Weekend recap: Rugby, Aussie Day, Football

What a weekend! I say that all the time don't I? LOL! Our weekend started early Friday night with some rival high school rugby. It's cool because the coaches for each of the 2 teams actually play rugby with Big Daddy for the Austin Blacks. It was hard to cheer for just one team LOL. Though we did cheer for the son of one of the coaches. He's only a freshman, playing on the varsity team. This kid has even played in tournaments with Big Daddy. It was fun! I miss Friday night high school games. The crowd was pumped! Granted it's not like a high school football game, but don't worry...it will be. Rugby is coming up! I also got to see the wife of one of the coaches that night. The last time I seen her was last July when we were in Corpus Christi.

When she saw me, she immediately hugged me and said "Girl! You are half your size!" At first I was a little taken aback but quickly recovered ;-). I was rounder the last time I saw her...I know I was. It just made me feel so good that now other people can see a difference.

Saturday was Aussie day at the rugby pitch. We had music set up, sold merchandise, and even sold some authentic Aussie meat pies. The day started with Division I college rugby (St. Edward's University vs University of Texas) under cloudy skies. I had sandals on and my feet were freezing! But the sun did end up coming out right before our first game.

Look at my handsome guy! Look at them legs! LOL Funny story...he was running back and forth across the field and I kept thinking to myself, something looks different about him. Then I realized, he wasn't wearing tights. THAT's when I heard the guys from the college game "teasing" him (our coach also coaches St. Ed's so we know all those guys). After the game, which they crushed 67-5, he confirmed what I knew...he forgot to pack his tights so he had to play in his underwear. LOL. Our first side (D1) played right after and also won 31-25. The Austin Blacks are now the only undefeated team in Texas. 

Can you spot Big Daddy? And no, he is NOT the one laying on the ground LOL

If you follow me on instagram (@nicolemariejohnson) then you already saw this picture :-) Seriously...look at all that hair on these boys!

There was even a mouse race after.

And some friendly arm wrestling (this was actually a rematch)

We are the Blacks' Belles :-) We made sweet treats for all four teams too.

(I realized that anytime we take a family picture, we're all in the same exact spot)

Sunday was another day of flag football for my sweet Juju. He is really loving it! He says he wants to play tackle when he's in 2nd grade...hmmm...I'm not sure yet lol. He had a great practice. They ran a bunch of different drills and got to run a bunch too.

His team lining up to scrimmage against another team.

So proud! He got his team's first good sportsmanship medal :-)

Mommy's little barbarians.

Another full weekend for us. Oh and don't you worry...like I mentioned before, sweet little BamBam will be in soccer this spring. I love being a boy mom! How was your weekend? Anything fun?

We are officially "in season"

Boy oh boy...what a weekend! The first of many sports filled weekends for the locker room. Saturday kicked off the new rugby season for Big Daddy. We drove to Rice University for the first rugby match against HARC (Houston Area Rugby Club).

*Big Daddy is #14...yum!*

It was supposed to be 50 degrees...but it was like 40s...with wind...and rain. We held strong...we kept it together. Well the dudes were fine, I was shivering my tiny bum off! LOL.
Here are a couple of shots at the beginning of the match. You see, I have every intention of taking great pics, but I get so involved in the game that, well...screw the pictures! And when I mean I get so involved, I mean I pace the field just like the rest of the team. And I holler. LOUD. And I curse. And you get the picture. I get very emotionally involved.

lined up for kick off

first scrum

line out

that's my guy right there...I thought I had zoomed in but meh whatev

There was also a "major" injury. (Now I say major, but everyone, including myself, were not too phased by it.) I took pictures, but I don't think I'll post them here LOL. They are pretty gruesome. A guy on our team got elbowed super hard in the head and literally knocked out for about 10 seconds. When he got up, his ear was messed up...BAD. He left the game and we were told later that he had to get 10 stitches and his ear drained. Yeah. 

our cold family right after the game. Oh and we won 26-22 :-)

and another...we were photobombed LOL. That's Pierce back there without his shirt...he's single ;-)

The drive back to Austin SUCKED!!! Like SUCKED! It was raining and the wind was blowing, and there was fog, and I was tired...and yes I had to drive back. I mean dude just played 80 minutes of rugby, I couldn't make him drive...even though he did say he could.

