Another Beginning

This past weekend was the state meet for Indoor Track.  Our season, our hard work, our frustrations, our encouragement...all led to these days.

And we had two State Champions.  One of them, a girl, is a state champ in THREE events.  Girls are third in the state.  Boys are fourth.

And tomorrow starts the first official practice for outdoor.  And it's our parent meeting (which is always messy).  And we've got more interested athletes already than we can possibly handle.  Cuts will have to be made.  And there are going to be more tears, but I also know there are going to be more wins. And group hugs and medals and trophies bigger than my head.  And late nights and fast food and days where I see my husband for an hour before bedtime.  But I'm not sure if I could have it any other way right now- where I've got more than 100 children that I love with all their quirks and their talents.

And so ends another season.  And so begins another.

What I've Learned About Coaching So Far

It's not always about knowing every single rule for each event.  It's not always about knowing how to split times and remember every single athlete's personal record.  It's not always knowing about the history of an event or even having a long personal history in the sport.  I work with coaches who can do this and so much more, and I am in complete awe of their knowledge and compassion.  It's a little overwhelming, and sometimes I wonder if these athletes are being coached by me at all.

But I've learned that coaching is sometimes letting the girls take selfies on my phone.  Sometimes it's about letting athletes cry on my shoulder while I tell them that they deserve to be at the meet.  Sometimes it's telling one of the best sprinters in the nation that his bronze medal is an accomplishment, not a loss.  Sometimes it's cheering and yelling until my voice is raw.  Sometimes it's challenging an athlete to be mentally tough.  Sometimes it's getting back late at night and being completely exhausted the next day.  Sometimes it's leading your girls in prayer with the other teams' girls before a race.

The parents have been instrumental in helping me realize these things.  And while I'm trying to take away all the statistical knowledge I can from a distance-running standpoint as well as a sprinting, I'm also going to continue doing what I do because it's still coaching.

December Favorites

I rang in the New Year with a terrible cold.  I'm still not quite sure if what I had qualified as the flu, but it sure was miserable.  The rest of the December had been mild; mild weather, mild happenings, nothing too crazy.  As I wrapped up the first semester of teaching, I couldn't believe that time had passed so quickly.  I felt busy, as usual, but thankful to see another year fly by without any large incidents.  May the new year be just as wonderful for all.

Dr. Teal's Body and Bath Oil in Lavender | After a shower, this has helped ward off dry skin.  The soothing scent has allowed me to fall to sleep quicker (I think).  Even if it's tricking me into thinking that I'm not as exhausted as I feel, I don't mind.

Mucinex | Because when I was sick, this is the only thing that could help. Medicine-wise.

Soup | All I craved this December was soup.  It wasn't the fact that the weather has turned slightly cold, but the comfort of warm flavors and a filling meal had me turning to soup more than once.

J. Crew Sweater | When I went home, a trip the outlets was necessary.  Thank goodness for soft, warm, gray sweaters that pair well with anything. And that are on sale.

Urban Decay Lipstick in "Fiend" | Sometimes, the one thing you need in order to feel put together is a rosy-colored lipstick.  I found one that doesn't dry out my lips, goes on smoothly, and is the perfect color for me.

New Year Resolutions

I used to think that I was good at making resolutions.  I liked to think about things I resolved to do in the morning, then during my planning, and then at night.  But then I realized that truthfully, I liked making "lists," not resolutions.  And typically not personal ones.  Because bettering myself is a year-long struggle; there's no reason to pressure myself in just January.

I would like to say that I resolve to take more "me" time.  But I fear it's a resolution that will be broken again and again.  So instead, I resolve to take more "us" time.  That "us" is Karl and me, my friends and me, and my family and me.  I've gotten so steeped in all things revolving around coaching and teaching, I've sacrificed some relationships. Maybe I haven't sacrificed them completely, but I've most definitely let some go or relied on quick catch-ups and hurried notes.

I would like to take the big trip that Karl and I keep alluding to, but we have made no move to actually go.  In fact, the only thing we've done is save, so it's not like our excuse is lack of funds.  But we need this, whether it's just for a week or for two at most.  Lack of time should not be our excuse.

This resolution seems so insignificant, so easily accomplished by just saying "no, I can't today" or "I've got this other thing planned," but for a "yes" woman, I'm already overwhelmed and anxious about the possibility of telling others "no."  But this is a new year.  All I can do is try.

The Day Before Finals

The day before finals is a special kind of beast.

