Friday, December 23, 2016

πŸŽ…πŸ»Eck's-mas TraditionsπŸŽ„


This is my favorite time of year. My kiddos are now 14, 11, 5, and 15 months, and we have created some Xmas or "Eck's-mas" traditions through the years. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Bake with your kids. Every year we make at least 3-4 different types of Christmas cookies, but the cutout frosted sugar cookies are still always their favorite. Let them have a bunch to frost and decorate however they want. Just wait to clean your kitchen until after it's all said and done.....Sprinkles and frosting are everywhere.....but oh how they enjoy it!


2. Christmas cards. I always get a few extra for their scrapbooks. The last few years I even started framing them to use as part of our decorations at Xmas time. I only wish I would have started that years ago.


3. Christmas movies. We have a growing Christmas movie collection. We love being cozy watching them and then putting them away till next Eck's-mas so we can enjoy them again.


4. Give. Every year we find a child in need, who is typically asking for something that we take for granted. I believe it's important to teach kids the importance of giving. It also helps remind them that we have a lot to be thankful for.

5. Christmas Jammie's. This is a big one for me because I like all my photos at Xmas to be festive.....everyone coordinated with the holiday spirit! I love seeing pictures from Christmas past, with the kiddos opening gifts in their Xmas Jammie's.


6. The Elf on the shelf. A HUGE commitment for the family, but that little guy brings so much Christmas Spirit into our house. Each morning from December 1-24th there is excitement to find him.....and sometime he brings special goodies straight from the North Pole. Every year he has brought a new ornament for each child....something they will always have to remember their Christmas as a child. Our elf reminds everyone to be good and to believe.



7. BELIEVE. At the Eck home: if you Believe, you will receive. You will hear this frequently this time of year. When you have a wide range of ages in a household you must believe.

8. Play. We have typically lived around snow. Although I hate being cold, you forget about that when you get out and take your kids outside to go sledding, ice skating, or to build a snowman. I have the best memories taking my sons sledding in MN and MT. We still share funny stories, remembering and laughing about the good times.


9. Decorate. My whole house gets decorated for Xmas. It's a lot of work! 20 storage tubs to be exact!  We always get one big real tree, and two smaller artificial ones. I love my house fully decorated so it's almost magical and full of Christmas spirit for my family.


10. Santa Picture. I had one taken every year since my first son was born. Crying or not, I get the picture and frame it to put up in the house every year at Xmas. They are some of my favorite decorations. So many memories looking at the man in the red suit and seeing my growing family and their love of him and Christmas.


Happy Holidays to you all. A wonderful time of year for love and happiness. Enjoy your traditions year after year. Feel free to leave a comment below and add a special tradition you may have. I'd love to hear them❤️πŸŽ„πŸ’šπŸŽ…πŸ»πŸ™πŸΌ. 



Monday, December 12, 2016

the end......

As I lay in bed unable to sleep.....I have a hard time coming to terms with our season being over.


You can easily get spoiled with the excitement of still playing football in December. Like a kid at Xmas you just keep wanting more.


It was tough losing in the quarter finals of the playoffs. Seeing our senior players hug their families with a tear in their eye knowing they had put their pads on for the last time....having just lost to the team we had beaten in our rivalry game early that year......that all their hard work preparing for the game by our coaches and players just wasn't enough. 

To be completely honest, I was also selfishly upset, knowing my husband would have to go on the road recruiting immediately next week.....the season's over. Time to prepare for the future seasons. I have to become, once again, a single parent taking care of our four children....while he is away finding future Jackrabbits.

It's never fun to lose, and even the best of coaches and players do. We've been a part of many staffs, and I have always really enjoyed seeing loyal fans and rivalry between schools. It has always been a fun experience for me.


Having said that, I don't think it's EVER ok to cheer when opposing team's players are hurt, or to shout for coaches to be fired, to bad mouth the other teams fans on some of the worst levels, or to celebrate with your team after you tried to hurt the other team's player worse when they were already down.

