What Have You Been Up To?

•Let's see...me...you ask so kindly...well football mostly, but you know that! But last week was the last week of 5 days/week practice..thankyouverymuch!!

•This week we only have practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday..well for the boys anyways! Ryan still has practice everyday until forever!

•Why is it that I have to pull them (the boys that is) outta bed by their toe nails every school morning, but on mornings when they can actually sleep in, they are up at the buttcrackofdawn?! I just don't get it!

•Last Thursday, Ryan had a scrimmage and I was so very sad that I could not be there...I was at the boys' scrimmage instead. Funny how that works...2 places to be same time, different fields! Unfortunately both teams did not fare too well...hopefully their regular seasons will go much better!

•I read an entire book this weekend...The Time Traveler's Wife. I think I liked it...no I did like, I am just not sure I liked the ending! Now I really want to see the movie!

•Last night we went to a birthday party for a 4 yr old little girl...love this family...couldn't wait to get outta there...imagine...7 little girls just running around screaming at the top of their lungs...it was fun for about 2 hrs and then we left!

•Colin is doing great on his football diet!! In fact this morning we had to 'cinch' a pair of jean shorts that were too tight for him before...he was so excited!

•Ryan is also on this diet and has lost 30 lbs! I am so proud of him! Way to go honey!

•Friday is Ryan's first regular season game...against the #2 team in the state...keeping our fingers crossed! (and our toes too!)

•And speaking of toes...I painted mine sparkly blue with silver polk-a-dots! Go WCHS!

•I lost another student this week...sigh...becuase she moved. Made me sad...she was a good girl and one of my few girls...so that means I am now down to 18 students with 11 being boys...oy vey!


•This past Friday the boys got their game jerseys...they are very cool and they are very excited...last names on the back and everything!

So that is what I have been up too...what about you?! ☺

Sneaky Momma is being Sneaky!

So Jill over at Sneaky Momma not only has a personal blog, but she also has a business blog! That's right...she designs blogs...and they are sosososo cute! Well today she is the hostess with the mostess of the fun Free Freebie. And guess what she is giving away...that's right...A BLOG MAKEOVER!! I wanted to let you know about it, just so you can check her out, but not to win!! (lol) :P Cuz I want to win! But you should check her out anyways just to have a looksie!

Tell her Stacey from McCrakens x 4 sent you!

Hope you had a great Friday!! TGIF!

Where's Mom?! 25/52 Photos of ME!!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 25th week!

This week marks 2 special days for my family; my Mom AND my Dad both celebrate birthdays this week!

My Mom celebrated her birthday this past Sunday Aug 15 and my dad will celebrate his birthday tomorrow Aug 21!

I hope you guys enjoy your special week and each of your special days! Sorry we weren't able to celebrate them with you...but we are there in spirit and l♥ve!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Mom & Dad

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

And many more!

We miss & love you and can't wait to see you!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

A Walk Down Memory Lane...Join Me, Won't You?!

Join me this week as I take a stroll down memory lane...these pictures were taken exactly 3 years ago today in August of 2006. With the football season upon us, I just couldn't resist! Look at how little they were...Brendan was 6 and Colin was 5.

We went to the inter squad scrimmage at the University of Michigan stadium. This was the summer that we moved back home to Michigan. Let's back track for a moment...we moved to Arizona in the summer of 2004 and in the summer of 2006 we decided to put our house on the market and move back to Michigan. God had other plans...the house didn't sell and we were back in Arizona by the next summer!

Here are Brendan & Colin running around the field pretending to take it in for a touchdown!

What you may not know is that the boys' Papa used to coach for Michigan so when we did live there we had pretty nice access to the games!! The boys loved going to the games, as did Ryan and I!

They had so much fun that day playing in the Big House with their Papa. They don't remember much about it, but I do and it was so much fun so be on the field 'playing football' and now they actually are playing football!! A few years ago for Halloween Brendan was a Michigan football player and Colin was a Michigan coach...my all time favorite costumes!!

Our house will always bleed Maize & Blue!

Thanks for strolling with me...for more walks down memory lane be sure to visit Erica!

