I wasn’t sure what call this post, because it wasn’t technically a commencement for Drew. However, its as a close as we’re gonna get to a ceremony. He got all dressed up (for pics mainly) and wore his cap and gown. We got to go into the stadium and he got his name up on the big screen in Jordan Hare stadium, which does not happen during a normal commencement. Watch as he soaks it all in and gets to the center where they call his name. No one to greet him or give him a folder with the Auburn…
For those that may not have seen recent posts, my older son, Drew graduated from Auburn University earlier this month with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (Marketing). I’m finally able to sit down and start writing these graduation weekend posts! The first party was Friday night we had a come and go (physical distance – but not really) party out in the front yard of our house for anyone wishing to come by and wish Drew congratulations. It was hot, but we survived. Here’s the set up. For food, since COVID we just did prepackaged snacks as you…
Jeez, now that September’s almost over, I thought I’d better do my summer wrap up. Before you know it, it will be Christmas. Sheesh! So for us in Alabama, school gets out in late May so that’s where our fun will begin. –MAY– Memorial Day Weekend my 2 nieces stayed with us while their parents traveled to NYC. On that Saturday was their Recital Day! On Sunday, we went over to Lake Martin. We hiked at Smith Mountain and then enjoyed some lake time with our friends. The boys rescued a turtle. Back in March, Drew got in a wreck,…
Dear Drew, As I reminisce back to your first days, I remember getting up with you at all hours of the night. I would often turn the radio on as I rocked and fed you. I’ll never forget the song Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden was popular back then and I would sing that song to you and you would stare up at me so intently. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pertinent Lyrics from Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy. I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, be everything that…
Sunday was the Annual Bodie Bowl, where the trombones and trumpets wage war on the football field. The intense rivalry begins on the marching field every August when the band convenes to prepare for the upcoming AU football season. Even after the last note is blown, the last flag is popped, and instruments, equipment, and uniforms are returned, this staunch rivalry never dies. To continue the tradition, these 2 sections of the band meet on the football field not to march in concordance, but to see who can cross the goal line more. Here’s a few pics from the action……
As I mentioned before Drew is in AU Cappella which is Auburn University’s all male acapella singing group. They do a concert every semester for the community as as well as singing for special events like the Brave’s games and other cool events. So last week was their Fall concert and Drew sang a solo to Michael Buble’s Just Haven’t Met You Yet. He did a lovely job and I was just so frickin’ proud of him and how confident he was during the entire concert. Here’s the AU Cappella Video of Drew singing his solo: Rob videoed the entire…
First day of 7th Grade for Alex. It’s his last year in middle school! This is his first year in band so we got a couple pics with his trombone. Drew was gracious enough to jump in a couple pics as he headed to his fifth day of Auburn University Marching Band camp. He doesn’t start his Freshman classes until next week. Best first day of school ever! They were both in good moods and Alex even posed for me. 🙂 Here’s a comparison shot of Alex from the last open house to this year’s open house. Love seeing the…
The Saturday after graduation we gathered at Lake Martin at our good friends’ house to celebrate our 2 seniors. Drew and Joe both invited friends and family to join us in celebrating their high school graduation. It was a beautiful day. Everyone enjoyed the weather by finding different ways to enjoy themselves by… Swimming Jumping Playing Boating Tubing Playing yard ball Visiting and hanging out Skiing Or just relaxing Here’s part of the group gathering for prayer before our meal. We served a hot dog and burger lunch. No summer party is complete with out watermelon! And cake…of course! Drew…
The day of Drew’s graduation I worked half a day and then came home and feverishly got everything ready for our family to show up. This wasn’t really anything major, I just had finger foods because we knew we wouldn’t have time to go out and eat. After that we went outside to get pics next to the yard sign. He’s examining what pictures I had on display. I just collected photos that weren’t already in photo albums and placed them on a cork board. I also had a running slide show on the tv. Here’s a better shot of…
One Sunday, nearly a month ago, our church hosted the senior recognition breakfast and service. It was an exciting morning. We enjoyed fellowship with friends and family. Rob’s Mom, step Dad, and adopted sister, Rachael came to it. Breakfast included egg and bacon casserole, grits, fruit salad, and cinnamon covered biscuits. Marc, the youth director, bragged on the class of 2016 and spoke some eloquent words about going off into the world and keeping God the center of their lives, and then they showed a slide of all the seniors. After the breakfast, the seniors got their caps and gowns…
