Moving

I'm moving all my blogs into one website beginning January 1, 2011. Change your bookmarks and get ready. Join me at www.TravisAkins.com  Easy enough right?

Reese's Pieces (Episode 3)

Catch Up

Wow. What a month. Busy around the 'ol house. We've had a TON of things going on. Laura is much better about chronicling our adventures. So, you can really catch up here at her blog: Simply La. She takes the pictures and doesn't let me use them for my blog. She says something like, "You wouldn't tell it right..." I don't know.

However, I did want to post something and let you know I have some vids and a new "Reese's Pieces" coming up soon. I love my family. They make me laugh and smile, really big.

Favorite Tom Hanks' Movies

I am going to give you my favorite Tom Hanks movies. Why am I doing this? Well, TNT showed "The Green Mile" starring Tom Hanks last night. I forgot how much I really like this unusual movie. Well, it got me thinking of Tom Hanks' movies all together and that lead to me coming up with this idea.

So, this list is all Tom Hanks and I figure I'll have some other lists in the future and work my way up to my favorite movies period. Now, the key word in all this is "my." My criteria is based on what I like and how well I remember it. Here we go in David Letterman top 10 fashion...

11. The Burbs (1989)

    -It's one extra but it's the first Hanks movie I remember. It's classic goofy "Bosom Buddies" Hanks.

10. That Thing You Do! (1996)

    -I give him extra credit for writing, directing and co-staring in this. Catchy tunes are probably not his.

9. Castaway (2000)

    -Any movie that has over an hour of one person on screen needs seriously good acting. He does it and a shame he didn't win an Oscar for this performance.

8. Big (1988)

    -Classic. He's a kid that grows up.

7. Apollo 13 (1995)

    -"Houston, we have a problem." Although it's not what was said in real life, it's what everyone believes because Hanks said it.

6. The Green Mile (1999)

    -Maybe it's because I just watched it, but I am reminded of great acting with a great story. This is a great movie.

 5. Turner and Hooch (1989)

    -Can I admit that this was the first movie I cried in? His poor dog (and I don't like dogs)!

 4. A League of Their Own (1992)

    -Everyone learned the golden rule of baseball: "There's no crying in baseball!"

3. The Terminal (2004)

    -An unusual movie that demanded a great acting performance to make it happen. He does it and I like to watch it.

2.. Forrest Gump (1994)

    -This is the movie that set Tom Hanks on the track to being Tom Hanks. A remarkable performance.

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

    -He has a great cast, but you can't deny this movie isn't about Private Ryan, it's about Capt. Miller doing something right in the midst of so much wrong.

Great Weekend

We had a wonderful fourth of July weekend. My parents came in town to spend time with the girls and play around. Though it was a quick trip, it was great to have them in our home. We love having our family out here. It's special for the girls and for me and Laura to host them, especially since they host us so often.

On Sunday, we had a great worship time with the church. Sunday evening we headed to a members home and land where we had some great bar-b-q (what else) and shot off some fire works (of course).

Here is a short video of Reese enjoying the sparklers. Listen for a couple of things: 1) Laura having to tell Reese to "away from your head!" 2) a man saying "River your on fire buddy"

Observations of Small Town Living

I once uttered the words, "I could never live in a small town." Dumb right? I've always heard the stories of others saying those kinds of things and they al.ways. end up happening. This is the very case with me.

Well, living in a small town has changed life obviously. In our few short months out here we have adapted and figured out real quick how to live small. Here are my first five months of learning:

1. RELAX. Seriously a wonderful lesson for me these past few months. There is very little to get worked up over. People and crisis is about the only thing to fret over immediately. I don't think the relax attitude is apathy but rather a rewarding reminder that the most important things in life are people and there is no sense being all stressed and worked over the little things.

2. SURE. I'm not sure I have met someone here that has said "no" when asked if they would be willing to do something. I'm amazed at the work ethic by everyone here. Everyone is willing to do whatever it takes, jump right in and get the job done. It's a rewarding atmosphere and energizing feeling when others simply say, "Sure." What I've learned is to jump in and not consult my calendar, emails or what time it is and just help out in any way I can.

3. SLOW DOWN. You may ask my wife and she would tell you that I have a heavy foot when it comes to driving. Maybe it's growing up in the Metroplex and years of surviving. I don't know, but I've had my share of tickets. Around here though, there is zero sense in getting somewhere fast. What's the point? How is 5 minutes earlier going to achieve, help or accomplish whatever it is? It's not. If we keep on rushing all over the place we may forget to enjoy the ride a bit more. And out here there is some beautiful views to enjoy.

4. THE GARDEN. Now, this has been a rewarding lesson for me personally. Everyone has a garden. Everyone grows their vegetables. It's great. Laura wanted to do this so she got a small area and started a small, modest garden. It's wonderful. I'm not keeping up with it and what not, but it has given me more motivation in our overall yard. I spend way more time outside now. Keeping up with plants, flowers and the grass. Just sitting. Enjoying the breeze or right now the heat. I give this a big reason why my tv show intake has been cut substantially. I would rather sit and enjoy the garden.

I'm sure there are more observations. In fact, Laura is reading this right now and is about to tell me other ones we've talked about and I undoubtedly forgot to write here. We've been here 5 months and it's so apparent to us that we are to be here right now. We needed as a family, and for me, these lessons. I may have once said I couldn't do it, but trust me: I can do it.