This is life...

I have not fallen off the face of the earth. However, I have been knee-deep in life this week.

Two times I have sat down to write out my blog only to stop and help Koby with major homework projects.

And why, for the love of all that is good, do teachers want to assign major projects in the same week as kids are getting out for Thanksgiving break? Oh, and also have three nights of basketball games? While I am under no false pretense that Koby possibly put these projects off until the very last minute, I still wondered if it was truly necessary to make an icosahedron (or whatever the element was) in a three dimensional ball of construction paper. Thankfully Brian took advantage of google so that we could assemble the element but let me say when a project takes student, mother, father AND google maybe the project is a bit much!

Brendan also tried to stay caught up on homework this week! The upcoming Thanksgiving break also meant tests for him.

He will also be studying for his first college semester exam over the Thanksgiving break. I am sure he is very excited!!

 

This was also a big week for Kamdyn! She finally got her bottom braces off. I may still be seeing dollar signs when I see her smile, but it is a beautiful smile to look at!

She was so excited to be getting them off before Thanksgiving! Her orthodontist truly did a great job and we are thankful for that.

I mentioned earlier that we had three nights of basketball this week. That certainly tends to slow down any time I might spend on the computer because well, we just aren't at home. I was so glad to see time run off the clock in the last game Friday night and know that this busy week had come to an end! I fully intended to spend my Saturday cleaning house, doing laundry and watching lots of good college football and for the most part that is exactly what I have done. I have come to understand the necessity of stopping and resting, instructions God gives us so that we don't wear out and wear down to the point where we are too weak to stand against Satan.

We all gathered around the TV today to cheer on our beloved Aggies in another win! The game might not have had the excitement of last week, but it is always good to come out with a win.

I have a few other stories to share with you all but for now I have to get back to my laundry pile. Hope all is well with each of you and that you are enjoying a restful and peaceful weekend in your life.

Priceless...

For the past 24 hours myself and my family have been living in the glory that has come with a Fighting Texas Aggie win over Alabama. If you missed this game, you truly missed the game of a lifetime. I don't know that I have watched a game recently that was like the game I watched Saturday. While Kamdyn and I were watching at home, Brian and the boys were in in the middle of the action in Tuscaloosa.

 

Brian's cousin Brandon, or "Uncle Brandon" to our kids, came from Texas for the weekend just to go to the game. Brandon is an Aggie and he was in the Fighting Texas Aggie Band during his time at ATM. Brian and Brandon grew up together like brothers and had planned on going to this game since way back in August, before any of us could get our hopes up that our debut year in the SEC might be such a success!

After the big win over Mississippi State the boys started talking about wanting to go to the game and Brian started looking for more tickets. He was able to find two on Thursday and we were SO thankful!! There was never any doubt that the tickets would go to the boys and that this would be a trip for the guys! They left early Saturday morning and headed to Tuscaloosa, about an hour east of our home. If you would've been a fly on the wall in our home, or even a visitor passing through, you would've been well entertained as the boys looked for their "undefeated shirt" and lucky socks. They were taking no chances!

Kamdyn and I spent the day at our Mission project and then had some pregame lunch and purchased our items for Operation Christmas Child boxes. We made home for the game just in time!!

And, what a game! I hated to move off the couch because I didn't want to cause the team any bad luck. (Did I mention we tend to be superstitious?) Where I was sitting we were playing well and if I moved from my spot on the couch or even left the room to take a bathroom break I just knew the momentum might change. I was NOT going to be the reason things went bad!!!

 My phone literally was blowing up with all the texts and questions and comments. I hated to celebrate early because my Aggies have been known to give the game away in the second half.  I knew it was over when that penalty happened with 40 seconds to go in the game and we got an automatic first down. My whole neighborhood had to know at that point the game was over because I was hollering and screaming and carrying on like, well, like we just BTHO Alabama!!

Here are my highlight pics...

Our band leading the crowd after the game, Coach Sumlin as the clock hit 0, Johnny Football being named player of the game and then this Alabama fan who just 4 hours prior to this picture already had his team winning the National Championship! Basically, I stood in front of my TV and just snapped away with my Iphone camera. I have no idea why I did this except I wasn't actually at the game and this made me kind of feel like I was. Then, I did more hollering and yelling and celebrating!

