HoCo 2021

This is the third HoCo for these two. Madi is more beautiful with every passing year. 

This is the first year HoCo hasn’t conflicted with a soccer game, so we were able to get pics with the full friend group. 

The kiddos had dinner at the club, attended the dance at the school, and then made their way to after parties. Football was not part of their plan; the Texan in me just died a little. 

JR vs SR Olympics

Homecoming week is an exciting week! The kids have dress up days, spirit day, the homecoming court elections, a football game, and a Friday night dance. The fun activities have resumed this year after a brief hiatus last fall. Today was Olympic Games. The junior class was swept in the JR vs SR Olympics. 

Not sure the meaning behind the four fingers / gang signs, but the guys, despite being super competitive, don’t look too upset that they lost. 

She Said Yes

This year’s event will be the third Homecoming Dance that Madi and Keagan have attended together. It has been no surprise; we’ve had the date on the calendar since August. She bought her dress weeks ago; we bought new pants yesterday at Target. She bought new shoes last week; we ordered Keagan’s shoes from Amazon last night. They have been discussing color combinations and pant colors for weeks. While it was assumed they were going together, Madi still wanted the formal proposal. 

Keagan obliged with this sweet proposal.

She said yes! (Now let’s hope his shoes arrive in time.) 

USA, USA, USA!! 🦅🇺🇸🗽

We have had tickets to the US / Canada World Cup qualifier game for weeks, if not months. The US fans from all over the Southeast did not disappoint; patriotism and solidarity were evident everywhere! 

We were super excited to see Pulisic play (he missed his free kick here) as we haven’t seen him in play in person before, but Canada’s defense did a great job of keeping him contained. Evan was even more excited to  see Davies on the Canadian team play. (We thought he stayed in Germany for the players’ break.) Keagan was underwhelmed with the game ending tie. I’m sure the guys in front of us, who didn’t fully understand soccer, were wishing the walking ESPN stats guy would be quiet because Keagan provided commentary for the full 2.5 hours we were there. 

As we were walking back to the car, Evan said, “It’s amazing that the most powerful nation in the world can’t field a successful soccer team, but third world countries where players play barefoot on asphalt and drink contaminated water can.” Keagan’s response, “It’s not about skill. It’s all heart. You can beat skilled teams if you play with heart.” Truth.

High School Football Rivalry

While Wes and I were in Nashville for the NSC game, Keagan and Madi were at the biggest football game of the season. 

The local newspaper had these photos on its site this morning. 

We lost 9-10. Keagan woke up with no voice and super bummed we didn’t come home with the coveted shield. I’m so thankful the kids are experiencing the great high school moments that have been canceled in years past. 

He Made It

Evan surprised us and came home for the Labor Day weekend. He met us in Nashville Friday night at the stadium for a soccer game. 

I’m happy to have him home - so happy that I don’t mind spending all weekend in the kitchen cooking, washing his laundry, or cleaning up after him. 

But this guy is probably the happiest of us all. 

We were up till 1:00 telling stories, catching up, and trading news. The dining situation at college is so dire, my boy has lost seven pounds. He was relieved to shower in a mold-less bathroom and to eat something other than a sub sandwich. Minus a quick gym class this morning, he has been asleep all day today. He plans to spend all evening on the couch watching football. 

I’ll be right next to him. 

It’s Game Day

Classes are canceled. Tailgate parties have begun. The campus is a sea of orange. It’s game day!! The campus exudes school spirit; this is exactly what Evan has wanted out of the college experience.  Out of state parents are in an uproar that classes were put on hold today. I want to remind them UT is in the SEC. Football is a religion in the South. 

Evan is wearing this in hopes of making the Jumbotron. 

We are watching the game from the couch, but those seeing it in person say the stadium is the loudest it has been in recent memory.

I’m so thankful that a sense of normalcy has returned to college campuses and students can watch the game in person. GBO! 🧡🍊🏈