This Is Why I Do It

See this beautiful lady (yes the boy is adorable too)? She used to play for me almost 15 years ago. I know...it's hard to believe I've been coaching since I was 10! :) Rachel was one of the first group of athletes I coached and I could not be more proud of the woman she has become. Coaching is a tough job....similar to being a parent. You love your athletes but you have to push them to reach their potential. If you are not hard on them then you are not doing your job...in my opinion. They definitely don't always understand you all the time, just like my own kids but a good coach has their athlete's best interest at heart.

You don't always make the parents of your athlete's happy and sometimes you finish a season and you have a player that downright just doesn't like you. It comes with the career. I will say that in all my years of coaching, I have been very blessed to have many athletes come back to visit me. Whenever they do, it means so very much to me.

Thanks to facebook, Rachel and I got back in touch and she came to watch Logan play baseball. Now they WERE undefeated until tonight but I think I will still let her come again. :) The reason being is because our one player who has never actually made contact when at bat, hit the ball and got a single!! Before he took his first swing, I explained to Rachel that he hasn't ever hit the ball before. She said "Well he will today" and sure enough he did. So his good luck charm may return whenever she likes.....of course I would've let her anyways!

Now she didn't want me to post any pics of her when I coached her but since I posted that picture of me in the hat looking like an ugly man, I should at least get to post one old one....orw two :) This was a picture of me, Rachel and the rest of the team when they surprised me for my birthday. I still have that volleyball blanket and I love it!! It is weird seeing me without my wedding ring on and I don't even want to talk about the shorts I was wearing...yikes.

Here I am giving my best coaching advice on how to block. They seem real interested don't they...yea....not so much.

But at least it's better than this current coaching picture. Nice face huh...wonder what my libero was thinking. Oh I don't want to know! I love my job and I am blessed to get to work with wonderful kids that turn into grown women (which makes me feel so old).
Rachel coming to Logan's game meant a lot to me and the kids thought it was very cool. When I tucked Logan in tonight, he told me, "Mommy, Rachel is so nice." Looking back at all the hard losses and mad parents....a visit from an old athlete is why I do it.

Kendall Faith

Kendall Faith Street

My niece, Kendall Faith arrived at 4:12 pm on 4/12/10...pretty cool huh! She is so cute and I cannot wait to hold her!! I am going to take the kids down to see her this weekend. We are so excited!! I also have the honor of being her Godmother. She doesn't know it yet but she is going to be one heck of a volleyball player. :) After all these years of having nephews...I finally have a niece!

Speaking of nephews....here is one of them. Stephen giving his baby sister some lovin. Too cute! Seeing babies makes me want to have another one....until I remember the amount of laundry I do already...private school tuition....and I couldn't imagine juggling one more person's schedule...sheesh! Ok...that baby fever is gone! haha Don't get me wrong, I feel so blessed to have my 3 beautiful babies and I couldn't imagine my life without them...laundry and all! Now I have a niece I get to spoil...how fun. See you soon Kendall.

2010 5K Zoo Run with my Animals...I mean Kids

Me and My Animals... :)

Last year Kansas ran the Fort Worth Zoo 5 K with some of her classmates. This year we had decided to do it as a family. Unfortunately, Gene had to coach at a track meet in Dallas so he was unable to join us but wished us luck and took some pics before we left.

The sun was obviously still asleep behind the clouds but the All Saints' group looked ready to take on the challenge of a wet 5K. Luckily before the race started, the rain stopped!! Kansas and Logan stayed with me and Trinity went off with the group. Logan would not let go of my hand because there were so many people and I think he thought he might lose me!

The first part of the race started through the zoo and that was the coolest part. I tried to take pictures of the giraffes, elephants and zebras but I probably shouldve stopped running so they didn't come out blurry! At around minute 17, Logan decided he was tired. I ran with him on my back for about 5 minutes and then I was saved by the port-o-potty!!

This picture is a little blurry also...I was jogging in place. :) I really wanted to run the entire thing!! Logan pretty much complained the last half of the race but once I pointed to the finish line, he took off! Gene showed him how to run with his hands open so he got his form together and finished the race....his first 5k!!

Yay!!!! We finished the race and we are still able to stand up!! I am so proud of my kiddos. Besides the time Logan was on my back, they basically ran the entire time.

I guess I should have signed Kansas up for the 10K cause she still had enough energy to carry Logan around!

After the race, we hung around for some of the festivities but the rain decided to come out again so we headed to Panera Bread for some yummy breakfast!!

The kids ordered their gigantic cinammon rolls. They deserved them after the race!! I had a great time experiencing this with my kids. I wish Gene would have been able to join us. Maybe next time....now I think a nap is in order! Have a great weekend!

TCU's 2022 Football Recruit

Yesterday, my good friend Jenny asked me if I wanted to bring Logan up to TCU to watch a spring, football practice. I had promised him last year I would and never did so I made sure I took him this time! On the way to TCU he asked me "Mom, is this what I'm wearing to tryouts?" I just started laughing....the boy actually thought he was going to TCU to tryout for football!!! Then he said, "Mom, are we in traffic because I don't want to be late....Coach will be wondering, where's Logan". By this time, im practically in tears!! Jenny's husband is one of the Offensive Coordinators and so we were able to get a tour of the awesome facility!

My kiddos and Cecilia with the Horned Frog

We went to Coach Fuente's office and Logan and I left him a note on his board! :)

Logan watching the practice....taking it all in.

After practice, he just watched as the "big boys" left the field. He had the biggest smile on his face....so darn cute!

