Lesley Ann Jones, Author at Friday Night Wives

Football Might Bring Us to the Stadium; But Community is What Gives it Life

Football is the reason we’re brought together, to cheer on the game and its players, but it takes on life because of the surroundings—I am moved by the music, join in with the cheerleaders, become gracious in a win, remain respectful in a loss, join in the celebration of our school, and most of ...

Journal, Resources

What’s in Your Game Day Bag?

You put the backpack straps on and there’s a little bar/swing where their feet go instead of where the “pack” would be on a backpack. It holds up to 50 pounds and allows him to jump on and off as needed rather than having to constantly take off and on. It saves me time and mental stress as we ...

Family, Journal

Bandtober is Back

My goodness the magic of this month. The seasons starting to (finally) shift, sweater weather creeping in and, since I’m from Texas, the temperature outside is finally below the temperature of my pumpkin spice latte. Bring on fall! Oh, and it’s Bandtober. This month, a blur of ...

Family, Journal

The First Note of Band Season Brings Me to Tears

Despite the message being simple, it seems to be a constant reminder that if they just keep practicing, if they just continue to put the effort in, if they just focus on the game, it will all pay off.

Journal, Marriage

Love Isn’t About Just One Day

Considering I was born in the afternoon, I guess today is my first full day of being 40. Yep, yesterday was that day where clearly I need to pack it in and get my shawl out, adopt 50 or so cats and knit something random. I’ve heard my entire life and into our marriage that my husband “has ...

Family, Journal, Marriage

To the Wife Who Didn’t Sign Up for This, Maybe “This” is Even Better

The point is that sometimes what we need doesn’t always come in the package we thought we needed. Five years ago, my life didn’t have a husband, a child, much less this unique lifestyle. Today I cannot imagine life without them. I am so very grateful for where I am because of the absolute ...

Family, Journal, Marriage

Dear Husband, In Case I Haven’t Told You Lately—Thank You

Thank you for understanding it takes time to get all this. The schedule, the time away from home, modifying our parenting, social lives, hopes and dreams and everything in between—there were many lessons and routines that weren’t easy to come by.

Friendship, Journal

I’m So Thankful for This Community of Coaches’ Wives

So, to the new wife who’s learning to cope, to the one trying to dye her socks pink, to the one bleaching her pink socks white, and to the new mom with a 6-day-old determining if she should go to the game … I’m right here with you. Reach out; make the connection; I’ll accept you just as you ...

Faith, Family, Journal, Marriage

5 Lessons Learned While Sitting on the Sidelines

Humans are icebergs and we never know what someone is going through, and today they took it out on our partner. It’s hard to not strike back, especially when it’s it front of our kids and they don’t quite understand adult misgivings. The best we can do is protect ourselves, realizing that we do ...

Journal

It’s Bandtober: Hug a Band Director’s Spouse

Let me be clear – we are not better off or more saddled than any other organization out there – football, dance, everything in this realm has its own ups and downs. We all deserve the spotlight, and I’m hoping this brings some support to the band family I have come to love very much. Have your ...

Journal

‘Twas the Night Before Football

The child wasn’t nestled all snug in his bed, He was playing with toys, my patience hung by a thread, Husband in his iPad, and I in my map, “Which stadium, again, am I supposed to be at?”

Family, Journal

Happy New Year, From a Band Director’s Wife

There is no greater pride I feel when I see our band family take the field. For seven minutes, after hundreds of hours of work and sweat, I realize what all of the chaos in our household was meant for. Sure, there’s still a stain on my favorite sweater, I cannot seem to locate my son’s purple ...

Lesley Ann Jones

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