You really don't know the other team's story. Some players lost family members this year. Some battled through painful injuries for hopes to keep the season going longer. Some kids in the stands are children of coaches who believe in their fathers 100%, and don't need to hear anything different about them. Just remember those football players on the other team are also someone's son and deserve respect. 


You can still be a loyal fan and be classy. I've seen it at Florida State, Iowa, Colorado, Wisconsin, etc. I am all for loyal fans.....but there are some lines that shouldn't be crossed. What do we teach kids when we cheer when a player is injured??? Children are our future...it's awful.

Having said all that....I'm so proud to be a Jackrabbit, because through some trials and tribulations, we found a way to keep winning, and play until December 10th. We beat our big rivals during the regular season, and took home the Dakota marker to our new stadium. We won the Missouri Valley Football Conference and made it farther than we ever had in school history. 


After witnessing all that I saw Saturday. I am 100% proud to be a Jackrabbit. We know how to win games but keep our composure staying true and classy. That's Jackrabbit footballπŸ’›πŸ°πŸ’™πŸˆ

Big congrats to all our players.....and much love and thanks to all our seniors. Proud of our football familyπŸ’™πŸ°πŸ’›πŸˆπŸ™πŸΌ.



Monday, November 14, 2016

A Coaches Wife Should be. . . .


I'll never forget the moment I heard another coaches wife utter these words out loud "a coaches wives should be......." Realllllly?!?!?? None of us were given a manual when we married into this lifestyle! I've actually met some of the most amazing women in this profession......each very unique in their own way. We all have different stories......from moving, raising kids, the winning seasons, and the not so easy losing seasons. While there is no set mold we fit into......each coaches' wife does what works for them and their family.....I do believe there are 5 characteristics all great coaches' wives have in common:


1. She is Tough. We can juggle a lot on our own. Jobs, homes, family, moving, fixing, packing, and the unpacking on our own. Our husbands aren't the only busy ones in the season people.....coaches' wives keep it all together so our husbands can try to come up with a winning game plan week after week. 



2. Loyal. A coach's wife remains close and loyal to other coaches' wives. When one loses their job, they are right there to reach out and let them know they care. We all know it happens to the best of them. When my husband's team plays against a team where I know a wife, it's nice to meet up, but it's best to meet before the game. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose..... that's just how the game goes.....but when winning is so important to your livelihood, emotions can run high. I have a coach's wife I know who lost to our team this year. Within an hour of the game, she messaged me congratulating me on our Win. Now that's class. A coach's wife is always loyal to her husband's team as well......it comes before all others. Sure we might look at other scores and enjoy watching our alma mater, or our hometown team play on tv.....but our heart belongs to wherever football has taken us. 



3. Extremely Independent. Our husbands work ridiculously long hours, so being needy is not a good recipe for the wife of a coach. Coaches' wives aren't waiting around, looking like a lost puppy.....we hold our own. We know how to keep busy and have many interests outside of being married to this football life. 


4. She is Supportive and helpful. Who's your doctor? Where do you get your hair done? I need a ride,  my car's getting fixed. At every place my husband has coached, I've always been able to count on other coaches' wives when I needed help or advice. Any great coach's wife will be there for you.....just don't forget to be there right back. Give and take is what a good one does.....there is no "i" in team as they say. 


5. Loving. A coach's wife is her husband's biggest fan. There will always be fans, boosters, parents, media, etc. who question and complain about your husband's life work after a tough loss. That is a time where a coach's wife's unconditional love and support is more important than ever. Our husbands know that we love them regardless of their win/loss record or 3rd down play calls!


At each school we have been at, I've met wonderful women.....each with their own story..... but almost every one has embraced these qualities. Thank you to all the great ones....I've learned a lot from some of the best.......even that you always stand up on third down (thanks Julie H.). You are loving, loyal, supportive, helpful, independent, and some of the toughest women I know. 



Best wishes the rest of your season❤️πŸˆπŸ™πŸΌ. GO JACKSπŸ’›πŸ°πŸˆπŸ’™πŸ™πŸΌ!!!!