True Story Tuesday

So most of you know that I am a kindergarten teacher. I have been teaching kindergarten at the school where I am at now for the past 3 years. I love teaching kindergarten. If I had to choose any job in the whole entire world, besides being a stay at home mom, I would choose to be a kindergarten teacher! Well, our first day of school was last Monday (Aug 10) and I was excited, nervous and anxious. You see on Friday August 7, we had Meet & Greet night with the teacher. That particular day I had 20 students in my class, so I was fortunate enough to meet 19 of my 20 students and families! Some of you may remember talking about that particular #19 student!!

Well here is my True Story Tuesday...

It actually starts back in March when my school hosted it's yearly Kindergarten Round-up. Some of you may be familiar with this event; it is actually just a night to register your incoming kindergartner. I was fortunate enough to have met #19 on this night! He left an impression, to say the least!! He came in sweet as can be with a smile that lit up the room, but as soon as he didn't get what he wanted, he started to throw a whiny temper tantrum and DEMAND that he get what he wanted. This behavior lasted the entire time his mom was registering him. She would come over and talk to him, but nothing she said mattered to this determined little #19! We actually over hear her say that she often locks herself in the closet at home a few times a day just to get away from him....are ya kiddin' me?!! As soon as they left, I quickly walked up to our office manager, who happens to be a good friend, and asked so nicely....please don't put him in my room...well maybe not those words, but you get the drift!!

So fast forward 4 and a half months later to the day when I receive my class list and I look and there in black & white is dreaded #19's name!! I let our this awful howling....NNNNNOOOOOO! But yes, yes it was true, #19 was in my class!! So back to Friday Meet the Teacher night...#19 and his dad were early, of course and strolled into my room about 4:20 pm. I was gracious and polite (or so I thought at the time!) and talked to them alone for about 5-7 minutes at least, until others started coming in! As any good teacher, I excused myself to welcome my other students. At this time #19 started running around my room at a very high rate of speed. I quietly asked him to use his walking feet and find a seat and after the 3rd time, he graciously obliged! Now mind you, I am still trying to talk to everyone else who is coming into my room, when #19 starts breaking the tips off of my brand new crayons and pencils. I am thinking...does this dad NOT see what his son is doing? So I try and distract him while continuing to talk to parents. I finally got him to settle down so I walk away and wouldn't you know it...he starts screaming at the top of his lungs. How do I ignore this? But I do...he is with his dad who, I am hoping, can control it. After an agonizing 3 minutes he finally takes him into the hallway where he proceeds to scream for about 7 more minutes and then he was gone...aaaahhhh...silence!

Monday Morning...1st day of school....NO #19...WHAT???? Did he move, leave, quit? Don't know, don't care! Had a great first day!

Tuesday Morning...he shows up at my door with mom, dad and sister. Now mind you, I am also welcoming 20 other students to their 2nd day of school! They (the parents) want my FULL attention and I am trying...really I tried! I smiled, I welcomed, I made him comfortable and we said good-bye! And guess what...#19 had a great day! He listened (for the most part, he is 5!), he followed directions, he got along. I was happy....VERY happy! School ends and I send him on his way with a smile on both of our faces! And I am thinking this might not be such a bad year after all!!!

Tuesday after school...I get a voice mail from #19's mom wanting me to call her; so I do. I was on the phone for over half an hour listening to her tell me that she doesn't like me, that she thinks I am too loud, too rude, too obnoxious...GASP... she thinks that I am not the teacher for her sweet little #19! She then tells me that she went to school to be a teacher and 'knows' what I am going through (yea...right!). I listen politely as I can without going off on her like a spider monkey on crack...which I really wanted to do. She then tells me how much she appreciates me and thanks me for being a teacher, but she still wants to have #19 moved from my room. He told her that 'I was yelly cuz the kids were bad' and that he was 'scared to come to school'. So I went to the principal and told her about my conversation and we agreed that she was very needy parent and it was her who had the problem and not #19. The best thing to do would be to move him because if he was too fail, heaven forbid, the mom would blame me! BUT the move wouldn't happen until Thursday which meant I had #19 for one more day.

Wednesday...GREAT day until 3:20 pm when #19 peed his pants. They called his mom and she blamed ME for him peeing his pants. WHAT?! She kept asking him..'who wouldn't let you go to the bathroom?' over and over and over again...seriously woman....

