Football Finds!

Football season is here friends, and I thought I'd share a few football finds with you! 

This black and white game day top is perfect for any team, and if you're a coach's wife, then the colors will literally still match the next time you move! Keeping it neutral y'all! 

 Okay, I love this one because it totally fits with the burnt orange, but I'd still consider it a neutral because it's brown and white and football's are brown. Catch my drift? This top is short sleeve and another great option for the season! 

I love this Football Vibes sweatshirt. Give me a cozy sweatshirt to wear to November games and I'm all set! 

Headbands are super cute, and this trio comes with 3 headbands that you can wear all season long; again, two are completely neutral, and if you don't have yellow in your school colors, it would be cute this Fall anyway! 

I couldn't leave out the new babies! When I came across this swaddle set, it made my heart swoon just a bit. Two neutral football blankets, one, just because- all great gifts for the coach wife in your life that's having a baby! I feel like there have been a lot of them right now! After I looked further, they also had matching socks, onesies, gowns, and more cuteness! 

Being a girl mom, I had to find something for them. They're in to headbands right now, so this bow headband is perfect. 

I have wanted a few of these platters for a while. Mom, if you're reading this, here's something on my Christmas list ;) Plus, they have other teams too! Oh, yes! Super cute for game day tailgates or when you're hosting players over! 

Happy Game week friends! 

 

Where It All Began....

I posted this photo on my Facebook last week and y'all had so many questions and asked for the whole story. So, here it is. 

While we were on our Spring Break trip (I'll recap it soon), we visited the new football facilities at Arkansas State University. A lot has changed in the 16 years since we left, but this place will always be special because it's where DJ got his start in college athletics. 

We weren't dating when this started, so I'm just sharing what he told me, but he had a friend on the football team, and he went out to watch practice one day. Back then, ASU did not have a full time video coordinator on staff, and only had students filming practices. One of the guys that was filming got in to an argument with the coach and stormed off the field. 

The coach looked at DJ, and asked him if he knew how to work a camera. DJ did, and the coach told him to climb up the tower and start filming. 

And, as I said in my Facebook post, the rest is history. 

Eventually  he became the head student video coordinator at Arkansas State and received a full athletic scholarship in place of a salary. There were a few coaching changes and an AD change in that time period, but the new coach coming in, Coach Roberts, honored his full scholarship so long as DJ was able to prove himself, and he did. 

 DJ majored in Communications with an emphasis in New Media, and even today, I don't know what that means, other than he could operate a camera for the local news. I'm sure there's more to it, but that's what I took from it. 

DJ was a few years in to his gig when we met. We started dating in August, right when football season was starting and he basically told me that I needed to be okay with not seeing him often. I didn't believe him at the time, but I learned quickly that it meant seeing him at lunch and in the late evenings, and rarely on the weekends. 

I never cared about football until we started dating. Sure, I knew offense and defense, and how many points you get when you score, but that was it. I was captain of my high school dance team, so I went to all of the games, but in college, I went to maybe 3 games each year. The year we met, I was at every home game, and somehow snuck my way as a SGA member to the ASU/Army game.... and I wasn't even on SGA. (Thank you Sarah Bing.)

I remember, going to his office after the games and sitting amongst other students who had filmed the game and watching them work. We often pulled all nighters at the football office, and around 2 am, we would pull the cushions off the couches and sleep on the floor while tapes were being copied. 

In the early 2000's, they were still using VCR, and DJ would have to drive to the Memphis airport, about an hour away, and put the VHS on the plane and sit and wait for the VHS for the next team we were playing, That's when he met his good friend, Chris- Chris was working at Ole Miss, and they would sit in the airport and chat. DJ was later Chris' best man, and they still have a close friendship today 

Within the first month of dating, I knew I would marry DJ. We quickly bought rings and asked my parents permission, and by that December, we were engaged. 

The following summer, he interviewed for a GA position at Ole Miss under Coach O, who is now at LSU. We found out that he didn't have enough credits to graduate and needed to stay at ASU one more semester. 

That year, ASU won the conference championship, and we were bowl bound. We found out Thanksgiving weekend, that our wedding plans were abut to be thrown for a loop. DJ and I were married December 17th, and had to have my brother step in as a groomsman, because one of our groomsmen had to fly out and be with the team, and while we had planned to have friends video the wedding, we relied on my uncle. We flew out the morning after our wedding to Lafayette, La for the New Orleans Bowl... it had been moved to Lafayette because that was the year Hurricane Katrina came through and the city was still destroyed. So yes, we spent our honeymoon at the bowl game. 

7 weeks after we were married, we moved to Ruston, La where he took the head position at Louisiana Tech University. And the pay was dismissal. I told him he could be a manager at McDonald's on that salary. But, that year was amazing. We meet so many wonderful people. We really bonded together as a couple, because we were all we had. 

After the season, the coach was let go, and we were faced with the opportunity to stay or move on. We decided to move on to Ball State University. DJ was born in Indiana and had family there so we thought it would be nice to live near them for a little while. We always knew it wouldn't be a long term location for us, but we stayed for 4 years. Two of our daughters were born there. 