Friday, October 28, 2016

Don't Forget

Don't forget

Last Sunday morning, I was glowing.....drinking my coffee after another great win by South Dakota State the night before. It feels great knowing we are now 4-0 in our conference. 



Even though I am happy, I don't forget what it's like to have a season with 2 or 3 wins. It's really tough when Saturday after Saturday you are disappointed for the team having little to show for all their hard work......especially knowing the hours my husband and other coaches put in that whole week. I remember early in my marriage taking those seasons personally.


Don't forget that even the best of coaches lose games. Every week....half of the teams in the country lose. Some of the toughest games for me to handle have always been the ones you lose by just a few points....let's face it.....there is no moral victory for keeping it close......You either win or you lose. 

So as the season is more than halfway over in college football.......don't forget there are some football families out there worried they might get let go at the end of the season.......Thinking they may have to move again.......Worried about the possibility of having to sell a house.......Wondering where they would be moving to and they how they are going to pay for it......Concerned for their children possibly having to change schools and meet a whole new set of friends. That very football family may know they will be out of a job over the holidays.....and money will be tight. 


I won't forget because I've been there.....feeling all those things. It's easy for someone having a good season to say everything happens for a reason......because sometimes when there are uncertainties it can be really hard to believe that. I've moved 9 times in 14 years of marriage.....and not all by choice. So I am here to tell you.....everything does happen for a reason. We have had our salary fluctuate up and down, we've bought homes and then been forced to rent, had moves that cost us more money than I'd like to admit, and bounced around in different divisions just to stay in the profession. I don't forget that we have also been blessed with four beautiful boys in four different states we've lived in. I don't forget that after being let go after a head coaching change we went on to places where we had great success......one time even going to a national championship game.


So this post is to all the wives out there who are having one of those tough seasons. I am not going to forget all those wives that messaged me, called, or found some way to let me know they were thinking of me when I was going through those times. I will not forget, and do the same as they did for me. Coaches wives go through a lot and even though we may be having a great seasons.....it's sometimes bittersweet.....because another coaching family we know might very well be looking for a job at the end of this season.

Prayers to all the football families having tough seasons. Don't forget.....

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

🏈It's Tailgating Time🌭

It's Tailgating Time.....

Who doesn't love the idea of getting to the game early for some fun, with tasty food and refreshing drinks! As a Wisconsin native....I was raised on the tradition of tailgating.......believe me, this girl knows how to tailgate. My husband has coached for 10 college football programs....and I have found that at some schools tailgating has been a bigger part of the Gameday experience than at others. I love where he coaches now, at South Dakota State, because there is an amazing tailgating scene. Here are some great recipes and new ideas to help you win big at your tailgate this season:


THE DRINKS:
As much as everyone loves to have beer when they tailgate,  I hate the idea of feeling bloated and full. Why not Sangria? I have been making it for years and I still get asked for this simple easy recipe. 

Sangria:
1 bottle of a sweeter red wine
1 cup of sugar
4 sliced oranges
2 sliced lemons
Sprite or 7 up (I prefer using diet to cut down a little on caloriesπŸ˜‰πŸ·.)

Put fruit, sugar, and wine in pitcher. Let sit overnight. Add your Sprite when ready to drink.

Another one of my faves is a Bloody Mary bar......I mean we all need to get our vegetables in for the day right?!?!πŸ˜‰. Garnishes like olives hand-stuffed with blue cheese or garlic, pepper jack cheese cubes, pepperoni, and pickles are the perfect touch. I like to use Absolut Peppar Vodka with a Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix--it has just the right amount of spice.

Mimosas anyone?? I like to freeze champagne in ice cube trays and have them in a Tupperware in my cooler at the tailgate. Bring orange juice and you have an easy MimosaπŸŠπŸ’ƒπŸΌπŸΎ.

Don't forget juice boxes, bottled waters, and sodas. I know it's sad.....but champagne is not for everyone.....plus we can't forget about the babes (kiddos)πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸ‘¦πŸΌ.


