Mid-season slump

Every football season Coach and I hit our "mid-season slump" when I think it's the hardest time for most coaching families.  We're *hopefully* halfway through the season so we can't really see the end in sight, and the day-to-day is grinding.  Coach leaves by 5:30 every morning and makes it home anywhere from 8-11 during the week.  That leaves me with a whole lot of alone time and all the responsibilities when it comes to keeping the house, cooking/cleaning, finances, etc.  Football season is nothing if not lonely.

Once district is over things perk up with sub-varsity games done and playoffs.  There is nothing like playoff season!  Each week is so different and exciting, and you could play anywhere- I love visiting all the other stadiums around Texas.  You never know which week could be your last and the smile on Matt's face after a big playoff win is priceless.

The last few weeks have kind of all mushed together in my head.  Here are some of the moments I caught on camera.

October 15

Tomorrow (October 15th) is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.  I hate that this day even has to exist, but I'm so glad my baby has a special day just for them.
Tomorrow at 7pm please light a candle in remembrance of all the babies in Heaven we are waiting to meet.  I take peace in imagining a special section of Heaven just for these babies- all hanging out, laughing and watching over us until the time we are together again.

What Makes A Mother
I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today
I asked, "What makes a Mother?"
And I know I heard him say
A Mother has a baby
This we know is true
But, God, can you be a mother
When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can he replied
With confidence in his voice
I give many women babies
When they leave it is not their choice
Some I send for a lifetime
And others for the day
And some I send to feel your womb
But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this God
I want my baby here

He took a breath
and cleared his throat
And then I saw a tear
I wish I could show you
What your child is doing Here

If you could see your child smile
With other children and say
"We go to earth to learn our lessons
of love and life and fear,
but My mommy loved me so much
I got to come straight here!"
I feel so lucky to have a Mom who
had so much love for me
I learned my lessons very quickly
My Mommy set me free.
I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day
When she goes to sleep
On her pillow is where I lay
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek
And whisper in her ear
"Mommy, Please don't be sad today
I'm your baby and I am here"

So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are okay
Your babies are here in My home
And this is where they'll stay
They'll wait for you with Me
Until your lessons there are through
And on the day that you come home
they'll be at the gates waiting for you

So now you see
What makes a Mother
It's the feeling in your heart
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start
~Author Unknown

source

Pumpkin patch

Today in between Matt's morning practice and scouting we were able to sneak off to the Katy Rice Harvest Festival.  We had a limited amount of time but were able to do some shopping, smell all the fried food and get some good pictures at the pumpkin patch.

This was Brooks last year

And this year

New neighbor

We're getting a new neighbor!  Congrats to Sara on her new home; we will literally share a fence!  Cooper and Sophie are so excited :)
Head on over to visit Sara and tell her congrats!

100 wins!

Friday night we played Strake Jesuit down at Rice Stadium and WON 55-3!  Not only that, but it was Coach Joseph's 100th win as head coach! Way to go, CoJo!

I love that he is standing just like the poster...and he didn't even see it!

Coach Joseph's

Joseph family

Brooks came to the game and had a BLAST cheering and "watching" the game.  Right in from of our seats was a railing and she entertained herself awhile playing with the rail.  And tapping Mr. Glen repeatedly.  :)

I WISH I had my camera rolling when she met the tiger.  We saw her walking up the steps and Brooks immediately pointed and said, "baboo!" (what she calls all animals)  She was laughing and so excited until we got next to her, and then you could see the terror cross her face and she was screaming!  Then once we walked a few steps away she was laughing and jumping around again.  So we tried to get a picture and again she started freaking out and screaming...hence her being turned around in this pic.  I feel bad because I know she was really scared, but it was really funny.  

And this picture is from the 8th grade game at KHS on Wednesday.  I was up there watching my boys and Matt came outside to watch with me once he was done working.  No more than 5 minutes later and I find this.  I guess when you push 120+ hours of work a week you have a problem staying awake.  We forgive you, babe.

Laura's birthday

Last weekend we all got together at Fish City Grill to celebrate Laura's 25th birthday!  I remember when I turned 25 and I thought I was so old!  And now my little sister is 25...wow!
We had fun taking pictures before everyone arrived- could these two be any more beautiful?!

Brooks LOVED all the attention she got at dinner from everyone!

This little ham...as soon as you take out the camera she makes this face!

Happy birthday, Laura! Hope your birthday was as fabulous as you are!

Jesse and Stephanie's wedding

Last weekend we went to the most FABULOUS wedding at The Parador in downtown Houston.  We've known Jesse "Woo" since high school and love his new wife Stephanie.  :)
It was seriously one of the nicest weddings we've ever been to.  The cocktail hour outside with perfect weather, the cake, the band, the flowers- OH the flowers!  I died! We had so much fun with all our friends; congrats Jesse and Stephanie! Hope you are having fun in Hawaii!