We eventually found our way in Tulsa and made the move, because it was closer to my family and we were going through our 3rd coaching staff change at Ball State. Tulsa became home to us, and I will always love that city. I really feel like it's where our kids grew up (yes, I know they're still young and not finished growing up) but we had wonderful friends, a wonderful church, great people on staff, and it just became our home. 

After living in Tulsa for 7 years, we arrived in Austin. It's hard to believe we are entering our 4th football season here, and I still feel like a newbie, and don't know my way around very well and I still feel like we aren't as settled as I'd like to be. But, that will come in time just like it did at all of our other schools. 

He loves his job here, and he's good at it. Every day is something new. Construction meetings for the new football facility, operating with a staff of 3 plus students, position meetings, practices. I know that he stays busy and there are many days that he skips lunch. 

Several years ago, I was asked if DJ would ever leave college football and I don't think he will. I think just like a coach, it's in his blood. It's what he loves, and I could never ask him to leave behind something that he loves so much. Sure, it's a hard life, but he told me that when we started dating.... I just actually believe him now. 

Much thanks to Chris Buttgen who is the current video coordinator at Arkansas State for being a friend, and for showing us around the new facilities. 

Football Wife life: Valero Alamo Bowl

This year's football season has looked so different from years past, but like always, we pivot and adjust. We really weren't sure what bowl season would look like and if it would even happen this year, but thankfully with adjustments, and amazing bowl committees, our bowl season lived on. 

In typical years, you have to win 6 games to be bowl eligible, but this year we found teams having won only 4 games being invited to bowls. We also saw a bowl games cancelled, bowl locations, moved, and bowl games cancelled with short notice. 

With all of the unknown, we were just so thankful to have the experience this year. 

Texas was selected to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. It's our 2nd year in a row to attend, and I won't lie- the short 1 1/2 drive is perfection. In typical years, teams go down a few days in advance to participate in bowl activities and practices. This year, Texas treated the bowl as a fairly typical away game. 

DJ and his staff drove down on Monday, and the team drove down Monday as well. 

Once in the hotel, DJ set up the meeting rooms and had a little bit of down time before team meetings. 

I worked on Monday and the girls and I drove down Tuesday afternoon. 

Tuesday morning, DJ got up and went on a run at the riverwalk and snapped this photo. 

Once the girls and I arrived, we sat in the hotel room and hung out with DJ. I know that sounds boring, but I feel like we don't see him too often during bowls and sometimes, you just need some family time. 

When he had to get ready for the game, the girls and I ventured out to the river walk and stopped by the Alamo because Adalyn wanted to see it again. We ate dinner, and then got ready for the game. 

I stole a few pictures that DJ took for this post ;) 

This is a photo of him and his staff that worked the game. He has an amazing video staff here with 3 employees and students. They work so hard and they love what they do, which makes his job so much easier. 

Bevo.

We snapped one quick family photo before kick off. 

Adalyn asked for binoculars for Christmas (thanks Nana!) and took them to the game with her. She had fun looking for DJ on the sidelines and throwing him a "hook 'em" sign. 

Texas players praying in the endzone. 

Kickoff was at 8 pm, so it was right at bedtime for the girls! They were troopers and stayed up well past their bedtime. In the 3rd quarter, we were snapping selfies to keep this girl entertained. 

Texas won the game, and the celebration after the game is always one of my favorite parts (when we win) Last year, we had passes to be on the field after the game, but this year, we weren't allowed on. 

Sort of. Once DJ realized that there were other kids with their dads, he came and grabbed the girls from the stands. I mean, we may have gotten in trouble for it, but those kids celebrating with their dads is one of the sweetest moments and it's worth all of the hard work and missed family time they go through. I was kind of in tears watching them walk out there. 

This was my view of the celebration. 

And this was DJ's. 

One of my favorite moments after any game, is when the girls run and hug their dad's neck. No one can really understand what our girls go through and how much they miss their dad during the season, but I will 100% tell you that even though it's hard, it's worth it. Those little sweet moments are so worth it. I really wouldn't have it any other way. 

The girls brought home the largest balloons they could find and they were able to get their first picture with Bevo this  2020 season. 

DJ's entire staff couldn't work the game, but they were all there. We are so thankful for all of the hard work they put in. 

This moment is everything. 

We didn't get back to the hotel until 1:00 ish am. It was late! The girls went to bed and DJ and I hung out in a room next door with friends celebrating. I did not crawl in to bed until 3:30. We slept until 9, and decided to drive home instead of finding something fun to do. We had talked about hanging out on Wednesday, but decided we would rather go back later in the Spring for a weekend camping trip. 

Of course, no drive in Texas is complete without a stop at Buccee's. 

And by 6:30 pm, this girl was out! 

We are so thankful to the committee at the Valero Alamo Bowl, they go above and beyond to welcome the teams they are hosting

We were spoiled beyond belief with bowl gifts and they even placed drinks and snacks in DJ's hotel room. They put on an amazing event each year. 

And finally, if you want to hear a little more about our football life, what it's like moving, the good and the note so good, you can listen to my interview on More than a Season Podcast here. 

