Liberty Bowl: Game Day

Game Day at the Liberty Bowl finally arrived, and boy were we ready! 

It had been such a long and fun filled week, that we were ready to get a "W"!

Here's our official team photo:

 And, our police escorts. These guys were amazing to get the players and us wherever we needed to go!

 The girls ended up staying at the hotel with my mom. It was just too cold for them to be at the game, and MC was already getting the sniffles. I'm thankful that my mom gave up her ticket to stay with them. 

So, my stepdad and I went to the game and enjoyed a pre-game BBQ meal, and then looked forward to freezing our hiney's off!

 Here I am at the game. My parents ended up bring some extra hot hands as well as one of my stepdad's waterproof hunting coats. I'm not normally a camp girl, but I was so thankful to have this coat! Between the coat, blanket, extra layers, and poncho, I was pretty warm.

 DJ's dad and stepmom also came up for the game, as did his mom, sister, and brother-in-law. We love having family join us and cheer for TU!

 I was pretty nervous through the first quarter of the game, but our boys started turning it around the middle of the second quarter- and boy did they turn it around, because we ended up stomping over ISU. I loved seeing their fans begin to get quiet and then start to leave. 

 Our boys celebrating after the win.

 And, the trophy presentation.

After being to five bowl games in our football career, we finally pulled out a win! It was amazing watching our players put their heart and soul into the season, and to see all of the hard work by the coaches and staff. 

We have been so blessed to work with such an amazing coaching staff and to be here at Tulsa.

Liberty Bowl: Incredible Pizza & Graceland

Friday was full of events for the families! We were offered the choice to go to the Memphis Zoo, which I've heard is spectacular, and sadly, we all declined because of how cold the weather was! It gave the girls and I a chance to sleep in on Friday morning, and we headed to Incredible Pizza for lunch.

 I only had these two pictures taken while we were there.... I didn't imagine how big Incredible Pizza would be and all of the activities there were to do! We were given a private room and all the pizza and food we could eat, and generously given a 90 minute card of free play.

I remember going to game places as a kid, putting in coins, and anxiously awaiting for the tickets to spew out of the machine. But, with the card, all we did was swipe and after the game was finished, the card would memorize the amount of tickets you had won!

There was also a little kids area, which was a bit more appropriate for G and MC. They both loved the merry-go-round, and I let G ride in this little car first and MC was dying to have a turn. She loved it! In fact, she did not want to get off and cried when the ride came to an end!

We had a lot of fun on our lunch trip, and afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to pick up players and then we were off to Graceland!

I have been to Memphis several times, but never to Graceland, and even though I knew the girls needed naps, I selfishly decided to postpone them so we could visit the King's castle. I was trying to explain to G who Elvis was, and told him he was the king of rock-and-roll. She became very fascinated that we were going to a king's house and asked if the Queen would be there and if there was a princess.

The girls had fun riding together on the bus.

I wore MC in the sling, and G walked and listened to the audio-play headphones that gave you history of the house and of Elvis. I decided to forego the headphones, knowing MC would just pull them off. You also weren't allowed to take flash photographs, so my pictures turned out horribly. I think this is the best I got!

At Christmas, they hang red drapes in his house, although the rest of the year, the drapes are blue.

We toured the living room.

 And then, his parents bedroom on the first floor, the dining room, kitchen, downstairs bar, and then the 'jungle room'. Finally, we went outside and saw Lisa Marie's swingset, and then went into an office, and then on to a trophy room, where many of his gold records are displayed, as well as costumes, clothes from movies, and Elvis' and his Priscilla's wedding clothes.

We saw his grave, but it was raining by then, and I was just cold and knew the girls were miserable, and I could not wait to get back across the street!

When we finally did, we went to tour the rock-and-roll museum, as well as the car museum.

 Finally, we went to see his airplanes.

It was such a rainy afternoon, but we really did enjoy ourselves. The girls both fell asleep on the bus ride back to the hotel and afterwards DJ and I took them to Corky's for dinner while the team went to a rodeo. 

Liberty Bowl: Welcome Event

This years welcome dinner for the Liberty bowl was at Autozone park. I remember going there to watch baseball games when I was in college, so it was fun to go back!

DJ did a great job getting the girls dressed and ready, since I was heading back from the St. Jude visit.

I'm always a little nervous traveling with the girls on a chartered bus. It confuses me, because I want the girls in their car seats and I want them to be safe. I felt more comfortable last year with G, because she was getting bigger, and I just wore MC in the bjorn, but I was really nervous this year with MC. Thankfully, our buses had seatbelts, and I made both girls wear them. I know I probably could have dragged their car seats on the bus, but they're huge and it's just so much to carry while already being overwhelmed. Anyway, here's MC sitting by DJ on the bus.

