Well, it's Fish Fry week. Whitney and I took the kids to the carnival last night and had a good time. I bribed them with the promise to go back tomorrow night if they helped get the house clean. Needless to say, it's as close to spotless as the 4 of us can get it. I've lived in Paris for 24 years of the 32 years I've been on this planet and I have NEVER been to the fish tent. I guess I should do that at some point but the thing is, I don't care for catfish. Oh well.
Dad and I went fishing today but it turned out like many of our other fishing trips. We unloaded the boat and then found out that something in the throttle mechanism was broken. At first, we couldn't get it to go in gear at all and then when it did finally go into gear, it was stuck wide open. So we just trolled around the marina. Dad caught one and I had one hooked that got off before I got it to the boat. It was fun just hanging out even though nothing else went right. We couldn't even give away our minnows after we were done fishing, so dad just poured them out when we got home. Next time, I'm treating him to 18 holes of golf.
I've been talking to an attorney in town about going to work with him in his office in Paris. I'm hoping it is going to work out. I'm never gonna learn anything sitting behind my desk at my current office. I'm ready for something new and this is a great opportunity for me if all the pieces fall into place.
I guess that's all.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Jesus Messiah--by Chris Tomlin
Music is Chris Tomlin with movie shots from The Passion of the Christ.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Much Ado about Nothing
--I started this blog back up thinking that I would write as much on it as I used to. However, with the world of social media we have today (Twitter, Facebook, etc), there's not much that I have to say here that I don't say there. I've kind of lost my zeal for politics recently simply because I have come to the conclusion that no matter what party they claim to represent, they are all just looking out for themselves in the long run.
--I've been job searching some this week but haven't had anything come up yet. I have several prospects though that I'm hoping will work out. If not, when I get my license and get sworn in, I'll take appointments out of juvenile court and try to do that and keep my job I've got right now. Not sure how the State of Tennessee will feel about that but I honestly don't care. If they don't like it, I know where the door is and am more than ready and willing to walk out of it at this point.
--As happy as I was to pass the bar, I think I am equally upset that several of my friends didn't. But they will eventually, probably in July. I'm hoping for them to anyway.
--I've been studying 4 years to be a lawyer and the truth of the matter is this: The thought of actually getting to be a lawyer scares me to death. That's part of the reason I don't want to just start out on my own. Law school does a decent job of teaching you the law, but it does a horrible job of teaching you HOW to be a lawyer. I know enough about how the criminal courts work to get by doing that, but I am as lost as can be when it comes to civil, juvenile and chancery court. The only relief I have is that I talked to someone the other day who has been practicing for 4 years and he said he still feels like he doesn't have a clue as to what's going on. And he has the reputation of being a good lawyer.
--My wife just got home from job #2.
--Tonight, my 10 year old informed me that the real words to to "Young and Wild and Free" aren't "So what we get drunk, so what we don't sleep.." but instead are "So what we get drunk, so what we smoke weed..." How did he know that and I didn't? Thanks, I guess, goes to Youtube. That's crazy to me though.
--Caser LOVES him some Star Wars. Whether it's movies, video games, books or toys, if it's Star Wars, he's all about it. Reminds me of Cade when he was little. And he's the coolest little Star Wars nerd you'll ever meet.
--I don't think someone can ever really learn what love is unless they have kids. That may sound kind of harsh and maybe there's a better way to say it but it's too late and I'm too tired to come up with a way right now. All I mean is that I love my kids more and more everyday. When I think there is no way possible to love them any more, I wake up to a new day and it's like my heart has doubled in size to make room for the love I have for them. And this happens every day. It's like that too for my wife, but kids are different. I guess I just can't explain it.
--I'm tired and think I'll go to bed. Goodnight.
--I've been job searching some this week but haven't had anything come up yet. I have several prospects though that I'm hoping will work out. If not, when I get my license and get sworn in, I'll take appointments out of juvenile court and try to do that and keep my job I've got right now. Not sure how the State of Tennessee will feel about that but I honestly don't care. If they don't like it, I know where the door is and am more than ready and willing to walk out of it at this point.
--As happy as I was to pass the bar, I think I am equally upset that several of my friends didn't. But they will eventually, probably in July. I'm hoping for them to anyway.
--I've been studying 4 years to be a lawyer and the truth of the matter is this: The thought of actually getting to be a lawyer scares me to death. That's part of the reason I don't want to just start out on my own. Law school does a decent job of teaching you the law, but it does a horrible job of teaching you HOW to be a lawyer. I know enough about how the criminal courts work to get by doing that, but I am as lost as can be when it comes to civil, juvenile and chancery court. The only relief I have is that I talked to someone the other day who has been practicing for 4 years and he said he still feels like he doesn't have a clue as to what's going on. And he has the reputation of being a good lawyer.
--My wife just got home from job #2.
