Spring Ball 2011

Last week I caught a glimpse a few of the Wildcat Trainers! With Spring Ball only days away excitement was all over their faces! To say these ladies were impressive would be an understatement. In fact they were amazing! Alexis, Taylor, Brittany and Bella, meeting you was one of the nicest things that's happened to me since arriving here Temple. Your kindness, enthusiasm and sincerity took my by surprise and made me smile. I can hardly wait to see you again.

This afternoon, the practice field was unexpectedly wet and cold but not even the weather couldn't dampen the spirit's of these hard working men.

A special thanks to Coach Martin, who has a lot to smile about it! Congratulations to the Wildcat baseball team who will play Tyler Lee (Bi-District), this Thursday at 7:30 at home. Playoffs are such a big deal! I can hardly wait to see all you proud 'Wildcats' show up and cheer on this years talented team!

Boy-howdy was it cold!

Not the kind of weather you'd expect for the first of May.

Never the less, the practice field was covered with blue and white.

Kendra Bullock and two of her precious girls were there to kick things off!

Emma and Claire Bullock braved the rain and wind.

Honestly, I'm not sure how everything went today but I can tell you this.... my coach already loves these kids and is so excited about their future.

If you're excited too, stop by after school and watch these guys work! There's a lot to learn and an audience makes it more fun.

It's hard to believe that the 2011 football season is three short months away!

Invest now.

April update....

My, how time flies! It's hard to believe that April has come and almost gone. Spring Training is right around the corner...May 2nd to be exact! Excitement is in the air.




Coach and I have moved from the lake (a BIG Thanks to Harry and Suzy Adams) to the farm. Thanks to the hospitality of Wade and Linda Knight. While waiting for our house to sell, there is nothing better than hanging out in the country.

Nature abounds....





The farmhouse is......

full of charm!

A vintage barn......

....upstaged by a new one!

The farm is alive.....

....a peach tree, dew berries, birds......

picturesque scenes....

...........

and a herd of Black Brangus.

Coach has found a few 'honey holes'....

Breathtaking sunsets.......

.....the best seat in the house.

Meet Sterlin Gilbert

Last night the Temple ISD voted in the Wildcats new offensive coordinator, Coach Sterlin Gilbert. Coach Gilbert, graduated from San Angelo Lake View HS where he was named All-State Quarterback 1995 & 1996 and District4-4A All West Texas Football MVP 1996. (I know what you girls are thinking. No! He's not married......yet!) He played at the college football at Angelo State University where he was an All Lone Star Conference Quarterback 2000 & 2001, and a 2-year Team Captain for the Lone Star Football South Division Champions.

The last four years Coach Gilbert has been the Head Football / Athletic Coordinator at San Angelo Lake View where in 2008 he was named All West Texas Coach of the Year after leading his team to a Bi-District Championship / First Play-off Win in 12 years.

Prior to that Coach Gilbert was an Offensive Coordinator for the 3-5A Abilene Cooper Cougars with Coach Spradlin who met Gilbert, when he was a GA at the University of Houston, where they both worked for Art Briles.

So give a big 'Wildcat' welcome to one hard working coach that loves kids and knows how to have fun!

Meet the Dunnam's!

Give a Wildcat welcome to TISD's latest hire, Defensive Coordinator, Aaron Dunnam. Coach Dunnam, grew up in a coaching family in Wheeler Texas, where he was voted All-State Quarterback and Linebacker and met his wife Cassi. He went on to play at Eastern New Mexico for three years and finished at Northwestern Oklahoma State where he was awarded All Conference honors at both.

Coach Dunnam's coaching experience consists of two years as a GA at Northwestern Oklahoma State, two at Pottsboro, one at Dumas and four at Abilene Cooper. Wildcat athletes, parents, teachers and fans will appreciate Coach Dunnam's passion for kids, coaching and winning!

His championship character makes him a great mentor and leader. His desire to make a difference, is evident both on and off the field.

Though liked by all, Coach Dunnam's greatest fan's are his wife Cassi, and children Lyssa 9, Parker 6 and Tate 1! Cassi, a loving and supportive wife, enjoys her family and delights in creating a happy home. A high school athlete and sports enthusiast, Cassi can hardly wait until football season! Tell her 'hi' at cassidiw@hotmail.com !

