The Fine Art of Napping

An interesting start to my day: I had to corral and chase an opossum out of the building this morning. You never quite know what will happen day to day.

I was working on a newsletter for my teachers and found some writing about naps. I thought you might enjoy reading it:

Every physiologic function of the human body undergoes a diurnal variation, meaning that it phases and fluctuates throughout the day. This is true for the sleep/wake cycle—not only at bedtime but at midday as well. After lunch our biorhythms experience a natural slump, as a mild somnolence intrudes on our wakefulness.

These slumping biorhythms can be resisted with caffeine and stimulation. But throughout history, many cultures have instead treated this natural somnolence as a nonthreatening occurrence. Rather than kicking against it, they have accommodated this dip by developing the culturally accepted habit of napping, the idea of taking a siesta.

Many of the world’s greatest leaders were nappers. Thomas Edison is said to have catnapped up to eight times a day. John F. Kennedy napped in the White House, and Winston Churchill took daily naps even during World War II. No doubt Jesus Himself napped. For example, when the boat was being buffeted by the wind and the waves, Jesus was sleeping in the bow. The disciples first had to awaken Him before begging for a miracle.

Naps can be revitalizing, adding energy and productivity for later in the day. If you have the opportunity and need to nap, it is best to follow certain guidelines. Don’t nap for more than one hour. If you do, understand that a longer nap is not necessarily more restful. Even a nap of fifteen minutes can help to improve alertness and concentration and, to some extent, make up for a disturbed or shortened night of sleep.

The most useful naps are in the afternoon. A short nap in the early evening can give added stamina for the hours ahead.

There is an Indian proverb that says, "Only amd dogs and the British go out in the noonday sun." I am definitely ready for a nap. Try to take one this weekend. Have a great day!

How time flies

I am in the process of working with families for the 2005-06 school year. Our admissions process is in full swing. I interview and meet each new family that wants to join the Southwest family. I spend a lot of my time meeting with kindergarten parents as we finalize their admission to our school.

The exciting and overwhelming feeling I keep having is that I am one of those kindergarten parents next year. It is amazing to think that Riley is old enough to start kindergarten next year. It seems like he was just born. Where did the time go? I am excited for him. He is excited and he will do great as a kindergartener (I hope he will do great, or he will have to come visit the principal). He is growing up and I love that, I think...

Hug your kids today!

Lessons learned

I took a group of 6th grade students to Mo Ranch last week. We had a super time. The weather was great. The teachers did a fantastic job. The students enjoyed themselves and learned a thing or two while we were there.

One thing I loved seeing on the trip this year was how a couple of students responded when they were scared to death. We do many different activities while we are at the ranch. One of the activities is called the Big Gulp. It is a swing contraption that takes the swinger to the top of a telephone pole (over 50 ft. in the air) and then you freefall and swing. It is an amazing rush. As you can imagine it can challenge some students. This is a great activity to challenge themselves and overcome some fears.

There were two students this year that were not going to attempt the Big Gulp. You could see the fear in their eyes. They were upset and wanted nothing to do with the swing. Sometimes after watching their peers have so much fun, a hesitant child will get more comfortable and join in on the Big Gulp challenge. I was hoping that would happen with theses two students, but as time wore on I thought their chances of swinging dissipated.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The first student, AK, dug up enough courage and began to climb the ladder. He had been visibly upset for a couple of hours, but he chose to muster some courage and at least to climb the ladder. He got harnessed in and said he wanted to do it. Sometimes we have students get their harness on, see how it feels, climb the ladder and then that is enough. AK then chose to go all the way to the top of the Gulp and swing. He was so proud of himself afterwards and he enjoyed the swing immensely. The second student, JF, was not going to swing at all. He did climb the ladder, but broke down and said he could not do it. After some encouragement and watching his peers, he then decided he would go half way to the top and swing. He wanted to do it but looked quite scared. He swung from halfway and had a blast. He was very proud of himself. He then decided that he could go to the top and swing. He did it and had the biggest smile on his face that I had ever seen. At the beginning he was not going to attempt the swing and at the end he had done it from the top.

