ATL and ATH

Yesterday we went down to Atlanta so Jason could go to the Dawgs home opener and Hardin and I could visit with my adorable niece, nephew and Cat.  For the first time since the baby was born, I forgot my stinkin camera.  Seems someone (starts with J, ends in son) was entirely too anxious to get out the door at noon for an 8pm game that he had me frazzled.

Cathy and I certainly had the best end of that deal.  The Dawgs disappointed.  The babies did not.  Every time we are with them it about makes me tear up how much Cawley loves us.  It doesn't always happen, but when it does, he gives me a good 2-3 minute long welcome hug.  Seriously, he just lets me pick him up, lays his head down on my shoulder and holds on for a good long while quite as a mouse.  Obviously, we love him more than he will EVER know, but it is so fun to know he loves us too.  It also reminds me how important it is to make sure and spend lots of time with Lillian.  I'd hate not to have that same relationship with her. 

For the record, Cat's well on her way to that relationship with Hardin.  That's the only house we can go to with out the cling-wear-off phase besides mom's, he jumped right in the kid mix yesterday when we arrived.  I can't take any credit for predicting that, it was a given.  Cat's a super mom and awesome aunt, and even Justin, who is that guy not really into any kids other than his own (90% of men, Jason included), loves seeing and catching up with H. Brothers.  Gotta love'em. 

My friend Tara and her family are in town visiting her family in Macon, and drove up to Athens today.  Hardin and I met them, Amanda, and another couple at DePalmas in Athens today.  This was not H's first trip there, but it was the first since he's been eating table food.  Of course he loved it, and I loved visiting with my friends and Tara's expanding family.  She's welcoming #2 in December.

Also made me remember how thankful we are for the MANY wonderful families the Navy supply school brought into both of our lives.  What would we have done without them all?  Coincidence for this Labor Day weekend?  I think not.

After lunch we walked up to The Arch to take a few pictures.  It was strange how weird it was that this wave of sadness came over me that Jason wasn't with us.  Had I thought twice about it, I would have saved that special moment for our entire family.  That must sound silly to non-Dawgs, but it really was a big deal, and we missed daddy.  We did get some excellent pictures of the boys and Tara's crew, so it was worth it!