Should it be called Tebowing?

I'm so tired of the whole Tim Tebow controversy I could spit.  I'm sick and tired of commentators tearing him down for bowing in a prayer of thanks.  I hate the term 'Tebowing'.  I wonder if Tim does too?  There have been many players, in many different sports, before him who have given thanks for what God has allowed them to accomplish in sports; either by pointing or kneeling in humble adoration.  So why pick on Tebow?

Is it because no matter how hateful, I do mean hateful, the different people are to him, he continues to be humble, and quick to listen and slow to speak.  Is it because he makes them take a long look in the mirror and think they are not being the man God has called them to be?  Maybe it's because he's winning and giving glory to God; he's not taking all the the credit for winning a game; or they just plain don't like him.  I don't know, but I'm sick of it & I'm sick of him being ridiculed for his faith.

I know many have seen how Tim is acting and wondering if this guy is for real.  I think he is.  He's been in the spotlight since he was in high school, and he's now 23...that's 5 years to slip-up, but he hasn't.  Either he's a great actor or he is who he says he is, a true follower of Christ.

I am making a choice to be one voice who supports Tim Tebow and the Broncos.  I support him because his walk and his talk match.  I support him because he's someone I would want my boys to emulate, and my daughter to marry.  He puts Christ first and everything else is secondary.  God has given him talent (...even though the commentators hate his throwing motion etc, let's not forget he did win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore no less.) and he uses that talent to the best of his ability.  He demands excellence from himself first and then asks others to follow him in excellence, and guess what, they usually buy-in to what he says, and they follow him. 

I'm proud of Tim Tebow.  I hope he continues to win, because he will point to the One who gave him the ability to do these things.  But, if they lose, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Tim will continue to give glory where glory is due...to our Lord Jesus Christ.  God be with you Tim!  Romans 5:1-5 

Thanks for letting me rant guys!
Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Smelly Smelly Boys

Oh.My.Goodness...

I think something has died in my laundry room.  No, I'm being serious.  It has to be one of the nastiest smells ever.  You know what it is...teenage boy.  (who "kept forgetting" to bring home all his football workout clothes to get washed for about a month)  I should have been alerted to this when he asked to take a can of Lysol to school to fumigate his football locker.  I honestly don't know how the coaches deal with the smell.  All I know is that it's a good thing I'm not pregnant because I would have barfed all over the place.  Yuck!

I was wondering how I was going to get the stinch out of the clothes.  I knew this smell would not come out with regular clothes detergent even if I boosted it with OxyClean.  It was that bad...

...But then I remembered a beautiful little orange container I have in my laundry room.  It's called Dead Down Wind.  I bought it about 6 years ago for the boys to wash their clothes in before they go hunting, and it takes ALL the smell out.  I have used it before when Hop brought home stinky football clothes, and it worked great then, but this was a whole new level of stink, so I decided to put the DDW to the test.  You'll be happy to know it passed with flying colors!  All the nasty guy smell came out of the clothing...I can't say the same for the pads.  (I'm going to hit them with a different spray, and hopefully that will help.)  I really was shocked and very excited, and knew I needed to share this wonderful information with all moms with stinky boys in their house.  I have bought it at a local hunting/outdoor store, but you can also buy it online, or check their site for retailers near you.

The smell is now...dead down wind!  :)
Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Time Marching On

Today is the first Saturday since the first of August that I didn't get up at 6:30 to see Hop off for early morning football workouts.  I had this same feeling 14 years ago when my brother was a junior and they were knocked out of the playoffs.  It's like it was yesterday.  Now it's my child, not my brother, and the same feelings have returned.  There's one season left for these boys...just one...do they know...do they understand how quickly time marches on?

Last night we lost a heartbreaker.  Our team was so close.  The other team kicked a 43 yard field goal to win the game with 5 seconds left on the clock.  Our guys played so hard and left it on the field. 

God bless Hop's coaches, especially his head coach.  He has helped raise thousands of boys; helped them become men. Coach Anderson has been head coach at the high school for over 30 years.  Last night I stood back and watched him.  I saw him go to each senior, as they were coming to grips with their high school career being over, hugging them and whispering encouraging words to them.  It must be hard letting go each year.  The high school coaches spend more time with our boys than we do, so they become family, and it must be hard letting go.

Each year before the season starts, each boy dreams of being victorious, dreams of winning the state championship.  For our team this year, we had some great victories, but in the end fell a little short of the ultimate goal.  For all the juniors, there is one more year for dreams, football victories, and a state championship, but what the they will take away is so much more than that.  They learn about:  time management; being unselfish; relying on others to help you; leadership; listening to authority; the joy of victory; and the heartbreak of defeat. 

To this year's seniors, I pray you God's speed.  As you move ahead and look to finishing up  your senior year I hope it's filled with wonderful happy memories that you will carry for a lifetime.  For the juniors, I pray you make every moment count.  Live each day to it's fullest, because for you, next year starts now; and time is marching on.

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Salt Water Taffy & Cold Pizza

Having a houseful of kids is a true blessing.  I have four, so right now there is always something going on in our house.  When the children are home from school there are sounds and actions surrounding them:  homework; music playing; laughter; sometimes arguing; Lego forts and planes being built and played with; sting pong and shooting pool; lacrosse balls being thrown against the house and caught again; the ping of the bat as it hits a baseball; dancing; but I think my favorite is when their friends come over.

