Final Sports Tribute to Jackson

This post should wound up our early November trip to Indiana.

As you know, if you have been reading my blogs for any length of time, our Indiana family has been pretty wrapped up into sports.  At least with two of the three kids any way.

Jackson received a full-ride scholarship to play for the Western Michigan University Broncos football team that broke all sorts of records last year.  It was indeed a great way to close out his fourth and final year as a football player.

However, he had another year of school before finishing his double major in Business Administration and Supply Chain Management.  So, how might he spend that year other than attending class and making outstanding grades?

He joined the Rugby team!

While we were there, we saw the WMU Rugby team play and defeat Notre Dame and then our last weekend we were privileged to be able to see them play in the MAC Conference playoffs in Cincinnati.

This post will include a ton of pictures that show how tough the game is, how big and tough he is, but also what a handsome guy is my only grandson.

The first game on Saturday was against a tough Louisville, KY team, and we won.

Jackson made two tries (touchdowns) and almost a third.  Actually, we thought he made it, but what do we know.

In football, Jackson played left guard on the offensive line, so he never touched the ball.  One reason he enjoys Rugby so much besides the sheer toughness of the game, is that he gets to carry the ball a lot.  Who would want to take him down?

This formation is called a "SCRUM", and that is about all I know about it.  It occurs evidently when one of the teams has a penalty?  Any way, Jackson seen in the middle here is the anchor and really uses those massively strong hips, legs and upper body as they push against each other to move the ball beneath them.

He is a scrapper!

And soooo cute!

The final game on Sunday was against the #1 team, Bowling Green.  We lost but we didn't give it away by any means.

I was able to capture this sign of affection between him and his dad.  Since high school, before Jackson took the field, he would always make eye contact with John and they would point to each other.  I have no idea what goes through their minds when they do this, except I have a feeling there is more love and confidence communicated between those fingers than words might could express.  I am so glad I was able to get this picture at the last game I will ever see him play.

This is another formation that occurs when a ball has gone out of bounds, I think.  Any way, Jackson is the only one on any team we've watched who does this all by himself and as you can see lifts the guy over his head.  I love the way the boy on the right is looking up as if he can't believe what he's seeing.

This is a perfect example of the brutality of the game called Rugby.  Thankfully neither was hurt seriously.

 I love this picture because it shows that although Jackson is tough and plays with every thing he has, he still has fun.

And he is a good sport and supports his team.

These pictures speak to the man and person Jackson Day is at heart.  He is like my own dad, his great grandfather, a gentle giant with a heart as big as he is.

 Jackson, it has been our honor and privilege to watch you grow and develop into not only an outstanding athlete, but a man of character and strength.

We continue to pray God's will for your life as you finish your final semester at WMU and go out into the "real" world.  He will use you in a mighty way to bring Glory and Honor to Him.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;

Jeremiah 1:5

We love you Big Boy!

Da and Bibby

A Texas Thanksgiving Recap

This year we had Thanksgiving with our daughter's in-laws in The Colony, north of Dallas.

Our daughter usually hosts this special day but her house was in a bit of an upheaval due to renovations, so Sandra and Charles were happy to take over.

It was a fun day with family as I think the following pictures will attest.

 Big Sis and Bro-in-law giving career advice to the December UT grad.

Chuck & Christy 

 Ava Grace and cousin Preston entertaining themselves

 The whole bunch

 Daughter's girls having fun for the camera

 Our little bunch

 Our gracious hosts

 Daddea, Bibby, Grandma & Grandpa

 A rare contemplative moment for this girl and her buddy Brad.

 Preston and Max

 No Words!

Our Dallas Grands minus one

Needless to say, we are some very grateful grandparents.

God's Word admonishes us to give thanks in all things and I thank Him for you today.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26 

May the Lord continually bless you with heaven’s blessings as well as with human joys. Psalm 128:5 TLB

A Blogging Hodgepodge

This has been a very busy month.  In fact, the busy started back in October, but it's been a good busy.  Dick and I got a few Christmas decorations from the attic last weekend and bedecked our home with a very minimalistic approach.  As we don't spend Christmas at home, we do only what is necessary and no more.  It sure cuts down on the seasonal stress so many are experiencing.

