"Whatever a leader does now sets up what he does later. And there's always a later."- Coach K
While I am more of a Roy Williams and Tarheels fan and its very hard to use a quote from Duke's very own Coach K it seemed pretty fitting for this post. Regardless of your ACC preference Coach K will always be one of the most influential coaches of all time.
You may be asking did I use the right sport in the title. Why yes I did. I'm getting to the connection. Hibdon and I have a common bond with our upbringing. Hibdon had an amazing man in his life, his dad. Baby H will call him Gpa. Gpa is not only a remarkable husband, father and father-in-law, he's also been a key factor in mentoring many young kids in the Barnsdall community. Gpa has spent the past 20+ years as an elementary wrestling coach. He has the perfect amount of patience, encouragement and sternness to keep a room full of 6-12 year olds engaged and inspired to be the best wrestler on the mat.
I also had an amazing coach in my life. I call him Daddy, I believe Baby H will call him Papa. Papa coached everything basketball, football, baseball, softball and for all age groups. If Big Brother and I were playing it, he was on the sideline. He even received Oklahoma awards for the time he served as a junior high basketball coach. He was great at motivating us to be the best and challenging us to use our brains, think smarter than your opponent. No matter what game it was and whether he was sitting in the head or assistant coaches seat he would know my stats at any given moment. He loved the sport and had a heart for those kids that didn't have the same support I did.
Being a coach's kid gives Hibdon and I a special bond. We understand the pressures of a last name. We know what its like to walk into a gym and people automatically know who you are. Not your name, just that you're the coach's kid. While Hibdon felt the pressures to perform on the mat more than I did in the gym, we still had the additional pressures of the older sibling. Big Brother dominated every sport he tried and Aubber-Dobber made red dirt look pretty.
There's something else about being a coaches kid, you are raised in a gym. There's always a game or tournament. There's something about being raised in the gym. Something about the smells, sounds and people. There's such a strong feeling of community. While Papa didn't own Gilbert's Fieldhouse and Gpa didn't own the weight room. They felt like ours, we had our own keys. Being a coach's kid we had first hand experience of what it means to be a leader. It became natural for us to lead, maybe expected. I think this is a trait we take personal and continue to use it. Hopefully, we can lead our child the same way.
I say all of this because tonight Hibdon went to Barnsdall Elementary Wrestling practice. He went to help Gpa and enjoy their kind of quality time. I love that for him. Not everyone can have those memories. While it makes me sad at times that Hibdon nor I are coaches and Baby H won't know exactly how it feels. I would imagine that Hibdon will get as close as he can. Baby H will know what it feels like to have the biggest fan. I LOVE a good sport to cheer for, I LOVE the excitement of a good game, and I will LOVE watching Baby H in whatever activity he/she chooses. The reoccurring text message between Hibdon and I is, we will have a wrestler or cheerleader. Either way Baby H will have several coaches and several BIG fans.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Baseballs and Diamonds
Just a little background on the name of the blog and my story....
Baseballs and Diamonds was recommended by my sweet friend because my husband was a college baseball player. Most of our dating years were spent with him playing ball, traveling to games, sitting in the cold rain, hot sun or snow at times (we live in Oklahoma). My husband is the ultimate guys-guy, he loved playing ball (more than just the hard ball too) and he loooooves hunting and fishing. I did grow up in small town Oklahoma and I know how to shoot a gun and bait my own hook. I also love to golf, have a decent jump shot, and will get dirty for a slow pitch game. I just love the pretty things, like diamonds for example. I love fashion, make-up and hair products that I never knew I needed. I would rather save my spending budget on a spa day than eat out all month. So when she sent the text of Baseballs and Diamonds, I thought "Man she's good".
While those are the basics of the Hibdons, we still have a little more info. My husband who I affectionately refer to as My Big Strong Man, grew up in the same tiny town that I did. Actually 3 out of 4 of our parents were raised in this tiny town. I believe both of our Grandmothers graduated from the same school. The sweet small town of Barnsdall. I love that little place and all the memories it holds for me. Anyway back to the Hibdons, we had crushes throughout school (he was two grades below and I was just too cool for that). Life had its twists and turns for us. We went off to college, I thought life would go a different route, praise God for the should've beens. Finally my senior year at NSU, Mr. Hibdon waltzed in to my life with his token Hibdon swagger. There for fun and to teach me how to have it. We spent the next two years in the best, most fun relationship in which I spent many of days watching that cute butt on the mound.
Fast forwarding to 2010- we had a magical wedding on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas and have continued our fun having relationship back in Oklahoma. We have now been married for two years. We had our little plan. You know the 5 year plan. The one that is set in stone, you make decisions around, pen to paper of a bucket list. The plan you make with boxes to check off. The one that should be complete before the you know what comes....the b-a-b-y. Well, like 97592379283 type-A, over-achieving, control-freak planners you can imagine my surprise as I saw that word or that stick. "Pregnant" There is was staring me in the face. My cheeks were hot, my stomach turning and my throat closing. AHHH we still had things to check off. We weren't ready. I took a deep breath, swallowed my tears and walked down the creaking steps of my house. Hibdon was sitting in the chair just enjoying his care free, stress free, baby free life. I told him the news and the flood gates opened. What did Hibdon do? He laughed, whole hearted, full belly laugh. Kissed my forehead and pulled me into the chair. He said one sentence that I still feel in my heart, it's imprinted forever... "This is the best news". He talked me off my control-freak ledge and we kissed, hugged and laughed. Of course I took a few for my tests and then one at the doctor to be sure.
