Sports Mama Review: Double A Designs Custom Photo Tee

If there's one thing you all know about me, it's that I'm a loud, PROUD football mom! I literally have drawers full of nothing but my #footballmomswag. I am always on the lookout for anything and everything I can find in my boys' team colors.

One thing I didn't have though? A shirt with my boy's picture on it. Enter Double A Designs!

Double A Designs is a one-stop shop for all of your custom needs! They do shirts, hoodies, tumblers, pillows, blankets, bags, invitations, announcements... the list goes on and on. They can even do sublimation, customized party treats, and back drops! Did I mention they are woman owned?!

For this awesome custom tee, all I had to do was send in my favorite photos. It couldn't have been any easier. They did the rest! I was sent a proof for approval prior to them being made.

I couldn't have been any happier with the results. The quality is amazing. I am literally OBSESSED with my shirt! It definitely stood out from the rest on game day. I received compliment after compliment while wearing it.

Coach Hubby loved it too! As did my collegiate athlete! I'm already thinking about my next one.

Check out some more of their work.

From start to finish, Double A Designs was a pleasure to work with. I seriously cannot recommend them enough. Be sure to check them out on Instagram and Facebook for even more inspiration!

*** Double A Designs was kind enough to send me their product, however, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own ***

Sports Mama Review: Faith & Grace Chenille Football Number Hat

FOOTBALL IS BACK, MAMAS!!! We made the 16-hour round trip to cheer on our boy and his team this past weekend. I'm exhausted, but I promise I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm riding this train until the wheels fall off... the days are long, but the years are short. Way. Too. Short!

You guys already know that I'm a loud and proud sports mama, so I was super excited when I was sent these cute, personalized hats from Faith & Grace.  

Faith & Grace is a family owned, small business specializing in personalized items. I received their Chenille Football Number "baseball cap". They come in 15 different colors and 2 different sizes (adult and youth). I love the fact that they are adjustable too.

I absolutely love it! It's so cute and fits perfectly. The quality is great as well. I received SO many compliments. It's the perfect way to rep your favorite player!

My college football mama BFF's were so excited to rock theirs as well. I mean, are they cute or what?!

Not a football mama? No worries! They have softball, baseball, basketball, and soccer hats!

If you're looking to add some new #sportsmamaswag to your collection, this is it! Click HERE to order yours today and be sure to use the code SPORTSMAMA for 20% off!

Here are a couple more ways I repped my #8. 

I will always be his number one fan!

*** Faith & Grace was kind enough to send me their product, however, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own ***

8 Things I've Learned as a College Football Mom

No. 1's college football season is about to kick off in 17 days! We'll be making the eight-hour truck from Virginia to Ohio to cheer our boy and his team on. I seriously cannot believe that football is back!

This will be my third year as a college football mom, so I'm no longer a rookie. Here are EIGHT (in honor of my boy's number) things I've learned along the ride:

1. It's a full-time job. You thought high school football was a lot? Collegiate athletes (specifically D1 players) have jam-packed schedules; literally from sunup to sundown. A typical in-season day for No. 1 begins with 7am breakfast, followed by practice from 8-11am, lunch, 3pm lift, meetings from 4-7pm, followed by a walk-through until 8pm, dinner, rest and repeat. Once school starts in two weeks, class and homework will be thrown in. And yep, your professors still expect your work to be turned in on time... game week or not!
2. Summers are short. See above. No. 1 was home for less than 20 days this Summer. I never want him to feel left out of our family vacations, so I am always sure to schedule them around his availability. 
3. Everyone is talented. There's a reason only 7% of high school athletes go on to play in college. You're competing with the best of the best. Work hard, be patient. Your time will come! Which brings me to number 4.
4. Redshirting is a blessing in disguise. Of course your child wants to play as soon as they get to college. They were probably always on the field (or equivalent for their sport) in high school. They wouldn't be collegiate athletes if they weren't! BUT, you will learn very quickly that the size, age, and experience of those you are competing against is drastically different. As a 19-year-old Freshman, my son had 24(24!)-year-olds on his team. (Think re-classing, redshirts, etc.) He was redshirted (as were 99%) of the Freshman on his team. This ultimately gives him an extra year of eligibility AND schooling. Looking back, it's definitely a win-win situation.
5. It's a lot of travel. For the athletes AND their families. Even though No. 1 didn't play his Freshman year, he still traveled with the team as a signal caller. Hubby and I decided early on that if he traveled, we would too. Gone are the days of playing your local hometown teams. You will be traveling to several different states. Plan early! As soon as that schedule is released, start booking your hotel stays. The closer to game day it gets, the higher the rates will be. Not only that, but rooms sell out!!
6. Those post-game 10 minutes are everything. EVERYTHING. After each away game, the families gather near the busses to await our players. That is when you can sneak in that big mama bear hug. There is nothing I look forward to more. They make every single mile worth it!
7. Find your tribe. Because just like in youth and high school sports, it takes a village. We have an amazing group of families that we tailgate and cheer with. For home games, we also do post-game tailgates and feed our boys as well as any other teammates who are hungry. Such a great tradition!
8. It goes by fast! I'd say even quicker than high school. At least it feels that way! I feel like I was just crying my eyes out and dropping him off for Freshman year. How can this possibly be year 3?! So savor every moment, mama. Take it all in. The good, and the not so good. Remember that only 7% of high school athletes are playing at this level. Never let a day pass without letting them know just how proud you are of them!

Wishing you all a healthy, successful season! GO RED FLASH!!!

Team Mama Idea: Valentine's Day Care Package

Valentine's Day is just two days away! My boys may be 20, 18, and 15 (whoa, that makes me feel old!) now, but that won't stop me from doing a little something extra to make them feel special. Even for the one away at college.

Two of my Sports Mama BFFS (our boys played high school football together and are now each playing in college) and I got together last Friday to make our boys Valentine's themed care packages. We all brought a home baked good as well as other store-bought treats. 

We ended up with a smorgasbord of goodies, everything from brownies to hand warmers to jerky to chapstick! Each boy got one (or two or three!) of everything you see pictured. This is definitely the way to do it!

We put it all in boxes, added some pink, red, and white crinkle shreds, and a super cute card with a handwritten note. We then taped them shut and they were ready for the post office. You definitely want to pay the bit extra for priority mail due to the baked goods. 

No. 1 received his package yesterday. It arrived in perfect condition. 

Seriously, how cute is that card?!? He was super surprised and super grateful. Proof that they still appreciate surprises from their mamas... even if they are 20-year-old big, bag college football players!

Don't have a kid away at college? No worries. This would be just as special if it were hand delivered.

Have a great day surrounded by those you love and cherish, Sports Mamas!

*** Click here, here and here for some of my past Valentine's Day ideas!