--Tonight, my 10 year old informed me that the real words to to "Young and Wild and Free" aren't "So what we get drunk, so what we don't sleep.." but instead are "So what we get drunk, so what we smoke weed..." How did he know that and I didn't? Thanks, I guess, goes to Youtube. That's crazy to me though.
--Caser LOVES him some Star Wars. Whether it's movies, video games, books or toys, if it's Star Wars, he's all about it. Reminds me of Cade when he was little. And he's the coolest little Star Wars nerd you'll ever meet.
--I don't think someone can ever really learn what love is unless they have kids. That may sound kind of harsh and maybe there's a better way to say it but it's too late and I'm too tired to come up with a way right now. All I mean is that I love my kids more and more everyday. When I think there is no way possible to love them any more, I wake up to a new day and it's like my heart has doubled in size to make room for the love I have for them. And this happens every day. It's like that too for my wife, but kids are different. I guess I just can't explain it.
--I'm tired and think I'll go to bed. Goodnight.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sacrifices
I found out on Friday morning that I had passed the bar exam. My wife called me crying and screaming like a mad person on Friday at 11:30 A.M. to tell me that my name was on the successful list. I was elated and in shock at the same time and I still don't think it has set in yet. It is an end to a long hard road that I have traveled. But it's not just been me. Many folks have traveled this road with me and I'm going to take this time to thank them.
My wife. Where would I be without her? Definitely not where I am today. She has sacrificed so much in the past 4 years to hold our family together. Especially after our move back to Paris. She has worked 2 jobs, often working over 80 hours a week, to put food on our table. More than that, she has lived the lifestyle of a single parent for alot of that due to the fact that I spent 3 nights a week in Nashville. You try working until 8 or 9, then getting home and cooking supper for your 3 kids, getting them baths and then getting them in bed. I couldn't do, that's for sure. But she did it night after night. Carol has also been a tremendous help during that time. On the nights Whitney knew she would be working until after 10, Carol was the one who took care of the kids. I look forward to the day, in the VERY near future, that Whitney can quit her second job completely. She deserves that and I feel I owe that to her for everything she has done while I was in school. This paragraph doesn't do her justice, I know. Words can't describe how vital she has been in this whole process. Just know that it hasn't gone unnoticed.
My family. When I got my Acceptance Letter back in 2008, I was happy, but wondered how I was going to pay for it. I called my mom to tell her that I had been accepted and she told me that everything would be taken care of. And it was. My grandmother paid for my tuition and books the first year. Mom and Dad paid for my second year and Jeff paid for my third. Whitney and I were able to cover my last year and bar expenses. I wouldn't have a degree today without my family because I would not have been able to afford it. I will pay them back some day.
My coworkers. My third year, Moot Court started and I had to be in Nashville 3 nights a week. My fourth year, all of the electives that I needed to graduate in December were offered at 4:45 P.M., meaning that I would have to leave Paris around 2:15 P.M. to get there in time for class. I was fortunate to have a boss who was understanding and allowed me to work a modified schedule in order to make it all work. Also, there were afternoons where my coworkers had to see people who were in our office to see me. They could have easily said no to all of it and then I'd have been in trouble.
My church family. The people at Maplewood Baptist Church are some of the finest people that I know. The weeks leading up to the bar exam, they were all so encouraging. On the day of the test, at 9:00 A.M. (the time the test started), I know that there were a multitude of them praying for me and others to have wisdom and understanding during the test. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe whole-heartedly that those people praying for me at that time was a major factor in the reason that I passed. If you are looking for a church home, you should come to Maplewood. They truly have a love for Christ and a love for people. It shows everytime you walk through the doors.
There are numerous others that deserve to be on here and if you're not, I'm sorry and hope you are not offended. From the numerous attorneys who offered words of encouragement and advice to my teachers to Mike Creasy, who was my ride for the past 2 years, and on and on, let me simply say....
Thank you! I wouldn't be here today without you.
My wife. Where would I be without her? Definitely not where I am today. She has sacrificed so much in the past 4 years to hold our family together. Especially after our move back to Paris. She has worked 2 jobs, often working over 80 hours a week, to put food on our table. More than that, she has lived the lifestyle of a single parent for alot of that due to the fact that I spent 3 nights a week in Nashville. You try working until 8 or 9, then getting home and cooking supper for your 3 kids, getting them baths and then getting them in bed. I couldn't do, that's for sure. But she did it night after night. Carol has also been a tremendous help during that time. On the nights Whitney knew she would be working until after 10, Carol was the one who took care of the kids. I look forward to the day, in the VERY near future, that Whitney can quit her second job completely. She deserves that and I feel I owe that to her for everything she has done while I was in school. This paragraph doesn't do her justice, I know. Words can't describe how vital she has been in this whole process. Just know that it hasn't gone unnoticed.
