If he'd been away at college, I probably wouldn't have let him bring them home. But since he's been to Iraq . . . and he always wanted to be a herpetologist when he was growing up.

He was our gift — just having him home for the holidays. And I feel so fortunate. I've been praying for those who lost loved ones in Iraq, because I knew it would be a tough Christmas.

They're more in Washington than here, and with their daughter leaving soon for college, they just don't need a big house.

Last year, every one of our [high school] seniors went on to college.

Some of them will be the first in their families to enter college.

I can't go to Auburn to stay with you with that snake there.