And just in case seeing these pictures is not enough to convince you of how great the game was, I even have a video you can watch but I will warn you watching this may make you want to be an Aggie too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8cS_LWBdOE

The boys made it home safe and sound and I couldn't wait to hear the stories they brought home with them. I think that is why I wanted them to get to go because being at this game was a once in a lifetime experience. It is something they will always remember and something they got to experience together and for that I am thankful. Some things in life are truly priceless!

Even my nieces got in on the Aggie win! Prior to the game Kasey sent us the picture of Livvy in her jersey and after the game Kelly sent me a picture of Gracie saying she was worn out by all the excitement down in College Station...

I really could just go on and on about our Aggie weekend. Kamdyn and I celebrated with Taco Bell and dessert at Chick-fil-A after the win! We watched the team returning to campus and it was an awesome thing to see all the Ags in College Station come out and support the kids that way! I could tell you how so may people told us we would never make it in the SEC and how everybody told us Alabama was unbeatable!! But again, a win like this is just priceless, especially for those who have endured seasons that have been less exciting or successful. To be a true fan means you are there in the lows and in the highs and that is who we are! And really ya'll let's be honest- no Aggie had any doubt when we were coming into Alabama with this:

Like I said, PRICELESS!!!!!

Because there is change...

Well the polls are closed and the votes are in. Moving forward is on everyone's mind as we wonder what another four years will look like. It is kind of hard to think ahead to what can change in four years, be it political or anything else.

Koby reminded me last night that he would be voting in the next election. This is a scary thought, but last night he sat and watched the returns for over three hours all the while asking questions and giving his input to what was being said. I hated to see him disappointed at the way things worked out but it did give us an opportunity to talk about why it is important to vote based on your convictions and not because of what a person looks like or has.

No matter which way your vote was cast one thing is clear...there is change coming! As I thought through some of the op-ed pieces I have read in various news outlets I was reminded of one thing - the values and beliefs that I hold on to may no longer be the same as the majority of Americans. The right to life, the right to bear arms, stong defense of this country, marriage defined in the traditional way and the independence that comes through hard work at a job are key issues to me. I am concerned for my children and their children in this new America of the future so I'll continue to pray but more importantly I will continue to trust God as He leads and protects our future.

As I have mentioned, in our home we have changed sports seasons. Today was picture day for our basketball teams so while I was down in the gym herding athletes through the picture lines I snapped this picture...

Kamdyn was more excited to take this picture than the boys, as you can tell.  Again, I am most certain my children love the fact that I am right there at school with them! The boys have a home game tomorrow night and we are all on the road Friday night.

Basketball season is my very favorite and I am looking forward to it this year! I believe God gave me a love for the game as opposed to talent for the game and really I am ok with that. I came to terms with it a long time ago!! All three of our kids are competitors though and without bragging I have to say they do have more talent than I ever could've hoped for. I'll be keeping you posted on the season as it develops.

Finally, I can't post without saying that all the talk around here is about the upcoming game this weekend between our Texas ATM Aggies and Alabama. Tuscaloosa is less than an hour from our home and there are plenty of Roll Tide fans around here, all of which think this game is done and in the books. I hate that we can't be in College Station tomorrow night for the Yell Practice that will be going on!! I am hoping it gets the team fired up before heading over this way!

I am on the lookout for any good soup recipes because this change in weather has me wanting warm foods! If you have a good soup recipe, let me know. I'd love to test it out and share it with others on the blog. I've been looking over on Pintrest but in all honesty my time spent on Pintrest makes me feel a little bit like an underachiever. It's fun to look at it and if you saw my cyberspace folders on Pintrest you would expect that my home is organized and decorated and my family eats great food. That is not so much true but hey, change is coming...

Two Powerful Words....

It is so hard to believe that the calendar says November! In our town the trees have turned all kinds of beautiful colors and fall seems to be here to stay. Along with the cooler weather November is also bringing a national election for our new president.

Don't worry... I am not about to get into my long list of reasons for why I think Mitt Romney should be our next president! To be sure, he is the candidate I have voted for and I am also very optimistic about his running mate and the future I believe they can offer our country. But I really want to remind each of you of two of the most powerful words our country has been hearing regularly since the spring: "Go Vote!".

The freedom to go vote is what this nation was founded on. It is a responsibility given to each of us by those who have stood in the line of battle beginning with the American Revolution. It was handed to us from men and women who paid an ultimate price throughout history.

