Bulldogs Praying...More Ways Than One

Saturday morning, the Smith family loaded up and hit the road before the sun came up!  Russ and I spent the night with my parents the night before, and I woke up to a text from my mom saying, "Hail State!"  I'm pretty sure I was saying that in my head...but in a completely different context!  I am NOT a morning person.  Although we left a little later than planned, the rubber hit the road around 6 o'clock.

We arrived in time to beat the traffic and unload before the road was closed.  For those of you who don't know, our road closes three hours prior to game time.  We were not gonna carry three tents, a television, three tables, umpteen chairs, and all the food from our parking spot.  The guys got the stakes in the tents (two of which Dustin sets up the night before), the girls set out food, and Kristin put our sign up.  We invited any MSU fans who were "Praying for More" to stop by the tailgate for pictures with their shirts.

Once the sign was up, we stepped back to admire it...then we realized it looked like we were praying for more wins!  Ha!  That would be nice too!

We did our usual...relaxing around the tent, watching the fans walk by, eating the amazing food my sister prepared, and laughing at each cooler that tumps over.  Yes, I said "tump."  The origin of this word lies in my sweet college roommate, Kelly Anne Rice.  I used to make fun of her for using the word.  Now, I find myself using it now.  Lawsy!

Cute owl cookes...cinnamon.  Yum!

Our tent is across from the Junction, so when the police sirens started and we heard cowbells, we knew it was time to hop over to the Dawg Walk.  It was just Mama and me this time.  That's okay.  We found a great spot and rang to our hearts content.

Bully and "Dan the Man"

QB Tyler Russell

The rest of the day was fun for all!  We had several visitors stop by before the game.  They got pictures before the game, since they couldn't make it afterward.  Plus they always come by before game time.  We don't mess with a good routine!  Ha!

Our tailgate

Caroline and Natalie Praying for More

Bill, Leanne, David, and Mary Praying for More

Rachael and Hunter Praying for More

Jimbo and Russ

It didn't take long for game time!  After all, it was an 11 o'clock game.  We piled into the stadium with the sun directly overhead.  I shed my sweater and sported a lovely maroon tank top, sunglasses, and Russ's SPF 30 sunscreen.  It's crazy to think about how hot it was Saturday and how cold it was today! 

The crowd did a fairly good job at following dress code.  The top section was white, while the bottom was maroon.  On our side, the top section was maroon and our lower section was white.  I guess you can see I didn't follow directions well.  Oops!

I must admit that I didn't come expecting much against ranked South Carolina.  Isn't that the way it always goes?  When you don't expect much, we do well.  When we expect to win, we play horribly!  The game was very close and exciting, but in the end, we just couldn't pull off a win.  I have my opinions, of course.  Many may blame it on the interception at the very end during a pass to the end zone.  However, I remember SEVERAL great passes that were not caught by our receivers.  I also recall a couple of missed field goals.  The combination of those mistakes cost us the game, I believe. 

Kristin and Lee

I did hear that our family made our debut on television!  Well, it's not our debut, but it was our first time this season.  Did you see us?  I've heard it was for 5-6 seconds.  My mom, apparently, had her mouth open the entire time.  No surprise there!  Ha!  Sadly, no one recorded it so we have no way to see it for ourselves.  Poo!

After the game, we were greeted by several sweet friends and some we just met who have been "Praying for More."  In fact, we had one sweet new friend who has been reading our blog.  She just wanted to stop by to let us know she has been praying for us and to let me know about a friend of hers who is looking into adoption as well.  It was such a pleasure to meet you, Amanda.

We enjoyed visiting and playing around while we waited on friends to arrive.  We ended up taking a few separate shots, so that our friends wouldn't have to wait around if they needed to go. 

I know I thanked everyone Saturday, but I want to say it again.  I am so thankful to each one of you!  Thank you for your support.  Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for taking time out of your game day to stop by and show your support for our sweet Baby J!  And, thank you to those new prayer warriors who stopped by to purchase a shirt!  I promise you, I will proudly show Baby J these pictures as often as I can.  Each time I see these pictures, I thank God for you. (Philippians 1:3)

Bulldogs Praying for More

New prayer warriors joined us and purchased their own shirt!  Thank you Caroline!

Mothers and Daughters Praying for More

Claire and Baby Ava Praying for More

 Kristin and Lee bought Baby J the foundation to every Baby Bulldog...a cowbell!  Dustin helped put the stickers on for us, because we just couldn't figure it out!  Thanks "Uncee Tat!"

One of my sweet friends from our Sunday school class made this precious gown!  We just cannot wait for Baby J to wear it and pose with his/her new cowbell!  It may be a while before we actually hear, "Go Dawgs!"  But, we will know that we have started right!

So...our Saturday was full of Bulldogs Praying for More!  Praying for Baby J and Praying for WINS!