In Pursuit

Rece is born!

2011-03-19T17:31:00.001-04:00

On March 2nd I became a mommy! I was talking to my doctor on March 1st and he said that I was in the beginning stages of preeclampsia and he wanted to admit me to the hospital that night in order to start the process of inducing labor. We called all the grandparents and let them know a new grandbaby would be here the next day and they hit the road! We checked in to the hospital and I received my first dose of medicine at 10 pm and went into labor not long after. After over 15 hours of labor and 2 and a half hours of pushing, Rece Elijah Gilliland arrived at 2:37 pm. He was 7 lbs and 6 oz and was 19 1/2 " long. We were so blessed to have our parents there and my sister Lindsey to meet the little guy!

The Proud Grandparents and Parents not long after the arrival of our bundle of joy!

First Family Photo.... At least my boys look good!

Pa says hello to Rece

Getting our temperature taken... he decided to help!

Proud New Daddy!

Our nurse and friends Matt and Colleen Wise

On our way home from the hospital!

Bonding with daddy!

My 3 boys!!

Our little glowworm

Aunt Erin and Uncle Vic come to visit

Aunt Jen and Uncle Brent stop by too!

This picture sums up the last few weeks...

God has blessed me with an amazing husband! He has been so attentive and supportive that he has made any frustration of being a new mom quicly disappear. I have also been blessed to have a baby that has really been easy to work with. Rece has been great at getting set on a schedule for feedings and he really naps well! Motherhood has been such an unusual experience.... so many new things to learn and so many things that are different and new compared to your life previous to having a baby! Looking at this sweet baby, I understand now that with all the frustration you can experience as a new mother, God gives you such a perfect sweet baby to look at and realized he is yours....it causes everything else in the world to melt away!

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long time coming.....

2011-02-28T22:52:00.001-05:00

So, I AM SORRY! The last time I blogged was around Halloween, now, it is March 1st tomorrow and I am aware that 4 months has flown by without any update to my blog which is a shame because being preggers and experiencing things for the first time probably would make for some fun posts! However, SO MUCH has happened in the last 4 months that I have had no time to do anything but crash when I am home! I have been way more busy than ANY pregnant woman should have at this point in the pregnancy. So... lets try to recap 4 months.. you ready?

Ok, first, Football......
This season was a whirlwind! Week after week, the team pulled out some thrilling games including taking down the number one team in the country, Appalachian State, at home! That game set us on a winning streak and then next thing we knew we were heading into the playoffs and found ourselves in the semifinals where the journey sadly ended...a step away from the National Championship! We were so excited and Brett and I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing season and an amazing staff!! here are some great memories from the last bit of the season!

Winning against William and Mary in Round 2!

Spending time with the pastor that married us in Virginia before the William and Mary Game!

Alaskan Sister Christina Makes it for the last half of our victory at William and Mary... 2 games in one season with this girl... she is good luck!

Rally Hat pic! My two bleacher buddies, Jen and Erin (fellow wives) and I take a pic in our cold weather gear we fondly call our rally hats! Erin started the trend and we made it a tradition at all the games we were together!

Meeting up with Brett after the win

Rally hat pic in Delaware... Bebe (another wife) joins in with us!

The Delaware game was the last game of the season for us and we were greeted as we arrived in the Boro with a 20 cop car escort and tons of fans at the football offices... including our friends Ashleigh and Alan who made some fun signs and even got on the news!

Sister Lindsey vists for a game... which happened to be the biggest game of the season: Appalachian state!

The fans, the team, the coaches, and the president of the university storm the field! So cool!

Jobs and raises and trucks oh my!

So, late in the season a job came open in Admissions still working with the same group I have been working with on campus. It was way better pay with an office and a new location on campus. It was something that I really wanted and considering how stressed I had been in the past, I had prayed that this would be the right fit for me and God truly blessed us with me getting the job starting the first of January! After the amazing football season, we were also truly blessed with Brett getting a raise. After looking at our budget and the tiny little back seat in his truck we decided to find a new truck that would fit a baby car seat. We made a day trip to Atlanta to see our favorite car dealer and pick up Brett's dream truck!

Making the deal!

Pregnancy.... So, The pregnancy has gone pretty normal. We are so blessed to have had a pretty smooth experience. Minus the 2 1/2 trimesters of morning sickness and intense heartburn, Life has been pretty good! The baby moves a lot and really gives me some fun moments when I am stressed out.... just causes you to take pause and realize what an amazing miracle this whole thing is! We have so many supportive friends surrounding us here in Statesboro that I feel such a strong confirmation that this is exactly in God's plan for us as a family! I am 1 week away from our due date of March 8th. I am so ready to meet our sweet boy we have fondly nicknamed Diesel! On his birthday, everyone will get his name! Here are a couple of prego pics from the last trimester.....

33 weeks

36 Weeks

37 weeks

So that is pretty much most of the major updates to our lives since football season. I will post nursery pics and get better about updates in the coming weeks while our little guy takes his naps! Due date is rapidly approaching and judging by my elephant feet and ankles, er uh, symptoms, I think and hope he will debut sooner! I can't wait to meet him or for you to meet him too! Thanks for putting up with my delay in posting as well as the long ramblings of this posting! We will update you soon!

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Fall Fun!

2010-10-10T15:00:00.001-04:00

This weekend we had a houseful of friends and family for Brett's Game! I have gone to pumpkin patches and thought that Statesboro would be close to a fun place like that. No such luck. I can't find a patch anywhere close by! I was driving around town and stumbled across a really neat set up at a local Farmers stand. They had fun scarecrows, lots of big, small and colorful pumpkins and a great opportunity to turn my guests... and my puppy into models! Happy Fall Y'all!

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The bump - 16 weeks

2010-10-07T17:49:00.000-04:00

So, Many people have requested a baby bump pic and update! this is me at 16 weeks... I am 18 weeks now... maybe a tad bigger but close to my pics below!

Wives Trip: GSU vs. NAVY

2010-09-26T08:28:00.002-04:00

2 weeks ago Georgia Southern invited all of the coach's wives to travel with them to the Navy game. I was really excited! 9/11 at Navy.... a very patriotic and awe inspiring trip. We had a ton of fun and I would say it was the best away game I have been to! I had a great time getting to know some of the wives better and we had a lot of fun sightseeing and touring the Naval Academy. I also got meet up with my childhood friend Christina who had graduated from the academy and she gave us some inside scoop on the town and the campus! Enjoy the pics!

A beautiful view up one of the main streets in Annapolis, MD.... Where the fun really started!

The ladies and I all got a pic at "Ego Alley" which is a small turn around large boats use all the time right in the middle of down town!

After dinner we noticed the restaurant had a big eagle in the lobby.... we had to take a pic with it! Go Eagles!

Taking the trolley downtown on gameday!

We had a lot of time before the game so we toured the campus!

The Navy Goat... and me and Jen Davis!

They decorate this monument for every game.... we posed with our logo... even if it says stomp Georgia Southern!

Erin Cabral and I were the picture girls! We got one together in front of the Dorms... yes this is their DORM!

This was also inside the dorm. A monunment to fallen graduates. I loved the phrase "Don't give up the ship" So cool to be able to see all of it!

My friend Christina and I posed for a pic!

Coach Gilliland getting after those players!

He'll never admit it but he stood this way long enough for me to get a good pic!

Snapping a pic with Christina with all the cadets marching in!

The Cadets filled the field and tipped their hats to us saying "Go Eagles"

Brett and Coach Niamatalolo, such a nice guy!

Happy couple after a fun weekend!

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Josh's Aunt from Honduras' authentic south of the border guacamole!

2010-09-23T16:26:00.002-04:00

So, Here is my Brother in Law Josh:

Josh is a pretty happy guy, very friendly, and as I have come to know him he is almost a renaissance man. He is an engineer doing top secret things for our air force.... but I have come to find he has many talents including cooking!

Tuesday, I read that my baby was the size of an Avacado... then I started craving Avacado... on my Turkey burger, on my sandwich, and finally in the form of guacamole! I called Josh. Josh has made guacamole for me before and it was delicious and I knew he had a killer recipe. He was nice enough to call me back and talk through it with me, reminding me that the recipe is actually from his aunt, who lives in Honduras. (you will note by seeing the picture above that there is no latin in this boy!)... he actually inspired my entire meal before it was all over! So Here you have it:

Josh's Aunt from Honduras' South of the Border Guacamole!

First, you get a few large avacados (make sure they are soft), a purple onion, a tomato, lime and hot sauce

Next, take the avacado, peeled and with the seed removed and add it to the bowl with the tomato diced

Mash up the Avacado and tomato making sure it isn't too lumpy. Next, Add the red onion and lime juice. Now, I used a half a lime and squeezed. With the onion, start with a little diced and then add as you go tasting for flavor

Mix it up well and add salt to taste and hot sauce to your desired spiciness!

DELICIOSO!

Like I said, the baby and Josh helped inspire my dinner, I cooked up some LEAN turkey with Old El Paso taco seasoning and made some nachos with my toaster oven! MMM MMM GOOD!

Gracias Josh!

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I will not be shaken....

2010-08-20T18:55:00.004-04:00

Ok, it's been a while... I guess. Not that anyone reads my ramblings, but I did get a facebook message reprimanding me for being so anti social.... so here we are!

Lots of news to report!

1) Brett has coordinated his first summer high school camps... I am so proud!
2) Brett and I have survived our first Georgia Southern University Fall Camp! Long days, 7 days a week, injuries, sweat, and lots of coaching!
3) and last but not least, I found out I was pregnant! I will post some updates on this, including the surprise video where we broke the news to the Grandmothers to be! We are due March 8th and so excited!

I will catch you up on everything we were doing... but first a Word I was given and am so excited to share!

Psalm 16:8 - I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Lately I have been finding myself more fatigued, more willing to go straight to bed when I get home. I know some is from the pregnancy, but I have looked back and realized alot of it is stemming from stress. I have been so overloaded with pregnancy stress, work worries, concern over Brett's team...stressed about all of it a little more than necessary. I think instead of looking inward at that feeling and speaking against it, I have felt that avoiding it could be easier.
Today I opened up my favorite Bible website biblegateway.com and it was Psalm 16:8. I meditated on this verse and felt so at peace. Have you ever gone into a dark room with someone and felt a little nervous and said to your friend, "you go first!"? I just imagined what David described in Psalm 23, the shadow of the valley of death.... In life we have times when we walk in shadows of the world. Like David continues, we should "fear no evil for [God] is with us."
Psalm 16:8 puts this same concept into words:
I have set the Lord always before me. - "God, you go first, go before me, be the focus of my direction, be the one positive thing I keep my eyes on when everything around me is dark and causes stress, doubt, and fear."
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - "I am so glad I don't have to go it alone, Lord. Having you at my side calms me in every way. Nothing can overcome this confidence and peace I have with you surrounding me. I will stand firm in You."
The rest of chapter 16 beginning to end is uplifting. I hope you will read it. I realized that God wants me to hide behind Him. He wants to be my shield, my confidence, my strength. His perfect love casts out all fear, all shakiness, all doubt.
Send the Lord in before you in all situations.
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Bible Study

2010-06-11T18:02:00.000-04:00

Max and I do Bible study together… well I sit and do Bible Study and Max just lays on me. It is a really sweet time we can spend together. I am studying Esther thanks to Beth Moore for writing the study and to Statesboro First Baptist for having an amazing library that rents the different studies out to members and NON-members!
Anyway, I am getting off track. I had started to do the book because I didn’t have the DVDs. I made it through 2 weeks and then it got lost in the shuffle of holidays and then, moving to Statesboro. I have always been a lover of the stories that focus on women in the Bible. Mainly because, let’s face it, I relate. Also, seeing strength and obedient response to God’s call from a man can be totally different than a woman. Women respond to situations differently than men do and we, as women, can learn a tremendous amount from these early examples in God’s Word.
This little post will be brief as we are getting ready to roll out of our driveway… but I had to share something really that struck me in the video session Max and I were watching last night (as my incredible husband cooked me some amazing fish tacos! Again, I digress). The running theme to me so far is finding, understanding, and fulfilling our purpose. One of the things Beth had said was that we can’t realize our destiny without understanding our past. Our history, our testimony makes us who we are and prepares us for God’s special calling in our lives.
I realize I focus a lot on purpose and calling and destiny in the things I write and purposely study. I think that it is because I so look forward to being able to understand and experience what God has planned for me. I don’t like to wait, I don’t like the unknown. She used an amazing example of this idea of fulfilling our purpose while understanding and claiming our past. She said it is like a person in a row boat. They are backing into their destiny, all the while being aware of where they have been. This is such a perfect word picture of life to me. It makes complete sense and I become more settled in the fact that I don’t know what may be coming up behind me, however, I know that I should be powering towards it and remember who I am and where I have been so it can shape who I will be as I continue forward. It also gives me peace about the unknown. Sometimes we don’t know we are in the midst of God’s plan until we are passing through it. As we pass through we see it behind us clear as day, where we were and why it was such an important landmark to pass.
Good or Bad, I know God has a purpose in every encounter, conversation, and situation I am in. I may not feel His presence, but I know He is always present!