Sunday morning we all slept in, well except for Big Daddy. He had to go to 7s training at 10am. (He was selected for a 7s team that would be competing in Las Vegas in February.) After he got home, it was time for a quick lunch and then off to Juju's first football practice of the season.

tossing the ball around before meeting his coach for the season

huddled up with coach Jimmy. He got #14 for his jersey...that's also Big Daddy's number in rugby

he got to play center LOL

Oh what a weekend! And it's only week 1! We have at least 12 more weeks. BamBam doesn't start soccer until the spring (March I believe), but once he does, we will be completely booked. A rugby player, a football player and a soccer player. I have affectionately been dubbed the cheerleader. Pretty fitting if I do say so myself.

The 4W - Big Daddy edition

WHO: Big Daddy aka The Barbarian

WHAT: He is the king of our house, your typical man's man, tattooed country boy from Texas...He was born in Ochsenfurt, Germany and moved to Texas when he was 6 years old. He loves all things health and fitness related and loves to workout. He's a "tough" dad who served 7 years in the Air Force and who believes hard work and your family will get you far in life. All he ever says that he "wants" is for all of us to be happy.

WHEN: We met in Shreveport, Louisiana in 2004 and got married September 25, 2005 = 7 years :-)

WHERE: He works full time as a facilities technician at a major data center here in Austin. When he's not working he is playing winger for the Austin Blacks rugby club/team (the winger is like the wide receiver in football). And if he's not working or playing rugby, he's just hanging out...with me and the kids or with friends.

:-) I think I will have to create a linky for this next week.

Bathroom Booty

(S00000 not what you think...)

Background: So every morning during the week, I wake up a little early and workout. After I workout I take a shower and then get ready for work. I've been doing this for I don't know how many months now. Honestly, I think since June of last year.

So this morning was no different...except, after my workout big daddy decides he wants some. (You know what I mean). Anyways, I tell him that I'm sweaty and really just wanna take a shower. So he rolls over and I assume he's just gonna go back to sleep. Um NO. After I wrap my hair up in a towel and dry of just a little, I open the door to let out some of the steam and begin my "morning routine."
1. dry off completely
2. brush teeth
3. moisturizer on face..then sun tan lotion on my face
4. bio oil on my belly (juju and stanky left a road map on my belly and if you have no idea what bio oil is, I suggest you find out. AWESOME stuff.)
5. lotion on my body
6. underwear and clothes

Well I was on step 3 when big daddy comes in to use the bathroom. After he's done he just sits on the toilet seat watching me.
BIG DADDY: do you seriously do this every morning?
ME: ya, why?
BIG DADDY: I'm tired just watching you
ME: so get out and don't watch me.
BIG DADDY: so what is that, your treasure chest of youthful-ness? (pointing to the basket on the sink that contains everything I use on a daily basis and then some)
ME: so I'm old?
BIG DADDY: I  didn't say that. I just asked what all that stuff is?
ME: whatever
BIG DADDY: so can I get some?
ME: um NO.
BIG DADDY: you're not old.
ME: ok.
BIG DADDY: so gimme some
ME: um NO. Its getting late and I need to still make my lunch and leave.
BIG DADDY: well if you didn't have all that stuff to do after getting outta the shower you could get some booty before work every morning.
ME: Oh but I do get some booty every morning. Remember my treasure chest of youthful-ness?

And then I walked out. How dare he imply that I'm old! Nothing in my "treasure chest of youthful-ness" is to prevent wrinkles, or make them less noticeable. Uggghhhhh. MEN!!!

