Birmingham-Southern College Homecoming

This past weekend Jack and I took a trip back in time. Back to where it all started - Birmingham-Southern College. Yes, that is where Jack and Barclay or Bark and Jacklay as we have been called on many occasions, all started. 

For those of you who don't know, which is probably most of you, BSC is into its second year of football. (For those of you who went to AU and UA I know that is hard to believe, but when we were in school, there were no "football Saturdays".) Oh how things change. Homecoming was the inaugural game in a brand new stadium. Suffice it to say it was a BIG deal. 

We not only "tailgated" on campus, we walked around and saw all the new additions since we left back in the '90s. It is like a different place.

When Jack and our friend Graham were in school there, they lived in the OLD SAE house. When I say OLD, I mean OLD, my dad actually lived in the same house - the same room - where Jack and I shared our very first kiss!

Anyway, the NEW fraternity houses are very nice, but they lack the nostalgia of the old house. We made so many awesome memories there it is so sad to not be able to see the actual old stompin' grounds. Nevertheless, we spent some time at the new house reminiscing and catching up with the current members. I can remember "old" members visiting the fraternity house when we were in school and kind of feeling sorry for them - that was us! Now I know though that those "old" people can still have as much fun as the younger ones. 

The weekend was not just about Jack and Barclay (although we did ride by the exact spot where Jack proposed - but that is a whole 'nother story) - it was spent with our dearest friends Graham and Carrie. The four of us have been friends for almost 20 years and Graham and Carrie have been together longer than that. They are those special friends that you can always pick right up with like no time has passed. So that is exactly what we did. We ate, we danced, we sang and we laughed - a lot - just like old times. I felt like I was 20 again - and boy did I pay for it Sunday! 

No worries, it was an awesome weekend in an awesome place that holds the most awesome memories. 

SOCCER IS OVER!!

Don't get me wrong! I enjoy watching my kids play sports. I even really get into it when they are playing hard and being competitive, but after 11 weeks of four nights and some full Saturdays, we are DONE!!! I think the kids are even excited, well not Manning, he would play all day, every day if he could. 

So here are some shots of the season and the most important part - the trophies!!!

I am very proud of all three for being good sports and working hard this season. Go Thames! Go Chiefs! Go Vulcan!

What's next ... basketball!

I love that we had our trick or treat night on Thursday! That way the kids had to come in at a decent hour and get to bed so they could be up for school! They were even eager to get out of bed because it was Friday! We had a great time in our neighborhood last night. Two of the lovely ladies on our street took it upon themselves to plan a neighborhood get together. We all met in the cul de sac and ate pizza and visited. As soon as the sun began to set the kids were chomping at the bit! Our family started off and hit several streets. We brought home more candy than we could carry and definitely more than any of us need to eat.

It was great fun! Just in case you are wondering, Sutton is a "skater girl", Jackson, the blue Teen Age Mutant Turtle and Manning a red ninja!

Happy Halloween!

Update

I know I have not blogged in a while. No particular reason, just have not had a whole lot to say. Still don't! So, I am just going to post some pictures from the past two weekends. 

The first weekend had warm and fuzzy family moments around the firepit and at Chewacla State Park. The second weekend, in total contrast, involved babysitters and costumes. Both were fun in very different ways. So take a look at how we roll!!!

Manning's Big News

It has been almost seven weeks since Manning broke his arm. He finally got his fourth cast off yesterday! He began the journey in a temporary cast and then after they set it, he moved to a hard, plain white cast. That wouldn't do, so after two weeks they replaced it with an orange and blue cast and two weeks later our final - short, green cast. Now he will wear a splint for about two weeks and should be good as new. 

The doctor let me look at the xray and sure enough, it still looks broken to me. However, the REAL doctor says it has healed perfectly and he should have no problems. Hooray! 

Manning has been a trooper. For those of you who have seen him over the past two months, you know this has not slowed him down one bit. He has played soccer, football, ridden his scooter and played hard at school the entire time. 

He is very ginger with it right now, but I am sure that will improve in a short amount of time. 

Just wanted to share Manning's big news!

ANOTHER STORY TO TELL

I thought of a couple of more stories to share. 

Back in January 2001, Jack and I spent a cold weekend in January in Washington, D.C. and watched the Presidential Inauguration of George W. Bush. We also saw the parade and thanks to little brother Bill, were able to attend a few of the Inaugural balls (unfortunately through all this no one taught us how to spell inauguration.) We watched George and Laura dance and tried to get a peak at the Bush twins - no luck. At the second party we went to though we did meet Bo Derek and Chris Matthews of Hardball (does that mean he used to be a Republican?). Pretty cool. Hard to believe that was eight years ago. It was quite an experience!

