How is your reception?

My reception has recently been good. As I was leaving SCS, the elementary faculty and staff threw a reception for Beth Ann and me. We had a very special night with people that were and still are like family to us. They roasted me by making fun of my more ridiculous moments while at SCS. My clothes, dance moves, multiple surgeries and dumb remarks all made the list. They gave us an incredible scrapbook of many memories. It is proudly displayed in my present office and will always be invaluable to us. We ate dinner and shared a wonderful time that night. Words can not express how special that night was for BA and me.

SCS then had a reception for us. All the students and families were invited. We had Mountain Dew and chips and salsa. It gave me an opportunity to talk with the familes and kids that came and gave me a chance to hug them and tell them goodbye. They made a slideshow that ran throughout the evening and brought in some great singers. many students and parents wrote thoughts and regards on cards. "Happy Trails" was the song of the evening.

We then had a reception to welcome us to ACS. It was a great night as well. Many families came by to introuduce themselves. I was able to meet many children. It was a great beginning at our new school.

My reception has been great lately. I did not deserve the special treatment but all three events will be in our memories forever.

Thank you to the people at two great schools that have been and will continue to be a powerful influence in our lives.

IHOP

For special occasions we go to IHOP. I know that makes me sound cheap but IHOP is one of my wife's favorite places to go. For Mother's Day or her birthday if I were to take us to IHOP it would make BA and boys happy. It is hard to complain about a place where you can get breakfast any time of the day. It is a special place to Beth Ann and puts a smile on her face.

IHOP is special to me for another reason. I do like IHOP but for other reasons. When we lived in Ft. Worth I would meet a group of guys at IHOP on Wednesday mornings. We would meet around 6:15 and eat, talk about life, discuss what we needed to pray about, laugh, share what was on our hearts and discuss the stresses of work. It was such a great time for me to bond with those guys. Shane, Joey, Jon, Grant, Phil, Rusty and others would show up. I do enjoy IHOP but my reasons are because of my time with those guys more than anything else.

Last Friday night after the SCS football game a handful of us went and ate and laughed. During football season IHOP has also been a place to discuss the game and life on our way home. The guys went last week because I was I was in town. I will miss those early mornings and late night trips with guys that have been brothers to me.