Change

It was Saturday, December 31, 2011.

It was probably eight or nine o'clock in the morning. Come to think of it, I never actually looked at the clock. I do know that it felt more like four or five in the morning. I still wanted to be asleep. In fact, I was still asleep. The key word in that sentence is "was."

As it happens, it was also Mandy's birthday. We had already planned to meet my parents, my brother and his family for lunch. Though I rarely sleep very late on Saturday, we had set an alarm, you know, just in case. Apparently, this particular Saturday was the one that my body thought it was going to take advantage of every minute of sleep available before that alarm.

Then, everything changed.

I was suddenly awakened with a shot to my admittedly oversized belly, and one word. "Daniel!" It was my wife, Mandy. I couldn't immediately decide if her cry was one of excitement or of panic. I do know I was panicked. I believe that I now understand the scare goats on a whole new level. You've seen them right? They're the ones that, when startled, succumb to a sort of temporary paralysis. It really is hilarious. My reaction in that instant felt similar. I froze momentarily, trying desperately to discern what was happening.

Mandy was sitting beside me on the bed. By now, I was awake enough to tell that she was not in distress. As my adrenaline rush subsided, and I returned my heart to my chest, I noticed that she had something in her hand that she was excitedly trying to show me. I was not, however, awake enough to tell what it was. I squinted, but I couldn't make it out. I tried rubbing my eyes to clear the haze. Still nothing. I finally had to admit to her that I could not make out what she was trying to show me.

"It says we're pregnant!"

That's how she broke it to me.

It couldn't have been more perfect.

We are going to have a baby. We are going to be parents. I am going to be a dad. Wow! I mean...wow! What do you think about that?

What am I supposed to think about that?

After years of being married and believing that we were unable to have kids, we got the news that we COULD start a family. After months of trying, we now had the news that we WILL be starting a family.

Well, I have had a few weeks since hearing the news, but something tells me that I have hardly begun to think, feel, imagine and experience even a fraction of what I will from this point on.

Again, what am I supposed to think?

Most of my thoughts so far alternate between concerns over two sets of capabilities: financial and parental.

I wonder about the actual financial cost of being parents. I wouldn't call it worry. Rather, it is probably just the result of conflicting thoughts, presumptions, experiences, and stereotypes the sum total of which seems to be that "babies are expensive." On the other hand, there are those two words that many people hate hearing from me, Dave Ramsey, as well as the two words Dave says don't go together, financial peace. Many who know us know that Mandy and I have begun following Dave Ramsey's advice and have really turned our finances around. Instead of being multiple thousands of dollars in debt and struggling, we have no debt except our house and a decent emergency fund saved up. Truthfully, thinking about it rationally and logically tells me that we are in better shape than many who start families. Still, I can't help but wonder how a new baby will affect us financially.

The more pressing concern is my ability to be a father. What in the world makes me qualified to be a father? Many of my friends and family assure me that I am "good with kids." I also know that kids seem to love me for some reason. I believe that it is because the aforementioned belly gives them a nice, soft cushion on which to rest when I am holding them. I also have next to no sense of smell, so I am uniquely qualified for diaper duty...or is it doodie? On the other hand, I probably play more video games and watch more cartoons than most kids I know. Once I fall asleep, I am a very deep sleeper. How is my wife or my kid going to wake me up in the middle of the night for an emergency? Will I be that annoying parent who is clueless and under- or overreacts to everything? Also, the lack of smelling ability could mean I can't always tell when it is time to change the diaper. How do I ensure that I properly raise the next Dallas Stars/Carolina Panthers/Texas Rangers fan?

What am I supposed to think?

The truth? I don't know what to think. I am not going to know what to think. So, perhaps I will simply stop trying to figure it out. Wait and see. You see, whatever is coming will come whether I'm ready or not. Right?

Here's what I know. That little boy or girl is going to be the most perfect baby ever. That baby's cooing, giggling, smiling, laughing...calling me Daddy...will brighten many dark days and put the most amazing sunrise to shame. And if you need a pick-me-up in the next eight months, wait until you are around me and Mandy. Just tell me to do the baby trick. Then sit back, watch, and enjoy as she lights up like a Christmas tree when I say one simple phrase.

We're going to have a baby.

The game that is my life just got a whole lot more interesting.