The Perfect Couple

2010-05-18T19:05:00.001-04:00

Brett and I are "the Perfect Couple." This is not my vanity talking but I started thinking about us as a "team" or a "couple" now that my sister is getting married and her future is taking on new shape. I wondered... how are we different from when we dated? I am coming up on a 5th anniversary and the 9th year of knowing Brett and that also got me thinking... why are we still together, what keeps us committed? We all have an opportunity to become "the perfect couple" with our spouses.
Now, when I say "perfect" it may not mean what you think it means. I believe God put us together. I believe we are made perfect in His image. I believe that where I lack, Brett has strength. I believe where Brett lacks, I have strength. We hold Jesus at the center of this partnership and acknowledge that He is the one driving this ship!
I thought about this.... what makes us "perfect" is that we are not identical twins... we are so unique that when seen separate you may not put us together, but together I couldn't imagine anyone taking his place... it would be weird! The longer I am married and I live this life of a "coach's wife" I see where we are very individual and independent in many ways. While he is on the road recruiting or to an away game or trapped in his office watching silent game film, I am working and at home trying to put down roots in this new little town. When we are together in the down time however, I feel like we are united toward a common purpose....whatever that may be!
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I love this passage... Ecclesiastes 4 has many examples of how being in a "perfect couple" can be beneficial. Of course, without the 3rd member, Jesus Christ we may not feel as connected and many times, the independence within us may cause us to break apart. Without Jesus our team would be incomplete! With Jesus our team is so strong and "not quickly broken"!
Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will ... be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
I love how Jesus articulates that we were made as 2 individual beings but the purpose was for us to become united and become one. It is so encouraging that God puts us together and no person, not even ourselves should try to separate that union. We should see our spouse as a piece that enhances our purpose... like a vacuum has attachments or, in Brett's case, a weed eater has attachments. The vacuum or weed eater both have a main style or function but you can throw on a different attachment and it allows you to go beyond your original potential!
The original potential is nice, but the place you can go and things you can accomplish when connecting to those attachments your spouse gives you is amazing... and seeing this and appreciating it will make your life more joyful... at least mine has been.
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Fish Fry Fun

2010-05-18T18:47:00.004-04:00

We celebrated the end of recruiting with the rest of the staff by throwing a backyard fish fry at our house. needless to say, I didn't get in any pictures because, A)I took them all and B) throwing a fish fry keeps you busy! We had a great time hanging out and relaxing with our new friends from the staff and the kids had a great time in the back yard! Here are some pics from the afternoon.

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T09:06:00.002-04:00

I know... I didn't celebrate for myself on Mother's day. I did honor my mom.... sent her an AWESOME card (the goal is to get tears people) and some money to get a pedicure!
I tried to get Brett to acknowledge that Max truly made me a mother.... He didn't buy it. So that means I didn't get an awesome card or any kind of present! sad....

Anyway, I stumbled across this blog with a different kind of perspective on Mother's Day and thought I would Share.

Living By Faith

Blue and White Game Day!

2010-05-05T19:58:00.009-04:00

"We are Georgia Southern. Our Colors are Blue and White."
-Legendary Georgia Southern Coach Erk Russell

The Eagles' Blue and White inner squad game was a couple of weekends ago and I am the bad coach's wife that has failed to blog about it! Brett's mom and dad drove up for the game and we had a great weekend... busy... but great!

Family Pic outside the front door

Before the game, the Coaches and some players came out and helped with a kids camp. Here is Brett in serious coaching mode with a couple of his "players" right before they run a drill... so cute!
I love this picture... It is Brett's Dad Ronnie watching from the stands as Brett coaches from the sidelines.

A fun view of the stadium and the action on the field... we had about 5,000 fans at the game!

Brett talking to his players after the big Win! White won 24-0 I love this pic... this is Grace, Coach Quinns girl. She was sitting in the grass and I thought it would be neat to get the logo behind her.

Ronnie and Kathy standing on Georgia Southern Tradition

Brett and his B-Backs

The Fam... looking to put a 7th national championship flag on the pole behind us as soon as possible!

After the Game.... we hit the baseball game then went to the big fundraiser for football, the EFAA reverse raffle and auction. Kathy snapped this pic (which happened to be our view from the dinner) and I think it looks amazing! very professional looking!

The 'rents and the coach and me!

We had a great time with Ronnie and Kathy... We love it when our parents get to come visit us... whether it is busy or not both sets of parents are always so supportive and helpful and want to see us get settled in! My parents came in January and helped me lay vinyl flooring and get curtains up on my door! Brett's Parents showed up and we ended up with a grill and a lawnmower by the end of the visit! Parents always know what you need, and no matter how much you fight it... they push you to get things accomplished or purchased, or put away... and you always feel so great after you do it! Although we have 3 more hours between us than before, we hope they will make a habit of visiting because it is always so great to see them!
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Drafting....

2010-05-05T19:48:00.002-04:00

A couple weekends ago... I found myself turning into a DUDE. I watched or listened to every second of the NFL Draft. Brett and I knew 4 players from Georgia Tech that declared themselves eligible for the draft. They all got drafted to great teams and one, Jon Dwyer, was Brett's player for the last 2 seasons. We became closer with Jon in the last season we were there and getting to know these players was what made it so hard to wrap my head around leaving Georgia Tech. Brett and I drove up to Atlanta that very rainy saturday to see Jon and congratulate him on living out his dream! We also were able to catch up with some other players we knew... Roddy Jones and Tyler Melton, both of which are still at Tech and we will be watching their Football careers very closely this season!

Brett and Jon Showing off their ACC Championship rings... We were the only ones that were sporting a Steelers cap... and we brought Jon his first!

Hanging out with Roddy and Tyler!

Gangsters.
Enjoyed seeing Jon and his whole family! Can't wait to see him run people over "Bettis the Bus" Style!

"Manicures and Pedicures Solve Most Large Problems"

2010-04-20T23:11:00.002-04:00

The title of this post may seem unusual. I give all the credit to my friend Rachel Brown. We were talking about someone I know going through a stressful time. I mentioned that I needed to tell that person to just go get a pedicure and take their mind off the stress for a little bit. Rachel responded back, "Manis and Pedis do solve most large problems!"
Rachel is a Football Coaches wife too. She was one of the first people I called when we found out we would be moving to Statesboro. I had been telling people, "we are probably moving to Statesboro" even after Brett had accepted the job and was on the road for more than a week recruiting for Georgia Southern! I was mentally in denial! Rachel was the best person to talk to because she had already moved at least twice if not more than that! I needed to talk to a person who knew exactly how I felt and could tell me that even though I felt weird, I wasn't. I also remember that she told me, "now, when you get there and you have been doing the thankless job of unpacking boxes and you expect your husband or anyone else to say thank you or good job when you need them to.... they won't. So when you need that break and that thank you, TREAT YOURSELF! Take off and get a Mani/Pedi girl!"
So, I did.
I got my pedicure.
Funny how we use the maniCURE and pediCURE to CURE our stress. Sometimes it is the worst possible moment... and something so small yet, so personal, like a foot massage, can help us diffuse whatever is bothering us! Taking time out and really allowing ourselves to step away from a situation makes things so much better.
1 Peter 5:6-7 and 10-11 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ... And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Manicures and Pedicures do solve most large problems..... or, at least they are a sign that we have managed our priorities in a way that honors God and follows His Word... and by managed I mean given our lives in every way over to Christ.
Casting, or like I see it, throwing with all your might, all your anxiety on Him is a calling on our lives. All means ALL, not some. Let Him take on the weight of that stress and worry. Take a moment, allow Christ Himself to restore you after this "short time of suffering", and get a mani/pedi "for He Cares for you."
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photoshoot

2010-04-12T19:52:00.006-04:00

My office has a great camera and I was dying to borrow it. Somehow I convinced my boss to let me use is and so I spent the weekend playing around with it! On Saturday I went to the team scrimmage and shot some pictures... then it was Max the model in the backyard. I was torturing the poor guy with the phrase "ya wanna treat?" over and over again so he would look at the camera! We... and by we, I mean me... enjoyed it!

I thought this was a fun picture... It shows everyone right when the ball snaps.

Coach Monken Speaks to the team after the scrimmage.

Brett is offically the offensive Bus Driver!

I had to get a picture with the Legendary Erk Russel... Georgia Southern's beloved coach!

Some of the Grad Assistant Coaches deliver leftovers to the office for after scrimmage film breakdown....

Ronnie gets in on the modeling! I made him... I said I needed practice!

Now for the fun pictures... my buddy max...

Max has developed the bad habit of rolling around in the grass for fun... it's no fun to clean him off but it is fun watching!

The sun makes him sleepy...

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Got ya covered!

2010-04-05T22:35:00.002-04:00

Over Spring Break, I got the chance to go to my favorite fabric store unsupervised....A&E pharmacy in Pensacola! I know it sounds weird but the pharmacy has a whole section dedicated to fabric. They also are a carrier of some designer fabrics.... and I am the kind of girl that wants to see and touch and compare side to side when picking fabric. I have a few projects up my sleeve and started with some slipcovers for some ugly pillows I had in my living room on my Granddad's chairs. I love the way they turned out. I used tutorials from Make it and love it. I mixed this one and this one together to create these:Happy Monday y'all!

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For fun...

2010-04-05T22:22:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, I walked into these to bums in our living room..... Not sure why they were so tired but they both ended up passed out!

Once they woke up, Brett and I started to go through some boxes that we had stored over the last year. This was a fun memory we came across.... It made me laugh out loud! I am notorious for either not buying a card for a holiday or for buying it and not delivering it! I must have hastily created this Hallmark masterpiece because Brett guilted me for not giving him a card on Valentines Day!

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Lazy Saturday.... with the Chicken Whisperer

2010-04-01T21:38:00.007-04:00

Saturday the Anderson's General Store had Chick Days, a backyard poultry event. Brett had Saturday practice and scrimmage in the morning and after it was over we ran by to check it out and to meet the Chicken Whisperer! I took my camera in to get some 'chicky' moments!
We got this picture and then I made the chicken whisperer tell me why I should have chicken in the back yard. He brought up so great points and so I am definitely more on the pro side of getting chickens.... we just have to get our lives in order in all other areas before we take on raising livestock! Who Knows! we will see!

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Bachelorette for just a little while longer.....

2010-03-30T19:42:00.007-04:00

Over the final weekend of spring break, Lindsey and I threw our sister Shelley a shower and took her to dinner and out for her bachelorette party the next day. Lindsey and I put together flowers and had tacos and a fun bachelorette cake. Here are some highlight pictures!

Lindsey and I put the lettuce in a margarita glass shaped bowl and added lime wedges to make an oversized margarita!

Pic of Shelley's fun and OH SO YUMMY red velvet Bachelorette cake!

Here's the group of us with Shelley and her cake...

Shelley's shower theme was stock the kitchen and bar. Lindsey found some cute labeled wines at Target and one we got for her was called "Middle Sister" We had to get a pic before heading out for her bachelorette dinner!

Close up of the Label.... So perfect! The bride to be and her Maid and Matron of honor at dinner!

Brett's sweet sister Tara came to have fun out with us for dinner and she bought a bottle of champagne for the table. It was called the "wine of love." So Fun

What a fun time to celebrate our sister and the upcoming new chapter in her life!

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Nephews and Nieces...

2010-03-29T22:15:00.004-04:00

Over Spring Break we had the opportunity to give birthday gifts to two of the kids in our family. Our Niece, Lily, turned 4 in March and our Nephew, Kade, turned 2 in February. Since Brett and I have been in the process of moving and getting settled, it was impossible to make it home for either birthday. We decided instead of mailing, we would wait to give them their gifts until Spring Break so we could do it in person. I made Lily a TuTu and gave her a purse, a little beaded tiara, and I had some sample lipsticks from Avon and added those to the bag. I was very excited to be able to give her a TuTu especially since she is in Ballet (which I took as a girl) and VERY into dress up! I snapped a couple pics of the TuTu before I wrapped everything up for our get together.....
Kade, what can I say.... I think he and I have had a connection from the beginning! Not that the other kids in the fam are loved any different... but I have been friends with Tara, Brett's sister since she was married... she had me in her wedding! (Gutsy move by the way, I had dated Brett only 6 months when she asked me to sing... she felt the sparks too I guess!) I have been close to her before kids, experienced the craziness of pregnancy with her, and really was a true part of the family when Kade came around! I think Kade made the party perfect for me... I gave him his Mickey Mouse football and, even though he is 2, he was clearly grateful and so happy we got him the gift! When he pulled it out of the bag, he screamed "Mickey Mouse... Football!" Then he immediately started playing catch with everyone in the living room. Later in the evening, he quieted down and scooted himself backwards until he ended up pressed into my lap... I made someone get it on film!
More Spring Break updates to come... including The Bridal shower and bachelorette extravaganza... and a weekend update on last weekend. 2 words: Chicken Whisperer. Need I say More?
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Full Contact....Eagles in Action!

2010-03-25T21:12:00.005-04:00

I'm still waiting for my sweet sister Lindsey to send me my camera.... so no spring break updates. However, I thought I would drop in on Spring Practice today and update you on that! Today was the first day of full contact and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself even though it wasn't a full game! Brett says I am really tough on the players and really expect perfection beyond what most people would on day 3.... what can I say? I expect his guys to play tough, go full speed, and HIT SOMEBODY! I found this video showing some drills from today's practice. Brett is live in action! I am so excited about the season and I really am looking forward to seeing his players grow in this new offense and win some games this fall! Enjoy the Guys and "Coach G" in action! GOOOO EAGLES!

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About Time!

2010-03-22T20:25:00.004-04:00

First of all, I know it has been almost a month..... I have a lot of fun things to share and, well, I left my camera with my pictures on it in Gulf Shores last week and I am waiting for it to be mailed so I can upload the fun for you to see! We just got back from Spring Break and I personally came back with a bundle of new fabric and projects in mind. So the next blog will be a Spring Break flashback, but this one today is a flash forward!