Coach Fuente came over to see his wifey and adorable daughter, Cecilia and of course Logan says "Coach, will you throw to me?" He was so sweet to play catch with him. Then Logan actually got the guts to go play catch with...

the big boys...this is about as close as he got to them. I asked if he wanted a picture with them and he said "no mom, they are so big". :) They all complimented him on his throwing and catching and so then he went into show-off mode and started running fast and punting the ball.

Before we left, were were able to take him onto the field where they play games. He just stood there and looked at it and said "man this is a big field" and then he took off sprinting to the other side.

This smile didn't leave his face the entire time we were there. He had a blast and thank you to Jenny and her hubby for their hospitality. He was talking about it when he woke up this morning. Of course one of the coolest things to him is that the team has the Wii in their players lounge. Who knew that would be a great recruiting tool! :) GO FROGS!

Foal Play

I took this picture today as I drove back on campus after lunch. This little foal wouldn't leave it's momma's side. So sweet...a mother and her child. My little sister just gave birth to a baby girl, Kendall Faith and I get to be her Godmother!! I'm so excited to meet my new niece. As soon as I get a picture of her sweet face, I will post it! We love you Kendall!!

Baseball...Birthdays..Bears...Butt Kickins and Bluebonnets

So the title of this post pretty much sums up my weekend!

Since AAU basketball has begun, I am officially a "basketball widow" until June or July. Gene was away in Houston for a tournament but at least he was able to hang out with the family there. My sister was excited to see her "favorite bro-in-law" sorry Stephen. :) While Gene was in H-Town, I held down the fort. We started our Saturday with some Blue Jays baseball. They didn't play very well but they got the victory. It looks like Logan is trying to take out his coach with this hit.

It was my good friend Amanda's birthday so I returned the favor and brought the pink hat for her to wear. It looks so much cuter on her than it did on me! After the game, Trinity and Logan and I headed to Grapevine Mills Mall to meet up with Kansas who was with a friend. While we waited, we got to ride the cool new animal go kart thingies....(great description huh). All I know is that I want one. They are so cool. The kids had a blast and the sweet guy working there kept letting them ride past the alotted time. I even got my old self on one.

Trinity road the pink bear...that was my favorite one.

Logan switched off between this one and the cheetah. Thanks goodness I don't have a picture of me on it....my knees were at my chin. :) But once I got on I guess Trinity and Logan thought they were "bumper animals". Don't worry...no animal was injured during this activity.

Our next adventure landed us in Plano for some volleyball. My poor Pink Fury team is struggling and we suffered some butt-kickin. It was our last tournament and though we didn't finish well, all the girls improved a ton. We all went to eat at Chuys afterwards and I enjoyed visiting with the parents. No, that last sentence isn't one big typo...I really enjoy the parents on this team. Even though I wanted to beat their daughters at times, they were in full support of me. Ahhh...the joys of coaching.

They surprised me with a gift card that was in this very special thank-you card.

I know it's hard to read but I had to get a picture in my blog. I have been coaching for 15 years and this kind of stuff is what means the most to me. I will keep it with all the others that I have collected from my past teams. Thank you Rachel, Rachel, Hailey, Madi, Taylor, Alli, Molly and Pink Fury parents!

As the kids and I drove home, we passed all the beautiful bluebonnets and so we had to stop and get a picture. I mean it is a Texas tradition! The kids were not in all matchy-matchy clothes but they still look adorable. They thought it was so much fun playing on the side of the highway in the bluebonnets. Cheap thrills. :)

My sweet babies.... they look so sweet....



and it doesn't last long....Kansas thinks it would be fun to push Logan down the hill..

More bluebonnet fun...

Yet another busy weekend for the Watts Family. I am excited to announce that my sister will be going to the hospital in the morning to be induced. She is having a girl, my first niece and I am the Godmother!!! Stay tuned for pictures and please say a prayer that all goes well!!

Many Blessings,

Easter Visitors Cuter Than A Bunny

My cousin Derek and his daughter, Jasmine joined us for Easter in Houston. Derek is in the army and will be leaving to Iraq again in September. We are so glad him and adorable Jasmine were able to spend some time with us.

Me with my kiddos and Jasmine at the Easter egg hunt.

Trinity, Jasmine and Stephen ready to get some eggs.

Kansas and Joseph were with the older kids and that goofy woman is my sister, Jessica! :)

And they're off....

Jasmine and her stash...she would just smile at a little boy and he would give her an egg. At least that worked with Logan...haha.

Nana and Papa with the rugrats.

My sisters and I with our Easter visitors...told you they were cuter than the Easter Bunny!

After the hunt, the kids went straight to DS downloading.....

And they also played a little with the ton of toys in the garage...

The weather was beautiful!

Derek's birthday was last week so we surprised him with a mini chocolate cake. It looks like my mom is trying to stick her finger in it but I promise she didn't! :)

My girls sporting the Easter outfits that Nana and Papa bought them.

The kids on Easter morning going through their baskets.

We had a great time seeing our family. The cousins always have so much fun together. My sisters and I never grew up around our cousins, they all lived in California. We are glad our kiddos see each other often and we are thankful that Derek and Jasmine were able to join us on this Easter holiday. I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!

Fro No Mo...

This cute little thing had a little too much going on under that hat. Gene usually cuts his hair but since Daddy was out of town, Mommy stepped in and took him to get the fro cut.

Before....Fro-licious..

After....HANDSOME!!!
I love his curls but they were getting a little out of control! :)