August 2011

I've been trying to post pics of Jenna's 12th birthday party and Setha and jenna's first day of school, but for some reason the pictures are not posting.

Jenna wanted to go bowling for her birthday this year. Our family along with her friend Haleigh met Uncle Brad and Aunt Sharon at the bowling alley and bowled for a couple of hours. We enjoyed pizza and sugar cookies! After bowling we came home and Haleigh spent the night. Instead of cake, Jenna chose peanutbutter pie as her birthday dessert. The next day was Saturday and Steve's company gave him free tickets to the Williamson County Fair, so Haleigh came with us and we enjoyed several hours at the fair. It was drizzling but the kids were still able to ride rides.

On August 11 the kids started school. Seth's a junior this year - hard to believe he just has two years left of high school. We already have our first college visit scheduled. He wants to look into going to back Columbia and attend the University of South Carolina. We'll be visiting that campus in November when we're in SC for Thanksgiving. He's playing trumpet in marching band this year.

Jenna is in seventh grade. She decided not to run cross country this year but is working on the yearbook staff. She's still taking flute lessons at school.

JULY 4TH

Seth marched in the Spring Hill July 4th parade with the high school band then we came home, packed our coolers and headed to downtown Nashville for concerts and fireworks. We wanted to get to Riverfront Park early enough to get a good spot for the evening headliner, Darius Rucker. We became fans of Darius when he was "Hootie" with Hootie and the Blowfish when we lived in Columbia, SC and they were just getting their start. He has now crossed over to country and I just love his country music! We arrived at the park by Noon and had a great spot to view the concert and the fireworks on the river that followed. It was a long, hot wait until 8:00 p.m. when Darius would come on stage. We took our chairs, golf umbrella and beach umbrella, so although it was hot, we had shade. We spent some time walking around downtown getting free samples and people watching. At 1:00 the lesser known acts started to perform - some were good,

some not so much. Thankfully the rain that was predicted passed over. We found an old timey ice cream parlor called Diana's and had dinner there. Finally after a long, hot wait, it was 8:00 and Darius came out and didn't disappoint us! He sang for about 80 minutes, mixing in some vintage Hootie with his country and ended his set singing Purple Rain with the Nashville Symphony. As soon as that was over the fireworks started and what a display it was!! About 30 minutes of fireworks synched with the Nashville symphony. A great way to end a hot day.

We packed up our area and waited for the first wave to leave the park (there was an estimated 125,000 people in attendance). We were walking back to the van and stopped for Jenna to use the bathroom (a/k/a porta potty which by the time of the night was gross!). It was then that Seth realized he didn't have his cell phone. He had it while we were packing up our spot and we're still not sure what happened.. if it missed his pocket when he put it back in and he didn't feel it hit his foot or if it fell out when he leaned over to return stuff to the cooler which had spilled. We debated about what to do and decided he and I would retrace our steps and search at our spot. I was praying the entire way back that God would work a miracle and let us find the phone. We searched and searched around our spot and didn't find it. He keeps it on vibrate so we wouldn't hear it ring, but I thought maybe we would see it light up. I asked a cop if there was a lost and found, she say no but called her command center to see if a phone had been turned in and none had. I continued to pray that someone kind and honest would find his phone and return it. I left several messages on his voice mail giving my cell number asking that whoever found it would please call. Needless to say, it was a very quiet ride back to Spring Hill. About 11:50 that night my cell phone rang, and Seth's number came up on my screen! The guy said they found Seth's phone and wanted to return it. I kept telling him what an answer to prayer he was and was so thankful that they found it. They didn't live near us - they lived 1-1/2 hours northwest of us, so we got his dad's name, phone number and address and Steve drove up to Springfield, TN the next day to get the phone. Steve said as soon as he walked into the house that he knew they were Christians because of the Bible verses on the walls. He said they found it on the ground when they were packing up and leaving. So thankful that Seth saw how God cares even about the smallest details of our lives and allowed someone to find a phone in the midst of 125,000 people and return it.