THE FOOD:
I think it's always best to go with a proven winner on Gameday. And don't forget---it must be able to handle being out in the warm sun--especially during the early fall games. One of my favorite tailgating delights are cream cheese and salami roll ups. I got the recipe from a dear friend who is also a coach's wife (Oh how I miss tailgating with you LindsayπŸ˜‰πŸˆπŸ».)!

Salami Roll Ups:
Salami 
Cream cheese
Pickles or olives 

Spread cream cheese on salami. Place a pickle spear on top of the layer of cream cheese. Roll up and leave as is or cut into cute little slices. When using an olive roll the salami and use a toothpick to hold the olive on top.


Another great idea. Place Veggie dip at the bottom of clear plastic drink cups adding different vegetables in cup. Quick, easy, and a great on the go food to bring to your tailgate.

Also never leave out the kiddos. I make sugar cookies cutout in the shape of football jerseys every year. Frosted with our team colors of course---with the jersey numbers of some of our best players (Shoutout to 19 and 86.....and of course the O-Line!! πŸ˜‰)

Another kid favorite (who am I kidding---adults love it too) is to melt Hershey's Hugs on top of a hard mini-pretzels in the oven, then adding team colored m&m's on top (you can order them on www.nutsinbulk.com, amazon, or other websites.) I've even found football shaped pretzels at Walmart....it's all about the detailsπŸ’›πŸˆπŸ’™.


THE DETAILS:
Since I mentioned it.....bring out your football crockpots, dishes, and I am all about this plastic wine tumbler that I so am ordering ASAP (who says you can't show some class--when they don't allow glassπŸ˜‰)

Also don't forget plates and napkins in team colors.....or mix and match football plates with napkins in team colors. Bring bean bags (cornhole) or a football for the kiddos to throw around. Plus it's always fun to make friends with those tailgating around you......I've heard Jackrabbits are some of the best πŸ˜‰πŸ’™πŸˆπŸ°.


For other great recipes and ideas feel free to follow my Pinterest board "Tailgating Time" under Kimberly Eck. Best of luck to you all this week. Hope you win the game this week and at your tailgateπŸ’›πŸ°πŸ’™πŸˆπŸ·πŸ½



Monday, September 26, 2016

RHOCF (The REAL Housewives Of College Football)

RHOCF (The REAL Housewives of College Football.) 

I am going to be 100% real.....being a College Football Coach's wife isn't all that glamorous. Not at all actually. I mean sure, getting free tickets to football games is great, but if you lose......you have a grumpy coach coming home with you after the game☹️πŸ‘ŽπŸΌ. Football wives completely understand why losses are so hard for them (they're just as tough on us too). We know the hours coaches put in day in and day out, because we are putting in the same hours off the field. While our husbands are away coming up with the next big game plan.....we are handling everything else on the home front. The season gets long after weeks of very little time together with our husbands on most days (if any at all). 



While the coaches at the Power 5 level make a great living, many college football coaches don't make the big bucks and a family needs a second source of income to get by.  I started a new job this week nannying for another family. During the day I watch a 3 year-old, a two year-old, and a 6 month old, in addition to my own 1 year old. It's a great way to make money while your children are young, balancing family with this football life. It has not been easy to have a career outside of the home being moved around as much as our football family has.......9 times in 14 years to be exact. Only a couple of our moves have been fully paid for......FYI.....it's not at all cheap moving from Virgina to Illinois. Balancing a job (whatever it is) and running a household almost entirely by yourself can be a real grind........but coaches' wives are still the glue that holds the family together. Sometimes it can be a lot of weight on ones shoulders. Nannying has allowed me to work while still being there to support my children. From help with homework, transportation to activities, to being a cheerleader for them in sports, working inside the home has offered my children stability despite the moving around and their Dad's time away due to football. 



