Glimpses of the Past

Since day one of starting my job at Brenau University, every now and then a smell, a picture or the distinct creak of the Alpha Chi steps will open a floodgate of memories of my time spent here as a student. As a part of my job of conducting summer camps, I have to do a walk-thru of each building on campus every year before the first camp starts. While a very tedious task, it is actually one of my favorite parts of working here. Why? Well, you will have to continue reading to find out.

I began conducting my walk-thrus this morning. Sometimes, I have to catch my breath or just laugh because if feels as if something out of a movie. Case in point, the long, currently empty and quiet (except for the aforementioned creaking) Alpha Chi front stairway that I walked down this morning. For just a brief moment while I was walking down the steps, the area transformed into a loud and crowded gathering point. I saw Kristen, holding our cordless telephone (not a cellphone!) in her hands, probably talking or singing. I saw Katie and Lindsay in their room at the top of the stairs...Katie with her LONG, flowing locks of blond hair. I could hear Eryn's voice in the background, and saw dried macaroni left randomly in the middle of the floor from her cooking. I also saw Emmie, probably playing some sort of a prank on someone. Most of all, that empty stairwell today was filled with laughter. It was never an easy task to walk up those stairs without stopping. There were usually a few sisters sitting on the top of the steps, and it was very hard to pass them without joining in on their conversation.

(one of the many random things you could find at the top of the stairs...)

(always something to do in the Alpha Chi House)

It's really funny that each place on this campus still smells the same. Yonah Hall still smells the same as it did the very first day I moved into Yonah 101 as a freshman. Not a horrible smell, but just a distinct smell that I cannot describe with words. I can't walk into Yonah 1st without thinking of the fun times I spent on that hall. Man, we sure were carefree back then! Strawberries lined the doors and walls along the hall...we called it the Strawberry Patch because so many of my hallmates joing the ZTA house that year. I can see myself rushing to dance class, having to pass Casey and Melissa's room on the way. Don't let those sweet innocent girls fool you. They were the number one reason that I would SKIP a ballet class! When I did skip ballet, they always had some sort of fun adventure or activity that I would much rather go on or be a part of. So. many. memories.

(porch time)

Many of the halls or areas on campus may look different now, but if I try really hard, I can see it...and it looks exactly the same as it did when I was here as a student. Every year when students move in or out of their dorm, I see my college friends. I see Karri and Amanda across campus...running towards me laughing. I hear Cessna calling my name (I should say nickname, that I still don't like!) from Crudup front porch. I see Laura sitting on the ZTA porch while I am out on the AXO porch, and I do believe we were attempting to have some sort of a conversation from right where we were. I see so many distinct memories that I will always treasure so dear to my heart, and I just hope that those students moving in or out will have similar memories and similar stories when they are my age.

Well, I must get back to work. More walk thru's to conduct. More memories that I am sure will come back to me and make me laugh this afternoon. I am so lucky to have such fond memories of my college days. I truly don't think you can get that at just any college....so thanks to all my "Brenau Girls" for giving me so many things to smile about every day when I "see" you at work!

Wordless Wednesday

If I am not going to take the time to post a nice long blog, I figured I could at least post a picture for Wordless Wednesday...

Isn't he a stud? I heart summer...and I heart my little boy even more!

Out of the Mouths of Kids

I love funny things kids say. The conversation last night at dinner with Caleb was no exception.

The scene: Dinner table. Fussy Caleb who has just finished a growth spurt...therefore, he wants to eat nothing. He starts to play with his food, so we take it away.

Stephen: Caleb, don't play with your food at the table. Mommy worked very hard to cook this meal for us, so just try a bite.
Caleb: NO! I want down. EXCUSED?
Tami: You can't be excused until Mommy and Daddy are finished.
Tami: Do you want your food back?
Caleb: NO! I want to cry!

I love it how he would rather cry than eat. (Yes, that was sarcastic....) But, his statement really did make me laugh!

