For months that have turned into years now, there has been a push for my dad to run for governor of Alabama. Yesterday was a big day for my family in that he made his formal announcement to the state that he would not pursue political office at a very emotional press conference. For me to say that so many are very disappointed is an understatement. While we know that Jack Hawkins could've won the 2010 election by a landslide, it just is not a fight to which he's willing to submit my family. It would have been really ugly and the things that would be said about each of us is not worth the end result, even if my dad had won. People can be so mean and heartless - we learned that through the message boards' postings about my sister during her Miss Alabama years. The good my dad has done for over 4 decades in this state could be underminded in one swift blog posting or article publishing. He knows better than to subject our precious family to that evil.
Thank you all for your support. The emails I have received and phone calls you have placed have been much needed. I have been very emotional this week because while I didn't WANT my dad to run, at some level I still thought that he SHOULD have run because he has such an incredible gift of leadership and could have made such a great difference for the state of Alabama. But, I am relieved that he made the decision that he did because now, we can have our dad's undivided attention and won't have to share him with the entire state! And now we don't have to wake up to read untrue and horrible headlines about our family everyday between now and November 2010 and beyond.
Here are some of the things that are being said and circulated in Alabama today following his press conference yesterday. And I am also posting my father's press release.
Statement of Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.,
Chancellor of Troy University 25 March, 2009
"Over the past year, I have been paid a supreme compliment by many of my fellow Alabamians who have encouraged me to seek the office of Governor. While I have never said I wanted to be Governor. I have said I am interested in good government.
The encouragement to run has been humbling, and I appreciate the expressions of support and financial pledges I have received. I have given the matter a great deal of thought and prayer.
In the final analysis, I decided to follow the advice of my late father, who counseled me to "measure twice and cut once." After measuring the possibility of a gubernatorial campaign, I have decided I will not be a candidate for Governor of Alabama in 2010.
This decision was difficult, for the idea of serving all the people of Alabama intrigued me. I love Alabama and I love Troy University, where I have spent 20 years as Chancellor. Upon reflection, however, I decided I am far more passionate about Troy University than I am about being a candidate for political office.
Troy University is emerging as Alabama's international university. This is an exciting dimension of higher education and has implications culturally and economically for our state. There are many important developments within Troy University to which I am committed expanding our academic programs. building new facilities on each of our campuses and growing the worldwide enrollment.
As I have discussed Alabama's needs with those who have encouraged my candidacy, it has become obvious to me the next governor of Alabama must continue Gov. Bob Riley's focus on education, economic development and ethics.
Although we are currently in an economic downturn it is clear Alabama has benefited from its position in the global economy. Our next governor will be advised to make a commitment to the globalization of education and economic development while moving into the future with a strong moral compass in hand.
In making this announcement I thank those who demonstrated their faith in me by considering me worthy of the office of Governor of Alabama. I thank community leaders. elected officials and thousands of university students who encouraged me to run. I thank those who have been generous in their expressions of financial support. And, most of all, I thank my family and friends who offered support, counsel and prayers during this time of decision."
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090325/NEWS/90325052
http://www.eufaulatribune.com/euf/news/opinion/columnists/article/hawkins_ideal_candidate_for_governor/31523/
Our Babies
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
"...Wild Blue Yonder..."
The Air Force song begins with:
"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder..."
Yet, here we are 2 months out from when we should be packing up our entire house, shipping cars to our new home, and enjoying our last days/weeks on the Island of Oahu. AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE MOVING. So our "wild blue yonder" is literally somewhere off yonder (to be as southern as I could possibly be!).
Doesn't the Air Force KNOW that there are only so many moving companies on our island, and don't they KNOW that the entire Army moves their guys at the same time? That means that even when we do find out where we are moving to, we won't be able to get a moving company to get us off island anytime soon. All the movers are booked solid.
I am seriously used to this way of life for it is the way of life that both my husband and I chose independently of each other when we commissioned into the active duty Air Force back in 2002. And I will be totally excited for whatever assignment we receive. But it is high time that we have some indication of our new assignment so we can start tying up loose ends in Hawaii and looking for housing online and getting our animals ready to be moved (yet again).
Stay tuned.... every day I wake up thinking, "Today could be the day that we learn where we are going."
"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder..."
Yet, here we are 2 months out from when we should be packing up our entire house, shipping cars to our new home, and enjoying our last days/weeks on the Island of Oahu. AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE MOVING. So our "wild blue yonder" is literally somewhere off yonder (to be as southern as I could possibly be!).
Doesn't the Air Force KNOW that there are only so many moving companies on our island, and don't they KNOW that the entire Army moves their guys at the same time? That means that even when we do find out where we are moving to, we won't be able to get a moving company to get us off island anytime soon. All the movers are booked solid.
