A Cyclone Homecoming

Before the plague struck our house last week, we had a great Saturday celebrating Baylor Homecoming. After a super fun tailgate that full of yummy brisket, sausage and pork loin, we settled in for the ol' game activities. There was, of course, the annual lighting of the torch (after being passed from class to class) to kick things off...

...and it was also the annual pink game. Gotta love pink pom poms.

This girl didn't tailgate with us but came later with my parents after they checked on their dog. I was completely unprepared for her showing up in my new scarf looking like a 21-year-old.

Sometimes she just strikes me, y'all. And I really couldn't be more proud.

Before long, it was time to take on the Cyclones.

And this week's photos focus on the defense. Here's where you should be grateful I'm focusing on one aspect each time and not making your retinas bleed on a biweekly basis. :-)

And since Ahmad Dixon and Tonto seem to have developed quite the relationship this season, seemed like a photo of the Midway boy was a necessity.

Soon the sun set both on the day and the Cyclones' hope of stopping the Bears.

The students were in rare form...

...the old fashioned card sections were brought back one last time at The Case...

...before Blake Shelton introduced Baylor girl (and The Voice alum) Holly Tucker...

...who rocked our socks off with a Super Bowl like halftime show.

Let's just say the girl can SING!!!

And it truly was a Homecoming full of food, fun and throwback festivities. In other words, it was PERFECT!

Catching Up

Ok, so it's been a while. But I have a very good excuse - our home was taken over by the stomach flu last week. In fact, each member of the family was systematically taken out. Each for various amounts of time but none came through unscathed. It was as delightful as it sounds, friends.

Prior to the plague, though, we celebrated Baylor Homecoming by the annual distribution of the ol' Homecoming publication.

This little guy had his third - yes, THIRD - surgery. And this time he actually appears to be healed. For which I am very grateful.

Tonto smoked an absolutely amazing brisket for the Homecoming tailgate.

The day of the actual game, we started out as any normal folk do - shearing the goat.

But soon we were where we belonged - on Floyd Casey's hallowed ground.

In between all the football and illness fun, there's been lots of time at the farm with hard working boys...

...and farm friends. :-)
 

Oh, and I left out high school football. The game Friday was a pink out but I'm trying to erase it from my mind because our QB got hurt and his replacement - bless his heart - seemed to have never seen a field before.

But, hey, any excuse to wear a cute pink shirt (and eat solid food) is reason for celebration, right? :-)

Da Boyz

This boy is a handful, friends. He's sweet and precious and adorable and snuggly. But he also comes with quite an attitude. A little swag if you will. :-)

Last week, after finally getting all of his gastro issues worked out (turns out he's gluten intolerant), it was time to have him neutered. And that seems like a quick and easy surgery, right? Yeah, that's what we thought too. But...not so much.

Unfortunately, the clinic left him alone and unsupervised while he was still asleep. And he woke up much sooner than they anticipated. And there was no cone on his head. So he not only went after his incision site but also jumped around and played for who knows how long before they realized he was awake.

This mama was not happy. Particularly when I learned we would spend the evening alternating warm and cold compresses because of the massive swelling. Do you have any idea what it's like to do that to a puppy who has no idea he just had surgery and only wants to play?!?! 

Well, if not, just ask Tonto. Because he administered most of that treatment.

I sort of felt like Rambo...

...and this boy and I still felt the same the next morning because Blue was up almost all night.

The next morning Tonto took him back to the clinic and they operated on him again. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he had a huge hematoma covering his entire stomach area. So they had to clean out all of the clots. And he also has heart worms. Which wasn't all that surprising because he did come from Louisiana. But he can't start treatment (which takes a YEAR) for two more weeks.

Yeah, are you starting to get an idea of just how insane this simple surgery has become???

So the boy is back home and the good news is he's feeling like his normal self. That's also the bad news because he will not stop running and jumping and playing. Which means he's still pretty swollen. But the hematoma is clearing more each day. And we've discovered gluten free foods (thanks Nana!) with which to bribe him into taking upwards of 10 pills per day.

But I sort of still feel like Rambo. :-)

For My Girl, On Her Birthday

My Dearest Taylor,

Today is your 14th birthday! It's hard for me to believe it's been 14 years since I first laid eyes on you. You were a beautiful dark-haired baby who knew exactly what she wanted and how...even on October 12, 1999. You are even more beautiful all these years later. And still know exactly what you want...and aren't afraid to speak your mind.