Here's one for you! Jack and I got married in 1995 only two months after I graduated from BSC. We honeymooned for a week and returned to Mobile on a Sunday to load up my things and move to Tuscaloosa. We rented a yellow Ryder truck to haul everything (which was not much) to our first little apartment. I don't know if you recall what was going on in the world around this time, but the Oklahoma City bombing had recently occurred and the authorities were searching for a young man named Timothy McVeigh who had been driving none other than a yellow Ryder truck. 

Jack and I pulled into Ttown and of course had to find a place to eat. (certainly you didn't think I was going to cook?!) So here we come hauling up to the Cypress Inn in our yellow Ryder truck and out steps skinny Jack with his military style haircut - do you see where I am going with this? Just suffice it to say that we got more than a few suspicious glances. 

Well the next morning Jack had to drive me to my first day of work in the Ryder truck (I can't remember how we ever got our cars up there). Following my graduation from BSC my first job was as a receptionist at a law firm making $7.00 an hour - don't you know my daddy was proud! 

The first day of answering phones was going okay when my speech began to slur and one side of my face began to droop. By the time Jack brought me lunch I looked like ... well let's just say he was rethinking his marriage proposal! So here I am 23 years old, first day of work, in a new town and I think I am having some kind of facial stroke. I talk to my new bosses, whose names I could not even remember yet, and they sent me to a dentist in town. He decided that I had some kind of lock jaw from snorkeling and plane travel - whatever. He took the longest needle I have ever seen and injected cortizone into my cheekbone. About that time the phone rang at the doctor's office - this was before everyone called on cell phones - and it was little brother Bill telling me that Jack's dad had had a heart attack and they did not know what was going to happen. So when Jack walked in the doctor's office to check on his deformed new bride, I had to drop the bomb about his dad! Talk about racking up the stress points! As soon as the doctor was through puncturing my jaw, we packed up and headed to Dothan to check on Mr. Smith - by this time somehow we had gotten rid of the Ryder truck!

It turned out that Mr. Smith could go home from Dothan in a few days and he reported to UAB later in the week to have a pig valve replacement. Everything worked out fine, thank God!

Let me just tell you it was an interesting second week of marriage. 

I wonder what it would be like if we could go back and do it again?

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!

Is anyone else waking up when it is still dark outside? Stupid question, I know you are! But I just wanted to say that I hate it! I mean, I am a morning person, but only if the sun is up before me. 

Anyway, I don't know if this is bragging on my children or complaining about them, but I decided to share. 

Every morning Sutton wakes up to her own alarm at 6:13 (I think I have her clock set ahead, I need to fix that). She then wakes Jackson and Manning up and gets herself totally dressed before she comes downstairs and wakes me up. I have my alarm set for 6:20, which is really about 6:13, by the time my alarm goes off, Sutton and Jackson are downstairs dressed and ready and asking "what's for breakfast!" When I get in the kitchen it is only 6:15 and the sun is just peeking out. 

What am I complaining or bragging about you ask? I am not exactly sure. I am thankful that I don't have to fight with my kids to get them out of bed every morning, but I would love to sleep until the sun comes up. (I know daylight savings time is in a few weeks and that will change). For one thing I think I am going to go through my house and set all of the clocks to the same time. For another, I am going to sneak up and set Sutton's alarm for at least five minutes later! It's the little things!!!

Have a blessed day.

TAG - I'M IT!!

My neighbor and friend "tagged" me on her blog and it seems that the rules are that I have to share six stories from my life that you will find interesting. Three things you probably know about me already are that I am boring, I have a terrible memory for details and I am not a very good story teller. So with that wonderful introduction, here goes ...

1.  About ten years ago I spent the night in Brett Favre's house in Green Bay, WI! Don't worry, Jack was there too - I told you I was boring! We went to a Packers game with our long time friends Marty and Catherine. Marty played football with Brett at Southern Mississippi. We traveled to Green Bay via Chicago and Milwaukee and ended up going out with Brett and some of the other Packers after the game and staying at his house. Very cool!

2.  During the span of my 13 year marriage to Jack, I have held several jobs. Let's see if I can name them all - law firm receptionist, paralegal, stock broker (investment representative at a bank), marketing director at a bank, stay at home mom, advertising sales rep. at the newspaper, typesetter at the newspaper, columnist at the newspaper (Barclay's Beat), 9th grade Spanish teacher, Headmaster's administrative assistant and back to stay at home mom. 

mmm... I'm thinking...

