Do they make cheerleader uniforms in orange, blue, maroon, AND white?

This week is always interesting around our house...on Thursday night, Mark's beloved MSU Dogs and my beloved AU Tigers will go head to head in what will be a better football game than many expect.  Many would say we live in a "house divided".  Mark and I have never seen it that way.  Yes, our individual allegiances run deep, and for one football game a year we cheer for opposite teams.  The rest of the year we cheer for BOTH teams, and whoever is playing Alabama.  (Just keeping it real...)

We have as much maroon and white in our closets as we do orange and blue, we have both a stuffed Bully and a stuffed Aubie.  Turner wants to ring her cowbell one minute, and shake that orange and blue shaker the next.  It's just our way of life.  I always laugh at how Mark's students can get so offended when they see him in maroon at the MSU vs. AU game.  What they can't understand is that although he devotes his life to inundating freshman about all things Auburn, his college experience and all the friends, fun, and memories that go with it happened at Mississippi State. 

Last week I read a beautiful post by my college friend Kristy, and quite honestly I was convicted by some of her commentary.  It really made me think about whether we promote a "house divided" or "house united" as we approach the week when Mark and I aren't cheering for the same team.  This past weekend in Starkville, Turner had just finished a rousing round of "Hail State" (while on the potty in the public restroom mind you), and after I cheered and clapped I asked her to sing "War Eagle".  She quickly replied, "No, Mommy.  I don't want to do that one - we are not in Auburn."  Then last night at dinner, Mark and I were taking a few good humored jabs at one another regarding Thursday night and we flippantly asked Turner, "Who are you going to cheer for Thursday night - Mommy's team or Daddy's team?"  She pointed straight at me and said, "Mommy's team."  And y'all, it just about broke my heart.

At that moment, the heart of Kristy's post was crystal clear to me.  I don't want her to feel like she HAS to choose.  Choose between something Mommy loves and something Daddy loves?! One day, she'll make a college choice, but not now - not while we can promote a love for both of our alma maters in our home and grow her love for maroon, white, orange, blue, bulldogs, tigers, eagles, and cowbells. 

 For the sake of honesty, I must admit that if I were in Kristy's shoes I am not sure I would handle being married to a Bama  fan so gracefully.  Honestly, my first thought after reading her post was "No way!  No way I could do that."  I mean, we've purposefully taught Turner to hold her nose and say "Stinky!" when she hears Roll Tide.  But, as Kristy says, it's a work in progress...and aren't we all?

So, with all the pride that a Momma and Daddy can possibly have, Mark and I want to share these videos of Turner singing BOTH fight songs!   Go State and War Eagle!!

Hail State


The Auburn Fight Song



Glory! (This video was filmed after a Camp War Eagle pep rally this summer.)


Bodda Getta (This video was filmed after a Camp War Eagle pep rally this summer.)


And finally, I have a few thoughts for those of you who may be heading to Starkville on Thursday, or those of you who have preconceived notions about what that score will look like on Thursday night.

1. After watching MSU play on Saturday...be afraid.  If Auburn doesn't show up with their A game they just might get embarrassed. I am not hoping for that outcome, I'm just being realistic.

2.  If the last time you've visited Starkville was between the years 2002 and 2008, you are in for the shock of your life.  The empty, lifeless, spiritless days of MSU football are a thing of the past.  The last two times I have been in that stadium it has rocked from beginning to end with excitement and anticipation.  And it's packed with people.  And cowbells.  And the biggest jumbo-tron you've ever laid your eyes on.  Get excited about an awesome football environment!