Go Blue!

 Here's hoping we can end the year with a sound and impressive Michigan victory in the College Football Playoff Semi-finals against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet

For the sake of auld lang syne

GO BLUE!

Michigan Football

 A few weeks ago I attended a professional development seminar with a few colleagues on a Friday in October.  The speaker began the workshop by asking each of the attendees to share something for which she was grateful.  The speaker said it could be something in our classrooms, and with our students, or in our personal lives.

Each of the other attendees shared something she was grateful for in her classroom and with her students.  I, unashamed, shared that I was grateful for Michigan football.

Of course, I am grateful for hundreds of things in my life -- probably thousands of things in my life, but Michigan football has been very important to me this fall, even moreso than in past years.

I have had a long list of stressors in my life since May.  I don't mean to complain, because a lot of these things are good things... but I have worked almost nonstop for months:

• moving one hundred miles away
• preparing a house to go on the market
• living in a home while trying to sell it
• trying to buy a home for 8 people in a town WITHOUT ANY HOUSES FOR SALE
• starting a new job where the work is never done (I am filing two teaching positions that the district has never had before)
• supporting my husband as he works a new job
• being mother to our six children
• moving a second time in three months
• attending graduate school classes online

When I attended this professional development day, Michigan was going to play their in-state rivals, Michigan State the following day.  Michigan had not played the previous Saturday as they had a week off.

What I learned that previous weekend was that the only time during the week I let myself take a break and fully relax is when I'm watching a Michigan football game.  The weekend that Michigan did not play a game, I didn't put my feet up and relax at all.  I need that break each week and I really look forward to it.

I am so grateful for Michigan football.

I am also grateful that Michigan is undefeated with a 12-0 record for the first time since 1997.  That just makes those Saturday games where I relax all the more fun to watch!

Intense

 Last night I took a break from packing (more on that later) to watch the Michigan game -- hairy first half and then an AMAZING second half where Michigan blew Rutgers out of the water.  Then, we noticed that the Alabama-LSU game was shaping up to be a close ending, so we tuned in to the end of that game.

Here is a picture of Howard and me on the edge of our seats when LSU opted to go for 2-points to clinch the win in Overtime.

It is SO much fun to have Howard learning about and enjoying football.

Go Blue!

 We didn't get a terrific picture... but we got a few funny ones, and we are all very excited for the start of Michigan football again!

Go BLUE!

Big Ten Championship Today

 If you've following my blog for awhile -- like decades, you might remember when I used to post various things about Michigan football on the blog.  Not just pictures of my adorable children in Michigan gear, but also updates about the Michigan team, who they would be playing, and excitement about upcoming games.  I think it has been a long time since I've done that.

Well, Michigan beat Ohio State last Saturday for the first time since 2011 and Michigan will be playin for the BIG TEN Championship this afternoon for the first time the BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP Game was created.

So... now feels like a great time to post some hype for this game.

Here are clips from last weekend's game against Ohio State.

IT. WAS. AWESOME!

Atlanta Weekend

Hubby surprised me on Christmas with the knowledge that he had planned a weekend getaway in Atlanta for the two of us.  We were going to leave the kiddos with this family in St. Louis and he and I were flying to Atlanta for about 36 hours and to watch Michigan play in the Peach Bowl.

We had a great time -- two nights, one day just the two of us.

 Champagne and peach schnapps before our plane took off (seemed fitting as we headed to the Peach Bowl)

 Even our hotel (our AMAZINGLY beautiful and upscale hotel) was cheering for Michigan... notice the maize and blue decorations.

 Morning workout at the hotel and morning text to my mom complete with Michigan pride.

Headed to the game!

The rotunda had flat screens around it.

We had amazing seats...

Right in the action

Hi Coach Harbaugh!

Former Michigan Heisman Trophy Winner Charles Woodson as he was inducted into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame.

After the game... Michigan lost but we had a great time nonetheless.  This was a picture Hubby insisted on taking... having fun with the camera.  The statue is on my head.

Atlanta.

Fun at the Georgia Aquarium.

Soaking wet after the Dolphin Show... we were happy with our decision to buy ponchos.

The hotel stay came with  complimentary drink passes at their Bourbon Lounge.  So we enjoyed a drink before going to dinner.

Atlanta Seafood Market... AMAZING food!

Really cool lamps...

On the plane headed home less than 36 hours from our takeoff.

Last cup of coffee before getting back to the kids.

The kids were a little emotional at seeing us as you can kind of see from the picture.  As soon as we walked through the door, we jumped in matching pjs for MillRod Family Christmas.

 

Peach Bowl!

Today, thanks to a completely unexpected Christmas surprise from my Hubby...

He and I will be in Atlanta attending the Chic-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, GA today.

I have seen Michigan play football in person three times previously (once in the Big House with my parents, once in Columbus with a friend, and once in Utah with Hubby), and NEVER at a Bowl game, so this will be very exciting.  Plus, Hubby and I are getting away just the two of us, which happens so rarely -- and he arranged the entire getaway without my knowing and then he told me Christmas morning.  

We are going to have a blast!

GO BLUE!