Disney Day 2

Will, Sarah, Josh, Hannah, Scott, and I at the Magic Kingdom!

For our first full day at Disney World, we headed to the Magic Kingdom! Our first day was not very efficient, but we would get it figured out. We got off to a slow start and then got split up at the beginning of the day. The fast pass thing is beautiful... we just had to learn that the hard way!

Girls in Frontierland

Because of the previous day's roller coaster experience, we decided to make sure that Josh changed his opinion. We went on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Josh was officially back to being the daredevil we all know and love. From then on, he wanted to be as close to the front of every ride as possible!Hannah sitting in front of Splash Mountain

Dad, Josh, Scott, and Will on Thunder Mountain Railroad

We had our "random dinner time" reservation at the Crystal Palace at 3:15. This was a fun character dining meal with the Pooh characters. They all came to the tables for autographs and pictures. It was so much fun! All of the kids (except Will) really got into collecting autographs and were happy to get pictures with the different characters.
After our dinner, the boys were ready to go back to the hotel to swim. Hannah, Sarah, Mom, and I stayed at the Magic Kingdom until after dark. We got to ride several rides (including Space Mountain and It's a Small World) that we would do again with the boys later in the week.

Disney Day 1

My parents have said for years that when all of our children were 6 years old or older, they wanted to take us all to Disney World for a vacation. Well, Josh is six, and we got to go on our trip at the end of May!

The excitement began to build months ago... the kids had a countdown picture that they had started 42 days before the trip! Faithfully they switched the number every day and pored over our Disney information books.

Before this week, our children had never been to a theme park. Never been on a roller coaster. Never been to a water park. The boys had never been on an airplane. They were about to have sensory overload!

We left the Memphis airport on Sunday morning and arrived in Orlando around lunchtime. As we made our way to the Magical Express bus, we entered one of those lines that zig zags around back and forth with the little guide ropes directing you. As we entered the line, Josh exclaimed, "Boy, I'm glad we are not in THAT line!" Little did he know, we WERE in that line... we just hadn't made it up to them yet!

We took the bus to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and got checked in. What a beautiful place to stay! The hotel had a distinct Caribbean flare, and the pool was designed around a pirate theme. We got our "Keys to the World" and had a quick lesson on how to use them. It would take us a little while to figure out the dining plan, but we were soon old pro's at it!

After we changed clothes, we headed to the Animal Kingdom. Our first ride was Expedition Everest. The fast passes were gone, so we decided to wait it out. As we all stood in line, we were impressed with the attention to detail that seems to set Disney World apart from other theme parks. The hour wait went by quickly. Many people rave over this ride, but we all exited the ride with queasy stomachs! Josh was convinced that he did NOT like roller coasters!
The park was soon closing, and it was time for us to head to our dinner reservation at the Tusker House. Dinner was great... a buffet with an African theme. I was hoping for some Ethiopian food, but I didn't see anything resembling injera (sp?). Everything we tried was good, though! My kids surprised me with how adventurous they were during the week!
After supper we headed back to the resort for a swim in our hotel pool... that had its own water slide!!! On the first night, Josh accidentally smashed his face on the bottom of the hot tub. For the rest of the week, he has a big boo-boo on his upper lip... It healed just in time for the trip home!

Job News

I have mentioned several times that Scott's job for the fall has been totally up in the air. Well, over the first few weeks of May, the Lord brought things to a conclusion...

It became clear that his New Albany science job was not going to be available. He was told that he could interview for the shop teacher's position at NAHS, and at the same time another job opportunity presented itself. The superintendent of the county schools contacted Scott about teaching science at East Union Attendance Center (where he taught before we moved to KY). Great, right? Only one catch... You guessed it, he would also be coaching football!

I am not going to go into the gory details of the decision making process, but we both agreed that the best choice would be working for the Union County School System.

There are 4 small Union County schools, and they have obtained permission to have one county-wide football team. Scott will be the head football coach for this new, experimental program. His primary tasks over the next few years are teaching the players the game, developing the program, and fundraising for a central facility.

There is not a lot of pressure... the goal is genuinely to teach the game and be a good role model. Also, the team will not be playing a varsity schedule... yet. This means that there will not be Friday night games or long Saturdays watching film, but there will be plenty of other logistical things to fill the time, I'm sure!

I was a little disappointed at first. I know it is selfish, but I was looking forward to a cross country season with us working together again. As I see him getting excited and doing well, I am proud of him and realize that it will be fine. Crazy busy, but fine.

This will definitely make for an interesting fall! I am trying to put some things into place to help me not lose my mind... we will see how that goes!

Here is an article that appeared in the Tupelo Daily Journal last week:

Duley Tackles Union County Football Challenge
Scott Duley was faced with the challenge of turning around a New Albany High defense that allowed more than 36 points per game in 2007.

After dropping that figure to almost 23 points per game this past season, he now has the task of teaching the basics of football to inexperienced players.

Duley, New Albany's defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, has been named the head football coach for the fledgling Union County School District program that is about to enter its second season.