In America, we are free to choose. Some Americans will choose to vote, some will stay home. Some Americans will vote on a strict party line, and some will vote on issues they feel passionate about. But in the end, the biggest blessing is that we can choose. When you go vote, it is more than your opinion. It is taking advantage of the very thing that makes our country special and set apart. When you go vote, you are celebrating freedom!

I have had the awesome privilege to be in the U.S. Capitol building, to walk through it's historic halls where officials have made decisions for our country for over 200 years. I have seen the veterans in wheel chairs at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC and looked out over the white grave markers in Arlington National Cemetery. I have heard Airmen pledge their faith and allegiance to serve and protect this country from enemies both foreign and domestic. In each situation, without fail I am reminded that God's blessing was on our country from the beginning.

There is no politician that can lead America out of the mess we are in because it will have to start in homes across this country. It will have to start with Christians who quit living a life mixed with the pleasures of this world and start living a life according to God's Word. True change will come when Christians stop judging sinners and start loving others according to God's love. Our rescue will not be through a new set of government leaders but through the outstretched hands of the Savior.

Go vote tomorrow!! It's your responsibility to our country and it also will show your appreciation for those who have paid for that opportunity with their life and with their time. But when you cast your ballot, say a prayer for those who will lead us and take a minute to pray for your fellow Americans. There is no doubt that the winds of change are needed in our country, but not just a change in Washington DC or in your state. We need a change in our churches and in our families to turn this country around. GO VOTE!!!

And that's another win...

Basically we have just had such an abundance of Aggie memories this past weekend that I don't even know how I will put them all into words here for you. We literally had so much Texas ATM fun this weekend that I think I filled up the camera roll on my iPhone. Maybe I am overstating things just a little but you get the point!

Our team rolled into town Friday evening and thanks to social media, the boys knew they had arrived. When a team plays against Mississippi State that team stays in our town, about 20+ miles from campus. So, we got all dressed up in our maroon and headed to the hotel. Brian was a bit hesitant at first about just hanging out in the hotel lobby and I guess it may seem a little stalkerish but the boys were all about it!! You know, it was a little awkward at first because clearly we were not a part of the group traveling with the team, but when the boys had no problems getting this pic, I decided we were in it for the long haul until we met the whole team (or close to it)...

If you don't know who the short man is with the bow tie, that is the President of Texas ATM University. And in case you were wondering, Koby had no problem walking up to the man and asking for a picture. Basically, Koby had no problem walking up to any player and asking for an autograph or picture!! Brendan would sometimes wait back just to be certain but not Koby, which pretty much speaks of the way they each approach life.

The boys got to meet lots of players and some of the coaches. I have to take a second and brag about the true character of our players. These young men would stop whatever they were doing to speak to our boys, sign an autograph and take a picture. They were sincere and gracious and as a mama I appreciate that!

One guy they were really excited to meet was Johnny "Football" Manziel!

Maybe you might have heard of him.... Well, we are huge fans of #2 and the effort he gives on the football field! He certainly led us through to another victory, but I am getting a little bit ahead of myself.

I could post lots of other pictures of our boys with football players and you could get to know the whole team like us but I don't want you to give up on the post so I'll move on...

We went to dinner at one of our favorite places in town to celebrate Brian's promotion and also because I hadn't really cooked all week so I thought why start on Friday night? It was kind of strange to see the people of our town stare at us in our Aggie shirts. Those who know us thought it was funny and those who didn't thought we had driven a long ways to just eat some poboys and blackened fish. We did bump into some other Aggies at dinner and I was glad to see more of our people had made it to town!

Again we had an early wake up for a Saturday morning! The kids took this one pretty well because they were excited about the game and tailgating with friends. Plus this time we only had to drive about 25 minutes to get to the game!! As we began the long walk to the stadium, we got to see the team pass by and gave them a big Gig'em!

 

 After stopping by a tailgate or two we saw an Aggie tailgate tent set up and decided to make our way over to it. Apparently, we had great timing because just as we were walking up to the tent our Yell Leaders had stopped to take a picture. A nice Aggie man who we did not know told Brian the Yell Leaders would take a picture with our family if we wanted and Brian said ABSOLUTELY!!! So here we are all gathered up with the Yell Leaders...

