Continually Optimistic!!!!

Memorial Service for Nickie Nicks:
Nickie Nicks, an aide at Granbury Middle School, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2008, at First Baptist Church.

I had the opportunity to meet Nickie when I arrived at Granbury Middle School in the Spring of 2003. As any new staff member to a new school/organization, it was a slow process in building trust within a new staff. I quickly learned that Nickie Nicks had a fun-loving, upbeat, and optimistic attitude about life. Her attitude was so contagious, I found myself drawn to her often during the school day.
"GOOD MORNING MR. DAWSON", is what she would say as we both would make our way to morning duty together. Often we would exchange a brief visit, and each time we departed, it was something to the effect of, "have a super day". Nickie was very easy to connect with, so as my time at GMS went on, our relationship grew deeper. I had things I would share about my life, and she would share things about her life. One thing we would always do is laugh. She would always say in her cajun draw, "Mr. Dawson, we have to laugh about it to keep our attitude right". So, we would laugh!!
Nickie was very passionate about wanting to raise her son, Cari. She often would come see me and was quick to share the celebrations that Cari would have as he got closer to graduation. I will not ever forget the day he was accepted to Stars Academy, and she was so excited to come tell me that he is going to make it to graduation. AND, he did!!!
I am saddened today as we now look back on her wonderful life. Cancer did take her on Sept. 10th, 2008, as it did her husband on Jan. 1st, 2000. When she was diagnosed with Cancer, she came into school with her normal peppy step, and told me of the diagnosis. Nickie was always optimistic and positive about her life. She had decided that her fight with this cancer was going to be tough, but she told me that God was on her side, and through prayer, everything was going to be good. I loved her attitude, and we talked often about how she felt and how God was working in her life. It is amazing the dignity she displayed on the outside. I know she was totally faithful throughout her battle with Cancer. But, I also know, that what she is now recieving in heaven with her heavenly father, is much better than what she and I ever imagined here on this earth. I know God has looked at Nickie, and said, "well done my good and faithful servant". Wow, I can only imagine how she is smiling now. Praise God for Nickie Nicks and the positive example she was for me!!!!

Family Time

We often feel "buried" and "overloaded" in our lifes. Why is it that we live such a fast paced, over stimulated life?? I often think that in today's information technology world, that we can never quiet get-a-way from the hustle and busle of career, kids activities, church events, etc. etc. etc. Well, we finally did it this summer when we took our trip to Mexico as a family. We did not take a lap-top, cell phone, or even a hint of home with us that would make us feel burdened or stressed. We completely wanted a get-a-way, and we got it. I think Mexico was great, but Leah and I needed to completely reconnect with ourselves and our kids. The greatest gift a parent could give to their child is to love their spouse. I think in turn, Leah and I got a wonderful gift as we saw a precious friendship formed even deeper on our vacation when Drew and Delaney did not have any other distractions, and only had one another. They played, laughed, and got along so well. It was awesome to be able to only make one decision for the day. Pool Or Beach??

Well, it did not take long to get back into the chaos of our world when we returned. Almost immediately, we were buried again with activities and events that consumes our lifes. But, tonight, we called a time out, and just us 4 went to the TCU Horned Frog football game. Traditionally, this event is for Drew and I only, and occasionally, Big Daddy joins us. But we had extra tickets tonight, and so it was a family affair. Wow! It was not Mexico, but we ate nachos, sausage wraps, hamburgers, cotton candy, and ice cream. We took that well needed time out in our lifes, and reconnected. It felt great, and I cherish these times with our kids. As Eddie Sharp shared with us a few weeks again at our marriage retreat, if your children are between the ages 6-11, you are living the "golden years". We'll, I am in the "golden years", and I am going to do what I can to keep the distractions limited, and the connections strong. Hope you'll do the same!!!!

Life at the Dawson's

Well, this certainly is a venture for me, and something I have alway's wanted to do, just never done it. I certainly enjoy going to other blogs, and catching up with the master bloggers of the world, but I hope to keep in touch with friends and family through this newly created blog. We just finished a fun Labor Day weekend with my brothers and their kids, and I hope to publish the pictures soon.

For those of you who don't know the Dawson's that well, I am Jimmy and have been married to my beautiful wife Leah for 15 years. We have two children, Drew, age 9 and Delaney, age 6. Our life has been pretty much a fairy tale, and we can honestly say that each day is "just another day in paradise". We'll, at least through my eyes, I feel that way. .....no, I do know Leah feels the same way. We are so blessed to have our "perfect family", and I hope to share much more about our journey in the future. I am a school administrator, and have been for 12 years, with one year off to go on an adventure ride. God has a way of helping you search for your heart and passion, and those of us who are hard of hearing, we tend to be slow learners. So, God has worked on me over the past two years in more ways than I ever could of imagined. Praise the Lord that I have a super supportive wife and family, and now I am living my dream of being a husband, father, and Principal! Life is good. Leah taught elementary school for 6 years before staying home with Drew and Delaney. She is now back teaching 2nd grade this year after 9 years of being super mom! Now, she is super duper mom and dad is stepping up and taking on many more roles to help keep up the house. Fortunately, Drew and Delaney can fend for themselves in many areas which help us more than ever.

For now, I am going to try to post pictures, and I hope to have some fun things to write about for you to read each week. Thanks for taking off on this journey with me.