This is my first Georgia Southern Football Update.... Get ready Statesboro!

Spring Practices kicked off today in the Boro! "Coach G" has officially been working with the B-backs and since he coached the same position last year it has been a little easier transition for us and he is able to pick up teaching the new offense without having to adjust to coaching a different position.

I left work and headed to the grocery store and happened to drive by the practice field and saw the blue and white on the turf! It was exciting! I feel like we are so close to the new season and I am pumped!

We are finally getting a little more settled in and our weekends will be way less hectic with no trips planned! I am so glad to have some down time on the weekends so I can finish unpacking the house and get things in order.

Sorry the update is short and sweet.... but there will be more later!

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before and Bath-fter part 2!

2010-02-26T12:08:00.008-05:00

The second bathroom was not as hard in the wallpaper stripping area.... I started the prepare the paper and when I removed a tub strip the owners had put on the top (you may see it in the shower picture below) it all started to peel off with no water or preparation! I ended up stripping the paper in this bathroom by hand, but then I had to learn how to repair sheetrock giving me another home improvement skill on my resume! The wallpaper was off-white with a watermark pattern.... not too offensive, but the paint looks way better!

I went back to my play-it-safe roots and went with a khaki color for this room. I figured, it's the master bath of a house we are renting so I wanted to keep it pretty neutral so it would still be a room that they wouldn't have to change. I love it!
Now my dillema is that I have a shower curtain in my guest bath that has tan and black in it... do I move the guest bath curtain and rugs into the master? Then my Green curtain that is currently in the master wouldn't go with the blue bath. Then I would have to buy a new shower curtain. Oh decisions, decisions! For now, I am just glad I got the bathroom painted and clean! Now on to the rest of the house!
Master Bedroom is in the works. Pictures should be ready soon!

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Too Cute!

2010-02-26T10:46:00.005-05:00

About a year ago, I made these really comfy... and, in my opinion, very stylish pillows for the bench that was on our deck in the apartment. Max has a really big outdoor bed and so he never sat on my bench. Now we have the bench and his bed on the back deck and I can usually find him enjoying outside on his bed!

Today, I let him out in the backyard and totally forgot he was there because a repairman showed up at the door. When I relized he was still outside I looked out the window to see if he was on his bed. I didn't see him and after scanning the entire yard, I started panicking! I walked out the door and felt someone looking at me.... It was the cutest sight ever! He had decided to jump up on the bench to get in the warm sunlight! I had to share it!

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Could Statesboro be our Funny Farm?

2010-02-24T22:37:00.003-05:00

Ever watch the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase? If you haven't, you need to! It is a classic 80's comedy... which to me are timeless! Andy and his wife move to the country and leave the big city. Everything seems to go wrong for them... and on top of that they have a looney mailman that throws their mail out the window as he speeds by the mailbox!

With that being said.... Brett and I have come home a few times to our mail strewn all over the yard. The mail included his new driver's license, 2 checks, hospital bills, W-2 forms, and credit card offers basically identity theft waiting to happen!

So I have come to the conclusion that whoever is doing this must be prosecuted... turns out it might be a kid getting off the bus. I say try them as an adult because they are committing a felony, Brett says they would never do that to a kid for throwing mail. Let's just say, I am a little more intese about this vandalism than he is. We have, however, set up a camera to see who the little vandal is so they can pay!

I leave you with a clip from Funny Farm.... just to show you what my yard looks like when I come home!

Before and Bath-fter

2010-02-20T19:36:00.004-05:00

A promise is a promise..... no matter how long it takes! I have been working on getting our house unpacked and organized and orderly and it of course, is taking me longer than I hoped. But I have decided, now that I have started working full time, that I will make one room my focus each week and then slowly but surely will be finished! hopefully!

So on to room one! as you can see, I have cleverly indicated which room we will start with - the guest bath! Coincidentally this room is my favorite in the house now. When we looked at the house, I asked if I could paint the bathrooms because the wallpaper just didn't match my bath stuff or my personal taste! They told us that would be fine as long as I stripped the wall paper..... Easy enough, I thought. First off, if you ever watch those youtube instructionals on stripping wallpaper, they are messing with you when they say it is easy and then show you how easy it is! Let's just say, Amanda almost quit until her husband accused her of being a quitter. So lets just say, I got a little fired up and continued with the challenge!

When it came to picking out the paint, the problem is, sometimes I am not so sure of my personal taste! normally I would have been very plain, neutral, and safe. But I chose a color way more bold than I ever thought I would be. (PS, the color probably isn't that bold for most people but it was definitely a gamble for me!) Hope you enjoy the extreme home makeover photos. I also included the view of my hallway from the bath and from the foyer because it is one of the few walls that has art on them! More to come... once I get motivated to keep cleaning!

The guest bath with the wallpaper still on...

The transformation.... our vanity! You'll notice the two mirrors are different. I had the white mirror in my apartment and thought it would be really cute with this fun color!

The shower and toilet area...
The view from the entrance....The view of our hallway from the foyer.... I hung the pics on the wall myself!View down the hall from the bath entrance.....So, this concludes my first installment of the house before and afters! I hope you enjoyed it! I really enjoyed putting it together!

Snow day!

2010-02-15T21:23:00.004-05:00

Friday night we saw a huge snowfall in Statesboro! We had at least 4 to 5 inches in our yard! Brett and I made a snow family in the front yard and then camped out in front of the fireplace for the night! I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pictures of our home and the beautiful scenes in our neighborhood!

Our new house covered in snow...

The field across from our yard...
The quiet lake across from our yard looked so peaceful surrounded by the snow!
Looking down the street from our house... such a cool view!

Lastly, our snow family! Max was so freaked out by them..... he thought the snowdog was real!

What a cool gift God gave us on Friday! I didn't realize how much I miss having enough snow to make snow angels and snowmen! Brett and I had so much fun playing around!

So good it will make you wanna slap yo mama!

2010-02-12T10:14:00.009-05:00

(record scratch..... ) Ok.... so this isn't exactly what your happy family outing should look like.... physical violence should never be the answer...slapping your mama is not the way to honor her but it was so dang good I couldn't help myself!

Alright, you are wondering what in the world this is about.... Mom, Dad, and I were at home in Statesboro unpacking and vinyl laying (more on that in a later post!) needing a fun day and decided to take a trip to Savannah for the day where we visited it's most famous present day resident... Paula Deen! We got to town, found the city market and headed to put our name on the list at her restaurant The Lady and Sons.

After an hour wait (at lunch on a Tuesday) we were sent up the elevator to the 3rd floor dining room where happiness awaited us! The tea is perfect right down to the sprig of mint in the glass! You can order off a menu or do a country buffet, we elected to do the buffet....

This is of course before I knew what would hit me... I am sitting calmly with my perfect tea waiting to savor every bite of this infamous food!

1) Biscuits.... WOW!! SO GOOD! (ps: to my left you will notice a pancake as well... you get both and they are unlimited!)

2) Fried Chicken... WOW!! LITERALLY BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES!

3) Banana pudding and gooey butter cake...... WOW!! I'M STUFFED BUT THIS DESSERT IS SO GOOD I HAVE TO EAT IT!

Needless to say, we needed some Paula Deen store time to work off all that amazing food! Now, if you ever have frying pans that you want to throw out, here is a tip: Make them into a gate!

Mom felt right at home like we had been invited!

Dad... being forced to take yet another picture! But we couldn't leave without snapping one with the "Lady" herself!

What perfect food and a great day! PS: I know I have been slacking on the posting.... I have been documenting what has been going on in pictures so know it has just taken a while to get our house in order so I can justify doing more than facebook status updates! Before and afters on the house in our next adventure in the Boro!

Settling in....

2010-01-29T16:57:00.002-05:00

ok, I know this post is incredibly late, and like you have the time to keep checking to see if I have updated! (this is my delusional side thinking people actually read what I type!)
So we have officially moved into our new house which I LOVE! It isn't clean or put together completely, but I PROMISE I will be posting some before and afters!
Lately my projects have included putting down new vinyl in the laundry (this is because I am renting and do it yourself is easier and cheaper with vinyl instead of tile!) and stripping the wallpaper in both bathrooms so I can paint them a decent color instead of look at the hideous patterns for the next few years!
I feel disconnected to the world lately. Even though I have had access to the internet, I have stayed away because it can consume me and I will never get done with anything! I finished my wallpaper stripping and felt like I needed to reward myself with some blog time so here I am!
Brett has been on the road recruiting and I have been here in Statesboro trying to get things accomplished. I can get a box unpacked but actually putting things away where I want them is tripping me up! Brett usually gets back late in the week and we are off to recruiting dinners and happy hours and banquets... usually at different tables and not spending much time together! today will be the last day he travels until April and I am so happy we will have some time off together before I start my new job! Things have moved so fast that I can't keep track of how long I have been here and I have really enjoyed the down time to work on projects!
Sewing has taken a back seat lately but I will be doing some projects I will update you on soon!
Hope you have had a great January! More to come!

best of the BEST!

2010-01-11T00:33:00.004-05:00

I just got settled back into Atlanta for the next 2 days before I say goodbye to it and everyone I love here for good! Yesterday was a looooong day! We were so blessed to get movers paid for by Georgia Southern.... I don't know what I would do if we had to physically move ourselves! We boxed up for a week straight and I was still boxing for about 2 hours on the day of the move! If you ever need a great mover and are moving from Atlanta or from place to place in the city check out Best of the Best movers!
Anyway... we finally paid and tipped them at 1:30 am and I couldn't get to sleep! Today we slept in and were starving since we barely ate anything the whole day before! we got up and realized that no one had breakfast anymore... so we hit RJ's a local steak and seafood place in the 'boro and had the Sunday lunch buffet.... and what I would call the best black eyed peas I have EVER had! I stuffed myself on home cooked veggies before I even tried the AMAZING dressing and turkey, fried chicken, and roast beef! SOOOO GOOD! My favorite part, the waitress put a full pitcher of Diet Coke on the table for us to get our own refills! It was the best!
We then hit walmart and lowes picking up some things and food for the new house and most importantly.... fire wood for our amazing fireplace! we then worked to unpack boxes and had a surprise visit from a neighbor down the street. He filled us in on some of the neighborhood 411 including who our neighbors are, what they do for a living, pets that will stop by for a treat, and open invites to join them for oysters in the winter and seafood dinners in the summer!
God has been so giving to us in the moving process. He has provided us with open doors, signs, and confirmations that Statesboro is the place He wants us! I am so thankful for the peace He has given me through this process! I can't wait to get back there for good and start to get settled! I will get internet on Thursday and will begin to update you on our adventures in the Boro!

no sass from you

2010-01-08T18:38:00.003-05:00

So, I am beind on the blogging because I am up to my ears in boxes, packing tape and well.... procrastination! Tomorrow we are moving to Statesboro! So excited and so exhausted, I really can't wait! I just wish I had my house packed without having to pack it! I have so many random bits and pieces to put in boxes and can't get motivated to put them together!

well, once we get settled, more like next week, I will update you on the new house, the new city, and the new chapter in our lives!

so don't sass me for being behind on the blog ok?

Happy New Year! Or maybe not new at all.....

2009-12-30T11:42:00.002-05:00

January 1, out with the old, in with the new. This date usually represents the chance to start over for most people. The calendar has ended and we have flipped back to the beginning of the 12 pages to start our book over.... or to start a new chapter in the book of our lives. I never really tried to make a resolution or try to make changes just because it was January 1st. Over this past year I tried to add new skills, freshen up old ones, and make life changes all through the months. I usually have a goal and at one point a switch flips and I decide... well maybe today I will start that!
One thing that remains constant is God and His law and His unfailing love for us. With a new year, we don't see a change in the rules He has set forth in our lives... we may see a change in our response to those rules!
1 John 1:5-6 I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.
It is hard to look at the New Year and not decide to make changes in our lives. The one constant, however, must be that we follow Gods commands, showing love to one another. When we submit ourselves in obedience to God, our motives change and we ultimately follow His commands rather than submit to the desires and temptations of our flesh. When we start to walk in His commands, we begin to treat others with the Love God has for us. We start to show Him to others, rather than our earthly selves.
This new year, make a resolution to put God and his commands first.... the relationships with others and with Him will grow and you will ultimately change....isn't that what resolutions are about? Becoming a better person? When you make God the basis for all your behavior, everything else will fall in line.
I hope you have a happy new year... and ultimately find the new life God has waiting for you when you surrender your life to Him and receive the change He has in store!

Reaching your world from your home

2009-12-18T13:37:00.002-05:00

When I reflect on the Christmas story, something that is unique stands out to me. Jesus was a perfect example to follow when we reflect on our own abilities to make a difference in the world. Jesus' presence affected people from all over the world just through His birth. He was lying in a manger.... growing up at home and people from His hometown to people from the far east came to worship and see the Messiah and were affected by His life even as a baby! Sometimes we are limited in our ability to go and preach the gospel and help those in need.... but there are people out there that do the traveling and the preaching and the giving of time, food, and love that you can support in order to share the message of Jesus and His love for all mankind!

This month my church is focusing on how to go All In. I hope you will make an effort to find a ministry that touches your heart, reaches those in need, and ultimately shares the message you want to share: Jesus and GIVE to those doing the work!

Here is one video from Action Sports Outreach a faith based non profit committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ with the world using action sports demonstrations and media. ASO was founded by pro BMX rider Vic Murphy.

