Coach Matt

Matt has been Sis's soccer coach for 7 years.  I can't remember exactly how he "lucked" into coaching, but I think it had something to do with "needing a volunteer".  So he stepped up.  Can you imagine the kind of patience it takes to coach a group of 4 year old girls who'd rather be picking flowers??  But he did it and loved it.

And when we moved to Round Rock, he was able to continue coaching, though every year it became harder for him to coach - he wanted to see progression and seriousness...and some of the girls still wanted to "pick flowers".

But he had a group of girls who really listened to and respected "Coach Matt".  Some of these girls played soccer with him for years, so it was really hard for him to let it go.

Soccer gave him something he really enjoyed outside of work to focus on and he gave it 100%, coming up with creative practices, helping with the lights on the fields, and really being passionate about the games.  Sometimes a little too passionate for my sake.

But the best thing Matt got out of his time coaching was an incredible bond with his daughter.  They speak a language that I don't understand - they watch games together - they have inside jokes together - and I am so happy they have that relationship.  Soccer has been a great thing for both Matt & Sis.  And even thought he may not be her coach on the field anymore, he will always be her Dad.

Vegas BABY!

So the Hubby turns 40 in September.  The only thing he wanted to do was to take a trip with his friends. Our friends, Dave & Mel were going to celebrate Dave's 40th too.  After months of trying to figure out where to go (England is too far; Napa is all about wine; we already went to the beach with the kids) we determined the perfect little get away was VEGAS!!!

Lucky to have such a quick flight on MY favorite airlines - LOVE Southwest - seriously - they have so much fun on their flights.  The flight attendants tell jokes, talk to people - just make it enjoyable.  And for 4 people who had been up since 4 am, we needed "fun".

Love flying over the Southwest - doesn't it look hand-carved by God??

We stayed at the oh-so-lovely Encore on the Strip - it was a gorgeous hotel - most of the places in Vegas are now - but we really loved the room - the pool - the location - all of it.

First pic of the two of us in Vegas......

And our first meal - at Hash House-a-Go-Go at The Imperial Palace.  Many Many people recommended this place to us and as we got in at 9 am on Sunday, we were hungry for a great brunch. I enjoyed the chicken & waffles - bacon was actually cooked inside the waffles.  To eat this, you have to have a bit of everything- chicken, waffles, bacon  AND syrup - so amazing!

For Dave's birthday, Mel had bought him & Matt a "digging experience" on these huge excavators.  They moved dirt, piled tires and then played basketball.

They LOVED it!

But we hadn't even gambled yet!!  And I am not much of a big gambler, so to be honest, that was not a goal of mine for the trip.  However, the boys wanted to play some tables.  So we walked the Strip on Day 2 and ended up playing for a few hours on a roulette table and had so much FUN!  I won big (by total accident- had a big bet on a line that paid well when it hit "1" - still don't quite understand how I did it) which is why I think I enjoyed it so much!!

And we enjoyed lunch at another recommendation - Serendipity at Caesar's Palace.  This is the Frozen Hot Chocolate.  Yes - I go on vacation for the food...sometimes.....

Night Number 2 - Big Plans!! Dinner at Battistia's Hole in the Wall (good, rich Italian) and then Tickets to see Beatles' LOVE!!!!

And we finally caught a water show at The Bellagio - those are so fun to watch.

But on to the show I have wanted to watch for over 5 years!!!  I have the cd, being a HUGE Beatles fan and this was the highlight of the trip.

It was an amazing experience to see all the songs you love being "acted/danced/flown/displayed" in front of you.  It was beautiful and breath-taking and precious and brought tears to my eyes.  I think it meant so much to me because I have loved the Beatles for so long - this is as close to a "concert" as I will ever get.

Day number three - got to Skype with the kiddos for a bit - love modern technology!!

ANd then a drink of the gorgeous lakeside patio at The Wynn.

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

Dinner was at N9NE at The Palms.  It was an amazing steakhouse that treated the Birthday Boys like kings.....

While we were there, we had to make a quick stop up at the Ghost Bar to see the city all lite up.

Day 4 - have to head home - boo.  Our room had a ceiling-to-floor window - here's our view!

It was really a fantastic trip with our friends - we had tons of laughs, had fun, and made great memories. Happy 40th Birthday to the boys!!

Happy 2012 from The Texas Darlings!!

We had a wonderful 2011 - Check out our re-cap!

Happy Birthday Matthew!!

Today begins my honey's last year in the 30's.  I have been privileged enough to have know this wonderful man for 17 of those 39.  He has brought me so much joy in my life.  I honestly couldn't image life without him.

