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the big mama blog

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Big Boo Cast: Episode 214

Diary

This week we discuss important things including if we think pantyhose will ever make a comeback and my thoughts on A&M making the college football playoffs. Our Amazon Shop Become a Patron! You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog. And if you're on the Facebook, well, we are, too. We'd love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we'd be Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition it’s officially the Christmas season

Diary

Hello. We are now four days into December which means it will be Christmas day in twenty-one days. Oh how time flies when you're in a pandemic. All I know is I've never been more thankful for online shopping because if I thought I had to find gifts for everyone while wearing a mask in a mall? Hard pass. Although Gulley and I are having our annual Christmas shopping weekend this weekend. Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition it’s Black Friday

Diary

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. I'm over here just shopping online and thinking about how I'm never going to eat again. Until tomorrow. Or later tonight. 1. printed long dress I think this is such a gorgeous dress for the holidays and it's on sale for $74.99. 2. knox rose long sleeve button-down shirt I love a plaid tunic and this one is a great length and color Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition heavy on the anthropologie

Diary

It's hard to believe that we are on the official countdown to Christmas. I can honestly say I have yet to put up one decoration or buy one gift. I still have pumpkins on my porch that may or may not be rotten and flowers in my flowerpots that are leftover from the summer. Maybe after Thanksgiving I'll get it together. Or maybe I'll just put Santa hats on my pumpkins. Here are some cute Read More

Big Boo Cast: Episode 211 (men and women’s gift guide)

Diary

We are a little behind this week because Sophie had the Covid last week. Thankfully she is on the mend and we were able to record our gift guide. Our Amazon Shop Become a Patron! You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog. And if you're on the Facebook, well, we are, too. We'd love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we'd be honored if Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition fast and furious

Diary

Hi. How are you? This is going to be quick today because it's midnight and I just drove back from Houston so I'm a little tired and need my bed. Here are some cute things I found this week: 1. with love denim top I saw this denim top online at Free People and, well, I'm in love. I believe in the value and versatility of a good denim shirt and this one has these sleeves that Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition what an uneventful week

Diary

So. Anything interesting going on in the world this week? via GIPHY Here are some cute things I found that have nothing to do with United States politics. 1. a new day fleece hooded sweatshirt This is the best sweatshirt and it's just $20. It's a little boxy, hits at the waist but is super flattering and cozy. Super cute with jeans and sneakers. It comes in a bunch of color Read More

Big Boo Cast: Episode 209

Diary

This week we discuss some thoughts on 2020 and you'll see that we recorded this before the election so we had no idea the curveball that would throw our way. It continues to be the gift that keeps giving. Like a bad fruitcake. Sophie also shares her five favorite things which leads to a discussion about how much we love Somebody Feed Phil. Become a Patron! You can click here to listen. Read More

Fashion Friday: Edition Happy Halloween

Diary

Yep. We've made it to Halloween weekend. Halloween falls on a Saturday night, we turn the clocks back an hour, there's a full moon and the Aggies play the Razorbacks. What could possibly go wrong? via GIPHY But I found a lot of cute things today, so let's get started. 1. colsie faux fur lounge tunic sweatshirt I saw this in Target and it is the dreamiest. So super soft and Read More

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Who is Melanie?

Melanie ShankleMy name is Melanie and, in some strange twist of fate, I’m also known as Big Mama because I started this blog in July of 2006 when my daughter, Caroline, was not quite three years old and I was in the process of convincing her that BIG girls use the potty and BIG girls don’t have pacifiers, thus she thought BIG was the highest compliment in the land and began referring to me as BIG MAMA.Read More

