#GBO #VFL

We live in Knoxville. We graduated from UT. We have a sense of pride of the South and Tennessee and all of the good stuff that the orange represent. 

ALL of this makes us VolsForLife and this football season has proven to be AMAZING for us so far!

Nicole & I have this saying that we, fortunately, get to use pretty regularly: "It keeps getting more free."

The perfect example of this???

 MAYBE THE ABOVE PIC THAT ANDERSON TOOK WITH #3 JOSH MALONE! 

Oh, if you watch UT at all, you know him. He is just the guy who has scored key touchdowns in each of the first 3 games this seasons. And, Anderson has his autograph and picture, which just makes him feel like he is really something. 

How/why did this happen, you ask? Well, I think I answered it when I used the phrase, "It keeps getting more free." But, seriously. I have this job. And, in this job, I have these co-workers. And, these co-workers, as it turns out, are pretty amazing. So, one of them has a brother who happens to be the UT barber! I asked her if he could Anderson one of their autographs. The next thing I know, my phone is ringing and it is the barber asking me to meet him at the UT practice field. 

Um, ok. 

It was about 5:45 so we definitely were not home yet, but he said we had to be there by 6, so I BOOKED it down to UT. I was a little disappointed to not have UT clothes, a football to sign, etc., but I have learned to adapt my need for a themed event when the need arises. 

We made it as practice was ending. Yes, the CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UT PRACTICE had just ended. And, there we were-a mom, an excited 6 year old and a crazy 3 year old who refused to take off his police jacket. 

We basically had free reign to just attack/stalk the players, so you know that I was all over that. I did make Anderson ask them by himself because I figured nobody could say no to a cute little kid. Also, the glasses. I feel like they had to help some, right? 

How cute is this pic where he is so tiny?

EVAN.BERRY. 

I.CANNOT.EVEN. 

So, they all signed the paper (his Math homework...) and when I saw #29, I freaked out. When Anderson realized it was Even Berry, I gave him my phone & he ran after him. Then, the cutest thing in the world happened when I watched from afar (across the practice field) as Anderson tried to take a selfie with him. Anderson has never taken a selfie and watching Evan Berry try to help him do it was maybe the cutest thing that has ever happened. 

If you look closely, you can see number tracing on the other side of this sheet because, yes...that is the back of his 1st grade math homework. Since this was not a planned adventure, I had to improvise and that was literally the only paper we had in the car. 

His teacher is either going to think we are crazy or, if she is a true Vol fan, Anderson will quickly become her favorite student. 

A copy of this is now on our fridge and every single time any of these guys does something amazing, I get all giddy like we really know them. 

Events like this are reminders to me that I do not need to completely plan every detail of my life every  minute because spontaneity can be a pretty awesome thing, too. 

While some (a lot) of people were sweating at the Battle of Bristol, we were sitting in our air conditioned living room, having a pretty good time with GG who brought over enough food of days! Well, I say "days," but I managed to eat the entire container of guacamole in less than 24 hours, so I am not sure what that says about me. 

We are so grateful that GG lives so close to us and that she is willing to bring over delicious rations and watch the Vols with us. I am also so grateful for the close relationship that she & Brandon have because I have big plans about my future with these boys of mine. 

In another pretty amazing "free" twist, we went to the UT/Ohio game because Nicole is amazing and gave us her tickets*. 

This was Max's 1st game & he was so excited about the police cars everywhere, how high we were, the fact that he was going to drink diet coke and I think deep down, about the Vols. 

*"Tickets" in this case being AMAZING seats near an air conditioned concession area with a parking pass. 

This guy (Anderson)  was PUMPED, as he has been for the last 4 years each time he has been lucky enough to go to a game. 

He watched the entire game, called the penalties, cheered on his boys (see above) and had an awesome time. 

Max did, in fact, get his diet coke. 

"It burns, Mama. I like it."

Y'all. 

I am Anderson's mom, which means I know nothing about sleep. Ever. Seriously, this same weekend, I picked him up from school/after school care on Friday and we went to a 2 hour pump it up party (1.5 hours of straight jumping), took him to the AE game where he ran around playing football for 3 hours (got home after 11,) and he was STILL awake by 5:30 on Saturday. 