I love the lessons I learned from AK and JF. To see them that scared and wanting to give in to their fear was hard for us all. Watching them work through the fear, step up to the challenge and stretch themselves was a blessing to observe. Their lives truly are changed because how they looked fear in the face and got the strength to overcome. It taught me a lesson as well.

Eleven Years

I am the luckiest man in the world. I just celebrated my eleventh anniversary on Saturday with Beth Ann. It is hard to believe that it has been eleven years and it is even harder to believe that she has put up with me and been by my side those eleven years. My life is so much richer because of my wife. Beth Ann has made me a better man. I would not be where I am today without her. The following are eleven things that I love about Beth Ann:

1. She is my best friend.
2. She loves to go to Nascar races with me and to watch them on television.
3. She is a hottie!
4. She is an amazing mother.
5. She is a mean cook.
6. She loves and supports me in my job.
7. She is dedicated and devoted to her family.
8. She has a tender heart.
9. She is a fan of basketball.
10. She loves God first and foremost.
11. She fills my cup each day.

Beth Ann,
Thank you for an amazing 11 years. I love you so much. You are the best person I know.
"Beth Ann, Beth Ann, I love you.
Beth Ann, Beth Ann, I love you.
Beth Ann, Beth Ann, I love you.
Thank you God for Beth Ann."

143!

Mo Ranch

I will be leaving in the morning at about 5:00 a.m. with 50 students and 37 adults to go to Mo Ranch. Mo is outside Hunt, Texas. It is a Christian encampment and we take our 6th grade students through the Environmental Leadership Program. We will be doing high elements and low elements on their ropes course, canoeing, water ecology, owl studies, and map/compass activities. It is a great trip and a great facility down in the Hill Country of Texas.

Please pray for our safety and for a great trip for these students. I will blog and fill you in after we return home.

My anniversary is this weekend so look for a blog on Monday dedicated to my beautiful wife that has put up with me and made me a better person for the past 11 years.

Have a great rest of the week.

Our Spotter

A part of being at the race this past weekend that makes it exciting is renting a scanner that allows you to hear drivers, crew chiefs and spotters communicate. As the drivers are making their way through the race, the scanners allow us to be able to hear them plan for pit stops and ways to make the car better. Each driver also has a spotter that is perched on top of the grandstand boxes. His job is to communicate to the driver about the traffic that is around him. You will hear them saying, "Inside, Inside, clear", as a driver is passing someone. They let them know what cars are close to them to help them avoid wrecks. When a wreck happens in front of the driver, the spotters will tell the drivers to stay high or low to avoid the wreck.

It made me realize we have a spotter in our daily race. God is our spotter. He will tell us what is going on around us. He will guide us through messes as they fall a part in front of us. We can talk to Him and ask questions about the best strategy. Sometimes we can be stubborn and do it our way. We may not listen to our Spotter and get in a wreck. He helps pave the way for us so we can be victorious. As our Spotter, He wants the best for us.

I want to put my headset on each day and listen to Him spot for me and my family, my job, my life. Thank you, God, for watching over me.

This weekend with 250,000 of my closest friends

This weekend is one I have been looking forward to for a long time. It is Race Weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway. All day on Saturday and Sunday I will get to enjoy the loud engines, smell of burned rubber and interesting people. When you put a quarter million Nascar fans together there is no telling what you will see.

I was lucky enough to get to go to the Speedway for a bit yesterday. I went with my boss to the Ft. Worth Chamber of Commerce meeting which met in the Speedway Club. The best part about it was that Kurt Busch was the speaker after lunch. He is my favorite driver and the winner of the Nascar Nextel Championship in 2004. Some of you are probably thinking "big deal"...but it was pretty cool to listen to him speak and then to meet him afterwards and get his autograph.

I turn into a kid again on Race Weekend. To see these guys up close and experience the excitement puts a big smile on my face. Beth Ann loves it just as much as I do. We will have a blast this weekend. Spending quality time with my wife and a couple hundred thousand rednecks...priceless.

Thanks for the tickets, mom.

Riley and his Mom

I love it when Riley will get to talking and say some funny or interesting things. Here is a portion of last night's conversation:

As Riley is getting in the car he picks up an empty Hawaiian Punch bottle.

Riley: "Dad, when I get older and my fingers get bigger, like yours, I am gonna drink this punch like you. I like it, and when I am big and old like you I will drink it to."

