Found the Camera, But Didn't Use It!

So one reason for the lack of blogging lately is because I was not sure where the camera was. It usually stays in my purse and I knew it wasn't there but didn't really think it was lost just did not know where it was. Now I do! We went to the State Fair at the end of September and yesterday, a month later, the bag that we took with us came out of the car. There inside it was the camera!

I should have used it the last 2 weekends as we have had fun with family the last 2 weekends!

Last weekend we headed to the Lubbock/Muleshoe/Portales area. As you all know, most of our weekend travel is arranged around Tarleton Athletic events. Tarleton played football in Portales, so we also got to go to Lubbock and Muleshoe. We went to Lubbock Friday night and had a great time visiting and playing with Charlie, Amy and Abbye. Then Saturday morning we all went to Muleshoe to Gary and Hollye's. It was Joey's first visit to the farm. We also got to see their almost finished new house. Sunday morning we went to church and Leal's (a Muleshoe after church tradition). Then we began our trip home with stops back in Lubbock and Snyder. It was all fun times!

This weekend, Bill and Donna and Jason, Jami, Jaden, and Jaxon came for the weekend and to watch the Tarleton vs ACU football game. We had a great time! We had fun playing Wii and watching the Wii players! Jaxon and I made a pumpkin cake and he helped cook lunch. We did have toys at our house this time too, so they did not have to play with the laundry baskets and a ball like the first time they came to our house. However, the boys did have a great time playing with the flyswatters! Jami did use her camera, so maybe when she post her blog about the weekend I can still some pictures!

Sorry for the longs post without pictures! If you read it all, thanks I'm impressed! The camera is now back in my purse, so I will hopefully have some pictures next time!

And now on to more important things...

Well, I noticed my lovely wife has left the "Recognition" post up for a while, and I do thank everyone for their kind words. I will say it is nice to be recognized, but my job is to recognize and bring attention to our student-athletes and our University - that is what I enjoy doing. But thanks!

Now, on to the more important thing:

Leslye and I just wanted to say congratulations to our brother-in-law, Jason West. He was installed as a deacon on Sunday at the 37th Street congregation in Snyder. We were not there to witness the event, but I do know that we wish we could have been there.

Several years ago, my sister started dating this guy, and although I was younger, I still wanted to be protective of my sisters - still am to a degree. I believe the story I remember is this guy kept hounding her to go out with him, and she finally said, "yes." And I guess, after a bit, the rest is history.

I remember still being in junior high and high school, and I would spend the summers at Granny and Grandad's. Jason also lived in Abilene and was playing baseball at ACU, even in the summer. I remember one instance where I was there watching him play, and in between games (or after, I can't remember) he took me in his yellow, convertible bug to Sonic. I also spent some time at his apartment during the summer just "hanging" out. I thought that it was pretty cool that he liked me enough to spend time with me, even though I was the "little brother." Or maybe it was because Jami asked him to do it. Little did he know, I was checking him out just as much as he probably was me.

The thing was, I always wanted to a) be a big brother, and b) have a big brother. Well, I guess the closest to being a big brother I got growing up was being protective of my older sisters, but Jason was my first big brother (and now I have Jeff, too), and I could never thank him enough for being a great one!

We have spent a lot of fun times over the years, playing sports, playing games, traveling, Rangers' games, singing, etc. But most importantly, I have watched him be a great husband to my sister and a wonderful dad to my nephews. He is a great Christian role model to a lot of people, including me.

I thank God for bringing Him to my family. I have no doubt in my heart that Jason lives for the Greatest One of All each and every day, and that he displays his love for God in the way he lives his life.

People can be chosen to represent the church by being selected as an elder or a deacon, but I truly believe that we should all live our lives as if we have that "title." One shouldn't change because the church asks them to serve. One should be asked because he has served. It's not a change of life when called upon, but it's because you have changed lives that you have called upon.

I truly believe one of the greatest things a man is called to do is serve as an elder or deacon in the church. I have watched my grandfather serve as an elder, my father serve as both an elder and a deacon, my father-in-law serve as an elder, and now I am blessed to watch Jason serve as a deacon. I have longed to be able to do just that, and one day, Lord willing, He will call me to that service, too.

Although this post ended up being longer than what I intended (but then again, who's surprised?) I just want Jason and the rest of the world to know that we are proud of him.

Jason, Leslye and I love you, and I am so very proud to call you much more than my brother-in-law. You're my brother in Christ.

And if it's OK with you, let's just drop the in-law part.

Recognition

Joey has been recognized by the Tarleton President and the Board of Regents. He received a framed certificate last Saturday before the football game. I was not there to see him get the certificate, so I didn't get to take a picture. Lack of communication from husband to wife, but we won't dwell on that! :)

Check out the press release on the Tarleton website: http://www.tarleton.edu/scripts/press/display.asp?id=2817. A press release that he didn't actually have to write himself!

So proud of him and his accomplishments! It is well deserved!