A Clean Room.

Yes. That was actually taken in our house.

Family Fun Day 2011

Today, we took advantage of the Ripley's promotion in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they invited teachers to come to all of their attractions for free. We had a great time in our first really big outing as a family of 5. We visited the Aquarium, Believe It or Not, Guiness World Records Museum, Haunted House, Moving 3D movie, and played mini-golf. It's amazing that I'm still awake tonight to post these pictures! 

10 Years Ago TODAY

On September 22, 2001, UNC beat FSU in football for the first time ever. I remember the game clearly. I sat in my hotel room, eating pizza, drinking champagne, getting my hair done, and yelling at the football. I spend a lot of time around football, but I don't remember any other game that clearly (except the LMS game the same year when Timmy ran for 3 back-to-back-to-back 80+ yard touchdowns, none of which counted due to block in the back calls, but that's another story). The reason that game is so memorable is that it was also the day that Davy and I got married, sharing our anniversary with Granny & Papa's 50th and Nana & Papaw's 27th anniversaries.

It hasn't always been fun. It isn't always easy. But, it's always worth it. I can't imagine my life without Davy and our three sweet boys. I am thankful every day for the blessing that is our marriage!

Our Littlest Brave

I've been working on figuring out some Braves gear for Landon. This may just work! 

Me Poems

As a beginning project for the year, the boys made concrete poems about themselves in the shape of their faces. This Horizons project was especially special, and I can't wait to get them home and framed in our house!

Talking to Nana on the phone

First Trip to End Zone

David made his first score today, getting a 2 point conversion for his team.

Tyler Reading Stellaluna to Landon

Today, while I was at the doctor, Tyler read his Stellaluna book to Landon. Landon just watched wide-eyed and giggled at his big brother as he read. I hope this is just the beginning of the special time they can spend together!

  

Daddy & Me

It's 2/4 of my favorite guys! Please ignore Landon's hand gestures... hee hee.

10 Years Ago Today

Today is the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001. I don't have a picture today, at least not yet. I do have memories that are burned in my mind. 


I was teaching 5th grade at Gregory Elementary School in Wilmington. Dad had just retired and was home a lot of the time with Grandma Punce and Mom was still teaching at NHHS. Lauren was in high school. Davy was teaching his first year at Leland Middle School. Davy and I were about to be married in just 11 days. 


A teacher came to my door at Gregory and said that someone had flown into the first Twin Tower in NYC and that the building was crumbling. Mary Ann & I  turned on the TV in our classroom in disbelief. We watched with our 29 students in disbelief as they replayed and reported on the first attach. I remember calling my dad at home, having to repeat over and over why he needed to turn on the TV and watch what was happening. None of us could actually process it the first time we heard it, as if what we were hearing couldn't possibly be true. Over the next hour and a half, my students and I watched the tragic events of the day unfold. My friend and co-worked, Dana Syster, was in a panic because her family in Pennsylvania lived hear the Flight 93 crash site and they were all emergency workers. It was several hours later before she could reach them, to find out that everyone was safe. I remember debriefing with my students over the day, knowing that many of them would go home without having any one to talk with them about what had happened. Nick drew a picture of the event and wrote as a caption "A day that will live in infamy." 


That afternoon, I came home to our house on Masonboro Loop Road and just cried. I couldn't turn on any cable station and remember watching Cartoon Network for the next few days, just because I didn't want to watch the replay again. I couldn't. People all around were flying American flags at their homes and businesses. If you didn't already have one, they were impossible to find at the store because they were flying off the shelves. Heather, who was one of my bridesmaids, called from New Jersey to say that she didn't think she'd be able to make the wedding. As a personal trainer, many of her clients or their family members had worked in the Twin Towers. She had too many funerals to attend. I haven't heard from Heather, but once or twice, since. That day changed us all in so many ways. 


At our wedding, on September 22, 2001, we had a moment of silence and a prayer for those who were lost and their families. To this day, I don't need an anniversary celebration or a tv special to remind me of that day. I won't forget it. I never could understand as elders talked about how an event like this, JFK's assassination, Pearl Harbor, etc., could remain so vivid. I do, now. I didn't know anyone there or who was killed, but I didn't need to. 


This week there have been many tributes going around. I tried to express my thoughts and emotions, but nothing seemed sufficient. The facebook page of Visit Cherokee posted this one yesterday, and it is the only thing I've ready to seems to be able to express my thoughts as well... 


To all those who lost loved ones, who fought bravely for the preservation of life during 09-11-01; to all those who prayed, cried, and gave for those who were lost and to rebuild after the reservation; to those who over the last decade have fought to protect us from those who would dare to harm us again - we honor you today and forever. Sgi. 

Toothless Tyler

Tyler's tooth fell out today... literally. He was in the back seat of the car on the way to his soccer game, and it fell in his lap.

Loving my extra snuggle time tonight!

And the Crossword Puzzle too

Tonight I have everyone in bed and asleep, laundry done, things packed for tomorrow, shower taken, and... Have even finished the crossword puzzle! I will call this a successful night :) I wish Davy was here to enjoy it with me, instead of at Choctaw.

My life in sticky notes

Yay! Aunt Allison Surprised Us Today!

David has school spirit, how 'bout you?!