There are other ways to make/save money as a coaches' wife. I have had a number of garage sales before we have moved. Sometimes I knew certain furniture wouldn't fit into our new place, but mostly.....who needs to keep your old school's gear when your loyalty is to a new team right?!?!  Moves have also ended up being our "vacations." We visited Mount Rushmore on our move to Montana two summers ago. When life hands a coach's wife lemons.....she makes lemonade.....we are just tough like that.



Thursday nights are often coaches' families favorite nights in the season. It's usually the only night of the week we can all eat dinner together as a family. After getting kids 3 kids off to school, watching four little ones all day, helping my kindergartner with some homework, cheering at my 8th grader's cross country meet, getting my 6th grader off to football practice, and managIng to find the time to cook.....I get to look forward to having an extra set of hands for that few hours after football practice. It's nice to get help reading/tucking kids into bed, cleaning up after dinner, and just a little bit of family time.


So after my husband was gone this past weekend recruiting (our bye-week.) I drove to another town with our kiddos to my son's football game and even managed to mow our lawn (while our baby napped.) To be 100% real.....I've probably used more tools in our house and mowed way more than my husband has since we moved to South Dakota....no...not a glamorous life. That's just what we coaches wives do in football....we keep our home together.....all the while our coaches try to figure out the next big play or player.πŸ› πŸˆπŸ’ͺ🏻

And that's a REAL housewife of College football (RHOCF).....It's not an easy life.....through the moves, time apart, and sometimes living paycheck to paycheck.......But I love my family and this football life........I can't resist a big guy with a whistle πŸ˜‰πŸˆπŸ‘πŸΌ.








Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Born Into Football

Yesterday we celebrated the youngest of my four boys turning one. My husband was even able to sneak home for an hour in between his meetings to see Maverick eat his cake......it's the football season right?!?!?!


Maverick Montana Eck was born during the season last year on 9/5/15. It was a Saturday after the Bobcat's first (Thursday night) home game, with a bye-week the following week (what a good football babyπŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ₯πŸˆπŸ‘πŸΌ).

I, unfortunately, had to have my first c-section. I remember just crying after I found out....I had already been pushing for over three hours. I cried more from thinking about the recovery than from the actual scar I would have. Those who are football wives know....there is no extra help from our husbands in the fall......"it's the season." You also can probably understand and relate to living far away from extended family, as we were at the time in Montana. Thankfully, my mom came out for the first few days after I came home from the hospital, but c-sections can take weeks to fully recover from.


My baby Maverick and I made it through it together....we had to.....it was "the season". I took my 10 year old son to football, helped him and the 12 year-old with homework (often while nursing), ran the 4 year-old to preschool, and tried my best to be a good mama with their everyday lifeπŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸƒπŸΌ.

I will say I also had the most amazing support from coaches wives and football friends. Bringing me dinner and checking in on us regularly to see how we were doing. Sometimes I truly wonder where I would I be without all of you ladies❤️πŸˆπŸ‘©πŸΌπŸ‘©πŸ»πŸ‘©πŸ½πŸ‘©πŸΎπŸ‘©πŸΏ.

Two weeks after He was born, Maverick, attended his first football game.....all geared up of course. What can I say......I start them young. All my boys were born into this game and I am going to make sure they love every single minute of itπŸˆπŸ˜πŸ‘πŸΌ.


My first born, Quentin, went to a bowl game as an infant, and just two seasons ago my oldest three boys traveled with the team when we went to the D2 national championship game. We were at Minnesota State University, Mankato (the Mavericks!), and my 5 year old still to this day talks about how much he loved Kansas CityπŸ’›πŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ’œπŸˆ. We didn't bring home the trophy, but we found out we brought home something better.....we were pregnant with our MaverickπŸ’›πŸˆπŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ†πŸ’œ.

I know there are many out there that  think it's better to time up babies during the off season......trust me, I've heard your opinions. Life happens people, and what a blessing that is. We coaches' wives are tough women and can handle a baby during the season or under any kind of circumstances. Plus we can't all have our babies in July rightπŸ˜‰.

