Your very own BFG

I am going to be honest, this is how I've felt recently. Most of the time I'm accepting of my glorious stature, but sometimes I feel cramped, befuddled, frustrated, fat, just plain outta place. So here is my raving about being too large for the common folk. You get to hear it one time, then I will be silent.

You are thinking "But, you aren't that tall." You are correct I'm not that gargantuan compared to other men although the percentage of men who are taller than me is less that 3.2%, but here's the thing-I. AM. NOT. A. MAN. How many WOMEN do you know that have a 36" inseam? It would be really nice to buy a pair of pants in a store. Who wear size 13 shoes? Yes, you read that right 1 ten and 3 ones put together. Oh those super cute fashionista shoes I just saw my friend wearing? Once, just once I would like to copy her and go grab myself a pair. Also, just because you are tall doesn't mean you are BIG. My bare shoulders from straps falling down in the summer can attest to that. I could continue with my clothing woes, but you don't want to read my neverendinglist of non-feminine/too expensive/wahwahwah blubbering. My mother never put up with it-forcing me to travel to stores 5 hours from home to find clothes or ordering half the inventory from a potential catalog just to return the unfit merchandise, so you shouldn't have to listen for that long either.
Speaking of the mom in my life the 5' 4" superstar always has made sure I "embraced my height" even when I spat back venom of her having no idea what it was like to stand out in a crowd. Oh, wait. She's that little person beside the man who's 6' 10". She has an idea of what it is like to stand out and her personality loves it. I have grown (*pun*) to accept being taller than most of the population. I know 1oneuno girl who is taller than I am. I have strangers ask me how tall I am, what it's like, how tall are my parents, do I play volleyball yada yada I could go on. This doesn't bother me. I like talking to people, but sometimes when I go out in public with my family it would be nice to not have eyes on us 94% of the time. I can see you posing behind my brother while your friend takes a picture with her smartphone. What would you do if I walked up to you and snapped a picture?
Then come the sports questions. Because I am tall I must not only be obsessed with sports, but I must also possess a natural talent that other's don't have. I have mixed emotions about how my parents handled my sports upbringing. Mixed emotions that will be discussed at a later date. I can say that I am happy with where I am at this point in my life and that things happen for a reason. As cliche as that sounds it is true. Had I been raised differently I probably wouldn't be making a difference in countless lives between molding 5 year old brains and reigning in 19 year old ball players.
I stand out as a leader. I'm a gracefully clumsy goofball. I'm a practical joker who's not good at sneaking around so I use my leader status to use other people to orchestrate my ideas--jessieowens, laceyeaster, katelyndavis. I'm unique. I've learned to love it.
But, when I make a comment about standing out don't come back with the "I know how you feel" unless you are part of the 0.7% that sets me apart.

Rant=over.
And if you don't understand the BFG acronym look it up and then read the book!

Being an Eagle

Today,I asked my basketball team to write what it meant to be "an eagle". I don't like to ask things of other people that I'm not willing to do myself so here is a picture walk of the college career that is so dear to my heart.
Pregame huddles, line-ups, and shenanigans :

2 of my favorite fellow tricksters and our short list: snowball fights, hiding under coach's desk, throwing slime, tp and forks in a certain yard, and the infamous vegas prank.

NCAA Tournaments

Team pictures wherever we went (New York x2, Maine, Atlanta, Hawaii, Vegas, and errewhere in VA)

Tradition of winning.

"It's weird...you know the end of something great is coming, but you want to hold on, just for one more second...even when it prolongs the pain"

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story."--Orson Wells

 Being an Eagle is having an understanding that to every end is a new beginning. An understanding that I share unbreakable bond with few. And, when you've been there...you've invested the time, worked through the pain, know how the system works, you yearn for others to have a better 4 years than you did. Even if those years were the best in your life so far. You want them to know what to worry about and what to leave alone. You want need them to carry on old traditions and want them to create new.  There is always better. Don't settle for anything less. Control your destiny, but always remember your past.