Letting the cat out of the bag!

2009-12-14T22:21:00.004-05:00

I got a call on the way to work today from another coaches wife saying, "uh, we have been following this Georgia Southern message board and noticed Brett's name on it... you might want to consider switching it to private because as of 9:00 am it has been viewed over 250 times!" I was panicking! I called Brett, I said, "was I not supposed to say anything?" He said, "well, since I am already out recruiting and telling coaches and players that I work at GSU I think you can tell people! The only 'official' thing we are waiting on is my background check!"

So, I checked my blog tonight and I had over 1000 hits and the message board thread has been viewed over 1400 times! The comments are very positive and it even encourages me more about the upcoming season! It also confirms to me that we have been given a very special opportunity at a very sports supportive school!

I did laugh, however when I noticed that someone thought I had "let the cat out of the bag!"

Check out the thread at The Flight Line scroll down to see "Brett Gilliland"

Eagle Nation, we are so excited to meet you soon! So glad to be coming to a school with such an amazing spirit!

Speaking of Spirit, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and can capture that spirit and use it for good! Check out this post for some amazing ministries that can use some support for the amazing things they are doing in the country and across our globe! If you have other organizations this holiday season that could use some support, please share their site with me and I will update the post!

Change your world

2009-12-13T22:54:00.004-05:00

This month in church we have been talking about "all in" finding ways to give all of yourself to make a difference in your world. I had a chance to sing a special song that looks at this conflict we have within ourselves. Finding ways to give while fighting off the negative thoughts that plant the seed of doubt in our mind is a hard challenge.... but all that matters is you start! check out some links I have put below! These are organizations/ministries that I have either worked with or have heard about that make a huge difference in our own backyards as well as around the world! I hope that in this season of giving you find a way to give to others and not just to yourself! If you have another ministry that I can list, or you have given to any of these links, please let me know by commenting below!

Action Sports Outreach

Bridge of Hope

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Early Christmas Present

2009-12-13T18:21:00.003-05:00

It's official! I have been waiting to share the news... but Brett has accepted and started a job as a FULL TIME Position coach with Georgia Southern Football! We are getting very excited about the next step in our lives as we start the transition from Atlanta to Statesboro, Georgia! Looking for a place to live and a new job are now on my to do list in addition to working full time in Atlanta. I have been looking forward to this new step but I am sad to leave Atlanta! I will keep you posted in the next months with all of our exciting news... I just hope I am not without internet for too long once we actually move!

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement over the 4 years we have been at Tech!

ACC Championship Highlights!

2009-12-11T21:50:00.001-05:00

We are the champions!

2009-12-11T21:16:00.008-05:00

So, here is the ACC Championship update! WE WON!!!! Here are some highlights from the weekend!

Here is my scoreboard. Brett had a whiteboard at Tech that he wrote his schedule on. I made it my job to write the score to every game I attended on the board and some of the guys in the office put the away game scores up for me! This last weekend I put down the ACC Championship score! What a cool way to finish out the regular season!

Had to snap a pic with Jon Dwyer at the hotel!

Recognize this guy? He sang the national anthem and he also had been the singer of the ACC's theme song this year! His name is James Otto!

James Otto's ACC video:

Me and my friend Melanie on the field after the big win with Buzz... Her husband is also a coach for Tech!

Brett and Jon for the last time!

So excited to get on the field for the cermony and snap a pic with my hubby!

Catching up with the champions at the bus!

My Mother-in-law, the fearless one snapping a pic with the Head coach!

I can't thank you enough!

2009-12-09T10:38:00.003-05:00

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

Ever get a gift so big that you are left breathless in surprise? You start to try to catch that breath and turn it into gratitude so fast you can't think straight! You cry, you laugh, you are overwhelmed and then with a big hug or a big smile you look the person who gave you that gift in the eye and tell them, "I can't thank you enough...."

I look at my life and my relationship with God and, while I am confident in Him to take care of me, I think I sometimes confuse my confidence with expectance of Him to take care of me. I sometimes forget to say Thank you to Him because with this confusion I think He is just doing His job..... Taking care of me. But I started to reflect on Thanksgiving this year and the ways we say thank you nowadays and the one way I feel that we should be constantly using is "I can't thank you enough!!!" Isn't this how we should live our lives in Christ? I should be walking around and with every other breath be thanking God for everything I do have and everything that I will have sooner or later, and everything that He has done for, in, and around me and my circumstances! I can't thank Him enough!

Look at what Jesus did for us! He sacrificed His life, died by taking on all the sin in the world past, present, and future. He did this so we could spend eternity with Him! Can you believe someone loves you so much that they would take the death sentance for your evil ways just so they could be with you forever? I can't imagine! I can't thank Him enough! I can never stop thanking Him because the earthly life I cling to so foolishly was what He gave up so we could be together forever!

As a coaches wife, there is more than just uncertainty! As I spoke with another wife last night she told me, "never think you're weird because this is a weird profession and if you feel your husband was called to coaching, know that you have a calling to be a coaches wife and sometimes being a coaches wife is weird!" Aside from uncertainty and weirdness, there is a backwards standard that people in any other walk of life can't understand exactly! Being able to come to terms with the weird and the good that coaching brings to life is something I can't do on my own! Going to God in prayer and petition and THANKSGIVING will be the only thing that will get anyone through the uncertain, happy, distraught, elated, and bland times in our lives!

The verse above states, "His love endures forever" No matter what situation I am in, I should praise and thank Him for nothing, in advance, and constantly because through this I experience His love which endures (def: To suffer patiently without yielding, To carry on through, despite hardships) Forever!

I hope you can't thank Him enough! I hope you will take time to find ways in your good and bad situations and emotions to be overwhelmed with gratitude towards our Lord and Savior! (for example if a UGA fan is giving you trouble, be thankful that He gives you peace so you, through your anger and disappointment, didn't punch them in the face! - A little quote from Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson)

Have a wonderful Holiday season! Enjoy the family and happiness the vacation time can bring! Remind yourself as you sing, "o come let us adore Him" that you can't thank Jesus enough for what the season really is about!

quickie update!

2009-12-09T10:06:00.002-05:00

So, I know I have been MIA for a couple of weeks! Especially on the football updates! The end of the season is hard because you have to pay attention to all the junk you have to get together for holidays, etc! so, I am not out of it, just have a lot of news and pictures to share and am trying to process it and get it out to you quickly!

Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving and hope you are ready for a Wonderful Christmas!

Amanda

Thanks in advance....the Faith of Thankfulness

2009-11-24T19:50:00.007-05:00

Have you ever said to someone, "Thanks in advance for...."? For you to say thanks to someone means they have helped you in some way and to do it in advance shows strong confidence in the person to deliver the desired end result before it happens. Why is it that we can do this with people but when it comes to trusting God it is so painful to let go and let Him do His work with our complete confidence in Him? I really think this is the area in my life that God is working on lately - The Faith of Thankfulness. To me, this means having complete surrender to God's control in your situation and feeling gratitude before you see the end results.

Colossians 2:6-7 says "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Reflecting on my relationship with Jesus I see how it feels so natural to have faith in Him as my savior. As time goes on, it becomes difficult to remember that feeling and we can allow sinful thoughts to enter our minds and we become doubtful in His all-knowing command of our lives. In Colossians, Paul reminds the church that the faith that prompted them to receive Christ must continue to be the center of their relationship with Him. Persevering and staying faithful in Christ and trusting our lives in His hands will allow us to grow stronger in Him. Day by day this will cause us to overflow with gratitude and thankfulness. The verse above doesn't say "and in the end you will be thankful" It says that as you continue to live in Him, you will be overflowing with thankfulness.

We need to remember that our appreciation for what God will do in our lives must come while He does it! We miss out on some of our relationship with Him if we don't allow the thankfulness to be part of the daily experience of growing in Him! Thank Him for what He has done, thank Him daily for what He is doing, and thank Him in advance for what He will do!
Thank you Jesus for where you will take me and my family this minute, this month, and this year and in the years to come! Thanks in advance for all You will continue to do!

Here's Your Sign... College Gameday edition, Week 12

2009-11-23T22:37:00.006-05:00

Whew.... what a quick season! We are heading into week 13 this weekend and it still feels like we just finished week 3! It doesn't seem like we should be coming up on our last regular season game! So.... one more week of college gameday signs to come after today!

Starting off, I would like to say that the setting is Arizona, and we saw at least 2 Roll Tide signs and then, I spotted this fun sign!

It says SEC OOC (out of conference) Schedules... so easy a caveman can do it! They obviously feel that the SEC didn't challenge itself this year with the few games they played against opponents not in their conference. I would disagree with at least one of these opponents, Virginia Tech Played Alabama early in the season and they truly are a tough team, I have seen them in person!

Fun cut down using current events: I'd rather have the swine flu than go to Oregon!

Oregon's Head Coach... theUgly Duckling!

Say No to Quack was everywhere!

There were lots of signs that had reference to Nintendo's Duck Hunt Game!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we see several fun thanksgiving signs!

This week.... Spanksgiving!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Highlight Thursday! Ga Tech vs. Duke

2009-11-19T08:10:00.000-05:00

Highlight Thursday?

2009-11-18T22:28:00.004-05:00

Ok, so last week I didn't have the highlights from our game against Wake Forest. It was just added to YouTube yesterday so I have to share it today so I don't get too far behind!

Enjoy the highlights from the most talked about Over Time in the ACC and the country last week!

Georgia Tech 49, Duke 10

2009-11-18T22:17:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday Georgia Tech clenched the ACC Coastal Division Champions! After 4 Quarters, Georgia Tech had racked up 7 touchdowns by a variety of players including Richard Watson and Jon Dwyer, 2 of Bretts Running backs! Our back ups were in by the 3rd quarter and the fans were waiving a flag that said Tampa Bound!

So, now 2 challenges stand between the Jackets and the Orange Bowl and a potential top 5 finish in the BCS standings!

So the saturday after Thanksgiving at 8 eastern the Jackets kick off to their arch-rivals UGA... and then on December 5th:

See you then!

Here's your sign...College Gameday edition, Week 12

2009-11-18T09:45:00.011-05:00

No.... I promise I haven't quit. Not that there are many people out there reading this anyway! I don't know what it was, but Brett ended up home not long after I got off work so we watched all the primetime football games and I didn't get through my signs until yesterday! We have been so busy this week so now I have found some quiet time to post my signs and an update on a very important game weekend for Georgia Tech and a busy week!

Now.... for the signs, there were tons of signs in Fort Worth to choose from!

The quarterback at TCU was referenced to be "ginger-topped" meaning red headed.... we see some clever signs using this media induced nickname and some other player's names.

TCU is proud of their purple

So the story on TCU is that they are in a non-BCS qualifying conference. This means that it is much harder for them to get into a BCS game and the National Championship even if they are UNDEFEATED... which they are! You can tell the frustration from crowd through their demands for a visit to the national championship!

Got BCS?

Re-naming the school:

Your QB is not Cute!

The Utes eat poop.... so mature!
I like this country music sign! Carrie Underwood for Heisman!

Still referencing the BCS....With a fun visual aid!

Fun with the iFrog.... there's a sack for that!

Some Texas Rivalry going on!

Fun use of School letters and Mascot!

Here is the horned frog hand gesture!

Corso is the frog prince!

Fun Times with Rhymes!

Highlight Thursday.... season update!

2009-11-12T21:27:00.007-05:00

So, we don't have the highlights for Wake Forest yet.....but I thought about all the great games we played and realized that I didn't start posting highlights until I stumbled across the work of our video team after the huge upset of Virginia Tech! I went back through Ramblin Wreck Tube and found all the videos from the games we won! How about you vote for your favorite?

(including the previous videos I posted found under the hot topic Georgia Tech Gameday)

Enjoy!

Jacksonville State September 5, 2009 (Win 37-17)

Clemson September 10, 2009 (Win 30-27)

North Carolina September 26, 2009 (Win 24-7)

Mississippi State October 3, 2009 (Win 42-31)

Florida State October 10, 2009 (Win 49-44)

Thanks for Nothing.....

2009-11-11T19:35:00.003-05:00

"Thanks for Nothing!" Ever say this phrase? I was trying to think about thankfulness and somehow the phrase came to mind. I started thinking about how we spend a lot of time asking God for what we want and what we think we need hoping He will say OK and make it happen. One of the Coaches wives at Tech and I were talking this summer about God and how He chooses to answer our prayers. She recalled a sermon Johnny Hunt (Woodstock Baptist) gave on this topic. He said that there are different types of answers God can give: Yes, No, and Wait. When you hear the "no" answer or even the "wait" it can leave you feeling let down. But when I look back on the situations that God didn't provide in the way I had asked for, I am more thankful that I am not in control! Knowing that God doesn't listen to my choice for His answer is so comforting because I definitely don't know what is best for me... so God, Thanks for nothing!

