The Scrooge of Halloween...

Those of you that know me, know that I don't do holidays. Well, tonight, Wendy and I took the girls trick-or-treating. Yes, that is right, I tagged along. This is a huge step for me, I don't usually go with them, often times because of games or something that I am committed to. In fact, if I am at home alone I don't even turn the porch light on. I know hammer me all you want, but I am changing.

Why? Well about a year ago I read a book titled More Than A Dad by Scot Anderson. It is one of the best Christian books that I have ever read and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I would share with you what it is about but then you might not find it and read it, plus as I said, it's been a year I don't remember much. I plan to re-read the book over Thanksgiving. Let me know what you think if you actually read it.

Enjoy the pictures. Brecken was Strawberry Shortcake and Camdyn was Tinker Bell.

Harding

I love the fact that Harding sends out T-shirts to newly born babies. We received ours about week after Bentley was born. I was so excited to get it as you can tell.

This week has been Red Ribbon Week at many schools. Brecken's school had different dress up days and Thursday was favorite team day. I dug into my drawers and found my Harding jersey and let her wear it, she loved it. It thrills me to here her say that her favorite teams are the Bulldogs (I'm not sure why, we are 1-8) and the Bison.

I miss Harding. I miss the simple town life. I miss the friendships that we had, although many of them are still strong, I miss spending time with friends. I miss Harding football games. I miss faculty intramurals. I miss, even though I am old and out of shape now, the Rhodes Rowdies. Maybe one day we can return the town and school that we love.

Week 9 - I Get Friday Off

For some reason, we played on Thursday night week. In fact, we found our on Monday of this week. Good thing we looked at the Tiger's schedule because ours shows us playing tonight (Friday). I really don't think the extra day of practice would have helped us. I am sure all can believe that.

The Tigers struck early and struck often. We were down 27-3 at halftime and down 45-3 in the middle of the fourth quarter. Our first team offense scored on their second or third string defense, 45-10, and then our defense recovered a fumble in the endzone (their second or third string offense made this mistake). This was our first defensive touchdown of the season, that's right it took 9 weeks to get the accomplishment. Final socre 45-17. Have I mentioned that we are horrible?

The Tigers were far superior to the Bulldogs, in fact, most teams have been at least superior to us. But or some reason even though we 1-8 our coach hasn't accepted the fact that we just plain suck. Here is the quote from the team meeting after the game, "They [Tigers] are a good football team, but they aren't that much better than us. We just did not get mentally ready for the game. We ned to learn how to prepare mentally for games."

I leave you with this: one more week of football...yahoooooooooooooooooooooooo! Last game - Ropers, a team vying for the playoffs.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch today so that we could take picutres and get pumpkins for the girls. It's not a huge patch, but it is close to the house and we go every year. The girls have so much fun looking at all the pumpkins and picking out what they think is the perfect pumpkin. Here are some pictures from our time there. Trust me when I say that Bentley is not always sleeping.

Week 8 - You Are Not Going To Believe...

Oh wait, yes you will, we LOST!!!! Unfortunately we actually played the best game of the year defensively (have you noticed a pattern?). Even offensively we had our moments. Here is the quick run down of the game.

We scored first...Bulldogs 7-0. The Comets quickly replied with a touchdown of their own, halftime score 7-7. We came out in the 3rd and played well. In fact we went up 14-7. These are probably the first two times we have actually lead in a game apart from the victory we had in overtime. Of course our only lead came in overtime during that game and it ended the game. Okay, back to this game. About mid fourth quarter, the Comets struck again and tied the game at 14. With under a minute left, the Comets quarterback dropped back and threw a bomb. The receiver caught it, despite good coverage, and scored...but wait, a flag was on the ground. Lucky for us there was offensive pass interference called. Our defense held and we went to overtime.

Overtime, I have shared my thoughts about the structure before, we are 1-0 in overtime. Our only win came in overtime. We took the ball first and on 3rd down threw an intereception in the end zone. The pressure now falls on our defense. On 3rd down and 1 the quarterback ran in for the winning touchdown. Comets 20...Bulldogs 14. Heartbreak.

I told you last week to stay tuned for eventful ways that we will lose our final three games. Game 1 of 3 - lost in overtime. Next week we take on the Tigers, who by the way are pretty good, but whose not when the Bulldogs come to town. Stay tuned!

Early Introduction

I am so excited to share with you all that yesterday in our town Best Buy opened. Now, I don't have to drive into Tulsa just to look around at all the things I can never afford. Unfortunately, I did not get to attend the grand opening with everyone else in our town. So, tonight I decided to view the new Best Buy and see how it matches up with those around the country (I have been to Best Buy in many states, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, California, Washington, Colorado, Massachusetts, to name a few). However, that is not where my complete excitement lies. Since Bentley was born just a week ago, I decided it was about time to introduce to her the greatest store around. Although, she appeared to be sleeping, I know she was really just soaking in the amazement of the store. I can also tell you that Brecken and Camdyn were equally excited. For weeks now (at least since the sign has been up) Camdyn has pointed out Best Buy everytime we drive by. Tonight when we pulled into the parking lot she yelled, "Best Buy, it is open now, can we go inside." My heart is filled with so much love right now. What a way to spend "family time", checking out Best Buy.

