So tonight I was walking in from my porch and I hear a little voice....
"BBBBBRAAAAD"
from across the street... I turn and see my neighbors little girl walking toward me from their driveway with a stuffed ducky and a backpack on. She walked into my yard and said...
"Brad, can you take me to Victorias?"
I could see her parents on their porch watching her and immediately knew what was going on...
"Sweetheart, i dont know where Victoria lives."
"Well, do you have a GPS?"
"Do you know her address?"
"No."
"Then a GPS wont help us"
"well I can show you"
"Well why are you going there??? Are you running away?"
"Yeah, but only for a couple of days....Can you give me a ride?"
"Well sweetheart, I dont know if I could do that, your parents might get mad at me."
"No, they wont...they told me to go and packed my bag for me, see?"
And she pulled on her little backpack and starting pulling at her little shirt. I picked up my phne and called the neighbors and set the phone down so they could hear the conversation.
"Well, I guess I could call the police, maybe they could give you a ride and maybe they know Victoria... I might get in troouble if I take you."
"OK, can you call them and then go with me?"
"Go with you? Why?
"Well, that way you could make sure I get there OK and then they could bring you back."
Bam, what now?
"Well what if they are busy and cant bring me home, how will I get home?"
"You could call somebody to come get you"
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Jacobs Day!
So my wife and my middle daughter Brandi left for Houston last night to be there with Shanna for the baby being born. I chose to stay home and watch the boys due to how the last 10 months or so has unfolded with Shanna and her life in Houston...
My reasoning was that there is enough stress and drama in the birth of a child and my being there after my conflicts with Joseph (Shannas "baby daddy") I felt it was in the best interest of everyone involved that I stay home so I didn't have to see him, his family or Shannas father and his family.
Oddly enough and not so much to my surprise as I sit here, the ONLY people at the birth of Jacob was my wife, my daughter and Joseph....NO ONE ELSE was even there!! Not her father, her other sister, not any of his family...that's it!! And Donna and Brandi drove 5 hours and have been up all night to be there.... In some ways, I really feel bad now for NOT going....
As a result of NO ONE else being there, my wife had to stay outside in the waiting room to babysit Shannas other child, Shaylin... If I would have gone, that could have been me... I do feel bad, but still think I made the right choice.... I am sure all the "trash" will present itself now that the "boring" part is over.
6lbs 7ozs 19 1/2 inches....3:35pm!
Friday, July 22, 2011
FINALLY got a new job...
So today I was called in to do the criminal background for a case manager position for BCFS (Baptist Children and Family Services http://www.bcfs.net/bcfs/ ). I was met by the program director and while filling out the paperwork I asked...
"So, does this mean if I pass the background check, you are offering me the job?"
She smiled, nodded and said....
"Yes, if you are interested, I think you are going to be a great addition to this team!"
"Oh, I am interested, THANK YOU!"
Now let me document how this all unfolded for this job. The interview for it was really a lot of fun!
A few months back, I met socially with the program director for the transitional program that BCFS offers here in Kerrville. In our conversation, I had explained I was looking for a job and if anything were to present itself with their organization, I would love to talk to him about it.
He went on and explained how BCFS had just secured a very large grant for a project called "Youth Build" (http://www.youthbuild.org/) and they would need to staff the positions for the grant. I told him I would be interested in the program director position and he encouraged me to e-mail him and he would let me know when the money was "in the bank" and offer me an interview.
A few weeks later, Jeremy called me for an interview and I went in to chat with him. It became pretty apparent that I was not the man for this position. I had no background in construction and no real experience in the size budget it was going to be to manage the program.
Jeremy called me a few days later, said they had chosen another candidate more suiting the position but was interested in talking to me about some other positions. I called him back and he said they were going to start interviewing for case manager positions soon and wanted to know if I would be interested.
It has been some time since I have had a job and an income and although I was hoping for a larger role with a larger salary, I was NOT going to turn down an opportunity....So I told him I would love to interview for the case manager position.
I was called about a week later by the Program Director "Kimber" and she explained that since I had interviewed with Jeremy and came highly recommended, I would surpass the first round of interviews and would be called on the second round. Sure enough, a few days ago I was called in for the interview.
