Cowboys 35, Rams 7

4-0 BABY!

What can you say about Tony Romo that hasn't been said. But, it must be some record to have run 60 yards to gain 3 yards for a first down. That play will go down in Cowboy history.

It was good to see Greg Ellis playing and getting sacks.

Hopefully, Anthony Henry's ankle will be fine.

They greatly reduced their penalties which is good.

People can say that they haven't played anyone and that is true but they are winning the games they are supposed to win. I'm sure Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and West Virginia all wish they had beat the teams they were supposed to beat.

Out of Chase's Mouth

Chase is just two but he has been talking for a long time and not just two or three word phrases but entire sentences. He has a very large vocabulary as well.

But, at times his little mind starts trying to push the words out faster than his mouth can handle so he occasionally will have a slight stammer and it is obvious it frustrates him. If he just slows down it goes away but sometimes slowing down isn't in the vocabulary of a two year old.

The other day he was trying to tell Shelley something and couldn't get the words out. He stopped and said to her, "I don't speak very well." Hmmm, just the fact that you said that proves his theory wrong.

Tonight on the way home from church he was talking and using some very big words and I turned to him and asked him, "How old are you?"

His reply, "4". That explains it, I thought he was just 2.

He Did His Very Best

In this post I talked about how Seth had not tried in a recent soccer game and a little conversation we had about doing his very best.

Today was the first soccer game since that talk and he did his very best. In fact, he actually scored a goal, his first in his soccer career. He was thrilled about it and when the game was over he ran off the field saying "I did my very best."

Yes, Seth, you did do your very best and we were proud for you.

One Nation Under God

Earlier this week I got a phone call and on the other line was my 4 year old. He didn't say hello, he just said

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

He had just learned the Pledge and was very proud. I was also very proud of him.

The I read this story about some kids protesting saying the Pledge and it really disappoints me. I hope my child always remembers and understands what priciples this country was built on and what makes it so great.

Here is a good link to learn more about the flag.

Proof God is a Man

I have found irrefutable evidence that God is a man and he has a sense of humor. That evidence is poop. Yes, I said poop.

God could have come up with a hundred ways to solve the problems that poop solves but he came up with poop. Why? Because it is funny. Yes, I don't care who you are, poop is funny, at least to boys. Four year old boys in particular.

Poop has become the punchline to all of Seth's jokes.

"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Googly goo"
"Googly goo who?"
"Googly goo poo poo" and then tears of laughter begin to flow.

Poop is funny...

Dancing with the Stars

I hate to admit it but I'm watching Dancing with the Stars this season. The fact that Mark Cuban is participating has sucked me in.

Please pray for me...

Doing His Best

Two Saturdays ago was Seth's first soccer game of the season and it didn't go well.

I got very upset with him but not because of how he was playing but because he wasn't trying. I have always told him that the only two things I expect from him is to do what his coaches ask and to try his hardest. If he did those two things then he would have a good game. Well, he wasn't trying his hardest. Actually, he wasn't trying at all.

Because of this he spent the rest of that Saturday in his room and we had a long conversation about "doing his best."

We have had two practices since this and he has done very well. We start each practice talking about "doing his best" and these have been his best practices since he started playing soccer.

This weekend will be his first game since our little chat and I am anxious to see how he plays.

The Difference Between Our Two Boys

The other day Shelley and I were talking and she summarized very well the difference between our two sons.

With Chase we are going to be spending our time trying to keep him from doing things that are dangerous or hurting himself.

With Seth we are going to be spending our time trying to get him to do things he's not familar with.

Cowboys 34, Bears 10

It took me a little while to write this because these late prime time games kill me. I'm exhausted but when the Cowboys are good, they are going to be in prime time so it is worth it.

If anyone doubted Romo, then this game should remove that doubt. He played an incredible game.

There were a lot of positives in this game. The offensive line looks good, T.O. had an awesome game and the defense looks good.

But, I am especially impressed with Jason Garrett and his play calling. He basically threw out the game plan in the 2nd half and decided to just start throwing it. We would have never seen that happen last year.

