The Oaks

November 25, 2011 By 2 Comments

It’s been a long 9 months in the Auburn – Alabama rivalry.

There has been a poisoning. There has been a tornado.

Two sides of the football and state have been devastated.

Alabama’s finest have rallied for our trees. Our finest have rallied for tornado relief.

There has been death of people and of tradition.

These two things have served to both bring together and further divide the people who call Auburn and Alabama their family.

I was in Auburn last weekend and was left speechless when I walked up to the Toomer’s Oaks and saw the sadness in their branches. Yes, there was sadness seeping from each leafless branch of the two trees that have stood tall on the corner of Magnolia and College for generations.

One year ago, this is what Toomer’s Corner looked like, all vibrant and green and ALIVE.

One week ago, THIS is what Toomer’s Corner looked like.

I just… there are no words for how I feel about this. Don’t you see the sadness in the leaves that are left? The branches droop in a way that says, “Goodbye, Auburn, the Loveliest Village on the Plains. Thank you for making us feel at home.”

One man chose to speak for an entire fanbase, alumni group, entire university and desecrate and kill another school’s landmark tradition.

We won’t be broken. We just won’t.

But we’d be lying if we said it didn’t hurt an awful lot. Look at those pictures. Imagine that at least 5 generations have taken part in rolling them after wins by Auburn, celebrated engagements, graduations, as well as other moments in history.

Yes, they’re just trees. Yes, they can be replaced. Yes, there WILL be something for generations to come to roll and gather around. But it won’t be the same.

It will always carry the aftertaste of Spike 80DF and the eerie echo of a twangy “Roh Tahd.”

But Auburn will be ok. We may not win against Alabama tomorrow and our trees are going to have to be cut down soon, but our spirit will never die. Because once you have the Auburn Spirit, it can never be taken from you.

WAR EAGLE!

I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)

Filed Under: Memories, Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , ,

I’m Determined

November 21, 2011 By 4 Comments

If I’m nothing else, I’m determined. I WILL succeed at making my kid an Auburn fan if it kills me!

This past weekend, Jason was off camping with his friends from college. I decided early in the week that I was going to ride over to Auburn to at the very least hang out and just “be” in Auburn. I talked to my friend Jana (Yes, I know WAY more than one Jana… another blog post coming about that soon.) and they were going to be hanging out, too. She looked for tickets for us all and we decided to just play it by ear.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up when I pulled into town.

We made our way to Big Blue Bookstore and purchased a real jersey. You know, to compete with the one Jason bought in Athens a few weeks ago. After heading to Jana’s house and getting ourselves regrouped, we headed off to campus with kids in tow.

Aah… Jordan-Hare stadium!

Henry got to get a poster signed by cheerleaders! He was very excited about that.

Henry, Clem and Ollie. Jana’s kids are precious and they all three had a blast together!

There were some military vehicles in the kid’s area. Henry wasn’t shy to just go up and ask “what is this and what does it do?” of the guy.

 

They learned that this thingamagigger could shoot a football from Auburn to Columbus and they were like OMG even though they had no idea what that meant!

 Jana and Jana. While we kinda hung in different circles in college, we’ve become better friends as adults which I just LOVE!

Throwing the football! 

 

At this point, I still had my iPhone. Moments later, not.

But this may go down as one of my favorite pictures of me and my little guy!

 

No phone here. :(

 

Have you ever been to a football game where the opposing team’s coach was honored pre-game? Well, I hadn’t either. But now I have.

Pat Sullivan, Auburn’s first Heisman Trophy winner (1971) is the head coach at Samford University and was honored before the game. It’s the 40th season since his amazing Heisman season. The ceremony was moving as he was very humbled to be surrounded by 50ish members of the ’71 team, including Terry Beasley. Both the Auburn team AND Samford team stood on the field and raised their helmets to him.

And then the only reason I wanted Henry to go… to see the Eagle fly. And fly, she did.

She flew and flew and flew and landed right where she was supposed to.

Bring in Aubie, the band…


 Get us all worked up…

Remind us we’re ALL IN!

 

Bring in the team…

And let’s play some football! 

