Happy Halloween from Rainbow Brite and a very tall Smurf!

Getting ready to go out as my favorite 80's cartoon character!

Richard putting on the finishing pieces of his smurf costume

Side angle of the Smurf hat

Party hosts Max and Ashley

Happy Halloween!

the little things...

Even though the weather has not quite stabilized here in the Palmetto state, I am loving these fall things!

• Pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks and pumpkin spice coffee at the Stratton's
  
• Honeycrisp apples and apple cider at the Fresh Market
• OPI Kennebunk-Port nail polish
• Chili back on the menu at DiPrato's
  
• All the "CJ Spiller for Heisman" hype (vote now!) and a great Clemson OT win again the top ten Miami Hurricanes
• Sweet Halloween package that arrived in the mail today from Richard...complete with candy for the candy jar in my office, fun new earrings and a Halloween monster mix CD, all in a bag that plays Ghostbusters when you open it- almost makes the long-distance worth it
  

baby love

So if I were completely honest, after the baby surge of 2008, when several of my friends had babies in close succession of each other, I was slightly jealous of their cute pregnant bellies, the constant kid conversations and comparisons, and their adorable bundles of joy, many of whom I met just hours after being born. I know God has a plan for me, but I sometimes feel a little behind in this area.

Kim was my freshman-year Holmes Hall roommate and has remained one of my dearest friends from Clemson. Though she lives in Minnesota now, we are still extremely close, and I consider her son Jackson to be a nephew of sorts. Kim and Jackson got to come to South Carolina for a visit this past weekend, and after spending wonderful time with them, I realized just how hard it is to raise a child!

Jackson was actually born on the third day of 2009, and we met when he was just six weeks old, then got to hang out again this summer, when Jackson was six months old. Those times, Jackson was just content to hang out in his carrier or stroller. But now as a nine month old, he is EXTREMELY mobile! As soon as we got to my parents' house in Spartanburg, after Jackson had been cooped up on a plane and in the car for several hours, he was off! He crawled everywhere and discovered things on the floor that had been there for who knows how long! Hunter the Dog loved Jackson, so we had to make sure Hunter was not overly affectionate. And had to feed him...more than just a bottle, but solid baby foods too- seemingly an easy task but made much more difficult by Jackson wanting to play with the spoon! And on Sunday at 7 am, after a full day of tailgating and football Saturday, Jackson was ready to go again. Beth went back to bed- Kim didn't get to.

The truth of the matter is that Jackson is an incredibly sweet, happy baby who made it through an entire football game, partially in the rain!, and who loves to smile, laugh, kick his feet and can easily cross a room in about 2.5 seconds. We all fell in love with him (again) this weekend and were so sad to see Kim and him go. And not only is Kim an incredible mom, she is in the middle of a challenging residency. That's what is incredible about all of my friends with babies. We got to spend some time with Jess, my junior and senior year Clemson roommate, her husband Paul, and her precious daughter Ella, pictured below. She has taught Ella sign language and Ella, just as a 14 m.o., can very clearly express what she wants- both by signing and verbally. But Jess also pours into her church and the youth group there, where Paul is a youth minister. And the list continues...my friends that are moms are successful attorneys, financial planners, graphic designers, logistic experts, higher ed administrators, teachers, counselors, nurses and physicians.

Ladies- you have set the bar high! I honestly don't know how you do it, but you never cease to amaze me. Kim, Jess, and anyone else, I will happily watch your sweet babies any time you want. And then, with a sigh of relief, hand them right back to you! And be content in the fact that my time will eventually come, right when it's supposed to.

Jackson watching the Tigers run down the Hill for the first time

Loving on Baby Jackson after a great Clemson victory over Wake

I loved seeing how much my mom and dad enjoyed Jackson

With Paul, Ella and Jess

sweet, tired babies

Hunter LOVED Jackson

great lunch with April at Jason's Deli on Sunday

Terps Topple the Tigers

I realize that there is more than to life than football. I really do. But when you travel to an away venue, the outcome from the football game can greatly impact the quality of your trip and how you will remember it. The Clemson- Alabama game, our season opener last year, ranks right up there among the worst three hours of my life. The Coke museum lost a lot of its allure the next day.

And so it was again this year with the Clemson-Maryland game. I was SO excited about having my whole family come and showing them Richard's home. I couldn't wait to watch the game with Richard and my parents and my brothers and see the Tigers get a divisional victory that they so needed. And yet, the game did nothing but frustrate our whole group, and the contingent of Clemson fans who had made the trek to cheer on the Tigers. Clemson had so many opportunities, yet could not capitalize on a single one. I thought this article in the Spartanburg paper summed up the current state of affairs well.

Despite the loss though, the weather was beautiful, everyone enjoyed our time together apart from the game, and Clemson still has a chance to win the division if our offense can find some inspiration. And if nothing else, now I know what it feels like to be a Carolina fan! Below are some pictures from the weekend:

Mom and Dad before the game- so cute in their orange!

Pretty ODK fountain on the University campus

Another campus shot


CU sideline

Still hopeful the Tigers can turn it around...

After we lost- this picture was very difficult to come by

With Miss Allison- who's boyfriend is on the football staff and is one person who was probably even more upset than we were!

true love

Tonight I had the privilege of accompanying my parents, Herb and Diane, in their Friday night routine. In the fall, when Dorman is playing at home, they go to the game to support the Cavaliers. My brothers Will and Jeff both played DHS football, and my parents have kept up their tickets and reserved parking spot. Numbered. Just like at Clemson.

