Clemson vs. UNC and Ben made a 70!

We started the day by picking up our tickets and eating at Wild Wings.  I am pretty sure if this sign goes missing in Anderson that I know who will have it! 

 The weather was beautiful and not too hot!  Ben's favorite thing to do is play football... these two helped out a little too! 

 

 Ben practiced his punting... I told him to be careful because Clemson may come and ask him to kick a few field goals... just teasing... I felt sorry for the kicker last week... he did great last night! 

 He may never play a down of high school or college ball, but he sure does love the sport! 

 She thinks she is good too.... I'm thinking she better stick to dancing and cheering. 

 That's holding Sis.... you can't do that! 

 Two on one is never really fair.... I guess Mark or I should have gotten up to play with them, but that cool grass sure did feel good! 

 He wanted some action shots... I'm so MAD I didn't take my camera... I thought about it, but I didn't want to have to carry it... I won't go again without it....

Jack can't be serious.... laughs at me  A LOT... yesterday's joke on me was a pretty honest mistake... I was watching scores of other games scrolling on the clicker and I asked him what the team COLOR was... I had never heard of them.... he looked at me and said, "Coloradooooo".... How could I be so stupid?  I deserve to be laughed at for that one...

 We met Rami and Ryan and the boys threw the football a little more... It amazes me the entertainment at a football game that doesn't even require you to go to the game...

 Mark and Ben on the potty break... We walked so much yesterday! 

 One of the things we wanted the children to do was see the players when they get on the bus to go to the rock... they  have seen them get off before, but never get on.... so we waited in line and were able to grab a first row spot.... KB and Jack probably broke a few rules and jumped over in front of the bus for a picture... Taking Jack with us is a two for one deal... He entertains Ben, takes him to the bathroom for us, and makes Sis smile... I've always heard you are only as happy as your most miserable child... we were all happy yesterday...


This next video link is something I will always cherish.... this is the team getting on the bus and fans yelling and cheering on the boys.... and everyone calling their names... as Dabo approached Ben he looked down and said, "How's my dog?"..... no amount of money could put a smile on Ben's face like that one...


SIDE NOTE:  Clemson football is the perfect opportunity to teach our children about Christ's love and support for us... Over the past week I have heard so many  negative comments... how stupid the coaches were... how dumb the decisions they make are... but honestly, isn't that our life?  Aren't we stupid sometimes, don't we make mistakes, I have made bad decisions in my life before... but just as Christ forgives me and loves me regardless of what I do... we are going to support Clemson football as long as it is being led by a man who puts Him first... Dabo might suffer for disciplining his players with losses... but if you do the right thing... it's always right!  I respect him regardless of the plays he calls... If you are going to support a team... support them... don't talk bad about them... don't wish losses on them... don't knock their leaders... if you can't support them with all your heart... find another team... and if they aren't up to your liking... look inside your heart... it might be you that is the problem...

This last picture is pretty neat too... Before the Clemson game was even over... the big screens put the Carolina vs. Missouri game up.... We were leaving and ran back in to watch.... Mark, Jack, and KB found a seat while Ben and I stood at the top to watch...

And by the time the Carolina game was over... the Clemson fans had gone down on the field and were watching in anticipation.... It was a great night... we didn't get home until 1:30.... I should be outside right now taking pictures because I can see a football game going on with precious little boys.... and a very tired daddy who is making beautiful memories with little boys who one day hope to play for the Red Devils....or even CLEMSON...


**** BEN'S 70

Ben handed me a bookmark this morning in church that had the Ten Commandments on it.  Mayonnaise looked at me and said talk to Ben about how many commandments he has broken this week.... Ben said, "I only broke three!".... If we were grading him... he would make a 70 and that would be passing... I told Mayonnaise that and Ben was just as satisfied with that grade... I think we need to work on him at least having a B.... I loved listening to him at lunch telling me what he had done and how he had broken the commandments.... that little simple brain of his thinks so much... I giggle... and sit amazed at what comes out of his mouth sometimes... He needs prayer EVERY day.... by any and all who are willing.... We are working on the difference in being honest and being tactful.... what a hard lesson it is to learn... he can read someone so well...and right now for him... what comes up... comes out... again... he gets it honest... but I'm working on it too...

Football Friday Night

 The crippled crew... Daddy attempted the steps at the JV game Thursday and nearly bled to death because he scraped his arm on the rails... I made an executive decision that he should probably just sit in the golf cart last night with all smooth edges around him.... Jim has done something to his knee... so he missed "toting" the chains for the first time in years... Mayonnaise isn't crippled...  he just needed to check their badges and golf carts for unneeded items!  Jim had a cooler full of Diet Cokes! 

 I can't help but think that these boys will one day look back and think about this prayer at the beginning... and just how special that part of the team bonding is...

