I LOVE my Wife.

Wow.

I've spent a lot of years bragging about how if my wife would just make enough money, I'd stay at home and be Mr. Mom.

I'm not backing off that statement, but I am realizing how amazingly stupid I've been.

Nothing about being solely responsible for Zeke is easy. (And he is a fantastically easy baby to care for!)

My job Wednesday? Get him up, fed, dressed and delivered to Grammy's so I could run some errands with John (all by approximately 9:30am).

Up? Good.
Fed? Check.
Dressed? Yep, and everything down to the pacifier holder matched.

Of course this wouldn't be worth sharing if it went as planned. Approximately 7 seconds before we walked out the door, Zeke chose (I'm still not convinced it was an accident, no matter how many times he's apologized since) to spit up all over the front of his adorable outfit and various parts of the carseat. Zeke rarely spits up, (I know...we're lucky) although trips to Lubbock activate his allergies so that he does some really heavy duty (think the Exorcist) vomiting, so I know it was merely his way of challenging my parental authority.

So I did one of the things I promised I would never do. I actually said, "Zeke, why would you do something like that?" Never mind he's only 5 months old, that would be a stupid question if he was 35 and had a PhD! So after getting over my considerable typical guy reaction. I stripped him down, cleaned the car seat, actually started the washer with the soiled outfit and various other baby gear, redressed the little guy (again in a matching outfit, go ME!) and started towards the door. Only to realize that in the process of cleaning him up, I got it all over me!

All that to say, I was about an hour late.

Jill does this Monday through Friday and makes it to work on time. I couldn't even do it once.

All hail Mrs. Mom.

Once a King or Queen...

Just saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardobe.

Must admit to being very excited about the movie, but nervous as well. Beyond the fact that this is just too important a story to mess up from a Christian standpoint, this story holds several other connections for me.

1. First true play that I ever performed. Played the part of Mr. Tumnus in our high school one act play as a freshman (we went to state, placed third....)

2. First musical that I performed at the Waco Civic Theatre. (Lots of great people, not much else...the show went on, and that about all I can say...)

3. First play that I ever directed (also at the Waco Civic Theatre). Lots of great kids fun adults and overall a pretty strong show (even if I do say so myself).

So with all these memories and a good deal of trepidation, Jill and I attended a viewing Tuesday night to celebrate my survival as my first semester as an assistant principal and more importantly, Jill's birthday. (Happy birthday, honey.)

Quite simply, I was very impressed.

It was very good. Well done. Not word for word, page for page literal, but very close to the original story. The animals were fun without being funny and the battle scenes were very Lord of the Rings-like.

It was fun to watch with Jill as she was not as familiar with the story. Watching her make the connections as the movie progressed was a joy.

So catch it if you can this holiday season. See if you can drag along that friend that is on the fringe of seeing Jesus. This movie may be able to do what you haven't been able to yet, or at least provide a great conversation starter. Definite thumbs up from the Borland household.

(Don't worry Scott, the multi-part list is under construction.)

Chris

Free at Last

Turned in my last two papers for my grad classes this semester. Even still have an outside chance at maintaining my 4.0. We will have to see how that plays out. The important part is that I've survived the graduate school part of this semester and just have 2 1/2 days left of the work school portion. Hooray for Christmas break!

Holiday Stress

I'm rapidly becoming addicted to these lists. Guess they are just too easy. Here are my top holiday stresses.

1. Shopping. I am not an intuitive, catch a clue shopper. I need huge blaring hints. (Barring those, I guess I could use Scott's castoff roaster for Tracy...)
2. Zeke being sick. That is no fun. He's better, but I worry more now than before he was sick.
3. Christmas decorations. I'm not good at them. I'm in dire need of Santa Eye for the Christmas Challenged Guy...
4. Texas playing for a national championship. Now I'm forced to root for a team I despise simply because they are from my home state and I despise USC even more.
5. Kids with spring fever in December.
6. Money, or more precisely the lack thereof.
7. The Dallas Cowboys. I haven't been this frustrated in a season since Gary Hogeboom started at QB.
8. Tookie Williams. I'm all about redemption and turning a life around. Just not sure I want to support him (if I was a CA taxpayer) for the remainder of his days (however short they may be.)
9. Grad school. Just one more paper to write for this semester...(Actually I should be writing that paper instead of doing this...)
10. Families that don't treat each other as such.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What I'm Thankful For

I've tried to shy away from random lists, but this one is just too easy to put together and to important not to post. Please keep in mind that this is very much a stream of consciousness list.