Smartie pants

I guess I am writing this blog more for documentation. BUT, I am so proud of Caleb! He knows and recognizes ALL of his letters with the sounds they make. I can't believe it! He will be reading before I know it! He sounded out the word "NOAH" at a restaurant the other day. 2.5 years old and "read" his first word!

He also sat through the play that Stephen and I have been working on, "Noah and the One Way Ticket." He LOVED all the music and especially loved the animals. His favorite was the dog! He sat in his seat and danced as each song came on...and in some cases, even sang along!

He is growing up so fast and amazes me every single day! He seems like he might be a soccer player one day. He loves to kick the ball! I know nothing about soccer, but I have to say that the little guy has some good form when kicking that ball...especially when he kicks it hard, complete with sticking out his tongue!

Oh, and he has a fascination with the trash man and dumpsters. He LOVES Friday mornings because he gets to go outside and watch the trash man. The trash man now looks for us when he makes his stop at the house and always waves and says hello to Caleb. It totally makes Caleb's day. I admit, I will be so proud, even if he decides he wants to be a trash man when he grows up! ;)

He is Risen!

If I could describe a perfect Easter Sunday, I would list every second of our day yesterday. It really was perfect. Every moment from the excited look on Caleb's face when he came downstairs to see his Easter Basket to concluding the evening outside under the stars with wine and snacks was absolutly amazing. God sure did provide a beautiful day for Easter this year!

I do believe that Caleb is very fond of the Easter Bunny. Where many kids start to kick and scream, Caleb was in awe! We went to Lake Lanier Islands for their Easter Brunch this year and the highlight for Caleb was the fact that the Easter Bunny walked around the room where we ate lunch. Any time the Big Bunny was semi-close to the table, Caleb would shout out "Come Here Easter Bunny!!" He hugged the bunny, gave him high fives and enjoyed all the Easter Eggs that were given to him. Dare I say, that Caleb might like the Easter Bunny better than Santa?

Spring has certainly arrived and we have enjoyed it...except for the darn bumble bees and pollen that has already turned everything in sight yellow! We have been eating outside, playing outside and we have even already brought out the swim suits to play in the sprinkler. Yes...it is already that hot in Georgia. Today, the high is 86! Here are just a couple pictures from our weekend.

I love being a Mommy!

A friend showed me this today, and I thought it was totally blog-worthy. I can't take credit for the words, but I totally "get" their meaning. Of course, I had to include a mommy-moment picture, as well! :)

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up....

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a littleVoice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.......

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom...

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair..

The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that sheShows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

I can taste spring

Last week was my Spring Break. I was supposed to have Thursday and Friday off for the break, but a snow "storm" came in on Tuesday and ever so nicely extended my Spring Break to almost an entire week! It was so nice! Caleb and I stayed in on Tuesday and had lunch with Stephen since he was sent home early due to the snow. We had lunch at one of our favorite places, Frontera, and then spent the rest of the day inside and warm. Wednesday, all the snow had melted, so Caleb and I ventured out to Discover Mills to see the "fishies" and just had a nice day together. I had planned on taking Caleb to daycare on Thursday and Friday so I could stay home and do some spring cleaning...which is exactly what I did. It was nice to be able to spend some of my break with the boy and then let him go play with his friends while I got to clean the house. On Thursday and Friday, I made sure to have a nice meal ready for the boys when they got home and even had a fresh drink waiting on Stephen when he got home...you know, so Stephen would know what it would be like if I were a Stay at Home Mom. :)

The weekend was just beautiful, so Caleb and I spent some time at the park and had lots of outside play! He even helped Daddy out in the yard some. So nice to breathe some fresh air!

Of course, most of this week it has rained and been cool....but I really enjoyed being able to have a taste of spring last weekend. It will get me through until April or whenever our last frost hits...Stephen says it will be April 15....which is over a month away. I hope not! I am ready for warm weather!