I just love my football baby. He's worth any scar and all the pain I dealt with then. For Maverick's second football season he will probably go to some close away games, and he will be at almost every home game (unless it's a night game....he's ornery if he doesn't get his sleep.....sorry....mama wants to watch the gameπŸ˜‰πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ’™πŸ°πŸ’›πŸˆ.)

God bless all the wives this season having babies. They make the best snugglers on those game days. Wins are great, and losses are hard, but those football babies help remind us what is truly important. I can't imagine this football life without my kids cheering by my side......GO JACKSπŸ’›πŸ°πŸ’™πŸˆ!!!



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

🏈My "Game Plan" to Feeding The PlayersπŸ’

This Sunday we fed the offensive line.....we always try to do it at least once during the season for my husband's players.

We usually feed anywhere from 15 to 25 guys who all have big appetites. Here is my game plan of how to get it done:


1. Prepare ahead of time.
I clean the house that week, make my menu/shopping list, and grocery shopπŸƒπŸΌπŸ“

2. Put together the side dishes.
I always make about 2-3 chili cheese dips the night before. That way I can just throw 
them in the oven and they have something to snack on right when they get to our house. A big pasta salad is always good to make the day before too. I just add the 
dressing the day of.

Chili Cheese Dip
2 cans Hormel chili 
Shredded Mexican cheese
2 packages of cream cheese.

Layer a large baking dish with two blocks of cream cheese. Add cans of chili, and top with shredded cheese. This will make one pan. 

3. Grill out.
I handle all the sides while my husband mans the grill......there's no "i" in 
team......right??πŸ˜‰πŸˆ. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, or chicken breasts are the usual choices. 


4. Drinks. Keep it simple. Bottled waters,  lemonade, or gatorades. Really, anything that's already in a can or bottle. It eliminates needing cups and you can chill them in a cooler ahead of time.



5. The sides.
A pasta salad and a fruit salad are my staples, but another player favorite in the fall is my famous fruit dip with sliced apples. Super easy and they love it.  Recipe below:

Fruit Dip
2-4 blocks of cream cheese 
Brown sugar 
Best paired with green apples

I microwave the cream cheese for about 30 seconds or so too help the mixing 
process. Mix in brown sugar with cream cheese until smooth. Taste test to decide if you need more brown sugar or cream cheese. Serve on ua tray with sliced apples.


5. The Traditional O-Line dessert.
I learned a great recipe from another coach's wife (thanks Bev!) when we were at the University of Colorado. It's an ice cream dessert that the players love, and best of all its SO easy! Coaches' wives are always asking me for the recipe, and I am happy to share as it was shared with me. The only tedious part is unwrapping all the ice cream sandwiches. I make 2-3 pans of it just to be safe. Again, best to prepare morning of, 
or the night before to allow it to re-freeze. 

The O-line Dessert
Two packages of Ice cream sandwiches
Large container of cool whip
Caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce 
Peanuts (salted)

Layer a large pan with unwrapped ice cream sandwiches. Next, put half of the large tub of cool whip on top. Drizzle caramel, chocolate sauce, and peanuts. Repeat all 
steps. Chill for at least a few hours. 


6. Don't forget the little details.
I try to have the house set up with football games on TV, corn hole and croquet set up outside, and our boys decked out in team gear. I get plates and napkins in team colors and always pick up a few table cloth covers at the dollar tree. They're easy to throw away and make cleaning up easier when it's all said and done (also available in school colors). 


I always feel our dinner was a success when there are leftovers and we are sending home 15+ O-Lineman full and happy. Another successful night for our Jackrabbits.....thanks to a good game planπŸ’›πŸ°πŸ’™πŸˆ.

Monday, August 22, 2016

🏈A Prayer For The Coach's WifeπŸ‘°πŸΌ

A little Monday motivation......and prayer to help get us through this football season. I keep this and read it every year before the season starts. With fall camps coming to an end, I wanted to share this prayer with you all...........