Now, can we go 4-0?

Vote756.com

I haven't written about Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's record but basically I am sick about it. I do not like Barry Bonds. He is a cheating steroid head and if anyone can honestly say they think Barry Bonds didn't use steroids, then I think you are crazy.

So, if you feel like me, here is your opportunity to do something about it. Www.vote756.com is a website created by the owner of the ball that Bonds hit for the 756 homerun and he is giving us the opportunity to vote on the fate of the ball.

You can vote to give it to the hall of fame, you can vote to give it to the Hall of Fame with an asterisk branded in it, or you can vote to shoot it into space.

Here is my vote.

Goodbye Grandmother

Today we lost a very wonderful person, our Grandmother. She was actually Shelley's Grandmother but she treated me as if I was one of her own.

I had the pleasure of knowing her for 10 years and from the day I met her she made me feel welcome. She had a special way of making everyone feel welcome. The door to her house was always open and there wasn't any such thing as an uninvited guest. Nobody was ever turned away and there was always enough food for everyone, plenty of places to sit (even if it was on the floor) and plenty of beds for guests to spend the night. Every visit to her house started with a hug and always ended with another hug.

But, the greatest blessing is that my two boys got to know her and spend quality time with her. They both cherished her and there was nothing better for them than to get to go to "Mother's."

She was a very special woman and pages could be written about her impact on people's lives. That was evident by a visit to the hospital to see her. The number of people that were there to see her had outgrown the hospital's waiting room and everyone had been moved to a conference room.

We love you Grandmother and we will miss you.

When Your Children Hurt

My latest post on Dadbloggers is now available.

Read it here - When Your Children Hurt

This Day In History - U.S.Constitution is signed

The U.S. Consitution was signed this day by 38 of the 41 delegates.

Read more here at The History Channel.

Cowboys 37, Miami 20

The Cowboys are 2-0 for the first time since 1999 and overall it has been a very good start.

They got off to a slow start today but played well as a whole. I only threw a few things across the room during the game.

The defense played better but I think the 5 turnovers are a little misleading. They really only created a couple of them and the others were just mistakes by Trent Greene.

The offense came to life in the 2nd half as the Dolphin's defense began to tire. I do think this offense will put a lot of pressure on defenses and will score more in the 2nd half than they do in the first half.

But, now it is time to worry about next weeks game against Chicago. It will be a tough team on the road and will really show us if this team is ready to compete for a title.

Go Cowboys!

I'm Not Gay, Not That There Is Anything Wrong With That

I have gotten a few interesting calls at work this past week. The first call was at 6:15 AM last Friday and it went like this:

Me: This is Jeff
Male Caller: I think you are cute.
Me: Who is this?
Male Caller: Someone who thinks you are cute.
Me: Who is this?
Male Caller: Do I have a shot?
I hung up at this point. The call was someone that called our toll free number and then dialed my extension. Since it was so early it had to be someone in the building who knew I was there. But, I didn't think much of it until I got the second call the next Monday.

Me: This is Jeff
Male Caller: Its me again.
Me: Now, who is this?
Male Caller: Do I have any chance?
Me: NO!
Male Caller: You don't want to mess around?

I hung up at this point and felt like quoting from one of my favorite Seinfeld episondes, "I'm not gay, not that there is anything wrong with that."

Video Link

School Bans American Flag

I just read this story about Hobbton High School in Newton Grove, NC where they banned students from displaying the American flag.

The new rule stems from a controversy over students wearing shirts bearing flags of other countries.

The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible.


They didn't want to "pick and choose?"

This definitely is a Bill O'Reily most ridiculous item of the day.

I emailed the principal and expressed my opinion. wesleyj@sampson.k12.nc.us

We Will Never Forget

Cowboys 45 - Giants 35

Here are a few of my thoughts from last nights Cowboys win. First, a win is a win and this was a division game so it was even bigger.

Romo looked good despite his bone head interception.
The defense didn't look like the one we thought had all the promise especially after higher a "defensive minded" head coach. We didn't get much pressure on the quarterback, the secondary looked as bad as it did last year and we couldn't tackle.

