We are Family!

Once...maybe twice a year, my entire family gets together. As we grow older, and as our own families grow, getting together becomes more and more difficult. The five of us might be able to make something, but our significant others cannot come, one of the kids will have something, Mom and Dad will be off in another country, etc.

However, this weekend we celebrated the holidays together...because this will be the only time that we knew we would be able to get together!

I have talked before about what my family means to me, but again, there is nothing that can compare...nothing. I love and hate them. They make me laugh, and they make me cry. They are my sanity, and they make me crazy. They bring me my greatest joys, and it is because of them I have my greatest sorrows. They are my family...and they are perfect.

All of us...right now!

What a sight! 15 and growing!

Mom and Dad...and the 5 kids.

The boys trying to give Dad a sweet kiss on the cheek.

My favorite guys.

Mommy's boys.

All the ladies...

Gigi, K-Dan and the grandkids...minus the one on the way!

Me and my best friend.

My family.

Ragan, Brad and their little one on the way.

Cambrey, Joe and Adam!

Kason and Carla

Justin and Lauren

Our Favorite Teams

Today was a good day for football! BOTH of our favorite teams won!

First, the Aggies beat the hell out of tu on Kyle Field. I do not know that any further explanation!

With all of our sickness, we missed step-off (for the first time), and just did not think that it was a good idea to attend the game either. However, some of my family did come over for little while during the game. Cambrey, Joe and Adam are so rarely in town, and we had not been able to see them at all thus far, so it was nice...just for the little time that they were here. I think I enjoyed seeing Adam and Ella play together most of all... Hopefully we will get to squeeze in some more time in what we have left of the holiday.

But, even better news...the Rattlers are now Regional Champs! They beat a tough team 40-42!

It was a WILD game! When we arrived the Rattlers were down by 17 as we drew close to the end of the 1st half. Then even after a great drive by the opponent to start the second half, the Rattlers came back and battled their way to the lead. There were incredible catches, frightening tackles, dynamic play calling, and yes, even a little luck...Yet, it made for an amazing game and a perfect victory.

We play again next Friday. Until then...

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

So, what were the Coker's up to on Thanksgiving? Throwing-up!

I must have kicked it all off this past weekend, Ella came down with it on Grayson's birthday, Grayson caught the bug last night, and Eric is currently suffering from the same virus. It is horrible. Cannon and Gunnar are the only safe ones right now...so, they have been staying at their grandparents'.

Needless to say, this little sickness pretty much ruined our big Thanksgiving plans. Funny thing...no one wants to really be around you when they think they might get the vomit bug!

We had planned on having dinner with Eric's family on Wednesday, my family on Thursday, the big games (Aggie and daddy's) on Friday, celebrate Christmas with the parts of my family that will not be here again for Christmas Friday day, leave for deep East Texas Saturday to visit all sorts of relatives and then return on Sunday just in time for school on Monday; however, as of right now, ALL is off!

I must say, I was more than heartbroken about the whole thing. The thought of Thanksgiving dinner without our extended family saddened me deeply....especially on Ella's first Thanksgiving!

But, we made do.

We four sickos gave thanks together...I (being the only one feeling better by this time) cooked all of the favorites, and while no one really ate all that much, we did eat.

When I was cooking and the other sick three were sleeping this afternoon, I started thinking...this might be the best Thanksgiving that I have had in the long time. In the quiet stillness of the house I heard loud and clear how much I have to be thankful for.

Just looking around at all of my blessings was enough to being me to tears. I do not deserve all that I have, and yet I continue to be blessed over and over again. My gifts from the Lord...they are incredible!

This Thanksgiving, I am truly giving thanks...thanks for ALL I have been given!

Off to snuggle with my babies I am so thankful for...

It is hard to believe Grayson is 3!

Yesterday Grayson turned three! It is so very hard for me to believe that he is this old! I know it is cliche, but I truly feel as if he was born yesterday. The memories are so vivid, and it is hard to comprehend how quickly three years truly pass.

When Ella was born he suddenly went from being the baby to being such a "kid." However, on his birthday, I thought it would be fitting if we looked back at Grayson as a baby. (Yes, I am copying a friend.)

Happy birthday baby boy! We love you more than you will ever, ever know!

Let the little children come unto me...

This morning we made a promise to our families, our church and, most importantly, to the Lord that we would do all within our power to raise Ella to know Christ. It is my prayer that she will grow in His grace, and will someday understand the honor in being one of Chirst's children. I further hope that she will confirm her relationship and live a faithful life as one of His servants.

Go Rattlers!

There is no reason to mince words here...football season whips me. It is not that I do not LOVE high school football. In fact, the opposite is more true!

I grew up in a Friday Night Lights culture, and I literally crave Texas high school football. I am usually pretty dedicated fan, and when I really think about it, I do not know that I could have ever married into any other profession! I could never miss a home game...I stay up Friday night until all the scores have come in...I monitor the playoff brackets and hot recruits...I travel great distances to see the game of the week in person...you name it! (It is secretly used to attend local high school football games when I was in college when I did not know a sole that was on any team! Just to watch football! Sick..I know!)

But, when your husband is a coach, you become a single mom for 5 months...and well, you sort of start to miss him a little! And, by late November you are really looking forward to the end of the season...

Yet, when you make the playoffs, as much as you miss them, and as much as you had been looking forward to the end of the season...things suddenly change!

So, this is where we are...The Rattlers not only made the playoffs, they also won their first game last night! :) Game one down...4 more to state! Go Rattlers!

Long Time No Write

I had been doing so well with keeping up with this whole blogging thing...Yea, well, I kind-of fell off for a while! Sorry!

So what have we been up to that has kept me from blogging?

I am almost embarrassed to admit that I do not know! How sad is that?

Let me think...Last week I attended an out-of-town conference most of the week...making things pretty crazy with the kids! I was so blessed that the conference was not far from my parents, Gigi and K-Dan's, house. Thus, they were able to watch them the while I attended sessions.

But, Grayson, Ella AND my Mom all got the "crud." Poor Ella was so snotty that she could not hardly breathe at night...and Grayson was not much better!

I also HATE not being at home. Although I was staying in the house in which I grew up, and I truly love being able to spend time with my parents, I just do not like not having the routine of being at home. Even more...I hate nights without Eric. They are never any good...no matter what.

Needless to say, this week I have just been trying to play catch-up! I am so far behind on silly things...like laundry!

Ella also turned 4 months old since I have last posted anything! I know I say it all of the time...but they grow so fast.

Trick-or-Treat!

Oh, So Scary!

Me and Halloween have never really been friends. I HATED it as a child. No matter what I was, I always felt so stupid in my costume. And, there was nothing I hated more than knocking on a door and asking for candy...it mortified me! It made me feel as if I was begging!

I think I always assumed that my children would be the same.

My assumptions were wrong!

The boys have no quams with going up to doors, and it does not even bother Grayson to go to the same door two ot three times! You would have had to pay me off to go to the door once, and then to go two or three times...NEVER!

It was also Ella's first Halloween. Of course, the boys were insistent that she be a ballerina. What else would Ballerina Toes be?

We were also real excited that so many people were able to come and celebrate with us...Gigi, Kason, Becky, Randy and Emily! I know we would have had a great time if they were not able to be with us, but it is always so much better when they are. However, Grayson was pretty disturbed the Gigi did not have a costume, so I am pretty sure she is already getting that ready for next year! :)