We want another one

just like the other one...Touch Down, Willie, Touch Down!

Gparents--Ruby's soccer pics in next post!

Good times!

Good times with great friends and business partners!


The kids before heading home....




Willie caught 2 nice catfish with Daddy's help. Ruby caught a bass too but no pics. She was SO proud!!! I asked her if she was going to get another one for me to get on the camera. She replied, "it takes a while, mama."

Ruby was first to volunteer to take her turn tubing!

We missed Shizz but there were plenty of furry creatures around including chickens (fresh eggs every morning!), horses and doggies.

Willie got his wish! The crash was not intended obviously but he got right back on. He teamed up to tube with the teenagers so he could get a little more adventure.

And, Jay decided to test his old skills.

We arrived home to US Open, Shizz and prep for a big week---required trip to Academy Sports tonight to be sure all gear ready to go for more Good Times!

Bizarre or Men?

Heavier, old man with suspenders walks up to me in Panera today. He eases behind me and says "do you know Natalie Wood?"

I'm not 100% but I reply "Actress? Isn't she dead?"

"Yes, and you look just like her."

I laugh. Thinking that makes my day. (even though I don't know what she looks like off top of my head.)

And he continues...."Including your butt and I like it."

WHAT???????? do i do with that. I've concluded, Bizarre and Man.

(Dad, no need to call me on this....I serpentined out of there. He could have never kept up with me.)

Life Changers

Awesome time with Nations of Coaches' conference for basketball coaching wives! These ladies feel like sisters after a wonderful weekend encouraging each other only in a way that other coaches' wives can do! It's a calling for sure and I'm thankful we are in a place to pour into 12 young men year after year. Renewed and ready for another season. Thank you, Coach Jay, for the journey!

And in the midst of the conference weekend, I might as well gave birth! Meet Shizzel, our newest family member. Months ago, Ruby prenamed our eventual dog. Jay looking for a dog is like me on Realtracs a couple of years ago. Relentless. As Ruby has said more times than we can count, "He's the perfect dog for me, Daddy." He met ALL my initial requirements of gentle but athletic, house/crate trained, approx 2 years old etc. And my preferred breed for our next dog--Boxer. He's absolutely beautiful and is so gentle but playful and is not tearing up our house. So far, he'd only popped a balloon because he thought is was a ball. We all ADORE him!

First week of First Grade!

Registration Day for First Grade---snaggled!

Free time in the first week of school---teaching Ruby how to play golf.

VIP at Titans' practice

Bowling with friends

Wonder what the 2nd week will hold!

Sizzlin in the 'Sip

As customary we headed to the Sip for unrushed family time post recruiting and before back to school. Willie and Ruby stayed a whole week with Gran & Granny while daddy finished summer recruiting. Willie had wanted to get some golfing in all summer and with no golfers in this house, he had been relegated to the 100 yard backyard green behind our house. He was clearly moved when Granny told him we'd signed him up for Miss. State's Jr. Golf Academy. He told me that he almost cried.

Gran and Granny ran a super fun cousin camp which allowed Ruby and Willie to spend some treasured time with Riley and Eli too. Thanks to G&G for the bowling, swimming, and fun times!

I was eager to get further South to check on my mom so we didn't hang too long in Starkville. Mom is doing better now but here's us trying to be gentle and quiet at the hospital.

The rest of our trip in South Miss was characterized by the heat and more happy memories with cousins---playing football, baseball, swimming and tubing! I didn't have my camera on the Bogue Chitto float but I mentally captured the beauty, much needed cool waters, and serentiy. I committed to make that float an annual tradition---and hope that next year my mom can come with us.

Here's WW and Wilkes.

WW and Reagan after heated game of "interception."

Ruby spends much of her time with the dogs and I'm thinking she might need to be a vet. She (& JAY) have been on the hunt for her own dog---which she has pre-named Shizzle.

One highlight of our South Miss trip is to visit with Russ' (aka Big Country) family. We typically marvel at how big their boys are getting and listen to Jay & Russ reminisce about road trips, teammates & coaches.

Really, I can never get enough of seeing our families but it's always good to get home. In the course of our Miss trip, Willie lost both front teeth and I admitted---it's time for FIRST grade!

Love a Lake!

This past weekend was Lake Martin with one of God's greatest blessings on me....my friend Wendy. We were bummed without Daddy this year but not deterred. Thanks, Wen & Kent for a wonderful time together.

Willie was determined to get thrown from the tube this year so he just didn't hold on and he was succesful! Ruby's mantra was "FASTER!"