Thursday...#19 was moved to the room next door. The teacher in the room next door is a good friend of mine! He comes up to his new teacher that afternoon and says "I think you and Mrs. M (me) are still friends." She says 'Yes' and then he says "Yea...I don't like it that you are still friends with her so you need to stop!"...wonder where he got that from!!!

Oh well, better her than me!

That is one HIGH maintenance mom!!

For more True Story Tuesday, be sure to visit Rachel!

The Stages of Football Practice....

With Pop Warner football there are very specific guidelines that need to be followed for all of the players for safely reasons! It is reassuring that these guidelines are in place, I have heard of other organizations that come out in full pads for the first practice.

1. CONDITIONING...

Every player needs to condition in only shorts, shirts, & cleats for at least 10 hours...so that means if you miss a practice you are a day behind. During conditioning they work on endurance, speed and drills. Above is Brendan is doing a wide receiver drill.

Colin doing high knees...look at those calves!!

and Brendan doing his high knees

The practice their stances

2. HELMETS & SHOULDER PADS...

After their 10 hours of conditioning is up...they go to helmets, shoulder pads and cleats

Colin do the bear crawl in an obstacle course drill

Brendan racing by for his 40 yard dash time....

3. FULL PADS...

And then FINALLY...they go to full gear...helmets, shoulder pads, pants, pads & cleats

Colin has a good chance at being the center this season and he is so excited...for those of you that don't know...the center snaps or gives the ball to the quarterback...a very important job!!

This is Brendan tackling one of his teammates to the ground! Another drill...he won BTW!

And here is Colin doing that same drill...it is very important to be the fastest and the lowest...keep your feet moving...


Pop Warner is very strict on age & weight, as you know!! They usually practice Monday-Friday for 2 weeks and then 3 days a week for 2 weeks and then it goes to their regular schedule of practice on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Because we have such an early game this season, we have 1 more week of practice Monday-Friday and then next week we drop to 3 times a week and then 2 times a week....it's never ending I tell ya!...But I ♥ it!

COLIN MADE FOOTBALL WEIGHT!!!!

CAN I TELL YOU HOW PROUD I AM OF THIS KID....

He worked so so so so hard and HE did it!! He needed to be less than 90.9 lbs and he weighed in at 90.4 lbs! He watched what he ate...no sweets, soda, or carbs, he swam laps every night in the pool as well as had football practice every night too!!!

So now what happens....he will get weighed before every game and they will give him 7 lbs for his pads as well as 1.5lbs for growth! So if we keep up and maintain what we have been doing for the last 2 weeks...it is a win win situation!!! We are healthy and Colin plays football!

Thanks for all of the well wishes and prayers; they are greatly appreciated!

A Week's Worth of Randomness...

...I am still here...although mostly physically, but not mentally or emotionally so much!!

...I have been at football practice every night for the last 2 weeks in the 100*+ temps...me... sitting...Brendan & Colin...practicing. AND still have ONE more week to go (they changed it) of 5x's per week....*sigh*...

...I would post pictures, but I am at work (sshhhhhh!!! don't tell!) and all my pictures are on my home computer, so NO pictures!

...I am so very tired! *sigh again*

...School started this past Monday and it went well.

...I started out with 21 students and am now at 19! Remember me saying a little something about #19 in this post...well....his mom decided she didn't like me, *GASP*, I know right, and had him moved to the room next door! Oh well, better her than me!!!

...I have become very inpatient with Brendan & Colin lately...they are driving me BANANAS!!

...I am helping them with their football fundraisers, which I am not so happy about, during the first 2 weeks of school! *BLAH* They are taking donations for a jog-a-thon, and we are selling cookie dough. Anyone wanna buy some??!!!

...I am so thankful for all of my faithful bloggy friends this past week! I have been a terrible bloggy friend and have hardly been around blogland, but I promise promise promise to catch up this weekend.

...As many of you know, I have been working with Colin to get to his 'football weight'. Last night on the coach's scale he was .....90 lbs...!!!! Hopefully that is what he will weigh Saturday morning at the official weigh in! Keep praying!