My day in a nutshell

So I had a pretty interesting day today. First off, I got to experience probably one of the stupidest court preceedings ever! Like big daddy tweeted..It was better than t.v. Anyways..big daddy and I don't get many days off together anymore, so we decided after lunch to go and work out together. Now y'all know how passionate my darling husband is about working out, well, he NEVER works out with a partner..NEVER! So when he agreed to workout with me I was completely shocked. It was his "free" day (whatever that means) so he said he would show me his core workout that he does. Now when I say my husband does not do a single crunch, you'd probably think I was lying. Especially since he's got amazing abs! He just always works on his core. Its amazing I tell you! LOL! But anyways long story short, we had an amazing workout and I learned a lot from him. I didn't do a single crunch or ab focused exercise, but my abdominal section and lower back are screaming right now. They don't hurt, but I know I'll feel it in the morning. Absolute craziness I tell you!
So I know this going completely to the left but...is anyone out there as excited as I am about the palm pre making its debut in a couple days? I am a self proclaimed palm treo junkie! I don't know how I ever owned a phone that wasn't a palm. Funny thing is, I only just got my first palm phone like at the end of last year...well I actually think it was the beginning of this year. But needless to say, I am hooked..I'm a believer lol! I have asked big daddy for the pre, and am hoping to get it for christmas. You know you can't get the first generation of ANY new cel phone. Gotta give it some time for all the kinks to be worked out. But I do plan to make a trip out to my sprint store that I always go to, to get a "hands on", love at first sight, real live, obsessed based "feel" of the phone.
But it is almost midnight here and I think I've rambled on enough for the day/night. I'll be back with y'all tomorrow.
Later gators!

"You know, like that sunset orangy-red"

(So I know I have been promising all week for part 2 of my fantabulous weekend in austin...I promise I'm still working on it. Just wanted to get this post out of my head.)

So...when big daddy and I were planning our vow renewal in October of 2006, my mom and I were desperately trying to find "my wedding colors." She would send me scraps of paper and fabric, but we could never get it just right. And my only response was always, "you know, that orangy-red color of the sun at sunset." We finally got it right and everything was beautiful.

Well on my way home from work last night...at 7:22pm...I saw IT! My wedding color...just as I wanted it in all its glory. I live on the southwest side of my city, so it was like I was literally driving into this "orangy-red" circle. It was amazing! I tried taking pictures from my phone, but since I was in fact driving, the pictures didn't turn out so well. I couldn't get it to show the circle itself. And of course as soon as I got home I called my mom to tell her.

Well on my way in to work this morning...at 7:17 am...I saw it again! Now I already know I'm an emotional and sentimental basket case, but never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that a big orangy-red circle in the sky could make the tears start flowing. Big daddy and I had a pretty rough first year of marriage. I already had my 2 boys, and then juju was born like 10 months into our marriage. A lot on our plate at that time. And here we are...completely inseparable. Yes we irritate each other on a constant basis lol, but its fun! Like my mom says, "you act like like you don't know how to breathe when y'all are separated" (well she doesn't say y'all...she says you guys..but tomaTOE/tomaTOW).

So now I'm off to write part 2 of my weekend!
Later Gator!

Look-->A REAL POST

So sue me for being a slacker these past couple weeks or so. Anyways...so whats the occassion for this special "real" post you ask? Nothing really. I'm having a pretty relaxing morning so far, not even a tired bug in sight! So how about a quick update? NO? Well too bad....

Next week I go back to a normal schedule (8:00-5:00). If you work or know someone that works in a call center, then this could be both a good and bad thing. I've been meaning to post about my job...so...i'll just leave it at that, and you can look forward to a post later.

Had the day off yesterday to catch up with cleaning and me time. Did some laundry, cleaned my bathroom, organized the little ones' bedroom, got my nails done, and even did a little window shopping. Big daddy even ordered me a mini laptop yesterday! YAY!!!!!!! Hopefully I'll actually receive it in 3-5 days like they say. So now all I need is a new cel phone!