3. Some of you already know this, but I will mention it since it was such a significant point in our lives. Right after Manning was born I only got to hold him for a second before they whisked him away to the nursery. After waiting and waiting for four hours Jack went down to the nursery and realized he was the baby in the room under the oxygen mask. He was having trouble breathing and the doctors in Dothan had no idea why. He was three weeks early and they thought maybe his lungs were not fully developed - wrong. For two days we worried while his oxygen rate only worsened. On the second day Jack took charge. He told the doctor things were not improving and he was not satisfied with the care Manning was getting. He told the doctors to contact UAB. The doctors at UAB sent the lifejet to get Manning and we put our two day old in the hands of the qualified nurses as they flew off to Birmingham. Jack and I jumped in the car and followed slowly behind. 

Jack's sweet brother, Bill, was in Bham and met baby Manning at the hospital. By the time we got there the wonderful doctors had diagnosed Manning with double pneumonia and started him on an antibiotic. I would spend the next ten days in Birmingham watching him slowly improve. The hardest night was the one leaving him in that hospital in downtown Bham. It was torture driving away and leaving him behind. After twelve days away from home. I returned to Sutton - 4 and Jackson 19 months. They were overjoyed to have their brother home and we were glad to be there.

 

I think that is enough for this post. I will give you and me a break and try to think of three more interesting things to tell you.

By the way, some of you have been "tagged" as well - Let's hear it!

Chicken Salad Chick Grand Opening

Today was the Grand Opening of the Chicken Salad Chick. Of course, it has actually been open for a while, but this event was put on in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce - a ribbon cutting, the mayor of Auburn. Very exciting stuff! All the "chicks" were there along with Stacy and Kevin's friends and families. 

Congratulations to Stacy and Kevin on turning a dream into a working reality. I know it hasn't been easy, but to see the success of what started out in Stacy's kitchen is truly inspirational. Stacy turned a bad situation into a better one. Like turning lemons into lemonade, or more appropriately, chickens into chicken salad.

Over the past 14 months Stacy and Kevin have worked tirelessly to provide a product that is top quality. I have to say that initially I had my doubts. How could she do it with three children, out of her home, making deliveries all day and night? I don't know exactly how she did it, but she did. And I am so proud to be a little bitty part of it!

Congratulations Stacy! 

The song you are listening has a special meaning for Jack and me, but I can't exactly remember what it is. Do any of you ever do that? 

It is from the movie Benny and Joon with Johnny Depp. I can't remember if we liked the song because we liked the movie or if we liked the song because when we were 20 it seemed like he would "walk 500 miles" just to be with me. Either way, it stirs a little something in my heart and makes me happy when I hear it! I will check with Jack when he gets home and see if he remembers the significance and get back to you!

It is a gorgeous day, I hope you are enjoying it!

JACKSON HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!

I feel like we spend a lot of time talking about how smart and talented our first born is and don't get me wrong she is amazing. Nevertheless, we have two more pretty amazing children that probably get overshadowed by her strong personality. So I thought I would share something with you that Jackson wrote yesterday. It was at his own free will and he wanted me to post it on the family blog. I tried to scan the copy to you could see his work first hand, but I could not get it to show up. Here are two different "stories" he wrote in his own words. 

Jackson says: 

I am six years old. I like to jumprope. My birthday is december 3. I am playing soccer. I like my mom more than my dad. I like Auburn and alabama. My cuisoins go for alabama. 

My dad works at the auburn atheletics department. My dad used to look egsacly like me. I like to throw the football. I have a big sister and a little brother. My nabers names are Kate and Wheeler. We like to dance and sing. I am in the cior for my church. My soccer team is called the chiefs.

Again, we are so blessed to have THREE amazing children!

A Wonderful Weekend on the Plains

Many of you know that we have only lived in our new hometown for about 15 months. We have all adjusted amazingly well thanks to the wonderful community and a very special group of friends. 

Sutton has been the slowest to come around. Last year when she joined the Ogletree Singers at her school, she refused to sing the last line of the school song because it claims that "Ogletree is the best" and at that point she was not convinced. After a great third grade year and a fun summer I think she is changing her tune. 

This beautiful, fall weekend was packed with fun things to do right here in town. We started out attending the Auburn Equestrian Meet on Friday afternoon. The kids were able to pet horses, see the western riders and watch the English riders canter and post. We saw lots of friends and familiar faces. 

After the meet, Jackson and Jack headed to soccer practice and I took the other two downtown. Since we have lived here, we have avoided downtown on game weekends, but we had some time to kill so we braved the traffic. We stopped at J&M (where we met Amos) and then walked to Toomer's Corner for a lemonade. Great atmosphere and great fun!

Next, we met Jack and Jackson at Brick Oven. It was such a lovely night, we sat outside and enjoyed a relaxing dinner. What a treat!

Saturday was full of excitement also. We tailgated with friends from the neighborhood - all day! The atmosphere was electric - maybe a little too electric! But, it's always "great to be an Auburn Tiger!" War Eagle anyway! 