Perdido Key, FL

We went to Perdido Key, Florida for a week in June and had a wonderful time. We had great weather, only about 30 minutes of rain one day. We celebrated Father's Day at DeSoto's in Gulf Shores, AL (about a 20 minute drive from Perdido Key). Wednesday morning we went to Pensacola (about 10 minutes away) to the Navy base to watch the Blue Angels pratice and then visit the museum. On our way to the base it was cloudy with sprinkles so we weren't sure if they'd practice or not, but it cleared up and they practiced for about 40 minutes. I'm always amazed at their speed and precision. We returned to Gulf Shores for our last hoorah for dinner at Mikee's on Friday night before heading back to TN on Saturday. While at the beach we enjoyed watching our South Carolina Gamecocks win their way through the brackets to eventually claim their second national title for the second year in a row at the College World Series.

EASTER

Our matching Easter outfits - our Bridge Kids Ministry shirts. We all worked teaching Sunday School or nursery duty for second service.

PROM

Seth and Breanna went to her senior prom tonight at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.

On April 6th, Jenna had the opportunity to participate with her middle school track team in the Scott Hartman Relays in Brentwood, TN. This is special to us because Sharon was Scott's private duty nurse for many years before he passed away. Scott was an incredible athlete who unfortunately was injured at a track meet during his freshman year of college. Because of Sharon's connection to Scott and his family, it was an honor for Jenna to be able to participate in the relays held in his memory each year. Jenna ran the 4x800 and the 800, where she shaved 5 seconds off her time!

Spring Break

We went to South Carolina for part of spring break and enjoyed time with family, friends and some gorgeous, sunny 80° weather. Two years ago the University of South Carolina built a new baseball stadium and Steve had been wanting to see a game at the new stadium. It just so happened that the weekend we were in town was the opening of SEC play and Georgia was in town for a weekend series. We all enjoyed going to the games on Friday night and Saturday afternoon and Steve and Seth went for the Sunday afternoon game while Jenna and I stayed at Sallie and Carl's. On Saturday, my "boss" and friend, Jonie, came to the game. We hadn't seen each other in 15 years, so it was great to see each other again. On Tuesday we had lunch with the kids' former babysitter, April, and her husband David. Jenna was in their wedding in 2006 and we had not seen them since the wedding. David is a captain in the Army and they're in the process of being transferred to Fort Drum in New York and they were in South Carolina. It was so fun to see them again.

WINTER DRUMLINE

This year, Seth learned to play bass drum and is participating in winter drumline, playing 3rd bass. He has enjoyed the experience and we have enjoyed chaperoning and attending competitions. Here are a few pics from this past Saturday's competition in Athens, AL where we placed third.

Outside warm-ups.

Indoor warm-ups. (Seth is second from right.) And, yes, the guys have eye make-up on .... it's all part of the show!

More indoor warm-ups. (Seth is second from right.)

Getting ready for the show "Roped Into It" to start. (I couldn't get a clear pic because I was too far away. Once again, Seth is second from right.)

Christmas 2010

We had a very nice Christmas weekend; Mom was with us from PA. For Christmas Eve, we participated with our church at Room in the Inn, a ministry to the homeless. On Christmas morning we woke up to a dusting of snow. We opened gifts and had a quiet morning. We went to Sharon and Brad's late morning to spend the rest of the day at their house. We had been instructed to come up with an activity for Christmas afternoon, so Steve suggested a sugar cookie decorating competition. We baked two large sugar cookies and the guys had one to decorate and the ladies had the other one to decorate. You can see the fruits of our labors below. Since we didn't have a non-biased judge, we were all winners! We had a very fine snow all day and what is usually a 50 minute trip home, turned into a 2-1/2 hour trip home, but we arrived safely so that's what mattered. We had more snow during the night and throughout the day on Sunday.

Jenna models her new Steelers snuggy.

The cookie on the left was done by the ladies; the one on the right by the guys.

Birthday Celebration

We spent Saturday celebrating my birthday. We first met Sharon and Brad at City Limits cafe for lunch. Afterwards we headed out to Opryland Hotel; I wanted to see what changes were made since they re-opened after the May flood. It's a gorgeous hotel and they did an amazing job on renovations and reopening just five months after the flood. Of course it didn't have the same atmosphere as it would if we were there at night, but it was pretty nonetheless. After being at Opryland we went to downton Nashville and had dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant that's only been open a few months. The atmosphere was fun and the food delicious! We topped off the evening by getting ice cream.

