Unexpected Reunion

The other night after returning from volunteering at our church's relay center for OCC, the kids and I drove home to find a minivan in our driveway.  In the few seconds between seeing the van and opening the door to our house, we were frantically trying to guess who was here visiting with Brad.  I didn't recognize the van...at first I thought maybe my sister had stopped by but upon a second glance I knew that wasn't my sister's van so I was completely stumped. 

I opened the door to the best surprise we've had in a long, long while.  Our good college friend had stopped by with his family in tow.  They had come to town for an appointment and had looked us up.  Wow!  What a great surprise! 

We had a nice visit with the four of them.  Poptart enjoyed playing with their almost-2-year-old, and I enjoyed holding their 2-month-old! 

You know, that's the great thing about friends.  No matter how long it's been since you've last heard from them or seen them, when you get back together, it's like you've never been apart. 

Thanks guys for looking us up, and we promise, promise, pinky promise to not let that much time go by between next visits! 

No Words Needed - Our Day In Pictures

A Good Time Had By All, Almost

My family went to an MSU basketball game last Saturday.  The Bulldogs were playing North Carolina in the second round of the NIT.  Here's who was there:

My two kids (of course).  As you can see, this is before the game started.  The place is almost empty.  As I remember correctly, this would be about 30 minutes before the game started.  Someone in my family who will remain nameless texted us from inside the Hump telling us the announcer had just said that tipoff was goign to be 30 minutes early.  Now my common sense side said that would be impossible since the game was being televised, but nonetheless it put us in hyperdrive and almost made my son sick (ohhhh, keep reading) until we got into the Hump and found our seats.  Then when we got in there we realized it was all just a joke.  I knew it!

This is my sister's family plus one friend.  We're trying to persuade my nieces (especially my oldest, in the maroon shirt) to attend State.  I told her the whole idea of going to this game was a shameless way to try to get her to go there.

And here's me and my mom.  She's one of the biggest Bulldog fans I know.  She enjoyed the game but we all would have enjoyed the game more if we would have won.....

Here's the Bulldogs getting fired up! 

Varnado shooting a freethrow.  My pictures aren't that clear.  I'm having to zoom a LONG way. 

And here's the whole reason Poptart went.  Well, this and the cheerleaders.  And I realized how totally out of shape I am after carrying her all the way down the stairs for this picture and then back up to our seats.  But it was worth it.  Now she is convinced she wants a "real Bulldog" for a pet.  Um, I don't think so. 

Remember when I said my son almost got sick when he thought we were going to miss half the game?  With 2 minutes to go he looked at his father (which by the way was there but somehow avoided all my pictures) and said he needed to go to the bathroom...he was about to be sick.  So Brad was texting me back and forth wanting to know what was happening.  Gogurt didn't get sick, but they didn't have time to come back to the seats so they just watched from the hallway place. 

We lost and later that night Gogurt did get sick.  Stomach virus.  All in all it was a great trip.  We would do it again in a heartbeat.  I hated to see Gogurt so miserable on the 2-hour trip home though.  That was the worst part.  We were all a little heart sick from losing, but we're proud of our Dawgs for a good season.  Can't wait 'til next year!

A Silver Lining

As you know, it is Spring Break around here.  Thankfully, Poptart and I are feeling better so we can salvage the rest of the week. 

Actually, Gogurt and Poptart are at my mom and dad's right now.  They went up there yesterday and will stay for 2 nights.  So, people, that means I am alone in my house right now.  Yes, I said alone.  It is quiet except for the noise of the washing machine and dryer running (I had to do something to feel useful). 

You all know I love my kids, but it is great to have a break.  And now with grandparents even closer (my parents are 1 hour away and Brad's parents are now living in our neighborhood), I feel like there is a chance I might survive this parenthood thing after all!

Brad and I were able to spend some time with a cousin of mine and her husband last night.  They also live about an hour away, close to Meridian, Mississippi, but they drove over to do some shopping.  I think that is the first time we had ever gotten together with them without lots of other family around.  And we left saying we are definitely going to do it again. 

Today I plan on doing very little.  March Madness is in full swing so I'm sure I'll catch a few ballgames today.  And speaking of March Madness, I think my family is finally over the Bulldogs not making the NCAA Tournament.  Which in my opinion was a mistake, of course.  There is a silver lining in this however.  Since they are not in the NCAA tourney, that means they were invited to play in the NIT.  And since they are a #1 seed in the NIT, they will be playing their first games at home in Starkville. 

It didn't take us long to decide to go.  And it turns out my entire family is going, except my dad.  My mom, my sister and her family, and the four of us are all going to Starkville to see our beloved Dawgs in person!  We are so excited!  My kids have never been to a college basketball game so part of my excitement is watching them watching the game.  Of course, Poptart will probably be more into the cheerleaders than anything else, and Gogurt's only question was "Is there a concession stand there?"  When we assured him there was food there, he was good-to-go. 

Even though this year's Spring Break began as a sick one, it looks like it's going to end up being a pretty good week.  And if we win, it'll be even better!

The Saddest Press Conference I've Ever Seen. I Cried.

MSU vs LSU - The One That Got Away

Okay, all you Bulldog fans out there say it together, "Noooooooooooooo!"

It was a painfully entertaining game, one that the Dawgs should have won (can we say two tries to move the ball 4 inches?)

Were you sitting in disbelief as we were when we came up short not once, but twice? We are still trying to get over it. We've been in mourning all day.

I'm proud of my Dawgs for being competitive with the number 7 team, but good, gosh-a-mighty, we shoulda won that game!

When I'm Wrong, I Say I'm Wrong

A couple of posts ago I was lamenting how we were not going to see any SEC games on our networks because no one was carrying the games.

Well, I was wrong! And I'm so glad!

The SEC Network will be providing us with our weekend dose of SEC football.

And to make matters even better, guess who will be playing next Saturday on the SEC Network? You got it, Mississippi State! Go Dawgs!

WOW! WHAT A GAME!

We just watched our Bulldogs win the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

We love our DAWGS!

Y'all played your hearts out-we are SO PROUD of each one of you!!!

Good luck at the Big Dance!