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Happy Easter! 💕 Happy Easter! 💕
At our house if you want the Easter Bunny to bring At our house if you want the Easter Bunny to bring you a basket, you have to dye eggs. I don’t care how old you are and that you’re leaving for college in 5 months.
When Caroline was three, I enrolled her in dance c When Caroline was three, I enrolled her in dance class. She hated it. And after the recital she announced, “I beat all those other girls”. Which made us realize maybe she needed to try a sport. Preferably one that burned a lot of energy. Thus, we discovered soccer. ⁣
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After twelve years of watching her play on fields all over the country, the ride ended last night. Her team fought so hard but came up short 1-0 in the last three minutes. ⁣
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For twelve years we have cheered as she ran on the field. I’ve washed more soccer jerseys than I can count. I’ve pulled cleats that smell like the devil’s footwear out of backpacks, iced injuries, given pep talks and yelled at refs. ⁣
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We’ve had the thrill of watching her score game-winning goals and the devastation of being in the orthopedic ER until midnight praying it’s not a serious injury. ⁣
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Like life, soccer has been filled with highs and lows. Victory and defeat. ⁣
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Caroline, soccer has developed your strong will, your character and your tenacity. It’s taught you to get back up when you’re knocked down. It’s taught you to be a leader on and off the field. It’s made you better, stronger, and more resilient than you’d have been without it. It’s given us car rides to games and practices that are some of my favorite memories. ⁣
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Your senior season was the one I wasn’t sure would even happen. Between a pandemic and lingering injuries, I went into this year knowing each moment was a gift. ⁣
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You’ve known for a while now that you were ready for a new season of life that doesn’t involve soccer. And the beauty of God bringing one season to an end is that He’s bringing a new one to life. I look at you and know the possibilities of what you’ll do next are endless because you listen for God’s voice and follow where He leads. Dad and I can’t wait to cheer you on in new fields and adventures. ⁣
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In the words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” 💙⚽️💛
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Photos by @doubllel
Last night was Senior Night for soccer. Alamo Heig Last night was Senior Night for soccer. Alamo Heights won 5-1 but the real win was that I managed not to cry. Caroline asked me before it began if I was going to cry and I told her there was a 72% chance I could hold it together. ⁣💙
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(In fairness I did get teary earlier that afternoon and about ten minutes before we walked on the field)⁣
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Having a senior is a weird mix of emotions. I know I’m going to miss her like crazy, but there’s also a bigger part of me that sees how ready she is to go. She’s ready for new adventures and new beginnings and I want those things for her. ⁣💛
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I know from our brief tenure of owning hermit crabs that they eventually outgrow their shell and go in search of a new, bigger shell. I’m not sure why my mind goes to hermit crabs for parenting analogies, but that’s what this is like. She’s outgrown her shell and is ready for a bigger space with more room to move and grow. ⁣💙
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It’s this weird dichotomy of being sad to see the beginning of the end and being so excited for what she has ahead. As C.S. Lewis said “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind”. ⁣💛
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Photo by Mary Candee
I know I’ve over posted but two snow days in one I know I’ve over posted but two snow days in one week is truly a once  in a lifetime event. ❄️
I have to say it’s been snow fun and a week off school  and getting to share this with Caroline, knowing her time at home is coming to an end, feels like the most gracious of gifts. ❄️💙❄️
#onthebrightside #snovid21
I promise I’ll stop with all the snow pictures ( I promise I’ll stop with all the snow pictures (maybe) but Caroline and I started off our day determined to build a snowman. We found out it’s harder than it seems, especially because our snow was so powdery. ❄️⁣
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But we persisted. Or rather we waited until late this afternoon when the snow was a little easier to pack. ⁣
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And we were more proud of this modest little Aggie snowman than I really should admit. What she lacks in structure, she makes up for it in heart and Aggie spirit. 
👍🏻❄️💙

The Latest on Twitter

Melanie Shankle@BigMama·

It’s been a heck of a ride. 💙⚽️

Reply on Twitter 1375286284462084096Retweet on Twitter 1375286284462084096Like on Twitter 137528628446208409681
Alamo Heights Soccer@AHgirlsSoccer·

AH lady Mules Soccer will take the field against Cedar Park in round 1 of the playoffs tonight. Come out to Orem Stadium at 7:00pm to show your support for the Blue and Gold!!! 🐴 🆙

Reply on Twitter 1375094632992899088Retweet on Twitter 13750946329928990883Like on Twitter 137509463299289908812

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