We made it until halftime. Henry enjoyed every single minute of the day and asked when we could come back. Little does he know, we’re pondering riding over for the Iron Bowl!

But until next time…

Farewell Jordan-Hare.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!

Filed Under: Adventure, Family, Henry, Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

You’re Seven Now!

November 2, 2011 By 22 Comments

My baby boy. You’re seven today.

I woke up at 2am on the dot, looked at the clock and sighed a big sigh.

I can’t believe that seven years ago our lives changed so much.

It was a scary road, Henry. I’ll be open and honest here and tell you I don’t remember much about being pregnant or the delivery of you. I was so scared. Scared I would lose you. Scared you wouldn’t be ok. Scared because I was scared of everything.

But then, after a million hours of labor (only 26) and a c-section, there you were. Beautiful, perfect, OURS.

You were delivered by the two most amazing doctors ever, twins even. My doctor, Dr. P wasn’t on L&D the day you were born but he checked on us about 10 times during the day and then stayed until he knew you were safely here. His brother, Dr. E was on L&D and took extra special care of us.

They did the c-section and from the pictures, you can’t tell who is who! It was strange, especially in my drugged up state!

I don’t remember much, but I do remember your daddy bringing you to me. I don’t think I was able to hold you right away because I was sick from the anesthesia. But I knew you were ok.

 

Then I started to remember things. And enjoy life.

Colors got brighter, sounds got louder, the anxiety got lessened.

It seemed like only a few weeks, and then you were one.


You grew and grew and then became two.

And then you started looking and acting like a real person. Your personality developed, your face changed, you got taller and taller. And then you were three. 

You stole my heart when you were three. You just did. If I could go back to a year, it would be this one. Your curiosity and excitement was just exciting to watch. This is when I was reminded that you were given to me for a reason.

And then you turned four.

 

Four was an exciting year. We almost moved to St. Louis. We traveled a lot. There were lots of changes and you rolled with them like a champ.

And then? Then you turned five.

Five saw even more changes. A new city, a new school, new friends, more things to see and do. Five saw sassiness rear its head.

And then you turned six.

 

 

I thought you looked so grown at six. Until I started looking at recent pictures.

You’ve taken all the ups and downs of the last years so well, my boy. I’m so proud of the little man you’ve become.

You’re outgoing and charming.

Your sense of humor is second to none.

You love to laugh and make others laugh.

You know every single tidbit about Star Wars and that makes your daddy proud.

You know the words to Synchronicity II and that makes both of us proud.

You charm the ladies but hold a special place for this particular one.

You’re learning honor and courage and how to be your best.

You’re silly and goofy.
And now, you’re seven.

I love you to pieces, Henry Love. You own my heart and my soul.

Thank you for bringing light back into my world and for keeping that light bright every single day!

Happy 7th Birthday!

Filed Under: Family, Henry, Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

SOC Sunday: Boba Fett Storms Fernbank

October 30, 2011 By 5 Comments

You know the drill. It’s 5 minutes of unedited, raw writing. And the time starts… NOW!

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Yesterday was Fernbank Museum’s Halloween Party. If you don’t know by now, we LOVE Fernbank with a passion. Henry is kinda a rock star there and our friend @Giga_A_Dino is always waiting with his handler Deanna. I’ve said it before, our Fernbank membership is the best thing we’ve ever bought. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Atlanta area.

Here are a few pictures of the fun we had!

Henry, Giggy and Giggy’s Handler, Deanna!

Everybody’s favorite — the Fruit Bat!

Boba Fett totally would’ve hung out with Charles Darwin, right?

Ran into an old friend, Darth.

Got caught up in a web. But I’m awesome so I can get out!

The BobaFettAsaurus Rex, A Fernbank Original.

I’ll take you ALL down.

Thanks to Fernbank for having amazing programming, even more amazing events and some of the best staff and volunteers in Atlanta!

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This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

  • Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
  • Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
  • Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
  • Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post (on Fadra’s sidebar)
  • Link up your post on her SOC Sunday post.
  • Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Filed Under: Adventure, Henry, Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A {Week} Day In The Life

October 14, 2011 By 5 Comments

Yesterday, I noticed a hashtag on Twitter, #weekinmylife, and I had to ask about it. Adventuroo is hosting a week-long blog party where you capture parts of your daily life and document them. It’s sponsored by ThisLife, a new app I’m DYING to try!

