Basketball and Birthdays!

Well, as a couple we embarked on a new phase of life this school year---BASKETBALL. Nathan has always wanted to coach basketball. He tried to get in coaching at my high school Buckhorn but that didn't work out. Then, he was going to coach at Madison County High School, but then their coach left and didn't tell him. Needless to say, its been a lot of ups and downs as far as trying to find a job. Well, thanks to Amy Delay-he found one. Amy teaches with Nathan at Riverton and her husband is a teacher and coach at Sparkman High School. They needed an assistant for the varsity girls. Nathan had always said and I quote, "I DO NOT want to coach girls." But seeing as how this was the only real offer--he took it! So this meant a lot of late afternoons/nights as practice started up. I knew he was loving it, you could just see it on his face! This has been the MOST INCREDIBLE season for the Sparkman team. Nathan has really bonded (whether he'll admit it or not) with these girls. HE learned a lot of new things that he'd never considered--for example, ask him what "things" they must carry around in bag 39? I'll give you a hint--its types of feminine products...haha. And this year's team is very young! No seniors!

Now you would think as a coach's wife, I would get tired of the late nights, Sunday evening/Saturday morning practices, HARD wooden bleachers, and concession stand food. However, I LOVED IT! I sooo looked forward to the games each week! I would find myself giving the ref crap over a bad call. I believe it was perfect timing--it was just us--we have no babies---and we got to do it together. The real reason I enjoyed it so was to see the look of fulfillment and enjoyment and pride on Nathan's face. That's why I loved it. He was really doing something that HE LOVED and that made me LOVE IT. I'm so proud of him in so many ways. I always want him to do what makes him happy.

The girls did extremely well this year!! They won the Area Championship by beating Bob Jones with 2 last second shots! And I cannot even express the amount of hatred/competitiveness that goes on between Sparkman and Bob Jones. Wow, you can cut the tension with a knife. I was a Buckhorn girl so I didn't figure that rivalry would effect me but boy was I wrong. Cocky, little rich kids...ok, sorry I'll stop before I get really rowled up! But with winning the area, they went on to play at Wallace State in Hanceville for the state playoffs. They won the first round and then lost the second round against BOB JONES...ugh. Only lost by 1 stinkin point. Basketball is so emotional--for everyone---girls, coaches, and coaches wives. ha!
But its really sad now that it's over. What will we do with all this time?!

Below are some pictures I took the night Sparkman beat Bob Jones in the Area Championship. Nathan was ECSTATIC!! He was jumping up and down on the court with the girls! That's how much we hate Bob Jones. LOL
















OH YEAH!! And February was full of birthdays---Nathan turned the BIG 30 on February 25! A bunch of his friends all met us at PJ Changs. HOwever, I'm a bad wife and did not take pictures of that! And Mom's birthday was February 26th! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM & NATHAN!!

LyLa GrAcE

On Monday, February 1st, my friend Julie gave birth to her first baby- a BEAUTIFUL baby girl named Lyla Grace! I found out Julie was pregnant even before she had went to her doc appointment. She told me and then made me swear not to tell. I was so excited, but I had to act like I knew nothing---which if you know me, you know that was very difficult for me!! I love having a close friend have a baby. I got to watch her belly grow and hear all about the pregnancy. I eat all that up b/c I cannot wait until the day when Nathan and I find out we're pregnant! I loved being in "the know" about all the doc appointments, tests, labor pains, epidurals, etc. Little Lyla is PRECIOUS! When I first saw her at the hospital, I swear she looked like a tiny, tiny baby doll. Her face was perfect--not one single blemish on it! I just love her already and yes, I'm pretty pumped b/c I will be her AUNT Randi! Julie & Keith are going to be such great parents!! I can't wait to watch Lyla grow!