Scripture: You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:13-14

Quote: "I don't know if I'm ready to be the man I have to be. I'll take a breath. I'll take her by my side. We stand in awe; we've created life." - Scott Stapp

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Life's Not Fair

("Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles..." This is a blog I wrote way back in The MySpace Age. Seems it is still true and relevant. Enjoy.)

I know. I know! A blog entry entitled "Life's Not Fair" is probably some dude crying about how the world has done him wrong. Well, it's not-not this time. Check it out.

I have become a huge duck fan. I love ducks! I'm talking Daffy & Donald, Oregon Ducks, and even "duck" tape. Being a Dallas Stars fan however, I still refuse to cheer for the Anaheim Ducks. Duckies Rule!!! (Wow, I cant't believe it took this long to get to a Boy Meets World reference.)

So, what's so great about ducks? Well, here's the story. Three guys die and go to heaven. At the gate, St. Peter welcomes them warmly and gives them only one rule to follow. "Don't step on a duck! Ever!!" Seems easy enough. The gates open, and there are thousands of ducks covering every inch of the landscape. Guy #1 doesn't make it a day before stepping on one. The duck starts squawking and quacking. This sets all the other ducks off. The noise lasts for days before dying down. Peter shows up and tells the guy that "As punishment, you must spend eternity with her." He points to a hideously ugly and disfigured woman. Guy #1 is bummed.

Guy #2 lasts a week, but he too steps on a duck eventually. Same scenario unfolds: quacking, days of noise, punishment, eternity with a troll. Guy #2 is also bummed.

Guy #3 is very careful. He makes it a whole month in heaven (I know. Just pretend there is a time frame in heaven alright!) without stepping on any ducks. One day, Peter shows up with the most gorgeous woman and tells him they will spend eternity together. Guy #3 is not bummed.

After a few days of peace and bliss, he wonders aloud "I wonder how we ended up together forever." The girl replies. "I don't know. I was just walking along, and I stepped on this stupid duck."

Now, I told you that story to tell you this story. Life is not fair, and here is why. I got Mandy. You can check out her website at memoriesbymandy.net to see her photography. She's the most beautiful, talented,
loving, kind, and compassionate girl in the world. And, believe it or not, she also happens to be married to me. How can someone so perfect have ended up with me forever? There can be only one explanation for this. She must have stepped on a duck.

However it happened, she means the world to me. She's the only one in the world for me. I am so grateful for her. She's made my life complete. My life is complete and yours is not fair because you didn't get to marry her and I did.

So, babe, I have been truly blessed to have you in my life. No matter what or who comes up in the future, I'll always be here for you. You know that, and now, so do the two or three people who actually read my blog.

Speaking of those two or three people - I have been out of it for a while, but there there will be more humor, commentary, advice, and sports in future entries. Being new to this, I still maintain delusions of writing blogs that are read by thousands of people. If that happens one day, they-like you-will know why life is not fair.

I'll say it again...

DUCKIES RULE!!!!



Scripture: An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. - Proverbs 31:10-11

Quote: "There are two ways to live life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Seriously, It is Just a Game

I am a sports fan. Correction, I am a huge sports fan. Sports are a very important part of my life personally. They are a source of entertainment for me. Sports like softball and basketball are some of the very few forms of exercise that I still enjoy. They provide points of discussion for me and my friends or coworkers. Sports elicit a sense of pride when my favorite teams are performing well. At least they will some day in the future. I hope. Also, I believe that sports occupy a very important place in our society, a much more important place than some of us would really like them to. (Hi Mom.) There are so many different sports, and levels (high school, college, minor leagues, pros) and teams in those sports, that anybody can find something to get excited about. Sports have the ultimate mass appeal. This is best illustrated by the fact that there are more sports channels on TV than there are TV channels.

One result of that variety and mass appeal is that sports are able to showcase a multitude of tributes this weekend.

Ten years ago, The United States of America suffered through the darkest day in our nation's history.

We will never forget.

