Search Results for: label/Racers

R-A-C-E-R-S! Racers! Racers! Go Racers!

March 10, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Around here, March means basketball.

We spent Friday night and all day Saturday in Nashville, where our Racers were playing in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. We wore blue and gold all weekend, stayed in a new-favorite hotel, ate good food, visited with friends, ran into other friends, and enjoyed being together.

For you basketball fans, Murray State beat Eastern Kentucky on Friday night to advance, but then lost in a heart-breaking game to Belmont. Even so, I’m so glad we were able to watch these two games. After a season with some ups and downs coming on the heels of last season — the best ever in MSU history — these games made me proud to be a Racer.

Friday night the game didn’t tip off until about 8:30 p.m. Y’all. My kids usually go to bed around 7 p.m. So the game didn’t end until 10:30ish and then it was a little after 11 by the time we got into our hotel room. And, well, you know, it’s exciting to stay in a hotel. So it took the kids some time to settle down in their pull-out-bed and it was around midnight before all was quiet from their portion of the room, which was actually their own room.

We managed to sleep in a little and then had a leisurely morning eating breakfast and hanging out at the hotel before we went to Opry Mills mall, where we had lunch at Rainforest Cafe with friends and shopped some. And then it was on to the championship game.

Most of the day was full of me being proud of how my kids behaved and reacted. I truly treasure the words from my non-momma friend who reminded me in an email exchange that making memories is an important part of parenthood. She’s right. And, you know, I didn’t take a ton of pictures like I tend to do, especially during a road trip. I was thankful for the time to be truly present with my family, laugh with my husband, and just enjoy each other.

Do like college basketball? Who will you root for in March?

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Look back at our other trips to the OVC Tournament: 2012. 2011. 2010. 2009. 2008.

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My girl, growing up …

June 11, 2012 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Cate is learning how to play basketball this week at Murray State’s camp. I’m pretty her crush on Donte Poole had something to do with her signing up. Or maybe she saw how fun the guys were when they came to school. Perhaps it was those things mixed with the atmosphere of the Racer games she loved this season. Whatever the reason, Greg and I were excited our girl wanted to go.

That’s her sitting on the right edge of the lane toward the back in the navy shirt and little blue shorts. There is no telling why she’s raising her hand. When I was there for the first hour or so this morning, she raised her hand pretty much any time doing so was an option. Really. She raised it when Coach Prohm asked who was cheering for the Heat. And then when he asked who were Thunder fans.

Honestly, I’m not sure my girl even knows what the NBA is. Much less these two teams with weather-related mascots. And I’m certain she doesn’t know they are getting ready to play for the championship. Perhaps we’ll talk to her about it tonight. And about how you have to pick a side because not everyone wins. {That truth will be completely undone later this week when everyone on her t-ball team and every other team gets a trophy …}

Anyway, so, back to basketball. We’re excited she’s old enough to do this. She doesn’t fear new situations like I did my entire childhood. She’s eager to volunteer and participate and make new friends. Her attitude and demeanor make me proud.

Of course, her little brother and our friend Caroline wish they were old enough too …

And, speaking of being old enough, my girl lost her first tooth while at camp this morning …

I love that toothless smile. I’d post a picture of her and her tooth, but, well, she threw it away “because there was a trash can right there and I didn’t have a pocket.” That’s what I get for going to the grocery store while she was at her three-hour basketball camp.

Even though her tooth was already loose, I thought maybe a crazy pass from a fellow 5-year-old may have knocked it out. Nope. “I was wiggling it and just pulled it out,” she said non-nonchalantly. Apparently it only bled a little.

And then it was back to basketball for my independent, brave girl who certainly is growing up.

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969.42 miles and counting …

April 12, 2012 by Kristin Leave a Comment

It’s been a busy week.

The kids and I went shopping in Paducah {47.1 miles one way} on Monday for some wall art for the lake house. We were successful and had a good time. And I discovered the spicy chicken sandwich {with pepper jack cheese!} at Chick-fil-A. I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this. We ended up solving our grill problems at the lake house that night {14.1 miles each way}, Cate befriended the neighbor there, and some evening fishing happened.

She fishes with some sass.

Ben wanted to fish kiss this fish.

Tuesday was just busyness here. I worked at Greg’s office like I do once a week. Cate at t-ball practice. And then we took Cate to the Murray State Basketball Banquet. I’ve never been before, but this was a good year to try something new in support of this team. I’m glad we went, although had I known we’d get to interact with some of our favorite players last week at Cate’s school, we may not have gone. Either way, listening to coaches, players and Neal Bradley, the awesome radio voice of the Racers, recap the season made me want it to happen all over again. Right now.

She drew circles around Donte while writing on the program.

Wednesday we took a road trip with Courtney and her kids to the Nashville Zoo {122 miles away}. Us two moms shared two meals together with our four kids, saw lots of animals, handed out 15 snacks {no exaggeration}, supervised bathroom stops that never seemed to be in sync with one other, laughed often, and heard few complaints and tears from our kids.

We got to be up close and personal to some animals.

The bamboo makes for a nice photo backdrop.

We watched the flamingos for quite some time …

… and then Cate pretended to be a flamingo!

“My turn. Flamingo too,” says Child #2.

Today I’ve been in town again. We went out to the lake house to be there while the guy to install the Internet service and then we met Sarah, Davey and Atticus at Pagliai’s so we could catch up while the kids played on the indoor playset. Really, there should be more restaurants like this. Later, I’m going back to the lake house to meet the cleaning lady.

Tomorrow we’re going back on the road to check out Dinosaur World in Cave City, Ky. {155.1 miles away}, for cousin Evelyn’s birthday. Then we’ll continue northeast to the Lexington area {123.8 miles} where we’ll spend two nights for a day at Keeneland with family and more time with friends.

We’ll come home {267.7 miles from my dearest friend’s house, where we’re staying} Sunday and this week’s miles will total more than 969.42 with the driving around town here where I live, there where I shopped, there were we detoured in Nashville because we missed our exit somehow, there where we’ll visit people we love and watch horses. This is life. Not every week is like this. But life is good. And I’m grateful for the journey.

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