Our first home....is now someone else's.

Our House in Pontotoc.

Almost exactly 3 years after we left Pontotoc for Attala County, we finally sold the trailer and land. It was our first home together and I can say it was a little sad. It was also exciting because we freed up some money.

We came home from our Disney vacation (I will post photos sometime soon.) and went to sign papers on to sell "our summer home."

We were able to visit a few friends before we headed back. It was finally the closing of the Pontotoc chapter of our lives. We are truly blessed now to have just ONE HOUSE PAYMENT.

Things Happen for a Reason

I am so far behind on blogging it is not even funny anymore.
I was invited to "Senior Day" activities (awards day of sorts)  at Ethel High School  and I cried throughout the whole two hour program. This bunch has been with Paul and I since we moved here in 2007 and I am very attached to them. I consider them "my babies." I made it through graduation fine and without tears! I was a proud "mom."

 I was very proud that I got the caps in the air. Usually I am not so lucky!

Here's a column I wrote for The Star-Herald the week of graduation. Hope you enjoy it!


“Things happen for a reason.”
When Coach Jim Wood said that to the crowd at the Ethel High School Athletic Banquet May 15, I realized that “Yes, it certainly does.”
In 1979, a seventh grader was excited to be on the campus of EHS because he was going to get to play football.
His parents agreed he could go out as long as he didn’t complain when he got banged up and off he went. What he didn’t realize was there was a lot of running to be done at football practice and after a few days he wanted to quit.
The teen along with a buddy told their coach that they wanted to quit the team. While the coach let his friend leave, he told the youngster – “Stick with me. You’ll get through this.” And, he did and he also fell in love with the game of football.
He continued to play football under the coach for two years before moving to the high school team and his junior high football coach continued to be a part of his life long after he graduated from EHS in 1985.
The late Ira Jones, known more for coaching basketball, was my husband, Paul’s junior high football coach.
And he loves and thanks Coach Jones to this day for his 20-plus career in coaching and teaching field.
“Things happen for a reason.”
In June 2007, Paul got to come “home” with me and a million packed boxes and our pets. He was the newly hired head football coach of the Ethel Tigers.
And it’s all because, Coach Jones told a seventh grade football player – “Stick with me. You‘ll get through this.”
A simple action can impact a life in ways far more than anyone can ever imagine.
Again – “Things happen for a reason.”
On Friday night, 30-plus seniors at Ethel High School will graduate and have the chance to impact lives.
Whether it’s entering the college classroom, the workforce or the military, remember that the decisions you make affect others.
On this eve, eve of graduation remember:
– Graduation is not the end but a beginning of a new phase in your life.
– Remember where you came from and where you are going.
– Believe in yourself and all the potential you possess.
– Surround yourself with goodness.
– Set goals and keep them.
 – For every action, there is a reaction.
And, of course, everything happens for a reason.

These are truly "my babies" and while we added more football players in their class over the years, they are the core.
–Hunter -- What can I say about Hunter? He has truly grown up over the last three years. I am proud that he now holds a driver's license (that's a long story). He looks like a Mexican in this picture and Paul made him into QB1.
-- Nico -- He is more quiet than the rest. When Nico would make a play on the field, it would make you smile. He's just all in all a good kid.
-- Troy -- He's quiet around Ms. Dees but I have been told he can be a little sneaky. I watched him get stronger and stronger each year. He became a two-time state powerlifting champion.
--Keith -- He's going to smack you in the mouth on the football field. Always smiling and always has a hug for you.  He has made the decision to serve our country in the National Guard.
-- Dustin -- Always smiling and will keep you in stitches -- that's Dustin.

We love you. We will miss you. And the door is always open!

Saturday's storms

It's been a crazy few days for me since the storm hit on Saturday.

As soon as the storm passed, we headed to my in-laws' home in District 2 of Attala County. They were in Kosciusko at the antique mall at the time of the storm and we went to see if their house was still there. From the radar on TV it looked as though it passed right over their house. Nothing was out of place when we arrived.

We then went to Berea Baptist Church and the Natchez Trace Parkway but couldn't get across either direction.

Then we got to where the storm damage hit Highway 440 in Hesterville. Talk about Nature's Fury. Twisted trees. Twisted metal. Uprooted huge trees.

Check out the photos at www.starherald.net

It wasn't until later that I went to Mill Springs in Choctaw County -- Sunday morning to be exact. People sifting through the rubble looking for their belongings. Sullivan's Crossroads Grocery, a building made of cinder blocks, was totally gone. The Weather Channel was already on the scene.

It was total devastation. I was horrified and saddened. I drove the scene and was in awe. Five were killed including three children.

I went back on Monday and the recover effort was underway. The remains of house were demolished by crews and a nearby church was feeding those who lost everything. I also went to a Red Cross Shelter in Ackerman and the White Plains area in Attala County.

Tuesday night was the first night I slept since viewing the rubble.

A few of the kids who attend Ethel High School, where my husband works, were affected by the storm. One family lost everything.

State Powerlifting

Troy squatting


Troy with Coach Dees and Coach Parish


Antez deadlifting


Ryan Self in a squat


Eight powerlifters went to Jackson Saturday for the state powerlifting championships and 3 place with Troymun taking 1st for the second time and setting two state records in the 1A 165-pound class for bench press (305) and squat (450) and Antez and Ryan took 3rd in their weight classes. Everyone lifted there personal best.

If you don't know about powerlifting (I really didn't until last year), here is the short version -- You have three lifts -- bench press, squat and deadlift. You get three chances to do each lift and your highest is recorded in each. The total weight determines how you finish.

Troy lifted a total of 1,175 pounds. WOW! That's all I can say. I was on the floor when he set the record for the bench press and it gave me chill bumps. It was awesome.

I feel like such a proud mom.

Headed to State Saturday

I have really been slacking on my blog and after my rant about today's youth, I really need a good and positive post.
So here we go....
Eight of our 12 lifters are headed to the State Powerlifting meet on Saturday at the Coliseum in Jackson.
Last year, Ethel took one lone lifter, Troymun Hawthorne, and he came home a STATE CHAMPION in 1A. He's back again with seven others -- Antez Hopkins, Baby Tre, Little Self, Christian Sanders, Lawrence Shaffer, Greg Allen, and Nick Winters. I don't know how many STATE CHAMPS we will bring home but we are excited about the competition.
It's only the second year for the EHS powerlifting team.

Kids these days...

When Paul and I moved here almost three years ago, we both felt like we were pushed by the mighty hand of God into Attala County. That was further reinforced when shortly after Paul was approved for his position at Ethel, I got a job at the Star Herald (a place that employ es less than 10 people).

I told him that I would get involved with the teens at Ethel High School more than I ever did at South Pontotoc and I am so blessed for it.

Whether its a short conversation at a ballgame or a passing by in Wal-Mart. We all have the chance to make a difference in the lives of teens.

They are so remarkable b/c some of them do not know the potential they possess. Some come from backgrounds that are far from normal but they manage to smile and excel at school and sports and other activities.

For the past month, I have been sitting in Attala County Circuit Court reporting on cases where I find that high school dropouts are throwing there lives away on drugs, thefts and sometimes murder.

It upsets me. It worries me. It makes me want to take action.

When do we say "No more. Not in my community."

It takes all of us to raise these children. They are our future. Give back in your schools, churches, and community groups.

I wear the hats of "Mrs. Dees," "Mama Dees," and "Newspaper lady" and I am the lucky one.

So far behind!

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever and that would be true. Hopefully, I can get caught up this week about our crazy busy lives and random thoughts by me!