We have started down the path to parenthood. We shall see what happens next. I can tell you I'm moody, my once adored flat/muscular tummy is now round. My beloved ghetto booty is gaining a new life. Some days I feel like I am on an island and Hibdon doesn't understand and others I want to cry at the love I feel for him. I am experiencing all the not so pretty symptoms of pregnancy and respecting my mother and all mothers so much more.
I can tell you I still think about the best news. This little piece of Hibdon and me. I have always said I wanted a girl first. Now that I have Hibdon and this extra weight, I don't care. If I had another boy like him in my life, I would be the luckiest girl around. (I'm allowed to be cheesy. It's my blog and I'm pregnant).
Baseballs and Diamonds was recommended by my sweet friend because my husband was a college baseball player. Most of our dating years were spent with him playing ball, traveling to games, sitting in the cold rain, hot sun or snow at times (we live in Oklahoma). My husband is the ultimate guys-guy, he loved playing ball (more than just the hard ball too) and he loooooves hunting and fishing. I did grow up in small town Oklahoma and I know how to shoot a gun and bait my own hook. I also love to golf, have a decent jump shot, and will get dirty for a slow pitch game. I just love the pretty things, like diamonds for example. I love fashion, make-up and hair products that I never knew I needed. I would rather save my spending budget on a spa day than eat out all month. So when she sent the text of Baseballs and Diamonds, I thought "Man she's good".
While those are the basics of the Hibdons, we still have a little more info. My husband who I affectionately refer to as My Big Strong Man, grew up in the same tiny town that I did. Actually 3 out of 4 of our parents were raised in this tiny town. I believe both of our Grandmothers graduated from the same school. The sweet small town of Barnsdall. I love that little place and all the memories it holds for me. Anyway back to the Hibdons, we had crushes throughout school (he was two grades below and I was just too cool for that). Life had its twists and turns for us. We went off to college, I thought life would go a different route, praise God for the should've beens. Finally my senior year at NSU, Mr. Hibdon waltzed in to my life with his token Hibdon swagger. There for fun and to teach me how to have it. We spent the next two years in the best, most fun relationship in which I spent many of days watching that cute butt on the mound.
Fast forwarding to 2010- we had a magical wedding on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas and have continued our fun having relationship back in Oklahoma. We have now been married for two years. We had our little plan. You know the 5 year plan. The one that is set in stone, you make decisions around, pen to paper of a bucket list. The plan you make with boxes to check off. The one that should be complete before the you know what comes....the b-a-b-y. Well, like 97592379283 type-A, over-achieving, control-freak planners you can imagine my surprise as I saw that word or that stick. "Pregnant" There is was staring me in the face. My cheeks were hot, my stomach turning and my throat closing. AHHH we still had things to check off. We weren't ready. I took a deep breath, swallowed my tears and walked down the creaking steps of my house. Hibdon was sitting in the chair just enjoying his care free, stress free, baby free life. I told him the news and the flood gates opened. What did Hibdon do? He laughed, whole hearted, full belly laugh. Kissed my forehead and pulled me into the chair. He said one sentence that I still feel in my heart, it's imprinted forever... "This is the best news". He talked me off my control-freak ledge and we kissed, hugged and laughed. Of course I took a few for my tests and then one at the doctor to be sure.
We have started down the path to parenthood. We shall see what happens next. I can tell you I'm moody, my once adored flat/muscular tummy is now round. My beloved ghetto booty is gaining a new life. Some days I feel like I am on an island and Hibdon doesn't understand and others I want to cry at the love I feel for him. I am experiencing all the not so pretty symptoms of pregnancy and respecting my mother and all mothers so much more.
I can tell you I still think about the best news. This little piece of Hibdon and me. I have always said I wanted a girl first. Now that I have Hibdon and this extra weight, I don't care. If I had another boy like him in my life, I would be the luckiest girl around. (I'm allowed to be cheesy. It's my blog and I'm pregnant).
Blog? Check yes or no.
I have enjoyed the blog scene from a far for many years now. Most mornings or slow afternoons, I like to read blogs from some of the amazing people in my life and those who are just talking about something that really strikes a chord with me.
So for months now I have been saying, "I'm thinking of blogging" to few of my blogger friends. I just wanted to get their feel. They are pretty sweet, but HONEST so I thought they would give me great feedback. They all said YES! Do it. They are loving their blog experience and recommend for me. At the time of this blog debate my life was pretty ordinary. I thought it would be a boring read. Well, times they are a changing and so is my dress size. Can you see where I am going with this? Yep, I am sure you guessed it. Brito is Prego! So, now my friends are even more encouraging about me blogging. So here goes... No promises of tears, tons of laughter or page turners. It will just be my little life in small town Oklahoma, with an ever growing belly.
And just a shout out to those who encouraged this blogging behavior. Lollipop (www.blondeoklahomagirl@blogspot.com), Needs to move to Oklahoma friend, Tiff (www.tiffanyd22@blogspot.com) and my E (www.thesiscochick.com).
So for months now I have been saying, "I'm thinking of blogging" to few of my blogger friends. I just wanted to get their feel. They are pretty sweet, but HONEST so I thought they would give me great feedback. They all said YES! Do it. They are loving their blog experience and recommend for me. At the time of this blog debate my life was pretty ordinary. I thought it would be a boring read. Well, times they are a changing and so is my dress size. Can you see where I am going with this? Yep, I am sure you guessed it. Brito is Prego! So, now my friends are even more encouraging about me blogging. So here goes... No promises of tears, tons of laughter or page turners. It will just be my little life in small town Oklahoma, with an ever growing belly.
And just a shout out to those who encouraged this blogging behavior. Lollipop (www.blondeoklahomagirl@blogspot.com), Needs to move to Oklahoma friend, Tiff (www.tiffanyd22@blogspot.com) and my E (www.thesiscochick.com).
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