My children are blessed with wonderful friends, all four of them have great friends.  Last night I was allowed to 'sit-in' with Hop's friends.  They let me hang around in the kitchen; listen; and join in on their conversations... yes I understand it's my kitchen, but some teenagers don't like being around adults & won't talk to them.  It was so fun because some of them came over before last night's game & the others came over after.

We talked about everything:  being a leader, girls, t-shirts, football, homecoming, salt water taffy, school, teachers, Jesus, picking on freshmen, accepting responsibility for your actions, and more topics that I can't even remember.  It was ordinary conversation, but it's those times I cherish the most.  For the guys who came over before the game we had salt water taffy and cookies they could snack on & after the game we  pulled out the cold pizza we had from dinner & all of it was inhaled.

I remember my mom doing the same thing.  I now know why she did it.  Not to live vicariously through me, but for me and my friends to reveal our hearts to her, and also to help her remember her time as a teenager.  (and to be glad to have the wisdom that comes with age!  Oh to go back to high school and college with the wisdom I have now...)

Ordinary moments aren't really ordinary when you think about it; they are actually quite extraordinary.  I cherish them in my heart, always.  Thanks guys for a wonderful night of revealing your hearts and making this momma laugh.  May the Lord walk with you all the days of your lives and bless your socks off.  

What ordinary moments have you had with your kids?  I would love to hear them!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

A little ice & a lost tooth

WINTER STORM 2011  no Winter Weather Situation 

um... How about a little ice and maybe a lost tooth?

Well, at the bottom of the mountain we have been a little disappointed.  No snow, and not really any accumulation of ice.  It reminded me of Winter Storm 2010.  (You know when you say it you have to be dramatic.)  Last year when I was in the grocery store picking up food stuffs I was laughing about the "huge winter storm" coming while talking to Hopson on my cell & people were staring at me like I had lost my mind.  I have a husband, 4 kids, and 2 dogs, of course I'm a little loony!

Anyway, we tried to have fun in the ice.  Elizabeth & Henry found ice on the trampoline and had a blast jumping on it.  Later they went around the corner to do some ice sledding with friends.  I know they had a great time.  We received a phone call after a little while from our neighbor telling us that Henry's mouth hit another little boy's head while they were sledding & knocked out Henry's loose tooth.  He was very upset because the tooth had fallen out of his mouth & they couldn't find it.  Our Tooth Fairy is a total slacker and forgot to take his last tooth when she finally showed up to leave him his dollar.  This time she remembered to bring the money on time and take the baby tooth, so all was good.  Yea tooth fairy! 

My 4 are a little stir crazy; are tired of doing chores; and I think they are ready for some routine & seeing their friends.  I think I am too.  I did have fun spending time with the fam,  hanging out, and then letting them stay up until very late to watch Auburn win the National Championship game.  It was fun!  Just remember the number is 32.  Elizabeth kept dozing during the game and we gave her a number to remember during the game so we'd know she was awake.  LOL! 

Anywho, it's been a great 4 day weekend & now the 4 will have a 3 day school week.  For those of you up on the mountain, know we're jealous because we really wanted it to snow so we could have a snowball fight.  Oh well, maybe Winter Storm 2012 will have a little more humph to it. 

My you be blessed beyond measure,

~ashley

Henry and Elizabeth on the trampoline.

Henry after he lost his tooth.  Notice his left upper lip is a little fat.

Because Football Season is HERE!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  FOOTBALL!  I like watching all kinds of football, but of course having a high school football player has placed Rebel football at the top of my list.  It's hard to believe that I have a child old enough to play, I keep looking for my little brother, Cotton, instead of my son.  (Cotton is not so little anymore, he turned 31 in May.)  For your viewing pleasure I've included pictures of Hop as he was leaving for his game tonight. Check out the happenin' black socks he's sporting. Nice aren't they?! (he looks like Hopson does when comes home from work & decides to workout in his dark work socks.)  Running a very close second with watching the Rebels play is Auburn football!!! War Eagle, Hey!    

Friends, fellowship, food & football, some wonderful words that start with f.  We love to have parties and watch football, literally all day long. If you're in the area, just call & find out what we're doing, our policy is:  the more the merrier.  Is there anything better than the food?  Oh, it makes you want to stand up and slap your momma. (not recommended of course)  I think I like the grazing aspect of it.  You eat a little, take a break, eat a little, take a break; and on top of all that you get to have wonderful fellowship and make memories with friends.  (I'm always sneaking around with my camera taking pictures, because everything must be documented.)  The joy that football brings to our household.

One of my favorite dishes for football season is actually made by Hopson.  You may have had this, but on the off chance you haven't, happy eating to you my friends!  I asked Hopson who showed him how to make them, and he thinks it was his former boss, Norman Gayle.  Norman is a great hunter, and throws a pretty good party himself.  The first time I had these, they were made with quail and dove, but if you're fresh out of those you can use chicken.  Hopson wanted me to remind you to pound the chicken as thin as possible.  On the recipe I put 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch thick, but you can do it thinner.

I'm trying out a website to list all my recipes, so if you can't get to it, please let me know & I'll post it here.  :)   Well, it's time to go get pumped up for some football!  Go Rebels & War Eagle!!!

For the recipe go to the following link. 
http://wegottaeat.com/ashnance/recipes/chicken-poppers

Be blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

Hop in his great lookin' black game socks.