I am (Football) Mommy, Hear Me Roar

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle victorious.  - Vince Lombardi

Ben, whippin' out the stiff-arm.  He's had a lot of practice on his brothers.  A lot.

Three years ago our oldest three boys crossed the threshold between everyone-gets-a-ribbon and lets just have a snack sports into let's put on our game face, grunt and keep score sports.  By far, football is their most favorite of all athletics.  I love it too.  Ben and Andrew are playing tackle, and George flag (with an occasional accidental tackle here and there.)

I'm not gonna lie - they hate playing with girls.  I'm sure he's bossing her right now.  I'm also sure that she's totally ignoring him.

At the start of every game, I suffer from a case of the mommy nerves.  It's hard not to be a little nervous for them.  The first thing I assess at the beginning of each game is the size of the other players.  When there are BIG boys out there on the field, I freak out a little inside with worry that they are going to flatten my boys like pancakes. They have no idea how hard I pray for them throughout the game!

While I love being the official family photographer, taking pictures can be a bit difficult, because I tend to scream a lot and do super uncoordinated celebratory moves on the sideline.  I'm sure it's really attractive, especially with a toddler in a pack on my back, but who cares, right??

The boy is fast.  I'm just gonna say it.  His mamma used to be fast.  Coincidence? I think not!

Speaking of pictures, I'm so thankful for the ginormous camera lens that Steve bought me just to help capture those far-away action shots.  I love it for the priceless moments it helps me capture, but also because I can hide behind it when I'm crying after one of them makes a touchdown or a sack.  Even if there is no action on the field I hide behind it, pretending to take pictures of trees or other people's adorable kids. Because once the flood gates open it's a bit difficult to close them up. Very large sunglasses also help, but make the picture taking a little difficult.

Andrew is a bit of a Mr. Tackle. He doesn't take defense lightly.  I like it!!

The best part of football is watching your kids enjoy the adventure of it.  Okay, seriously, all you moms out there who, like me, tell your kids to focus on having fun, don't be nervous, and to just their best - well we know that's really code for, this is war, the opponent is the enemy, now get out there and make 'em cry uncle!  You know I'm talking to you.  I'm good at code.

Boys in Black.  Ben is #9, always in the middle of the huddle pumping the team up.

Our kids have great coaches this year, and I'm so thankful for that. Unfortunately, many coaches think the only way to teach kids to play well is to scream and rant at their players.  Throw in an occasional tough guy tattoo and some colorful language and you've go a real winner out there with your kids. Uuugh, makes me want to find their mamma and have a little chat with her. Thankfully, that's not the case with our coaches this year.  The atmosphere is positive and the boys come away from practices and games with a smile on their faces.

George is a flag-football die-hard.  He likes to run the ball and the show.  My apologies parents, I'm not sure where he gets it. A-hem.

Last Saturday's fun was topped off with a stellar performance from our beloved K-State Wildcats, who beat OU 24-19.  Big win. Big, big, big, big, big, big, big.

My favorite picture of Coach Snyder ever.  He's a legend with wispy hair and I want to hug him.

After the game, I could hear the boys chatting from their bunk-beds about how they are going to play for K-State one day, what positions they will try to earn, and who will be coaching them since Bil Snyder will probably be retired by then.  Dream big, boys!! You never know what can happen!!  But, for now let's just focus on having fun (well, you know what I mean!!).

 That's my boy, not too cool or too proud to wave at his mamma....who was hiding her tears behind the camera.