There is another way the "thanks for nothing" phrase is used. It is when God allows us to stay in the midst of a situation that is particularly painful in order to draw us closer and become more dependent upon Him! God allowed Satan to affect Job, Paul had been allowed to receive a thorn/messenger of Satan to keep him from boasting. In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul discusses his thorn. He even begged God to take the thorn from Him 3 times. But God knew what was best and, while God didn't say "wait" or "no" He answered "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9a) This answer provoked the response from Paul that God expected and desired. Paul's response: "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12: 9b-10) Isn't this an amazing resolve from someone who is in the middle of being tormented by Satan? What an experience to be in a fire that is so intense you are begging to be removed from it, then be able to look back on it and say I will delight in any hard knock life gives me because I have already experienced the worst torment and I have learned that through these bumps and bruises I become stronger in Christ Jesus! Sometimes we just don't want to bear the situation we are in and want God to just take it away! This portion of scripture was one that resonated with me from early on in my life. What an amazing outlook on life! I will boast all the more GLADLY about my weaknesses, persecutions, difficulties, hardships and even insults! Most of us try to hide our weaknesses but Paul boasted about them! We should all be boasting about our trials - they make us rely upon Jesus in a way that goes above and beyond prayer! We cling to Him, we completely focus on Him, we are in constant conversation with Him, we practice His Presence, we realize His purpose for our life!

Jesus, "Thanks for Nothing"... because if You took me out of the fire and chose the "yes" answer I would pick, I wouldn't be able to boast in Your power becoming perfect in my weakness! "Thanks for Nothing"

Georgia Tech 30, Wake Forest 27

2009-11-08T12:43:00.008-05:00

Georgia Tech faced a big challenge yesterday. We were two games away from the ACC championship game. We control our own destiny... which feels like such a cliche thing to say but it's true. We had to beat Wake Forest yesterday and next week we have to beat Duke. I was so nervous for the players and coaches. This was a huge game. A game that many would think would be easy, but I knew that it was a game that should be taken seriously and I worried that the focus may not be there because so many people thought it should be an easy game. I had confidence but was still a little scared for the team. We started off strong on defense and made some big plays on offense but somewhere in the first half the game became a struggle. I could even feel the lack of intensity in the crowd. Usually the crowd and the team can feed off of one another and build each other up with their energy and I just didn't feel it in the stands like I have in the past few games. The one thing that stood out to me about the team was that they proved to themselves that when they are facing enormous pressure, they can overcome it and they didn't fold! I was so proud of the guys toughing it out and defeating one of the toughest teams in the ACC! Now we have one more challenge... the Blue Devils next week... Like I told Brett... we overcame the deamons, next week the devil!

Here are a few videos and pics from the game!

The flyover before kick-off

A big touchdown run for Jon Dwyer

We got pushed into Overtime. Jon took a moment and sent a prayer up prior to OT

Josh Nesbitt was faced with a huge 4th and 1 in the bottom of the 1st over time. Wake Forest had scored a field goal on the first posession of OT and we could have kicked a field goal to tie it. Coach Johnson and the team chose to go for it and risk the game. We pushed through and got a 1st down.... what happened next:

A very happy "Bey Bey" Thomas and Tyler Melton with me after the game!

Ok, so I couldn't resist.... I was walking into the stadium and got stuck behind this image... I had to take a pic!Send up a prayer for the Yellow Jackets this week as we face our final big challenge on the road to the ACC Championship! I hope you have a winning week too!

Here's your sign... College GameDay Edition, Week 10

2009-11-08T11:28:00.011-05:00

In honor of upcoming Veterans Day, College GameDay was at the Air Force academy in Colorado for the Air Force Army Game. They opened the show with a tribute to the fallen soldiers in the tragedy at Fort Hood. The soldiers stood at attention in silence and 3 fighter planes did a fly over. Then the crowd went crazy! It was so moving.... ever notice how anything patriotic causes emotion to swell up inside of you?

This sign was great because it used ESPN call letters to remind us to thank our soldiers for their service to our country!

United States Department of Defense!

I loved the Lee Corso Signs!

Army's mascot is a group of mules....

Steelman is a player for Army... another shoutout to the gals I know that read twilight.

This sign made me laugh because I have a friend that went to Navy and the whole staff from Navy is at Tech now. The stories they have shared about the strict rules the academies have really made me wonder... is this sign just to be funny or were they really required to attend?

A fun academic joke... study hard or you'll end up at Army! This is a shout out for my mom... my Grandma's name is Mary Virginia...

I liked the feel of this sign.... It was referring to the undefeated and overrated team Iowa that lost yesterday!

So there were some signs for other schools: a couple Roll Tide signs, Go Gators signs... and this one was for Alabama's player Cody... and a reference to how LSU fans smell like Corndogs. I saved the best sign for last......You have heard of the controversy. Brandon Spikes a Florida Defensive player was caught on TV attempting to gauge out the eyes of a Georgia player. This makes me laugh... very clever! "Spikes 4 H"eyes"man" so funny!Have a great week!

Highlight Thursday! Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt 2009

2009-11-05T10:18:00.005-05:00

I loved this weeks highlight video, brought to you courtesy of the folks in the Georgia Tech video department! This was a big week for Jon Dwyer and the other running backs as well as our QB Josh Nesbitt and our Receivers! It seemed like everyone on offense had a time to shine! Hope you enjoy!

Giving thanks.... life lessons from pilgrims and indians

2009-11-04T23:10:00.002-05:00

So, I have decided that the blog has become more about football than I intended it! I haven't written about the things God has shown me in a while.... probably because I have been so obsessed with ESPN.com that I have overlooked those lessons He has been communicating to me! I figure since it is November and we have Thanksgiving coming up that I might focus a weekly post on the holiday.

Brett and I were sitting at a gas station and he saw smoke coming from the top of a car across the lot. I said... "that has to be someone smoking" Then I started my questioning: "who came up with the idea to take tobacco and smoke it?" Brett said, "The Indians" Then I was like, "Well, why would they even think smoking this would be good?" Brett said, "It was their crop" Then I said, "Where would they even begin to say, I like tobacco, maybe I should plant a full crop?" Brett said, "They lived off the land" Then I said, "How would you go about planting a crop back then, it's not like they had a Pike's nursery where they sold seed packets!" (then I imagined an Indian run nursery I think it was in a TeePee!.... PS, I know Indian is politically incorrect) Brett said "That's why the pilgrims almost died, They didn't know how to farm and the Indians showed them how." Then I said...."With corn and fish!" Brett said, "3 kernels of corn... and do you know what they used the fish for?" I had an idea, but I wanted to come up with something smarty pants and couldn't come up with anything... and then Brett said, "they used it for fertilizer." I tried to continue the whole "but why..." questioning and it didn't really last.

After all this quizzing, I thought, you know, just imagine, something totally unexpected and stinky turns into the food for the plant to grow and only a native can know and understand that there is a purpose for the fish! God provides us with our fish..does this make sense? No pun intended since we are talking about fertilizer, but, I can be going through the crappiest situation but God has put me there with that situation and it will eventually break down and bits and pieces of it will teach me something God has for me! I will grow leaps and bounds over what I would on my own. And I think about the 3 kernels of corn.... having those 3 kernels and the fish for fertilizer is like having God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the midst of my crappy situation it all comes together to create a fruitful plant! It takes someone native to the land to understand that the stinky and fishy things are important to help us grow and that it all comes together for a purpose!

How thankful are you for your fishy situations? Sometimes, I think we have that sigh of relief and try not to look back when we come through things. I hope we would become native to these situations and be able to look back on what we went through in order to understand the purpose of all the elements involved.... I am thankful we can! It is just a matter of choosing to! This teaches us so much about God and how He works things out for good for those who love Him! I am resolved to commit this month to looking at my situation and becoming more willing to understand the purpose of each element God has added to it! I hope you take the same opportunity!

GaTech 56, Vanderbilt 31

2009-11-01T22:53:00.003-05:00

So, Georgia Tech suceeded in defeating Vanderbilt this weekend and the second SEC team this season! It was a scary game with our defense playing a little shaky in the first half... but we came back out and scared up some points against their defense and Jon had a career high for total rushing yards in a game! What a great way to end the week!

So, I don't have any highlights or pictures yet.... I will have some great stuff to share once it surfaces on YouTube since Jon had some awesome runs and Bey Bey made some amazing catches and hits! For now I will leave you with the Georgia Tech football intro video. Have an amazing week and I will update you after Wake Forest next weekend!

Here's Your Sign.... College Gameday Edition, Week 9

2009-11-01T22:05:00.005-05:00

College GameDay was live from Eugene, Oregon for the big game between the Oregon Ducks and Southern Cal. This game was going to prove whether or not USC was overrated and if the Oregon Ducks were all they were Quacked up to be! Turns out that this was the case! Oregon stomped USC! Another fun thing was that College GameDay was on Halloween so there were some spooktacular signs and images!

This Mr. Potato Head actually was from the Oklahoma State Texas game but I thought it was so cute that I had to include it!

Now to the signs:

I picked out the Haloween festive signs... this sign below really pulls Halloween together with one of the fun facts about the Oregon stadium! Oregon has the loudest stadium per capita in the country and the loudest recorded sound in the stadium is 127 decibels!

I loved the Ghost on top of this sign and the use of the ESPN Call letters! Oregon Ducks Spook Trojans!

Boo.... using the Oregon logo!

R.I.P. USC was everywhere

The use of ESPN combined with the name of the stadium in Oregon

Creepy hand pointing to the sign holder!

Cute and Creepy costumes in the crowd

There were a lot of signs referring to the birth control method brand name... Trojans.... I chose to leave them out to keep things PG but there were some clever ones as you can see in the signs below.... but from the different signs we learn that Trojans break, leak, and are ineffective and beyond.

A shout out to my girl friends who read twilight.... Apparently the USC Quarterback reads it too!

A play on words using the Duck mascot.... I'm ducked up on quack!

It was a fun and frightening football Saturday for all.....Now on to November Madness!

Halloween of Love!

2009-10-31T22:17:00.004-04:00

Max and I had some fun on Halloween... he actually acted like he was looking forward to putting his costume on and going out into the cold rain... He of course got back to normal the minute I pulled my camera out! We got some good pictures though! I don't know how I came up with the idea, but I decided that Max would dress up like Flava Flav from Flavor of Love on VH1 and I would dress up like Brett Michaels from Rock of Love, also a VH1 show! (I honestly have never watched either show but I have seen the guys from the show and somehow the idea came together!) Enjoy the pics!

I made some gravestone cookies and some cupcakes for the Running Backs.... I hope they scare those commodores!

Whining doesn't turn it into a Win...

2009-10-29T17:05:00.005-04:00

Favorite news story of the week: Virginia Tech is a poor loser. This week the players and the coach at Virginia Tech really made a splash about officiating and the legality of blocking they encountered at the game they played against Georgia Tech. Weekly the teams and staff review their game and submit plays they think were incorrectly called or missed by the officials. This information is to be kept confidential and really is all about assisting the officials in becoming better at making correct calls..... The high amount of holding our defense has encountered from other teams this year and the low amount of flags on other teams really causes me some frustration and this week I feel some redemption.... while Virginia Tech was whining about our "illegal" blocks, we were submitting our own tape and they admitted that there were 6 times the Virginia Tech team Held Georgia Tech and the officials missed it! Maybe we will see more flags fly in our favor this season! I will leave you with Heather Dinich's article on this news story!

He-said-he-said in the Coastal
October 27, 2009 11:23 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich It hasn't quite reached Lane Kiffin's level yet, but Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson wasn't afraid to fire back at Virginia Tech after the Hokies made allegations that the Jackets used illegal blocks in their 28-23 win.

Johnson told the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Monday that the allegations were "a joke."

“That’s a joke,” Johnson said Monday. “Put the tape on and watch. Tyler Melton cracked the free safety. He doesn’t even block him. He shields him.

“They got out-schemed. So it’s illegal to out-scheme them, I guess.”

Zing! Oh, and P.S., Johnson said, the officials missed about a half a dozen holding calls on the Hokies. Wow, did Johnson just beat Virginia Tech again? Sounds like it ...

Highlight Thursday! GaTech vs. UVA 2009

2009-10-29T15:33:00.003-04:00

Here is the weekly highlight video courtesy of the amazing video team at Tech! They always have great editing, music, and effects! The video is so important in getting fans involved whether it is at the game or even during the week to get them excited about next Saturday. Our video staff does amazing and I can't wait to see what else is in store this season!

Just a note on this video: the importance of last weeks games for us and for Miami changed the dynamics of our side of the conference and hopefully for our season! The end of this video illustrates the shift of power the Yellow Jackets now have in our division of the ACC! Enjoy!

Ga Tech 34, UVA 9....Superstitions and the Curse is Broken!

2009-10-25T21:47:00.009-04:00

This weekend the forecast was a 90% chance of rain and many said a 50% chance of a Georgia Tech upset. The last time Georgia Tech won in Charlottesville, Virginia was in 1990 and they became national champions. The Jackets haven't won at UVA since. The College GameDay crew proved they haven't learned over this season to have a little faith in us as a team! Lee picked UVA to win! Not so fast my friend!

Georgia Tech was so gracious to let the coaches wives tag along for the trip. We got to go on the field with the team the day before the game and they treated us to dinner! Here I am with all the ladies including Coach Johnson's wife and Daughter on the UVA field!

The topic of conversation among the wives was superstitions and traditions. One of the wives wears a gold and diamond football pin to every game... the only game she missed wearing it to was the Miami game where we lost... she hasn't forgotten it since. Many families always eat the same food or at the same restaurants on Thursday night. One family will not cook, but will not sit at a restaurant... they have to go out, get food, and bring it home! Many of the women talked about how their husbands have the same routine for home games and away... including phone calls to family members before the game. Some women shared that their husbands have to wear the same suit to the game, or the same clothes on gameday all the way down to socks and underwear... Laundry takes up a lot of their time just for gameday! One superstition we discussed before the game was that we won the last wives trip game last year! And so the superstition lives on!
My superstitions and traditions are simple... I wear my gold Commitment necklace to every game. I wear my hair curled to the game. We always order St. Angelo's pizza, wings, and salad on gameday whether the team is home or away!

