GWU Homecoming

On Saturday, GWU held its homecoming game. Brett's family (minus Maggie) were able to make it to the game.  It was the coldest weather Laney had every been in; she rocked her bear hat.  Laura's brother-in-law Craig is a GWU alumni.  He, his wife Christina, and their two kids Josiah and Ariana decided to come to the game.  Even though Craig and Christina aren't related to me, there seems to be a family bond between Brett, me, and them.  I was happy to see them.

Josiah and Ariana were the ultimate Runnin' Bulldog fans.  It was Ariana's first college football game, and the first one that Josiah had been to in a couple of years.  Josiah and Ariana were both screaming, "Go Bulldogs" the whole game.  We tried to teach Josiah what offense and defense is, and when to yell defense.  Talk about cute. 

By the end of the game, GWU fell to Liberty.  I was glad Laney and Sam were there to make Brett and the rest of us smile after the game.  Lifts some of the burden off my shoulders.  We learned that Laney now knows what a camera is; she starts cheesing as soon as the lens point to her (see the pictures below). A girl after my own heart.  Most adorable little niece ever. 

Josiah, Laura, Laney, and Christina

Christina, Ariana, and Craig

Laney loves her Nana

Laney has learned to smile when a camera is pointed at her

Laney definitely likes grabbing onto my hair.

Uncle B love.

Lessons Learned: Feeding the Running Backs

Last Thursday, I cooked for Brett's seven running backs.  This was my second time cooking for Brett's players this season.  To be honest, I wish I could cook for them every week, but cooking for between 7-12 active college men can get a little pricey.  They definitely don't eat a "normal" amount of food.

Brett and I decided to cook tacos this time.  My chicken tacos were a hit at NGU so I decided to make 8 chicken breasts and 2 pounds of beef.  We bought 30 hard tacos and 16 soft tacos.  The taco bar included black beans, re-fried beans, Mexican rice, diced tomatoes, cheese, and salsa.  We also bought a bunch of bottled water. 

Throughout the night, I learned how this group of players was different than the crew at NGU.  First of all, they love soft tacos; and I ran out of beef in a hot minute.  Next time, I'll probably cook 6 chicken breasts and 4 pounds of beef.  One jar of cheese was definitely not enough, but one jar of salsa was plenty.

I also experienced first hand something that KaShanda told me earlier this year.  One of the running backs asked me if I had any juice.  Initially, I said no, but then I remembered I had Kool-Aid packets.  When I said that, everyone's ears perked up.  The guys unanimously picked grape Kool-Aid. 

Now, I should let you know that my family is from the Midwest.  We don't put much sugar in our Kool-Aid or tea up there.  Growing up, my mom would always put 3/4 cup of sugar. for one packet of Kool-Aid.  I did that for this group of guys, and had one of them do a taste test.  Immediately, he told me there wasn't enough sugar.  I ended up using 1.5 cups of sugar to one packet of Kool-Aid!!! The Kool-Aid was gone after everyone got their first glass.  I'll definitely have to remember that for future times.  It is so much cheaper than bottled water. 

There were many things that made my heart smile that night.  I love to see Brett interact with his players.  The guys also have great chemistry with each other.  Their laughs filled our home; it was pretty contagious.  I love being able to serve them, and let them get a little taste of home away from home.  Although Brett's and my marriage isn't perfect, we enjoy being able to show his players what a Godly marriage should look like.  I respect and serve my husband, and he loves me as he loves himself (Ephesians 5:33).

Brett, Juanne, and Rod.

Zamarie, Brett, Juanne, J.J., Josh, Rod, Earnest, and Dom

Happy Birthday Yogi

Today is my precious father-in-love's birthday! You'd be hard-pressed to find a dad more invested in his sons than Yogi.  Ask Brett any day, and he would tell you how Yogi makes every effort to make it to Brett's games that he was either playing in or is coaching.  That's a tough task when you teach high school, coach multiple sports, and have three boys' schedules to juggle. 