The interview was GREAT and I found quickly that THIS was a job I could manage...I could do this job with no problems and was pretty excited about the idea of working with kids again....especially troubled kids. The Money for the position wasn't what I was looking for, but money isn't what creates happiness.... I had to get back in touch with that distinction.
When the interview with Kimber was over, she stated...
"Well, we have a new program with this grant and that is to have some of the kids you will be working with interview you for this position; OK?"
"You bet!"
The kids walked in, trying to put on their best game face, walked up and shook my hand, and I said...
"Now, remember, be nice! If I get this job and you aren't, I fully believe in payback!
The kids laughed and we sat down.... the first question was the best....
"So brad, you have worked with troubled kids before? The worst of the worst right?"
"Well, "worst of the worst" is not a fair term, but I understand what you mean; yes I have"
"So, can you explain how you would handle a volatile youth that was coming at you verbally or physically?"
Without missing a beat I said....
"Duct tape and 2x4's are generally a pretty good tool!"
The kids were kinda stunned but then we all started to giggle and we went on with the questions... the kids were great, did a fantastic job, asked some pretty tough questions (for someone who hadn't been a troubled kid themselves for sure) and at the end, one of the kids said...
"Well, I don't know what else to ask....You have answered all of my questions better than any other person we have interviewed"
He turned to a girl who had sat quietly throughout the interview and said...
"Do you have anything you want to ask him?"
She said...
"No, I like him!"
And he said...
"Yeah, this guy is just what we need!"
I felt really good after the interview and asked Kimber when she was expecting to make the offer.... She stated it would be by Friday of this week, or at least she hoped it would be.
Wednesday I get a call from Kimber and she said....
"Brad, I was really impressed with your interview, I was wondering if you could come in Friday morning and fill out the paperwork for your background check?"
I told her I would be there bright and early...
I had another job that was out in "limbo" that was much more suiting for what I was looking for and was hoping I would hear from them. I tried follow ups, e-mails and was told by that organization...
"I understand this is frustrating but I will not have an answer for you for at least another week as I have one more interview. I am sorry, but you will have to wait until then for my decision"
I sat that night really confused about what I was going to do in this situation because I was pretty sure I was going to be offered this position and then it came to me...
"Here I am, sitting here waiting for SOMEONE ELSE to control my destiny and my future....What the hell am I thinking?"
I decided at that point that whoever made me the offer first would be who I took the job with. I wasn't going to let someone else make my life happen, or not happen for me....If they want to drag their heels, their loss!!
When Kimber offered me the job today, I shook her hand, smiled, thanked her and told her how excited I was to be a part of this team....
SOOOOOOOOOO, I am now the case manager for BCFS working with troubled youth in the Youth Build Program and will officially start Friday of Next week, 7-29-11!!
THANK GOD!!!!
Gotta get me some HAPPY DANCE workin!!!! (click the link!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3ZXQqJWH8
"So, does this mean if I pass the background check, you are offering me the job?"
She smiled, nodded and said....
"Yes, if you are interested, I think you are going to be a great addition to this team!"
"Oh, I am interested, THANK YOU!"
Now let me document how this all unfolded for this job. The interview for it was really a lot of fun!
A few months back, I met socially with the program director for the transitional program that BCFS offers here in Kerrville. In our conversation, I had explained I was looking for a job and if anything were to present itself with their organization, I would love to talk to him about it.
He went on and explained how BCFS had just secured a very large grant for a project called "Youth Build" (http://www.youthbuild.org/) and they would need to staff the positions for the grant. I told him I would be interested in the program director position and he encouraged me to e-mail him and he would let me know when the money was "in the bank" and offer me an interview.
A few weeks later, Jeremy called me for an interview and I went in to chat with him. It became pretty apparent that I was not the man for this position. I had no background in construction and no real experience in the size budget it was going to be to manage the program.
Jeremy called me a few days later, said they had chosen another candidate more suiting the position but was interested in talking to me about some other positions. I called him back and he said they were going to start interviewing for case manager positions soon and wanted to know if I would be interested.
It has been some time since I have had a job and an income and although I was hoping for a larger role with a larger salary, I was NOT going to turn down an opportunity....So I told him I would love to interview for the case manager position.