I will forever remember September 11. I remember driving to classes at Angelo State University when the idiot hosts on our local radio shows broke the news and, before all the facts were in, cracked jokes about the end of the world. I sometimes wonder what those people feel like after the massive tragedy that unfolded. How do they look in the mirror? At first, all they knew, and all I knew, was that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I remember going to the computer lab in between my first two classes and being unable to access any of the news websites because of the overload. Only after my second class, when I got to the University Center and saw the TV coverage, did I finally find out what had happened. I remember watching the rest of the days events unfurl in horror just like everyone else. The second plane, the first tower collapse, the second tower collapse, the dancing and cheering in the streets by animals in foreign countries that were overjoyed at our nation's pain and suffering. I shouldn't call them animals. That is too much credit. I remember the most soul shaking thing to me personally was hearing that the murderers had specifically selected cross country flights so that the planes would be carrying the most fuel and thus cause more damaging explosions. See, at that time, my Dad's job was in Montreal, Quebec. (We live in West Texas.) He regularly flew from Dallas to Chicago or Montreal and back. Had the targets been different, it could have easily been his plane that was selected.

I remember.

Remember...

Remember the thousands of innocent citizens who perished needlessly.

Remember the heroes of the various police, fire, and rescue departments who either gave or risked their lives to save others that day.

Remember the courageous men and women who fought the terrorists, took back the plane that eventually crashed in Pennsylvania, and saved thousands of other lives.

Remember the men and women who served or still serve in all of the branches of our military as they fight to keep us free and safe.

We all remember.

Thus the aforementioned tributes by various sports leagues and teams. Yesterday, several NASCAR teams ran special red, white, and blue paint schemes at Richmond. Some NFL players will be wearing patriotic shoes and gloves today. Around Major League Baseball, the song sung during the seventh inning stretch will be God Bless America. There will be commemorative patches, ribbons, and stickers worn everywhere. And you know the NFL will have some very stirring pregame and halftime performances.

All of these are tremendous sports gestures. They are part of never forgetting. You see, I think sports are a barometer of sorts. They kind of measure our people's reactions to different events. When tens of thousands of individuals are able and willing to join together in one place for one event, it shows that our people feel safe. When those gathered masses sing The Star Spangled Banner in unison and cheer loudly for our armed forces, it shows that our people are grateful for and respectful of our military and its members. Most importantly, when those multitudes all join in a solemn moment of silence and prayer, it shows that our people have not forgotten.

Still, there is one thing that is sure to be mentioned multiple times on a day like this. I feel certain it will come up more than once in games like the one between the football teams representing New York City and Washington D.C. That is that in the days, weeks, and months following the events of September 11, 2001, sports helped our nation to heal.

The problem is that, even for the biggest fan like myself, sports cannot and do not heal anything. They just don't. They are just contests with no true effect on our day to day existence. They do not, ultimately, matter at all. If sports did not exist at all, I know that our nation would have joined together in unity anyway. We would have hurt together anyway. We would have healed anyway. Why? Because we gather our strength as a nation from true sources of healing, not from a game.

Immediately following the tragedy ten years ago, we didn't turn to sports for healing. We turned to God, our families, our churches, our friends, and our neighbors. That's the way it should be. That is where the healing started. That is where strength begins.

We will never forget.

We continue to move forward, but we still look back and remember. America continues to heal.

It's just not because we watched a sporting event. It is because of our faith, our families, and our friends. Those are the truly meaningful things in life.

That sport on the TV...that is nothing but a game.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?




Scripture: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Quote: "This week there will be plenty of solemn and important reflections on the events of 9/11. There will also be those who tell us that after the attacks and the horrible loss of life, sports somehow helped us heal. But, sports didn’t heal anybody that fall. If you want to say they provided a fleeting diversion, I’ll agree, just as movies and books, and reruns of Seinfeld surely did. Sports are not unimportant in the U.S. and in the world. They are part of the fabric of our societies. But especially this week, let’s resist whatever urge there might be to overstate their significance in the aftermath of 9/11." - Jeremy Schaap

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Take it to the Bank

First off, I am trying out a new iPad app for blogging, and this is my first post using it. So if things look strange, I apologize and it will be worked out. That said, onward we go.

Finally, the new NFL season is here. The season opener is tonight, and that obviously means that I must join the legions of TV personalities, writers, tweeters, and other "experts" by providing my preseason picks and predictions.

Since I will not likely finish writing this before the game starts this evening, I want to state that I will be putting the Green Bay Packers back in the Super Bowl regardless of how good or how bad they look against the Saints tonight. Also, this is written after hearing about Peyton Manning's surgery today. I am assuming Manning plays less than 6 games.

Also, if you are a keen observer, or you just love looking for non-vital things to attack or argue about, you can add up all the records and note that there is a disproportionate number of wins to losses. I am not going through the entire NFL schedule game by game to predict these teams. I am merely approximating the record that I think each team is capable of achieving.