I am seriously used to this way of life for it is the way of life that both my husband and I chose independently of each other when we commissioned into the active duty Air Force back in 2002. And I will be totally excited for whatever assignment we receive. But it is high time that we have some indication of our new assignment so we can start tying up loose ends in Hawaii and looking for housing online and getting our animals ready to be moved (yet again).
Stay tuned.... every day I wake up thinking, "Today could be the day that we learn where we are going."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tired Bones
I am utterly, completely, excruciatingly bone weary. But....
It is amazing what traveling with a little one for weeks on end, thousands of miles from 'home' (our's happens to be Hawaii for the time being) will do to the bond between a mother and her child. My Noah has his 1 year molars coming in and he has been snatched from one sleep location to the next. So, to say that he's a bit unsettled is quite the understatement.
This week we have been in Nashville visiting my extended family and dearest friends. It has been a whirlwind. We had to leave Dan behind because he is in the trenches of the final 2 weeks of class at Maxwell AFB, and for that, we were really sad. But we needed to split town: my parent's new home is FINALLLLLY ready to move into and my mom needed Noah out of her hair! Of course, she's gaga over her only grandchild but a 1 year old + moving 20 years of stuff out of an old house and into a new one doesn't go well together.
He did so great on the 5 hour drive up here. He's still not a super great car traveller because he's used to 20 minute drives here and there in Hawaii (our island is not that big...). But he slept for about half of it and then we sang songs and he watched a movie in the backseat the rest of the way. I was thankful for that fun and peaceful ride up to Tennessee.
However.... that boy does NOT like to sleep in new places! He's a champ at sleeping in his own room in Hawaii and now even in his room in Troy at my parent's home. But the pain of teething and the new environments have meant that Noah ends up sleeping in bed with me. That means that my sleep is never very deep because I have an active dreamer rolling around and kicking me in the face all night.
Yet the bond that comes out of soothing your baby while he's writhing in pain and insecurity is almost addictive. YES, I despise the fact that my normally 13 hour straight sleeper is waking up periodically throughout the night crying desperately for me. And YES, I resent the fact that it is me only that he wants and that I can't let him cry it out for too long because the risk of others having a sleepless night is too great. But I begin to long for the peace that comes at night when it is just me and my boy in the quiet, dark room as he 'spoons' and snuggles up to my back. There is a real sense of "it is you and me in this dreamland alone" that grows between a mommy and her baby that is so precious.
I am a huge advocate of independent sleeping for children. And at home, there hasn't been one night that our boy has slept in our bed. But while we are far from home and while I insist on moving him from bed to bed to bed (Troy, Maxwell AFB, Nashville where he's slept in 2 different homes now, or Montgomery in my parent's new home), I will continue to cherish those nights that he wants only me to soothe him and to snuggle up to... because I know that one day, many years from now, I will be willing to give life and limb to have the warmth of my little man in bed next to me.
So, until we get back to the comfort and security of our Hawaiian home, I will continue to relish in the sleepless nights that have plagued me yet provided me sweet, sweet memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.
It is amazing what traveling with a little one for weeks on end, thousands of miles from 'home' (our's happens to be Hawaii for the time being) will do to the bond between a mother and her child. My Noah has his 1 year molars coming in and he has been snatched from one sleep location to the next. So, to say that he's a bit unsettled is quite the understatement.
This week we have been in Nashville visiting my extended family and dearest friends. It has been a whirlwind. We had to leave Dan behind because he is in the trenches of the final 2 weeks of class at Maxwell AFB, and for that, we were really sad. But we needed to split town: my parent's new home is FINALLLLLY ready to move into and my mom needed Noah out of her hair! Of course, she's gaga over her only grandchild but a 1 year old + moving 20 years of stuff out of an old house and into a new one doesn't go well together.
He did so great on the 5 hour drive up here. He's still not a super great car traveller because he's used to 20 minute drives here and there in Hawaii (our island is not that big...). But he slept for about half of it and then we sang songs and he watched a movie in the backseat the rest of the way. I was thankful for that fun and peaceful ride up to Tennessee.
However.... that boy does NOT like to sleep in new places! He's a champ at sleeping in his own room in Hawaii and now even in his room in Troy at my parent's home. But the pain of teething and the new environments have meant that Noah ends up sleeping in bed with me. That means that my sleep is never very deep because I have an active dreamer rolling around and kicking me in the face all night.