"I was here before and I really enjoyed it," said Duley, 34, who taught previously at East Union Attendance Center nearly a decade ago. "It's a very good opportunity, No. 1, for these young men to play football, and for these communities to have a football program."

The Union County football program consists of athletes from East Union, Ingomar, Myrtle and West Union schools. Since those four schools are rather small in terms of enrollment, the most sound opportunity for the students to play football is if there was one program that incorporated all of the schools.

(New Albany High School, which is located in Union County, is not part of the Union County School District; the MHSAA Class 4A school is operated by the New Albany School District.)

Only seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders took part in the program's inaugural season under the watchful eye of acting head coach Chris Basil.

Basil has since become East Union's assistant principal and will no longer be coaching football. He will remain as the East Union head baseball coach.

This season, Duley expects students in the seventh through 10th grades to join the program.

"We will have a junior high team and at least something with the freshmen and sophomores," he said. "I would hate to have those young men who are now sophomores not have an opportunity to play."

No stranger to new things

Duley and his wife, Heather, were responsible for starting East Union's cross country program several years ago.

That goes to show that Duley, despite entering his first head-coaching job in football, can handle the responsibilities of developing a new program and bring it to a varsity level.

"Scott will be a good football coach," said Union County School District Superintendent Ken Basil. "He can handle anything, from fundraising on down."

Duley has already started getting the program ready for its second season by cutting the grass at the practice facility across the street from the East Union Attendance Center.

"We'll start meeting with these young men, hire some assistant coaches and hopefully get on the ball in the next couple of weeks," he said.

While nothing has been set in stone of where the team will be practicing, Duley said he would like to hold practice sessions this season at East Union.

Last year, the Union County schools held practices at the New Albany Sportsplex.

"What I hope is that we're able to get a permanent facility somewhere in a more central location, something owned by the Union County school system that we can use and it will just be ideal with all the parents," said the former Lambuth University offensive lineman.

As far as games go, the Union County program would like to play seven or eight games this season. Last season, the program played five games.

"Right now, the games we have scheduled are going to be on the road," Duley said of the five or six games his team currently has in the works for this year. "The New Albany school department and Superintendent Dr. (Charles) Garrett have been kind enough to extend an invitation to use their facilities.

"If we do have some home games, it will be at the New Albany home field."

Contact John Wilbert at 678-1572 or john.wilbert@djournal.com

Read more: NEMS360.com - Duley tackles Union County football challenge



Here is the article that appeared in our New Albany paper, the Gazette. When he saw the picture, he said, "All I could think was, 'My wife is going to KILL me!'" He had been mowing grass when the reporter arrived. She asked for his picture. Thinking that it was going to be a shoulders up shot, he folded down his overalls to get the straps out of the picture. Oh, no... instead, this was the picture right on the front of our sports section!!! How would you feel to see that this was your kid's new football coach!? :)
Duley to Coach County Football Program
By Elizabeth Zaremba

With the motto “Together we will,” the Union County football team will be under new leadership next season, but will continue to grow entering year two of the program.

Scott Duley is already well acquainted with his new teaching assignment at East Union as he and his wife, Heather, started the Urchins’ cross country program. Duley coached for three years at New Albany, one as a member of the freshman football team and two as the varsity defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs. Now back to lead Union County football, Duley is excited about the opportunity given to him.

“The things that Coach (Chris) Basil and his staff did last year, we want to build on those this year,” he said. “We want to be able to develop a plan to get these kids on a weight program, probably not this summer, but certainly in the offseason next summer. More than anything, we want to be able to treat these kids well and give them the opportunity to not only learn the game of football, but to teach them about life by being good role models to them.”

First things first is where the team will practice this season. Duley was found on Monday working on the field across from East Union, where they plan to have the team practicing as soon as MHSAA allows them to. Duley feels that having a home for the team is essential in the growing process.

“It would be wonderful if it were a central location in New Albany, but this is what we have it right now,” he said. “In the long run, having a permanent property will give these kids a sense of ownership. Maybe not the community’s because of the distance they’re having to travel, but it at least gives the kids ownership over the program.”

The team brought in over 100 participants in the opening week of practice, and Duley hopes to see similar numbers, with equal participation from each school.

“We want to continue to have good numbers. If you can get a good number going at each school, that’s good for each individual school, because you’ll have a core group of kids at each school playing football, as well as basketball and baseball, as these will be multi-sport athletes.”

Duley will next work on not only getting in touch with the kids in the program, but also with administration at each school, as well as selecting assistant coaches.

“I plan to talk to the kids this week, and I am also planning to speak with each school as to what they would like to see in order for the program to succeed and see how they would like their young men develop in the offseason programs we’re hoping to implement,” Duley said. “I have been given names of men who the administration thinks will be interested in coaching, and as it stands, we are going to have a coach from each school.”

Overall, Duley is excited about the interest in the community and hopes to continue developing a team the county can be proud of.

“The opportunities are not endless, but they’re great because the has wanted a program for a long time,” he said. “The possibilities that we’ll give the people in the communities, as well as the young men is something to be excited about.”

Catching Up

I can't believe it has been 2 months since my last post! All of my children are at my mom's house tonight, so I am going to go on a little blogging binge... and I will pretend as though I am not posting about yesterday's news!