To this day, Yogi still makes it to almost all of Brett's games.  In 2011, Yogi and Gail drove to Mars Hill the weekend of Thanksgiving to watch NGU play in the second round of the DII playoffs.  Mind you, that is all the way across North Carolina.  Not a short trip.  They then drove all the way home that same day in order to watch Will play at the House of Blues and to celebrate Will's birthday.  The following weekend, Yogi and Gail drove down to Delta State (Mississippi) to watch Brett coach in the third round of the DII playoffs. That commitment still holds true today.

There is nothing Yogi wouldn't do for his sons...and now he has daughters (in-love) and a granddaughter.  We are so fortunate to have you love us as your own.   Thank you for showing your sons that family is such an important part of life.  I know Brett has learned from that.

Now I must go and cook for the running backs (something Yogi would be proud of). Happy birthday and love you, Yogi!

Laney's First Football Game

I apologize (but not really) about the Laney overload you are about to receive. She is just too precious.  I drove down to Conway, SC Saturday to watch GWU take on Coastal Carolina (ranked 6/8).  Brett's whole family, Maggie's parents, my bestie and cousin, and some of our friends were able to make it down to the game because they live right across the SC/NC border.

It was Laney's first college football game.  She was such a trooper. At the start of the game, it was little hot as our seats faced the sun, but she hung in there.  Laney even slept about an hour through the cheering.  Being able to sleep through anything is definitely a Hickman trait.

It's the first game Maggie's parents, Leslie and David, got to see Brett coach, and the first GWU game Maggie has been able to see because of her schedule at the bridal boutique.   Kyle, Megan, Chad, and Kat came for the second half.  Although the outcome wasn't what we were hoping for, I was glad everyone could be there. Plus, I know Brett (Uncle B) was happy to see Laney after the game.  It put a smile on his face before the long drive home last night.

GWU has a bye weekend this Saturday.  It will be great for them to heal up a little bit before taking on Liberty in two weeks.  Enjoy the pictures from the GWU/Coastal game.

Laney's first college football game!

Seeing Uncle B before the game.

She did so well at her first game.

Chad, Kat, Megan, and Kyle made it down for the game.

Be still my heart.

Sweet girl

I can't get enough of that dimple.

Makes my heart happy

So so glad I got to see the bestie. Two weekends in a row.

Uncle B was so happy to see Laney after the game.

Uncle B and Auntie Sara love you Laney!

The original 5. Could not ask for a better family-in-love.

The Hickman ladies. Love them.

Celebrating the Best Friend and Bride-to-Be

A week ago, Megan's bridesmaids hosted a bridal shower to celebrate her and Kyle.  After countless emails between the bridesmaids, I think we were able to make Megan feel very loved.

We decided to go with a sunflower theme, since that's Megan's favorite flower.  Everyone brought food Megan either had stated that she liked, or that have been big hits at parties.  Whitney made a super cute Bride-To-Be banner, and brought thank you cards.

ATTENTION FUTURE BRIDESMAIDS! This is one of the most practical things you can do for your bride-to-be.  I saw it at a bridal shower I attended about four years ago, and fell in love with the idea.  A bridesmaid buys thank you cards.  Guests who bring gifts write their address on the envelope.  Then, the bride doesn't have to worry about addressing envelopes (on top of other wedding thank you notes), and she doesn't have to worry about if she got the address right.  My bridesmaids did that for me; something that I appreciated so much.  And as a bride, you seem to write the thank you notes more quickly.  It's always good to be able to check things off lists (at least for a Type-A person like me).

Hannah brought index cards on which people wrote an embarrassing or memorable moment of/with Megan.  Hannah read it out loud, and Megan had to guess whose memory it was.  It was a great way to get to know how people knew Megan, and to share in some laughs.

Prior to the shower, I sent Kyle a bunch of questions to answer.  Mr. David (Megan's dad) mentioned to Kyle that it would be neat if he could Skype in during the shower.  Megan answering the questions was the perfect time.  It was really special to see the interaction between them.  Kyle's expressions and responses were hilarious.  What a wonderful idea Mr. David!

