Happy Fall Y'all!

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but that's how Octobers usually are.  We have been enjoying our little man and all his cuteness.  I bought him some new clothes at a Children's Place, and couldn't resist the bow tie.  My Pa was known for his bow ties, and I love seeing Jackson in one

The Saturday after the OBU homecoming, we went to Jack Thomas' first birthday party.  Jackson was super excited to sit at the kids table!  Can't you tell? 

Jack Thomas Yates and Jackson Haywood - sure to be causing trouble just like their daddies! 

I love this picture!  Jackson is looking at Jack like "you are in my space."  ha! 

My mom made him this cute pumpkin shirt, so we had to go out next to Mr. Scarecrow for some pictures.  We have to have a funny video playing on Brent's phone to get a smile, but hey- whatever works! 

My sweet angel face. 

On Friday, I put Jackson in his OBU jersey and he looked so cute.  Never mind the busted lip - a "friend" at daycare got him the day before.  

And then Pops came and everything was OK. Jackson wasn't feeling too great, but he loves his Pops.  

On Saturday morning, we met up with the Yates and went to the Pumpkin Patch that's close to the house.  Jackson did not seem impressed, but I also think that he didn't feel too great.  He had his poker face on the whole morning. 

We tried to get some family shots, but then realized that Daddy had his sunglasses on - dang it!  

OK - here's a good one.  

Me, Jackson, Mandy, and Jack Thomas

Look at that funny face!

And that one too...

We walked about 10 feet into the corn maze, and turned around.  They're just not meant for ladies with bad ankles and strollers.  Plus it was a little warm. 

The hayride was fun, but not sure how Jackson felt about it.  ha! 

Here are the boys - Jackson had had enough by this time and was ready for a nap.  

We went home and Jackson was not in a good mood.  I don't think he felt good, so we ended up taking him to the doctor to have his ears checked.  I hated that he didn't feel good, but I was also sad that we had to miss a fellowship with our Lifegroup that night. The next morning, we got up and he was acting OK, but we stayed at home from church just in case he was sick. Oh and Sunday was also my birthday.  It wasn't very exciting, but I did get some sweet cards from them.  I'm also going to get to go shopping thanks to Mimi and Gamma.  I've had my eye on some tan boots at Dillards, and I also need get some frames for J's one-year pictures.

I'm honestly glad the birthday is over - now we can move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas!  

Homecoming

This past weekend, I went to Arkadelphia with some of my college girlfriends to attend our 10-year OBU reunion.  Yikes!  Where did the time go?  Well, we're all married, most have babies, and have had two or three jobs by now.  We've definitely been busy.  Friday night, the reunion party was held at the Horne's house, and it was very nice.  We called it a Baptist Cocktail party.  I got to visit with some dear friends who I haven't seen in a long time.  Around 7, we headed to campus to pick up our tickets for Tiger Tunes.  It was a great show, although I was shocked at the ticket price.  Inflation has hit OSF hard.  ha!  When I was a senior, the tickets were $7 each.  I paid $18 for mine so they've more than doubled.  But when you consider tuition has more than doubled in that amount of time, it's understandable.  They raise a lot of money for student scholarships, and I'm proud to have been involved in that group when I was there. 

Unfortunately that night the weather didn't cooperate, so we had to walk in the rain some.  Here are two of my besties in the world - Terri and Lindsey.  Both of whom were EEE's, but they've accepted this little Tri Chi into their group in the past 10 years, and I'm so thankful for their friendship.  We had lots of fun our senior year and laughed a lot about it on Friday night.

After Tunes, we went to Waffle House because we were starving! After the WH, we went back to Mama Fowler's house to get in our pjs and continue the fun.  There were four girls spending the night, and I made it until 1:30 a.m.  I had to tap out first because I just can't hang like I used to.  I rarely make it to the 10 p.m. news anymore, much less past midnight.  (Being up with Jackson doesn't count)! 

