The Rock Part 1--VIPs

This past weekend, the AMEN family had the time of our lives. We went to Little Rock, but this was no ordinary trip to the Rock. Because I work with several student athletes and their academic support advisors down in athletics, we were invited by two of the advisors, Mike R. and Mike B., to spend a weekend with the Hogs. What does that mean? Well, I'll tell you.

Friday at 11, Abby and I met the team buses on campus--4 buses altogether. We climbed aboard, after a few of the players made a fuss over Abby in her cheerleader getup. We rode to LR on the bus--very cushy ride. As soon as we got near town, we were joined by a police escort. We drove straight through to War Memorial Stadium, where Abby and I got to go in the locker room and all over the field. It was a PPO (prime photo opportunity):

She loved running around the field. After about 45 minutes, we got back on the bus and went to the team hotel, where Matt and I were given a room for the night. Then my aunt Linda picked us up and took us to my grandmother's house, where Matt and Ethan met up with us (Matt drove our car down so we could have our own vehicle). After getting the kids settled, Matt and I headed back up to the hotel to meet the Mikes and another staff member, and we went to dinner at Sonny Williams, a KILLER steakhouse in the River Market. We ate enough food for the entire football team, courtesy of the athletic department. It was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life--and I've had plenty to choose from. It was all we could do to waddle back to our room after dinner.

If you're thinking, man, they sure got a lot of perks just because she works with some athletes--you're right! I am wildly underpaid and overworked, and it costs me $500 a year just to park on campus to go to my job, so if I get a free hotel room and a bus ride every now and then, I deserve it! If you can believe it, you haven't heard the best part yet--that happened on Saturday. Story and photos coming soon!