As time goes by....

We spent the weekend in Montgomery visiting Nate and his girlfriend Leigh. We hit the road for the 250 mile road trip around 5:30 p.m. It always seems such a short distance in going but very long in coming home. We arrived around 9 o'clock Georgia time which meant 8 o'clock Alabama time. It was great to see my baby boy and Leigh. We had a late dinner at a place called Jim & Nicks. This was our (Terry, Jacki, and Emily) first time to experience the cuisine. The meal started off with "pork nachos". Strange combination but VERY good.

After the meal, we followed Nate and Leigh to their perspective homes. Nate lives with three other guys. We stuck our head in the door for just a minute. The place was nice but smelled a bit like a "guy" house. It was off to Leigh's house next. The first thing I noticed was the nice smell and yes three girls live there. Leigh was very gracious and an excellent hostess. We were introduced to her older sister, Laurie. Laurie was headed out for work so introduces were made quickly.

iHop was the first stop on the agenda for Saturday. I blew the diet with the strawberry, cream cheese filled, whip cream topped pastry. Emily had chocolate chip pancakes. All left satisfied.
Faulkner football was next on the agenda. It was actually a good game. We left the game a bit sunburned. Leigh introduced us to her middle sister, Louise, and her husband "Dirt". Louise favors her mother, whom I had met several weeks earlier. Leigh has a very nice family. I'm jealous. I always wanted a sister.

Next we watched the Tennessee game at Leigh's. We were introduced to true die hard fans. I'm not sure which was more entertaining the fans (Leigh and Laurie) or the game. It's great to be that excited and devoted to something. Leigh and Laurie bleed orange. Despite their devotion, Tennessee lost the game to Florida.

On to the mall- We walked around a while window shopping. Nate had told us about an ice cream shop called ColdStone. It was as good as he had described it.

Next stop was the Drury Inn. Georgia vs Arizona State. Terry is the Georgia fan, and I must say he behaved himself. Georgia won 27-10. While the guys watched the game, Leigh and I talked. It has been nice getting to know Leigh. I think she's a great find. We enjoyed our conversation-some serious and some light hearted topics.
Emily played on the Internet. She pulled up the Adairsville Marching Tigers on You Tube to show Nate and Leigh. I want Nate to be proud of Emily. She loves him and wants him to be interested in the things in her life. Not a fake interest but a real interest. The age difference is hard on their relationship.

The following morning Nate and Leigh met us at the hotel for a quick breakfast before church. We enjoyed worshipping with them.

A visit to Wal-Mart followed with our treating Nate to groceries. It was fun to observe what he put in the buggy. Canned soups, canned fruits, a dozen $1 frozen pizzas, Gobber peanut butter/jelly and the most needed item, air freshener. It feels good to do nice unexpected things for your children. We may not always be able to do it but when we can we will. We delivered the groceries to Nate's and headed out for lunch.
Emily wanted a special burger on the Applebee's menu. A shared dessert between the children followed. It was then time to say our goodbyes. Hard to do.

I love my son and pray he grows with each day of experience life has to offer him.
My advice to him would be to be less critical, moving away from the past and into today-the "right now". It's all we have.

Thank you Leigh for your hospitality and your kindness to our family.

Until next time...