Week 7 - We won't make the playoffs!

As if there was any questions, and believe me there was not, we are officially out of the playoff hunt. The top four teams in each district make the playoffs and with our stellar 1-6 record, we are mathematically eliminated. I guess the upside to that would be after November 2 this miserable season is over.

I don't really feel like writing much about the game but here are the quick highlights. We were down to the Braves (yes, imagine that another indian, I mean Native American mascot) 12-0 at halftime. Our defense has done a great job these past few weeks but as always our offense can't move the ball. In the second half we finally scored and were down 12-7. Late in the 4th quarter we moved the ball down the field with great running and few short passes (we usually don't throw short because our coach like to go long), inside the 10 yard line we coughed up the ball. With a little back and forth defense we put together a goaline stand and forced a fumble. Bulldogs take over, 1st and 10 with 97 yards to go in 1:47. Plays 1 - 3 gets us alittle breathing area, but on 4th and 6 instead of the 1st down we throw a 40 yard pass incomplete. Securing another loss for the Bulldogs. Final score...12-7.

Three games remain and we WILL lose them all. Continue to keep posted to find out how we lose them. Next week the Comets!

Week 6 - We had a baby

Before I update you on the game, and I know many of you have laid bets on whether I went, let me tell you that pictures of Bentley will be posted and email later today. Yesterday I composed an email with a picture attached on my phone (I have a new toy) and thought it was weird that no one had responded, it wasn't until this morning that I realized it didn't send. Sorry!

Now about the game, have I told you that we are horrible? Well we do! We played a good first half but could not fully capitalize on the mistakes the Zebras made. In fact our defense and special teams did everything to win except score touchdowns. Our offense had good field position all of the first half but could not make things happen. At halftime, we were tied 11-11. How many games have you seen tied 11-11?

Most of the third quarter was much like the first half, good defense, horrible offense. Our defense fell apart in the forth because they had played the entire game. Our offense play calling was horendous. Get this, we kept throwing the ball when we were getting pounded 69-0, but last night all we wanted to do was run the ball to no success. We couldn't throw deep, and we did try but we never took advantage of the short balls they were giving us. I don't understand.

I don't know what our stats were but the final score was 26-11, Zebras. We gave them their first win and we dropped to 1-5, only 4 more weeks and may not when a game.

Well I lasted through three quarters and left when they went up 10. I needed to get back to the hospital.

She's Here!

She has arrived. We arrived at the hopital about 7:15 and had the baby at 1:15. Wendy and the baby are both doing great. Her name is Bentley Aiden and she weighed 6 lbs 12 ozs and was 19 inches long. Pictures to follow.

I'm Gonna Miss The Game?!?!

Well it has been decided, we will have our baby on Friday (if not sooner). We went to the doctor again today and Wendy asked about inducing, I think she is tired of carrying the baby, and so the doctor made a phone call. He came back into the room and asked it Friday at 7:30 would work...doesn't he know that I coach high school football, couldn't this wait until Monday. However, being the good husband that I am I said "oh, that will work fine" because it isn't about me at a time like this, I am not carrying a baby. Plus we had asked for this to happen I should push the envelope by requesting a different time. No one wants to upset the person that will be delivering your child. So on Friday morning we will arrive at the hospital to begin the process of having a child.

So, what about the game? Well as I have mentioned we play the Zebras and yes they are called the Zebras (side note: they are red and white, explain that to me. What is with these schools who choose mascots and then have colors unrelated to the mascot. Case in point - Northeastern State University Redmen, colors Green and White. Okay enough on that topic, I will save it for another post.) I am bummed about missing this game because we are playing the school district that Wendy and Brecken teach and attend school at. I want the Bulldogs to ruin Homecoming and beat the Zebras. Now do I really think that will happen...NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Although the Zebras are 0-5 this year they are still better than us.

Why can't I go to the game, assuming the baby has already arrived? I mean, I went golfing the day after Brecken was born (Wendy kicked me out of the hospital) and I attended the Rangers game with Jim and Eddie the day after Camdyn was born (I already had the tickets), wouldn't you think that if the baby is born before noon or shortly after I could still make the game. Just kidding, that will not happen...I mean the baby won't come that soon! Just kidding, although those of you that know me are thinking...yes it is! You might be right.

All that said, we are having our child on Friday but don't fear even though I will not be in attendance I will still post the outcome of our game. I know most of you are entirely engrossed with our season, we are doing so well!