It is 7:25pm here on Friday night - and shock of the year, I'm comfortably seated on my couch enjoying a little "Guiliana & Bill" on the Style network. This may or may not seem out of the ordinary or special by any means. But what it does mean or signal is that the unofficial-official start of football season has come.
I am moving in to football wife time -- and if none of you have had a coach in your family, let me just give you a quick run down of what the late summer, fall, and if luck is good to my husband's team, early winter looks like exactly.
Early summer brings with it -- camp, lineman camp, kids camp, and then doubles start. Doubles, for those who don't know, essentially means my husband is at the school & on the field for 2 3-hour sections for practice. There's a scrimmage sprinkled in there somewhere, but I can't exactly remember where.
Then the there's the Fall which in addition to football, husband also has school. But that's his "real" job so I can't really count that. Anyway....Monday/Tuesday he's home about 5:30pm. Wednesday is lineman dinner - home about 8:30/9, but this is ok, because I don't have to worry about cooking for the man. Thursdays he's at either the JV or Freshman game. Which of course brings us to Friday night games. Post game, win or lose, we typically get food with the coaching staff and some parents join from time to time. One might think that the weekend brings a much appreciated break....however, that is not the case. Saturday mornings are film exchange with next week's opponent, then a coaches meeting where they breakdown the last night's game film & then Isaac does school work. Saturday nights are our date night thankfully. But come Sunday afternoon he is back at it -- early to school after church to work on school stuff, then it's another coaches meeting at 5 -- home about 8:30pm.
Reading all that might be a little exhausting -- so if you read it all, I'm impressed. It's a little exhausting to be honest, and it's hard to share the man from time to time. But then I see him after the games, either home or away, and he is so committed to being a role model to each of his players. He strives in every way to be the best example, the best man, the best coach to every one of them. I know how much he loves what he does and respects the responsibilities that come with his position. It's a blessing to have such a wonderful man as my husband.
So even though I will likely be spending a lot of quiet evenings at home, on my very comfortable couch, I try not to bemoan or complain about my situation. Because, all in all -- I have a husband that loves what he does, is one of the best coaches I have ever known, and loves the kids he works with more than anything; and most importantly, he comes home every night, kisses me, & thanks me for being a coach's wife. That's a part of my identity now - coach's wife. And with that comes certain sacrifices, as well as certain, some times small, benefits.
Back to my quiet night, on my comfortable couch, trying to figure out what to have for dinner here at 8 o'clock at night. Life could be worse....so I'll be thankful for the small things.
<3
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Random Acts of Kindness
This morning I was able to get out of the house early enough to swing by a Starbucks drive-thru on my way to work. So I pull in line, order my drink & then wait my turn until I get to the window. I go to hand my gift card to the gal and she just smiles and tells me that the lady in front of me in the line had already paid for my drink! Wow is all I could muster! How nice of her! I've done that in the past for people behind me in line & always left feeling pretty good. But this was the first time someone had done that for me. Pretty cool to be on the other side and know what it feels like. It's a great way to start the day - and has just made me look for a way to pay it forward for someone else today.
A friend of mine also shared a quick story on her Facebook this morning. Her dad owns a little hot dog cart here in town & she was working earlier when a gentleman came up & ordered 2 hot dogs. But he didn't want her to make them up right then. He paid & told her to give those 2 hot dogs to someone who needed/wanted them. So she was able to give one of those hot dogs to a homeless gentleman she sees every day. And while sharing that small bit with him, she was able to also share about God and have a good conversation with him.
Perhaps the power behind these small, random acts of kindness is that it's a moment in time, in this big crazy world to feel like someone cares and/or notices you. It's small for sure, but has the power to move mountains, break down walls, or change the entire direction of someone's day. Have you done a random act of kindness? What was it? What prompted you to make that decision?
<3
A friend of mine also shared a quick story on her Facebook this morning. Her dad owns a little hot dog cart here in town & she was working earlier when a gentleman came up & ordered 2 hot dogs. But he didn't want her to make them up right then. He paid & told her to give those 2 hot dogs to someone who needed/wanted them. So she was able to give one of those hot dogs to a homeless gentleman she sees every day. And while sharing that small bit with him, she was able to also share about God and have a good conversation with him.
Perhaps the power behind these small, random acts of kindness is that it's a moment in time, in this big crazy world to feel like someone cares and/or notices you. It's small for sure, but has the power to move mountains, break down walls, or change the entire direction of someone's day. Have you done a random act of kindness? What was it? What prompted you to make that decision?
<3
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Small Miracles...
So a couple posts ago I talked about the chaos swirling around & how I've been trying to just appreciate the goodness that is in every day. And of course, as luck would have it....or more appropriately, as God has planned it, life gets even more chaotic to really push us to our limits. I'm a firm believer that nothing comes to us in life without first sifting thru the hands of the Lord.
And in just the last 24 hours I've seen, heard and experienced a bit of chaos. My mom had a small health scare - but the goodness of the Lord shined thru in that what could have been a scary situation turned out to be fairly normal & easily handled. My dad, in his typical big brother way took my aunt to the hospital last night because she was having chest pains. Heart issues seem to be a common theme in my dad's family. But in her observation from last night & today, doctors informed her that as a result of her low fat diet & increased exercise over the last 2 years one of her arteries has totally unclogged! Miracle of course -- thank you Lord.