Now, when you have a chance come join Joyce and the other bloggers for

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  What's something blogging has taught you about yourself?

That my life isn't nearly as interesting to other people as it is to me.  See #6
That I am consistently inconsistent

2.  Leftovers...are you in the 'reheat and eat' camp or the 'put them in the fridge until they spoil and then toss them' camp? What's your favorite thing to have leftover? What can you not abide as a leftover?

We are definitely in the 'reheat and eat' camp.  When I cook, I usually prepare enough to pull out again.  I am not about preparing a meal every day from scratch any more.  Been there done that!

Favorite thing to warm up is soup.

Cannot abide leftover green salad, but who does that anyway. 

3. 'Me time'...your thoughts?

A MUST!  When we both retired at the same time, we knew that Dick needs be out of the house and around people as much as I need the opposite.  So, he continued his real estate business and I am so perfectly content doing my thing at home all by myself.  He is coming home earlier these days, but that is perfectly fine with me.  In fact, I've decided we can co-exist quite happily.

4. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

I don't have a lot of that, but it either involves needs with hospitality at church or someone seeking skin care advise.  I happen to be doing that today.

5. If your childhood had a smell what would it be? Tell us why.

It would be a woodsy smell.  A couple weeks ago my middle sister and I took a ride to where we lived during the early years of our childhood.  As we drove around we remembered building a "Dodge City" among huge tree trunks that had fallen during a hurricane.  We pointed out sections of the woods where we had played and constructed houses out of pine straw.  We laughed as we recalled a day when we ambushed a neighborhood boy to threaten him to stay out of "our woods." It was at that point we saw a shotgun in his hand.  NOTE:  This was in the mid 50's in rural Louisiana when carrying a gun was almost as common as sneaking your dad's cigarettes!  Anyway, we quickly decided we could share the woods from then on.  We also fondly remembered squirrel and armadillo hunting with our dad.  So yes, a woodsy smell would suit me just fine.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am in the midst of blogging about our recent trip to visit family in northern Indiana.  (Links HERE and HERE)  Again, I am reminded that there are only a very few people who even care what I do, much less take time to read about it.  This is one of the frustrating things about blogging.  If  my blogging were to rely on comments or visits I probably wouldn't do it, but I find that the remembering and recording is important to me.  So, in the end, why do I keep blogging?  It is for me and that will be enough.  For now.

Rugby, Soccer and Family #2

We had one more soccer game before Savannah officially ended her freshman year as a starter and finisher of the 2017 Trine Women's Soccer team.

On Monday, Oct. 30, we traveled up to Holland, Michigan.  Holland is near Lake Michigan and is the home of Hope College.  The famous De Voss family of Amway fame and among the wealthiest families in Michigan are huge supporters of this school. The name Betsy Ve Voss may also ring a bell.

The trip up was the most colorful I have ever seen as we don't really get fall foliage like this in Louisiana.  So enjoy the scenery with me.

Being so near the Lake, there are a lot of rivers and waterways along this northwestern route.

It was getting quite cloudy at this point and I loved the sun shining on the distant tree line.

The cloudy skies were amazing and we could tell the temps were dropping.

Savannah called and warned us that it was sleeting and snow was expected.  Again, I thought about those poor girls and their bare legs.

When we arrived in the neat little town of Holland, we were all feeling the need for something hot to drink.

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the small towns along Lake Michigan, do so.  They are so quaint and fun to visit.

Needless to say, this outdoor sitting area around a blazing fire caught my attention and even though it was beginning to sleet, I had to get closer.

Because of the freezing, rainy, sleeting weather, not to mention gale-force winds, I left the camera in the vehicle in order to hold on to my blanket and slicker suit while sitting in the cold bleachers.  So no pictures to show of this game.

This was the only phone snap I got of these brave girls.  By the way, our team lost, but our girl contained the #2 shooter in the region to a big fat 0.  Way to go Savannah.

If you missed the first one go HERE - All About Rugby, Soccer and Family #1

We will be back to Rugby in Cincinnati next time.