Our Family at the Cotton Bowl 2016

Because of the following reasons, our family was able to experience the renowned Cotton Bowl on January 2 up close and personal:

1.  Western Michigan University football team was one of two undefeated teams in the nation along with Alabama, with a record-breaking and history-making 13-0 record and a national ranking in the top 25.

2.  WMU won the Mid-America Conference (MAC) title.

3.  Grandson, Jackson #65 played left guard for the WMU Broncos.

Wow, what a year for these boys many of whom were on the team four years earlier when their record was 1-11 with a new 34 year old coach with off-the-wall ideas of how to build a winning team.

The next two years they were 8-4 with an emerging culture for winning ballgames and a mantra that the boys bought into 100% - "ROW THE BOAT!"

In January of 2016, in a meeting with his coaching staff, Coach Fleck held up a cotton ball.  It was his vision that they would work toward the goal of playing in the Cotton Bowl on News Years Day 2017.  Unbelievable!  However, the coaches bought in but agreed it should be presented to the team.

It was, and the team leaders wanted the team to have time to discuss it.  After meeting, the report to the coaching staff was this:

"Ok, this will be our goal, but we never want to hear it mentioned or referred to ever again during the season."

On Sunday, December 4, 2016 when it was announced that indeed, WMU had been selected to play in the Cotton Bowl, Coach Fleck pulled from his pocket a very worn and frayed ball of cotton.  It was the first time the boys had seen it since January.  He had kept it on his desk all year, but had carried it in his pocket for the first time during the MAC championship game.

It was now time to talk about going to Dallas to play in the

Cotton Bowl!

On Friday, Dec. 29, Hubby and I met our son and his family for four exciting nights at the
Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, the headquarters for the WMU football team for the week.

It was all bedecked for Christmas with decorations of over-sized proportions.
Here are just a few pictures.

Everything is truly bigger in Texas, right?

On Friday night, our daughter and her family, who live in Dallas, joined us for dinner and then back to the Gaylord to see our Big Boy for the first time.

These long-distance cousins had a wonderful time of reunion.  It was so much fun to watch them enjoy each other.

For the first time in five years all of us were together in one place.  It sure made us parents happy, happy folks.

One of the really neat things the Cotton Bowl does for the players is give them their very own tile in the huge mezzanine to their restricted area.

My daughter and I discussed having the three oldest grands recapture one of our favorite pictures of them.  They loved it!  And we all realized, they really haven't changed - except in size.

And then, it was Monday and time to play some football!

Jackson had about 47 adoring fans who made the trip to watch him play.

There were grandparents, aunts, uncles, even a great-aunt, and Indiana friends, everyone proudly wearing the WMU Bronco shirt of their choosing.

It was an exciting moment to see our Big Boy on the Big Jumbotron screen, the 2nd largest in the world.

And this made for a very emotional time for the proud parents who were seeing their son play his last college football game in such a amazing venue.

There was also a very special moment caught on national television.

Before every game since his first high school game, Jackson and Dad have made eye contact and pointed to each other as a sign of recognition and love for each other.  How special that Jackson found his dad in this huge mass of humanity and that it was captured for posterity.

We didn't win the game on the scoreboard but every one of those boys came away a winner.  They had achieved amazing feats against amazing odds and they played their hearts out.  As someone wrote in an AP article, "With a different 1st quarter or a little more time on the clock, they could have won this game."

The important thing for us was to hear Jackson say, "I feel really good about the way I played."  That's what we wanted for him.

Our son hosted the family and friends for a Jackson Celebration at a Texas Bar-be-Que restaurant afterward.  Again, it was a time of being together and loving on each other.

 We could be serious just so long.  But look at these beautiful granddaughters.

 Jackson and his long-time best friends from Indiana.

 We will forever treasure this time with our only grandson because of what it meant to him.  But also, because it was a time to celebrate all that is good; the results of working hard to achieve goals, spending time with family and friends and remembering and being grateful together for the one from Whom all blessings flow.

Begin the Beguine

It is so good to be back with the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Thank you Joyce for these interesting questions to begin our new year.

1. Are you ready for new? Is 2016 likely to be very different than 2015? Do you want it to be?

Yes, I am ready for new.  New what, I'm not sure, but I am ready to begin a new year with all the anticipation that a new beginning brings.  It will be different in that we will do less traveling this year and our focus will no longer be on celebrating a specific event; however, I hope we don't lose that excitement of now being married 51 years.  I hope we can spend 2016 celebrating what God is doing not only in our lives but in the lives of our family and friends.  Yes, I look forward to new beginnings and the continuation of good things from 2015.

2. January 6th is National Technology Day. Currently, what is your single biggest struggle or frustration when it comes to technology?

Two of my grand girls have mastered Snapchat and I had hoped for lessons, but time ran out for that.

