How to Enjoy SEC Football with a Toddler

... and everyone is happy :)

National Champions, baby!!

Updated:
I wanted to share with you that I just had a War Eagle Moment at the Wendy's - totally made my day ;)

Original Post:
I was literally jumping up and down, holding back a scream so as not to wake up my sleeping child, as Auburn won last night! How freakin' exciting was that game?!!

I'm just gonna wallow in this win for awhile :) Congrats, Auburn family! War Eagle!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaar Eagle!!

War Eagle, fly down the field,

Ever to conquer, never to yield!

War Eagle, fearless and true,

Fight on you orange and blue!

Go! Go! Go!

On to vict'ry, strike up the band,

Give 'em hell, give 'em hell,

Stand up and yell, Hey!

War Eagle, win for Auburn,

Power of Dixie Land!

Go Tigers! Beat the Ducks!

#1 Baby!

Okay, I just have to do this ... WAAAAAAAR EAGLE!

Vancouver or Bust

The Olympic Winter Games.

The competition.

The camaraderie.

The complete dedication to the TV for the next 17 days.

I love the Olympics, and the Winter Games are definitely my favorite. Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, speed skating, curling – I can’t think of a category I don’t enjoy.

But … is it just me, or did the Olympics seem like a bigger deal when we were younger? And I mean as a nation, not personally. I remember watching them with my family, and even as a teenager I would arrange my plans in order to be home to enjoy the competition, but nowadays it just doesn’t seem to have the same … I don’t know … importance? I’m not sure if that’s the word I’m looking for, but do you get what I mean?

When I was growing up it was like the world stopped when the Olypmics were happening. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. To me, at least. And it makes me sad, though I hope I'm wrong. I love the idea of our worldwide family enjoying something together. Puts us all in community and brings our common humanity to the forefront for awhile. No politics or presidents or leaders or what-have-you. Just our global family enjoying a little friendly competition.

If everyone will slow down long enough to watch.

I think the Olympics are a ton of fun, and Hubby and I will be parked in front of the TV for the duration, foregoing our favorite shows in order to delight in the awesome spectacle of athletic prowess and national pride. We’ll cheer for underdogs, get misty-eyed when our National Anthem is played while Old Glory is hoisted behind our winner (well, probably not Hubby), hold our breath when the figure skaters throw themselves into the air to complete their triple lutz-triple toeloop combination (seriously, they make me so nervous, I can hardly watch!), groan when a speed skater loses footing and crashes into the sideboards, laugh and cheer on the curling folks (I love this sport, but it makes me giggle - guys with brooms and yelling, it's too funny). It’s nerve-wracking! Nail-biting! Exhilarating. It’s so much fun!

Just for the record: my favorite opening ceremony for the Winter Games was Lillehammer in 1994. (I miss G&G, don't you?)

And the Summer Games in Beijing 2 years ago - their opening ceremony was seriously amazing!! (Plus, the swimming competition had me on the edge of my seat! Will Michael Phelps win another gold? It was crazy!)

You can go to the Vancouver Olympic website for a schedule of events here.  (I'm printing one out for the fridge. Y'all know I'm a dork, right?)

And if I am absent here for a few days, you'll know why.

Let the Games begin!

Odd and Ends

Whew!

Life has just gotten busy 'round here!

I'm taking a couple of minutes while Maggie is having fun in her playstation to just say 'hi!' and let y'all know what's been going on in the Webb household.

So ... up first ...

A couple of weeks ago, one of my very bestest friends - Ashli - came to visit for a long weekend and see Maggie for the first time.

(Ashli, Mary (Maggie's godmother) and I have been friends for a coon's age. We don't get to see each other much these days because we went 3 different directions after college, but whenever we're together it's like no time has passed at all since the last time we visited. Thank goodness for electronic communication - keeps us at least 'up-to-date' on each others lives.)

Needless to say, I was so happy to have Ashli here - I was up later than I have been since before pregnancy because we would just talk and talk and talk. I loved it! Makes me wish we all lived within driving distance (as opposed to flying distance). I'm glad she came out ... even if I had to fight her to pay for her lunch :)

Maggie quite enjoyed her company, too :)

Hello, friend! Can't wait to see you again!

Next ... we found our toes! And ever since, Maggie has not let go of them. When I get her up at 5:00 am and lay her down to change her diaper, UP go the feet and, with eyes still closed with sleep, she's yanking on her toes. It's the cutest thing, and I'd take a picture but, hello, it's 5:00 AM! I'm not even really awake yet!

And ... we rolled over this afternoon! From tummy to back! Alas, no picture of that accomplishment because Maggie (1) did when no one was watching, and (2) has refused our repeated requests to do it again.