 When we arrived, they sent the players to the 2nd floor and families to the 3rd floor. It was admitedly nice being able to have just families and our friends to interact with. However, they completly underestimated the amount of people between TU and Iowa State, and there ended up being no where to sit! Thankfully, TU arrived first, and we did have a table, but many people found suites or sat on the floor. Can you imagine, trying to feed G and MC on the floor!

When we arrived, we found our seats, got our drinks, and waited on the others to arrive, and for the food to finish being sat out. There was even a roasted pig. I was kind of shocked and already determined that I would not be eating it, but G however, was thrilled there was a pig, and told everyone she would be eating the pig meat. And, she did!

 Dinner was really good, we had BBQ sandwiches, some of the best potato salad i've ever had, pasta, and the pig.

After we ate, there was entertainment for the kids in the players locker room downstairs. I was so glad that they had thought of our kids and ways to keep them busy and entertained!

Here's G showing off her ladybug ballon animal bracelet.

 Then, she got her face painted.

 He did a great job!

 After letting the girls play, we decided to walk around for a bit and show the girls the park.

Then, we headed across the street to the Peabody hotel. DJ had never seen it, and I hadn't been since my senior year in college. (My sorority formal was there.)

We then went back to the event for dessert and to check out the trophies.

 

The players had a gaming competition, followed by a singing competition, and we were able to listen to the sounds of both teams singing.

 It was a fun evening, but we were glad to head back to the hotel when it was over!

Liberty Bowl: St. Jude Visit

Our first few days at the Liberty bowl were pretty uneventful. DJ, the girls, and I arrived on Christmas night, and ordered room service for dinner, since we weren't familiar with the area, and it being Christmas, figured most of the restraunts would be closed anyway.

The following day, DJ had to set up meeting rooms, and head over to the practice facilities, so the girls and I unpacked for our week long stay at the hotel. We all went out for lunch, and then the girls and I went shopping at Target and Carter's. I needed to pick up snacks, and it had turned off super cold, so I needed to grab one more warm outfit for the girls. The girls fell asleep in the car, and I figured I would just drive and get familiar with the area while they took their naps. The team and staff finally made it to Memphis later that evening and we joined the wives in the hotel restraunt for dinner.

On Thursday, the team had a scheduled trip to St. Jude Hospital. Not all of the players get to partake, and not all of the staff gets to go, but somehow DJ was chosen to go this year. I got a babysitter for the girls and went in DJ's place (He wasn't finished editing practice film.)

In preparation for this trip, I was pretty emotional. I just kept thinking of my own children and how blessed we are that they are healthy! I couldn't imagine seeing these sick patients (little kids!) laying in their hospital beds with their little bald heads. It just broke my heart thinking about it, but it was also something that I really wanted to do. I just kept praying that I'd have the right words to say to a family if I had the chance to talk to them. But, if I didn't, I just asked that I would have the right prayers to pray.

One of our coaches (pictured below) has a daughter that at age 4 was a patients at St. Jude Hospital. He spoke to the players before we loaded the bus, and told the players, these are just kids. They have cancer, they are not defined by their cancer. He told them to smile, talk to them, let them know they loved their shoes! That they'd write their names on their own shoes on game day, and that they'd be playing for these kids! It was such a testimony to hear his own story about their time at St. Jude's and how his daughter is now almost a college grad and is living cancer free!

 Upon arriving at the hosptial, the players took pictures, and we went inside. The lobby was so cheerful! The waiting room had video games and fun activities for the kids! It was such a happy place!

While waiting for our guides in the lobby, our coach saw a patient in a wheelchair with ballons. He didn't hesitate a moment and went to ask him what the ballons were for. I think the spoke for at least 5 minutes if not longer.

We were given a tour of the hospital. The statue outside, listed the date found as 1960, when in fact, the hosptial was founded in 1962. But, they just didn't get around to changing it. One of the first donations to St. Jude was a penny, which has been placed in to the statue. The cost to operate the hospital is over a million dollars a DAY! Can you believe that?! Patients are not asked to pay, and patients aren't turned away.

We aslo saw the building that Chili's restraunt is sponsoring. Do you ever eat there? They have a huge fundraising drive where you can color a chili pepper for $1.00 and it will be hung in the restraunt. Then, they have one day a year where 100% of their profits go straight to St. Jude! How amazing it was to see the building those donations were going to!

In one area of the hosptial, is a bust of St. Jude's founder. It is said, to rub his nose for good luck.

We actually did not get to go beyond the first floor of the hospital and into the patients rooms. It's too big of a risk to have people walking through the hospital and taking the chance of infecting these kids whose immune systems are already weak. I think for me, as much as I would have loved to see more of the hospital, and patients, it was an answered prayer. I'm not sure I could have held my emotions together.

