And so it begins ...

We've been telling Keaton since January that after his birthday in July that it will be football season. Well, he turned 4 last week (I can't believe that!) and now we're moving on to football.

I have to admit there wasn't much fanfare this morning. Greg's been getting up and going to the field house most of the summer anyway, so nothing was out of the ordinary when he was up this morning.

Here are some of the early season thoughts running through my head ...

1. Plan a freezer cooking day
   This is so helpful when Greg doesn't get home until late and I'm feeding both kids on my own after a long day of school and work. Life is always better with a full tummy.


2. What will the kids wear to the games?
   I ordered special toddler-size shirts two season ago that Keaton wore each Friday. It's probably time to find something new since the logo on the front is about worn off. I'll need a few red outfits for Jake since he has a tendency to drool, spill food, etc. all over his clothes.


3. How can I convince Greg I need a treadmill/elliptical machine?
   Once he starts working late, it's hard to get outside in the evenings to walk. It would be so nice to have a machine I could use inside!

Last week I got a magnet with the season's schedule on it - one for the fridge at home and one for my mini fridge at work. If you want to come to a game, just let me know!

The Rudolphs - Season 7

My 7th season as a coaches wife begins in less than a week when Greg makes the annual trek to Coaches School.

A few years ago I started a tradition of getting Greg a small present to kick off the season. My first attempt was (what I thought) was a really cool razor:

He didn't really care for it. Last year it was a Tupperware glass like Si has on Duck Dynasty:

It went over a little better than the razor but is now abandoned in our cupboard.

The gift tradition might be my stab at getting pumped for the season. See, I never fully embrace the arrival of football. Sure, I'm excited for the weekly match ups, cooler weather and time spent with other wives. But mostly I'm nervous about the transition from a (somewhat) carefree summer mode to single parenthood. I miss my spouse.

Each season I've clung to the idea that Greg's profession is a ministry. That helps me justify the daily sacrifices we make as a family. Neither of us were trained for full time ministry, and I've always been the first to say that I'm not a great coaches wife.

Until this year.

God's been working on my heart this summer. I'm learning more about ministry itself - what it really looks like, not just my glorified perception. God has placed a few well-timed people in my life to provide support and encouragement.

So here we go! This year I'm excited to welcome the season and all the glories and hardships it will bring.

This is our life. Our ministry.

I hope you'll enjoy the journey with us.