I was called about a week later by the Program Director "Kimber" and she explained that since I had interviewed with Jeremy and came highly recommended, I would surpass the first round of interviews and would be called on the second round. Sure enough, a few days ago I was called in for the interview.
The interview was GREAT and I found quickly that THIS was a job I could manage...I could do this job with no problems and was pretty excited about the idea of working with kids again....especially troubled kids. The Money for the position wasn't what I was looking for, but money isn't what creates happiness.... I had to get back in touch with that distinction.
When the interview with Kimber was over, she stated...
"Well, we have a new program with this grant and that is to have some of the kids you will be working with interview you for this position; OK?"
"You bet!"
The kids walked in, trying to put on their best game face, walked up and shook my hand, and I said...
"Now, remember, be nice! If I get this job and you aren't, I fully believe in payback!
The kids laughed and we sat down.... the first question was the best....
"So brad, you have worked with troubled kids before? The worst of the worst right?"
"Well, "worst of the worst" is not a fair term, but I understand what you mean; yes I have"
"So, can you explain how you would handle a volatile youth that was coming at you verbally or physically?"
Without missing a beat I said....
"Duct tape and 2x4's are generally a pretty good tool!"
The kids were kinda stunned but then we all started to giggle and we went on with the questions... the kids were great, did a fantastic job, asked some pretty tough questions (for someone who hadn't been a troubled kid themselves for sure) and at the end, one of the kids said...
"Well, I don't know what else to ask....You have answered all of my questions better than any other person we have interviewed"
He turned to a girl who had sat quietly throughout the interview and said...
"Do you have anything you want to ask him?"
She said...
"No, I like him!"
And he said...
"Yeah, this guy is just what we need!"
I felt really good after the interview and asked Kimber when she was expecting to make the offer.... She stated it would be by Friday of this week, or at least she hoped it would be.
Wednesday I get a call from Kimber and she said....
"Brad, I was really impressed with your interview, I was wondering if you could come in Friday morning and fill out the paperwork for your background check?"
I told her I would be there bright and early...
I had another job that was out in "limbo" that was much more suiting for what I was looking for and was hoping I would hear from them. I tried follow ups, e-mails and was told by that organization...
"I understand this is frustrating but I will not have an answer for you for at least another week as I have one more interview. I am sorry, but you will have to wait until then for my decision"
I sat that night really confused about what I was going to do in this situation because I was pretty sure I was going to be offered this position and then it came to me...
"Here I am, sitting here waiting for SOMEONE ELSE to control my destiny and my future....What the hell am I thinking?"
I decided at that point that whoever made me the offer first would be who I took the job with. I wasn't going to let someone else make my life happen, or not happen for me....If they want to drag their heels, their loss!!
When Kimber offered me the job today, I shook her hand, smiled, thanked her and told her how excited I was to be a part of this team....
SOOOOOOOOOO, I am now the case manager for BCFS working with troubled youth in the Youth Build Program and will officially start Friday of Next week, 7-29-11!!
THANK GOD!!!!
Gotta get me some HAPPY DANCE workin!!!! (click the link!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3ZXQqJWH8
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
rescued horses
So some of you have followed the story about the rescued racehorse we took on a while back. We have come to a stand still on his background but I wanted to share with you another story about that rescue.
My wife took on finding homes for a number of horses....We took two and the place she works for took on one (and a couple of ponies) but my wife was assigned as the barn manager (in not so certain terms) for her employer.
She has worked really hard to get the horses back into shape and back to their best health and she brought home a picture of one of the old guys yesterday... Here is a before and after pic and although the angles arent the same, I think you will see the improvements easily.
She is such a wonderful woman and what she has done for these horses has really shown her love for these animals....I am sooooooo very proud of her.....
I think you will be able to tell which is "before" and which is "after".... Say hello to Dandy!
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My wife took on finding homes for a number of horses....We took two and the place she works for took on one (and a couple of ponies) but my wife was assigned as the barn manager (in not so certain terms) for her employer.
She has worked really hard to get the horses back into shape and back to their best health and she brought home a picture of one of the old guys yesterday... Here is a before and after pic and although the angles arent the same, I think you will see the improvements easily.
She is such a wonderful woman and what she has done for these horses has really shown her love for these animals....I am sooooooo very proud of her.....
I think you will be able to tell which is "before" and which is "after".... Say hello to Dandy!
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