Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Things can change in an instant
You never know how one day can change your life forever and you might not even realize it at the time.
Seventeen years ago today was a rainy, dreary day and I was supposed to go to a happy hour that I didn't want to go to. That night at Kempis in Addison, I met a girl who also didn't want to be there and at that moment, my life would never be the same.
Seventeen years later and almost 15 years of marriage, there are two little boys who I would never have had the privilege of being their daddy. Seventeen years later, she has made me a better person and I love her with all my heart.
I love you Shelley!
Seventeen years ago today was a rainy, dreary day and I was supposed to go to a happy hour that I didn't want to go to. That night at Kempis in Addison, I met a girl who also didn't want to be there and at that moment, my life would never be the same.
Seventeen years later and almost 15 years of marriage, there are two little boys who I would never have had the privilege of being their daddy. Seventeen years later, she has made me a better person and I love her with all my heart.
I love you Shelley!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Old Friends
A few weeks ago I got an email from an old friend, Mark Mrky. Mark and I were best friends when I was in the 5th and 6th grade, but, we moved from Iowa to Kearney. We maintained the friendship through letters for about a year but as things always happen, we both quit writing.
We did see each other in 1990 when he was passing through Dallas and we met at DFW airport during a layover he had but that was the last time we had spoken.
But, a few months back I found him on LinkedIn and connected and then he sent me the message a few weeks ago saying he was going to be in Dallas for a few days.
We met for lunch and it was good catching up. I think we both turned out pretty well and it makes me wonder how my life would be different if I hadn't moved from Iowa.
As I look back on my childhood, a large number of my fondest memories come from those 2 years in Iowa and being friends with Mark.
It is good to stay in touch with old friends.
We did see each other in 1990 when he was passing through Dallas and we met at DFW airport during a layover he had but that was the last time we had spoken.
But, a few months back I found him on LinkedIn and connected and then he sent me the message a few weeks ago saying he was going to be in Dallas for a few days.
We met for lunch and it was good catching up. I think we both turned out pretty well and it makes me wonder how my life would be different if I hadn't moved from Iowa.
As I look back on my childhood, a large number of my fondest memories come from those 2 years in Iowa and being friends with Mark.
It is good to stay in touch with old friends.
Happy Birthday Seth
I know this post is a day late but better late than never. :-)
Seth turned 11 yesterday and it is really hard to believe. I Remember back 11 years ago when we were all a lot younger and I can't believe how far we have come and how much has changed. That was a very special day for all of us. Yesterday Seth got a note from Marilyn and it made us all cry.
Seth turned 11 yesterday and it is really hard to believe. I Remember back 11 years ago when we were all a lot younger and I can't believe how far we have come and how much has changed. That was a very special day for all of us. Yesterday Seth got a note from Marilyn and it made us all cry.
My Precious Seth, today is your eleventh birthday. Time has passed so quickly. I am remembering being at school on January 28 and getting the call that the doctor said, "Let's go get this baby!" I told my principal that I had to leave since it was time for you to be born. I rushed to the hospital in time to see Mommy and Daddy before you were born.
When your Daddy came out to the waiting room and told us that you were here and showed us a picture of you, my heart just overflowed with love and joy. A little later I got to hold you. You were so tiny.
At home, I rocked you and held you so the sun would shine on you because the doctor wanted you to be in the sunlight. Looking into your precious face, I sang to you, "Grandmama loves Baby Seth Dowdle."
That was a very happy and proud time for all of us. There have been many happy and proud times since you were born. You make me happy and I am very proud of you!
Happy birthday! I love you!
Mama
I think this says it all.
He has grown up and is becoming a little man. I am very proud of him and love him very much.
Happy Birthday Seth!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
I've never laughed so hard
This post won't give the story justice but I just needed to document it.
Chase has been suffering from itchiness in his private region. So, yesterday I bought some jock itch spray and prior to going to bed we went to apply it.
Imagine a naked 8 year old with both hands protecting his most sensitive area. I sprayed a test on his leg so he would know that it was going to be a little cold. I then went to apply it but was having to fight through Chase's attempt to block the spray.
We were both having a good time and laughing at this "game". I finally got a good shot in and he dropped to his knees yelling, "It is burning." He was laughing while saying this and this caused me to laugh harder.
This spray has some sort of baby powder type property and when Chase stood up, looked down and in shock, yelled "It turned it white!" I lost it and couldn't continue because I was laughing so hard.
Chase has been suffering from itchiness in his private region. So, yesterday I bought some jock itch spray and prior to going to bed we went to apply it.
Imagine a naked 8 year old with both hands protecting his most sensitive area. I sprayed a test on his leg so he would know that it was going to be a little cold. I then went to apply it but was having to fight through Chase's attempt to block the spray.