Sunday, was Youth Sunday at our church. What an inspiration to see young people truly committed to living for God and using their talents to spread the gospel. I'm so glad we made the commitment to attend church.

As I reflect after a full and exhausting weekend, I realize that it is a privilege to live in a town that offers so much for our family. We feel truly blessed!

A HOT DAY AT THE BALLPARK!

CHANGE OF PLANS

Many of you have heard me talk about my sister-in-law Paige. There are so many things that I admire about her and only one of those things is her ability to "roll" with just about anything. She does not get her feathers ruffled very often. She knows what is important in life and this is a lesson that I would do well to learn!

Take this weekend for example. Our family was planning to visit Eufaula for the weekend. We planned to go to our old school's football game on Friday night and a friend's engagement party on Saturday night. The kids were pumped for a sleep over at Aunt Paige's! 

Plans changed! Our nephew Pierce had a travel ball tourney come up in, guess where, Auburn. Normally that would be the best news ever, but the plan was to go to Eufaula. New plan - we decided to stay home and watch the tournament on Saturday and then go to Eufaula for the engagement party. See, we're "rolling" with it! Remember I said, plans change. 

Saturday morning I talk to Paige and poor Pierce had a high fever and was stuck in bed - no baseball, no sleepover. New plan - leave the kids at home with a sitter and Jack and I go to Eufaula alone - now that sounded like a plan. 

Thanks to my sweet neighbor, that is exactly what happened. Jack and I got to spend the evening in Eufaula without kids, the kids got to spend the night with their friends next door and on Sunday, Pierce was well and we all got to watch him play baseball!

You may wonder what I have learned through all of this. You see, through the course of the changes, Paige never got ruffled, upset or freaked out. Normally, when things do not go according to MY plan, that is what I do. I thank her for over the past,  almost 15 years, letting me learn from her what is important and what is not. 

This may seem like a small thing, but I have decided that if I can try and improve myself a little bit at the time, the end result will be major change. I consider myself a "work in progress."

Here are some pictures of the kids at the baseball tournament. Go Gators!

There is nothing in my assorted resume that qualifies me to be a movie critic, but I have another suggestion for you! I am sure everyone, at least with children, has seen Evan Almighty, but if you haven't, I highly recommend it. We rented it with the kids last night and it is so funny with such an important message. A message on a level that even my littlest can understand. ARK - Acts of Random Kindness. The movie topic is so "out there" (God telling a modern day congressman to build an ark and prepare for the flood) that I think only Steve Carrell could pull off the part. 

Anyway, our family loved it - again. The music is great and the story is even better. The dance sequence at the end to "Everybody Dance Now" is a riot!

Have a great weekend!

THE THREE FUNNY MONKEYS!

I can't really remember when this started, but several years ago my dad started writing stories for his grandchildren. He called them, appropriately enough, "The Three Funny Monkeys". He would write about the adventures of Nottus (Sutton), Noskcaj (Jackson) and Gninnam (Manning). My brothers kids are the "Mo' Monkeys" - Mackie and Egag.

Anyway, it was not long before Sutton was writing "Three Funny Monkey" stories of her own. It has been a fun communication for she and her Pop and I thought I would share one of Sutton's stories with you all. 

The Three Funny Monkeys Go To a Game

Once upon a time, there were three little monkeys, and their names were Nottus, Noskcaj and Gninnam. They lived in Nrubua. One day, the monkeys went to the Nrubua football game. When they go to their seats, the players were on the field practicing. They would be playing Amabala.

When the players kicked off the ball, everybody cheered. Nrubua received the ball and ran to the 30 yard line. On their 3rd down, they made a touchdown.

When it was halftime, the monkeys went and got some snacks. Nottus got popcorn and rootbeer. Noskcaj got chips and pepsi . Gninnam got pretzels and Dr. Pepper. Momma got a large coke and shared it with Dad.

When they went back to their seats, the ball was being hiked. The crowd cheered. Amabala had made a fumble and Auburn had gotten the ball!

He was going, going, they did it! Nrubua had won the game!

As they walked back to the car, all three of the monkeys were talking about the game all at once! But by the time they got home, all three were asleep!

Smith/Williams weekend

It is the second annual Smith/Williams weekend in our new home. Our friends from the panhandle came for the game and brought their precious daughters. Last year, (at what we now call the 1st annual) after an Auburn victory, the kids wanted to stay after the game and roll Toomer's Corner. As a compromise, we left the game early and when we got home, we let them roll our yard. It seemed to appease and has now become a tradition. Here are some pics of them "rolling" last night. 

Unfortunately, little Manning fell asleep and missed out on the fun. He was very upset when he got up and announced to Sutton that "we didn't get to roll!" Oops! Maybe he will stay awake for next year. Can't wait!