I love him for so many different reasons....so many different ways.  He warms my heart every time I think about  him...

 coaching his girl....

 encouraging me to train & run a half-marathon...

 fitting right in with my family...

 overwhelmed with our kids' madness...

 playing along with the funny Christmas present from my Grandparents....

this was a joke, right?

 loving his pizza....

 hamming it up (and making fun of me) with his sister....

 dancing along with "Just Dance"....

the one and only time!

 helping Sis with her Science Fair Experiments...

 or taking her to a dance...

 hiking with the kids...

 teaching Brody how to shoot...

 crossing one off his 'bucket list'...

at the Master's!!

 wearing dorky ear ware to help his son 'find a gator'...

digging in the sand with the kids...

 or racing with them...

 walking his mom down the aisle....

(tearjerker)

 being a part of an incredible family....

Can you see him being the life of the party?

or just playing around with his kids in the pool....

 he's my hot hubby...

 and we are so blessed to have him!

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Preview: Summer 2011

Coming to this blog very soon........

16

In honor of celebrating 16 years with my one & only today, here are 16 things I love about him, our family, and our life together:

1. You coach Sis's soccer team (and have for 6 years now).  I have an enormous amount of pride for you as a father watching you take that leadership role in her life.

2. I love how your favorite cereal is Fruity Pebbles.

3. When I met you, you were in uniform. It still gives me shivers down my spine to see you in cammo.

4. Our youngest runs to you, yelling, "DaDa!" every time he sees you - that is pure love.


5. I love how gruff your voice is after you watch a soccer game.


6. You love to read.  I love to read.  Our kids love to read.


7. I used to not want to fly overseas to travel.  Then I traveled to France, Italy, Ireland, & England with you.  When can we go back?


8. The first meal I ever made you was lasagna.  To this day it is still my favorite meal to make for you.


9. Our middle looks up to you - he loves to talk about sharks, hunting, fishing, boating, dinosaurs...all boy stuff.  Thank goodness he has you to discuss those important topics with.


10. As much as I tease you, it is incredibly endearing to see the loyalty you have to one team. 16+ soccer jerseys?  or is it more?


11. I will always remember your reactions to each of our children's births.  You were a rock for me, and a puddle of emotions for them.  love.


12. A gorgeous ring for my first Mother's Day.  A diamond strand for my 30th.  Matching earrings for  Christmas.  You always surprise me with such great taste.


13. You look good driving a truck.


14. I am my happiest when we are cruising Lake LBJ on the boat with the kids.  


15. You like to laugh at me.  That's ok.  I'm happy I can still make you laugh.


16. People still talk about how fun our wedding was.  It was one of the best nights of my life.


16 years ~ 9 address ~ 14 cars ~ 21 vacations ~ 3 children ~ a lifetime of memories


I love you.

I Become a Widow Today

to this.

Yes my friends, the English Premiere League season began today.  And my hubby has disappeared in a cloud of anticipation and giddy-schoolgirl excitement.  He is down at an Irish Pub with friends watching the game as I type this.  He left the house at 8:30 am to get down there.  Isn't there something wrong with hitting the bar at 8:30 am.....on a Sunday?  Oh dear.  I have a whole season ahead of me.

A season filled with "don't touch my dvr, it's set for a game." and "you can't wear red today Becca, you'll jinx my team."  

A season filled with endless facebook posts about Inter Milan, Benetiz and YNWA!!! And the sad thing is...most of his friends have no idea what he is posting about.

A season filled with very manly yells and screams coming from the man cave when Liverpool scores.

A season filled with me trying to be interested faking it in a conversation about the league.

And a season filled with me. Alone in the evenings. While hubby is upstairs watching a game.  oh, boo-hoo right??  Nope, I love having a little tv time to myself....but shhhh don't tell him that.

I have written in the past about the obscene number of jerseys this man has.  It has gotten worse.

the man has 18 soccer jerseys.  

and 8.  EIGHT. are from the same team.

home jersey.

 away jersey.

 Torres' home.

 Gerrard away.

  practice jersey.

 new home jersey.

  old away with stain on the front so I got a new away jersey.

And he is getting more from a friend who is on holiday in England this month!!

I mean seriously, how many jerseys does one guy need of the same thing????

I honestly thought this was a fleeting thing.  This obsession with Liverpool soccer would be a flash in the pan and he'd move on to something else. But then he came home with this last Spring:

AWK!!  What happens when he's over it????

Doesn't he know that it's permanent????

I want to bond with him over something he likes.  I try to be interested in watching the game.  This summer, I attempted to stay up-to-date with all the World Cup happenings.  But I fail miserably.  I just can't fake it.  I understand the general concept of soccer but some of the rules confuse me (after 5 years, I still can't see when they are "off-sides").  And if I try to act like I know what I am talking about, he gets me every time.  

So, I am resigned to the fact that I am a soccer widow.  I can accept it.  Hmm...now I just need to find my own thing to make him a widower......can I be obsessed with the spa?