Thanksgiving Traveling

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Not trying to get all sappy on everyone, but I saw this quote a couple weeks ago, and truly believe this. I wasn’t planning on being able to go home for Thanksgiving, I knew it would be hard being away from family, but knew Christmas was only a few weeks away. However, at the last minute I found out we would be traveling back to Kansas, and I couldn’t have been more excited! I will say, I was NOT looking forward to the long drive, and had prepared myself I wasn’t going to be home, the initial excitement took some time. Once we were on the road though, I couldn’t stop smiling. I love my family, and glad I didn’t have to miss a major holiday!

I was told multiple times over the break, that my blog was slacking and I was losing people. So I am here to tell you I am back! I will not let you down anymore, and I will keep you updated on the “exciting” times in my life! (since there are just so many, I know you guys can't wait for haha)

After a long trip Wednesday night, we pulled into Lindsborg to spend some time with Keith’s family. I am not sure Keith would agree, but I am getting much better at being in a car for so long. We had a very excited and loud barking dog just awaiting for us at the door. Whether she knew it was us or not, Juco was so happy we were back! She would not leave Keith or I’s side the entire time we were back. We got to have Thanksgiving with his family Thursday and then headed back to Great Bend to meet up with my parents, who had been gone all week on vacation. We enjoyed some more food and catching up on a lot of card playing.

As I stayed in Great Bend, Keith went on the recruit for a couple days. I got to catch up with old friends, and enjoy being back in Great Bend. I had such a good time with Dad and Mom, Christmas shopping, talking, football and watching Mom take down Thanksgiving and putting up Christmas. She is so good at it, that I think it is better I lay on the couch and give my opinion.

On Saturday, Keith and I headed up to Kansas City, to surprise one of his high school friends for his birthday. We had such a good time and Keith really enjoyed getting to catch up with people he hadn’t seen in quite some time.

Sunday we met up with my brothers and sisters for an early brunch. They had all gone their other ways for Thanksgiving this year, so getting to see them was the perfect way to end our trip back home. The little ones are all growing up so fast, and they are so funny. Even though it wasn’t for long, it was great to see them! I look forward to seeing them all again so soon at Christmas. I am so thankful we got to go home for an unexpected visit!

Fall Update

I have been majorly lacking in my blogging skills lately, and still don't have much to update you on. We have been staying busy, but also enjoying the calmness before season really gets going.

Keith's team has started 2-1 so far in the season and showing improvements. We started in Fort Worth playing TCU, where Keith's parents, along with some of their friends were able to come down. The game was not great, but the rest of the weekend was a lot of fun. I am so glad they could come down and we could spend some time with them.

Their next two games have been home games with some good crowds and good games. They have been fun to watch. 

I have been enjoying the weekends, getting together with friends, and watching lots of football. We have some very busy weeks coming up, and I am excited for what is in store! Here are some pics of the last couple weeks!! 

Home Sweet Home

I was lucky enough to be able to return home for a very special weekend with my family. I was also lucky enough to have it during my Fall Break so I could spend a couple extra day with everyone as well.

My trip started on Wednesday and I was surprised at the airport by my sisters, Lukas and Lawson. I walk out of the terminal to a little three year old holding a bouquet of flowers and a huge smile on his face! We headed back to Blue Springs to enjoy time together and wait for my parents to arrive. I also got to enjoy seeing Christy as she is growing daily with my future niece or nephew!! 

Thursday was Lawson's first birthday. I was so excited I got to spend this special day with him (even if he won't remember). Dad, mom, and I took care of the boys all day and little did I know how hyper and outgoing they have both become. When Cindy returned home we headed to Olathe to stay with Matt and Jana. It was so much fun to get to hang out, play duck duck goose, and win some Pitch against my brother!!