3. It's that time again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2016. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-  
So (at the start of every single sentence), conversation (as in hotly debated topics where we're invited to 'join the conversation'), problematic, stakeholder, price point, secret sauce, break the Internet, walk it back, presser, manspreading (common in larger cities where some men take up the entire bus or train seat by sitting wide), vape, giving me life (refers to anything that may excite a person or make them laugh), and physicality
 
Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

Most of these are not mis-used in my world, some are not even used, and some I'm not familiar with  such as "vape".  Using the word "so" to begin a sentence is aggravating to me and probably something I do occasionally use.  The one word I would like to see banished is inserting "like" within a sentence fifteen times.  Now, that is like useless to me.

4. Share one of your current health related goals.

While visiting our son and his family, I had a Cervical MRI which showed a pretty bad, messed up neck.  Arthritis and stenosis are not a good combination.  While there, I had an epidural injection.  So, one of my health related goals is to continue doing the PT and massage therapy on my neck, along with other exercises and hopefully, keep my neck from getting too much worse.

5. Let's talk fifty shades of gray. As in the color. Gray is currently a popular color in home decor, paint, wardrobes, hair, wedding party attire, and more. Are you a fan? Do you have the color in some variation in your home or wardrobe?  Gray hair, the old gray mare, gray matter, gray area...which gray idiom can you most relate to right now?

I am not a big fan of gray.  I find it rather cold when used in a large amount in home decor.  I much prefer the warmer tones.  I am doing all I can on a monthly basis to keep the gray out of my hair, and have only one gray suit.  I do like it so wear more becoming colors near my face when wearing it.  I do love the color used in weddings.  In fact, my granddaughter used a pewter for her wedding last May and it was so elegant, as seen on Cassidy below.

"The old gray mare" is certainly not what she used to be.  It is so frustrating to realize I can no longer do some of the things I did just a year ago.  This doesn't keep me from trying, but I will never be able to do certain things again.  But, that's alright!

6. Certain foods are considered 'lucky' if eaten on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Cooked greens to bring economic fortune, black-eyed peas or lentils also symbolize money, pork which symbolizes progress, fish for good luck, and if you're in Spain 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Did you eat any lucky foods on the first day of the year? Is that a tradition in your home? Of the foods listed, which most appeals to you?

We do not eat any of the traditional New Year's foods you listed to bring in the new year.  Because we are Louisianans, we usually have a gumbo for New Year's Eve and it is always better the second day.

Black-eyed peas is one of my favorites any time of the year.

7. What's the single biggest time waster in your life and what, if anything, will you do about it this year?

I don't consider it a waste of time, but I probably spend more time reading than I probably should.  I can really get caught up in a good book and easily lose track of time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As you may or may not know, we spent Christmas week in the Bahamas with our son and his family to watch our grandson play in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl.  And we WON!

Hubby and I and some other team family members were interviewed by Kalamazoo newsmen and featured on their news cast.  Click the link below.  How fun was that!
Bronco players, parents in Bahamas getting ready for big game

It was a wonderful time with family in this beautiful place.  I will show more pictures in another post, but this is our bunch after the game with our Big Boy left guard, #65 who played a great game.

Way to go Broncos!

It's Gonna Be a Bahama Christmas

I trust your Thanksgiving was as memorable and enjoyable as ours was.  Now, on to things of Christmas.

Join other bloggers HERE for our Wednesday gathering.

1. Did you watch The Charlie Brown Christmas special Monday night? Who's your favorite Peanuts character and why?

No, I didn't watch.  I much prefer football to cartoons.  My favorite character has to be Charlie Brown himself.

"Most psychiatrists agree that sitting in a pumpkin patch is excellent therapy for a troubled mind."~Linus  

Would you agree?
 
Sure, why not.  What more does a troubled mind have to do but sit and wait for something better.

2. Describe a sound from your childhood. What does this sound bring to mind? 

Music.  My dad loved pretty music and he often played records for us.  He also loved to sing and taught us to sing and play the piano from shaped notes hymnals.

3. You've won a trip to a winter wonderland...would that excite you? Which one of the following would you most want to experience (or which one would you dislike the least)-see the Aurora Borealis in Norway, stay in Sweden's Ice Hotel, go dogsledding in Lapland Finland, take a winter wildlife safari in Yellowstone or celebrate Winter Carnival in Quebec? 

Yes, I love winter and would enjoy all of these trips, but I think I will select the Winter Carnival in Quebec.

4. Who or what keeps you humble?
 

Myself!  If I ever think too highly of myself, I will invariably do something that brings me down a notch.  Without fail!

5. What part of preparing for Christmas do you like the most? Explain. 

I guess its the excitement of knowing we will be with family.  I really don't enjoy the decorating because we aren't here to enjoy it and dread getting back home and having to undo what we haven't enjoyed.  Make sense?

6. Gingerbread-yay or nay? Is making a gingerbread house part of your family holiday tradition?

I love gingerbread, but do not do the house thing.

7. What's one thing you want to start, do, or complete before the calendar rolls into a new year?

I would like to do one more painting before we head north.  I also NEED to replant my flower beds in the front yard, but the weather or time has not permitted that so far.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I actually have two random thoughts.