Prom was a few weeks ago. The morning was busy with one Drew’s friend’s Eagle Courts of Honor and Alex had a soccer game luckily it was a home game. First thing that morning, I sent Drew out to Flowersmith’s to pick up the corsage and boutonniere. After all the hub-bub of the morning, we were able to get back to the house to finish prepping for the busy evening that awaited. Rob and I were asked by Drew’s group to host dinner. I had prepared the main dish, Stuffed Pasta Shells, the night before, so all I had to…
This last Monday we watched Drew’s last Jazz Band concert. I videoed all their songs and thought I’d share them with you. This is the program for the night. Drew is in the Jazz “A” Band. Salsa on the Side Don’t Know Why A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square The Pink Panther Sir Duke Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’
Rob got an email that the Columbus Cottonmouths were having a deal that included tickets for 4, 4 ball caps, and 4 All-Star breakfasts from Waffle House on Drew’s birthday. All for under $40! So we got up that day and took him shopping. He really wanted and needed new clothes so we told him he could have a certain amount of money to spend on clothes. We spent several hours at the mall and he got a couple pair of jeans, a Columbia jacket, several shirts, and a couple other things, I think. By the time he was done,…
Last Monday, I was about to leave work and head home. I got a voicemail and some texts from Drew saying that his stomach was hurting. He had talked to several friends at school and googled it. He was sure he had appendicitis. I called his pediatrician. He called me back on my drive home, but based on the symptoms I told him, he didn’t think it was that. However, I left out some important details, because I had just forgotten about Saturday night and the fact that Drew was feeling feverish, nauseous, and hungry. I got home and told…
This month I was happy about: getting rid of a rash that I’ve had on my leg for nearly 2 years. (joys of getting old!) This year I’m going to rate the books & movies. Here’s my rating system: ♥ ♥ = Love it! A must read/see! ♥ = Really good! Highly recommend. ✓ ✓ = Good, not great ✓ = Not much to talk about X = Awful. Total waste of time Movies I watched were: Christmas with the Kranks Other Christmas movies TV Shows I watched were: NCIS NCIS LA NCIS NO CSI Cyber Hawaii 50 The Pioneer…
This month I was happy about: many things! See further down… This year I’m going to rate the books & movies. Here’s my rating system: ♥ ♥ = Love it! A must read/see! ♥ = Really good! Highly recommend. ✓ ✓ = Good, not great ✓ = Not much to talk about X = Awful. Total waste of time Movies I watched were: Don’t think I watched any. TV Shows I watched were: NCIS NCIS LA NCIS NO CSI Cyber Hawaii 50 Nashville The Pioneer Woman Life Unexpected (Neftlix) My favorite song this month was: Me 4 U by Omi…
A couple weeks ago we celebrated Drew’s accomplishment of earning Eagle Scout. Rob and I really wanted to make it special, so we spent a great deal of time. I hope to write some posts about Eagle Scout Ceremony planning, etc. in the future. Planning this Eagle Court of Honor was much like planning a wedding, so many little details. Our day kinda went like this; 8am church, 9am went to Golden Corral for a big breakfast since we weren’t going to eat lunch, 10am head back home so guys could pick up uniforms and any last minute things we…
Friday night, Oct. 30th, was the last regular season Auburn High School football game, which brought Senior Night. Before the game, all the seniors from the marching band line up on the field with their parents to get their name called and receive a medal. We had family in town that weekend to watch Drew march possibly his last time at home depending on the outcome of the game. Being that we’re the season of “lasts” with Drew, I’m really surprised I’m not a bumbling mess. I think I was more of a mess with all the senior stuff last…
It’s the time of year when seniors in high school apply for college. Drew applied at the end of the September and has been anxiously logging in everyday to check his application status. Over the last month or 2 many of Drew’s friends have been getting accepted. One of our friends, who’s a professor at Auburn, warned us based on Drew’s scores, he probably wouldn’t get accepted till after the New Year. Well, yesterday Drew was home sick and he got a text from one of his good friends, JR, saying he had logged in on his phone (at school)…
This past weekend was Homecoming. It was just Drew and me and home. Drew got dressed and we went over to the Baird’s house for pictures and then dinner. I prepared Buffalo Chicken Meatballs for an appetizer that I served with ranch, celery, and carrots. I’ll be posting that recipe soon. Anyway, I got lots of great pictures. The guys looking quite dapper. And lovely ladies… Drew & Caitlyn Kyle & Hannah Brannen & Lindsay The homecoming dance theme was Masquerade, so a few of the kids brought masks. We had lots of fun taking these pics. Two of these…