The colors in Virginia were beautiful

During the whole game it rained, it poured, the sun broke through, then it monsooned, then it was cloudy and quiet! We saw it all and were soaked in the process! But we had a blast! And, If I may say so... we look amazing...especially since we had just taken a 3 hour shower! Thank you Lord for letting that person figure out waterproof mascara!

Finally, as we made our way to the plane at the end of the day, the sun was shining and the sky was so beautifully blue! It was the calm after our storm! Now we lead the Coastal Division and if we win out our season, we will be in the ACC championship game in Tampa on December 5th! We are one mile further down the road to Tampa! Next week we try to scare up some points on Halloween night at Vanderbilt!

Here's Your Sign... College GameDay Edition, Week 8

2009-10-25T20:37:00.009-04:00

Just over the shoulders of the College GameDay crew and crowd we see the beautiful mountains and the pride of BYU prominently stated on it's slopes. College Game day took us to Utah for the TCU vs. BYU game. This game was important for both teams. They are in the Mountain West conference which does not automatically qualify for a BCS bowl like an SEC or an ACC conference(to name a couple) would. Both teams are ranked in the top 20 of the BCS and TCU is undefeated (still after yesterday's game)... so a lot was riding on yesterday because if there aren't enough teams in automatic qualifying conferences for the BCS Bowls, these teams have a shot to get in on a big postseason game. Boise State is also one of the teams in the Mountain West in the running for a BCS bid... making this a wild conference!

We see a fan having fun with Boise State's name and mascot!

Speaking of the BCS..... Most people are against it. If you aren't familiar, the BCS standings are a computer generated ranking system based on several factors including the USA Today and Harris Polls as well as some tangible factors such as strength of schedule. The reason people are against it is because it seems unfair to let a computer decide what team is better especially since you have some undefeated teams... like TCU... that never get close to the national championship. The solution that keeps coming back is a playoff system. This has become even a focus of political concern as our president has looked at getting a congressional committee together to enforce a playoff system in NCAA Football. College football final even addressed this. It seems logical... the country is really quiet, we aren't at war, we have a booming economy,most countries in the world love us... so he can really focus on the more important things going on in our nation! (sense my sarcasm? I hoped you would!)

Anyway, I am sure that one day we will work out a good system that people will still find unfair and then start all over again! The reason I bring this up is because I found some signs that will reflect this mindset.

Bribery Corruption Scandal = BCS

Favorite use of School Letters:

Favorite use of Call letters for ESPN (Unga is one of the BYU players)

Fun times with Mascots! This one is hard to see but it says "Why eat the legs when you can eat the whole FROG?"

TCU's mascot is the Horned Frogs which apparently is enough of a cut down for this fan to state it plain and simple...It definitely made me laugh!

BYU's mascot is a cougar and apparently so is Erin Andrews...maybe in about 20 years!

And the award for funniest and most shocking sign goes to the guy who left his wife in the delivery room to get on College GameDay...I can imagine why she wouldn't want him around while she is trying to give birth!

And now the school academics and honor system grace their own signs! At least BYU is #1 in Accounting!So, I guess according to BYU's honor code, It's OK to screw with some things! I know this sign is a little PG-13 but I had to include it! Coming from Samford where we called it a values violation, I appreciate it!

Fun times with Charlie Weis! He not only has eaten a sign this season... now he has eaten a whole team's defense!

Best use of a player's name... Pitta plays at BYU. "I Pitta the fool" showed up on several signs!

So, here's a shout out to one of my all time favorite movies... Talledega Nights: "I'm all jacked up on mountain dew!" Clever way to bring up the Mountain West Conference!

Saddest sign... you would think a college kid would have bigger dreams!

Typical college kid... they have no shame when asking for money... and clearly they will use all mediums including a sign on TV to ask for it!

And.... here is the Bama sign all the way out in Utah... not the only one I saw!

And... after a few very disappointing weeks for signs I was pleasantly surprised with the Mountain West fans in Utah!

Here is the sign that I would use! I love College GameDay! I love it! I really do!

Have a great week... see ya next GameDay!

All the way Turned up.....

2009-10-22T19:37:00.001-04:00

Full Highlight video of Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech

Defense and Offense get it "All the Way Turned Up"

GaTech 28, VaTech 23

2009-10-18T17:57:00.013-04:00

To say that the game last night was amazing is an understatement! The stadium was Rocking! The fans were on their feet and the team was jumping up and down and the ball was moving down the field! The air was chilled and at times there was a light mist rain falling but I would say that there was also magic in the air!Georgia Tech GameDay started out with excitement! I was so nervous for the team! Again, everyone that was picking on College GameDay picked wrong about our game... except the host Chris Fowler and he still went with Georgia Tech! Here's your sign... Georgia Tech GameDay edition: Me and the "Wreck"

Georgia Tech's Football Offices The madness on the field after our big upset! Eventually the students broke down the goal post and carried it out of the stadium and relocated it to the president's lawn!

It was so chilly at the game and even though we couldn't feel our fingers or our faces we got pretty warm knowing we just upset the number 4 team in the country!

Group Photo after the game!

Loving on my hunny in his office after the big win!!

Getting a picture with BayBay!

The fans storm the field after the big win!

The team gets fired up with the fans after we run a victory play!

Storming the field!

Lastly, here is the actual video that got our defense and our fans fired up!

Here's Your Sign.... College GameDay edition, Week 7

2009-10-18T17:40:00.004-04:00

College GameDay was in Dallas this week for the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma. There was a ton of people on the plaza outside the stadium cheering on their favorites including teams that weren't playing in Dallas! I even saw a VT flag flying proudly!

Half of GameDay was on the field in the stadium so we didn't get a great choice of signs but I still found a few great ones!

Fun sign about Charlie Weis

ChOKelahoma!
Great play on words using Heisman!
I love the current event reference.... came from Colorado in a balloon!

I love the creative signs that use the TV call letters!

purpose vs. profession

2009-10-16T09:05:00.003-04:00

I often dwell on the question, "what is my purpose?" It has been the focus of some posts in the past... seems like football has taken over my blog. I guess that makes my header appropriate! Anyway, I have been facing some overwhelming response physically to stress. I am tired, fiesty as Brett calls it, so tense in my back and shoulders that I am in never ending pain, headaches, constant stomach pain. I basically have decided that if it hurts, it is stress.
I have started to read the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. The whole focus of the book is about how love should be our focus. Love in the form of awe and wonder and adoration and praise of Jesus Christ. He says that our churches find themselves in a state of lukewarm attitudes so easily because the blending of society and "religion" and the mindset of tolerance and "not offending people" is the focus. The mindset churches need is one that calls out sin in our lives and focuses on God's glory and falling in love and creating a relationship with Him.
So... "what is my purpose?" Well my purpose is to Love and Adore Him more than anything else in my life. This will spill over into loving and looking forward to the chances to love Him. I used to think it was all about what job or function we performed on earth. God has made it truly clear to me that my job, my profession, whatever it may be, is only the vehicle in which He provides financial support for me and my family. Some people's vehicle for God's provision could be a cash for clunker car or it could be a tricked out Lexus with a reserved space at Braves games! What my profession is should not define who I am supposed to be in Jesus Christ.
Francis Chan is a pastor! He said that he would get so worked up about little crises that would pop up at church (work for him) and it would consume his thoughts and his physical body. I can identify. Especially if you are someone who really cares about doing a job well (even if it isn't your dream job), you allow it to become part of you! But he came to realize that once he let everything go and saw the "profession" as God's way of putting food on his table, and stepped back and looked at everything from a big picture point of view it all changed.
At one point I was putting this into application on my day to day activities. I saw problems that arose as temporary and I made a point to go work out or something else in order to clear my mind and get it back on Jesus. I didn't take people's rude behavior as personal and in turn I didn't take that out on others. Lately I have fallen out of practice in this matter. My body has told me basically that I need to get back on the right page. I need to serve my purpose not my profession.

Georgia Tech 49, FSU 44

2009-10-11T17:25:00.011-04:00

To start with, I will give the College Gameday crew credit... they learn from their mistakes! Last time they made a prediction that Georgia Tech would lose they were wrong! This Saturday they got it right all across the board including the celebrity judge Drew Brees!

Game Time: It all started with a kick off and two touchdowns later lightning struck.After over an hour delay the game picked up right where we left off. The scoring was back and forth. It was my kind of game (when we aren't playing). I love an action packed game with high scoring! By 11 pm we had reached half time 3 hours after the start of the game!

Needless to say, it was intense....

We didn't know which Florida State Team would show up this week. The rolling wave of turmoil surrounding Bobby Bowden and the fate of his job had reached its breaking point as the entire FSU team and coaches walked arm in arm onto the field ready to bring it.

It was a true offensive showdown! We were praying that adjustments at Half time would make a difference and allow us to take control of the game. The defense came out in the second half looking more energized and making some big stops! The end result was we held FSU to it's first field goal giving us an opportunity to score and take control! The end result was that I ended up way past my bedtime and we pulled off a big win!

Here is a fun video recapping our game

Here's Josh Nesbitt rocking it on the field recovering a fumble and then taking it in for 6!Awesome job by Josh last night!

Here's Your Sign.... College Gameday edition, Week 6

2009-10-11T01:04:00.010-04:00

Today's College GameDay was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Death Valley for the LSU vs Florida Game. It was rainy but that didn't stop the sign makers in the bayou! Very proud to see the signs in full force unlike last week!

Today was the possible first game back for Tebow. I always knew he was going to play because I married a college quarterback who suffered several concussions in his day and I know the mentality of these crazy boys! I bet they had to hold Tebow back from the practice field... he was a caged animal ready to attack the next team in his way.... LSU. Great effort from Tebow and the team today! You could tell he was a little shell shocked from the hit heard round the world over and over again, but he played through it and will be a force to be feared in the games to come!

Now... to the signs!

This sign takes home the best ESPN Sign of the season so far!

Below are the signs that are focused on Tebow:

Random sign... but it was so strange that I had to include it!

Best Rhyme... notice the hand holding the sign... was Big Foot at College GameDay?

Fun reference to last weeks game between LSU and UGA. Pouring a little salt in UGA's wound! If you don't know what happened here we go: UGA Scored with a little bit of time left on the clock and was given an excessive celebration penalty. This gave LSU 15 yards on the kickoff. LSU drove down and scored leaving just under a minute on the clock and also receiving the same penalty. UGA couldn't produce a score and LSU won! UGA really acts like that 15 yards would have stopped the train running down the sidelines that scored the winning touchdown. Go ahead you big Babies... try to find any way to blame someone besides yourselves for the loss!

This sign gave me pause and I decided to include it and say thank you to all our service men and women for everything they do to keep us free!

Shout out to my home state on College GameDay!

This was so strange I had to include it.

Funny political reference....

So, to show how crazy Tiger fans are I included a few tailgate images from the broadcast. I know that they aren't signs but they are pretty funny!

Really? you spray painted your great dane with tiger stripes?!?

Tailgating Main Course: Gator

Happy Fall Y'All!!

2009-10-08T23:11:00.005-04:00

So... today I was getting ready and watching the weather channel... they mentioned a fall photo contest and I was intrigued. I have some really beautiful pictures of the tree outside my balcony and so I sat down to my computer and looked through the pictures I have. When I looked into it, they have categories including animals! I threw my camera and my puppy into the car and off we went to the pumpkin patch for some fun pictures! Below are my submissions to the contest! Check out the People's Choice page by clicking HERE... we are already on the front page with more votes than any other pet/animal! Help Max win his category by voting now!

Max and I say.... Happy Fall Y'All!

Here's Your Sign...College Gameday Edition Week 5

2009-10-04T18:23:00.007-04:00

Today's college gameday was a special one. The focus was Beat Cancer. Mark Herzlich, a defensive player for Boston College was diagnosed with a rare malignant bone cancer after last season. His story is remarkable! He did chemo and radiation and continued to work out even on days he had both treatments. On college gameday he was interviewed and announced that his cancer is gone and he will be playing next year. I cried.

So, It was pouring down rain at College Gameday. I was disappointed in the sign selection today. I found a few good ones, but I believe the other good ones were soaked and destroyed before the broadcast! Here are the few I found that were fun!

F-S-WHO? Very clever!

"We Take Our Own Tests"

Nice Cape Des..... I love the reference to the gameday commercial I posted last week.

Mark Herzlich as a robot!
Great ESPN sign!

So funny.... (Chris Ponder is the Quarterback at FSU)

Mark Herzlich's trademark facepaint!

Get sacked by Mark Herzlicious!

SERIOUSLY GEORGIA FAN? SERIOUSLY? YOU ARE IN BOSTON AT AN ACC GAME!!!!

Predictions....applying weatherman principles to football.

2009-10-03T08:14:00.006-04:00

So there is a chill in the air finally! Hopefully it will stick! There is a spark in the Georgia Tech Football team. They look refreshed, they look faster, and they look smarter: executing plays effectively! Hopefully it will stick!

I find weather tracking and predictions fascinating! Looking at radar and figuring out if it will or will not rain, how hot it could get, could we have colder weather, these are factors our weathermen analyze every day! They look at all the elements and finally settle on an overall forecast and even narrow it down to a temperature.

Football predictions can be the same way. You know the teams, you know their records, you know the players and then you settle on the outcome and even assign a final score. One of the blogs I really enjoy reading and I learn a lot about the ACC conference from is Heather Dinich's Acc Blog. Every week she makes predictions about how each team does in the conference.

