Sweet Reminders

This afternoon as I was cleaning off the camera in preparation for the football game tonight, I came across these two sweet reminders:





Life is passing us by WAY too fast. It only seemed like yesterday this little red-haired, flip turning, Pull Up wearing, sweet faced angel was a daily sight to these sore eyes. But today, the red hair has turned brown, the flips are less often, the Pull Ups are WAY gone, and that sweet faced angel - it's even sweeter! BUT the point is - life is passing me by without warning!

Why does it have to happen that way? I am reminded of this in so many areas of my life: my sweet baby Davis will be 8 years old in a few months! My sweet friend Terri moved her twins to college and is now an empty-nester (she is WAY to young for that term!) How is it possible? I remember crying HUGE tears as CJ moved away - and that seems like last week! We have students that were in our student ministries thru the years getting married, buying houses, having children.

But nothing makes you realize how fast life is passing you by like coming face to face with your own mortality. Most of you know that last Friday I had surgery. If you did not know, please do not feel left out (and most importantly) please do not feel hurt. We told very few people - that's just who we are - we are just VERY private people when it comes to situations like that. LONG story short - I went to the doctor, they found a tumor on my ovary, had to remove it. The doctor is 99.9% sure it is NOT cancer. We go back Thursday for the results, but we all feel very confident.

While I was in surgery, there were some complications with my breathing. Again, sparing all the details, after being in surgery for about an hour and a half, I started to turn blue. I then had to stay in recovery for about three hours because I could just not seem to breath. Again - something that will be addressed on Thursday.

But through all of these situations I have been reminded:
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 90:12

I was reminded, as I saw the picture and video above, the reason I started this blog. I started this blog as a digital scrapbook, so Davis can look back when he is older and remember. I have not been very good at this. I am going to try to be better.....but I think I might have made this promise before. But, today, I obviously pulled out the camera, charged the battery and I am about to start snapping pictures. Today is a day Davis will want to remember: Carter is here playing football with Davis and then we are about to go to the football game.

So, here I go - numbering our days!

"This may have been the best day of my life" ~ Davis

Yep - those were the last words my little football loving child said as he drifted off to sleep this past Saturday night. And honestly.....this past Saturday was the stuff my little boy's dreams are made of......college football, a new "sleeping buddy", popcorn and a last minute gut wrenching win.....but I am getting a little ahead of myself.

I guess I should start at the very beginning MANY years ago. When we moved to Oneonta (the first time) God sent some precious people into our lives that we now count as family. Jim and Linda Henderson have blessed our lives in so many ways, but from the second Linda and Davis met, there was a unique bond. I can remember one Easter, Davis fell in the bathtub and had to have his chin glued at the ER and the first stop Davis wanted to make afterwards was the Henderson home. That is just one of COUNTLESS stories about this precious couple.

One thing Davis has learned from them is a love of all things Auburn. We have cheered for Auburn for YEARS now, all because of Jim and Linda. And let me tell you, it has not been easy. As a former "bammer" that converted to Georgia - I felt a little confused at times listening to my child say "War Eagle" - but we have come to embrace it. So, as season tickets came to the mailbox of the Henderson home, a little plan was being devised between Linda and Davis. That plan included the opening game of the season and a lifetime of memories.

About three weeks before this game, we were at the gas station with Linda and Davis stated "Mommy I am pretty sure Linda is getting gas for our Auburn game" Yes - plans had been in the making for a while! And someone was a little excited. Each morning last week, Davis' first words each morning were "How many wake-ups until Auburn?"

Friday night before the Auburn game was a huge Oneonta game in Alexandria. Davis was presented with two choices: go to the Oneonta game with us and then Jim and Linda pick him up the next morning OR spend the night with Jim and Linda on Friday night. Well it was a HARD decision.....he really wanted to go to Alexandria but he also really "didn't want Jim and Linda to forget me" so he opted for choice number two. Which is HUGE decision for my child that loves Oneonta football as much as Auburn football.

So spend the night he did, but sleep did not come easy. It was almost like Christmas Eve. Linda said when she went to bed at 11:30, Davis was still awake. When they left the next morning at 5:45 AM, he woke up easily and walked to the car! And stayed awake the whole way there.



Linda said as they pulled in to Auburn, Davis would keep saying "I just can't believe we are here!" Jim said each time they got out of the car, Davis would run and give him a hug!

First stop was the bookstore, where Davis got an Aubie PillowPet, then it was off to the Alumni Tent for lunch





Then it was off to the stadium!





Davis was able to see the eagle fly, which really is an impressive sight. But Davis was convinced the lady had an owl on her arm......HA!

As Matt and I watched the game, I committed Matt's "unpardonable" sin. I prayed that Auburn would win this game..... Matt always says he is not convinced that God really cares who wins a football game - but I am pretty sure He did that day! When it seemed as all hope was lost, I prayed even harder.....I just wanted this day to be perfect for our little boy.....and Matt was just worried how Linda would deal with both Jim AND Davis if they lost!

But win Auburn did and this little clan headed off to that historical site.....Toomer's Corner



Then it was off to the Payton's Game Day Condo, where the adults tailgated and relived a magical day and Davis.....well.....he relived a magical day as well....



Jim and Linda: Thank you will never be enough, but please know you have changed a life! Not just in who he cheers for in football, but in countless ways! We love you and War Eagle!

"The spirit of the Auburn family is a magical, mystical thing. It defies explanation. It transcends wins and losses on a football field. It imprints itself on your character and can never be extinguished. Being an Auburn fan defines part of who and what you are..."



"Believe me on this. Please. I have descended into college football's Grand Canyon. I have stood in its Alps. I have gazed at its ocean sunset. I have attended a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. And I've been changed forever." ~ Bud Poliquin