Super Moon

The moon was the closest it would be to Earth on Saturday…at least for another 20 years.  I took this opportunity to grab my camera and shoot a few pictures of the large moon.  It was a perfect night.  Clear and I think you could even see that man in the moon.  I love that my camera was able to get such a great photo of the “Super Moon.”

Gabby should have been named…

Sometimes Michael and I joke that we should have named Gabby, Nana.  As in Nana the St. Bernard from Peter Pan.  When our friend’s little girl, Stella, was a baby, Gabby would always go to her if she was crying.  She also used to follow her around like in the picture above when Stella was still shaky in her walking.  It was precious at the time.  They have basically grown up together.  We got Gabby when Stella was only a few months old and they have been bonded ever since. 

Sometimes when we went over to there house and she was in her bed and started to cry Gabby would run to her and run back to us…trying to tell us to go get her.  It was sweet.  Now Gabby continues to keep an eye on her.  They play together and if she falls down Gabby is right there to lick her as if making sure she is okay.  Stella really thinks Gabby should listen to her and she tells Gabby good girl and bad dog.  She likes to repeat what we say to Gabby.

Last night, Gabby and I went down to grab something and Stella was outside playing.  I wish I was video recording what happened next.  Stella decided to go down the slide head first.  This is not the first time.  Apparently head first is way more fun.  Gabby was watching her from the bottom of the slide getting set.  Gabby started to whine and get down low and bark at her.  It was as if Gabby was saying not safe…don’t do that.  Stella was laughing at Gabby telling her…Gabby watch me.  So as Stella started to let herself go down just a little Gabby went crazy.  Running all over the yard and back to Stella to bark or whine.  In my world I think she was saying…OH MY goodness…OH NO!  It was hilarious because this continued until Stella made it all the way to the bottom of the slide.  As Stella stood up Gabby was right there in her face licking her face and arms…checking to make sure she was okay.  Stella, of course, laughed and loved the kisses.  Finally Gabby was relieved. 

I told Michael this story later last night and he told me that we should have definitely named her Nana.  She is a little worry wart.  Sweet and loveable and always worrying about the safety of her “kids.”

Hawaiian Vacation Video

I got bored and made a video.  It is a Hawaiian vacation video.  Why not right?  I thought I would share, just because.  So enjoy…it is a long video.  I took 1000 photos while we were there.  Okay so maybe this was a little ploy to ensure Michael takes me back this year, but I believe it has worked.  Sperry Family Hawaiian Vacation Part 3 Coming Fall 2012.     

A Wonderful Lady

A wonderful lady has passed away and has gone to be with God and her husband in heaven.  There are definitely people who come into our lives and make such an impact.  Some of those people are your family members and other people are those you befriend through church or other activities.  This beautiful lady was someone who I have known my entire life.  She was 83 years old and she will forever hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of many people in our community. 

She always sat in the first few rows at church.  She always had a smile on her face.  She always had a big hug for everyone.  As long as I have known her she has looked the same and I feel like she didn’t age at all during that time.  She knew the secret to staying young and healthy.  Surrounding herself with children.  She ran a preschool out of her home for a long time (I don’t know exact times, but it was before I was born).  She even had a group this year.  So, if you want to stay young forever surround yourself with 4 year olds.    

The picture above was from my bridal shower in April of 2010.  I am so glad I have this picture of her.  This is exactly how I will remember her!  I even know exactly what she gave me that day and it has a special place in my house.  Monday I got to go and say my good-byes to her.  Even then she made me feel special.  She was surprised to see me and just kept whispering sweet words to me.  She looked different but the same sweet wonderful lady was there.  I just held her hand and we talked about how she impacted lives and raised so many children, and how a lot of those children are now grown adults.  I truly feel that I am better person just because I knew her. 

My brother and I didn’t go to her preschool, but you would have thought we had.  She has the best memory.  When my brother was a kid he loved dinosaurs.  I will forever remember her bringing my teenage brother a book on dinosaurs one time…I am almost positive he was in High School, maybe even college.  She didn’t care how old he was, she thought he was special and that he still loved dinosaurs.  She even asked about him on Monday and kept saying that Eric was/is so very smart.    

I also remember her coming up to me the first Sunday I was at church after my wedding.  She wanted to tell me how she has two men fighting over her at my wedding.  She told me how it just made her day.  Apparently, one of the ushers was escorting her to a seat when my brother saw her.  He went over and said that he would be escorting her.  She just loved it.  We were even lucky enough to get a picture of her excitement.