1.  We loved being with our daughter and her family and in laws in Dallas for Thanksgiving.  It was a time of visiting, good food, loving on each other and playing games.  Yes, it was a great day of Thanksgiving. 

These two cousin cuties enjoyed being together and working on an art project.

 On Friday morning, our grandson's team played the MAC West Champion, Toledo University.  This was a huge game for them and guess what!  They won, knocking Toledo out of the title and opportunity to play for the MAC championship.

During half-time, the camera spanned and caught our family in the rainy stands.  We were ecstatic to see them on TV.  And we were thrilled every time the camera showed #65.

 2.  WE ARE GOING TO THE BAHAMAS FOR THE BAHAMA BOWL!

Grandson's football team, Western Michigan University has accepted an invitation to play against Middle Tennessee in this much coveted bowl game on December 24.  How could we not go for that?

The Bahamas slogan is “It’s Better in the Bahamas,” and bowl week in Nassau is just that with a mix of sun, sand and football in one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world.

The Popeyes Bahamas Bowl will be played at Noon ET, and will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Radio Network.

Geaux Broncos!

 

There will be lots to blog about when I get back!

Fridays Unfolded: Nineteen Years Ago Today

I will be joining a new Friday party at

Fridays Unfolded

This is a party link that shares all things creative from the kitchen, decorating, and family from a Christian perspective.

I am excited about joining Allison and the other bloggers on Fridays.

Nineteen Years Ago Today!

 Our only grandson,

Jackson Marcus Day

was born on February 28, 1995.

 There has never been a dull moment since that special day when this six pound preemie came into our lives.

 His weight at that time should have been a good indication that he wouldn't always be a "little" boy.  

Jackson was our second grandchild, and just let me tell you, with this happy, always smiling bundle of joy also came a lot of love, fun and busyness.

From day one, he loved everything about being outdoors from fishing, hunting, riding his four-wheeler, to playing every kind of ball.

And he continued growing....

And growing.....

And growing....

And growing....

And growing....

Jackson is now an Offensive Lineman for the Western Michigan Broncos and they want him to keep growing.

But, Jackson Marcus will always be my special "little" boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDSON!

I love you with all my heart and could not be more proud that you are allowing God to continue growing you into the man He desires you to be.

Bibby

Miscellany Monday - Family, Friends, Fun & Football

This past weekend was spent in Dallas, Texas.  Let me share some highlights with you.

Carissa for Miscellany Monday

Grandparent's Day

Friday morning, we enjoyed Grandparent's Day with our littlest grandchild, Ava Grace.  She is in the First Grade at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano.  We are so grateful for the wonderful Christian education they provide.

Again this year, we were impressed, after visiting her classroom, with the quality of education Ava Grace is receiving.  The classes are small and lasting friendships are built between students and teachers.

Thank you Mrs. Mitchell for instilling spiritual principles and laying a strong educational foundation for these precious children.

Northwest Dallas Skyline

Friday afternoon, we went to Downtown Dallas to see our friend's new office.  The view from this vantage point was amazing.  We were so surprised to see so much green space in this overly populated area.

Then, we took the DART down to the Texas State Fair, which is definitely the way to go.

Welcome to the Texas State Fair

 Last year on the last night of the fair, the 52 ft. fair icon, Big Tex, was consumed by fire.  The crowd was glad to welcome the new and improved replacement.

 There are some beautiful buildings built for various exhibits and housing the history of this renowned state fair.  This is perhaps the largest state fair in the country covering a 277 acre city park in downtown Dallas.

 Security was definitely there.

 The Blue Grass stage with bagpipes was one of the favorite performance stages.

 Randy and Cele outside the Chinese Lantern Festival Display.  There are 24 different lighted scenes.

 The path wanders through a garden of giant tulips.

A stately hall of enormous lanterns

 One of my favorite displays was the walkway of huge Chinese vases and Geisha dolls. 

 A massive fanciful castle

 This Porcelain Pagoda's nine towering spires is 53 ft. high and was inspired by a Buddhist Temple in China.  But, this structure is made from 68,000 pieces of porcelain dishware - plates, bowls, spoons and cups - all hand-tied using a traditional technique.  Absolutely unbelievable!

In the center of the lagoon was the Imperial Dragon Boat - 120 ft long.

As reflected in the water and the country's highest Ferris Wheel in the background.

From the opposite side of the lagoon.

This amazing display was certainly worth waiting until dark and the press of humanity.

Our Indiana Family

Grandson started for Western Michigan University against Ball State this weekend and played the whole game.  The family was there to cheer him on and Dad said he did very well.  Mom and sisters are excited to see him play.

 

Mary- Elizabeth honored the memory of her Grandmother Mary this week by making these whirly-gigs to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Week.  Her Mamaw Mary died, after fighting valiantly for two years, shortly after M-E was born.  We celebrate all Breast Cancer survivors and victims.