We were both having a good time and laughing at this "game". I finally got a good shot in and he dropped to his knees yelling, "It is burning." He was laughing while saying this and this caused me to laugh harder.
This spray has some sort of baby powder type property and when Chase stood up, looked down and in shock, yelled "It turned it white!" I lost it and couldn't continue because I was laughing so hard.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Track
Seth has had this natural ability to run fast so in an attempt to try and grow this natural ability we signed him up for a summer track program with the City of Euless. I didn't know what to expect but was surprised by what we experienced.
First, there were about 150 kids participating from the ages of 5 up to 18. Second, they practice a lot in track. They had practice from 6:30 - 8:30pm Monday thru Thursday. Third, the coaches were great. They were all volunteers but they really worked with the kids and focused on finding a way for each kid to experience success. Fourth, track meets are long, hot and a lot of sitting and waiting. You end up waiting a couple of hours for your event, you run and in 15 seconds it is over. You then end up waiting another few hours for your next event to come up and that is how the day goes.
Some other things we discovered was Seth seemed to really enjoy it. He was pretty good and I think he liked the individual nature of the sport. But we also discovered that there are a lot of fast kids out there.
Seth participated in 3 meets and then the big Regional meet. In the 3 regular meets he participated in the 4x100 relay and the 100 m dash. In the big Regional meet they didn't have enough kids to make 2 relay teams so he ran the 100m dash and the 200 m dash. In the 100 he finished 34th out of 59 kids and in the 200 he finished 26 out of 52.
Following the meet Seth expressed a lot of disappointment for not qualifying to go to State because only the top 6 finishers in each event moved on to State. But, we told him he had worked hard and done great for it being his first year in track. This all was affirmed by what happened last night at the end of season party. Seth was awarded the Rookie of the Year award (see pic below). He was so excited and we were so happy for him.
Great job Seth!!
First, there were about 150 kids participating from the ages of 5 up to 18. Second, they practice a lot in track. They had practice from 6:30 - 8:30pm Monday thru Thursday. Third, the coaches were great. They were all volunteers but they really worked with the kids and focused on finding a way for each kid to experience success. Fourth, track meets are long, hot and a lot of sitting and waiting. You end up waiting a couple of hours for your event, you run and in 15 seconds it is over. You then end up waiting another few hours for your next event to come up and that is how the day goes.
Some other things we discovered was Seth seemed to really enjoy it. He was pretty good and I think he liked the individual nature of the sport. But we also discovered that there are a lot of fast kids out there.
Seth participated in 3 meets and then the big Regional meet. In the 3 regular meets he participated in the 4x100 relay and the 100 m dash. In the big Regional meet they didn't have enough kids to make 2 relay teams so he ran the 100m dash and the 200 m dash. In the 100 he finished 34th out of 59 kids and in the 200 he finished 26 out of 52.
Following the meet Seth expressed a lot of disappointment for not qualifying to go to State because only the top 6 finishers in each event moved on to State. But, we told him he had worked hard and done great for it being his first year in track. This all was affirmed by what happened last night at the end of season party. Seth was awarded the Rookie of the Year award (see pic below). He was so excited and we were so happy for him.
Great job Seth!!
Monday, July 01, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Happy Birthday Chase
Here are two post from 8 years ago.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Chase is Here
Chase Walker Dowdle was born today at 12:47 pm. He is 7 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches long.
Mother and son are both doing well. Pictures to follow soon...
Mother and son are both doing well. Pictures to follow soon...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Happy Aniversary
Today is our 14th wedding anniversary. I am trying to let that sink in because it is hard for me to believe.
My life has changed significantly since our meeting and I am truly blessed for having Shelley in my life.
I love her....
My life has changed significantly since our meeting and I am truly blessed for having Shelley in my life.
I love her....
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Change Isn't Easy
Change does not come easy for the Dowdle boys. It starts with me and I have passed it down to Seth and Chase. So, when we started discussing moving them out of public school to a University Model School, the decision was hard for me because I knew how I would feel if I was them.
I went to 7 different schools before I graduated from High School and I had a secret desire that my boys would stay in the HEB system from pre-k to High School. But, as circumstances changed, Shelley and I decided we thought it would be best if they were in private school.
Since the boys recently got out of school for summer they have had some sad moments as they realized they were leaving this school forever. They also fear they will never see their friends again which may be true but it will only be if they choose so since we aren't moving and will still live within miles of their friends.
I feel for Seth even more because his baseball team is also breaking up. Chase has been on the same team with the same coach since he was 4 but Seth has never had a coach for more than 2 seasons. This last team looked promising but again, things change.
Now Seth is not losing his school but his baseball team.