...and last but certainly not least, my good friend Jane Anne over at Gravity of Motion just posted her 100th Thursday Thanks Tanks yesterday and she is having a super fun giveaway of 10 things that she is thankful for! Go check her out...I love her blog and she is such a super sweet gal. When you go, make sure you tell her that McCrakensx4 sent ya!!

Where's Mom?! 24/52 Photos of ME!!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 24th week!

So this is how I feel after being on the HOT HOT football field for almost 3 hours every day for the last 8 days! We have 2 more days of everyday practice, and then next week it goes to 3 x's a week for 2 weeks and then finally to their normal schedule of just Tuesday & Thursday!

This is me and my friend Kari! Her son,T, is also on the team so we hang out every night! When I said that I needed a picture for my blog, this is what she gave me, so I decided to play along!

I know it's not the prettiest picture of me, but this is really how I feel...I am so tired...*sigh*...!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

WW~ Meet the Teachers!

Brendan & Mrs. G
Colin & Ms. L

True Story Tuesday

So I am sure that you are getting tired of football already, BUT it is my life and it is all that I know, at least at the moment...so I write what I know!!! I mentioned this the other day, but it is something that I am very anxious about and I am hoping that if I write about it and ask for prayer that I will feel better.
And as most of you know, both boys play tackle football for Pop Warner. This is their 2nd year playing for the team that they are on...Mighty Mites, The Cobras.
Well not only is it a league based on age, but it is also based on weight. Brendan has no problem in this area AT ALL...Colin on the other hand is built just like Ryan...solid as a rock.
He is by no means fat...he is mostly muscle.
Well a week ago, he weighed 99.5 lbs and yesterday after practice he was at 95 lbs. Now unfortunately the certification scale weighs heavy by a pound, which means he needs to weigh 89 lbs on my scale to be at 90 lbs at certification.

Certification is where the boys gets down to their undies and stand on the scale, and if they weigh more than 90.9 lbs, then they cannot play.
Now mind you...this was Colin's idea. I am not making him do this...it is his choice. But I, as the mother, just has to say that... I HATE THIS. I hate that I have to say NO to a hungry child. I hate that he is getting frustrated. I hate that I cry when he walks away and I won't give him food. I HATE IT...but I LOVE that HE wants to do this and with my help...he will!
I just have to tell you what kind of ♥heart♥ this kid has. He is working so hard to eat the 'right' foods and workout as much as he can. Sunday he worked out with one of the coaches for about 2 hours and every night after practice he comes home and swims at least 10 laps plus he does high knees in the water...which is not easy!

He is doing great, although there are times when he is frustrated and ready to quit, BUT he doesn't...he just drinks his water and moves on!

Please pray with me that God's will is done in Colin and his heart. I have faith in Colin and I hope that all of his hard work pays off...I am so proud of this kid!!
I wish I had his will power!

For more True Story Tuesday, be sure to visit Rachel!

Today is the Day!!!

The first day of school that is!!!

It is finally here, after a very short summer! (or what seemed to be a short summer!) We had a great summer...went on 2 vacations, went swimming, LOTS, watched TV, went to the movies, slept in, played Wii...so much to do...but that was then and now is school!!!

Brendan is 9 years old and now in the 4th grade...Oh my...wasn't he just in kindergarten?! Yesterday he was quite anxious and nervous; like his mom, he is not big on change! He is excited about his teacher, Mrs. G, who I requested for him at the end of last year. And on top of him growing up wwwwaaaayyyy too fast, this will be the last year on the first floor (next year, he moves upstairs), BUT we are NOT going to think of that this year. For now, I will ask Jesus to be with him, give him a kiss and leave him in good hands!

Colin is 8 years old and now in the 3rd grade! He is just getting to big for his own good! Unlike his brother...he loves change and cannot wait to get started! He will have the same teacher that Brendan, Ms. L, had last year, who I requested, and is so excited about that (as am I!). So just as Brendan, I will put Colin in the hands of Jesus, give him a smooch, and send him on his way! (I may have a tear or 2 as well, but not for them to see!)

So bright and early, the lunches were packed, the clothes were put on and now we are on our way! I too, have a first day of school. I will have a new class of 20 kindergarteners starting today as well. Friday was our Meet the Teacher night and I was able to meet 19 of my 20 students! I was happy to meet 18 of them...I'll get back to you on #19!! (is that bad?!)