I pretty much think that's how life always works its way out -- we find an area of our life that we want to work on or be better about. And thankfully, with the grace of the Lord I've been able to maintain a level head and be able to see the small ways that God works in every area of my life. My focus is to keeping looking for those still small ways that God shows up, to listen for His whisper...
How do you keep a level head? How do you try and look/be aware of the small things?
<3
And in just the last 24 hours I've seen, heard and experienced a bit of chaos. My mom had a small health scare - but the goodness of the Lord shined thru in that what could have been a scary situation turned out to be fairly normal & easily handled. My dad, in his typical big brother way took my aunt to the hospital last night because she was having chest pains. Heart issues seem to be a common theme in my dad's family. But in her observation from last night & today, doctors informed her that as a result of her low fat diet & increased exercise over the last 2 years one of her arteries has totally unclogged! Miracle of course -- thank you Lord.
I pretty much think that's how life always works its way out -- we find an area of our life that we want to work on or be better about. And thankfully, with the grace of the Lord I've been able to maintain a level head and be able to see the small ways that God works in every area of my life. My focus is to keeping looking for those still small ways that God shows up, to listen for His whisper...
How do you keep a level head? How do you try and look/be aware of the small things?
<3
Monday, July 25, 2011
Reality TV Confession
Oh my gosh - you're all probably going to think I'm crazy and or that I have no life at all...but I have a slight love for reality TV. Isaac is often embarrassed by my and everything I know and watch of reality TV. And I suppose I have to agree with him....but it's so funny to see how people behave.
So there it is -- my name is Anna and I'm a reality TV junkie... And to be honest, I'm not that ashamed about it.
Happy Monday friends!
<3
So there it is -- my name is Anna and I'm a reality TV junkie... And to be honest, I'm not that ashamed about it.
Happy Monday friends!
<3
Sunday, July 24, 2011
2 years strong
A pieced together photo from our honeymoon on Kaua'i
Today marks our 2nd anniversary & I'm reminded again just how thankful I am for the man -- he is pretty fantastic & I am blessed to share my life with him!
We have spent the last 24hours cleaning the house in preparation for his mom & grandma to come in to town. They'll only be here for like 2 days (benefits of working for an airline I suppose), and then we head out to Hawaii on the 3rd - so it'll be nice for Isaac to have some quality family time.
Tonight hubby has something planned so we'll see what the big man has on tap!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!
<3
Friday, July 22, 2011
Self Challenge
So this morning started off terrible -- on my drive in to work I get pulled over by a motorcycle policeman in my town (notoriously known for being MAJOR pains in the butt). What was my infraction you may ask? Checking the weather on my phone -- for which he thought I was texting (definitely was NOT texting - but apparently that doesn't matter, just the sheer fact of holding your phone is enough). No warning, nothing. Just "may I see your license" and a $142 ticket...yup. Awesome. Thank you KPD - you are awesome..... So now come the 24th of August I will be in Keizer Municipal Court trying to get it reduced.
But the biggest annoyance/fear is my insurance...gah, possibility that we could get a letter from them (if they do a DMV sweep, which they just did one in June..so hopefully that won't happen again for a while....) of a possible cancellation threat. So if you're in the business of praying...throw up a couple prayers for that, definitely do NOT want to be dealing with any of that business.
Which brings me to my blog title...
I never handle these types of situations very well -- it typically results in a LOT of guilt and terrible self talk. Actually, bad self talk is something I struggle with most of the time, not just in these specific situations (these just seem to amplify it). Example: this morning right after getting the ticket immediate response to myself was that I am terrible, ramming myself with terrible talk about how it's my fault if we have trouble with our insurance, how stupid I am, how I am a terrible driver/wife/person, etc. I mean it went on and on; and even now nearly 6 hours later I'm still battling those thoughts. Truth -- I battle these thoughts pretty much every day, and have for a long time. It's always been such a focus of mine to try and ignore those voices, those words, that bad self talk that I put a ton of mental energy in to it that I often have none left for anything else. It's exhausting dealing with the emotions that come from those negative thoughts -- and it's even more exhausting trying to fake it to others while trying to ignore just how ugly I feel inside.
So - I'm going to challenge myself to go one day at first of saying nothing bad about myself, of not putting myself down in any way. I'm not looking for others to tell me how great I am, or how loved I am, or whatever. Because honestly, when you're battling those thoughts -- things like that either fall on deaf ears or there just frustrating because I can't believe it for myself. So here I go....Starting here & now....
<3
But the biggest annoyance/fear is my insurance...gah, possibility that we could get a letter from them (if they do a DMV sweep, which they just did one in June..so hopefully that won't happen again for a while....) of a possible cancellation threat. So if you're in the business of praying...throw up a couple prayers for that, definitely do NOT want to be dealing with any of that business.
Which brings me to my blog title...
