JESUS: what Christmas is all about

On the way home tonight I was talking to Addison about the presents she got and how Santa Claus was going to come to her house tonight. Trying to explain (over and over) the whole Santa Claus thing is pretty exhausting, but I asked Addi if she had been a good girl, cause Santa only brings presents to good boys and girls. She immediately started to whine and said she had been a bad girl! Of course, I felt bad and explained to her that she had been a good girl and Santa would bring her presents. Then I started feeling bad because I don't want Christmas to be all about presents and Santa Claus.
I was telling Addi how tomorrow is baby Jesus' birthday and that is why we sang "happy birthday" to him tonight. Then she asked me where baby Jesus was and if we were going to have a cake for his birthday. I told her that he was in Heaven because he lives there. She said, "I want to go see him!" After explaining that it is really far away and we will see him when we are older, I told her that we could talk to him. So I told her that we could pray. So we prayed for our sick friend to get better (because Jesus can make sick people feel better) why? (because he loves us and he is smart and strong). Then all of the sudden Addi started to cry (we are driving) and I asked her why she was crying. She says," I want to take Holly with me to Heaven". I told her that when it's time to go to Heaven she can take Holly (her stuffed cow) with her "{by this time I am crying...driving in the dark rain!} Then she asks when she is going to see baby Jesus (I say he's gonna come again one day) she says (I think he should stay at our house). I laughed and said that would be okay (she says she will give baby Jesus crackers, play ponies, and they can play Angry Birds). I can't remember how it came up, but she she said something about wings and I said when it was time to go to Heaven she would have wings... she says "good so me and Holly can fly to Heaven and see baby Jesus".
This year has had some big "ups" and some big "downs" and we have lots of wonderful presents and a big wonderful family that we have shared many memories with, but I think my favorite part of Christmas this year was having that conversation with my 2.5 year old. She might not fully understand CHRISTmas but she has such a big sweet heart and no matter what happens I know that one day she (and Holly the cow) will be in Heaven with baby Jesus...maybe they will be playing Angry Birds...who really knows... I'm just thankful that my family loved me enough to tell me about baby Jesus, so that I can tell her about him.

May you all know the real reason for the season, Merry Christmas.

We have a very exciting week ahead of us! We beat Pearland Dawson Friday to advance to the state championship game this Friday at Cowboy's Stadium! Poor Ryan (and the other coaches) have been working tirelessly for months to get to this point and this week they are working twice as hard to ensure a victory. Ryan goes in early, works late, and his laptop is alway infront of him (watching film). The boys have worked hard too :) I don't think anyone really understands just how much work goes into a single football season. We are so lucky that the parents and administrators here really notice all the hard work. Throughout the year parents cook meals for the coaches and always offer heartfelt thank-you's for all their hard work. They also acknowledge all the sacrifices their families make too :) I just can't wait to see all that hard work pay off when we make history and become the only team in state history to win 5 championships in a row. This could be a record that my hubby will be a part of...one that might never be broken again...pretty cool!

Mommy & Me

So, like many mothers, I have a million pictures of Addison and Addison and her daddy but very few of the two of us! In an effort to keep her from forgetting about me one day, we took some mommy and me pictures a few months ago. I know I shared one, but I got the rest of them in the other day, so I thought I'd share. So thankful to my friend Jenna @Brigham Mayfield Fine Photography for taking our pictures, she's a real artist. My little girl is growing up so fast and changing so much, that is why I take pictures ALL THE TIME.

after beating Cedar Park (again) 12/2/11 @ DKR

There were times when I had serious doubts about being a coach's wife. I didn't know if I could handle the long hours, moving frequently, and the smaller paychecks. I will admit, at first it wasn't easy for me, we didn't have Addi so there were lots of times when it was just me! I like "me" time, but even I crave some human interaction. Fortunately, we had a great "coaching family" in Athens and the rest of us wives helped to entertain each other. Since Addison has come along, there is very little time for me to get bored and very little "me" time. Thankfully, I have found some great friend in my LT wives too, and we try our best to get together for girls nights! Since most of us have small children that's not always easy to do. Alot has changed, I no longer feel jealous of football (sometimes just a little) because I really do enjoy watching my husband coach and cheering for his team. I feel geniune pride for our team and the other coaches (and their families). There is something very special about being a part of a "team" and watching my husband do his job (that he loves so much). Now, obviously our success over the past few years doesn't hurt either! In the three years when have been at Lake Travis we've played enough games to equal five years (I think??). When you are winning, you don't realize how much time has passed. We've missed Ryan at home and other events, but in many ways it feels like it was just July when football started. It's hard to believe it is December and we will playing in the state semi-final game this Friday. I'm so proud of my husband. He really is my best friend, a wonderful father, and an amazing football coach. Just being around him has made me fall in love with high school football and I am so proud of all his success and I know that he is only going ot continue to be successful. I love that Addi loves it too, she looks forward to going to "Daddy's football game" all week, and pretty much everyone know that she will be running (barefoot) on the field post-game. One day I can see her out on the practice field giving those football boys some advice! Life is great and only getting better... hopefully we can make history on December 16th too!