I should also mention that Brendan's girlfriend went to the game with us. I am not too sure that she knew what kind of day she was in for, but she was a very good sport about all of it! She had her maroon on and also did a great job of giving the thumbs up. After our photo op with the Yell Leaders we wound up on the front row of an impromptu yell practice and Ellie was even a good sport about that too, especially considering she knew none of the signals and calls.

Then it was time to make our way to the stadium and to our seats! I was excited about getting into the stadium and checking out the black uniforms.  Kam and I sent out one last Gig'em before the game...

And then our Aggies hit the field and took care of business in a big way!! Thankfully they shut those cow bells up because that was probably one of the most annoying traditions I have come across. Kissing your date every time your team scores? Not too annoying. Sounding a cannon every time your team scores? Not too annoying. Ringing a cow bell every first down? Well, that's a bad example because there wasn't alot of that. But you get the point!

Once the game was officially over the team came over to Saw 'Em Off with the fans...

 

... and that is how the snow melted in Starkville, MS.

 

After the game we stayed around to see the team and celebrate the win with other fans. Kamdyn even got her chance to meet the President of ATM...

 

 

So, like I said it was one big Fighting Texas Aggie ATM weekend. When we finally got home, I was literally exhausted. I may be willing to admit going to the game was a bit much after the pneumonia but in all honesty I wouldn't have missed it! And I'm very thankful for another win...

 

 

 

 





Blessings Pouring Down...

I mentioned earlier that this would be a big week for our family! While I have been slowed down a little by 2 doctor visits and a pneumonia diagnosis, things for our family have continued to move on. Thankfully I have been able to be at each big moment, but I will also admit I have spent quite a bit of time in my comfy chair getting caught up on my dvr Nashville episodes! By the way, I love this show!!

And here is what has been happening in our little world this week:

Yes, basketball is here! This is our kids favorite sport to play and Kamdyn was so happy to get back into it after all the trouble with her knee. They played in a preseason tournament Monday and Tuesday and while their teams have some work to do, I believe we will have an interesting and productive season. The kids' talent for the game doesn't so much come from me but I do enjoy watching them play! I may be a tad partial but I think they all three have skill and determination to play and my prayer is that they will remain thankful for the talent the Lord has given them and that they will always remember to give Him the honor and the glory.

We  have also celebrated Brendan's induction into the National Honor Society! While he was not as excited about this as I was, he did enjoy the breakfast they had following the induction and the free day out of school.

As I watched him sign his name in the NHS Registry then light his candle and repeat the pledge I had a quick flashback to when I did the exact same thing. I was probably a little more excited about it than Brendan and as the memory kind of came and went for me I said a little prayer that God would continue to lead Brendan academically to accomplish His goals and purposes.

Finally, this was perhaps the biggest thing happening in our home this week.... After 19 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force Brian was promoted to Senior Msgt. (AKA E-8). This was a major milestone for Brian and a blessing that we most certainly did not anticipate. When Brian entered the Air Force at 19 I didn't know him yet. After we met and started dating I realized what it truly meant to work in Labor and Delivery and once we got married I realized what it truly meant to put on that uniform daily and go and do whatever the Air Force says is needed.

When we were stationed at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport we grew our family. When God saw fit to use the Air Force as a way to make me grow up, we moved to Anderson AFB in Guam (which by the way is a SMALL island on the other side of the world, literally!). In our two years in Guam we grew our marriage and I learned what it meant to truly leave your family behind and cling to your spouse. In 2002 the Air Force sent us to Columbus AFB here in Mississippi, our number 8 choice on a list of 8 possible places we wanted to be. While we didn't put as much prayer into that list of 8 as we should have, I firmly believe it was God's intention to bring us to this place where we have grown our faith.