Friday we took on the task of watching all four rugrats. Thankfully, Cindy was off as well and we could pair up each child with an adult as also took on the Pumpkin Patch. I normally tried to take on Reese or Lawson who couldn't get away from me too fast. They all absolutely loved it and tried everything they possibly could. When we corraled all th kids to the car, it was nap time before we got out of the parking lot. I'm not sure what the kids did. I headed back with Cindy and Christy to Blue Springs to watch Erin coach up some Truman football. They didn't win, but still fun to watch him on the sideline and watch the little ones enjoy "watching" the game.

Saturday was Hall of Fame day! My dad was inducted into Washburn University's Hall of Fame for football and baseball. We are all so proud of him and have to realize most of his stories are actually true! He had many past players and friends of his come back for this and it was so nice to get to meet them. We enjoyed a Washburn win and all the activities that went with it. 

We also were able to celebrate Lawson's birthday with a "tailgate" theme. Cindy did a great job of planning and had quite the set up. We enjoyed all wearing our favorite team jersey to join in on the fun.

Sunday was my last day. I had such a great weekend and so happy I got to be apart of it all. We ended my trip at Jose Peppers before I took off! The perfect ending to a perfect weekend!

One Year Anniversary!

I can't believe it! ONE ENTIRE YEAR IN MONROE, LA! It seems like just yesterday I was packing up and heading South. I have learned so much about myself since I left and realized I truly am stronger than I thought! I am so happy I have taken this journey and excited to see what the next year has to bring.

I decided to go to Dallas this last weekend to hang out with some if my friends from Great Bend. I stopped there on my way to Monroe, so I thought it was pretty fitting. We had a great time with lots of laughs. It is always so fun to talk with people you don't see as often as you used to, and still feel like it was just yesterday you were in school together. 

Friday we were able to just hang out and relax at Colton and Brent's house. Keith got done recruiting much earlier than planned, so he was able to join as well. Saturday, I was able to meet up with my mom who was in town for a PEO convention. We had lunch together and enjoyed catching up. It is always so good to see my family, especially when it's not planned! The rest of the day was devoted to laying around and watching football. Although, most of our teams were all on bye, we found plenty of games to watch and grill out to. I had such a great time being with friends. 

Weekend Tailgates

Football season has arrived again! Which means, lots of food, friends, and fun! I have enjoyed being able to attend so many different kinds of tailgates throughout the years.  In Kansas, we take this stuff very seriously and are always prepared on what/where I will be attending a football game and what/where we will be enjoying all the festivities before and after.  Here in Louisiana it has been a little different.
For ULM, our second game was our opening home game. I was so excited as I prepared for this weekend to come, and then realized, I have a  bunch of friends who are coaches, which means, recruiting season.  I talked with the few who would be available and decided we would just wing it.  I then realized, I do not really know where I am supposed to tailgate. Here at ULM, our tailgating area is called "The Grove", which is actually very cool, if you are a booster and have a spot already lined up.  The open area is for ULM students, and as much as I wish I could still hang with them, I am too old, know very few, and probably wouldn't last long. After we walked around looking for someone, anyone, we knew, we failed and it was time to head into the game.

Weekend two was upon us and it was an away game. I decided that I would have people over and have the game set up on the TV. I cooked a little, mainly cheese dip and chips, grilled some burgers and enjoyed a "low key" day of hanging out and watching  tv.

Weekend three was finally here and I was pumped. I was heading to Waco, TX to watch ULM play Baylor. As this weekend approached, we were making sure everything was in check and went to check on hotel rooms. Well apparently it was Baylor's Parents weekend and anyroom we could find was $160+. Um, no thank you. So again, plans changed and it was a football "tailgate" at home. This time though, I wasnt messing around. We had quite the crew, over 20 lbs of meat grilled, including ribs, boudin, sausage, lil smokies, and hamburger cheese dip.  We had mulitple yard games and lots of fun. Unfortunatly, not many games turned out the way we had hoped, and some were very difficult to watch :(. But all in all, I finally got the "tailgate" that I had been waiting for all season. 

We have another home game this weekend and looking forward to preparing a little better and figuring out what/where I need to be!