The young kicker Folk didn't make any mistakes and I think Matt McBriar, the punter, might be the most under appreciated player.

Hopefully we will get Newman back soon and he can provide a little help to the secondary because we won't win many games giving up 35 points.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium Update

I went out to the stadium today and it was the first time in about 6 weeks and it has changed a lot.

This thing is going to be huge..

Another Post about my recent trip

While I was at the airport I had to go to the bathroom. As I sat in the stall I couldn't help but think about recent stories in the news.

I was sure not to put anything on the floor and I kept my feet well inside the stall.
But, those that have travelled with me know that given the opportunity, I have often gone into the stall and changed into either jeans or sweats prior to a flight. I wonder how many times I have given "signals."

I don't know if I will do that again..

Musings of a business traveller

Yesterday I had to travel on business and thankfully I don't have to do that very much. I'm glad I don't have to travel much and because of that I haven't become desensitized to the craziness of all of it.

As I sat there on the plane watching everyone board, I realized we are all just playing dress up. Everyone was dressed in their slacks, shirts, ties, skirts and suits and were trying to look like they were important. Why do we feel that the only way to be credible is to dress up? I know if I polled everyone on that plane they all would have been wearing jeans, shorts and even sweats.

Then there are the toys. Everyone was tapping on their laptop, texting with their Blackberry and talking on a cell phone. The guy sitting next to me was working on a spreadsheet titled "Market Segments - Monthly Forecast." What does that mean and how boring does it sound?

I think we all take what we do way to seriously and everyone needs to lighten up and spend a little less time trying to make themeselves look important.

A Trip to the Zoo

Sometimes all the stars and planets line up and a trip out with your kids turns into a perfect experience.

We got up early and got to the zoo this morning just as it was opening. Actually we got their early so we took a little detour and went and walked around the campus of my alma mater. It has changed so much in places, I didn't recognize it but that is a topic for another post.

But, we were the 2nd ones to actual enter the zoo, the temperature was a nice 80 degrees and it was overcast with a slight breeze. Everything was perfect. In places we had the entire zoo to ourselves so we got to take our time and really get to look at the animals.

We were able to see everything we wanted in about an hour and half and as we were leaving, the crowds were showing up. We got out just in time and had a wonderful time.

Texas Castle Doctrine Becomes Law

Today is the day that the Texas Castle Doctrine becomes law.

Here is what the law does:

The law states that a person has no duty to retreat if the person is attacked in a place where he or she has a right to be present, if he or she has not provoked the attacker, and if the person using force is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the force is used. In addition, the jury is instructed to presume that the victim's actions were reasonable if the victim brings forth evidence that he or she is entitled to the presumption, unless the state can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.
This law also provides civil immunity for the individual who uses justified force or deadly force. This individual is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the defendant's use of force or deadly force, as applicable.

Awanas

Seth has started in a program called Awana. This is from their website:

Awana blends Bible teaching, Scripture memorization and tons of fun. Your church’s Awana ministry will impact kids ages 2 to 18 along with their families and entire communities while helping your church instruct parents, train volunteers and make your children's ministry and youth ministry all that God intends them to be.

Seth is in the Cubbies program and he really seems to enjoy it. Part of Awana is scripture memorization and in the first week Seth had to memorize the Cubbie Moto and the Cubbie Verse. The Cubbie Moto is "Jesus Loves Me" and the Cubbie Verse is "God loved us, and sent his son. 1 John 4:10".

We practiced this every night and Seth did a great job of learning his verses. But, Chase would not be left out so he also insisted on learning the verses. He nailed the motto and would get very close on the verse. He often would just recite the citation by saying "first John, four ten."

But, sometimes Chase would say "Uncle John" instead of the citation. Uncle John is one of Shelley's uncles in Oklahoma and the boys just love him. The other cute thing is when we ask Chase where Uncle John lives which is Wapanucka. Chase will reply with "up a nuck a".