Me: "That will be fine. Are you ready to be big like Daddy?"

Riley: "Well when I am big I won't live at home with you and Mommy."

Me: "So are you going to live somewhere else because you will be married?"

Riley: "Oh Dad, I don't know. I will just be sad because I will really miss my Mommy."

Me: "She will miss you too. Will you miss living with Dad as well?"

Riley: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, but (with voice cracking) I really love my Mom and I will REALLY miss her".

Me: "I know buddy, but that is a long time away."


I am so thankful for the bond and connection that my boys have with their mother. She cares and loves for them so much. We are a lucky and blessed family because of Beth Ann.

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE

I love to watch poker tournaments on television. Texas Hold'em tournaments bring great drama. Watching the players try to bluff or mathematically break down their opponent is intriguing to observe. Maybe I should not admit that I enjoy watching poker or blackjack tournaments on television, but...

The lifestyle of the card player is vastly different than mine. To take that much risk with that amount of money is not anything I could ever do. Maybe that is why I enjoy watching someone else bluff on a $500,000 bet.

I have read a couple of books recently about the lives of those that are consumed in the world of card playing. The one I finished yesterday was BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE by Ben Mezrich. This was quite an interesting story about the world of blackjack. A group of six students from M.I.T. learned to count cards and could tell through their counting when a run of high cards would come and then could bet heavy. Usually casinos have a shoe that holds six decks of cards and this group could keep a count of all the cards played from that shoe. They made millions. Were they cheating or had they just figured out how to beat a system that seems to always win? The book chronicles their journey of success. From Vegas to Atlantic City, you learn of their success and risk. Eventually their strategy is discovered. It is an interesting book to read. Read it and you can join me as a fan of the dark world of card playing and gambling.

"Back" to physical therapy

Lately I have been having some uncomfortable moments with my leg. Since back surgery there have been good days and bad days. I was told I have extensive nerve damage and that it would take years for that to heal. I will have days where something does not seem right, but I think that is to be expected. For the last week or so it is persisting a bit more.

My former physical therapist has agreed to see me today and consult with me regarding my pain. I am hoping and praying that she can give me some help and advice to dissipate the pain. I will most likely get some homework today to do for a while. I hope to also find out if some of what I am feeling is still expected.

I ask that you pray today that I get good information today and that I can get past this strange period of pain. Pray that I can turn this corner along the path of healing and recovery. I am reminded today of the amount of people that were praying for me during some very difficult health times. How blessed I am.

Jesper and Tiger

The Masters started yesterday. It is arguably the greatest golf tournament of the year. There is probably not a more pictured or storied course. All of the world's greatest golfers want to play at Augusta National. Teeing it up at the Masters is important to their career.

I read this week that Jesper Parnevik realized after arriving at the Masters, that he forgot his golf clubs. He made sure he packed all his weird clothes and hats with turned-up bills. He said that after chartering planes, making sure he got his family there and packing his belongings, that he just forgot his golf clubs in his garage.

How does a golfer forget his golf clubs when he is going to the greatest tournament in the world? I would guess that he would have cleaned his clubs the night before he left, made sure they were properly packed and made sure they were by the door so he could grab them as he left town. It is like a preached going to church without a Bible. It is like a principal going to work without a ...(o.k., nothing comes to mind). It is like an accountant going to work without a calculator or a race car driver going to the track without his car.

What I did learn from Jesper's experience is how important other people are to us. Jesper called Tiger Woods and asked him to go by his house and pick up his clubs and bring them when Tiger was coming to Augusta. Tiger did do the favor for Jesper. I am glad that I have different "Tiger Woods" in my life. I could not make it through a day without friends and family helping me a long the way. Thank you for being my "Tiger" when I needed it.

My friend Bart

I am encouraging bloggers to go and read a friend's blog. His name is Bart Phillips. He is battling through a tough medical situation right now. His writing on his blog has been a blessing to me. Bart's blog is:

www.bartphillips.blogspot.com

Have a great Wednesday.

Some New Pajamas

I got home from work a little later than normal yesterday. As soon as I walked in Riley wanted to play. He begged me to stay in the playroom with him. We played in the floor and did some puzzles and played "cash register". He checked on my back to make sure I could lay on the floor without hurting. Owen heard us and Beth Ann got him out of bed to come and be a part of the fun. Their excitement was special.

