You know you're a teacher when...

You see a kid running down the aisle at Walmart and you say, "whoa, no running in the hallways."

Yes, it did happen and I'm embarrassed about it. I think maybe it's been a long day.

If you bring it up, I'll deny it ever happened

Once Baylor was bounced from the Men's NCAA Tournament the other day I decided to help the Aggies. I had the opportunity to watch the game with the Rothenberger and Errington families. They are Aggies through and through.

Well, everyone in the room (including baby Jackson) had their maroon on, except me. I was still sportin' the green and gold. The Ags were down and everyone felt like I needed to "maroon out" to push them over the edge. It was a weak moment for me, really weak. I buckled under the pressure and I'm not proud, but it made for a fun picture or two:

Let's play a game

In order to be the best teacher I can be, I like to be prepared for all kinds of situations. So, I thought it might be fun for some people to help me do just that. Here's a completely hypothetical situation:

It's the first day back to school after a semi-long break. All the kids have an opportunity to talk about all the oh-so-very-exciting things they did. The last kid tells all about a family vacation to another state, he (or she) had a great time. Then as if it was the best part of the trip, the kid very proudly says, "When we were coming back into Texas my step-dad even showed us the prison he used to be in."

So, what would your response be?

We've come a long way

Well, another Easter has come and gone. As much fun as it was for my brother, sister, and I to have Easter Egg Hunts well into our teen years (we're a family of traditions) it is a lot more fun to celebrate these holidays with little kids in the family. And, of course, Will and Allie did not disappoint. I actually missed the Egg hunt because I had to pick Ashleigh up at the airport, but here's a couple cute pictures:



It just wouldn't be Easter without "the picture." So, here's a picture of the three of us (plus Will):


I also enjoy the fact that I still get to sit at the "kid" table:

For me?

Easter is different this year for a lot of reasons. It's early. It's at the tail end of Spring Break. It's the first year that we will be celebrating Easter lunch somewhere other than my parent's house since we moved to Texas. But, the reason for all the celebrating is the same. I pray that it never gets old and that the truth of Easter will show through every part of my life.

This past Summer (or maybe Fall) I was doing a Bible Study and I was drawn to a particular part of the story of Jesus' death that it seems I had never really paid much attention to before. We all know the basics-but this little piece brought a whole new depth for me. Once the soldiers had put Jesus on the cross and he was no doubt experiencing great pain, they mocked him. They said things like, "If you're really God, get yourself out of this mess." How easy it would have been for him to show how powerful he is and literally get himself off that cross. God was completely capable and powerful enough to end the agony for Jesus. End the mocking. End the pain. But he didn't. He didn't because if the story had stopped there, then someone else would have to die. Me.

The mocking soldiers kind of reminds me of myself at times. "God, you're big enough to get me out of this mess. Or, You can make this happen if you really want to." And just like watching His own son die, He doesn't intervene. He knows what's coming, He knows that whatever is happening is for my good and His glory.

So, this Easter, I'm seeing things from a little bit of a different perspective. But the truth is the same, He died for me. He took MY place. And the good news, He didn't stay dead! He is alive and active in my life. And that, my friends, is something to celebrate!

We don't even need to discuss it

Quick, remind me how proud I was a couple days ago, because my Bears, they didn't look so good today. The way I see it, we're a few years away from a Final Four appearance. Baby steps, baby steps.

In other sad news, the rest of my bracket isn't looking too good either. I think I better take the day off from basketball tomorrow.

I have never been more proud

I can honestly say that I have never been more proud to be a Baylor Bear than I have been this week!

For the first time in 20 years, the Baylor Men's Basketball team will play in the NCAA Tournament. They have overcome a lot of junk to be in the position they are in and people are noticing. Check out these articles, this one is from a newspaper in Indiana, and this one is from the Chicago Sun-Times. I know it's not likely they'll go very far, but watch out, every year there's a cinderella!

Three years ago the Baylor Women's Basketball team won the NCAA Tournament! It was surprising for most of the country and many Baylor Fans too. That team beat three #1 seeds on their way to the National Championship, a very big deal. This year we are going into the tournament a #3 seed and I think we are going to surprise a lot of people, back to the Final Four!!

Lastly, I had the opportunity to head to Waco today to watch a little softball action. Well, with all the rain, the game was cancelled. In an effort to save the day, we stopped by the softball stadium just to see it and noticed the team was practicing at the "covered" practice field. We watched in amazement as they practiced their pitching and batting. After a few minutes the Head Coach, Glenn Moore, walked up and introduced himself to us. He apologized for the game cancellation but welcomed us to come inside and watch practice and then offered a tour of the locker room and autographs. I was blown away. I mean, I know how great Baylor is and how great people at Baylor are, but he was so nice and so giving to us. He went way out of his way to make the day memorable!

Baylor has always been a special place to me, but this week, I am down-right PROUD to be a Baylor Bear! Sic'em!