I will leave you with her week 5 prediction:

"Georgia Tech 31, Mississippi State 28 -- The Bulldogs are playing well, but it’s not a stretch to say LSU is overrated, and they didn’t beat the Tigers anyway. Georgia Tech’s offense turned the corner against North Carolina and is finally reaching its stride now."

See you later today for Here's your sign....College Gameday Edition, Week 5! (can you believe we are almost halfway through the season?)

got ya covered!

2009-10-01T08:06:00.002-04:00

Last weekend I decided that my couch needed color. I had some khaki pillows that we got for our wedding that just were so dull but so comfortable. I wanted to find something that would tie in all my living room colors and still match my couch. I made these slip covers and I think they work perfect! I used this tutorial to make them if you are interested!

Have a happy Thursday!

Here's Your Sign ... College Gameday Edition Week 4

2009-09-27T13:23:00.011-04:00

So... another gameday has come and gone and I love watching the show after the football has been played and seeing if the ESPN "know-it-alls" have made accurate predictions!

This Picture gives me some happiness.... these are the predictions given by Desmond, Lee, and Kirk on Gameday yesterday for our game.... America, at least, got it right! And.... Desmond has sidestepped receiving my disdain that Mark May gets.... Everytime I watch College Football Final. Way to Go Des! You Got it right... NOT SO FAST CORSO!

So, Here are some tips for the sign holder below... and for all you looking to take signs out to college gameday.... As I have been watching the show there are certain tips I have even found helpful in getting your sign on tv:

1, don't use a colored sign unless it is a light color like yellow and you use thick black print... don't use colored ink unless it is a dark color on white back drop, and use big BIG letters!

2, look at the names of your opposing team's players. Look at the top player, think of play on words, think of immature or childish activities that you can accuse them of being part of (see the hannah montanna sign further down)

3, attack the academic credentials of the opposing team's school, talk about how even (insert someone stupid or goofy here) could graduate from there

4, Always cut down an ESPN person... preferably Mark May

5, Last, use classic jokes using the style of yo mama , you might be a redneck, or blonde jokes and insert the state, mascot, or just plain old name of the school (see the blue sign further down)

Maybe next time you will know what to write!

Shout out to my Parents from Happy Valley! Gary and Maria showed up on signs yesterday!

Ahhh.... they want a grandpa! Good Choice, a mulit-millionaire, one of the winningest coaches in college football, and he has some cool shades he can hand down when he is gone! Or, they are so poor up there at college that they need an old man in the same town to slip them some spending money like their regular grandpa does!

Sign that gets the Biggest Laugh Award:
Most Creative, using a picture

Most Creative Play on Words
Here is another nice play on words, using Corso's favorite phrase "not so fast..." and combining it with Penn State's Mascot a nittany lion! Funniest Statistic.... is this even a real stat? Who knows but It gets a Biggest Laugh honorable mention!

Is Joe Pa the angel or the devil on Chris Fowler's shoulder?

And... here is Joe's Back!

Best Cut Down...

Best Rhyme.... Stanzi (Iowa Player) is a Pansy!So, Let me explain this sign... it isn't funny but it is. You see, Early in the broadcast, there was a degrading and nasty sign having to do with Erin Andrews. As much as I show wifely jealousy over her picture with my husband... I respect what she does and believe she is one of the best female sideline reporters I have seen on tv. Also, because she is beautiful she is made the object of some horrible comments, actions, and now signs. I believe the bad sign belonged to this guy below. Thank you to ESPN for only allowing witty, fun, and family friendly signs on the air and removing the bad ones! This picture represents me laughing at him not with him!

Showing the love and devotion for Joe Pa.....

I am not so sure she could get it... but you never know!

So... this wasn't on College Gameday but we found this freak in the crowd on the field after the Virginia Tech and Miami Game.... Scary....
New Gameday commercial.... Desmond has a new silk cape

Georgia Tech 24, UNC 7

2009-09-26T19:07:00.007-04:00

As the Clouds settled over the City...we were watching some football through the falling rain. It was one of the funnest games I have gone to lately! Not a ton of drama... aside from referrees that apparently were mentally slow and had no knowledge of the rules of football....lots of fun scores, barely any sunshine or rain for most of the game making perfect fall temperature and family here to watch it all with me! With 4 minutes to go in the 4th quarter the rain started to downpour as UNC got the ball back....Kathy, Ronnie and I were covered in our ponchos, rain coats, and stil were getting soaked as we had to watch the defense stop the UNC offense. It was really exciting and lots of fun!

Talking over that last play.....
CPJ: Cheshire Cat or the Joker?
wait a second... he doesn't have his baby in there! That baby bjorn is inside out!

Kathy (my mother in "love") said, "look I need a necklace and earrings like that!
Quarterback sneak.....

Dancing Kiddo at the game!

Booing the refs after half time.... the bad call they made was before half time.

4th quarter dancin'... everyone does it!

These boots are made for.....

2009-09-21T23:37:00.002-04:00

So, these are my grandma's boots. They are real life cowgirl boots... and I don't know how to wear them.... I am not a cowgirl but everytime I see people in these kind of boots they look so cute and pull them off! so, maybe you could help... what do I wear these with?

The Amanda Project 4 week update

2009-09-21T23:21:00.001-04:00

So, new update on the bettering myself project....
1. Sew more often: as you can see, I have been really hitting this one hard! I am so excited about the fun stuff I have been able to make. I just finished my 3rd and final dress and I am still looking for new ideas! I believe I have accomplished this particular goal.... check it off the list!
2. Cook more often. I have not really blogged about cooking, but I have begun to get better at really trying to plan ahead for home cooked meals instead of eating out.... but with the football season in full swing, it sometimes feels easier to go out but we have fought against this as much as possible. I will say that this goal is still in process, but I have done better already! Tonights menu: Turkey chili! Even though it isn't cold, coming in soaked always makes you crave something warm!
3. Learn to play guitar... I am in full swing of Lessons and am already losing feeling in my fingertips... and I can carefully play one of the two songs I am in process on all they way through without any real mess ups! Next step, be able to smoothly play and sing it! I am really loving it, I'm not perfect yet, but one day! 4. Lose weight. So, I haven't really shared where I have come from on this particular goal. I was 115 lbs when I got married, at the doctor in February of 2007 I was 140 lbs. It is not easy to type this and I guarantee you that this was not my heaviest point, however it is the heaviest I have recorded. In April of this year I weighed 135 lbs, so obviously everything I had tried never really caught on. I started working out pretty regularly by just running on an eliptical. Cooking at home versus going out to eat has helped a ton.... except in the case of $5 footlongs at Subway which became every meal at one point! As of today I weigh 120 lbs. and have gone down a pants size and in some pants that size is a little loose!
I still want to go down 5 more pounds and tone up some areas in time for Christmas pictures/cookies/family visits/etc....hopefully I will see my results by then!

Here's Yor Sign...College Gameday Edition week 3

2009-09-20T13:03:00.008-04:00

So, here we find ourselves at week 3! Gameday was at Austin for the Texas vs Texas Tech game! A lot has happened this week... Georgia Tech had a tough game on Thursday (We played on a baseball field and it was our 3rd game in 12 days.... let's just say it wasn't perfect conditions!), Serena Williams showed her true colors by pitching a tantrum on the biggest stage in the world for tennis, and Kanye West interrupted a sweet and talented high schooler you may have heard of (Taylor Swift) and then blamed his mom's death for his bad manners!

So needless to say, I think we need some laughter.... in the form of some creative signs!

This isn't a sign but I thought it was so cute... and a little dangerous... but still cute. A dad holding his son up by his leg so he could pull a heisman pose!

And the Kanye signs begin... looks like he is trying to compare mascots... the masked raider for texas tech (represented by hamburgler... what ever happened to him?) vs Bevo the Bull for Texas.

I love the signs that draw academic sarcasm!
Had to put the Spanish sign in here... very classic Texas! Featuring tv related cut downs....

One of my favorites... 2 signs to make one punchline! What's the difference between Tech and Cheerios....and you see the rest!

... and a reference to the gameday commercial I featured last week....

Hope we have a more calm week, get some rest, and always remember our manners! And no matter who wins or loses these games we watch and emotionally invest in thank goodness we can still have some fun on this thing we lovingly call college gameday!

modeling...

2009-09-14T21:12:00.004-04:00

As requested by Jen, here is the dress being modeled! I use the term Model loosely!

Snuggie....

2009-09-14T21:05:00.002-04:00

So, there is a little project I have always wanted to try. I have always looked at this snuggie on tv and thought, I can make that! So, today, I decided to try it out. Hancocks had fleece on sale and so I made one for me and one for Max.... Brett was nice enough to model it for me!

Here's Your Sign College...Game Day Edition Week 2

2009-09-13T12:27:00.014-04:00

I Found some really funny and creative signs at the Horseshoe this Saturday! USC was squaring off against Ohio State and there were tons of people there! I would have posted this sooner but I was at work and when I got home we didn't have enough TV's to watch all the games we wanted to so watching college gameday had to wait until later!

Which one of these do you like the best?

Brett found this one and I couldn't stop laughing.... Charlie Ate my other sign!

I saw this sign right off...I laughed my head off and then last night I had a dream about a snuggie!

I don't know if anyone really knows my frustration over Mark May... His comments as a commentator are usually so ridiculous that I just start yelling at the screen. When I saw this sign cracking on him, well, I had to include it! I think it is my personal favorite next to the Charlie Weis sign above! I also added on a few pictures of Mark's new glasses, I believe they are transitions!

Gameday commercial, We Don't Freestyle Texas Fight Big Boy!

Inspirational words from... Michael Jordan?

2009-09-12T08:07:00.002-04:00

In his hall of fame induction speech, Michael Jordan said something that made me take notice, and start reflecting on my life a little. He said:

"Never Say Never, because limits like fears are often just an illusion."

How many things would I have tried if I had this attitude? How many things would be different? Have you ever said never to a challenge or opportunity because a fear or a "so-called" limit was there? Would you go back and change your decision looking back now? I know I have said "never" on occaision, but looking back I wouldn't change it. I can only learn from it, and, looking forward make every effort to be fearless in the decisions I make.

White out anyone? Ga Tech 30 to Clemson 27

2009-09-11T01:04:00.010-04:00

To say the game tonight was exciting would be an understatement! We were way ahead, then dead even, then with 2 minutes to go my nails were basically non-existent! What a crazy game!

I once heard a preacher (formerly a high school football coach) say that he would never pray for a specific outcome of a football game. I have struggled with this idea. I have come to the conclusion that God cares for us and wants us to share our desires, wants, and needs with him. This doesn't mean that He always answers or provides an outcome that is desirable to us. Needless to say right around the 3rd quarter of the game tonight, I was mentally on my knees in petition for this team! I can only give God the glory in what was truly a great game!

I will tell you that the fans did a great job on the white out! it looked like it had snowed in the student section!

Let's Get Fired Up!

DEFENSE!!!!

Let's Go Offense! Favorite play of the night! Faked field goal... and the Kicker is the Quarterback!

Look at my coaching hottie!

one more college game day sign to make you smile...week1

2009-09-09T16:39:00.004-04:00

If you can't read this sign it reads... "It's easy to score when you have the right Johnson"

(as you all know, our new head coach from last year is Paul Johnson!)

Happy Hump day!

(no pun intended!)

....New Sewing Project complete!

2009-09-07T15:20:00.006-04:00

Yesterday and today (Labor Day), Brett had to go in to work so it is me and Max all day!

Yesterday, in particular it was all about my "Project" I went to Church in the morning at my friend Teri's Church. The worship was amazing and it really set a great tone for the rest of my day!
I came home after grabbing lunch and got to work on my second dress. (I had cut the pattern out the night before while we watched football.) I spent the day finishing up the dress. And I think this is my favorite one yet! It has pockets, a cute gather at the top front, and it has a bow in the front!
Let's just say, I am holding myself back from the fabric stores today because I want to make another one!

JSU vs. Ga Tech

2009-09-07T14:52:00.007-04:00

Game Day, as usual, was really exciting! Especially since it ws the first game of the year! The weather was mostly cloudy, and we had a little bit of rain, but it was perfect! I love watching warm ups when I get the chance to be there for them. I get to see Brett in a hands on session with his players... I got to the game early enough to watch the warm ups and I did a little paparazzi work on Brett and his players!
By the way... Georgia Tech Won 37 to 17! Next Thursday is a White out Game against Clemson! Hope we are ready for the first real test of the season!

Brett and his running backs having a quick talk

Bring it in! Coaching swagger....
Pitching the ball to a running back...

Going through the plays...playing defense

Chatting it up with some other coaches... he spots me photographing him!

Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field! We got a new Jumbo Tron and some awesome new screens throughout the stadium... look at that HD quality! It was like being at an NFL stadium!See the coach in Action!

My buddy Jon Dwyer catching a pass from my husband!

Here's your sign...College Gameday Edition Week 1

2009-09-05T09:45:00.006-04:00

Game: Alabama vs. Virginia Tech

Location: Atlanta, Ga in the Georgia Dome

Event: The Chick-Fil-A SEC/ACC Showdown!

Some of my favorite funny signs and commercials from today are.....

This one popped up as they discussed Tim Teabow for Heisman... I love Alabama and I respect and like Tim Teabow but it still was a very witty sign!

This one is SO Alabama.... Isn't it funny that people all the sudden get proud their parents named them after a sports figure?

