It's Gonna Be a Long Season

If you've kept up with us, you know we're Duke fans. We're fully aware that our football team isn't good. We know. We don't need another team's fan (Take your pick, Alabama, UNC, State, etc) to tell us this because we know, but we stick with our team through good and bad. We aren't fair weather fans. Robbie's dad graciously buys us Duke football tickets each year. He went with Robbie and Nick when they were younger and he likes to keep the tradition going. We missed the first game to visit the Thompson family (well worth missing the game to spend time with them), but the 2nd game was a BIG one. The Alabama tide was rolling into Durham. To all you Alabama fans, most Duke fans knew we didn't have a fighting chance. We were excited to have a good team come into town, a #1 team at that and also a Heisman trophy winner play in our presence. The ACC doesn't see that often. I digress.

So, Robbie and I loaded up the minivan with a couple of friends in tow and headed to Wallace Wade stadium for a little tailgating and football. Matt (AKA Matts) hooked us up with delicious food - steak and chicken kabobs, grilled veggies and Texas toast. For dessert we dined on fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. The boys played a little football before it was time to head into the massive crowd of Alabama tide rollers (I kinda like that name) and Dukies. The stadium was packed for the first time since the 1980's. It was hotter than 7 hells and we were packed in like sardines. Awful!

To add insult to injury, the Tide scored within the first 45 seconds. This set the pace for the rest of the game. Nothing short of torture. I will give props to Duke. So far this football season not one team has managed to score a touchdown against Alabama. Duke took care of that for them. Way to go, team. We wouldn't have minded a few more of those.

Anyhoo, a good time was had by all. Sadly, Duke managed to hose up another game this past weekend. We're not bitter. A little disappointed, but still holding out hope. Of course with the seasons changing, a new kinda season is rolling around... basketball. Yep, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Kimmy and Me

We set up camp

Swagger wagon loaded

The grill with its delicious goodness

The hubs and me

Matts and Kimmy

Packed to the right of me

Packed to the left of me

The only time we were ever even with Alabama (notice there's 4:17 left before the game started).

Proverbial self photo

Flag Pinning

The Kindergartners at CCS participate in a Flag Pinning Ceremony each year. Andrew's class had their Flag Pinning Ceremony on Thursday, September 16th. The students recited the Pledge of Allegiance as well as told the significance of each line and what it means to us.

Andrew's line: Nation means a country ruled by one government.

The students sang a couple of patriotic songs and at the end one parent went up on stage to pin their child with their cross and flag. Robbie did the honors for the Perry family.

The students did a wonderful job and I'm proud at all that Andrew is learning. He's proud too. During the performance he'd give us the thumbs up sign.

We were treated to a small reception in the classroom at the end of the ceremony. It's only September and it's very obvious Mrs. Farnsworth and Mrs. Huber's class is working really hard.

1st Day of Preschool - A Little Tardy

Zachary started 2 year old preschool this year. I cannot even begin to tell you how nice it is to have 3 hours on Tuesday and Thursday to do things that you just can't do with kids in tow. You moms know what I'm talking about. Grocery shopping, post office, bank, errands that take less time than it took you to get all kids out of the car. Zachary has done really well with preschool. Last week was a little tough with me leaving him, but this week he was back to his old self.

His teachers this year are Mrs. Braswell and Mrs Moore. Mrs. Braswell doesn't have a preference as to what the kids call her. Thankfully she loves that Zachary calls her "B". Not Mrs. B, Ms. B, Mrs. Braswell, but plain ol' B. He lovingly says, "Hey B!" every time he sees her. He's fallen asleep in chapel once (as to why is a whole different post) and been to time out once. All in all he's breaking preschool in quite nicely. Also, several of his classmates are potty trained or a work in progress. Now, he asks to go "pee pee" in the potty. Unfortunately, he produces nothing. We'll stick with it because he has to be potty trained by 3.

It's hard for me to believe Zachary is old enough for preschool. Where has the time gone?

Philippians 4:19

This past week has been a hard week for the Perry crew. We received an unexpected phone call Sunday night from Robbie's brother. A call that I think Robbie knew would come soon, but not this soon. Robbie's father, my FIL, Andrew and Zachary's Grandpa Robert had passed away. Heartbroken doesn't even begin to touch how we feel. On Wednesday, we laid his body to rest, but thankfully we know he's not in there. He's home with his mother, his brother and other family members celebrating a new life. A life without physical ailments and limitations. For that, I am thankful.

Andrew understands that Grandpa Robert is in heaven, but his prayers on Tuesday night broke me down. Here's the conversation.

Me: Andrew, who would you like to thank God for tonight?
Andrew: Grandpa Robert
Me: You want me to pray or do you want to?
Andrew: I'll do it. Thank you God for Grandpa Robert. I hope you are having fun playing with him. Please take care of him until I see him again in heaven.
Me: (holding back tears and to myself) I can add nothing to this. His sweet, childlike faith says it all.

Each week Andrew has a memory verse for school. This week's memory is Philippians 4:19 - My God will meet all your needs.

This week, that exact verse is what we needed. For various reasons we found ourselves in need and each and every time our needs were met. Some needs met more than what we could have ever imagined. Lord, we thank you! How wonderful it is to know that there is someone who no matter what is wanting to meet all your needs?!? Someone who loves to meet your needs and takes joy in meeting your needs.

Keep Robbie and his family in your prayers.

Yeah, What She Posted

I'll have to load my pics from the camera, but we visited The Thompson family this past weekend. To say we had a great time would be a huge understatement. We arrived on Friday evening to a nice dinner of steak, salad and corn on the cob. I know Robbie didn't know what to do with himself! The kids hit it off immediately. Thankfully they all got along ALL weekend (little to no crying involved).

On Saturday, Pete graciously volunteered to be our tour guide of D.C. We hit the hot spots: White House, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian. By the time we ate lunch, tromped all over the land and ate ice cream we were ready to haul it back to the Thompson house. We had plans of going out to eat, but ordering in won out. Remind Karen and me to NEVER, ever, NEVER send Pete and Robbie or Pete sans Robbie or Robbie sans Pete to get the food. It took them almost 2 hours to retrieve said food. Of course the car just "happened" to detour to a driving range. Yeah, right! Still, a good time was had by all.

On Sunday, Karen and I watched the kids while the boys played golf. The favors are so stacked that I feel at least a week off from "mom" duty coming on. The kids, though, were really good. Once the boys got home we packed the car and headed south.

I know Andrew is ready to see Davis again. I could always spend time with Karen. She kept me in stitches most of the weekend, and Robbie, well, he met his twin.

Thank you Thompson family for hosting us. We hope to do it again soon! Of course our house is always open.

PS. It's been well over a week, but I am really lazy and haven't loaded pics. I promise to get them up by the weekend.

They make the Republicans stand waaay back.

Zachary not the least bit impressed.

T-Rex. Andrew was fascinated with him.

That's it for pictures. I remember now that my battery died half way through our day out.