Yet the bond that comes out of soothing your baby while he's writhing in pain and insecurity is almost addictive. YES, I despise the fact that my normally 13 hour straight sleeper is waking up periodically throughout the night crying desperately for me. And YES, I resent the fact that it is me only that he wants and that I can't let him cry it out for too long because the risk of others having a sleepless night is too great. But I begin to long for the peace that comes at night when it is just me and my boy in the quiet, dark room as he 'spoons' and snuggles up to my back. There is a real sense of "it is you and me in this dreamland alone" that grows between a mommy and her baby that is so precious.
I am a huge advocate of independent sleeping for children. And at home, there hasn't been one night that our boy has slept in our bed. But while we are far from home and while I insist on moving him from bed to bed to bed (Troy, Maxwell AFB, Nashville where he's slept in 2 different homes now, or Montgomery in my parent's new home), I will continue to cherish those nights that he wants only me to soothe him and to snuggle up to... because I know that one day, many years from now, I will be willing to give life and limb to have the warmth of my little man in bed next to me.
So, until we get back to the comfort and security of our Hawaiian home, I will continue to relish in the sleepless nights that have plagued me yet provided me sweet, sweet memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A great Trojan afternoon
This afternoon, Noah and I went to visit my dad in his office on Troy University's campus. It was such an exquisite afternoon that we finally convinced my dad to leave his work and some meetings behind to join us on the Quad. Noah loves to be outside and the fountains had already caught his attention. Our life long friend, Sohail, came out during our time outdoors to get some cute moments caught on film. We couldn't keep Noah away from the water - he almost fell in a couple of times.
I caught you!
I remember a couple of years ago, one of my best girlfriends, Michelle, brought her 15 month old, Harrison, to play at my parent's house in Troy while we visited. He had just entered the "I need my privacy" stage and went behind a flower pot to poop. He came out a couple of times and when he realized he wasn't done, he crept back into his hiding place and finished his business. I thought it was hilarious but never realized that it typical behavior of 1 year olds...
... Till now! My Noah has gotten extremely private just this week. On Monday, he crept behind one of the recliners so that I couldn't see him and when I looked over to see what he was doing, all I could see were these two big, grey eyes staring at me as he pushed out a big one. Then he did the same thing the next day: he backed up under the piano and behind his favorite porcelain bulldog and peeked at me as he did his business. He's been doing it consistently for the entire week and it has made me laugh each time.
Anyone else go through this with their toddler? I certainly can say that my "Private Pooper" is so cute!
... Till now! My Noah has gotten extremely private just this week. On Monday, he crept behind one of the recliners so that I couldn't see him and when I looked over to see what he was doing, all I could see were these two big, grey eyes staring at me as he pushed out a big one. Then he did the same thing the next day: he backed up under the piano and behind his favorite porcelain bulldog and peeked at me as he did his business. He's been doing it consistently for the entire week and it has made me laugh each time.
Anyone else go through this with their toddler? I certainly can say that my "Private Pooper" is so cute!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
It's a B-O-Y
Really?! I cannot believe how many people have told Noah that he's a "pretty little girl" today. HOW can anyone see a baby wearing blue and mistake him for a girl? Especially at 13 months.... he's a tank and always drooling with nappy, messy hair. Dan and I think he's the most beautiful boy ever but we always say that he'd make "one ugly chick."
Today we were in Wal Mart and Noah was stuffing his face with a cracker and just oozed masculinity when this older man got right in his face and said "aren't you the prettiest little girl ever!" And when we were on our never-ending flight home last week, I can't tell you how many times I heard how beautiful my daughter's hair was. He's had 4 haircuts already, for crying out loud! It's not like he's got braids or bows in his hair.
It is like when one comes across a lady that he/she suspects could be pregnant: you just don't say anything. Even on her due date will I not mention a word about her pregnancy till she comments on it first! I am petrified that I am going to be wrong and she has a massive cyst in her belly or something. The same goes with giving complements to another's child: if in doubt, just say "what a precious baby" or something along those lines.
Come on, people! I am starting to take offense here ;)
Getting Down to A.I.
Noah and Aunt Kelly can definitely dance. They are having a blast together while we are here in Alabama and especially love to shimmy-shake during American Idol!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Private
I apologize for having to make this blog private again. There is a case that involves a very dangerous, perverted individual that my sister is responsible for convicting who has vowed to take revenge action against the people and their families responsible for his conviction. He is currently imprisoned but might be released very soon. I have to remove many of the photos and information that might indicate our location or our daily comings-and-goings for our safety.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Update
We are having SUCH a wonderful time while home in Alabama. Our house at the Waters is almost move-in ready. My mom has done an incredible job of designing and building this home that they will move into at the end of the month. It is a massive home... About 5300 square feet and just every bit of my mom's great taste!!