 Two dreamers... they can't wait to be on the field... I would just prefer they stand on the sidelines... I want them to be on the team, but I'm not sure my nerves can take the fans yelling about what they did and didn't do... they are all children... give them a break! 

 She is asking her mama for a little money... sweet girl! 

 The fans of Lincoln County... all week long all we heard was how bad we were going to get beat.  Don't you love statistics... I saw a difference on that field tonight... I saw some of our children "hotdogging"... and Coach Banks making them go out and apologize... building character... that's what I like... I believe that everyone makes mistakes... and if you learn from those mistakes... they turn into lessons... Learn from those mistakes boys... make this town that loves football so much be proud of the boys on the field...

 There's my Sis....

 They look for me now... I think they enjoy looking at themselves...

 Bradford making his appearance at a Red Devil game... looking just like his daddy to me! 

 And we had a visit from Harper... so cute! 

 No- I don't know her, but this is our new school psychologist's cousin... she looks so much like her... FPD had a great band! 

 And I think this is her cousin too!

 Jamie -  my classmate since 2nd grade.... He saw my camera and said, "Please get a picture of Abby and me!"... I love daddy/daughter pictures! 

 Kristen's cousin again! 

 After halftime- the boys came out... with hopes that the halftime changes didn't mess our game up! 

 The "chain gang"... Mark had a new job tonight because of Jim's injury..... KB and I are so happy he isn't going to be a SAHD much longer.... We are both going to have to use his first paycheck to buy new bras and panties.... he has turned everything blue and pink shaded.... It's been nice to have the laundry man at home... but we are glad this is going to end soon!  Him not being on the phone all day makes him want to talk to us even more... which we like to be quiet in the mornings... and he needs a calm down pill in the morning... Thankful for opportunities that are coming open for him.... excited for visits to San Francisco... and relieved that quiet mornings are just around the corner! 

 Katy Glenn was sitting down from me and saw me taking pictures... She just smiled and I shot... then she looked at me like "did you get it"... and then smiled again... I love seeing her in the halls at LCES...some children are afraid to speak... but she always puts up her little hand and waves! 

 Baby Thom- he didn't get on the field tonight, but he carried a clipboard... suits me just fine...

 Jack took the night off too...

 Thomas Folger- our drum major.... he used to ride to Augusta with me every week when KB was dancing... what a fine young man he has turned out to be... so gifted in so many ways! 

 And Coach Doolittle refereed the game... just teasing.... Christie and I thought he looked like him from behind....

 Waiting to go on the field after the game! 

 Mamas do love their boys...

 JuJu

 Jack being ugly... I like him better when he doesn't know I'm taking the picture...

 Jane and Butch's grands.... All six of them.... unique in their own way... each one has characteristics of Mama and Daddy... They have a bond that is unreal... they fight... they play.... they love.... but most of all... they all agree that their grandparents' house has the best ice cream and milkshakes!  It could be the server of the treats, or the talks lounging around on the floor, or the 42 conversations going on at once.... thank you God for letting me live in Lincolnton so these six and be so close. 

 Jack teaching Ben not to pose for pictures... acting like Big Man....

 This is the one picture I got of them not being silly...

 Jane's boys... each of them sweet.... Ben is the meanest, Thomas eats the most, James has the biggest heart, and Cole is the favorite... and to say something nice about Ben.... he makes Mama and Daddy laugh the most... he has no filter... and what comes up...comes out... he got it from his mama, and both his grandmothers... and his granddaddies.... he can't help it! 

 Sweet boys... and brothers...

 The girls... Juju has a lot of Ben's no filter characteristics... and Sis has learned to pull the filter out... especially when people photo bomb great shots... she just smiled and didn't hurt him...

 And here is another sweet girl who loves to wave her little hand in the halls at LCES....  I think her crush began on Guille years ago... and now Thomas... and I'm sure James will get his turn soon! 

 Ben in action after the game...

 James ready to take him down! 

 Juju and Sis decided to play a game against them... this was the chest bumping shot they did...

 Family games after the real game... that's what Lincolnton is about...

 She can't catch him....

 No matter which way he runs... she can't catch him....

And after the game... we all headed to Mama's for a snack.... She is getting new floors... so we are limited to a sofa, four stools, and the floor.... we were tired of hearing Daddy complain, so we set him up in the middle of the den floor... He loves where his chair is... he says he can see the tv better....

I have a feeling he will be shifted back by the end of the day....

We are headed to Clemson today... I hope we make it on time... the game starts at 7 tonight... and we are leaving at 11:30.... I think we will have time to go through Asheville and visit the Biltmore and then head back down to Clemson... I'm trying to not worry about the laundry room that needs to be attacked this morning... dirty floors... and unclean bathrooms... I'm going to try to enjoy the day and know that those tasks will eventually get done.... my children don't care about those things... they just want to see pictures.... and comments... so they should be happy for the day!  Go Tigers... and a great win for LC last night.... Let's keep this winning streak going!