Speaking of big daddy, we're getting him a new, used car tomorrow. He's really excited! He has a 1993 red jimmy, but the steering column broke so now it just sits in our driveway...at a very awkward angle if you ask me. See?

So where was I? Oh ya (had to scroll up lol)...so he's getting a new car. Well SUV. Its an older Isuzu Amigo, manual. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow when we go and pick it up.

I've ben thinking about getting back to my creative side, so to start, I'm making an alphabet book for juju. It's still in its bare stage...got almost everything I need, just need to print out a bunch of pictures for it. I plan on getting this completed by next sunday. So look for my post on it then. 

I started my supplements yesterday! Woohoo! Just the kick I've been needing! Big daddy are doing it together. I forgot to take my before picture yesterday...oh well...I guess in 90 days you'll just get to see the after picture.

So long for now. I'm off to Walmart to print some pictures, then off to maybe Hobby Lobby for more cardstock. Oh and then, heading over to Target to check out Peek. Whats Peek you ask? Well if you don't know you can cheat and google it, but if you can wait...I'll hopefully show you later. And then later I'm picking up juju's new bed! First off to shower. Still kinda stinky from my workout this morning! 

Flashback Friday!

February's assignment: For every Friday in February, post a picture of "Love". That means you can post photos of people in love or showing love. You could post photos of those you love or simply photos you love. February is pretty much up for grabs as to what you can post. 

So I found this meme last week and love it! Here's to you Melinda!

Christmas eve 2006! Big daddy is so handsome isnt he?! LOL...He looks so much younger in this picture. (Currently, his head is still bald, but he's rockin some facial hair...mustache and goatee)

This was taken this time last year...and I still had 2 more months to go! I'm a little girl, and when this picture was taken I had already gained just about 30 lbs. And with 2 more months to go, you can imagine what I looked like. My hair is also still long and dark in this picture. (Currently my hair is right above my shoulders and highlighted)

So let the world see your past! I love it! Visit Melinda today, and every friday, for this super fun meme!

Just a random post about nothing

So I've been working this mid shift at work (4pm to 1am), and haven't really had a chance to just sit down and blog. I've just been super exhausted. So what else have I been up to besides sleeping through day-time tv? Well saturday, valentine's day, I was off from work. So big daddy and I took the kids out. We went to one of the malls out here and just walked around, window shopping, and just enjoying each other's company. Big daddy and I have never really done anything for v-day. We exchange cards and stuff, have dinner, and just are with each other...no big deal. He doesn't believe in buying into all the hype...WHATEVER! I love that he's the rebellious, independent type....but this year for the first time, I was really hoping for something. More than a card. Oh well. He loves me, and I love him, and with our conflicting work schedules (him 7-4, me 4-1), I'm just happy about the TIME I got with him that day. And besides, he always out does himself on my birthday every year!

Click HERE to see some v-day pics.

Had yesterday off. And so did big daddy! (wink, wink) Took the little ones to daycare, and the rest...well...I was exhausted...but not from working till 1 yesterday morning! Had a GREAT start to our day of running around doing errands. Stopped by Sylvan to talk with them about their program and setting up a date/time for skinny to take his assessment. He's 12, going through his changes, and just having a hard time with math and english. Hopefully, he'll gain the confidence to know and do better in school. More on that later. I got my hair cut too. Short. Now it sits right on top of my shoulders. So whats the big deal you ask? Well I've always had long hair. ALWAYS. LONG. Down to my booty! Then when juju was born, I cut it to between like my bra strap and waist. Which is how I've kept it. In December I cut it to between the top of my shoulder and my bra strap. And now...its officially short! And I love it! I'll have someone take a picture of me and my new 'do later.