If I could gain a fraction of her great attitude and sweetness I would be happy.  Every time you saw her face it just would just make you smile.  She was a very special creation from God.  I am sad today as I think about all the great memories I have of her.  Going to church and not getting a hug from her or seeing her will be hard.  83 years on this earth just doesn’t feel like it was enough time for such a remarkable woman.   

I am blessed that I met her.  I am blessed knowing that she is in heaven smiling down on us and happy as always.  She has been reunited with her husband and the children will go to her and she will teach them.  She will be a great angel and I know she will being keeping a watchful eye on all her children still on earth.  Thank you Mrs. Howe for being apart of my life and for teaching me through example.     

--Jen

 

Brag

I have to brag a little on Michael today.  A few weeks back when I was co-hosting a baby shower, I asked Michael to help me with a few things.  We were planning on having a onesie decorating area and I wanted a few done prior for people to look at and get ideas from or just to know what to do.  For those who don’t know Michael can draw really well.  He is like my brother and Dad, if you give him a picture he will recreate it.  Somehow I never got that gene.  I wanted him to do a Razorback onesie.  I did a Mississippi State one and an owl one, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to make a Razorback one. 

He is so talented and I wish he would draw more.  I usually have to negotiate to get him to draw anything for me and this was no different.  I sometimes find drawings online and want him to do them for me.  It hasn’t happened yet, but I am planning on getting him to do a huge Razorback on a canvas for my office.  We are about to do a little remodeling and have something custom done, so I am hoping he will make me the huge canvas Hog.  Check out his talent, so good:

Close Up

The Baby Daddy is a fan…he went there.Owl Themed Shower

Even Bigger Hog Fan

As the world of college football now knows, the Razorbacks have terminated our coach.  The coach that made the people of Arkansas believe this is the year for a possible National Championship.  Last week we learn of an indiscretion on his part, from a motorcycle accident to inappropriate relationship to lies.  It was a sad week when we learned a review on our AD’s part would be occurring.  Deep down we all knew it was going to be bad.

I am one of probably several fans in the state who thought, his life outside of the football program is his life and we just care about the Ws.  The biggest dilemma was surrounded around his inappropriate relationship/rider.  Since this young lady was an employee it made the area between our program and his outside relationships very blurry. 

Even though I personally didn’t want them to fire our coach, because he is the one of the best things our program has seen in YEARS.  After listening to our AD, Jeff Long, speak last night I am very PROUD to be a Razorback fan.  I believe his emotion and dedication for our team and players and fans shined bright last night.  He was very emotional, I think, because of his disappointment.  It is like when your kid does something that is shameful not only for themselves but you as well.  Petrino brought unnecessary attention to our team and our program.  It was all negative.  It would have been difficult for them to keep him around. 

Some of you know I am a sales person, but my background is in HR.  One thing I learned from HR is sometimes an unethical situation can cause a spiral of problems for a company and in this case the University.  The biggest HR problem I see right now from the information we have been provided is that his lady passenger was recently hired for a position under him.  The AD even stated it was a shorter hiring process than normal.  They had 159 candidates and 3 interviews.  All of these candidate could have a case against the University for not being considered. It is an HR departments worst nightmare.  I feel bad for the University, it isn’t over yet.

In conclusion, I am very impressed with Jeff Long.  He did the right thing.  I truly believe if you were like me and thought maybe they should keep him around, after listening to Jeff Long explain why they were terminating Petrino you definitely took his side.  Our year’s outcome might not be National Championship material now, but who knows.  We don’t know if we will have a coach this year, we don’t know a lot of things.  But what we do know is there is a lot more respect for our football program as a whole.  Certain items will not be tolerated.  And integrity is definitely most important!

WPS!

Best Brother in the World

Eric with his “two” sisters…He loves us both!!

I have the best big brother in the world.  Saturday was his birthday.  We have always gotten to celebrate our birthdays together since they are 4 days apart, but now he lives in Tennessee.  My parents went out to visit him, and take him the birthday present I got him.  I was really excited about it.  I made a HUGE scrapbook of all our Hawaii pictures and made it into a coffee table book.  I love mypublisher.com it is great for calendars, photobooks, and other fun items.  I made my parents Skype with me while they gave Eric the present.  Everyone made fun of me, mainly because my brother doesn’t get really excited over many things.  I knew he would like the present and even though he wouldn’t be jumping up and down I knew I would be able to tell by his face.  Trust me he loved it.  YAY!! Success!

He is the best big brother.  Always there for me and always trying to teach me new things.  Got to Love a brother who care for his little sister.  It just means he is a truly good man.  Someday he will be great uncle.  Teaching them about music, history, and hopefully math.  I know he likes living in Tennessee, but I can’t wait until he moves back.  I am hoping we get to go visit him and go white water rafting this summer!!

Eric being silly.