But before Dorman games, Herb and Diane love a nice romantic dinner at the Waffle House right up from the high school. I have turned my nose up at this in the past, but I have to admit my patty melt tonight was pretty darn good. And we all ate for less for $20.00. But I digress- Herb likes the chopped steak and eggs, Diane the pecan waffle. Mom and I got our food before Dad did, and I noticed her cutting a quarter of her waffle and putting it on a separate plate. I thought that it was very kind of her to do that for me, as I had a hard time deciding between the pecan waffle and the patty melt. But she pushed it over to my dad. She said she does it every time, a sweet sacrifice for someone who loves a good waffle!

rainy day in Tiger Town

Some of my earliest memories involve going to Clemson football games. Had the cheerleading outfits, the pom poms, clemson tiger paw socks (anyone remember those?!) and a painted orange tiger paw on the cheek. In fact, I really think the reason we lost to Marshall my first game as a Clemson student was because I wore a purple tiger paw on my cheek instead of an orange one. Oh, the horror! But I have never in my 28 years of cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley experienced a game like the Clemson- Boston College one this past Saturday.

My brother Jeff was kind enough to sit with me in my North upper deck seats for the first half of the game. We had little rain through half time, but once the band finished playing, the rain started falling. Jeff and I are below in our rain gear, his more appropriately colored than mine!

Several minutes into the third quarter, we see the players take off running towards the locker room. Apparently there was lightning within five miles of the stadium, so the officials announced the first weather delay. Jeff, in all of his college sophomore wisdom, had worn a bathing suit under his pants, and promptly stripped down before the left the stadium. It looked lovely with his hiking shoes and socks! He had the last laugh though, as he was the driest out of all us!

Will came and met us after the first weather delay, and we decided to go sit in my parents' seats in the lower South stands. They are not so hard to get into after a 45 minute delay! Mom was wisely out in the car, but it was fun to sit with my dad and brothers. Until the second delay came...lightning had been spotted again, so we had to wait another 45 minutes after the start of the 4th. My dad, who NEVER leaves early, was ready to call it quits at that point. But Will encouraged us all to stay, and I am glad we did.

Waiting out the 2nd delay

We finished the game (four hours and forty-six minutes after kickoff, a CU record) COMPLETELY soaked, but I had the best time at a Clemson football game that I'd had in quite some time. The Tiger "D" looked great and held BC to only 54 total yards and the offense performed well enough to get a great ACC division victory, but the best part was spending time in the rain with three of my favorite men! Despite the rain and delays and ruined tailgate plans, it was truly a great day.

Finally back at the car

Along similar thoughts, I had the privilege of going to Boston College in 2006 for the Clemson- BC game in Chestnut Hill with three of my favorite girlfriends, and that trip, despite the Tigers OT loss, still ranks as one of the best away game adventures I have ever been in. Boston is an amazing city, and the people of Boston welcomed Tiger nation with open arms. I am so glad that BC is now on our schedule every year, and I think BC feels the same way. This letter, from the father of a BC player battling cancer, made me cry:

http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092209aah.html

Yet another reason why I think Clemson people are the best in the world!

Whirlwind Week

I have neglected the blog the past two weeks but have a good excuse- Richard was in town from last Saturday until late yesterday, Sunday night. We had a wonderful week together, starting with the Clemson- Middle Tennessee game on Saturday night. Richard was post-call and going on only about an hour of sleep, so he was a huge sport to come tailgate with the family and sit through the rain at the game. We had such fun seeing old friends and cheering on the Tiger team to a 37-14 victory over the MTSU Raiders.

With my handsome brothers at the tailgate

So good to see Sarah and Jonathan! Richard really was there...

See? :) Richard and me with Ryan and Amanda and their precious baby girl Darcy

We headed to the beach on Sunday after the game with Richard's family, then drove up to Calabash, NC to visit the Christmas store eat some yummy Calabash shrimp where it first originated.

Posing with the Christmas decorations- not quite ready

On the water behind the Calabash restaurant

We headed up 17 north to Charleston on Monday afternoon, after a fun lunch in Georgetown. We were able to visit MUSC, Richard's alma mater, and see our an old friend over a fabulous dinner at Hank's. We were also able to spend some time on the Isle of Palms beach with the starfish. Richard found one, then I found one a few feet later. I picked him up to throw him in the ocean and promptly broke one of his legs. And then I broke another one! So sad...hoping they regenerated.

Right before his leg got broke

We left Charleston and headed back to Columbia Tuesday, where Rebecca and Robert were gracious to co-host a dinner party with me for Richard. A "My Boyfriend is Really Made-Up" dinner party.

with the Goingses and Harold the flamingo- a gift from Richard to Robert and Rebecca to commemorate their Yard of the Month award

sweet girls

After spending some time in Columbia, I headed to Spartanburg Thursday to visit with Richard, who had left for the Upstate the night before. We went to the Wild Wing (the Wing is good for a big time in Spartanburg!) to watch part of the Clemson- GA Tech game with my parents.

Before the dismal 1st half...and the great 2nd half comeback

We visited Pearson's Falls on Friday....

And cheered for the Terriers Saturday after some competitive corn hole and tailgating with a few of Wofford's finest alums.

Richard's stellar form- he and Jeremy won

Jeremy and adorable little Callie

Josh, Steven, Richard and Jeremy

And on Sunday, we celebrate Suzanne's birthday a couple of weeks ahead of time. Had to pack it all in!

Sue with her American Idol game

All in all we covered almost 900 miles, ate dessert with every meal, saw countless friends in five different cities and spent lots of quality time with both families. Needless to say, I didn't want the week to end but was so thankful for it!