Let the Madness Begin!

Well, football season is well underway. As a fellow coaches wife said, "let the madness begin." It is truly amazing how my attitude has changed over the years...I am honestly excited that it is here! Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will pout about Jamie's long hours (I can recall him walking in at 2am and then leaving the house at 6am to teach the next day)...I am sure I will throw a tantrum here or there when I expect him at 8 and he walks in at 1am BUT I am excited it is here.

I love football games. I love getting to see the boys go out there and do their thing...I love screaming-biting my nails-jumping up and down-throwing tantrums over a bad call and yes, even crying. To me, it means getting to see more of Grammy, Pappy, Mimi, & Poppy-it means FUN packed Fridays-it means cooler weather & yummy food. I can't wait!

My hope that is that it is a good season, that the players and coaches give 100%, and that each game is called fairly. I know that sounds lame but honestly, it is all about the players, the coaches, & the refs...any 1 of the three can completely blow a game. It is always so nice when it all comes together...win or lose (but preferably a win).

I know a lot of people have it rougher than us but being the wife of a coach isn't always the easiest thing. Our husbands are often criticized by people that know very little about football...by parents who want their children to play (some of which might honestly get killed if they were to play)...when something goes wrong, it is easy to blame the coach that made the call. I have learned to bite my tongue :)

I think my attitude has changed for several reasons:

1) Thomas & Ellison are FINALLY both to a point they can go to the game & have fun...I am not trying to get pregnant, nursing, pregnant, nor have I just birthed a baby...yes, this year will be different than the past 6 :)
2) I am better prepared...my house is more organized (dirty, but organized), I have great friends, & I have a freezer full of the meals
3) I have learned to NOT expect Jamie home at a certain time...I have lowered my expectations which has made it a whole lot easier on us all
4) Like I said before, I have learned to bite my tongue in the stands...In the past, I (along with numerous other wives) have fallen into flying off the hook to attack someone insulting our husbands & our players.

And here are a few things I have done differently:
1) I take the kids to practice so they get to see him.
2) I prepare his meal like he is going to be home, & when he doesn't show, I stick it in the microwave...he knows where to find it.
3) I try to get to know the players & their parents...it makes it more of a family that way.
4) I don't do the math...I don't figure out the number of hours vs the pay...they don't do it for the pay folks but at the same time, it is him being a coach that allows me to stay home.
5) I don't plan on seeing him for 3-4 months, that way when I do, I am pleasantly surprised.
6) Let the kids take a really late nap on game nights so they can stay up late.
7) I don't wait by the door...even when he says he is on his way home.
8) I try to have more of a life instead of just waiting for Jamie to get home.
9) I have accepted that only the wives of coaches 100% understand the dynamics/politics/role of being a coach's wife.
10) I have accepted that there will always be people out there that have it 100 times worse than I have it and those that have it 100 times easier & that is okay.

Good Luck, Fort D! May this be your year to shine!