Drum roll please...

AFC East: y-Patriots 13-3
x-Jets 12-4
-Bills 6-10
-Dolphins 4-12

AFC North: y-Steelers 12-4
x-Ravens 12-4
-Browns 9-7
-Bengals 4-12

AFC South: y-Texans 12-4
-Colts 6-10
-Jaguars 4-12
-Titans 3-13

AFC West: y-Chargers 13-3
-Chiefs 8-8
-Broncos 4-12
-Raiders 4-12

NFC East: y-Eagles 12-4
x-Cowboys 11-5
-Giants 8-8
-Redskins 5-11

NFC North: y-Packers 13-3
-Bears 9-7
-Lions 8-8
-Vikings 7-9

NFC South: y-Saints 13-3
x-Falcons 12-4
-Buccaneers 8-8
-Panthers 5-11

NFC West: y-Cardinals 10-6
-Rams 8-8
-49ers 4-12
-Seahawks 3-13

Wild Card Playoffs: Jets over Texans, Steelers over Ravens, Falcons over Cardinals, Eagles over Cowboys

Divisional Playoffs: Patriots over Jets, Chargers over Steelers, Packers over Falcons, Eagles over Saints

Conference Championships: Chargers over Patriots, Packers over Eagles

Super Bowl: Packers over Chargers

Awards: Super Bowl MVP-Aaron Rodgers, GB
NFL MVP-Phillip Rivers, SD
Coach of the Year-Jim Schwartz, DET
Comeback Player-Matthew Stafford, DET
Defensive Rookie of the Year-Von Miller-DEN (Gig 'Em!) (Homer.)
Offensive Rookie-CAM, CAR...

...just kidding. Julio Jones, ATL.

GO PANTHERS!

You know my mind. Thoughts?

Scripture (for my fellow Panther fans): What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? - Job 6:11

Quote: "In my business there is no second place. You're either first or you're last." - Vince Lombardi



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Are You Holding Out?

A few high profile NFL players' holdouts have me thinking. I will readily admit that I tend to flip flop sides on the issue of player holdouts. Here are some thoughts.

1-The player signed a contract. Teams have a right to demand that the player fulfill the duties that he agreed to perform. This is why the Cincinnati Bengals refuse to give in to Carson Palmer's holdout demands.

2-Holdouts happen very frequently, and teams rarely take the hardline stance that Cincinnati has. Thus, the holdout has become an accepted bargaining tactic that a player may use just to make a point to his team before actually getting down to business. The best example of this is the recently ended holdout of Desean Jackson from the Philadelphia Eagles.

3-Teams release players constantly before the contract terms are complete. If teams don't have to honor their word, why should the players? (See what I mean about flip-flopping?) If a player feels he is worth more money, he can hold out as long as he feels necessary until he gets a proper deal. Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans comes to mind.

4-The only other way I can think about it is to consider my own employment. I can see it now. "Hey boss. I want two new fans installed in my office, ESPN HD on the security camera monitor, and a Snickers and a Coca-Cola icee every day at 3:17 pm. Oh, and I am not coming in to work at all until I get all of these things. Wait, what is this paper slip and why is it pink?"

5-The holdout is more common in our life than most of us would like to admit. How much doesn't get done in our world because people who could otherwise accomplish amazing feats are holding out for an easier way or a better reward? "I could get ahead in my housework but..." "I can go ahead help out my neighbor if only..." "I should spend more time volunteering with orphans or the homeless BUT..." Or how about this, have you ever asked yourself or somebody else "What's in it for me?" Sadly, I do this far too often. Sadly-er, it has taken me nearly thirty years and God speaking to me through pro football contract disputes to realize that I do this. I have been a spiritual holdout.

6-I don't have to hold out for a better reward with God. The truth is, the price Christ paid for me on the cross is far greater than any amount of rewards I could ever deserve or receive. Nothing I could do, or refuse to do, will ever convince God to love or to reward me more. Simply, my personal holdouts are unnecessary.

Where else in life do we "hold out"?

Scripture "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9

Quote "Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." Dale Carnegie

Sure Fire Winner

Today, it's just a numbers game. Let's compare statistics* for two Major League Baseball players.

Player A has played 2,393 career games.

Player B has played 2,458 career games.

Player A has scored 1,748 runs.
Player B has scored 1,554 runs.

Player A has accumulated 4,374 total bases.

Player B has 4,560.