Riley told me that he got some new pajamas earlier that day at Wal-mart. After he took his bath, he got dressed and came out to the den where Beth Ann and I were. He had put on his new pajamas. He had picked out Spongebob Squarepants pajamas. The look on his face was priceless. He was so excited and proud of his new article of clothing. As he somewhat modeled them for us, I could sense how special he felt. His mother had let him pick them out. He was getting to show them off for the first time. I am sure they felt good on him, a new set of "comfort clothes". It reminded me to be excited about the simple things. It made me thankful that Riley can teach me.

What a night

Our auction was a great success. My wife was the best looking woman there. I was lucky to have her on my arm. I looked like a goofball in a tux. She also did a magnificent job on decorations. She made a gymnasium look like a place for a fancy event.

I am blown away at how giving people are to our school at this event. They bid and purchase some wonderful things and trips, but they are freely giving lots of money to help support the mission of SCS. I am thankful. I appreciate the unselfish spirit that was on display Friday night.

Scott Barron ended the night with a short speech and powerful video to explain where our school came from and where we want it to go. Scott helped bring perspective. He reminded us of the important role that Christian schools play as we help bring young people to better know Jesus Christ. Watching the video made me proud of SCS and thankful that I have a child there. The following is a poem that Scott wrote and was a vital part of the video presentation:

FAITHFULNESS BUILT A SCHOOL

By Scott Barron

Once upon a time
Back in nineteen and sixty-nine
There was a need for something more
To help children learn and explore

The Bible became less welcome at school
Prayer was removed, banned by rule
The cross excluded, God's name a bain
Tough acceptably used when taken in vain

Some in Fort Worth sought a new kind of place
For the children to learn in light of God's grace
The seed started as a mom's morning out
Growing each year despite uncertainty and doubt

Courageous people made this school grow
Against great odds they fought back the foe
Overcoming shortages of money and space
Strong people were faithful and stayed in the race

They cared, providing Christian books and teachers
They cared, each year adding new features
They cared, though they didn't always agree,
They cared, united in prayer on bended knee

The children kept coming, both sister and brother
So the school moved from one church to another
With more room grades were added one by one
High school and sports made it even more fun

No one could say of this group they were lazy
Though perhaps called dreamers or even crazy
Members of different churches to SCS came
Desiring a family, sharing Jesus the same

They dared, buying a rare piece of land
They dared, acting on faith, trusting God's hand
They dared, adding a second school site
They dared, preparing students to share the Light

Success seldom comes without counting the cost
At times they felt that all would be lost
With blood, sweat and tears this school was built
Some faded away, but these--they did not wilt

The campuses split, yet one school remained
Curriculum added, the Truth maintained
Building constructed, renovations made
The reputation grew, and the bills were paid

They shared, giving time, talent and treasure
They shared, generously, beyond all measure
They shared, ensuring the school would survive
They shared, sacrificially, so today it does thrive

God uses people to accomplish His plan
Those who are strong and courageous to stand
These leaders realized there's never enough
When one desires money and other such stuff

They will be blessed for their faithful years
Loving children with discipline, joy and tears
Southwest Christian School is built on a great tradition
Through faithful families, it'll stay true to its mission

The Auction

Tonight is our Auction at SCS. This is a huge event for our school. 520 tickets have been sold. Our theme is "A Night At The Oscars", and many will be dressing in their finest. This will be like prom for Beth Ann and I, since I will be wearing a tux and she will be in a formal.

A lot of hard work has gone into the auction this year. Beth Ann has been in charge of decorations for the event. It looks great and she has done a wonderful job.

This is a night where people spend a lot of money to benefit Christian education. It is great to experience that with them. It makes me thankful for the people at this school and their dedication and generosity to SCS.

I am also looking forward to seeing the suit that Danny Sims is wearing. Danny is involved each year in some capacity and does great. I understand he will be wearing a "bling-bling" suit this evening. Can't wait.

On another note: Riley made up a song last night before he went to bed. He sang it to Beth Ann and I. It was about how much Jesus loves us, even when we are selfish, He always loves us. The heart of a four-year-old. Thank you God for that blessing.