On top of it being our first day of school, for Ryan too, who is teaching 5 sections of Freshman English, we still have football practice tonight! This week is the continuation of our heck week, practice every night for about 2 and a half hours! So from school we head right to the football field. So please forgive me if I am not quick to comment on your posts this week, I promise I will get caught up as quickly as I can! What I really need is an air card so I can read while at the football field!

So here's to a great first day of school!

It's Official...I'm A Widow!

It's true...I am a widow...a football widow that is! This is what has replaced me... This past Monday is when it all began...double sessions...that's right...practice twice a day. Can you imagine?! Especially in this AZ heat! Rest assured though, the boys are getting plenty of H2O breaks!Sadly enough I have come to love this little piece of brown pigskin...I mean really...for the next 15 weeks it is all that I, oops, I mean...we will be dreaming about!

...you see, because it has begun...Ryan will have practice and/or meetings every day from now until the end of the season...whenever that may be. One never knows how long the season will last. Sure we have a schedule that has 11 games on it, but this schedule does not take into account the playoffs...so if, Oh I mean WHEN, the Wildcats make the playoffs, then that means the football season just got longer! Lucky me, I know...don't be jealous!
Last week I was able to slip away for a few minutes and take some pictures of Ryan's practice from afar, because heaven forbid a disturbance on the field during practice!

I love football season...I really do! I may mock it and sound ill mannered about it at times, but deep down in my ♥heart♥, I am sure I was born to be a coach's wife! I love to watch Ryan coach the kids, whether it be our boys or his team! I have come to learn a lot about football during our years together as well, some things interesting, some things not so interesting!!


And NOT only have a become a football widow this week, I have also become a football mom! Double duty to say the least!

The boys started practice this past Monday night and had it every night for a little over 2 hours. They will continue to have nightly practices all next week, then it will drop to 3x's a week for 2 weeks and then go to their normal practice schedule of 2x's per week...until their season is over!

Here are the boys at one of their first practices with their team. Coach Steve, the head coach, is the one in the orange & white visor. They are on the same team as last year, the Cobras, which are Mighty Mites for Pop Warner football in our area.

The Cobras' team motto for this year is...
'One Team, One Dream
One Way...Together.'
And their colors are blue & orange.


Brendan will be wearing #80 this season, which he is having mixed feelings about! Last year he was #75 and was a defensive end. With his # being 80 this year, he will more than likely be playing tight end or wide receiver. He is excited, but nervous!
(you see in football, whichever # you wear determines what position you will play.)




Colin will once again be wearing #60 which means he will be playing on the line, either left or right tackle. I am very anxious for Colin this year. You see, he is husky for his age and with Pop Warner there is a weight limit for levels; Colin is at the very tippy tippy top of his weight level and there is a possibility that he won't be able to play unless he loses weight...what we are calling, football weight. He is by no means fat, he is just solid, but with that being said, we have put him on a very strict football diet. I hate doing this to him, but he understands and he wants to play football. He is being monitored by us, his coaches and a good friend who is a personal trainer, but will you please pray for him (& for me!)? I feel so guilty about doing this, but it is what he wants! At the beginning of the week he weighed 99.5 lbs and as of yesterday he was down to 94 lbs, but he needs to be at 90 lbs by next Saturday for official certification and weigh in with his team. If he doesn't make weight, we will not be able to play in his first game. We are confident that he can do it and I can't wait to see him make his first tackle of the season!

So...there you have it, straight from the widow's mouth and ♥heart♥!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE football season and can't wait for their games! I am so proud of my players and coach!

Ryan's games will be every Friday night starting August 28 and the boys' will have games every Saturday beginning August 29. And if you are worried that you won't have a chance to cheer them on in person, rest assured that you will cheer with me here at my blog!


Here's to a GREAT season!


I wanted to incorporate Pam's fun meme into my Saturday post, but I am not sure that there will ever be a year that football isn't part of our fall!! What I will miss is when I am not needed as a much as I am now. I will always love watching the boys, all 3 of them, on the field! And as I have said in the past, I will always be their biggest cheerleader if nothing else!!



For More Your Gonna Miss This Moments...be sure to visit Pam!