While Megan opened up all of her gifts, the guests played bridal bingo.  She got some fantastic and practical gifts.  So neat to see things she will be using in her married life.  We also did a bridal quiz.  The top two winners of the bridal quiz and first three bingo winners received a prize.  For prizes, we bought some of Megan's favorite things and placed them in mason jars.  We gave away chocolate, sunflower seeds, watermelon sour patch kids, a Bojangles gift card, and a Starbucks gift card.

Overall, we had a blast celebrating the upcoming marriage of Megan and Kyle.  I am so so excited to see how God is going to use them for His kingdom.  I know He had great plans for them.  Love you Monk and (little cuz) Kyle!

Pretty sunflowers Jess brought.

Meesh! (Please excuse my face.  I got really burnt at the GWU/Charlotte game the previous day)

Prom pose with Megan, Jess, and the corsage Jess had made.

Kyle Skyping in. Hilarious.

Megan's friends and family

Some of Megan's bridesmaids.  We love her.

Old Wilson friends!

Love my best friend and soon-to-be cousin.

Oba loves Megan.

Blended family. Spivey, Ott, Veale, Hickman, and Lloyd women.

My best friends. Wouldn't know what to do without them.

And while I'm at it, I'll share some pictures Dad took of Oba and her sister Yoshiko, who is visiting from Seattle for a month.  If you could see this whole string of pictures, you would be crying from laughing so hard.  These two little ladies are hilarious.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them.

My daddy

My Growing Family

No it's not what you're thinking.  There is no bun in the oven for me.  A week ago, my brother proposed to his girlfriend Kelci!  We knew it would be coming soon.  Chris sent me a link of the ring early last week.  We couldn't be more excited!

I already have two sisters-in-love from Brett's side of the family.  I am so excited to be adding a sister on my side of the family.  Although I haven't met Kelci (aside from FaceTime earlier this week), just from a week of texting, I know we are going to be fast friends.  I'd say we already are.

Chris and Kelci, I am so excited about your upcoming wedding and your marriage.  I know God is going to bless you and use you two in mighty ways.  Kelci, I'm so excited to come alongside you during the planning process.  Let me know if I'm ever overwhelming ;)  I can't wait for a life-time of sisterhood with you.

Congratulations!  Love you both!

Happy Birthday Pappaw

My one and only Pappaw turns 89 tomorrow (he'll be reading this early on his birthday).  He has impacted so many people in his 89 years.  He is the pillar of our family.  Godly. Strong. Loving. Kind.  Since I shared a treasured memory about Oba, I thought I'd share one about Pappaw.

Every couple of years in the late 1990s and 2000s, Pappaw, his brother, and five sisters would have a reunion.  The children and grandchildren tried to go to all of the ones we could.  The last one I went to was at Fields of the Wood in Murphy, NC.  This was the first family event Brett went to.  He met my whole extended family after only a couple of months of dating.  What a brave man.

Anyway, one evening, all of us gathered in the dining area to listen to stories Pappaw and his siblings' told about their upbringing.  There is such an air of respect Aunt Elise, Aunt Delcia, Aunt Pat, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Jenna, and Aunt Marjorie pay to my Pappaw.  He can capture anyone's attention in an instant.  I've never met a better story teller than him.  It's definitely a lost art.

Somehow, Pappaw and Aunt Delcia ended up playing the spoons while Aunt Jenna played the keyboard (she is amazing by the way).  They ended up coaxing Pappaw into singing a couple of songs. Pappaw has one of the sweetest singing voices I have ever heard.  I still hear it as strong and pure, even with age.  By the end of the night, I had laughed until my stomach hurt and cried streams of tears from all of the emotions and memories going through that room.  As long as I live, I will never forget that night. 

I am continually thanking God for the foundation Pappaw has set for his family.  For his siblings, children, and grandchildren.  I couldn't ask for a better Pappaw. 

Happy birthday Pappaw.  I love you!

Pappaw with his brother and sisters at Fields of the Wood.

My Pappaw. Such a handsome man.

Still as much in love as they day they got married.

Cool dude.

Showing how to take a picture on the phone.

One of my favorite pictures with Mimi and Pappaw

Love my Pappaw

With all the grandchildren

Soaking in all the 66 years of marriage knowledge we can.

The original group. Could not ask for better grandparents, aunts, and uncles.