Coming Soon!

A new update will be coming soon...Just been crazy lately!

God Bless!

A True Hero!

The words and memories still ring as crisp and clear today just like it happened yesterday. But in reality it didn't.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the plane crash which took the lives of 10 members of the Oklahoma State basketball family.

Mr. Bill Teegins, the radio voice of the Cowboys was one of the 10 who passed away that day in a snowy field in Colorado. He was a great person and someone I was honored to be able to call a friend. I actually had the chance to intern with Mr. Teegins for a day at KWTV Channel 9 in Oklahoma City when I was in high school. That day is a memory I will always remember and cherish.

During my time as the Sports Writer at the Ada Evening News, I wrote a column I consider the best piece of writing I have ever done and today in honor of his memory I would like to share it with everyone: "An airplane carrying Oklahoma State University basketball players and broadcasting personnel is missing. The fate of those on board is unknown."

These chilling words came from an Associated Press bulletin released on the night of January 27, 2001.

It is a dark day in the history of Oklahoma. Tragedy struck as a plane carrying 10 members of the OSU basketball family took off from the Jefferson County Airport at 6:19 p.m. CST and 18 minutes later crashed into a field outside of Byers, Colorado.

I bring this up because one of the men who died in the crash was someone I considered a friend.

His name was Mr. Bill Teegins. He was the voice of the Cowboys and the Sports Director for KWTV Channel 9 in Oklahoma City.

As a sophomore at Ada High in 1995, my love for journalism began to take shape and my goal was to be a television sportscaster.

I sent letters to each of the sportscasters in Oklahoma City seeking their advice. I wasn't sure if they would even reply.

However one went above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Teegins called my home and took an hour out of his day, just to talk to me.

Towards the end of the conversation, I asked Mr. Teegins if it would be possible for me to come up and meet him some day. He said he would be glad to have me and we set up a time.

I went to Channel 9's studios in April 1996 and it was like meeting a celebrity. He took me around the studio. I got to sit on the set and watch two live newscasts.

He made sure that I got pictures with and autographs from each of the newscasters. In fact, at the time, I met Chris Harrison, who is now the host of ABC's show "The Bachelor."

I may have only met him once in my life, but that was a day I will always remember. In fact, as I was getting ready to leave, Mr. Teegins stood at the door and waved to mom as she came by to pick me up.

For Christmas, this year I received a gift I will treasure always. Mr. Teegin's wife Janis wrote a book about his life and now I have a copy. The book is entitled "He Got It." It is a must read for everyone, whether you are a sports fan or not. Mr. Teegins was a man that we should all aspire to pattern ourselves after.

He was a role model to me, and whether I make it in the journalism business or not, I hope that I can be the kind of man he was.

The three-year anniversary of the crash is still a little less than a month away, but we take the time now to remember and honor the lives of the 10 men who passed away.

Those who died were Mr. Teegins, Dan Lawson Jr., Nate Fleming, Kendall Durfey, Will Hancock, Bryan Luinstra, Pat Noyes, Jared Weiberg, Denver Mills and Bjorn Fahlstrom.

One of the lessons we can take away from this is to cherish every day we are given. Also to appreciate our families and friends.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow so make the most out of each and every day.

Winter hits Ada!

Today has been a cold day as the calendar page is ready to turn towards February but winter decided to pay us a visit before that happening.

With work being closed it has been a lazy day for me. I have just stayed in mostly and not done much. I watched a movie and got some things around the house done.

I wanted to share some pictures I took this morning! Brr!

Vote for Matt Layton!

My friend Matt Layton is running for Ada City Council and I would like to ask if you are able to vote in the March 3 election or you know someone who is, to take a look what Matt can offer the people of Ada.

To see more about Matt and his campaign go to: http://www.mattlayton.com/

God Bless and Thank You!

Week 2 Update

Hi everyone!

This morning we had our second weigh in for the Biggest Loser contest. I was nervous heading in to weigh in. I always am of course because I never know what will happen.

I was a little discouraged as I showed I had gained .8 of a pound. I was up from 263.4 to 264.2. This past week I worked really hard. In fact I can say hands down it was the best week of work I have ever put in and I was dissapointed by the fact I had gained.

This has happened to me before, so I can't say I am really surprised.

I channeled my being dissapointed in to my workout tonight and I had a good one. I did an hour on the elliptical on a new setting and lifted at each machine.

I lost sight of the real goal there for a little while today but I am back on track. I will use today as motivation to keep working hard.

Full steam ahead!

A Boomer Sooner White Out!

Hi my friends!

Today I got to do something really awesome! I was invitied by friends to head to Norman to attend the OU women's basketball game against Texas A&M. I hadn't been able to go to a game in quite a while so I jumped at the opportunity.

I got a chance to cover a few of the OU women's games when I worked at the Ada Evening News, and sat on press row....It was a little different as a fan and being able to cheer.

We sat in the upper deck and had really good seats. Since it was a White Out day, we each got white T-Shirts to wear. They were kickin. It was a really cool sight to see how all of the OU fans were supporting their team.

The game was a battle between Top 10 teams, as OU is #3 and Texas A&M is #8. OU had a double figures lead most of the contest, but in the last 10 minutes Texas A&M made a run and made OU sweat it out before the Sooners wrapped up a 71-59 win.

I will always remember when the public address announcer said if the OU women made at least six 3-pointers in the game, all fans would get a coupon for free chicken wings at Raisin Caine's resturant! I told my friend Rachel when they had five, we should start a "Let's go chicken wings" cheer but she set me straight! :) By the way, they did hit at least six shots from behind the 3-point line.

Overall it was an amazing experience and it was such a great time. As today's theme stated we Cheered Like A Champion! Boomer Sooner!

Hitting the Gym...and It Hits Back!

The past week and a half I have been embarking on an adventure. I like many, made the New Year's Resolution to lose weight. I have been feeling not very well for a while and I think it has a lot to do with not taking care of myself and not eating right. I weigh more now that I ever have.

A motivating factor was also joining the Biggest Loser 2 contest. I was a part of Biggest Loser 1 but I was not motivated. I didn't do right by it and it showed.

I am so fortunate that for the second go around, I had going in to it, and now have such an awesome support system in friends. I am very blessed and had people who care about me, tell me why I needed to be serious. They explained why I needed to do this for me.

In the past I did try to exercise and a couple of times did really well, but had trouble staying with it.

This time I am determined but not because I am doing it for someone else. I am not doing it to win the contest. Yes the money would be great but if I do it for that, I am not really doing it for the right reasons.

I am doing this for me. I truly believe that I can do it, and I want to feel and look better and losing weight and exercising is one step for me to accomplish my goals.

I have been in the gym for almost two weeks now, and I am accomplishing a whole lot more than I ever thought I could or gave myself credit for.

I have every intention of seeing this through. I have already been able to tell a difference in my self confidence since I started. I feel better and smile a lot more.

Each night this week I have done an hour on the elliptical and every other night lifted weights. It has not been easy and the gym has not given me anything but that is fine with me. When I reach my goal, I will know I earned it!

Tuesday we had our weigh in for the start of Week 2 and I was very surprised. I started at 267 pounds and weighed in this week at 263.4. Just the first step!