later

and so it begins

Day one of the Mr. Mom experiment. It went well so far all the boys are down and asleep and all are still healthy! Kelly left around noon and it was GO time! The boys in school so Owen and I went to Walmart at 2pm for some groceries and a present for a friend. Walmart during the day is one heck of an experience! I had a number of women look and smile at me and I was feeling quite popular. Til I realized Owen was talking or smiling or doing something cute. I'm going to go ahead and assume they were looking at him not me. We then picked up some kids at school around 3pm then over to Old High to drop off the gift. I had to be careful I didnt want Owen to fall asleep in the car. We then ran back home where I got a bottle in him and put him down for a nap. The neighbors then watched him while I picked up Evan from school. We came home killed an hour then off to BBall practice with Evan. I decide to drop Evan off with a mom going into the practice and run back to the store for things I forgot..well as soon as the boy gets in there he falls and hits his head. Of course I'm not there, so the coach takes care of him and I arrive twenty minutes after and things seem to be o.k. Other than all the parents wondering why the deadbeat Dad left his child at his time of need! We then procede home to a baby awake and dinner needing to be done. I feed Owen first then put on some pork chops and mac and cheese for the boys. Big hit - I'm the man so far! I get a little crazy and after dinner decide to give the baby a bath and it works out o.k. Then we kill another half an hour and their in bed. I'm exhausted!! I have to regroup for this to start all over again tomorrow!!

Later

Relief Pitching

I have been wanting to blog lately but with the tragedy I really haven't been very jovial. I'm not even really sure if tragedy is the word - I just know Troy was a great person to get to know and I respected him for what he did and who he was, the amount of time that I got to spend with him here in Wichita Falls.

This brings me to my new challenge... being the real Mr. Mom for three days. My wife is going to fly out to Arizona for Troy's Memorial service. I know what your thinking "well My husband or (if your a guy)", "well I watch the kids when my wife's gone a lot." First things first
1. No backup relatives within 1,000 mile!
2. 9 year old, 6 year old, and wait for it... 8 month old.
3. Owen has the talent to crawl and whine that he wants to be held.. did I say whine.. I mean CRY. So hes mobile enough to track me down while crying. You can't buy that talent!
I just looked up at my calender on the wall in my office and its still on October! - Sorry ADHD moment.
4. I'm more of a relief pitcher - not starter when it comes to watching the kids. I'm not sure my arm can get through the long innings!

I will try to keep everyone on track as far as how the days go. I should journal these three days and write a book entitled "How to break your husband mentally and physically". I am kidding I actually am looking forward to it - kinda.

Things have been going well for me. I think we have the best recruiting class we have had here in twelve years. I am excited about that. We'll see how that translates into wins. Haven't been sick yet this year and have had a couple pretty uneventful weeks so Life is good right now. I'll keep you updated on the next few days!

Later