A little work

I thought I would show you all the wonderful demolition work I have done over the weekend. The two pictures below are of the same space. Basically, it is the view looking from our family room into the kitchen. I have removed all the cabinets and taken down one of the soffit but not the other. The top picture is the most recent and the bottom is the start of the project with only the carpet removed. A true work in progress.

A Dirty House

No not our house, but the house we hope to live in soon. This new house is located in Tell, Texas, and is a gem. Unfortunately, the house needs many updates and they are long over due. None the less I thought I would share. It is a two story house with five bedrooms and two baths, it will become a four bedroom with three baths and a master suite. I have included some pictures. Some great features include the open space, and front and back porch that can be screened in, two car garage, and tons of storage. We are excited. I will keep you posted as we update. As of today we have begun to make one bathroom upstairs into two baths, a master and a guest bath. We have also started to remove the carpet. This is one gross job with dirt and urine and bugs all over this very old carpet. Well, I will let you know more as time goes on.

Parenting

As the days go on MJ and I get closer and closer to the day when we may actually consider being parents, and to be honest it scares both of us. We find reasons not to take the plunge. Things like money, or will we be good parents, or will we be strong enough to make the hard decisions when needed. We both also know that each of these concerns are petty and if we were "gut level honest" with ourselves, no parent is ever really ready to be a parent. Just today I was approached for the millionth time about when MJ and I would be putting together a nursery, and I always respond with "NEVER." But the truth is that maybe someday it will happen. Honestly, I want it to happen because I think my wife will be the greatest mother, and I know that my mom and her mom will make sure that our children are treated properly as spoiled little grandbabies. It also does not help that our good friends Tony and Katie in Bourbonnais, IL are expecting and I am just a little jealous.

Is anyboody really ready for kids? How do you deal with the pressure that comes with raising a life that you are competely responsible for?

I guess in my job I see how parents act. I see all kinds. The scary ones are the ones who truly try hard and their kids are still bad. I guess I need to focus on the posiitve, and know that with a good solid Christian home kids have the best chance and that is what is important.

Your Thoughts?????

My WIfe

With all the bad relationships I have been through in my life, God must have been watching over me on August 4th 2004. This is the day I first laid eyes on my wife. I was visiting a friend's house for the first time in my life and Marijon walked into that house after a long walk with her friend Beverly. You see Marijon lived there also, and to my surprise she was the roommate to the 62 year old lady who I was visiting. Who would have thunk! A 62 year old lady with a HOT 20 something roomate. I was floored. Looking back I know it was God. You see Marijon and I were both in bad relationships and we had many people in our lives praying for us to find a solid christian partner, and on that day in August, God delivered.

I did not sit down to write this to tell you that, but I did intend to tell you all how lucky I am to have such a wonderful spouse.

On June 7th 2006 we were married and since that day my love for Marijon has grown by leaps and bounds. She is the perfect woman for me. She allows me to be the man I have always wanted to be. She is supportive, loving, encouraging, and committed to making our marraige work for the remainder of our lives. She constantly prays for me and our marraige. She makes me happy and I wanted everyone to know how much I love my wife. I am so thankful God placed me in that house to see that HOT 20 something walk through that door. That was the very best thing to happen in my life.

Joe's Top Ten Movies

Some of my favorites in no particular order

• Bull Durham ("You won't hit me meat!" "Don't think, it is bad for the ball club!" "Lolly Gagers." The speech about what Crash "believes in." So many great lines. Maybe the best sports movie!!!!)

• Remember the Titans (THis movie shows how the struggle is what makes us great. I think it is the coach in me.)

• Braveheart (blood and guts, pass the testosterone)

• Troy - this had to replace Pulp Fiction, I could watch this movie all day long
  

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Irony considering my current job)

• As Good as it Gets

• Major League

• Saving Private Ryan

• All the Star Wars Movies

• Cars (I have a secret desire to be a race car)

Great post Mills, this was fun.

How about a top five best sports movies!

Here are mine

1. Bull Durham
2. Remember the Titans
3. Major League
   
4. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
5. The Rookie
   

Our Recipe (Oatmeal Carmelitas)

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups uncooked quick-cook oats
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 (12oz) pkg semisweet chocolate chips
1 (14oz) pkg caramels
1/2 cup half and half

Stir together first 5 ingredients in large mixing bowl. Add butter, stirring until mixture is crumbly. Reserve half of mixture. Press remaining half of mixture into bottom of lightly greased 13x9 inch pan. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.

Microwave caramels and half and half at medium (50% less power) for 3 minutes. Stir and microwave at medium 1-2 more minutes or until mixture is smooth. Let stand 1 minute. Pour evenly over chocolate chips. Sprinkle evenly with reserved crumb mix.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until light brown. Enjoy : ) : ) Yummy Yum
Thanks Kara Janek, we love these.

Last Week in September

What a difference a year makes. In 2007 MJ and I were in Bourbonnais Illinois, I had just finished coaching the Manteno Invitational, and spent the day with my Mom and Dad. In 2008 we spent the day today with MJ's Mom and Dad along with her oldest brothers family that came in from Amarillo. My Mom and Dad are busy in the Mediteranian Sea on a Cruise.

This week was crazy, I had the High School to myself on Thrusday and Friday due to the Principal being at a conference in Dallas, and that was fun. On both days we ended up having to call 911 and have an ambulance respond to the high school for different reasons. Not to mention all the other exciting things that happened, the list is too long to mention. I can tell you that I love every second of each day, but I wish it was not so exhausting.

MJ is great. She had a great week at work and ran a whole bunch in the evenings.

Things in Texas are warm and the allergens are in the air. MJ and I are both suffering and that is unusual. Normally it is just me. The nights are cool and clear and the days are warm and sunny. One thing that is definately a little crazy is the intensity of the mosquitos at all times of the day and night. You cannot go outside without being attacked.

Well enough about that, I want to wish my White Sox the best during the next two days as they fight to get into the playoffs. To all my Cubbie fan friends congrats to you, I will always be a Chicago fan, so I will be cheering on the Cubbies as long as they are not playing the pale hose. How about them Bears. As of right now the Bears are up by a touchdown in the third quarter, we shall see if they can hold on to this lead.

Talk to ya all later.