What I'm Thankful For

1. My fantastically happy and extremely healthy son Ezekiel.
2. My fantastically patient, beautiful, and spunky wife Jill.
3. My loving family. Mom and Dad, I wouldn't be here (obviously) without you.
4. My brother and sister. You two are the best. Thanks for all the parenting tips.
5. My In-Laws. Nobody could ask for better. Nobody. John, Joyce, Julie and Randy, you all Rock!
6. ESPN
7. Dr. Sharon Shields. Thanks for taking a chance on a scrawny science teacher.
8. La Vega ISD - the best kept secret in the Waco area.
9. Northside Church of Christ - my home away from home and the only thing that kept me in Waco until I rediscovered Jill.
10. The Abrahams family. My family away from home. Lonnie, Mary, Wes and Bob, I miss you guys. I'm a schmuck for not visiting more often.
11. Email
12. The internet in general.
13. My Mom taking me (and my siblings) to the library every summer...
14. My Dad for instilling in me a good work ethic (much against my will, I might add).
15. My brown Toyota pickup (I'm sure it's still running up and down the highway SOMEWHERE.)
16. My students at school. They drive me crazy, but I'm always up on the latest slang and fads...
17. Cartoon Network
18. Scott Freeman - this blog is his fault.
19. The Dallas Cowboys - not because they win or lose, but because I remember how much fun it was to watch the games with my uncles at my Granma's in the good old days.
20. Every single individual who currently or ever has donned the uniform of the United States Military. I feel safer knowing there are dedicated individuals looking out for me. I want them on that wall. I NEED them on that wall.
21. That I have a list that's longer than 20 entries, and the knowledge that I could list blessings forever and still need more room.
22. That I"m my Mom's "Favorite". (except for when Lance is the favorite or when Whitney is...)
23. That if I ever need advice on anything (no really...anything). My Dad is imminently qualified to give it.
24. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how smart my Dad is.
25. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how funny my Dad is.
26. That I'm finally smart enough to realize that I needed every spanking I ever got, plus roughly 5000 more.
27. That Jill and I agree that Zeke may need several hundred himself before it's done.
28. Jill likes motorcycles too.
29. Jill likes golf too.
30. Jill lets me indulge in the previous two.
31. Jill lets me win at 29.
32. If we ride together, Jill lets me drive (#28).

I can now see the appeal of these lists. Hopefully I'll be able to restrain myself and save them for important occasions.

I'm trying to work up a rant over something reasonably important...maybe about how it's wrong to start Christmas until about December 12th....we'll see.

Being a Loner

I like people. I like to sit and talk, I like to people watch, I like to read about other people and how they live their lives. On my report card, it was often noted "works well with others."

So explain to me why I hate group projects so much.

I've yet to be in a group that I didn't really like all the members. I've not been let down by a group member not pulling their weight (although a few members had to have some "encouragement"). I've not failed a project, as a matter of fact we usually score pretty well. But all of that doesn't change the fact that group projects stress me out.

Once again, seems that I'm discovering that I'm a bit more type A personality that I ever wanted to admit.

Chris

Sing Hallelujah...

I like to sing (a, about the moona and the juna and springa....).

I'm not fantastic, but I can carry a tune. I've even been assigned the title of worship leader at my church. I lead singing during our three worships each week with some other gentlemen that spell me from time to time.

It's not easy. I spent years sitting in the pew making snide comments about how each song was too slow, too fast, too low, too high, or just one that I didn't like. Singing from your heart is much easier in the relative anonymity of the congregation. It's amazing how much easier it is to be sharp or flat with a microphone in front of you. I have a much better understanding what it means to "lead singing." The singing isn't the issue, it's the leading.

