Rian and I talked over the weekend.

I am amazed with him. Growing up, he didn't care to read. Nor did his sisters. Now it seems every time we talk, he is reading something.

He isn't an avid reader like his dad or his mother. He takes his time. Often his choices are work or church related, which sometimes means they are a little dry. However, when he tells me I need to read something, I usually do.

He was telling me the average "professional life" expectancy of a classroom teacher who gives 110% is 3 to 6 years.

That is unsettling.

Rian was at the Estacado football game at Lowery Field in Lubbock Friday night. It seems one of the three principals from Dunbar is required to be in attendance.

Rian was on the sideline, knowing many of the coaches from his days coaching in LISD. When half time came, a coach approached him, asking "are you Mr. Freeman?" Rian said yes. The coach continued, "I coached at Dunbar, my last year there was the year before you came. One of our student athletes was a boy named TJ. He was belligerent, had and attitude, and the nicest way I can put it, he was a turd. I knew he would be coming to Estacado, and I wasn't looking forward to it. What a pleasant surprise to find the new TJ arrived on our campus. He is courteous, he is hard working, he is a changed young man. I have asked around about what changed this out of control boy into the new model. The only answer I found was Mr. Freeman took him in.
I just wanted to meet you and say thanks and keep up the good work."

Priceless.

Rian knew TJ was somewhere in the stadium, and called the young man's cell phone. "I talked with one of your coaches, and we need to talk", Rian told TJ.

"Mr. Freeman, I didn't do anything!", TJ exclaimed.

Rian told TJ how proud he was to hear the good things the coach had to say, and that he was just as proud at that moment of TJ as he is when Reid, Holt or Drew receive accolades from their teachers. He finished his praise by reinforcing what he has preached to TJ, make good choices, and work to build character.

Pat called me yesterday. She had gone outside to have a little space. It has been the Dove Hunter Hotel at her house the past week. Hunters began arriving last Monday. The last hunters will be gone by noon today. Add the fact that she has had Chloe this week, and she has had her plate full. She said she fixed thirty-six pieces of chicken fried steak Saturday, and by the time she got a chance to eat, it was all gone. And that wasn't the only time that happened during the week.

I don't know how she does it.

Pat had gone to Palestine last week to accompany Steph to Huntsville/Conroe to do some testing and job interviews. She accepted a job in Conroe and they spent the remaining part of their weekend looking for a house. For the last year she has looked for employment in her area of expertise. It seems she has a deadline to complete a few thousand hours of clinical work before she can be licensed. She has about half of her clinical, but only has about a year left to complete it. Otherwise she will have to back off for a couple of years and then start over.

JR went to his bosses and told them what was going on, trying to be a stand up kind of guy. He told them he had no intention of quitting, but that Steph had to get in a situation where she could complete her licensing. They prepared a letter of commitment for him to sign, saying he would stay through April 15, 2010. He signed it.

Basically, he signed on for a four hour commute once they sell their house in Palestine.

On Friday, JR's bosses told him they were actively searching for his replacement and once he or she was hired, JR would be the temporary help. What a crock.

Jr and Steph listed their house on Wednesday night and Thursday morning they had two people come by to look at it.

Pat said they were moved in and ready for Chloe to come home.

Well, my lawn is beckoning me.

Have a day!

FATHER, help us to make good choices. Help us to be supportive. Help us to be proactive. Thank YOU for the rains. Bless and watch over all those who are near and dear to us. Love lifted me!