Sun's Up, Guns Up!

It is 9:42 pm on Sunday. I have now driven almost 1,000 miles in the course of a weekend (with two energy-filled boys and one tired husband), partied like I was back in college, cheered my heart out at one of the best football games I have ever seen (only to witness a heartbreaking loss in the end), done 4 loads of laundry, unpacked suitcases, re-packed suitcases, and finished make-up work and homework for the Third Grader. Oh, yes, and cooked halibut and asparagus for dinner.  But it was all worth it.

Saturday morning, North Lubbock County.  

We gave literal meaning to the Tech cheer slogan, "Sun's up, Guns Up."

After a late Friday drive from East to West Texas, we dined at Orlando's Friday night and then the big boys (Mike, Cole, Dad) woke up before sunrise to dove hunt Saturday morning. Some of my BEST memories are of going to hunt, watching hunts, and eating the goods from the hunts from Lubbock-area dove birds. Stuffed with jalapeno, wrapped in bacon, and grilled, of course.

East Texas is pretty. Tall pine trees, everything green, lots of lakes/rivers, and blooming flowers.  But West Texas will always be HOME to me. This is why...

Cole snagged a bird on his first shot.

After the bigger boys got back, and Tate and I got up, we went to campus and met up with some friends - new and old. Christian drove up from Odessa just for the day. Freshman Year college roommates 19 years later...

It feels like yesterday [did you read my previous post?!]. We have a few new wrinkles, but we always pick up right where we left off.  Loved, loved, loved that she made the trip and we were able to catch up.

My memories of Tech football games go back almost as far as my memory goes - to when I was 3 or so.  I love this school, the games, the atmosphere, the education I received with a B.B.A. and J.D. over six and half years on this campus.  We had not been back to Lubbock in 8 years.  EIGHT. So, to go back, meet up with Dad, take the boys, and be with my husband I met in that town was AWESOME.

I grew up in these stands. I feel at home in these stands. For as many TCU or other games as we attend, I always feel out of place. Lubbock, Texas, is my PLACE.

We had some Frogs with us.  Luckily, I like these Frogs.  ;) Mike sported Tech gear, but cheered on both teams.  

Brian and Grady were Horned Frogs all the way. And I loved the friendly banter back and forth.  Own your team, I say.  It's pretty great when your best friend marries a guy who will hold your TTU-clad son for the better part of a 5-hour football game [without his wife even being there to give brownie points - ha!]!

The boys had fun cheering on their teams and eating mounds of popcorn and Skittles. We all could have done without the rain (yes, it POURED from that blue sky) and the 25 mini heart attacks during the back-and-forth game, but it was SO FUN! Hats off to TCU for a hard-fought game and win.

This little Red Raider begged to go back out to see the field after the loss and after the 70,000 fans poured out of Jones Stadium.

Guns up, Little Man Tate.

Every Day, I am a Red Raider.

xo,

Linds