Getting to know you....!

Temple Texas is wonderful place full of the friendliest people! Everywhere we go we get the opportunity to meet more and more of you. Here is what I have learned so far. Many of you Wildcats grew up here in Temple. You graduated from THS and so did your parents, your spouse. Your children either did, will are want to! You are very proud of theTemple, the Wildcats and "bleed blue"! :) Your loyalty is touching. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Your generosity, unmatched. And though we've just begun our life in Temple, your warm welcome has made us eager to know you all!

To speed things along I'd like to introduce our family. Above is Coach and I (Roxanne).

Our story goes way back in the 8th grade, when Coach gave me his I.D. bracelet. It was love at first site! Over the next 9 years we grew up and became best friends.

He played football at Dallas Carter and the University of Houston. I cheered him on!

Our wedding day, planned a year in advance, around a possible SWC Championship and a debut appearance on January 1st, in the Cotton Bowl Classic, finally arrived! On January 8th 1977 we joined our hands and hearts, and ran confidently into our future. Life has been full of ups and downs, twists and turns but we love our story! It's been quite an adventure.

We thank God continually, for His goodness. He has won our hearts and our trust. He is our Champion! We are grateful for His presence. Dependent on His direction...it is why we are here in Temple! After all these years, He, is why we're still 'going steady'!

Here is Coach, and me.... I like to paint!

We have two little schnauzers, Mitzi and Abbey (pictured).

We have three cute kids.......

that use to look like this......

but are now all grown up. This is Kimberly and Beth.

.....and our son, Clint!

Our daughter Beth, is married to Nathan ( both UMHB alumni). Nate, a NFO, is an oustanding man currently serving our country. They have two adorable little girls...



Emme

and Carter.

Our daughter Kimberly, also attended UMHB.

She loves fun and adventure.......

and co- owns 2 designer bridesmaid boutiques........

with bff Cayce.

Clint, served 5 years in the USMC.

Our family is very proud of him.

While in Washington D.C., he fell in love with Jenny and brought her back to Texas.

They just celebrated their 1st anniversary.

Clint works for Fidelity Investments. Our daughter in love Jenny, is a wonderful woman! She works full time, is in her 2nd year of law school and is a photographer.

Family is such a gift! Coach and I appreciate, love and respect each and everyone. They have become our friends. We can't get enough!

WOW!

Coach has been rather busy since his arrival. He rarely stops. However I did catch him relaxing on the back porch for a few minutes. Notice his kicked back posture?... and 2 cell phones?

After the School Board approved Coach, one of the things at the top of my to-do list was find Coach an apartment. I was dragging my feet 'big time' because the last time he rented a furnished apartment it was d-r-e-a-r-y and I had no desire to repeat that depressing scenario. We are no strangers to moving but I was convinced that God would gladly provide place and help us transition, if we would simply ask. So with trust and Thanksgiving, I thanked God in advance, for providing my husband with a nice furnished guest house or garage apartment.

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A few days later I was talking to Claudia and a couple of coaches when Steve Prentiss mentioned the word 'garage apartment'. Quickly I mentioned that Coach would be interested. Well, Steve talked to Susan Luck and Susan talked to Suzy Adams and Susan talked to Harry Adams and before the sun had set, it was settled. Harry and Suzy would share their lake house.

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When I heard the news, I was deeply touched by God's lavish provisions, through the Adams overwhelming generosity. However, nothing could prepare me for the amazing beauty of their lake home. The first time I saw it I cried.

The front....a warm welcome.

The back.....a place to relax.

The deck.....a quiet place for two.

The view.......majestic!

I hope you can imagine our amazement! Times like these can be so challenging but God is so good! We are so grateful.

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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably, exceedingly, abundantly, more than all we can ask or imagine, according to God's power that is at work within each and everyone of us, to God be the glory in the church and to Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen

Ephesians 3: 20-21

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A big thanks to each and every one of you who have reached out to us...whether it was in person, by phone or mail, blog comment or Facebook, we feel God's love and are simply blown away!

*please pray for our houses to sell quick! We can't wait to get here! We love Temple already!