We've been TRADED

One word that I found very unique from the football conference that we attended was "traded".  Several of the wives used that term to refer to the fact that their hubby had lost his job at one school and had moved to another school.  I heard the word traded more in those two days than I've heard it my entire life.  I honestly felt sorry for those families that had in fact been "traded." Some told stories of being traded many, many times! At the same time, I felt blessed that my husband had been coaching at the same school for 12 years, and confident in the fact that we were there to stay....or so I thought!!!  As part of a reduction in force that our county had for the upcoming school year, Billy lost his job.  I can honestly say that I was more upset with the thought of losing the football team than the loss of the teaching job. I old Billy it was like a death...I had lost my babies!  I have been there to watch these guys grow from silly boys who had tons to learn to mature young men who have an amazing chance to win the State Championship this year!  The transformation that I watched was like watching  my own two children grow and learn.  Could this really be happening?!?!?  It was...and still is.  Football is going on without us. 
   Currently, Billy is still looking for a teaching job with hopes that he can jump in and coach soon.  I'm still tying to find my place in this entire mess!  I so want to be part of the team that I watched mature and helped grow (thanks to more desserts than we can mention).  At this point, I am doing a wait and see approach.  Guess I am ready for the actual season to begin.  My plans are to attempt to go to a game and see how it feels.  I KNOW in my heart of hearts that is won't be the same.  However at the same time, I have NO CLUE what to do on a Friday night that doesn't involve football!  I still keep in touch with the players via Facebook and my desserts are still on their minds!

Just keep our family in your prayers as we journey into this next chapter of our life.  Right now the biggest question for us is....are we "Traded" to another team or do we just retire and enjoy an occasional Friday Night Football Game?!?!

Last Saturday practice of the year

Well, my Patriots had their last practice of the school year this past Saturday.  I woke up bright and early (thanks to my 2 year old).  Guess that was a good thing though; I baked about 50 homemade chocolate chip cookies for the players and coaches.  Got me and 2 kids ready and went to practice.  I was really impressed. I saw a lot of improvement from some players, esp the JV Quarterback.  Practice went really well and I stood on the sidelines cheering the whole time! Even threatened to go out there to show one guy how to CATCH the football!! :)  After practice, the coaches talked to the guys about working out and getting ready for summer practices (can't believe that it is almost that time!)  Then cookies for the guys!  They were excited!  Need less to say, I came home with an empty plate!  I'm determined to go to some (certainly not all) practices, cheer on the guys and occasionally bring treats to reward them for their hard work! 

Can't wait until FALL!!!

Until next time....

~Joni

Spring Practice

Well, due to chasing a 2 year old and trying to get a 7 year old motivated to leave the tv on a Saturday morning, we missed the first Saturday practice.  I was disappointed, but at the same time I realize there will be more practices.

We had another Saturday practice this past Saturday, and we were in Chapel Hill at a History Conference for the hubby.  We had a great time, but I will admit that I am even more disappointed now. 

Not sure when the next Saturday practice will be but I WILL be there!!!  Already loking forward to the Jr. Football Camp.  The head coach put my husband in charge of this a few years back. It is his baby during the summer.  This year, I am actually getting to be there to help out. 

Is it football season yet?!?!?!

And we begin....

So, my husband told me the other day that it was time for Spring Practice...Football begins!  I must admit that I love football as much (if not more) he does. Then again, he puts in a ton of time than I do, but I also put in my fair share.  I am so looking forward to football season this year, for many reasons!!!  We had a really good season last year and our rising Senior class is full of talent!  Our JV team was county champs and conference champ.  Also last season, our church served all the home (and even a few away) pre-game meals for bothe the varisty and junior varsity.  I was there at every one with enough desserts to feed the whole team.  I feel that allowed me closer to the team than anything.  I was there, able to talk to them one-on-one, learn their names with faces (instead of with a number) and to learn more about their life outside of football. Then, a few other wives and I made post-game meals and dessets for the coaches and their families.  We were all there getting to know each other better and talk a little about the game.  Not even to mention that last year Joseph was under 2 and all he wanted to do was run around.  (Not sure if it will be any better this season, but he will be a year older.)  I guess one of the main reasons that I am looking forward to this football season is because of a FCA football clinic that Billy and I (and several other couples from area high schools) went to.  I feel that I learned so much from other wives about what they do to be involved, situations that they been through and how their feelings on being a coaches wife.  Some wives were just starting out, some had moved over and over for their husband's new coaching job, some wives had been in the world of being a coaches wife for 35+ years.  We got to hear a variety of stories, both good and bad.  It was an eye-opening experience for me.  Now, I feel like I know what I can do to make me an even better coach's wife, football mom, and fan.  Trust me, I will be at practice this Saturday...pulling for my Patriots as always, with Erika and Joseph in tow.  What a great way to spend a Saturday! 

  

Ok. Let me start off by saying that starting a blog somehow landed on my bucket list, so here it goes.

My name is Joni. I am happily married to an amazing man, Billy. We have two children: Erika Marie (7) and Joseph Cole (2).  I am currently a stay at home mom/coach's wife/wedding planner/craft maker/maid/cook/doctor/therapist/etc. (the list could go on and on).  My husband teaches 9th grade World History.  He is also a football coach, track coach, and drives a bus. 


Billy and I have known each other for about 20 years now.  I have played sports since I could walk, and Billy did the same.  We have been together for 5 years. Billy was a coach before I came along.  With my love for sports (and Billy) being a coach's wife is just second nature.  I know that there are many women out there who has a husband who coaches a sport.  Some are just starting out and others have done this for years.  I just want to share my experience as a coach's wife....the late nights, the Thursday and Friday night games, Saturday meeting.  I hope this blog will inspire, teach, or just give a good laugh to those of you who know what I am going through and help those who don't have a clue.

It truly takes someone special to be a coaches wife!