Best of luck to you all this season ladies. Go JacksπŸ™πŸΌπŸ’›πŸˆπŸ’™πŸ°πŸ‘°πŸΌπŸ’!!!!!!!!!

Monday, August 15, 2016

πŸ‘°πŸΌπŸˆHow a Coach's Wife Survives Fall Training Camp❤️πŸ’

There is a reason why so many of us jokingly say to our family & friends, or post on social media......"hello August....goodbye husband."...... or maybe the old saying...."we interrupt this marriage to bring you the football season." But all jokes aside.....it's pretty much the truth.


It's not easy for any of us....period. Whether you have kids or not. Work outside the home or are a full time mama. In August, being a football wife (or as some like to joke...football widow), can be lonely and training camp can seem to drag on⏳. Our husbands are working extremely hard to prepare for the season......while we handle pretty much everything else on the HomefrontπŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸƒπŸΌπŸ‘.

Here are some ways I try to look at the positive sides to fall training camp:

1. Travel. You can go see family or friends you haven't been able to see.  I have spent many Summers going to visit my family while my husband started fall camp✈️πŸ›£πŸš™.


2. Meals Just Got A Whole Lot Easier. My kids make me feel like I am some big time chef when I make buttered noodles or chicken nuggets & fries. I can also remember many nights of fall training camps over the years eating cereal for dinner....just to be easy. No elaborate meals
necessary!


3. That Extra ME Time. I have some nights to myself for a mani/pedi or face mask. I'll go get my hair done (the season is approachingπŸ˜‰), or even catch up on my favorite shows.....Housewives anyone?πŸ’…πŸΌπŸ’†πŸΌπŸ’‡πŸΌπŸ“ΊπŸ·

 

4. Less Housework. Having four babes that are all boys is an endless amount of laundry and things never seem or stay clean. Eliminating one boy (the biggest one) some how makes things seem a little bit easierπŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸ‘¦πŸΌ.



5. Football Wives Night. Almost every school we've been to, (9 in 14 years to get specific), there is some kind of get together with the other coaches wives during camp. It's always comforting being around women who actually get why you haven't seen much of your husband. It's also nice to have some adult conversation.....without hearing the theme song of Paw Patrol in the background. Plus wine and food is always a great reason to get togetherπŸˆπŸ˜‰πŸ·.



6. You Can Finish Your "Must Get Done  Before The Season List." From getting the kids ready for school (supplies, haircuts, clothes, appointments, etcetera), deep cleaning the house (we always visitors in the season), washing the car before the first home game (ok, I admit, I am a little superstitious about that one), and planning and stocking up the fridge/pantry for tailgating, there is a lot to get done before the first game. I know we all have our own version of the list ....rightπŸˆπŸ˜‰πŸ“?





7. DIY Time?! I've been crafty enough during camp to make a football wreath a time or two (probably more) for the upcoming football season (we've moved around....trust me). Plus I know we all have that one board on Pinterest on some random things we have to make. It's also a time I like to catch up on scrapbooking my kiddos. 


8. Another Summer Break in the Books. I love enjoying the last few weeks of summer with just my kiddos and I.....there is only so many summer breaks you have with them. Have a movie night, play a board game, go to the pool, go watch practice (four boys+football field=❤️), and just keep busy enjoying those last moments of summer with them....they grow up so fast.πŸ‘ΆπŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸ‘¦πŸ»πŸ‘¦πŸΌπŸˆπŸƒπŸΌ☀️🏊🏼🚲


Some days can be long and lonely, but there is a reason why our husbands chose us to be their wives. We are strong, understanding, dedicated, and independent women who just happen to love football.....boy are they lucky!!!!!πŸ‘°πŸΌπŸ’πŸˆ❤️. 

At SDSU we are officially over a week into fall training camp....not that I am counting...and Team Eck is excitedly anticipating the football season.....Go Jacks!!πŸ—“πŸ’™πŸ°πŸ’›πŸˆ

I wish you all the best this season πŸ˜‰πŸˆ❤️πŸ™πŸΌ.