One Last Roll

On April 23, 2013 the Toomer's Oak trees were to be cut down after being poisoned by an idiotic Alabama fan in response to Auburn winning the National Championship back in 2011. The tradition has been, for many, many years, to roll the trees in celebration of an Auburn victory. This tradition has always been so much more than just throwing toilet paper in some trees. These trees stand for much more than just winning a football game. It's one of those traditions that brings everyone together in celebration. It's one of those experiences that makes you feel alive without a care in the world. I can't imagine a time where I will ever feel so connected to strangers as I do on Toomer's Corner. Sadly, April 20 was the last rolling of these Auburn Oaks. After many failed attempts to save the trees, it was time for them to come down. A few months ago, I mentioned to my mom that all I wanted for my birthday was to get to go down to Auburn and roll the trees one last time after the A-Day game... So that's exactly what we did. It was such a beautiful day on the Plains. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the breeze was absolutely perfect. I, along with everyone else, was blown away by the turnout of 83,000 people! For a SCRIMMAGE GAME! Haha! It was so incredible to be among so many fellow Auburn fans. It was truly a day full of joy and contentment and it was great being able to spend the weekend with so many celebrating the life of the Toomer's Trees and the spirit and camaraderie of the Auburn family. Ready for football season now!

W A R   D A M N   E A G L E

Today I am grateful for...

My dad being able to provide me with a job that helps me support my family and stay with my children all day.

My hard working husband.

Happy, healthy, hilarious kiddos.

Amazon.com

New friends that you feel like you've known for years!

Hot tea to comfort my sore throat.

eight months

This sweet little guy is eight months old today. Wow, I seriously have been having the hardest time lately any time I think about how fast time is moving. With Casen's third birthday last week and realizing that my "teeny" baby is now EIGHT months old. I may just have a pre-mid-life-crisis...

Anders is the smiliest, most active and alert, sweetest mama's boy I've ever met. I am so in love with his little squeaks and coos in his raspy baby voice. I love snuggling up with him to nurse at night, and when he rubs his face on mine to let me know he's hungry and/or tired. I love how excited he gets and then he tries to "eat" my words when I sing to him... Yes it is super slimy, but I love it anyway. I love having to chase his little booty to come back in the middle of a diaper change. He just always has somewhere to go. I love that I am his comfort zone. In turn, he is mine. 

He loves his brother so much, and gravitates to him throughout the day. Then at night he will try to burrow into him while he sleeps, only to be shoved away by that big sleeping toddler. He is constantly pulling up on EVERYTHING including his brother, again only to get pushed down. (They really do love each other, promise.) He will probably be walking in the next month or so. As much as I try to soak these days in, they just keep flying by. But one thing is for sure, I have loved every single day with this baby boy so far, and he has brightened my world more than I ever thought possible. 

Since Anders' birth, I have become a totally different mother, wife, daughter, and all around individual. I owe so much of that to the birth of this sweet angel. I'm not sure what it was, but upon his arrival I didn't know if I would be able to handle a new addition and worried about how I personally would manage. But since the day we first laid eyes on him, he has shown us time and time again how lucky we are to be a (growing) family and how perfectly he fits right in. Although Casen changed my life for the better when he was born (three years ago last Friday), Anders took my personal changes to the next level. (At this rate I may be perfect if we have like 16 more children, lol.) I can truly say that my children have saved my life. Both of them. They have helped me realize who I want to be. They give me a reason to live. They make me want to thrive. I am excited to see what the future holds and where this little rascal -- and myself -- will be in these next eight months. 

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∴ fyi // the necklace he's wearing is an amber teething necklace. 

Yes, I know he looks like a little girl, thank you very much, lol ∴