On Saturday morning, we got up and had a great breakfast that Terri's mom and dad had fixed, and then got ready for the morning activities.  Since the rain was holding off, I decided to stay and go to the Tri Chi alumni tea at 10 and then walk around campus to see the changes that I've been hearing about. 

I was so glad to see my Tri Chi twin!  Abby and I had the same big sis's, and then got the privilege of having little sis's together.  I do have to be honest - I felt old at the tea.  Being 10-15 years older than current students is a strange place to be in - not young enough anymore to fit in there but not old enough to be their mamas.  

Don't you love all of the changing hairstyles in these composite pictures!  My senior one isn't too far off from what I have now though.  ha! 

It brought back so many fond memories, and I hope to take Brent and Jackson next year.  I left them at home because it was a lot easier to do than than drag them around with me.  I also have to document that this was my first overnight trip away from Jackson, and no I didn't cry.  I knew he was having fun with his daddy and honestly mommy needed a break!  

The Tiger is now enclosed in an iron fence and surrounded by security cameras.  They did all of this after the restoration project that I'm sure wasn't cheap.  I'm proud that they've taken such good care of things. (I admit that I look like a tourist here).  Thanks to Deanna for taking the picture.  

So after getting to the student center, I went by to see the new Communications Department area.  It's so nice and new, but it makes me a little sad that future Ouachitonian yearbook people aren't huddled in the basement on a Bee Hive couch.  Guess they will have to make their own traditions now.  I did get to see two people who I haven't see in several years.  Jeff and Deborah Root were like second family to me, and I was glad I got to see both of them.  Their daughter Abby is now a senior in high school, which shocks me.  She was just 5 when I was there.  

This is the new yearbook/newspaper/photo lab.  Can you imagine all of these people working in one space now?  I'd love to be able to work on this equipment now - it's so nice! 

The student center was packed by lunch time because it had started raining, so I didn't stop for any Chick Fil-et.  

The band played around 11 - they're really good. 

This is what used to be called the "fish bowl."  The big tiger is from the 1930s on the score board that was rescued from the trash pile.  On Friday afternoons they play coffee house music.  What a fun place to hang out with friends! 

After spending way more than I wanted to in the bookstore, I walked back to my car and checked out some of the old places.  The WW2 memorial that I walked by every day going to the Mass Comm department. 

My name in the alumni walk....

Berry Chapel

Cone Bottoms

I really don't think you realize how special this place truly is until you've left.  I wouldn't trade my husband or son for any of it, but if I could go back tomorrow to relive a few days, I would.  I hope it's a place Jackson will want to go one day (if he studies hard and gets lots of scholarships).  Not only did it develop my talents and abilities, but it also allowed me to form life-long friendships.  And at the end of the day, that's what's most important. 

First Trip to the Library

The weekend after Brent had his tonsils out, my mom came up to stay with us.  One morning, we ran some errands and stopped by the library to get some books.  I hadn't been to the kids area there, and it was really nice.  I wish I could take him to story time in the summer.  My mom made it a point when we were growing up to take us to the library, and I know that her persistence has helped Sarah and I in our love for reading.  My sister is a faster reader than I am though - she can wiz through books fast and have the TV on too.  I have to be in the mood to read and it has to grab my attention.  

You mean I can get up and look around?  

He loved climbing on all of the stairs and checking everything out.   

Hey - it's someone else my size!  He also loved pulling off all of the books on the self.  We took home about six books and read them over and over again.   

Maybe I will check this out out... 

They also had these climbing toys that he loved.  They're foam and just his size.  

That Saturday afternoon, Pops got here and it was time to play!  And watch the Razorbacks.  But mostly play because the Hogs aren't so great right now.   

When Pops is here, there's lots of wrestling in the floor.  

Sunday morning we stayed home so that they could have more time with Jackson, and I believe there were wagon rides and bubbles involved.  This was the first cool day, so he wore his new Thomas the Train shirt and pants.   

Can't forget the hat!