Hoop it Up!

Saturday morning we woke up early, drove to Dallas Love Field Airport, flew to Tulsa, rented a car, and drove to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. (The car ride was longer than the flight.) All to celebrate 50 years of John Brown Basketball.

It was a blast! Ty played basketball at JBU in college- and his senior year they won the national championship! This year marked 50 years of JBU basketball and we got to be a part of the celebration.

We arrived in time to see the last 7 minutes of a 3 v 3 tournament and scrimmage. Somehow Ty planned the trip perfectly so that he would not have to participate. Hmm. We went to lunch with Ty's friend Josh- a missionary in the Philippines and father of 3. His wife went out with a girl friend for lunch, but the truck she was riding was not safe for the kiddos. So we were helpers as Josh ventured out for the 1st time with ALL THREE kids. It was super fun. (and also a bit fun-ny).

Next we went back to the gym... where years before I drove from Branson to Siloam to watch Ty play his season opener at the famous "Toliet Paper Game." You see, JBU has a tradition, at the first home game every year, after JBU scores their first point, every person in the stands throws rolls of toliet paper on the court. It is so cool. Yes they get a technical, but it's worth it. So, I watched Ty's senior Toliet Paper Game. The only thing is, we weren't dating then, and we didn't even like each other, I was just going with a friend who wanted to watch Ty play. Who knew that 5 years later, we'd be married.

Anyways- we were back at the gym for the women's and men's games- and lots of visiting with old basketball friends for Ty. Fortunately, his friends have wonderful wives- who I got to visit with- and precious babies- who I got to hold.

After the games, there was a banquet for all the alumni and current players. They opened the mic and the men got up and told hilarious stories about their basketball days. It was quite the night!

We continued visiting at the adorable home of one of Ty's dearest friends. And hours later, we rolled ourselves into bed.... only to wake up the next morning for the drive to Tulsa, flight to Dallas, and drive home.

It was exhausting, but worth every minute...I only wish our time there could have been longer... oh and I wish I wouldn't have left my camera in the hotel room the whole time.