Everyone leads a little differently, (some more differently that others granted) but the key for me is to keep going no matter what...I've only had a few MAJOR train wrecks, and even those weren't as bad as I perceived them to be. There have been songs that I've led (and continue to lead) that strictly subscribe to the Joyful Noise theory. There have been songs that I've led that left me with goose bumps (in a good way.)

All this to say the following:

1. I apologize to all those I've criticized (fairly or unfairly) in the past. I now know how hard you work and realize the collective guts it takes to do it.
2. I apologize for all the songs that I've "murdered" in the last 6 months. Either it was purely accidental, or I just thought I knew it better than I did.
3. I apologize for not singing your favorite song often enough, or for singing the song you hate more often than you can take.
4. I apologize for singing new songs if you like the old and vice versa.
5. I apologize for being too intent when I watch someone else lead, I'm just trying to learn...
6. I apologize for getting caught up in singing instead of praising God.

This is clearly a work in progress. I spend part of each day trying to learn something new or polish something I should already know.

I appreciate all those who support me with voices and pats on the back, it keeps me singing as I go.

Chris

Being a Halloweenie

Must confess to Halloween being pretty far down my list of "favorite holidays." Given the time to think it through, I would have to rank it somewhere between Presidents day and "Take your dog to work day".

No watershed moment created this aversion to Halloween. I think I even enjoyed it for the most part when I was a kid. Maybe that's the difference, perhaps it's this whole grown up perspective that has me looking askance at fright night.

Maybe it's the extra 35 pounds I'm carrying that is making me hate candy. (Nope just had a few pieces left over from the Fall Festival, I still like candy...)

Maybe it falls into the Valentines/Christmas/Mother's Day, etc. trap of over commercialization. (Yep it does, but I don't hate Valentines or Mothers Day, so this doesn't fit either.)

Maybe it's the whole unknown thing of trusting strangers to give my child (or anyone else's for that matter) untainted treats. (nah, as long as everything is prewrapped, right?)

Maybe I'm just a sissy and hate scary movies. (well...I am a sissy when it comes to scary movies, but that's no cause to hate the entire holiday.)

Lot's of maybe's and no definitely's so I guess I just have to wait another year to find out. Perhaps my perspective will change a bit as Zeke gets older and wants to dress up and visit door to door with a bag of candy in one hand and a roll of toilet paper in the other, who knows......

Going to School vs. Working at School

I've always loved going to school. So many talk of hating aspects of their educational career, but that's not me. I loved it. Reading, writing, math (though it took many dedicated individuals to get me through...) were all great. History was even better, science the best. On top of that, there were so many other things to do! Running, jumping, talking, flirting, hitting, yelling, riding the bus...It was great. UIL activities, athletics, hanging out in the parking lot...can't beat it!

I loved college. SPC, LCU weren't just initials, they were places where I loved to be. Again, the academics were great and I learned a lot, but it was the connection, the fun that made it worthwhile. I had great friends in my academic career (have lost contact with most, but it was fun while it lasted....don't cry, we'll always have Levelland.....) and that made going to school fun.

I've also now spent the last 10 years of my life working at school. It's an entirely different experience. Skipping school was trouble (if you got caught), but hardly anything really serious. Skipping work gets you fired. Not doing your homework when you go to school get you a slap on the wrist and a zero. Not doing your homework when it's work, get's you behind, bad evaluations, and eventually fired. It's not the same.

Yet I still love going to work. I love the new challenges that each day brings. I love having to stand in the cafeteria 1 1/2 hours a day watching kids eat with the eloquence and grace of so many swine. I like hearing what kids like and don't like about school. It's just good stuff.

So somebody explain to me why I am having such a hard time being motivated in my current act of going to school? My pursuit of my masters degree is KILLING ME. I love to learn, I love to read, so why is this semester so hard? The easy answer is the junior executive. He's much more fun than reaction papers and article reviews, but I'm not sure that I can pin this one on him (yet).

Maybe it's the isolation of masters work. I know people in my class, but I don't hang out with them. We work in groups, but we communicate by email. Not so much fun.

Maybe it's the pressure of continuing to do well. If I could just relax my A type personality long enough to quit worrying about that elusive "4 point", maybe I could settle down and enjoy the ride. Maybe I'm just too competitive. Can't do much without wanting to be good at it. (still trying to reconcile that part of me with my desire to continue playing golf though...)

