Sending my son off to a foreign land

Well, I dropped Michael off at the airport in New Orleans to start his epic journey visiting East Asia.  His first stop will be Jakarta Indonesia although getting there will be part of the journey.

Verses of Encouragement

Memory verses: I call these the let-us verses.  Hebrews 10:23-25  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Happy Anniversary

Happy anniversary my love of 29 years. I love to care for your garden because it reminds me of you; beautiful, faithful and fruitful.  :-)

Gulf Shores

Extended family at Gulf Shores.  We celebrated Julia's 14th birthday and surprised her with this trip.   :-)

Mississippi Kite

We have Mississippi kites nesting in our big tree on the end of the driveway. At first we noticed them circling around the house. One of them landed in our yard and was scouting around. After a few weeks we noticed them carrying branches etc. to the tree. The nest is about 30ft from the ground at the top of the tree but well hidden from all sides. It is very hard to see but you can hear them. When they get noisy I go out with my camera and take a few photos.

Here is some info from the internet.

Mississippi kites generally begin nesting soon after their arrival in spring. They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior.
In late May or early June, kites lay 2 white to pale bluish white eggs . Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 30 to 32 days. The young are able to fly and leave the nest 30 to 34 days after hatching.

Then and Now

It was mothers day and Beth and I wanted to duplicate a portrait of ourselves that we had done in our college years by a friend in my photography class. It was framed then displayed in every house we've lived in since then. We had been looking at recreating this photo for about 10 years now so it was overdue. We made a date of it and had a lot of fun together. As a matter of fact, because these photos now sit on our fireplace mantle, I could say it will be one of the top 20 memorable moments in our relationship.

The original photo was in black and white and shot on film. Today of course we have the luxury of digital so we were able to review every shot. After reviewing we would then get ourselves back into position and try again. Each time snuggling and laughing as we tried to keep the same expression we had back in the day.

So now, after 25 years, we have a duplicate of the photo we looked at for just as long. Only we were in our twenties back then.... and now,... well we ARE twenty five years older. :-)

February 8th the day after Superbowl XLIV.

A letter I wrote to my family.

I didn't want to fall asleep last night. It was all a blur. The New Orleans Saints won the superbowl. I watched it on TV with my wife and two of our children. We were at a fellow church member's house who hosted the party for her teenage daughter and the church youth group. It was rather loud and I made sure that my voice was heard when the touchdowns and field goals were made. My emotions ran the gamut and I was so happy for New Orleans and the Saints football team.
No one there could really understand what joy and emotions were going through me at the time. That is, no one but those that lived in or near New Orleans. This morning I woke up a joyous and happy man. We all know its not really the football team but the unity that the communities felt as we all cheered on the team. New Orleans and the gulf coast needed hope. They needed something or someone to lead them into a new and better place in their hearts. A place of victory not despair.

There was one emotion that I held back until this morning driving alone to work. ...I cried.... I told myself I wouldn't do it but I did. "It's nothing but a dumb football game" I told myself, but now that I was away from everyone, I could cry my tears of joy. Do you know what I'm talking about? The sights, the sounds, I guarantee will live in our minds forever. We did wait 43 years for this. We actually prayed for this. (Shaking my head).

Well, I got on facebook this morning and I thought you would enjoy some of the quotes. I would like to read more quotes from other people, so find some and send them to the rest of the family.

Facebook quotes on emotions people felt after the game:

Two quotes I will remember for the rest of my life. "God is Great" and "It was destiny". Drew Brees quarterback of the New Orleans saints after winning superbowl XLIV. (me)

I can't go to sleep! I just can't believe it. I witnessed the Saints winning the Superbowl.

The heavens wept last night with the Saints winning so we have surprise snow here in Memphis--6 inches and everything is closed!

I had this crazy dream last night that the Saints won the Super Bowl and the ironic thing was that they beat a son of Archie Manning. Funny huh?

Such a great time to be living in New Orleans!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't be suprised if ash wednesday gets postponed til after the NFL draft

"Happy All Saints Day" in February!!!

HOLY %#@!!!!!!!!! we kick butt!!!! WHO DAT????????

Thank God for answering my prayers!!! You do care about the little things..even a football game!!

Have a great day! It is a shame I have to work today. I need the week off. :-)

Tommy