The players were set up at a table, and patients who were able, were invited to come downstairs and receive the goodies brought by Tulsa, and to get players autographs.

We were not allowed to photograph any of the patients. For one, it's a hospital, not a zoo, and two, it would be a major HIPPA violation. It was so amazing to watch our players interact with these kids. They ranged in ages from 3 to teenage years. Some of the kids just looked so tired and worn out, and others were so upbeat. There was one child who went through the line and videoed all of our players on his hand held gaming system.

 Above each of our players were these alphabet plaques with these poems. They just touched me so much.

 As we were finished with our tour, and walking back to load the bus, I saw this sign.... i'm going to copy it somehow for my office! I was thrilled to learn, that the hospital offers ST, OT, and PT, as well as a schooling for their patients. How amazing would it be to work there?!

I think God totally answered my prayers about overwhelming emotions. It was overwhelming, but I held back any tears that may have flown while we were there. Seeing the smiles on these kids faces- it just made it worth it. It was hard to be sad when they were just so happy!

I pray that these kids will be cured of Cancer. That these doctors will have the healing hands, and that God will give the doctors and patients strength. 

Christmas Afternoon

DJ, the girls, and I are finally back home from all of our Christmas travels, and with a Liberty Bowl WIN!!!! Hopefully this week, I'll have time to sit down and catch up on uploading & editing pictures, and blogging! I'm sure i'm way behind with Christmas posts compared to most bloggers! 

We spent Christmas morning with DJ's parents, and that afternoon, we headed to Jonesboro to visit his sister and her family, and DJ's mom.

When we arrived, Charlie (our brother-in-law) was grilling turkey legs- yum!

 and, the girls got busy in the kitchen. 

 Lunch was so good! We had lots of yummy appetizers, including Nana's (DJ's mom) 7-layer taco dip, which was perfect to satisfy my pregnancy craving, along with fruit, veggies, and cheese balls. For lunch we had turkey, ham, dressing, homemade mac & cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes with marshmallow's on top! 

The girls had fun playing before and after lunch. 

 MC loved riding on Zander's four-wheeler that he received for Christmas!

 Here's nana and MC. 

 Zander- he's about three months younger than MC. 

 After lunch, we exchanged presents. We gave my mother-in-law a necklace, bracelet, and earrings set. 

 We gave my brother-in-law a bowl watch from the Armed Forces bowl. 

 G received a dream light from her Nana. She has been begging for the unicorn dream light since this summer and was so excited to finally receive her gift!

 Z and MC were so sweet giving each other hugs!

 A quick family picture with DJ's mom.... the weather started sleeting, and we had to hurry up the rest of our visit so we could drive to Memphis. 

 And Nana with three of her six grandchildren!

We ended up getting out of Jonesboro before the weather got too bad. It sleeted on us for about 45 minutes on our way to Memphis and then turned in to rain. We made it to our hotel, that would be our home for the next week, while TU prepared for the Liberty Bowl- more to come on that later this week!

Video: G Dancing

I took this video at last weekends C-USA championship game. It was so funny to watch G and her friend, M, celebrate after Tulsa's big win!

The Day Tulsa Became Champions

Saturday was Tulsa's conference championship game against UCF. To be perfectly honest, I did not want to go. I mean, I wanted to be there for DJ, but I also wanted to watch the game on t.v. while napping in between quarters! But, I knew that we would be there. That the girls and I would be there to cheer on the Hurricane as we have for every home game this year, and to be there for DJ win or loose.

Thank the Lord above, we WON! It was a pretty nerve wracking game, and even though we had beat UCF two weeks before, they were out for revenge. I can't really explain the legistics of the game and how we won, but the game went into overtime, we blocked their field goal, and we scored.

We called G and her friend, M, into the office, so they could watch the winning touchdown. I'm sure they thought we were crazy, and had no idea the importance of what they were watching, but nonetheless, they watched. (MC was napping in daddy's office.)

 I didn't have time to pull out my real camera, so I snapped all of these with my phone. Here's just after our touchdown....

 Our players began to celebrate and Coach B, had already received his gatorade shower when the officials reviewed the touchdown.

So, we did it all over again..... no big deal.

 And that is how we won the C-USA conference championship.

I just happened to find DJ on the field, and got this picture of him hugging the football operations guy- they're good buddies.

 And, here's our team accepting the invitation to play in the Liberty Bowl!

We found DJ on the field after the game in his "champions" hat.

 Here's DJ with his video staff and the score board.

 And, three of us celebrating- MC was still asleep!

What an amazing season Tulsa has had! And, i'm so glad that it isn't over, and that we will once again face Iowa State at the Liberty bowl in Memphis!