You've got the one set of kids who are overly concerned...if they don't make an A, then they're not going to college, you've ruined their lives, their parents will kill them.  And so on and so forth.

You've got another set of kids whose study guides are empty.  They're playing Trivia Crack.  They're snapchatting friends.  You ask them how their study guides are coming and if they're ready for your final (which is nothing to stress over), and they give you the ever-standard, "uh-huh."

But you still bring in candy canes.  The Jolly Rancher and Lifesaver kinds, of course.  With one box of Peppermint for the purists.  And you'll spend the rest of the day cleaning up wrappers left by eleventh graders who know better.

And you'll still say you'll miss them.  That may or may not be debatable.  But you're lucky the day is almost done.  Tomorrow is another day.

November Favorites

It has been almost a month since I posted last; it is a testament to busy season.  I attended my first indoor track meet.  We met on Saturday at 6:00 am, and I returned home at 10:00 pm. Then there was lesson-planning to do, and even that is not finished two weeks before final exams.  I doubt that December will be my busiest month, so trekking through November was crucial.  On a happier note, Karl and I finally took that long-awaited trip to Arizona.  If there had to be a favorite November Favorite, it would be sitting around a card table, eating a Thanksgiving meal.  But I don't have a picture of that because I was too busy stuffing my face with corn souffle and the perfect turkey...

Fair Isle Embellished Sweatshirt from The Loft | I'm not sure what struck me when I saw this sweater. I definitely wasn't thinking that it would be comfortable or easy to care for.  I think that I thought, "Hm, this would do for the holidays coming up." I wore it to dinner the other night, and wonderfully enough, it was comfortable, too.

Navy Dot Daily Edition of The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley | After doing some intense research, I finally settled on this gorgeous version of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner. I was/am a huge Erin Condren fan, but I decided to go in another direction this year.  I also highly suggest Emily's blog, as she is a beautiful writer, detailing her pregnancy struggles, her growing business, and her absolute faith in God's plan for her life. I don't mind supporting a small business such as this.

Rosebud Salve | This can be purchased on Amazon, Sephora, or even Anthropologie. I use it to prevent dry lips, but since it is a salve in a beautiful tin pot, this can also be used for cracked skin, dry elbows, or anywhere else that needs a little more care for the winter months.  The smell of roses is an extra bonus.

Nike Flyknits | I wish I had these during cross country, but they are serving me well for track practices.  They are a lightweight, comfortable shoe, and I own them in this particular coloring which means they match.  The kids are all into bright, like extremely bright, shoes that rarely match their clothes and while sometimes I envy their "fun," I simply can't stand the idea of being mismatched.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream | Another winter care item that can be purchased almost anywhere.  I received a full-size glass container in my subscription box, and while I haven't had to purchase it on my own yet, I'm loving how it is lightweight and does not make my skin break out.  This also has a rose fragrance which is pretty uplifting when it is so gray and cold outside.

**This post is not sponsored in any way- these are simply products I enjoy using. These photos are not my own.

Weekend Collection

Karl's father and grandfather came down for the weekend.  As per usual, I was busy running around at first.  Indoor track has officially started, and with a new sport comes new paperwork.  But really, the reason for their visit was football.  Karl bought tickets for the Alabama vs. Mississippi State game a LONG time ago, thinking it would be some throwaway game no one would care about.  Well, with Mississippi State going on to become ranked #1, the game was anything but a throwaway.  Personally, I said let's sell the tickets and become rich.  My idea was met with silence.

But I'm glad we did not sell those tickets.  I had a wonderful time, and it was not nearly as cold as I had feared it was going to be.  The sun was shining, and the Alabama crowd was as mighty as ever.  Coming from a tiny college (in the grand scheme of things), Alabama was overwhelming and impressive.  Greek Row looked just like any Greek Row does in the movies.  Enormous brick houses full of tradition, pearls, bow ties, and alcohol.

On the field, a sea of CRIMSON (not red).  And as much fun as I had, NO WONDER FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE GOD COMPLEXES.  It was crazy to watch people younger than me step onto the field and be greeted by shouts and waves and screaming.  The game was exciting and everything a SEC football game should be.  Karl, his dad, and his grandfather (three generations of Karls) were glowing.  I sat eating my cotton candy with a smile.  And then we enjoyed an even more Southern tradition- Cracker Barrel.  Breakfast for dinner.  Roll Tide, indeed.