Finally ... this past Friday was the first night of our Friday Night Friends group. Some friends of ours - all married with babies - got together Friday evening for a potluck dinner and fellowship. Hubby and I had such a good time. It was so fun playing with all the babies and taking time with friends that you see often around church and such, but don't usually get to really talk to and spend time with. We're rotating as the hosting home so no one person has to do that, everyone brings a dish, and we're meeting once a month. I'm so excited about this! It has been a desire of mine for a few years now, and to actually see it happen is so cool. Plus, since we all have babies, crying/screaming/drooling/pooping/burping/spitting-up/running-around baby-ness doesn't faze anybody. How great is that?!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

PS: As I was signing off, I looked over and this is what I saw:

Maggie has scooted herself completely off her playmat (and removed a sock) and y'all ... she is watching football. 'Scuse me. I think I need a tissue ...

Halloweeny Game Time

Here's my little Auburn Tiger on her 1st Halloween!

She totally pooped out at the game (ASU v Cal ... we have got to teach these folks out here how to enjoy a football game!!) ... and it was ridiculously hot for an October football game, so we had to strip her down to her onesie. We were all sweaty and hot by the time we left.

Maggie also came to my work on Friday to go 'trick-or-treating' ... for college money, since she's too young for candy. I think maybe she got a quarter ... gotta start somewhere!!

We also visited Samantha, where I had recently put up her fall flowers. As you can see, Maggie very much wanted to get her hands on them ... so she could put them in her mouth, of course :)

Hope y'all had a nice weekend, and a blessed All Saints Day.

Football Depressions Are Deep, My Friends

Sorry, y'all. I've got nothing today. Totally empty. That Auburn loss has sapped me. Of course, living with a Razorbacks fan hasn't helped much :)

and ... LSU lost to Alabama. I was counting on them to snap that AL winning streak. Sigh.

In other news, Maggie has her 6 month check-up this morning, so there will be a report on that either later today or tomorrow. I'm anticipating more shots, which make me cry, too.

Is it Monday? Good grief ... I'm just full of happiness and love this morning, aren't I?

This video pretty much sums it up ... :)

WAR EAGLE: Show Us Your Life 10.09.09

This week's Kelly's Korner carnival theme is "Favorite Team", and really people, is there any question as to who my choice will be?

Um, no. No there is not :)




And in honor of my beloved Auburn Tigers, I give you our fight song:





I am woefully behind on replacing my Auburn gear. Maggie has more than I do! I don't even have a t-shirt or sweatshirt anymore that is acceptable to wear in public. I know. It's just so hard when I have to order things instead of popping into a collegiate store. I have 2 jackets but let's face it, I live in Arizona. Jackets aren't always necessary during football season. I do plan to stock up the next time I go home, though. And you can find EVERYTHING in your team colors now ... seriously, check out ...

... this purse:




... iPhone case:




... plastic cultery:




... baby toy (that, um, yeah, we may have to get):




... light-up spirit badge:




And my personal favorite ...




... because who doesn't look good in blue and orange eyeshadow?

It's interesting. With the exception of about 3 years in Texas when I was in early elementary school, I lived in Alabama my whole life until moving to Arizona when I was 24. So I was completely indoctrinated in the 'Auburn/Alabama' issue. The issue being, of course, that you MUST CHOOSE. Period. There shall be no in-betweens. And everyone in Alabama gets that. Parents have missed their own children's weddings that were *gasp* scheduled during football season (I purposefully scheduled our wedding for after the AU/AL game ... really). A mixed marriage in AL is when one spouse is an Auburn fan and the other roots for Alabama (poor thing). I'm not even exaggerating! I can speculate that most other SEC states experience something along those lines with regards to their college football arch-rivals. And y'all, it is part of what makes SEC football so dadgummed fun!!

Which is why living in Arizona is kind of ho-hum for me when football season rolls around. Folks here just aren't as 'into' it as a state as they are in the South.

There are no tricked-out, team-colored-custom-paint-jobbed conversion vans rolling around town. There is no Friday driving home from work listening to the fight songs on the radio. No "Favorite Calls of the Game" replays on the radio. No "Wear Your College Colors To Work Fridays". No Monday morning recaps with your friends or co-workers. No general air of anticipation, of fun and excitement.

It kinda sucks.

But, I'm doing what I can to make the best of it. The networks could help out by showing every SEC game played but they don't seem to want to help out much there since I live in Pac-10 world. Heck, I would settle for seeing every Auburn game played but beggars can't be choosers, so every Saturday morning, while Maggie and I snuggle up while she drinks her bottle, I scan the tv schedule for that day to determine which games are on when, so as to be as prepared as possible.

It's an addiction. But's it's so much fun :)

You can check out everyone else's obsession at Kelly's Korner, so head on over!

A Birthday and Football

Maggie went to her first "1st Birthday" party this past weekend. Hailey, the daughter of our friends Steve and Jessica, turned one last week, and we went to her party on Saturday. I just love 1st Birthday parties - they're just so cute!