A Cultural Affair

I discovered a new hip place in the 'Burg this weekend. The Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center puts on an awesome show for Christmas each year as a fundraiser. My friend Charity invited me to come along for the adventure, so we dressed up in the garb, pretended to make cookies, peel apples for pies, and had a grand 'ole time in a house circa de 1850.
Anyway, who else would you want to hang out and celebrate Christmas with than these cuties?

**side note, you should definitely go next year. They have horse and carriage rides, donkeys and goats to pet, a schoolhouse, and lots of other things to learn about.**

Little Things

"Sometimes,' said Pooh, ' the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." --A.A. Milne

November is known for being a thankful month. This November has tried it's best to not be a very thankful time for me. I have struggled with gut-wrenching pain. I've experienced the return of panic attacks-panic attacks that once were a serious detriment to my functionality. I cry without prompting. I'm moody and not very fun to be around--at least I don't feel fun.

While reading this morning a passage caught my attention, " To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are those who remember to give thanks at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with joy in their hearts because they know the light of His presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that He has made-your steadfast companion." Jesus Calling

I am not saying I shouldn't be grieving over the loss of a close friend. There is nothing wrong with grief. However, I do realize that my life is continuing and that I can and should use dear Kim's impact on my life as part of my life testimony. I went through today looking for bright spots. Friends let me tell you, in this broken world there is awe-inspiring, jaw dropping beauty.

*baby leaves perfectly symmetrical plastered on my windshield from the rain.
*Two pretty labs a yellow and a black waiting patiently for me to open my door every morning just so they can greet me with their tail wags, lolling tongues, and smiles.
*a gorgeous sunrise that leads me to work almost every morning with goldenrod streaks (this was absent today because of the rain and I was surprised how much I missed it)
*19 smiling faces greeting me with anticipation wanting to know what I am going to do to help them expand their minds each day
*19 small people unknowingly changing my life daily through lessons on patience, grace, and humility
*cymbals, rhythm sticks, a recorder, jingle bells, triangles, and tambourines tarnished and bent to show how they have been loved on through the years.
*An impromptu center-time parade led by one of the quietest kids in the class. It's amazing how music and imagination open the door to adventure and courage.
*Singing Christmas carols in both Spanish and English with my after-school kids. Our pageant is this Friday and they have worked so hard to prepare.
*The Spanish language in general.
*My tears as they now come because as a quote I recently read says "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not marks of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love"--W. Irving.

Love. is. the. most. beautiful. of. all.

We're (almost) going to DISNEY!

What's that Josh is having basketball games over Thanksgiving in Orlando? Shenandoah Regional Airport is having a deal on ticket prices? Let's go!

*My friend Heather came with her husband to the airport on Thanksgiving and took some pictures. She's the big wig behind the new direct flight from Shenandoah to Orlando. Thanks Heather!*




Over the last couple of years my family has started the tradition of not being at home for Thanksgiving. Tennessee, New Jersey, Maryland, and now Florida have been on the traveled states list. Being a travel aficionado I am always up for going wherever, and enthused was an understatement for how I was feeling about this trip. Unfortunately a few early losses put a damper on the competitive mood of my family, and a sick padre prevented us from going to Magic Kingdom on Saturday. Instead we saved our money and ventured to Downtown Disney which was AWESOME. I also don't like to think about the throngs of people who flooded the parks that weekend. The Vandy team went for the afternoon and Josh said waited for hours in line and only rode a few rides. I'm thankful for the time spent with my family. I'm thankful for the resources that allow me to travel. I'm thankful for my brother's healing because up until a few weeks ago we didn't know if he would be able to play this sport which has made up such a large part of his my our lives.
I give you pictures from the sunnyland of Florida! Oh, how I miss that warmth already.

Sweet Flashy Hats

1st college start and he's only been walking for 5 weeks!

Happy LEGO dragon protecting Downtown Disney.

Epic Battle

LEGO Toy Story

 I've heard rumors of playing in Orlando again next year for this holiday...repeat with a park visit included? Yes, please!