A House Divided

Ryan and I decided that we will dress Jackson in the colors of the home team until he is old enough to choose for himself.  Maybe I can make a house divided t-shirt next year!

1st Aggie Game

We got 3 free tickets for the Aggie game this weekend against OU and decided to take Jackson to his first game.  Needless to say, it was not a success. We spent the first 5 minutes of the game in our seats in the 3rd deck and then Jackson lost it so we spent the rest of the 1st half in the corridors.  I was able to meet up with a college roommate in the end zone and she was able to meet Jackson! We made it home in time to watch the Aggies beat OU on TV in the warmth of our living room.  Jackson was very happy to be home and we may not be taking him back anytime soon.

Happy first 5 minutes of the game! 

 Then he looses it under the bleachers!

 So happy with momma!

Meeting Auntie Em at the game! Love you and miss you girl!

Celebration of Life

Bob Oates of Waco went home to be with his Lord early Tuesday morning, October 26, 2010, at a local hospital. Services will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 29, 2010, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Ken Hall, the Rev. David English, and Dr. Brian Dunks officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today, October 28, 2010, at Wilkerson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd.


Bobby Kenneth Oates was born on July 10, 1945, in Amarillo. He was 65 years old. Bob graduated from Amarillo High in 1963, and Texas Tech University in 1968. He earned his master's degree in business administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1978. He spent his past 29 years as a school business administrator, with his final three years in Waco near his grand kids.

He and his wife of 38 years, Donna, were active members for 29 years at First Baptist Church in Longview, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, directed Royal Ambassadors, and traveled to a Mexico orphanage yearly to do construction and minister to orphans. Upon moving to Waco, they joined Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Sibley Sunday school class. Although he was a Texas Tech Alumni, he dearly loved his Baylor Bears. He was an "alumni by choice" and attended football and basketball games regularly.

He was the ultimate caretaker, always putting others' needs before his own. He lived to serve, whether he was washing his kids' cars, mowing others' lawns, or reaching out to the poor. Bob loved his family and grand kids more than anything. Bob had a heart for the lost, and regularly shared his faith with those around him.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Rhodes Oates; daughter, Brittany Hooks and husband, Ryan; and son, Brandon Oates and wife, Elizabeth; and four grandchildren, Carter, Clarey, and Campbell Oates and Jackson Hooks. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Oates and wife, Micki, of Ropesville.

Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church Longview Mexico Mission Trip, 209 E. South Street, Longview, TX 75601, or MD Anderson Cancer Center, Pancreatic Cancer Research, Attn: Dr. Gauri Varachachary at 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 426 in Houston, TX 77030. Donations can also be sent to Student Foundation Endowed Scholarship at Baylor University at One Bear Place 97050, Waco, TX 76798.

"For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)