I know God has great plans for them and he will get us all through this change but it is hard on all of us.
I went to 7 different schools before I graduated from High School and I had a secret desire that my boys would stay in the HEB system from pre-k to High School. But, as circumstances changed, Shelley and I decided we thought it would be best if they were in private school.
Since the boys recently got out of school for summer they have had some sad moments as they realized they were leaving this school forever. They also fear they will never see their friends again which may be true but it will only be if they choose so since we aren't moving and will still live within miles of their friends.
I feel for Seth even more because his baseball team is also breaking up. Chase has been on the same team with the same coach since he was 4 but Seth has never had a coach for more than 2 seasons. This last team looked promising but again, things change.
Now Seth is not losing his school but his baseball team.
I know God has great plans for them and he will get us all through this change but it is hard on all of us.
My Family
We are wrapping up our 2013 Family Vacation and I just want to say that I love my family so much.
Friday, April 19, 2013
A Sad Comment
The other day Seth asked, "Have the Cowboys ever been good?"
That makes me sad that neither of my boys have experienced the Cowboys that I grew up with.
That makes me sad that neither of my boys have experienced the Cowboys that I grew up with.
Monday, January 28, 2013
21 day fast update
We broke our fast this weekend at the same time we celebrated Seth's birthday.
While it was tough on all of us, we did it. A fast is always a unique experience and it does bring me closer to God.
The boys did great with their first fast. They were very committed to it but excited to get to play minecraft again and spent most of Sunday playing it.
While it was tough on all of us, we did it. A fast is always a unique experience and it does bring me closer to God.
The boys did great with their first fast. They were very committed to it but excited to get to play minecraft again and spent most of Sunday playing it.
Happy Birthday Seth
At this time 10 years ago I had no idea that later in the day I would be meeting my son for the first time. The pregnancy had been problematic so we had been making frequent trips to the doctor for sonograms and I thought the one we were having that day would be fine just like all the rest. We were scheduled to induce labor the next day so there was no way we would do anything today is what I figured.
But, after the doctor reviewed the sonogram he turned to us and said words I will never forget. "Are you ready to have a baby today?" The truth be known, I was not.
The rest of the day was spent trying to induce Shelley with no luck. Then things got scary as our little boy's heart rate suddenly dropped and it was decided it was time for an emergency c-section. Then at 3:37 pm on January 28th, 2003 Seth Reagan Dowdle was born.
Happy Birthday Seth!
But, after the doctor reviewed the sonogram he turned to us and said words I will never forget. "Are you ready to have a baby today?" The truth be known, I was not.
The rest of the day was spent trying to induce Shelley with no luck. Then things got scary as our little boy's heart rate suddenly dropped and it was decided it was time for an emergency c-section. Then at 3:37 pm on January 28th, 2003 Seth Reagan Dowdle was born.
Happy Birthday Seth!
Monday, January 07, 2013
21 Day Fast
As a family we are doing a 21 day fast. We are participating in this with our new church, Gateway, as we are giving the first of our year to God.
Shelley and I are doing a Daniel Fast. I believe this will be our 3rd 21 day fast and we did a 7 day one once as well. These always bring me closure to God but they are one of the toughest things we've done.
The boys are giving up playing Minecraft. They spent almost all of the Christmas break playing it so we thought it would be something meaningful to them and would give them the opportunity to participate.
I will check back in 21 days and tell how we all did.
Shelley and I are doing a Daniel Fast. I believe this will be our 3rd 21 day fast and we did a 7 day one once as well. These always bring me closure to God but they are one of the toughest things we've done.
The boys are giving up playing Minecraft. They spent almost all of the Christmas break playing it so we thought it would be something meaningful to them and would give them the opportunity to participate.
I will check back in 21 days and tell how we all did.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Seth's Piano Recital
This past weekend was the boys' piano recital. This is Seth playing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
Chase's Piano Recital
This past weekend was the boys' piano recital. This is Chase playing Good King Wenceslas
No More Car Seats
Another thing has moved into our past and that is the existence of car seats. Seth has been without a car seat for a couple of years now but Chase has been using a booster. But, one night last week when we needed extra space in the back seat we removed his booster and it hasn't been returned. It looks like we have moved on.
It saddens me because it is another reminder that they are growing up.
It saddens me because it is another reminder that they are growing up.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Big Tex
This past Friday a horrible event happened, Big Tex at the State Fair caught on fire.
This made me think back to our visits to the State Fair and running past Big Tex with 2 scared little boys. The story of one our visits is documented Here.
At the end of the post I commented that we would be going back next year. That was 4 years ago and I haven't been back. I think next year we might have to try another visit and see the all new Big Tex.
Get well soon Big Tex.
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