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

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

So I just sat down to read my newest installment of Southern Living and to my excitement it was ALL about football in the South! Now if you have been around me for a little bit you know that I love football! Little League, High School, College, Pro - you name it and I will watch it!

Football has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I have never been the quintessential "girly girl" While my mom was cooking in the kitchen I was watching football in the Living Room with my Dad and Brother.

I remember when Bear Bryant died, I went to bed that night praying that God would just bring him back to life.....obviously I was a little girl. But, I venture to guess that I was not the only little girl.....or human in the state that night that prayed that exact prayer.

My senior year in high school, we were 0 and 10.....like we lost EVERY game! But it didn't matter - it was football and I was HAPPY!

The biggest trouble I EVER got into in my whole entire life was over a football game. I told my parents I would be at a friends house but instead that friend and I went to Southside to watch my Wildcats play football. Ironically, I will be traveling there tomorrow night to watch my Redskins play the opening game of the season.....but no worries - my parents know......at least now they do!

But some of my most vivid football memories were going to football games just up the road at JSU. Mom worked at JSU, so we could get tickets pretty easily and it was football - so we went.

So much to my delight this afternoon I turned to my favorite part of each Southern Living....The Southern Journal by Rick Bragg. As I read this month's edition, tears streamed down my face! I felt like an eight year old again! I will not include the entire article, just the part that spoke to me the most. But if you have any way to read it - I HIGHLY recommend it!

I know why I love it. It goes back to nights in Paul Snow Stadium, where the Fighting Gamecocks of Jacksonville State whipped Troy, or Tennessee-Martin, or Delta State. In my memory we always won, as, in dreams, you never hit bottom when you fall.
The JSU school colors were red and white but might has well have been dark blue, from all the company jackets from U.S. Pipe or Goodyear. If it rained we hid under Caterpillar caps and programs, but not umbrellas. We did not believe in umbrellas. On occasion, one would unfurl in the seats in front of us, and my uncles would grumble that "We'd see some football if it wasn't for all these parasols"
We never looked away at halftime. With a great pounding of drums and sounding of brass, the Marching Southerners, in perfect step, would sweep onto the grass. They played music from our history, and, if you listened close, you might hear a tuba player sing: In the sky the bright stars glittered/On the bank the pale moon shone/ And twas from Aunt Dinah's quilting party/ I was seeing Nellie home.
And the beautiful Marching Ballerinas, in red velvet, kicked their white boots high in the air.
Why do we love football? How could we not?........
I hope your teams, at least in distant memory, always win.
Unless they are playing one of mine.

We are raising our child to appreciate this time of year like no other time of year. We have been watching last year's games on ESPN. We watched the 2004 State Championship game at least three times a few Saturdays ago. Matt and Davis have been discussing top ten teams and why this or that team should not be in there. Davis has been planning which football toys to take to the first Oneonta game. Davis, Jim and Linda have been making BIG plans for Davis' very first ever Auburn game!

But we hope he has precious memories of these football games at JSU.....
















Happy football season to you! Now I am off to call my dad and see if he still has his old blue Goodyear jacket!

Jamestown

A little apprehension about looking into "wigwam" - no worries - Mommy was a little apprehensive as well!



Exploring the ships







Davis had a really good day.......

He learned all about how to load a cannon



He paddled in a canoe



Went "bowling"



And watched them fire a musket



Mommy....not so much......I had to carry water



and listen to a sermon from a new pastor :)



My favorite part of the day was watching the Glass Blowers....I was completely amazed by these men!



I think maybe Davis was as well!

Williamsburg, Virginia

Just a warning......LOTS of pictures for today so I won't provide much commentary, I will just let you enjoy this beautiful, yet historic city.

Our first stop was the Visitor's Center where Davis found a hat (that he wore the ENTIRE day) and George Washington



And Matt found some funny surprises on the way to the bathroom!





The first place we visited was The Governor's Palace



Matt and Davis at the entrance



Davis learning what kind of toys children played with back during this time



Davis and I exploring the cellar



Davis' favorite part of the tour. This entire room was covered in swords! Super cool for a little boy!



Matt and Davis trying their hand at some games





Stopping for some lunch



After lunch, we visited the jail. Davis had so much fun here!





Davis really loved it when he found out that the great pirate Blackbeard's crew spent time in this jail



After the jail, we happened upon a military training encampment where Davis learned to throw a tomahawk at the "red coats"



And fire a cannon





And say "YES DRILL SERGEANT!"



We also visited a house where you were able to experience the day to day life of a colonial resident.

Davis had to feed the chickens





And set the table.



And that was all for Williamsburg.......



Now on to Jamestown!