I never handle these types of situations very well -- it typically results in a LOT of guilt and terrible self talk. Actually, bad self talk is something I struggle with most of the time, not just in these specific situations (these just seem to amplify it). Example: this morning right after getting the ticket immediate response to myself was that I am terrible, ramming myself with terrible talk about how it's my fault if we have trouble with our insurance, how stupid I am, how I am a terrible driver/wife/person, etc. I mean it went on and on; and even now nearly 6 hours later I'm still battling those thoughts. Truth -- I battle these thoughts pretty much every day, and have for a long time. It's always been such a focus of mine to try and ignore those voices, those words, that bad self talk that I put a ton of mental energy in to it that I often have none left for anything else. It's exhausting dealing with the emotions that come from those negative thoughts -- and it's even more exhausting trying to fake it to others while trying to ignore just how ugly I feel inside.
So - I'm going to challenge myself to go one day at first of saying nothing bad about myself, of not putting myself down in any way. I'm not looking for others to tell me how great I am, or how loved I am, or whatever. Because honestly, when you're battling those thoughts -- things like that either fall on deaf ears or there just frustrating because I can't believe it for myself. So here I go....Starting here & now....
<3
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wee Bit Wednesday!
Stayed home sick today but still playing along with
Wee Bit Wednesday series form Leigh Ashley
{one} what is your dream job?
Either a family/marriage therapist or spokesperson for the VA
{two} how many best friends do you have?
Two!
Monique -- she is one of the greatest friends, scratch that, greatest people I have ever met! Top 1% of people I absolutely adore!
Heather -- one of my best friends since 5th grade.
No matter what I know I can rely on her.
{three} what's the longest road trip you've ever taken?
14 hour road trip to the boat dock to get to Malibu Club in Canada, and then take a 3 hour ferry ride the rest of the way to camp.
{four} if you had to do one single thing every day for the next year, what would it be?
Hug my husband every day...duh. That and not criticize myself in any way
{five} what's one story your family always tells about you?
whether it was me or my brother who was accidently switched up at the hospital in the middle of the night. My dad swears it was my brother, and my mom is convinced it was me. Inevitably the story that always gets told at both our birthdays, every year.
{six} how did your parents pick your name?
there are 4 "Anna"'s in my mom's family, so she named me after them & her sister Ann, and my middle name is a combination of her other two sisters who were twins.
{seven} what's the one thing that scares you more than anything?
Dealing with my parents dying -- i get so incredibly emotional about it, even just thinking about it makes me so worked up....I am NOT looking forward to that day at all. And I think as a result of that, being an adult without the tie to my mom - without having her around to always run ideas by, process difficult situations, etc. See, even now - writing that I have tears in my eyes....
{eight} are you a good cook?
Hmm I can cook -- but I definitely think Isaac is a better cook between the two of us.
{nine} where do you see yourself in 20 years?
successful, happily living with Isaac enjoying our kids as young adults/adults. Hopefully enjoying life and watching Isaac be a head coach -- either at high school level or college
{ten} what's your best childhood memory?
i honestly loved going to Eagle Crest with my family every summer. It's one of my most favorite places in all of Oregon. I would force my family to go to the High Desert Museum every summer, we would go to the Deschutes County fair to watch the rodeo, and spend days at the pool. It's the place I learned to swim and starting next year, Isaac & I will be continuing the summer tradition for our family of 2! LOVES IT!
<3
{three} what's the longest road trip you've ever taken?
14 hour road trip to the boat dock to get to Malibu Club in Canada, and then take a 3 hour ferry ride the rest of the way to camp.
{four} if you had to do one single thing every day for the next year, what would it be?
Hug my husband every day...duh. That and not criticize myself in any way
{five} what's one story your family always tells about you?
whether it was me or my brother who was accidently switched up at the hospital in the middle of the night. My dad swears it was my brother, and my mom is convinced it was me. Inevitably the story that always gets told at both our birthdays, every year.
{six} how did your parents pick your name?
there are 4 "Anna"'s in my mom's family, so she named me after them & her sister Ann, and my middle name is a combination of her other two sisters who were twins.
{seven} what's the one thing that scares you more than anything?
Dealing with my parents dying -- i get so incredibly emotional about it, even just thinking about it makes me so worked up....I am NOT looking forward to that day at all. And I think as a result of that, being an adult without the tie to my mom - without having her around to always run ideas by, process difficult situations, etc. See, even now - writing that I have tears in my eyes....
{eight} are you a good cook?
Hmm I can cook -- but I definitely think Isaac is a better cook between the two of us.
{nine} where do you see yourself in 20 years?
successful, happily living with Isaac enjoying our kids as young adults/adults. Hopefully enjoying life and watching Isaac be a head coach -- either at high school level or college
{ten} what's your best childhood memory?
i honestly loved going to Eagle Crest with my family every summer. It's one of my most favorite places in all of Oregon. I would force my family to go to the High Desert Museum every summer, we would go to the Deschutes County fair to watch the rodeo, and spend days at the pool. It's the place I learned to swim and starting next year, Isaac & I will be continuing the summer tradition for our family of 2! LOVES IT!
<3
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