So I head to class tonight with a heavy heart, but a finished paper. Perhaps I'll get a good enough grade that I'll not have to rewrite it. Maybe I'll get motivated and get to work on my group project.

Maybe I'll go home and hang out with Zeke.

Always Something New

Time flies. Am I the only one that feels like I step through a worm hole on a daily basis. I wake up, go to work, blink twice, come home, bathe the little one, work on my homework for my classes, kiss my sleeping wife, close my eyes for approximately 15 seconds and the process begins again.

Weeks of my life are flying by faster than I can lose a game in fantasy football.

Every time I look up there is somewhere else to be or something else to do. Granted, many are by my choice, but there is little time that isn't occupied by "something".

I asked for suggestions for TV watching, but I don't know it will do much good since I don't have time to even set my DVR for later viewing. My problem is there isn't much "later."

Anyone else having this problem? Suggestions for me?

Chris

Opposite of the Baby Blues

Regardless of my evident bias, predjudice, and generally being partial...Our baby is cute.

Don't get me too wrong here, I think all kids are cute. It's just that some are cuter than others and I've decided that my son fits into the not having been beaten with the ugly stick category. I have darling nieces and nephews, I have friends that have cute babies, I see cuteness each time I watch TV, but my son takes the cake.

Perhaps it's because he's mine (and Jill's too, I know...). Perhaps it's that little half smile that reminds me of me. Perhaps it's because he got most of his looks from his mama (and Lord knows that's a good thing.) Anyway you slice it, he's alright.

Even more fun to watch than TV!

Search for Something Watchable

Ok. I have reached the point where I'm sincerely asking for help. (Not promising to take your advice by any means, but I am asking.) I am officially lost in TV Land. Not the network mind you but the entire TV watching experience. My rut is so deep it resembles a rather large hole in the ground in Arizona.

I've always been guilty of being a sports fanatic. For years my mantra has been, "If it sweats and wears a number, I'll watch it." Pretty much all I watch any more are sports. Even the "quasi" sports...billiards, poker, soccer, Baylor Football...can hold my interest for a time. I do love sports, but I need something else.

I need something, or somethings to become addicted to like the rest of the TV watching world. Unfortunately, my tastes for the most part run counter to the flavor of the month TV viewing public.

I don't like reality shows because most are so contrived that they skip the reality concept for me. (Although I think an actual reality show based on the Geico "Tiny House" commercial could be GOLD!) I'm not bashing them, because I know some people live their lives according to Survivor, Big Brother, etc. I'm simply saying that I like my TV a little less real and not quite as insulting to my intelligence.

I'm not into young adult drama either. I must confess to already threatening Zeke with no TV at all if I catch him trying to watch the OC. So that, Everwood, Gilmore Girls, etc is pretty much out. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty much ruling out anything on the WB and EVERYTHING on UPN, just on principle.

Dramas are ok as are comedies. I actually sat through an entire episode of "Rodney" the other night. Had a hard time hearing Mr. Carrington's dialogue over me incessantly humming "Don't Look Now Your Mama's Got Her Boobs Out", so that may not be an option either.

Unlike my parents, I cannot constantly watch FoxNews. Just in case you were wondering, C-SPAN and C-SPAN2 (why?) are out as well.

So help me out. Find me something good to watch. Night and time are not a problem, that's why God allowed the invention of DVR!

Chris

First Post

Wow. Once more into the breach my friends. Yet another technology tool for me to play with.

After some not so subtle prodding by my friend Scott (http://scottfreeman.typepad.com/) reading his wife Tracy's (http://tracyfreeman.blogspot.com/), and a brief workshop on it's use in the classroom, I have joined the blogging world.

This will definitely be a work in progress. I can only promise my opinions and only when Zeke allows me the time to work on it.

I'm not at all eloquent, but I do have some strong opinions on some subjects. Hopefully we can start some interesting discussions. Feel free to comment early and often, but please, be nice.

Don't forget the family page (www.theborlands.net). They will stay reasonably separate as the family site is just that.

So with that said, on we go. More postings as ideas warrant.

Chris