The point is that Max, who requires an average amount of sleep continues to amaze me. Now, he does not need a long nap every day (his preschool nap is basically my arch nemesis because it is over an hour,) but he is 3 so he needs a little minute. So, when he FELL ASLEEP IN MY ARMS, I almost lost it out of fear/shock/worry. I have never had a child fall over 3 months old asleep anywhere in public and it was sort of amazing. Not only was it kind of snuggly with him laying on me (you say sweaty mess, I say melting in the heat,) but he was in a much better mood when he woke up. 

They were both actually smiling here. 

And, this sums up my boys.

Anderson is booing the ref for a (n incorrect) holding call & Max is trying to see how many m&ms he can shove in his mouth. 

Also, Max had ZERO interest in the game. We looked for the numbers on the field, tried to find the police officers, played with ice, cut up m&ms, ran around inside (thank you, Bobble Cole) and tried not to terrorize the people around us. But, as one woman put it when I apologized for him kicking her seat, at least we are raising him right. Seriously, people LOVE to see a little Vol. 

That's right; look up to him. 

We love our VOLS!

Books, quotes and some other things that I took pics of on my phone.

I started this post maybe a year ago and have just randomly added to it. I wish I could say that I have read more books, but I would pretty much be lying. 

READING IS MY FAVORITE. 

It is also the only time that I ever sit down. But, real life has a tendency to consume all of my time and I just have a lot of school work, chores, life needs to do at nights, so reading gets kicked to the curb a bit. I am ok with this. I would rather do work at home so I can leave work by 5, so reading is just going to have to wait a few years for me to be fully invested again. But, here are a few thoughts-

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

Just like all books that are full of sadness/perspective/real life, this one has totally stuck with me. The character development and word painting of the slum in India were so descriptive that I felt like I was actually a part of the story. It was a little confusing at first because the names are genuinely Indian and therefore harder for me to place in my front burner memory, so I had to check back a few times to make sure I had the right person. This was not due to the writing, which was incredible, but rather my inability to remember  all things based on the fact that I read entirely too late at night/into the morning. 

I recommend it. 

Also, the puppies in the background-I recommend them, too. 

Spoiler Alert: I AM AN IDIOT. This book is Non-Fiction narrative and I did not actually realize it until I had finished it. You better believe I was on YouTube within 2 seconds trying to find videos of the real people (no luck.) I have no idea how I missed this fact when I did actually read the entire jacket of the book prior to starting the book, but I am grateful that I did because I think that punch about the story being real after I was totally invested in it made it even better. 

Also, I will never, ever complain about anything in my life again after reading this book. 

Until tomorrow. Sigh.

Why Not Me?

Terrible. Not funny at all. She tried too hard. I just don't know. 

Also, she has a TV show apparently? Maybe if I knew that or have ever seen it, I would have enjoyed it more. But, as it is, nobody wants to hear about how hard a really rich person has to work. I just don't care. I appreciate that you work long hours and even respect you for it, but I just can't drudge up sympathy or interest. 

Background-Max watching firetrucks on the iPad. 

The Great Reformer

This one was SO good! (Also, I forgot to take a pic until I was returning it at the library. 

I love a good Catholic story and this one did a pretty detailed job of explaining the journey to the Papacy. 

Background-Bug in his car seat at the library drop off. It was clearly winter and it is now September. So, I am even more concerned about how long ago I started this.

This is an excerpt: I love it. Earlier he talked about how spending the first 5 years of his life with his grandma totally shaped him. How can I not make the connection between my boys and their grandmas?

Also, YOU ARE WELCOME, NONI! All of this time that I am allowing you to hang out with Anderson & Max is driving one of them to be the next POPE! 

Dear Mr. You

So good. Her words. How can someone use the same words that exist in the vocabulary of every other person & make them so meaningful? 

To be honest, some of the letters were weird. But, a few-Orderly, Oyster Picker, Man who will Marry My Daughter, Grandfather, Dad (not the exact titles of the last 2, but I cannot remember them, but this is who they were about.)

DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!

Background-clothes that need to be folded and Gabbi who ALWAYS needs to go out. 

Mostly True

I have always loved a StoryPeople drawing &, for some reason, this one stood out to me. 

Speaking of, take it back to "Crayon Pirate," which was hanging up in my kitchen BEFORE I was even pregnant, much less had my own tiny pirate. 

Brave Enough

 Chery Strayed would actually be my friend if she lived in Knoxville. I feel very strongly about this truth. 

The above quotes are FOR SURE the last 5 years of my life. 

I cannot stress enough how much the journey that is my career has changed me for the better. I can never go back and I will always be grateful. 

