Three swings, three misses...

Memo to MIZZOU fan:

Time to fire Mike Alden!

Your university & athletic department has become a JOKE.

1. You got played by Jim Delany and the Big Ten.

2. You got played by Mike Anderson.

3. You got played by Matt Painter.

Who is running the Athletic Department at Missouri? What a mess!



I'm sure you alumni and fans will figure it out.

Until then, stay classy!


Sterling

The Friday Suprise...

In 1994, Shauna was still in high school. I was working at night and attending college during the day. I had Friday’s off, so Friday was a planned “date night”. One Friday, I stopped by The Jones Store and purchased Shauna an outfit. I bought her jeans and a shirt, wrapped them, and went to pick her up from school. I told her that I had a “Friday Surprise” for her. She opened the packages and the “Friday Surprise” was born. The “Friday Surprise” was not a weekly occurrence, and wasn’t always clothes. The “Friday Surprise” was anything from a card, concert tickets, a cd, stuffed animal, snow globe, ice cream, flowers, and etc. The “Friday Surprise” is a memory that we both cherish. Several times a year the “Friday Surprise” returns and it always puts a huge smile on Shauna’s face. Last Friday was one of those occasions.
I love to buy Shauna purses and have personally picked out the last 4 in her collection. I surprised Shauna with a beautiful Latico bowler bag style purse. Those of you that know me, know that I found a great deal on this bag and did not pay anywhere close to the $269 MSRP.



Shauna rarely does anything for herself. A “Friday Surprise” is a unique way to thank her for all that she does for me and our children.

Sterling

Shopping at Sam's Club...

Way to go...

Marshall once again made the Honor Roll. Marshall brought home 5 A's and 2 B+'s. Marshall was disappointed that he did not have all A's. Nevertheless, Shauna and I are very proud of his academic achievements this year. Marshall will be working extra hard this quarter to achieve his goal of straight A's. When he succeeds, he will receive the Adidas F50 soccer shoes that he has had his eyes on.


Sterling

Life...

Shauna and I talk. I mean really talk! We always have and always will. Our ability and willingness to talk has gotten us through good times and bad times. Talking has allowed us to openly and honestly communicate our expectations, wants, needs, and desires. Shauna and I are almost always on the same page. We have talked about our expectations for our relationship, for our family, for how we treat others, and for how we allow others to treat us.

Through the years, Shauna and I have realized that we can only count on each other. Unfortunately, both of our so called “families” have been one disappointment after another. It truly does take more than blood to be a family. Shauna and I do not have unreasonable expectations. In fact our expectations are pretty much common sense.

1. Do not lie.
2. Do not hide things (sneak).
3. Communicate openly and honestly.
4. Treat us like more than just an option.
5. Do not talk badly about us to other people.
6. Share with us your love, support, laughter, and strength.

A relationship is a two-way street. Simply, do not expect things from us that you are not willing to do. How can you expect us to not always be mad when you refuse to treat us how we deserve to be treated?



A person can only and should only take so much…

Relationships are not easy, they take work. At some point you find yourself asking these questions…

1. What am I getting out of this relationship?
2. Does the good outweigh the bad?
3. Does this person value me?
4. Does this person ultimately value our relationship?

At the end of the day,life is about choices. Choices about what you do and who you choose to do it with. As I frequently tell our kids, make a decision and then live with that decision.

Shauna and I talk. We make decisions together regarding the people that we have relationships with. As time goes by, many more relationships will be evaluated and decisions will be made.

One thing I can say for sure is, that when it is all said and done, we are at peace with our decisions, and that my friends, is all that matters.

Sterling

My new swing...

I recently discovered that I like to swing. My brother and sister have a trampoline, basketball goal, and sandbox for outside. This time, it was my turn to get a toy. So here I am, using my new swing. Now, all I need to do is get a pair of sunglasses.


Moriah

Memories...

The Big 12 Tournament is in Kansas City this week. The Big 12 tournament brings back memories and provides the opportunity to make new ones. I remember when Shauna was a senior in high school, the tournament (Big 8, back then) was held at Kemper Arena. Shauna's mom released her from school early so that we could attend the early session games. Shauna and I drove down to the Kemper, bought tickets from scalpers, and spent the day watching basketball together. To this day, at tourney time, we still reflect back on the fun that we had that day.

The first year the Big 12 tournament was brought to the Sprint Center, I pulled Marshall out of school so that we could go together. We spent the morning in the Power and Light District attending the fan-fest. Marshall chose to eat at Famous Dave's BBQ. I remember sitting down and having "lunch" at 10am so that we could be done in time to see tip-off at 11:30am. Marshall and I talked, ate kettle corn, drank slushies, and watched some great basketball.

This year, Marshall had testing on Wednesday and Thursday, I was unable to pull him out of school to attend the morning games. When he got home from school on Thursday, I surprised him with tickets to the evening games. After walking around the Power & Light District, taking in all the fan activities, we made our way inside the arena to our seats. Our seats were located in the last row of the upper level.

During warm-ups, a representative from Phillips 66 came and told us that we had been chosen as the Move of the Game. The representative upgraded our seats to center court, 6 rows off of the floor.

We were given a backpack with special shirts, hats, and lanyards. During the under 16 minute time out, we stood up and were recognized on the JUMBO TRON.


The seats were incredible and the whole experience was absolutely amazing. I told Marshall that I am 35 years old and have never had seats that were at center-court, and 6 rows back. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What more could a dad ask for? Special time with his son, and center court seats to MIZZOU getting drilled by Texas A&M. What a perfect evening!

Sterling


Special thanks to Phillips 66 for upgrading our seats!