Let's see... where do we begin... The rest of April and beginning of May were spent working on school and gearing up for recitals. I am kicking myself, because the "recital" picture folder is mysteriously empty, and the pictures did not wind up in any of my other 100 picture folders! If I find them, I will add them later.

Sarah's ballet recital came first. Kay and my mom came for the big event, and they were not disappointed. Her two dances were great! Scott got home from the state track meet just in time to go to George's for ice cream with us! Sarah went home with Kay for a few days, because they would be coming back for Hannah's recital the next weekend!

Hannah spent the week madly practicing her pieces for her very first violin recital. I can't believe that she has only been playing for one school year... (and even had a 6 week break with her broken arm!) She is doing so well!

Her recital was on a Friday night at Lawndale Presbyterian church. The students all did a GREAT job! Hannah had two pieces- a solo and a duet. The solo came first, and it was clear that it was her first time to perform; she played the piece at lightning speed! :) The duet went MUCH more smoothly, and they did splendidly. (I am still mad that I can't find those pictures! GRRR!!)

After the recital, Kay took us out for a special treat: dinner at Harvey's, a nice restaurant in Tupelo. We all enjoyed a nice dinner and then headed home.

On Saturday morning, Kay headed home early, and we got started PACKING!!!!

Why would we spend an entire day packing?! Because we would be leaving for Disney World the next morning!!! WOO HOO!!!

Mom's Brunch

Yesterday, the area homeschool group had a mom's brunch. Several moms were assigned a different topic and asked to speak for about 5 minutes.

Tong Hui reminded us that love must be our motivation in seeking the Lord. She also reminded us that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, and our reward is being filled with the Holy Spirit. As we spend time with the Lord and seek the Lord, He fills us. When our hearts are not full, they can't overflow... if our hearts are not overflowing, we are not able to minister to others the way we would wish.

Ginger talked about hospitality. Her definition of hospitality was entertaining guests in a friendly and generous manner, and she stressed making people feel welcome and comfortable. Using 1 Peter 4:8-11, she gave an encouraging talk about hospitality- using your given abilities, allowing people to see Christ in you, and enjoying the "good part" as Mary did.

Roan talked about making children's birthdays special. She had some great ideas about setting the table using things from home, sources for getting great wrapping paper and ribbon, and my kids' favorite... no chores on birthdays! She also spoke about social opportunities for our children, and I need to do a better job of having some times set up for kids to come play.

Yonnea's talk about menu planning was very helpful. I am one of the people she described as, "Would rather eat a bowl of cereal or go hungry than cook dinner." It is very unfortunate, I know... It's not that I despise cooking, it's just that I can think of about ten million things around the house that I would RATHER do than stop everything and cook dinner.

I have done a good job of menu planning and grocery shopping in the past, but I need to do a better job coordinating meals with days that I know are going to be crazy. The trouble is, it seems like every day is crazy... and I have practice every afternoon! I need to follow her advice and gather a good solid list of easy, quick fix meals and a list of my favorite crock pot meals.

Kitchen tip of the day: Did you know that you can brown ground beef overnight in the crock pot? You can also do this with chicken, but you need to add broth to prevent drying out. In the morning, you can allow it to cool and then package it in freezable portions!

I would love some comments or emails about super fast dinner ideas (other than taco salad, spaghetti, and regular salad... we are in a rut!)

Easter Pictures

Will and his friend Ben outside the church
Hannah and I after service
Josh and Scott
Sarah and her good friend, Ruth
Josh wore his first tie! He looked so handsome!

I know that I am lately WAY behind the times with my posts and pictures... bear with me, and maybe I will get my time management skills figured out one day!

However late, I wanted to post some pictures from this Easter Sunday.

Galatians

Scott has been (and will continue to be) preaching through Galatians at our church on Sundays. The sermons have been so very helpful and clear... I am very fortunate to be married to one of my favorite preachers! If you would like to listen to any of his sermons, click HERE!

In chapter one, the three divisions were "God's Gospel," "A Different Gospel," and "A Convinced Apostle."

In Galatians 2:1-14, the divisions were "Liberty," "Slavery," and "Practical Legalism."

Liberty:

• Is not the right to rule over self
• Is not liberty to be lazy in our seeking after God
• Is freedom from the law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS! He used the example of how the law WAS a burden on our backs, but NOW in Christ, it is a guide in our hands.
  
• Is freedom to know Christ as Mediator and obey him out of love

Slavery or Bondage:

• Deals with the externals... the outside of the cup. It does not deal with the heart... Slavery says change your heart from the outside in... WRONG!
• Biblical Christianity says we have hearts of stone, and God must change our hearts... change begins within and works its way outward!

Practical Legalism:

• When our focus gets off Christ, we lead self and others astray.
  
• Think of a wagon wheel with a hub and spokes. If we replace Christ as the hub and put one of the spokes in the center, the wheel will never work properly... and yet, somehow, we are so proud of that spoke that we stick in the center! So proud, in fact, that we often deny Christian fellowship to someone who has not placed as much importance on that spoke as we have!