 

Alamo Bowl Days 4 & 5

We're winding down with our recap of our time in San Antonio at the Alamo Bowl, and today I'm sharing day 4 and part of day 5. 

Monday morning we woke up and took it easy. I managed to get a workout in, the girls played in the kids suite, and we took our time getting dressed. My parents had driven down to Austin on Sunday, stayed at our house, and then got up to meet us in San Antonio on Monday. 

When they arrived we all set out for a stroll on the riverwalk. 

We walked and walked, and it was so nice because it wasn't insanely crowded. It seemed that after lunch time, the riverwalk was nuts throughout the rest of the day and evening, which made me want to avoid it. While it's pretty, it's also very narrow, with basically single file lines walking down the sides, and outdoor seating for all of the restaurants. Couple that with three girls, and I was a nervous wreck that they'd fall in the river or even get lost. I was glad to have reinforcements in town. 

We eventually walked up to street level, took some pictures and walked back to eat lunch. 

I was craving mexican food, so we found a restaurant on the river not far from our hotel. 

Then, we walked over to the Alamo, which was right across from our hotel, and DJ even managed to meet us over there! Bowl games always vary for us, because we have some bowl weeks where we see each other a lot, and others where we barely see each other because he's busy working. This bowl, we rarely spent time together :( After sneaking over for a bit he headed to the airport to pick up his sister in law and nephew. 

My mom took the girls to get ice cream and my stepdad and I sat at the Alamo and people watched. 

The girls came back while I was showing him some photo settings on my phone and we ended up taking this picture. 

When my sister in law and nephew came in to town, we walked the riverwalk and tried to catch a boat, but the line was insanely long and the girls were tired. So, my parents took them back to the hotel and we did some exploring and had a quick dinner out. I called it a night early (to relieve my parents) and DJ hung out with family. 

This gorgeous tree was in one of the historic hotels downtown. 

And I came back to my room Monday night with another fun surprise! The chocolates were so yummy! 

Tuesday was game day!!! Nana made it in around midnight the night before, so after brunch, we all met up and finally went on a riverboat ride! 

We were excited!!! 

Lots of girls ready to ride the river boat! 

Addy was nonchalantly, or not, holding up her "hook 'em" to all the people walking along, and especially to Utah fans. She is a die hard Texas fan. 

#sorrynotsorry

There's a lock bridge downtown that we discovered on our riverboat ride, and now I want to go back and put a lock on. 

and how cool is this tree growing out of a building?! They're actually doing reconstruction on this building so our river boat driver said the tree may be torn down :( 

After our boat ride, DJ went to get ready for the game, and we went to Joe's Crab Shack- my nephew's crab big read "My Crabs Have Longhorns" and I about died! It was so funny! 

After lunch we got ready for the game....... I'll be sharing that next week! 

Spoiler alert- we won! 

See y'all tomorrow for Friday Favorites! 

Alamo Bowl Day 3

Sunday morning the girls and I slept in and pretty much missed breakfast, so we walked down the block to La Panaderia which was featured on one of the food shows and recommended by a friend. We had quite a wait out the door before we even got in! 

 I was tempted to let us all order breakfast, but once we got inside and saw all the pastries, I thought it would be fun to pick out a few and for us to all share them. 

There was a Tres Leche croissant with strawberries that was delicious!  

After our carb-load, we walked back to the hotel via the Riverwalk.

And I wish that I could tell you that it was wonderful and breathtaking, but in case you've never been to San Antonio, the riverwalk is crowded and tiny! There's virtually no room, so I was constantly telling the girls to scoot over, and to walk as far from the river as they could so they didn't accidentally fall in. So, it was pretty much stressful and I was done! 

So, we went back to the hotel and played Twister. 

We eventually made it back to our hotel room, and I opened the bowl gift that was left for us on Friday- a fun wooden serving board, a gorgeous hand blown bowl, and chocolates. We had gifts left for us every day and it was fun to see what kind of surprises we would be walking in to! 

Eventually, I got my cool together and decided we would venture back out, so we headed over to Legoland. 

It was perfect, because the girls could play and run wild. Some friends were there too, so the girls all met up and rode a little ride together, watched the 4-d movie and built to their hearts content. 

They had a fun afternoon. 

We walked back to our hotel, but since we had a late brunch, we skipped lunch, and opted for an ice cream snack. 

That evening, we headed down the riverwalk for the pep rally. The team rode in on riverboats, but our band lined the sidewalk and the bridges. 

I found a great view from a nearby hotel. 

After the pep rally, we went to a Rudy's BBQ dinner, but only snacked, because...... 

we needed to save room for a 3 lb cinnamon roll at Lulu's! One of our friends from college was working the game and we met him for dinner. He travels a lot and always knows the best places, and recommended that we meet for dinner at Lulu's. After our dinner, we split the cinnamon roll, but barely made a dent in it, so I took it to our hospitality suite to share. 

And we had another fun surprise waiting for us when we did make it back to our room.

We also had a yummy cheese board in our room each day. 

Our hotel room had a balcony, with a fun view of the hotel atrium, which was perfect for people watching! 

We made it to bed fairly early on Sunday night, because we were looking forward to family coming in on Monday!