To say you have brought me unbridled joy is an understatement of epic proportions. You are the light of my life, dear one. I say this every year but you truly have no idea how many times you've saved your momma from herself. Though I hate how quickly time is flying, you are so stinkin' much fun and there's no one I enjoy hanging out with more.

This time last year, you were at the beginning of what would be the most difficult academic year yet. Seventh grade was hard. For all of us. So much change. So many different dynamics converged into what is deemed "middle school."

But you fought through it. You prevailed. And you made me sooooo proud in the process, sweet girl.

To say 8th grade - only seven weeks in - has been a night and day difference would also be an incredible understatement. You are thriving. Flourishing. Coming into your own. You're not afraid to go against the grain in order to do what's right. You're an incredible friend and love your youth group friends something fierce.

You're still constantly on the go, my girl. There's never a trip of opportunity to "go" that you find uninteresting. You're fun-loving, delightful, hilarious, compassionate, witty and smart. You've taught me more about unconditional love, what it means to be a parent, and have changed me more than I can ever say.

There is no doubt in my mind you will be incredibly successful at any venture you choose. And, though it hurts my heart something fierce to know you'll only be in the house for five more years, I simply cannot wait to see what big things you'll do with your life.

Know that, whatever life brings, you will always go with my love and support. And I'll always be your biggest cheerleader. Whether you want me on your side or not.

Loving you more every day,
Mom

The 'Eers Came to Town

After a whirlwind couple of days at the livestock show, we quickly switched gears and headed out to FCS because the West Virginia Mountaineers were coming to town to tangle with our Bears. It was the first time the team debuted their gold chrome helmets and Coach Briles had asked everyone to #BringTheBling. So, you know, who was I to argue? :-)

We had so much fun tailgating this time around. It's always super fun but last time I was recovering from a respiratory infection (when we took on ULM) and was a wee bit cranky. Or so I was told. We had such a great crowd, saw some peeps we hadn't seen in months and the food was yummy. 

Taylor's, um, friend who is a boy also came over for a bit. Meet Todd. :-)

Soon it was time to head into the stadium and see those golden domes for ourselves for the first time. And they most certainly did not disappoint. Photos really don't do them justice.

Someone was excited. And even wore gold. For the first time EVER.

So...

...much...

...excitement around this team right now. And with good reason. The score was 56-14 at the half. And seven of WVU's points were off a random, muffed punt return. It was a serious knucklehead move that I hope to NEVER see repeated.

At halftime, the City of West was honored. Such a sweet time and so good to see support still being given as much, from what I understand, is definitely still needed.

We could talk about the second half of the game but, honestly, it was used as an opportunity for our second and third teams to get some work in as true and redshirt freshmen. That means our first team was safe from injury. Which is always a good thing. 

Next up are the Kansas State Wildcats. In the Little Apple. Always a tough place to play but I'm absolutely holding out hope that our boys put up 70 again. I don't care for close games. :-)

HOT Livestock Show

Last week marked the beginning of stock show season. We loaded up Thursday evening and got Forrest set up at the Heart of Texas Livestock Show for his first foray into the show ring. We headed back early Friday morning where we met up with these beauties and proceeded to do the ol' stock show dance - sit and wait. :-)

We watched Caroline show...

...and then Cal...

...while Forrest munched on copious amounts of Powerade and alfalfa before deciding to eat Tonto's shirt.

Soon it was time for the boy's debut where, despite not performing to his owner's expectations, did much better in the ring than Bruiser ever did.

Lucky for him, he's got a number of upcoming shows that will allow him to get comfy in the ring before the county show. He actually did well until it was time for showmanship. He was not happy about being woken from a nap and refused to do, well, anything.

Good thing he's so cute!

Then it was time for Emily...

and Hallie...

...while my girl watched on with her sweet youth life group leader. Soooooo awesome of her (and her hubby) to come watch the girls show.

Hello, star of the show!

All the girls (sans H) returned for showmanship...

...before taking some pics to memorialize their precious fishing shirts...

...that had their monograms emblazoned on the back. 

Precious girls. Precious memories.

Love stock shows. And all it entails. Even if it leaves me in dire need of sleep. :-)