March 30, 2006 and the prayers of so many were answered.  This picture has the smile I remember - Welcome home Jill!  Thanks to all who helped bring her home - from ther people in the US that prayed for Jill to the people in Iraq who risked their safety for her.  May God bless you all!

One of the places I track Jill is at http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/.  On the left side of the page is a picture and a link for stories about Jill and a "Readers write" link.  Following this link takes you to a neat page where you can leave messages for Jill or the world.  I go there often and read the ones that are posted.  Imagine my surprise when late last week I see a posting from my best friend from kindergarten to 5th grade or so.  He's the guy I wore cowboy boots with when I was six.  Anyway, I tracked him down, and we traded voice mails and e-mails for a few days.  Last night we finally talked for the first time in at least 10 years, (and that conversation was a brief "Hi, great to see you, gotta go").  We talked for about 30 minutes and 40 years just melted away and we were still best friends, now brought together by a loyalty to each other and Jill.  I can't wait to tell Jill about this when she gets home!

Been a while and life continues to move on.  Rumors at work, my dad's declining mental health, Fred home for Christmas and back to school, Beth finishing Color Guard and not missing a beat into Winter Guard.  Add in Jill Carroll and it's been an interesting couple of months.  After 13 years in Oklahoma I broke down and bought some cowboy boots.  Everytime I put them on I feel like I'm 6 years old again, wearing my cowboy boots and playing with my friends outside - Life was really sweet back then!  I thank God everyday for the wonderful wife and the beautiful family I have - I wish everyone is as lucky as me.  And life is just as sweet today as it was when I was 6.

Day 22 for Jill Carroll, keep her and her captors in your prayers. God bless Jill.

Currently Listening Greatest Hits By Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way see related

Since my daughter didn't think I'd do this, see the survey below.  What a great week.  Susie and I went to OU and saw Fred play in the Wind Symphony.  It is so much fun to see him do so well and be so passionate about his music!  Great Thanksgiving dinner, cooked by my wife, beautiful weather and a long weekend.  It was just plain good!

5 things you did yesterday

Ate turkey – No one cooks like Susie!

Watched “Road to Glory” miniseries about HS football

Hung out with my son

Slept late (8:00)

Cleaned the kitchen

5 memorable things you did last year

Saw my daughter get kissed by a clown in front of 4,000 people

Went driving with Beth

Went white water rafting

At the gym regularly, body fat <14%

Molecular remission

5 favorite musicians/musical groups & song

Cheryl Crow

Bare Naked Ladies

Bonnie Rait

3 Doors Down

Matchbox 20

Red Hot Chili Peppers

5 things that make you happy

My Wife

My Daughter

My Son

My Family

My life

5 things that impress you

Courage

Perseverance/Tenacity

Being on time

Faith

Sticking to your beliefs

Independence

5 things that don't impress you

Deceit

Office politics

Money & possessions

Power & position

Procrastination and being late

Not doing what you say you’re going to do

5 things you can live without

New stuff

Fancy/name brand possessions

People that can’t see beyond themselves

People that don’t give back to their community or others

Just about anything except my family and my Faith