My family. When I got my Acceptance Letter back in 2008, I was happy, but wondered how I was going to pay for it. I called my mom to tell her that I had been accepted and she told me that everything would be taken care of. And it was. My grandmother paid for my tuition and books the first year. Mom and Dad paid for my second year and Jeff paid for my third. Whitney and I were able to cover my last year and bar expenses. I wouldn't have a degree today without my family because I would not have been able to afford it. I will pay them back some day.
My coworkers. My third year, Moot Court started and I had to be in Nashville 3 nights a week. My fourth year, all of the electives that I needed to graduate in December were offered at 4:45 P.M., meaning that I would have to leave Paris around 2:15 P.M. to get there in time for class. I was fortunate to have a boss who was understanding and allowed me to work a modified schedule in order to make it all work. Also, there were afternoons where my coworkers had to see people who were in our office to see me. They could have easily said no to all of it and then I'd have been in trouble.
My church family. The people at Maplewood Baptist Church are some of the finest people that I know. The weeks leading up to the bar exam, they were all so encouraging. On the day of the test, at 9:00 A.M. (the time the test started), I know that there were a multitude of them praying for me and others to have wisdom and understanding during the test. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe whole-heartedly that those people praying for me at that time was a major factor in the reason that I passed. If you are looking for a church home, you should come to Maplewood. They truly have a love for Christ and a love for people. It shows everytime you walk through the doors.
There are numerous others that deserve to be on here and if you're not, I'm sorry and hope you are not offended. From the numerous attorneys who offered words of encouragement and advice to my teachers to Mike Creasy, who was my ride for the past 2 years, and on and on, let me simply say....
Thank you! I wouldn't be here today without you.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Great Protector
This post is more of a warning than anything. My kids are my world. I would do anything, and I do mean anything, to protect them. You should feel the same way about your kids.
When they are hurting, I hurt. Physically or emotionally. Today was a hard day for them. It's just drama really, but at the same time, it's the kind of drama that made me want to leave work early to come home and make everything alright. Part of my problem though is that while I mean well, my lack of censorship or tact about certain things just leads to more trouble. That didn't happen today thank goodness but I refuse to just by while my kids have bad days.
I see folks day in and day out who couldn't care less about their kids. They try to get rid of them every chance they get. They do things to intentionally put them in harms way. It baffles me and frustrates me to no end. I can't think of much worse in this world than a parent who cares nothing about their children. But those folks are out there unfortunately.
My kids are my world. I'm a better man because of them and they are the main reason I do most of the stuff I do. I want more for them than I ever had myself. I know that they'll have bad days. But I also know that on those bad days, I will be there with strong arms to squeeze them until everything is okay and a delicate hand to wipe away any tears before they can reach their cheeks.
Do the same for your kids.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Running Wide Open
I meant to write something on here every day but that didn't happen. Oh well.
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth cut out on Friday. It honestly wasn't as bad as I had told myself it was going to be. Which might explain why it hasn't been that bad; know what I mean? I set myself up to be writhing in pain for 3 or 4 days, but that hasn't been the case. But I did overdo it today. It was the first day that I have sat upright most of the day since Thursday and I can feel it in my jaws! The 1-inch steaks I grilled for supper probably don't help matters but when a man is craving a steak, well, nothing but a steak will do.
Bar results are in less than 2 weeks. I'm honestly not expecting to pass it but I hoping beyond hope that I did simply because I don't know that I ever will if I didn't this time. That sounds disheartening but it's the truth. I studied and studied and can't imagine that the next time around I'd study any more than I did this time. So if I didn't pass, I don't know what I'll do.
I was proud to see the Jaycees name the 2011 Henry County Patriots as Grand Marshals for the Fish Fry Parade. Kenna is excited.
Kentucky will win the National Championship tonight.
I've debated writing something about the Trayvon Martin situation, but that's a lose-lose. All I'll say is that no matter what side of that fence you are on, it is a tragic, tragic situation,
Time to take my Percocet. Good night.
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth cut out on Friday. It honestly wasn't as bad as I had told myself it was going to be. Which might explain why it hasn't been that bad; know what I mean? I set myself up to be writhing in pain for 3 or 4 days, but that hasn't been the case. But I did overdo it today. It was the first day that I have sat upright most of the day since Thursday and I can feel it in my jaws! The 1-inch steaks I grilled for supper probably don't help matters but when a man is craving a steak, well, nothing but a steak will do.
Bar results are in less than 2 weeks. I'm honestly not expecting to pass it but I hoping beyond hope that I did simply because I don't know that I ever will if I didn't this time. That sounds disheartening but it's the truth. I studied and studied and can't imagine that the next time around I'd study any more than I did this time. So if I didn't pass, I don't know what I'll do.
I was proud to see the Jaycees name the 2011 Henry County Patriots as Grand Marshals for the Fish Fry Parade. Kenna is excited.
Kentucky will win the National Championship tonight.
I've debated writing something about the Trayvon Martin situation, but that's a lose-lose. All I'll say is that no matter what side of that fence you are on, it is a tragic, tragic situation,
Time to take my Percocet. Good night.
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