Well blogsters, hate to do it, but I gotsta go! Gotta stop by walmart and pick up some turkey sandwich meat for big daddy's lunch for the rest of the week, and get juju another "out" cup. Out cup is a sippy cup that he uses when we're going places. Like in the car. Sometimes he takes it to daycare when he's lazy. Haha. So later blogsters! Have a great rest of the day!

Grilling Goodness #18

"Its Aloha Friday...no work till monday..." (My fave song to hear on fridays when I was still living in Hawaii)

Well alright peeps, its friday...so you know what that means...time to get the coals ready for some Grilling Goodness!

1. How long has your longest friendship been?

Lets's see...we met when we were in the second grade. I was like 7 I think. So almost 22 years. WOW! Never really thought about it, but damn thats a long time huh?

2. What made you happy this week?

PAYDAY!!!!!!

3. Are you planning any kind of event right now?

Actually yes. Tank's first birthday. Its not until April, but wow...still so much to do. Its like tradition in my family to have a really big first birthday. We do a big luau and everything. Don't think we'll do a "luau" but we will be doing something on grand scale like that.

4. Do you wear your wedding ring? What is it made of?

Of course...but then I take it off to take a shower...and then sometimes I forget to put it back on...and then here comes big daddy, holding the ring, saying "hey you left this on the counter. Be careful it might fall in the sink." (Mind you, whenever I do take it off, I put it INSIDE my jewelry box...which of course is on the counter, near the sink, but obviously would not fall IN the sink. Don't know how it would jump outta my jewelry box and into the sink, but whatever...he's right, right? :)~) Oh ya...both my rings are yellow gold..one is just my plain band and the other is a hawaiian ring with big daddy's name on it. (thats the one I wear most often)

5. Do you shave your legs in the winter?

Oh I'm so bad about this! I say whats the point. I mean your legs are covered 90% of the time anyways, right? I mean your in this nice hot shower or bath shaving your legs for big daddy for later (wink*wink), but then you turn off the water, get out and BAM...cold air...instant goosebumps...and there they go....boop, boop, boop, boop, boop...tiny little hairs popping up cuz now you got goosebumps. Then big daddy tells you later, hey I thought you shaved. (Ya I shaved you jerk) 

6. What time do your kids go to bed?

All I can say is I wish it were earlier. Tank goes down around 7:30-8:00. Now cheerio and milkshake (my 12 and 10 yr olds) don't have a bed time until 9:00-9:30. Sooooo...juju thinks he can stay up till then too. My fault totally. At one point I was like hey, the later he sleeps the later he wakes up in the morning. Which actually happened. But now that I'm back to work full time during the day, I need him to wak up earlier so I can get him ready for daycare. He goes to bed around 8:30-9:00 now, but every now and then he'll stay up until about 9:30. Once he sees his bigger bros going to bed, he wants to go to bed.

7. Right this minute, is your laundry caught up?

OMG...YES!! For the first time in 3 weeks! And I think this time I might actually be able to stay on top of it.

8. Do you want flowers for Valentine's Day?

NAW...they just die anyways. FEED ME! Y'all would be amazed at how much my little body can eat!

So of course now you want to play along too! Visit the Golden Goodness NOW! And then comment here to let me know you FINALLY joined in on the goodness so I can see what you got going on!

SILLY!

So for week 5 of the i heart faces weekly contest, the theme is "SILLY". Again I decided to do the kids category. Should be easy right? Um...NO! I have been sitting here for an hour going over all the pictures we have! I think I finally got it. I mean this IS the face juju makes when we say "silly face" when we're taking pictures.

And here's the kicker...I decided to also enter in an adult entry too! 

This is big daddy. We took the boys to the arcade where they won all these tickets. The prizes were nothing to get excited about, so skinny, milkshake, and big daddy decided to get the bubble glasses and vampire teeth. Do you know he spent the rest of the afternoon lke that?! OMG!

So join in on the fun. Visit I heart faces and play along. Today is the last day to put in your silly faces. So go NOW.