I had to put the Georgia flag in here.... It is so typical... Georgia Fans are the fans that will be wearing their gear in a stadium that may have 2 completely different teams playing and they are in full red and black waiving their flag and cheering for GEORGIA at say... a Georgia Tech Clemson game! oh, and usually there is like 2 of them in a crowd of 1oo,ooo people! So of course at an Alabama Virginia Tech game we see someone cheering for Georgia! how classic!

Last but not least.... this commercial cracked me up! I love the humor ESPN has been bringing to their ads and to get coaches or players to play along makes it even better! Have a great college game day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmY7Vb3yQ0c&feature=related

It's HERE!!!!!

2009-09-05T09:27:00.007-04:00

It has begun! I mean... can you feel it? We are seeing wins and losses already out there! We are seeing people trash talking and knocking each other out! We are seeing mouthy fans, face paint, and tons of shouting and excitment!
Today is our first game and I feel like I wasn't ready for it! I dropped Brett off at the hotel and it didn't feel like it was already time! IT CAN'T BE FOOTBALL SEASON!
Max and I are lounging around and watching sports center trying to get ready for today's game...
All I can say is that this is the beginning of a fun season! A lot is on the line for everyone and we can't wait to see how everything plays out!

Just Remember........

HAPPY GAME DAY!!!

I prayed for you....

2009-09-04T01:36:00.002-04:00

I prayed for you today. For some reason your name came to my mind and words began to spill forth....
I prayed that you could pierce the darkness in any environment as Christ Shines through you.
That you would find purpose in following Him alone and that you would know His love alone will carry you through any valley or over any mountain you are facing.
I prayed for wisdom in your circumstances
Patience in your storms
Love that Only He can give in order to cast out all fear
Peace in the times of chaos
I prayed that God provide clear answers to questions you have been asking Him and that He provide guidance in the moments you find yourself unsure of what direction to take
I asked Him to help me be a better person that is always there for you when you need it.
I prayed that He prepare the people and places He would have you encounter in the future, that they may experience blessing and be ready to welcome you when the time is right
I know you have needs and need to have help that only God can give
I prayed that your needs be met and that you meet His expectations in return.
I prayed that through any trial or success, His glory be fulfilled in your example, His Love be experienced fully and the realization of full dependence on Him for everything become a daily practice.
I prayed in His name.

...Sew Fun!

2009-09-02T08:27:00.008-04:00

I have been searching and searching for clothing patterns that work for women... there are a lot of tutorials and free patterns out there for kid clothes and diaper bag-esque accessories but nothing for adults that are baby free! I went to A&E Pharmacy when I was in Pensacola a couple weekends ago and they honor coupons from Jo-Ann's and they had 40% off patterns and .... let's just say I went a little crazy (after telling Brett I was done spending money that weekend! sorry honey! ).

I picked a few dress patterns and came home with new projects I was determined to finish! I completed a shirt and last night I finished one of the dresses I had a pattern for! I am getting together with a couple friends to work on some projects they wanted done! this is the best kind of practice: new projects, learning new techniques, food and fun, and it's free for me because the girls pick out their fabric! I am hoping I can help them learn a little about sewing too! hmmm.... we may be on to something.... a modern day sewing cirlce? Update on guitar, weight and cooking coming soon!

The Amanda Project... bettering myself

2009-08-18T13:44:00.006-04:00

So, I am in process of what sounds like a very self absorbed activity... the Amanda Project. Yes, I guess it is considered self absorbed.... just because it is named after me and all about me... but it is for a good cause! (isn't that what everyone says?)

Being "Married to the Game" as many coaches wives call it, you deal with your husband out of town for away games, they come home late, leave for work early, and you have a lot of free time to yourself. This year, Brett really is home much more than he was in the first 3 years at Tech. I am blessed to have him home right after practice most days... which is around 7. But this summer I really turned a corner and decided to get my life to look like I want it! You know... the things you wanted to be able to do often go on the back burner to your everyday life. The fun things in particular!

When you go to college it is the freshman 15 that attaches itself to your hips, stomach, thighs, chin, and odd places all over! You get it under control either by effort, or pure stress while planning a wedding and look fabulous in your pictures. Then, when you get married it is the newlywed 19! You go out to eat because it is almost cheaper than cooking for only two... and, for me, during football season only one! The quickest ways to get food after working all day are always the most fattening... and pretty soon, you almost don't recognize yourself... all you want to do when you get off work is lay around and debrief from the stress of the day... don't even consider exercising... which I call the devil's boring activity or diet coke... the devil's drink.... it is all sugar and laziness!

So, because I have some things I want to bring back to the "front burner" of my life... I have started what I call "The Amanda Project" The overall point is to better myself by becoming more well rounded!

So here is the full layout of the project:

1) lose weight... so this has been a hard one but I have been in process since early summer.
I am trying to run 30 minutes after work at least 2 times a week, smaller portions of food, less fat, less snacking. I have seen some great results and I have lost 15 pounds since my heaviest point in my married life!

2)Learn to play guitar well.... so, I just started this portion of the project. I had a guitar sitting in the corner of my living room for about 6 months asking me to teach myself... I had books and everything people! I went one day after reasearching all over Atlanta and signed up for lessons. I have taken my first lesson and have officially practiced like a good student since the lesson, My fingers are hurting... I am trying to play through the pain!
3) Sew more often and with more confidence... So I have been sewing since I was a kid. My mom always had a project going and I always helped... especially if it was for me. I have recently recovered an ottoman and chair cushions by myself and made pillows and a bench seat for my deck. Recently I have made a nursing cover for my friend Britney and am working on finding more projects to practice on. 4) Cook more often and get amazing at it.... um, I just want to be able to come home and whip up a great meal... I have already made an effort to cook more, I believe it has contributed to goal 1, lose weight! I am hoping to have a wide variety of good meals to whip up quickly for a family of 1, 2, or more!

The project is underway.... we will see how I do... Update in 4 weeks!

The revolving door

2009-08-12T07:58:00.003-04:00

When I was a kid, my dad told me a story as we were walking into a building with a revolving door. He said, "you know, a man once went into a revolving door.... got stuck...and died." Needless to say, I was a little traumatized! I avoid revolving doors even now! I will look for a regular door if at all possible.
Coaching is just like a fast moving revolving door. You stand in a long line watching and waiting as each slot is full and the people move around and around until someone gets out and leaves a slot open. What happens next is true chaos. The orderly line then becomes a mob that begins sprinting towards the opening kicking up dust. Some people get pushed, trip, or fall and even get walked or run over. Eventually the dust settles, the line starts to get back into order, and there are still a few trying to get in to the space. Someone gets in..... the line reshuffles a little and then, back to watching and waiting.
I have married the revolving door situation. Brett is in the line and I can only watch him watch and wait for the space to open. It is nerve wracking and it is exciting. You have high and hopeful emotions and you have low deflated emotions.
Don't get me wrong, I love watching football, I love the business behind it. I enjoy seeing the direct impact Brett can have on a player spiritually and athletically. I love the small fraternal relationship coaching families have. Most coaches wives will tell you that no one else will understand what her life is like or what her feelings are except another coaches wife.
The beginning of Fall camp gets me excited about the season and the fun it can bring, but it also propels me back into the anticipation for the music to stop and the revolving door to spin someone out leaving another space open. I know that God has a plan, I have definitely realized that it may not be my exact blueprints but I know He has us on his mind.
So many women are where I am right now....I am not naive to think that I am the only one feeling this way. But as I meet more coaches wives, I come to understand and appreciate the resourcefulness they have developed. Many of these women make an effort to grow personally and not let the watch and wait syndrome define them. They are artists, authors, mothers with the most amazing organizational skills and well behaved children, they are teachers, they are sisters, they are close friends. I can't wait to see how this crazy journey will change me and allow me to grow into something more than just someone watching and waiting!

is that sports center?

2009-07-10T23:00:00.006-04:00

so, about a month ago, I told Brett that I can't wait for football season. He immediately told me not to rush things! We had officially switched places for a brief moment in time. so now we are nearing fall camp in about a month and I am feeling fall in the air. You know that day during summer that is UNBELIEVABLY hot, then it rains like crazy, and then it starts to cool down very slowly? Well... I'm not saying that it won't get hot again, however, I feel like we have hit a day like that. It definitely happened.....I smelled, saw, and felt it. football season. (I know I sound weird.) I felt a hint of cool, a smell of rain on hot asphalt, saw a clear in the air with full sun coming through the clouds. I couldn't put my finger on it and finally realized that it felt like I was about to drive to the stadium on a saturday afternoon for a game! I felt like I needed to head downtown!

If you have ever been to a game with me, you know I am NUTS. I am far from being a closet fan.. However, I am a closet fan of football season as a coaches wife. I usually am very adamant about no football until football season! I am supposed to hate it when camp comes, I am to wear black and be the football widow, I am expected to be miserable when my husband goes off to work and stays late or has to be gone for 2 days for a game.

But I secretly love it!

I love that Max and I can snuggle unjudged without jealousy from Brett

I love that the season signals being that much closer to Christmas and next year

I love searching all the ACC blogs

I love the game of trying to predict what bowl we will make it to, and what our placement in the conference will be

I love trying to make Brett talk to me about football and still not understanding it

I love having family here to celebrate with us

I love singing the fight song and doing the cheers with the crowd and the band

I love getting mad at sportscenter for snubbing us in the highlights

I love coming in from a game to watch more games across the country

I love getting grossed out by Holly Rowe... I am sure she is sweet, but she has a face, and fashion sense for radio

Well, some of you women are crying foul! (no sports pun intended) I know, I have really let the cat out of the bag... somewhere Brett is smiling and happy that he has created this monster.

Just be ready! It is coming and I will hopefully be on the 4th row or in front of my tv screaming with the crowd!

Ps: Check out Brett's Mom in this pic, she is totaly rocking the cheerleader/football mom pose! I love it!

...born on the 4th of July

2009-07-08T22:16:00.003-04:00

We spent 4th of July afternoon in Birmingham at the Pritchett Family reunion.

We had a great time with Brett's parents and his Grandparents

The spread of food was awesome!

Tons of veggies and dessert complete with fried chicken and Barbecue!

It was chaotic.... getting a group picture anyway!
But we got a great one of everyone there!

Buttermilk, Hobbz deadliest warrior, widow-ettes, and horses

2009-06-05T22:10:00.014-04:00

This year, we celebrated our 4th anniversary and then flew off to Hobbs, New Mexico to see my granddaddy D.C. Murphy. He is the hottest and possibly the most distinguished (he turns 91 this year) widower in his church and possibly Hobbs, Lubbock, Texas, and Midland, Texas all together! Plus, he still drives at his age so he is a hot commodity! Here are some fun Pictures from the weekend!

Anniversary Dinner at McCormick and Schmicks

We landed in Midland and dropped by to visit Farris and Mike Murphy my mom's cousins. They have a beautiful home and the most beautiful horse we have seen in person, Buttermilk.

We stopped by Grandma's grave and we put out a grapevine cross.

There is a pizza place in a gas station in Hobbs called Papa Murphy's. We stopped by and Grandaddy didn't get why we wanted to take a picture at a gas station at first! Later, I was fixing his computer and added this picture to his desktop... he was so excited!

We went rouge...Playing with some of Grandaddy's stuff... acting out our own version of what has become Brett's favorite show: Deadliest Warrior.

Let's just say, crazy wife versus tough husband ended in Crazy wife winning 99.9% of the time... the most effective weapon she has is the craziness!

Ok, So here are a couple of lady widows, from Grandaddy's Church. Hilda on the left was probably one of the closest friends my Grandma had. Clydene is independent and has made a great dinner date for Grandaddy. They always fight over who will pay the bills, so he says that now when they go eat somewhere, they have to talk about who will pay before they even go in to prevent a huge argument!

Saying goodbye and heading back home!

Spring Break 09

2009-06-05T21:47:00.006-04:00

Ok, so I am not even going to tell you about spring break because, lets face it... That was almost 3 months ago and I barely remember what could have happened. so here are some fun pics from the week!

update

2009-05-20T08:16:00.002-04:00

Ok, so thank you jen for prompting this post! There is a reason that you haven't seen any posts from me... You specifically because you may be the only person that reads this! but anyway....
When we moved into our new house last summer we came upon a pleasant surprise in the form of unsecured wireless internet...which we felt was being shared and decided to not be rude and partake in the shared service. (don't want to be rude to our neighbors) anyway... we went out of town for spring break... I was excited about posting some great pics on my blog. When we rolled up the stairs I noticed an eviction notice on my neighbor's door. we came in and I pulled up blogger and NO INTERNET! my free internet had been evicted! so I have gone a couple of months without it and can't blog at work so here we are a couple of months later since we found out how to make our neighbor elsewhere share their internet...

So DON'T Judge me! I am married to a graduate assistant people! You have to get creative in ways of saving money!

But I am glad to say that we are up and running and I should be back on the blog soon! I just have to organize my thoughts and figure out what to tell you first!

talk to you soon!

Drugged Dog

2009-03-13T21:13:00.005-04:00

So, Max had minor surgery on Wednesday.... well, he had his teeth cleaned. But they still gas the dog and have catheters in him and he is totally out of it while it happens! He was so cute and pitiful when I picked him up! We decided he was basically asleep with his eyes open. He was staggering around and refused to lay his head down and his eyes went all crazy! I was so worried about how he would react.... I guess I should have worried about him getting hooked on the juice!

So High