Family Trip to Chattanooga, TN.

Will getting ready for horse & buggy ride in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga Choo Choo train at the hotel.

Will by the 88 car at Ruby Falls.

Will with his miners helmet at Ruby Falls.

Fireworks at Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game.

We had a great family trip this past weekend in Chattanooga. My mom, dad, brother with his family and sister with her family met Will, Donna and me. We visited all the great spots including Ruby Falls, Rock City and Lookout Mountain. We also caught a couple of minor league baseball games (chattanooga lookouts) while in town. We stayed at the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel in the train cars. It was fun! We walked alot, but had a great family weekend.

Next year, Graceland. Yep, going to see where Elvis lived.

14 & Counting

Tuesday, June 17 was our (Donna and me) 14th wedding anniversary. Wow! It has gone by so fast. Seems like only yesterday was June 17, 1994, and we were getting married at CHBC.

You know what? I can say that I think we are closer today then when we walked the aisle. Better friends. Better partners in life.

I look forward to the next 14.

Tiger Woods - Poor Example for Young or Old

Did you see Tiger make his incredible win Monday? Yes, he pulled it out. Another major victory. Number 14. Just 4 behind Jack N. Will he get there? Probably. If his body holds out.

Well, I must admit that I was pulling for Rocco. Not that I know that much about Rocco. I do like the underdog, but it was mainly a pull against Tiger. If you were watching close then you got to see Tiger on more than one occassion use the Lord's name in vain. Yep, right there on national tv. In fact, when coverage went from ESPN to NBC we not only got to read his lips, but also got to hear the entire thing. Embarassing for NBC. More embarassing for Tiger. Well, unfortunately he didn't learn his lesson and only a few shots later did it again. This time NBC was able to "dump" the sound before we got to hear the whole thing.

Folks, I am not trying to be a stick in the mud. Yes, we have all said things that are not worth repeating. However, I can assure you that I have not (not that I have had the chance), nor would I use the Lord's name in vain on national tv. What a great example! Impressionable people of all ages (young and old love this guy) got a couple of good examples of terrible language. You know what? He probably doesn't care. Why should I? Well, as a Christian it offends me to hear the blatant use of the Lord's name like that on tv. Actually, not just on tv. Anywhere or anytime.

I understand that he is competitive. Many of us are. Doesn't mean that you have to use those words in that setting. Again, how many impressionable people made sure to watch the tournament on Monday because of this guy? Millions!!!!

Well, good job Tiger on the win. You truly are the best in the world. However, you lack some self-control that the commentators say you have. The self-control to get a good grip on your mouth and not just the club.

Hey Dad (who loves Tiger and watches his every tournament), what if your kid used that language on tv in front of millions? Would it make you proud? I hope not.

Go Rocco!

Cowboy Will!

We went to the rodeo here in Fayette Friday night. As you can see Will took to it pretty quick. No, I don't think we lost him to the "cowboy life", but he did enjoy taking a quick ride on a horse of a friend.

I am afraid that Donna like the cowboys. After one of the young gentlemen finished his ride on a bucking bronco she begin screaming, "good ride cowboy." It looks like that I am going to have to start wearing Wrangler jeans and a big belt buckle. It's getting dirty that kind of gets to me though. Maybe I could be in cowboy management. Yeah, I will dress the part, but just manage from the side. No threat of injury and my jeans stay clean.

I will keep you all posted on my new role. I may need to do a little research first. I wonder if the cowboys wear hair gel? I just don't think I could wear that hat all the time.

Oh well, we had a great time. Another good night out as a family here in Fayette, Al. Yes, it is a great place to live and raise a family.

Shooting in Fayette

We had a shooting in town today. Appears that a young man was killed. This was the first murder here in Fayette in a couple of years.

Who knows what happened? Will anyone ever know what really occurred? I have a feeling that only 2 people really know and one of them is dead.

Tragic! At what point do you/I decide that we will point a gun at another human and pull the trigger? At what point do you no longer care enough about life that you take another? What is your state of mind at that point?

I don't know. I have never and hope to never be at the point that I feel like my only option is to take another humans life. Do you stay and watch that person take their last breath? Do you see the other person as a human or just another animal? At that point is it just another level to a video game?

I don't know. I have never been to that point.

Say what you will, but our world has alot hearts that are full of hate. They hate themselves, which translates to hate for others. It is a cycle. How can I love and respect you if I can't love and respect me?

I don't know. I have never been to that point.

I guess in these times you go to the Holy scripture to see what it says. I keep thinking about when Jesus was asked what is the most important command. Jesus replied to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul and strength. Asked what followed he replied to love your neighbor as yourself.

So, we must begin to trust and love the Lord. This will enable us to love ourselves and others.

To quote the great Rodney King; "Can't we all just get along, get along?"

Caleb is CHAMPION!

My nephew Caleb's team won the 13-14 year old baseball championship last night. What a game! With the score seeming to indicate that a second game would be needed we were about to leave. We thought that we would get a bite to eat and get back to the park for the second game (Caleb's team has to be beat twice by the other team). Well, as I am walking away one of the Grasshopper teammates hit a homerun. Caleb's team is within 2 runs going into the final inning. Caleb would be leading off the bottom of the 6th (last inning). He had not been on the bases thus far. He came to the plate and battled like a champion and walked. It started the rally which would see the Grasshoppers make an incredible comeback and win by 1 run. Awesome! I was extremely proud of Caleb for battling at his atbat. Tough situation and he came through like a champion.
Congratulations to all of the Grasshoppers (big hit by Jess Cooper to win the thing)! You are #1.

Oh, I failed to mention that my brother, Tony was the head coach. Good job coaching(even if you did get the first potential tying run thrown out at home in the 6th). It all worked out and what a night for the Brown family. We were all there (mom/pop, sister Debra with her husband, John and daughter, Chloe and Tony's wife, Julie and daughter, Anna Jane) to celebrate the big win.

Good job Caleb and Tony. It was a awesome game (especially since you won) and all of the Grasshoppers can remember this night for days to come.

Saturday's Are The BEST!

Saturday's are the BEST! Today we spent a good portion of the day as a family just having a great time. Will, Donna and I love hanging out at the pool. It was hot and the water felt great today.

As you can tell by the photos, Will is a waterbug. He has accomplished swimming and is comfortable around the water. He really enjoys jumping off the divingboard and swimming to the side.

Most of the week he had friends over playing with him in the water. Yes, he had someone here today. Thats fine. If he is having a good time then I'm happy.

If you are in our area, please stop in and see us. Chances are this summer you will find us at the pool. Especially, if it is Saturday.