Mr. Big Baby

It all started yesterday (friday) afternoon. I met big daddy after work at his job. The training class he was in had a potluck and there was a bunch of food left over from it that he wanted me to bring home. Well anyways, he rides his bike...not motorcycle but a bike, bike...to work everyday. Well he figures, well hey, if I'm there he might as well just throw the bike in the back of the truck and just catch a ride. Well I had tank and juju with me (I had just picked them up from daycare right before meeting him). With our big hummer of a double stroller, his bike wasn't fittin so good in the back. So he said what the hell, he'll ride it home. So anyways.... I get home, and he arrives shortly after. Yes we live that close to his job. He's huffin and puffin like he usually does as soon as he gets home. Then all of sudden he starts coughing. Sun was out and everything but the wind was blowing. So I figured he was just coughing from the cold air.

So like an hour passes and he's still coughing like he's tryna get his lung out! Thats when he tells me that one person in his class has the flu and another person was getting over bronchitis. What the fuck! Sorry for cussin but hell...we have 4 children. 2 of which were just sick. And here he is just a coughing away like its no big deal.

ME: Well take some nyquil and go to bed early. You'll feel better.

BD: I need medicine. Like cough medicine. Don't got a fever, just a cough.

ME: Fine I'll go to walgreens.

So I drive to walgreens which is so CROWDED! He was being kinda cryptic as to how he was feeling so I call him to get more body feeling details.

ME: Ok there's stuff for flu, cough, nasal congestion, chest congestion...how are you really feeling?

BD: Just coughing! Damnit Nicole just get me something for my cough!

ME: Well I don't wanna medicate you for something you don't have.

BD: No fever, my body doesn't hurt. Just cough, and my throat is hurting from coughing so much. I have bronchitis. See what I need to take for bronchitis.

ME: Bronchitis huh? 

BD: Yes Nicole, I have bronchitis.

First of all, doctor, how did you come up with your diagnosis?! Second, come on its just a cough you big baby! Stop making it into something else! You JUST started coughing.

So I get him some mucinex because he sounded like he was tryna cough up phlem and mucus and junk. Standing in line to check out, my phone rings. One guess as to who it was.

ME: Yes?

BD: Get me something for the flu. Its the flu.

ME: Fine.

So I step out of line to get him some alcaseltzer (however you spell it) tabs, and some dayquil and nyquil flu.

I get home to find him on the couch lookin pitiful, coughing and hacking. I mean come on dude! If you're sick go in the room so you don't infect the rest of us!

ME: Why don't you go lay down in the room.

BD: Trying to get up but my body hurts. 

ME: Well you can't be out here getting everybody sick.

BD: Just let me be! You know what fine I'll go lay in the room!

ME: I'll bring your medicines to you.

BD: Whadya get? Stuff for bronchitis right?

ME: Yes.

So he finally goes to the room when I hear...

BD: NIICCOOOOOLE!

ME: Ya?

BD: Why am I still coughing? I took the damn mucinex and alcaselzer thing and nyquil.

ME: Gotta wait till it kicks in I guess.

BD: Whatever I don't think you got me the right stuff.

I walk out and about 15 minutes later, his ass is snoring in the bed...sweat dripping down his face. He had the tv on so I go to turn it off and he shoots up in bed and says, Hey I'm watching that before laying right back down into medicine induced coma.

So this morning he's awake at like 6 something. I get up and start getting ready for work...thats when the demanding baby started....

BD: My body aches. I can't stop coughing. Where's my cell phone? Can you get my pillow? What time do the boys wake up? Get me some water. Where's my medicines? Hand me the remote. I can't eat anything. I just want water. I never get sick, and when I do I get both bronchitis and the flu. When do you get off? Wait I have stuff to do today, I'll bring you to work. No I'm too sick and my body hurts too much.

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

MEN! JUST BIG BABIES IF YOU ASK ME!