Player A has 487 doubles.

Player B has 440.

Player A has 1,181 runs batted in.
Player B has 1,664 RBI.

Player A has been walked 962 times, 37 intentionally.

Player B has been walked 1,711 times, 169 intentionally.

Player A has a career batting average of .313.

Player B hits .277.

Player A has an on base percentage of .383.
Player B has a .403 OBP.

Player A has a slugging percentage of .449.

Player B has slugged .558.

So, which player, if any, is the absolute lock to make it to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame?

Perhaps, I have left out the most important factor...

Player A is a lifelong Yankee.

Player B, never a Yankee.

Yet.

I have intentionally omitted two offensive categories which vary greatly between these two players, each favoring a different guy.  (They also are the two stats that would most likely reveal each player's secret identity.)

Player A has 3,045 career hits.

Player B has 2,265 hits.

Yes. Player A is the one and only Derek Jeter, almost universally accepted as a lock to be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. As a matter of fact, they will probably just wave the waiting period after he retires. There may not even be a need to take a vote.

But Player B.

Jeter has 238 career home runs.
Player B has 601 career home runs.

Player B is Jim Thome. He is one of only 8 players ever to hit 600 home runs. Only Babe Ruth did it in fewer at bats. The .403 OBP that I mentioned earlier is higher than all-time greats Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn. I believe it was Jayson Stark from ESPN who pointed out that Thome has scored at least 100 runs in more seasons than Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, and Dave Winfield combined. Impressive.

The greatest Jim Thome stat: he is tied for the most walk off home runs of all time with 12. His co-record holders are Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, and Frank Robinson. If that's not Hall of Fame caliber company, I don't know what is.

I'm not the first or the last person to stump for Thome. Instead, let me be the NEXT to state it publicly. Jim Thome is and has been one of baseball's finest players. I am grateful that I have been able to follow most of his career. Cooperstown should be waiting for him once he hangs up his cleats for good.

*-Stats current as of 8/18/11

Scripture - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Quote - "So there you have it. It's all so simple when you break things down scientifically" Nick Bakay

Football's Free Agent Frenzy

It took a little longer to get another post written than I had originally planned. I had some family events and unexpected travel come up. 

As I write this, I am on the road home from Missouri.  The NFL lockout has ended, and the so called "Free Agent Frenzy" has begun. I am learning of all the player signings and potential trades from my twitter feed (shameless plug in 3... 2... 1... twitter.com/rangerfandan) whenever I happen to have service on the road. As each new transaction is reported, I can't help but wonder how the recent labor dispute has affected some people's lives.

Let me say that I am not going to take a side in the players versus the owners debate. For one thing, I have never been involved with unionized labor or collective bargaining. So, I have no knowledge or experience on which I could base an intelligent decision. Also, I personally do not think the "millionaires versus billionaires" concept that the media has fallen for truly applies.  Here's why.

To most of us, professional sports like the NFL are, or at least should be, just a game. To the thousands of individuals and their families associated with pro sports, this is their life. For the owners, their franchise has become a brand that is their largest personal investment. Its success is their success. For the players, this is their dream job. For both, this is a career that they have spent their entire lives striving to achieve. That is not something any of us would take lightly.

You see, it doesn't matter what you do or how much money you make. One of the many great things about our country is that, for the time being at least, you still have the right to try and do more and to earn more for yourself. You can improve your own life and your own family's situation.

This is why I wonder about all the deals being made this week. These guys are squeezing into one week, an off season that usually lasts for months. Many are trying to finalize deals immediately so that they can be in training camps that start this weekend. For even the lowest paid player, the amount of money in play is life altering. Their future could easily be made with this one employment choice. They could make enough money that, if they are wise stewards, can easily take care of themselves and their families for life. Personally, I hope these guys, many of whom are still young men, are able to devote the time, thought, and prayer necessary to make wise decisions.

Also, much respect/kudos/props/any other positive feedback term you can think of to the NFL and the teams that are paying out the lost salaries and wages of the staffs and employees. Those people-the ones whose retirements, kids college funds, mortgages, or even grocery and utility bills depend on NFL or team paychecks-are the ones who comparatively stood to lose the most in this labor dispute. A labor dispute that they did not initiate and in which they did not have a voice. Perhaps to them it rightfully is a bit more than just a game.

Quote: A man should make all he can, and give all he can. - Nelson Rockefeller

Scripture: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 NASB