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!

OES News

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Sally Foster time has come. It is here. I'm sure your children will drive you insane! "Please buy this, please buy that!" You wish it wasn't here, but it is.

Nature Trail

If you go back to the playground at my school, there is a path in the woods. Last weekend, my family went back there. We went past Fort Hall, Rock Creek Station, (stage), The "New" 2 story tree house, the outdoor classroom and the log cabin. If you're looking for somewhere peaceful, you've found the place.

Here is an updated picture of "The Editor"

Isn't he cute!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Manning's adventure!

After a long wait at the ortho's office yesterday for what we thought would be an uneventful visit, we ended up with an outpatient procedure this morning. We thought Manning's break was simple and he could just pick out a color for his new cast on Tues. Not so much! Dr. Scott said he needed to put Manning to sleep and "reduce the angulation" in the radius and ulna. So that's what we did bright and early this morning. 

It all went very well. The funniest time was after he drank a little "juice" prior to them taking him back. He was getting upset about Jack and me leaving him with the nurses, so they decided to give him something to relax. It is amazing how quickly that stuff works! Within minutes Manning was seeing me with four eyes and kept asking Jack where his eyebrows were. By the time they took him back, he was not the least bit concerned about where we were. 

The Surgery Center was very efficient and well run. Our trusty anesthesiologist and wonderful ortho did a great job. Manning woke up a little frustrated and agitated, which is very normal. We are home now and he has already taken a little nap. My challenge now, to keep him remotely still for the rest of the day! Any suggestions?

I am trying to find a better picture of Jack and me for the "About Us" section and am having trouble. That picture is from last Dec. and Jack says he looks like a linebacker. Unfortunately, I look like his teammate! So bear with me, surely we will be able to take a decent picture sometime soon. In the meantime, above are some old photos that I tried to make work. The wedding, the honeymoon and the prom (I'll save the prom story for another day).

HURRICANE GUSTAV

Pop and Mimi have lived through their share of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. Now that they are more mature, if the threat arises, they hit the road. It was a long six hour car ride on back roads to the lake house, but they made it and were able to take a boat ride and get a brief rest. We were glad they evacuated because they came to see us and we got to celebrate Pop's 63rd birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP! WE LOVE YOU!