Dan is enjoying his class and he's met lots of great new friends. We have been able to see him a lot - we have been spliting our time between Troy and Montgomery as much as possible this week. Last night, Dan and I had a much needed date while my mom watched Noah! We went to Montgomery (Dan came home for the weekend) and went by the new house so Dan could see its progress. We then went to dinner and then went to meet up with his buddies for a fun night out.
Noah is getting back into a routine here in Alabama. After the days we had of traveling and him not sleeping, he spent several days napping and sleeping hard through the night. But he started feeling kind of bad later in the week and got really fussy around nap time or bed times and continued to wake through the last few nights. Today he spent catching up on sleep and went down to bed super early. I am hopeful that he will adjust a little better now that he's been here for week and has had some time to get used to his new surroundings.
I am posting some photos of our first week home. As you can see, the new house (which we move into in the next 2weeks) is so beautiful. My mom's bathroom and closet are my favorites! They will have a flat screen television above the fireplace which is right next to the deep tub that is under the beautiful chandelier which hangs in front of my mom's closet that belongs on the show "Cribs!!"
My favorite room in the house (master bath)
Most incredible closet I have ever seen!
Mud Room
The "Man's Room"
The beautiful kitchen in my parent's new home
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Jet-Lagged but Happy!
This is a quick note to let you all know that we made it back to Alabama safe and sound. Praise the Lord that we left for our overnight flight the same day that the storms began moving north. We got to Atlanta to a packed airport full of abandoned travelers due to the massive amounts of snow dumped on the east coast. But, Alabama's snow had melted and not delayed our connection.
Noah did just okay for the first Honolulu - Atlanta leg of the trip. OF COURSE, it was a sold-out flight (they stuff us in like cows on a cattle car these days) and I had to hold my 25 lb baby the whole time. It took a while for him to settle down and get comfortable but he eventually did and slept about 3 hours of our overnight flight. I, on the other hand, got zero sleep.
We got into Atlanta at 0600 on Monday morning, waited on our connection, boarded our connection on time and got stuck on the runway waiting for a de-icing machine to come get the snow off of our aircraft. Well, that was about the time that Noah lost all control. We were on the runway for almost an hour and a half and he wouldn't take juice, milk, snacks, rocking - NOTHING calmed him. He had an all out temper tantrum because he was so exhausted (mind you that this was about 3 am Hawaii time for us). He finally literally passed out in my arms (after putting up a great fight!)once we took off and slept the 1/2 hour flight to Montgomery.
We both took another short nap once home and once bedtime rolled around for Noah, he was so tired that he just cried and cried for a couple of hours but then slept like a rock till this morning in his crib at my mom and dad's home in Troy (we aren't due to move into their new home till later this month now).
Presently, I am typing this from Dan's computer while he's in class and Noah is soundly sleeping on his 2nd 2 hour nap of the day! He's got a lot of catching up to do but that's okay: it is great to be home. My internet access is a bit sporadic for the time that I am in Alabama but I will try to keep you guys updated on the wonderful memories we are making while home as much as I can. So for those of you who want to get together while we are here, please call me instead of emailing!
Noah did just okay for the first Honolulu - Atlanta leg of the trip. OF COURSE, it was a sold-out flight (they stuff us in like cows on a cattle car these days) and I had to hold my 25 lb baby the whole time. It took a while for him to settle down and get comfortable but he eventually did and slept about 3 hours of our overnight flight. I, on the other hand, got zero sleep.
We got into Atlanta at 0600 on Monday morning, waited on our connection, boarded our connection on time and got stuck on the runway waiting for a de-icing machine to come get the snow off of our aircraft. Well, that was about the time that Noah lost all control. We were on the runway for almost an hour and a half and he wouldn't take juice, milk, snacks, rocking - NOTHING calmed him. He had an all out temper tantrum because he was so exhausted (mind you that this was about 3 am Hawaii time for us). He finally literally passed out in my arms (after putting up a great fight!)once we took off and slept the 1/2 hour flight to Montgomery.
We both took another short nap once home and once bedtime rolled around for Noah, he was so tired that he just cried and cried for a couple of hours but then slept like a rock till this morning in his crib at my mom and dad's home in Troy (we aren't due to move into their new home till later this month now).
Presently, I am typing this from Dan's computer while he's in class and Noah is soundly sleeping on his 2nd 2 hour nap of the day! He's got a lot of catching up to do but that's okay: it is great to be home. My internet access is a bit sporadic for the time that I am in Alabama but I will try to keep you guys updated on the wonderful memories we are making while home as much as I can. So for those of you who want to get together while we are here, please call me instead of emailing!
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