I’m late to the party which is HIGHLY unusual for me as I’m normally 5 minutes early, but I’m participating today. All day, I’ll be updating this post and will publish it tonight when I go to bed!

Enjoy my day!

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6:30: hit snooze

6:39: hit snooze

6:48: hit snooze

6:57: OMG WE HAVE TO GET UP AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL!

7:00-7:30: Fuss with Henry about getting dressed, brushing his teeth and eating his breakfast. We do this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. and it never changes. He acts surprised every morning that he has to do those things. What??

7:35: Walk HL to school.

7:40: Get in the car, head to return library books.

http://instagr.am/p/QGHr1/

7:45: Drop cards in the mail. One to Chrissi after her surgery and one to another Band member with biz cards.

http://instagr.am/p/QGIJP/

7:47: Starbucks, thankyougod!

7:50: Home to start this post. With my venti no water nonfat chai.

http://instagr.am/p/QGPe3/

Yadda yadda yadda

Lost track of time writing this post and moderating Band Back Together comments, updating the BB2G spreadsheet, reading new posts that have come in.

Got annoyed. Looked at the clock and realized it’s 8:45 and I should shower.

9:30: Shower done. It even included washing hair and shaving legs. The full meal deal!

9:45: Kitchen cleaned, mail sorted, sitting down to work.

http://instagr.am/p/QGpQq/

10:30: Screwed up some code on the storefront. Had a panic attack and my friend Lee saved the day and taught me how to fix it. AND I DID! Victory is mine!

11:25: Finally done paying bills and doing the budget for the second half of the month.

11:30: Texted with my friend Chrissi who had surgery yesterday. She needs some prayers while she waits on her biopsy results.

Oh whoops! It’s now 2:55 and I forgot to update.

I’ve had lunch, updated product in the store, realized that said product didn’t update right because well, I DON’T KNOW WHY BECAUSE I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS and then got frustrated and stopped working.

Then I emailed a few people, moderated a few BB2G comments, tweeted my frustration, looked up how to put new product in AGAIN and I did it right so IT’S NOT ME. IT CAN’T BE ME.

Swept the downstairs. Contemplated the upstairs and decided against it.

I talked to Jason. He’s on a fishing trip and having a blast. I’m trying not to think of him having fun and having steak dinners without me as I eat cereal for lunch. Eh, it’s all good. I’m fine with all that.

WHY DIDN’T THAT PRODUCT DO RIGHT?

Frustrated.

Went to get HL and his playdate from school. I realized that it’s Fall Party Day and I’m a room mom and I may have been supposed to be there. I looked at my calendar only to realize that I put it down for next Friday. Ugh. The teacher said it went great so I can only assume either I wasn’t supposed to be there or that I’m NOT as essential to everything involving my child as I like to think I am!

Home. Snacks for kids. wii Drama.

Helped tie costumes for two boys. One is some Star Wars person. One is some IronMan thing. I hear lots of giggling.

I updated my Baby Loss post for tomorrow. And the one for BB2G. Makes me sad. And mad. Grr…

Made a second snack of the playdate and fired off a few more emails, including my hours for the week. I scanned a doc and sent it along on its merry way.

I pondered dinner. Or lack thereof.

We moseyed outside around 4 to ride bikes. I noticed how the rain really made the mums explode with color!

http://instagr.am/p/QIrzk/

The boys rode and rode.

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Until CRASH!

http://instagr.am/p/QIyPP/

So we ordered pizza.

Again. For the second night in a row. We’re roughin’ it while Jason’s off fishing… don’t be haters!

http://instagr.am/p/QJX09/

Domino’s burned my pizza. Luckily, I don’t care!

I got an email from my customer service gal and FIGURED OUT THE PRODUCT PROBLEM! Yay me!

Food, TV, Editing, Moderating Comments.

At 8, I sat down to write my post for tomorrow. Words aren’t coming. This is no good.

And… it’s 9:00 on Friday and I’m off to bed!

There you go. A Day in My Life.

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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