Are You Ready for Some Football?

I am a strange woman. I LOVE sports! I mean just about any sport but especially football, tennis, golf, soccer, the Olympics (but who doesn't like the Olympics?). You are just as likely to see me watching some kind of sporting event on the weekend as you are my husband. I attribute my love of sports to a father who was and is a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan and a brother who excelled in just about any sport he tried but especially soccer and track/cross-country. I attempted to play sports but was not good at anything I tried. Therefore, I learned to enjoy while watching the football games with my dad and watching my little brother's exploits. In high school, I also played flute in the marching band. We sat on the very front row. So, you were either entirely bored the whole game or you learned to appreciate what was going on on the field.

In all my years watching sports, however, I have never enjoyed college sports. I attribute that to growing up in Texas which had numerous professional teams to root for and I did not attend a big Division 1 college. That all changed in November 1999 when we moved to Arkansas from Texas. I love living in Arkansas. It is beautiful here and you can get to six different states in just a few hours. But the thing I love most about Arkansas is my beloved Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas. You see, Arkansas has no professional sports teams and UA is the only large school in the state with teams that routinely do well. If you live here, you have to eat, sleep, live, breathe the Arkansas Razorbacks.

I am excited today because football season has arrived! My Razorbacks play tonight against Western Illinois, a game we are supposed to win, but sadly one that I will have to listen to on the radio, as there is no television coverage. I don't expect our team to do very well this year. It is a rebuilding year due to the fact that we lost several star players to graduation and the NFL (Darren McFadden and Felix Jones). We have a new coach this year as well. Bobby Petrino had wonderful success at Louisville and I expect him to duplicate that success in the next few years but this year there will be growing pains. But one thing my father taught me is not to be a fair weather fan. I will support my team thru thick and thin, wins or losses. If for no other reason than the fact that those young men are on that field every week giving it their all simply for the love of the game. That is one thing I have learned about college sports. While some of those young men will go on to riches and fame in the pros, most of them are out there because they want to be. They love the game. And for that reason, if for no other, they deserve my respect and my support.

Go Hogs!! Woo! Pig! Sooie!!

Mother's Don't Get Sick Days

I've been a bit under the weather today. Some sort of stomach bug. So, needless to say I haven't done much of anything but lie around. It's kind of hard to be sick when you have a 3-year old who still needs so much attention (mainly to keep her out of trouble!). Thankfully, my husband, Blake was around most of the day and he was a HUGE help. He took on alot of my responsibilities today and allowed me to actually rest a little bit and take a semi-sick day. My 10 year old, Matthew, and 5 year old, Mackenzie ride the bus home from school so I didn't have to get out and get them. Blake has gone to pick up our oldest, Mariah and get me some medicine. God really knew what he was doing when He gave me this man. Blake always knows just what I need and is always ready to help out when necessary.

So, thankfully, the old saying that moms don't get sick days didn't really apply to me today. I was able to get some rest and do what I needed to take care of myself. Hopefully, I'll be up and around again in a day or two and will be able to take care of my family again. Until then, I'll just rest and be thankful for my wonderful husband. I know I tend to take him for granted sometimes but not today. I'll be sure and tell him how much I appreciate him.

A Day in the Life

Well, we have survived the first week of school. My oldest daughter began high school this year. I cannot believe that I am old enough to have a child in high school, but I guess I have to accept reality. My son began his last year of elementary school and my third child began kindergarten (sob!). I am left with only one at home. My baby, Marlee, is in the throws of potty training this week. She turned three in July and still is wearing pull-ups. She knows what she is supposed to do, but getting her to do it is another story. I decided to take advantage of our one-on-one time to give full attention to getting her potty-trained this week. Wish me luck!

I have to admit things are really quiet around the house with only one at home, but that is not a bad thing. No arguing, fighting, screaming, etc. etc. Marlee has the run of the place so there is no one to interfere with her world. I was a little anxious at first because I was afraid I would have to provide all the entertainment that her older sister has provided for the last few years. Aside from asking where everyone is several times a day, she seems content to play on her own with the occasional invitation for mom to join in.

I am trying to get back into a routine but that has been a little difficult with all the things that accompany the first few weeks of school...school supplies, paper work, getting a homework routine started. I fully expect things to settle in in the next week or two. Although I enjoyed the laid back laziness of the summer I know it's time to get my rear in gear again and take control of the clutter that is beginning to overtake my home. Any organizational ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Who Am I?

I am the mother of four wonderful children, 3 girls and 1 boy, and the very happy wife of 16 years to one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. I admit I've never been much for writing but have been inspired of late, if for no other reason, as a way to vent about life and love, trials and tribulations and everything in between. I don't know if anyone will ever even read this, but as I said, it is an outlet for me to get it all out, so to speak.

I live in Arkansas and am a rabid Razorback fan. You can't help it if you live here. It's something in the water. I'm an unusual woman in that I LOVE sports. Football, Basketball, Soccer, you name it. I've been driving my family crazy the last two weeks with the Olympics. It's been on every night in my house, much to my family's chagrin. But come on, can you beat Michael Phelps? The man is a machine!!

Well, if you dare, come along for the ride and see where my rantings may take you!