The Special Ed Blog

This article just gave me a big incentive to get an Xbox 360.  What do you think Brian?

Update 7/22/2008 - Caught four so far and haven’t seen any others since last week.  I’m happy.

Yep, thanks to my neighbor’s new cage and a handful of birdseed, we have caught two now.  We won’t discuss the events after they were caught.

Well, I will have to say this is the most interesting and coolest Birthday present I have ever heard of.  I’m just wondering if Sallie has gotten me anything yet for mine????? 

Big shout out to Chad Allen and his awesome slip ‘n slide party.  I gotta get me one of these.

After 35 long years of bragging and being proud of my effort and hard work, it all came to an end today.  I’m so mad and frustrated right now, I could scream and cuss.  In fact, I did huff LOUDLY at my wife today as I walked out of the dentist office. 

You see, it has been 35 years, 35 YEARS of perfect teeth, no bad ones, no hurting, no CAVITIES, no NOTHING!  And today, sitting in that chair, the nice (meany woman) tells me I will need to come back in for a filling because I HAVE A CAVITY!!!!  WHAT????  I exclaimed, “I think you have the wrong person.  I don’t have cavities.  I have never had cavities!”  You are so WRONG mean dentist lady.  :) 

And in the room next to me is my wife, Sallie.  Who during all this is laughing her head off!  “He has a cavity?  Are you kidding me, he has a cavity?????”  And when she finally comes out of the office is smiling ear to ear because I have a CAVITY!  How wrong is that?

I guess I had it coming.  You see, I hate going to the dentist.  I don’t hate dentist people, I just hate going to the dentist.  In fact, I despise going to the dentist.  Don’t know why, I JUST DO.  I have successfully avoided going to the dentist for a long time.  In fact, so long I don’t remember when it was.  And I don’t mean what month, I mean I don’t remember what year or century it was.  The last recollection I have of a dentist office is when Robert Barnes was my boss and I was still running the roads with Bill and Danny at Piggly Wiggly.   Do the math for those who have known me that long…. it is a freaking long time since I have been to the dentist.  So, I guess I had it coming. 

Oh well, all streaks must come to an end sometime.  I guess my 35th year must be mine.  Although, I have contemplated moving my dentist appointment to after my birthday.  At least I could claim 36 years then. 

It is all quiet now.  We are traveling back to Birmingham as I write this.  I am on the Chi bus and everyone is pretty much asleep.  It has been a very tough week but also very enjoyable.  We arrived in Orlando last Saturday and stayed at the Quality Inn on International drive.  All 100+ students and several chaperones invaded this hotel and complex.  During the week we have worked with several sites including churches, apartment complexes and sport camps sharing with children and adults.  During the morning times, we have setup backyard Bible clubs to play games with kids, teach songs and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.   In the afternoons we have picked each of these locations to perform a concert with the Chi Alpha Choir.   We also feed the attendees and the Chi Alpha students during the afternoon concerts. 

I am a member of the cook team.  This year, I got to work with Rick, Judy, Muley and Jim.  I have no idea how many hundreds of people we have fed including our own students throughout the week.  It is a passion of ours to do this and we enjoy it every year.  This year was especially challenging because our central kitchen was not where our housing was located.  It was definitely a struggle to make sure we had everything packed before leaving to our concert location.  Some days, we just had to make do with what we had.  This year, I almost made the mistake of not going.  And I am so glad I changed my mind.  Thank you team for a great week together full of hard work and jamming to the music.  And thank you Rick for making me go!

On Wednesday, the Salvation Army volunteered to feed us so the cook team got to take a day off.  I chose to take part in one of the backyard Bible clubs with the students at Beacon Hill.  This was the first time that I got to experience what they do during these mission events.  I was very proud of our students.  The relationships they formed, friendships they created were just amazing in the few days we had been here.  I got to take lots and lots of photos to try and capture these times.  I have never been more excited about the work they were doing and had already done.  You could see the passion in each of them of wanting to share what God had done in their lives.  Thank you students for uplifting me during this week and having a passion for Christ.

To share the memories….12 hours, Orlando, I-drive, Quality Inn, Toll booths, Winter Garden, You want the coolers where?, Lots and lots of ice, Awesome meals, Hotel snack room, Water, Water, Water, Late nights, I pooted, Beacon Hill, Woodhill Aparments, Concerts, Backyard Bible clubs, 50+ profession one night, Salvation Army, Pizza?, Grills, Titusville, There gators in that pond?, We pooted, Blue Man Group, Disney, Epcot, Where is the Hall of Presidents?, Soarin, Test Track, Is it raining again?, Water, Water, Water, Headed home.

However, my most favorite memory is when one of my Bible Study students asked Jesus Christ into her heart.  You go Callie and have a passion for sharing that with others.  Also, a personal thank you to all my Bible Study students for letting me get to know you better and for an awesome trip. 

Just wanted to send a quick update about our Chi Alpha tour.  We have had an awesome time serving others and speaking to children about Jesus.  We have been to two churches so far, though the attendence has not been huge, it has been worth it.  The see our students work with these kids and young people is always a neat experience.  This is something that I enjoy year after year and makes the trip worth it.  Our students have a heart for the ministry and that makes me very proud to be a part of them.  Keep up the great work Chi Alpha.  Also, thanks for all the prayers and support we are receiving from our home church and friends.  Your prayers are what got us here and keeps us motivated.  Our bus is getting closer so I will catch up with you later.  God Bless.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (

James 1:12 (Listen)

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)

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A friend of mine who emails out words of encouragement sent this to me tonight.  I just wanted to pass it along to you also. 

Today is National Donut Day!  Krispy Kreme here I come.

What an AU’some experience! Thanks to my Dad, Hunter and I got to eat lunch with Tommy Tuberville today. Golden Flake sponsored a lunch today for special invited supermarket retailers. Dad was one of the invited guests and he took me and Hunter and my brother David. We ate BBQ and of course Golden Flake chips. Tommy Tuberville spoke about the upcoming season while we ate. And afterwards, he took pictures with each of us and signed his autograph to items we brought. Over all, we had a really great time.

However, the memory we will have forever was when we left. You see our lunch was at Jordan Hare Stadium and we had to take the elevator to the Letterman’s Lounge to get there. When we began to leave, Tommy Tuberville decided to ride down the elevator with us. On our way down and out of the stadium, Hunter began carrying on a great conversation with good ole’ Tommy. Hunter told him about catching fish at PawPaw’s house on Lake Martin and all sorts of stuff. We all just walked in awe of the experience. It is definitely something we all will remember for a very long time.

A big THANK YOU to Tommy Tuberville for being a great coach and Auburn supporter but most of all for sharing your time with us and my son. You are a great figure in my son’s eyes and he will forever remember that day.