Here's the Birthday Girl:



Isn't she adorable? I just love her red hair!

Maggie had a lovely time, and went relaxed in jean shorts and a cute top:



After the party, we all went home to enjoy the rest of College Football Saturday. We're teaching our girl to L.O.V.E. college football from an early age:



(Look at those cheeks!!)

All that partying and football watching took its toll, though, and our girl pooped out from all the excitement:





We all had a great day, and looking back, Mommy and Daddy probably could have benefitted from a nap, too :)

Hope everyone had a good Labor Day. Hubby and I actually had a full holiday together, so we spent the day grocery shopping and cleaning house. We've turned into the old married couple :) No fear. We completed all of those things in time to be seated in front of the TV for college football. This is definitely our coach-potato time of year :)

P.S. Did y'all see the Florida State / Miami game?!!! Hooo-wee what a game! Man, I love college football :)

WAAAAAR EAGLE!!

Obviously, we are sooo excited that football season has arrived :)

1!

2!

3!

4!

5!

Oh.My.

Y'all.

I am giddy with anticipation.

Want to know why?

Fox Sports Arizona will be broadcasting SEC Football this fall!!!

I think maybe I should sit down.

This is so great because, as an Auburn Fan and SEC Enthusiast, I am often in football hell out here in Arizona (which is also another kind of hell right now, btw). So the commercial I saw last night saying SEC games would be shown on FSA just made my day.

(... and if they've lied to me ... They Will Regret It. Oh yes sir they will.)

I can't wait ... I'm so excited! 15 days and counting ;)

30 Days ...

... 'til Auburn football!!

Prozac, Anyone?

Dang, y'all.

I don't know if the State of Arizona is going to survive the all-out-crazy, super-excited, oh-my-goodness-can-you-believe-it, pinch-me fun leading up to this weekend's NFC title game here between the Philadelphia Eagles and our own AZ Cardinals.

Not that I care, really - I just can't get away from it. I love football in the college arena, but only watch NFL when Hubby is home, 'cause, ya know, a Sunday/Monday cannot pass without watching some pro-football or the world might implode. (Or some such nonsensical excuse to get me to switch the channel away from House.)

But I digress. We were talking about the possible need to medicate my state en masse.

Granted, the Cards haven't gone this far in the playoffs since coming to AZ (as far as I know), so everyone - even folks who don't normally follow football - are so excited I think passing out Depends may be a real need soon. Even the talking heads were in disbelief last week! And, if they're this hyper about a conference title game, what is going to happen if (when?) they advance to the Super Bowl?

Y'all, I may have to move.

Either that or the shock of it just might lessen our population to the point that I can get into a restaurant for a date-night with Hubby and not have a 45 minute wait.

(Not that I have issues with that. Or have pregnancy-induced fits of impatience for all other breathing beings standing between me and a dinner that I need (need?) no later than 7pm. NO LATER THAN 7PM! Hello?! 7pm, People!)

Anyhu, I will say this: I am soooo glad at this moment that they no longer play at Sun Devil Stadium (very near my church), and that Glendale is far, far away so traffic won't be an issue for me. 'Cause ya know, it's all about my comfort level :)

Oh, and a total side-note but I'm going to bore you with my thinking anway - and keep in mind, I never "followed" the NFL until Jorde: the first time I heard of the Arizona Cardinals was in the movie Jerry Maguire. I thought the team was made up. Really. Cardinals?! What a stupid name for a desert-area football team! So I was sure it was a fake team used for the movie. Until I moved here. Why, oh why, didn't the owner (Mr. "One-Scoop After a Win" Bidwell) change to a more area-minded team name when he moved the franchise? It's my big pet-peeve where this team is concerned.

I figured you wanted to know ... and you're welcome :)

You're a Good Man, Coach Tubs

Sigh.

I just shouldn't get so worked up. It's a game, after all.

But as I read the news this morning and learned that my beloved head coach, Tommy Tuberville, had resigned...I felt my good mood drain right outta me.

Oh, and I say "resigned" lightly - I don't live in Alabama anymore, and so am only getting the "official" news reports, but we all know how these things often work. The word "forced" comes to mind. So does "scapegoat".

Anyway, it just makes me sad. Definitely the end of an era for Auburn.

Plus...well...I just love Tommy Tuberville! He's been an awesome coach, one I have appreciated not only for his coaching abilities, but his leadership-by-example mentality. He's a class act in a profession that doesn't often showcase class. He seems to be a kind-hearted, down-to-earth family man. And he's not just about football - he's about Auburn, too. He's Auburn's perfect fit. At least, I and many other fans think so.

So, Coach T, so long. You will be missed more than you know. And always remember ...

WAR EAGLE!