Brian has moved up the ranks, going through deployments, special duty assignments, countless dinners and classes winning awards and distinctions all along the way. He has led men in war and in the classroom. He has always put our family before his job even up to taking this stripe. He is an Airman's Airman. He fights for those young kids trying to make their way in life through the Air Force teaching them discipline and hard work. As we come across them in the commissary or at other base events I see the way the young airmen look at him with respect and appreciation. I can't tell you how proud and thankful I am for the choice he made at 19 to be a part of this nation's greatest force. Here is the video of his actual promotion but remember I am new to all this using of the technology so I am not sure how good the quality is:

 

 So, that pretty much summarizes how our week has been. Rocky and I are still snuggled up in my comfy chair. I'm trying to rest up so I can go over to Starkville tomorrow and see my Aggies BTHO Mississippi State!!! We are so excited about seeing another Aggie game and at this one we will be with some of our best friends from this area. Starkville is only about 30 minutes from our house so we are friends with many MSU alumni. This promises to be a great game and we will be doing our best to cheer the Ags on. Look for us on TV, we will be the ones in the maroon!!!!! Gig'em Ags....

Road Trip and an Aggie Win...

Our family had been looking forward to the Texas ATM vs. Auburn game since the summer! So, we left Columbus early Saturday morning on a road trip to Auburn, AL so we could cheer on our Aggies and also spend some time with some good family friends.

Brian loves an early start to any road trip and this time we did not have a hard time getting the kids up and going. We also promised them they would be able to sleep most of the way down so essentially they were still going to get their 12 hours of sleep that they love on the weekend!

As you can tell, they took us up on that promise!

Our family is never without entertainment and as we got about 10 or 12 miles outside of Auburn we see two Aggies walking down I-85. Koby and I convince Brian maybe we should stop and offer them some help because after all, they are Aggies. So, we make our way back to them and Koby jumps out of the car only for us to hear him say,"Hey do ya'll need a ride to the game?".

Only Koby would have had the personality to do this! He brings them back to the van but come to find out there are five of them and let me assure you our van could not take on five more Aggies! They let us know they had called a tow truck and also had another friend on the way so we left them there. We never did see them at the game but through the message boards we were able to find out that they made it! And that is a complete story within our story from the weekend.

Onto Auburn we went! We were anxious to see our good friends who recently retired from the military and moved back home to Auburn. They were great hosts/tour guides as they took us all around the campus and town. Their family also showed great hospitality as we gathered at their Tailgate...

 

 

 

By the way, I have no idea if it is cold where you are but it is COLD here!! I was somewhat prepared for the game because we sat in a damp, cold game Friday night. It wasn't too bad in the afternoon but as the clouds came in the temperatures started to fall.

True to the sport they love, our boys found the Blue vs. Orange basketball game going on at Auburn so we all stopped by that to check out the Arena and enjoy some heat!

Basketball is not so popular at Auburn but they do have a new Arena and it was very impressive! With that kind of facility I am sure the basketball program is looking for some wins this year to build the program up.

 

And finally we headed into the stadium for the game! Now I love to be where I can see. You know, kind of up close to the action. That was not so much the case for this game. Also, can I tell you the higher up we went the colder it was and the more wind you felt!! And in case you are curious we were on the next to the last row in the upper deck...

This is Brian and I before the game and  then after we climbed up to our seats!

Please notice my boys with their camo hand warmers! We are nothing if we aren't country to our roots!! We sat with a great group of spirited Aggies and even as high up as we were we had a great view of Johnny Football running and throwing his way through the first half of the game!

I mentioned earlier that we went with some great friends! At the end of the first quarter he text Brian to come on down to their season ticket seats because so many Tiger fans were beginning to leave. We held out until halftime before we moved down to sit with them. I told Brian I kind of thought it was rude if we took over Auburn territory any sooner, but by halftime I didn't feel too bad because 1) I was getting really cold and their seats were going to put the wind at our back plus they were on the first deck and 2) their fans were literally flooding out of the stadium which honestly was kind of sad.

Overall, it was a great Aggie win and we were so excited to BTHO Auburn! The Auburn fan base were gracious people and very friendly to us and other Aggies around campus. We will look forward to going back to Auburn for future games.

Not only did we come home with a win but I also came home with some kind of cough and sinus stuff. This is not a good week for me to be slowed down by a sickness so ya'll will have to pray me through it! Our first basketball game is in just a few hours and our kids were so excited about that this morning!!! I'll be posting an update on those games for sure! Also, Brendan will be inducted into the National Honor Society this week and Brian will put on his stripe for promotion. And we are also counting down another big Aggie weekend as they head our way to play Mississippi State on Saturday.

Hope you are warm and well where you are and if you have loved ones or friends on the East Coast know I am praying for them and their safety through this storm!

Gig'em Aggies and get ready to BTHO Mississippi State!!!!!!