These are not really from books, but I like all of these quotes, too. 

Top left: I forget ALL OF THE TIME that everyone is not outgoing and I that some people are naturally shy. I struggled with remembering this as a teacher and I am really, really working on it in my current job/life. 

The rest are self explanatory. 

I have no idea what book this is from, but I took a picture of it because I loved it and it reminds me of first year teachers and moms. 

I am so grateful that I read Pat Summit's Sum it Up prior to her death. I had NO idea how absolutely amazing she was as a person, coach, leader, mom, etc. 

My mind was blown the entire book-she is truly fascinating. 

These were 2 of my favorite quotes. 

The Sound of Gravel

This one was so good that I started it one night at 10:30pm and....just didn't look at the clock when I finished it and finally went to bed that same night/morning. 

Reading is such a disease. 

It is a memoir of growing up in a polygamist family in Mexico-I love a memoir. 

Also, Shark Week in the background. 

A Man Called Ove

Nicole let me borrow this one and I am so grateful because it was wonderful. 

Well written, developed characters, positive, different, all of the good stuff. 

Crickets & fish food (and maybe a gogurt?) in the background. 

YES!!!!!I love this quote. I feel like this is so true.

 My office is covered with my family-pictures, drawings, random family stuff mixed in with the work stuff. My work people know about my family and ask about them and tolerate my kids at work events. They know when I run out at the end of the day it is so I can be with them. They are ok with me missing events at night so that I can be with them. 

Ultimately, they know that WHY I do what I do at work is because of those 2 mini Brandons at home. 

Meanwhile, my family knows about my work. They listen to me talk and complain and get excited. They visit me at work, they come with me to work, they send balloon animals with me to work. They know that when I drop off the kids and run, it is because I am trying to get to work so that I am not late AGAIN. 

They know that I truly enjoy my job and that WHY I do what I do is for them. 

All in all, I am pretty good with it all running together in a hot mess. 

I read this quote from crazy Kate with all the kids & I agree with her. When my kids are 12, I will also have time to actually sit & think and I will probably feel like this, too. 

But, right now? Well, nobody actually has time to cuddle. You know, because life. 

Sometimes I read things and they stick with me. 

And, sometimes I read things and they pierce my heart and I know that, without fail, I will get up tomorrow and keep going & keep doing. 

When I say this quote reminds me of some teachers that I have had the amazing honor to work with at all 3 schools I have been, it might be an understatement. 

Some people are just born better than others and I know, without a doubt, that teachers are those people. I have been at 3 very different schools and at all of them, the adults in the buildings are amazing in their caring attitudes and unselfishness.  

It is powerful thing to see and I am so grateful to work in education. (Except on Saturday mornings when I am so, so, so tired from the week/football game from Friday. Then I am too tired to have all of the feels.)

Question from rude people: Why/how do you work so many hours with young kids? Don't you miss them? I could never do your job; I love my kids too much. 

Answer: See above. Turns out, I love my kids, too*.

 (*Then, this is where I would drop the mic if I had one. I really, really want to do that at some point in my life.)

In case you have not figured out, I am incredibly grateful for the challenge of my job. It is a pretty huge theme of my life. Well, one day last week one of my favorite kids ever (he graduated from AE before I even started there, but he volunteers there,) stopped by to ask me for to edit his college paper.  I knew someone who could do it way better than I could, so we face timed her and she, of course, said yes. 

When I saw this pic, I was shocked because we do ACTUALLY look alike. I mean, it is almost a little weird. Is this what other people see? No wonder they are confused/intrigued. 

Also, I told her to not read it in Target because she would cry (it was a reflection paper) and she did an amazing job and the kid now loves her. 

Some pictures with captions/some without

GG took this guy to a toy store where he was able to play for hours! These boys are so spoiled by their grandmas & I am so grateful since I am usually at work when all of this fun is happening. 

So many dirt piles at Noni's=happiness for this one. 

The police jacket has officially replaced the fire jacket. Clearly Max has not received the memo that it has been 90+ degrees every day. 

Andy caught the resident Brimer frog one afternoon when we were over there & these kids were so happy. 

I love all of his equipment that he sleeps with every night. Also, he sleeps in the police jacket and the green boots, so I have to sneak in there and take it all off after he is asleep to avoid a sweat pile. 

Max finally got his very own backpack that was never owned by Anderson, thanks to an awesome Kohl's clearance snag. 

He refused to actually hold the sign.