Football Prep "Game Day Bags"

Our first scrimmage is today and I am so excited to get the ball moving! We have decided that before each season begins, we are going to start the tradition of getting our cheerleader prepped for the games! We are going to make a "game day bag" for her.

I found a black and red (our school colors) tote bag and we took a trip to the dollar store to let the cheerleader pick a few toys to stick in the bag. The "game day bag" will stay in the trunk of my car, the contents designated as "special game toys." This will relieve some of my game day frazzled-ness by having one less thing to worry about. Once the season is over, they all get donated!

Why don't we pack a bag with what we have, you ask?! We want our cheerleader to be as excited about sporting events as we are, but at the age of two, she has very little interest in sitting in the stands for hours. My coach hates seeing children running all over the place at events, so the "game day bag" is a win, win, win. He does not see cheerleader running around (Coach is happy), I can enjoy the game without correcting or chasing her the whole game (BBB is happy), and she is entertained for an hour or two(Cheerleader is happy).

When the season is over, Cheerleader will help take all the toys to be donated. This is a great lesson about giving, the toys (hopefully) will only be slightly used, and we will not have more toys cluttering up our home turf!

This year our "game day bag" consists of markers (no crayons!), spiral notebook (no flying artwork), color books, reading books, a baby doll, and an etch-a-sketch. Fortunately and unfortunately, we have also agreed to let her take her portable dvd player (not up for donation ;)!), on occasion. Our stipulations for this privilege: cheerleader must do all of her chores and be well-behaved for the week.

We are off, "game day bag" in tow, ready for a great season! See you there!

Football Family

Two-a-days are in full swing and I am sitting in a clean and very quiet home! It is amazing how clean things stay when my coach is not at home distracting me from wanting to vacuum! This summer we spent every moment that we possibly could snuggled up to our coach, so sending him off to coaching school (where it all really begins each year) was bittersweet. We are all eager to get this football season underway. Their is just something about the fall air and fresh cut grass that gets our competitive juices flowing!

This summer we were very blessed to attend three weddings to help welcome new coaches' wives to our group! I am excited to sit next to these ladies in the stands during the upcoming season, as we cheer on our team together.

Unfortunately, we had a horrible tragedy this summer as well. Our head coach lost his wife to acute leukemia. The loss was very sudden and shocking, to say the least. We are resting in our wonderful memories of her. She was a proud coach's wife, dedicated mommy, patient teacher, joy filled friend, and most importantly, she was a loyal Christian. She will be greatly missed but we rejoice knowing we will see her once again!

In the midst of this tragedy, I saw something so beautiful. The hospital waiting room and the funeral were cram packed, standing room only, full of past and present friends, mostly coaching families. People drove from all over Texas to show their love and support for this family.

What an awesome reminder that although we often give up spending time with our own extended families for the coaching lifestyle, we have a chance to add to our family at every stop!

It is my hope that we do not wait for more tragedies to express these feelings of family love and appreciation to one another! Go out and hug the next coach's wife you see (or two) and invite her to ride with you to the game or for coffee. You won't ever regret it!

In loving memory of Kiana Lock!