Seth's 16th Birthday

Seth had several parties for his 16th birthday. On Saturday, October 16th, he had a combined party with his marching band section mate, Emily. Emily turned 16 on the 19th and since they have many of the same friends from band, they planned a combined party at Emily's house. There were about 28 kids who came to Emily's house to celebrate and have fun. In lieu of gifts, Seth and Emily asked the attendees to bring donations to Hope House, a battered womens and children's shelter. We were overwhelmed by the response of the kids to this request as were the folks at Hope House when Emily and her mom delivered the donations on Tuesday morning. They were so impressed that the kids did this for their 16th birthday that they're going to write an article for the local newspaper.

On Sunday, October 17th, we went to Aunt Sharon and Uncle Brad's house to have a family celebration. Grammy was in town from PA for this celebration. This year Seth requested that Uncle Brad make beef tacos and chicken enchiladas for his birthday dinner. Mom and Grammy made apple pie for dessert.

On Monday, October 18th, Seth celebrated his birthday with his friends from church at their Core meeting that evening.

By the way, Seth did get a car for his birthday - a [matchbox] BMW.

First Band Competition of 2010 Season

The marching band had their first competition of the season this past Saturday in Waverly, TN. The theme of this year's show is "Pandora's Box". It's a great show with a lot of intricate footwork and lots moving around the field. Our band placed 2nd in class and 3rd overall. They also had the highest music scores of all the bands that competed that day.

Steve, Jenna and I went along as pit crew members. We're responsible for loading and unloading all pit equipment on and off of the semi truck as well as getting it onto and off of the field during the time our band is competing.

It was "all hands on deck". Jenna went along as a pit crew member.

Cross Country Update

I took Jenna to the doctor on Tuesday and he gave her clearance to run. She ran in the cross country meet this past Thursday and said her knee did not bother her. She's still doing home exercises and goes back to the doctor again this coming Tuesday. She was so glad to be able to run again. Tuesday was a half day of school, so after getting clearance from the doctor in the early part of the afternoon she went to school for a 2:45 practice and started running as soon as she could.

Another Cross Country Update

I took Jenna back to the doctor yesterday and he is very pleased with the progress for her knee. He said the inflammation is down so she no longer has to ice it. He took away one home exercise and added another one. She doesn't have to go back to see him again this week, so we'll go back again next Tuesday, September 14th. He may release her to run next week which was music to her ears. Please pray that one more week is all she needs to rehab the knee and she can run in the last two meets of the season.

Cross Country Update

After finishing in the top five for her school at the first two meets, Jenna now has to stop running for two weeks. She's devastated. Her right knee has been bothering her since almost the start of cross country. On Monday of this week I took her to an orthopedic doctor. He took x-rays of the knee, said he didn't see anything wrong, she could continue to run to tolerance and sent us for an MRI. Before we had the MRI the lady at registration told us that our out-of-pocket expense would be $1900. I about fell off my chair! Thankfully she told me that BEFORE the MRI was done. I told her thanks, but no thanks. We then came home and I called a place called In Motion here in Spring Hill that several people from our church go to. They specialize in chiropractic and deep tissue massage for sports injuries. We went there Wednesday morning and the doctor said Jenna has patellofemoral pain syndrome. This is where the knee cap has shifted and is grinding against the femur. Also, her right hip is too loose and her quad is too tight. He told Jenna not to run for two weeks which is hard for her - especially with cross country being a short season. The doctor gave us home exercises to do as well as ice the knee twice a day. She also has to go for therapy three times a week. So pray for Jenna - she's not one to sit still. The doctor did say she can bike and swim so that's some good news. We're trying to help Jenna see the big picture and help her understand that by getting this taken care of now, she'll feel better in the future and will be ready for spring track.

Marching Band

This year for marching band Seth switched from trumpet to contra (marching tuba). Here are some pics from practice last night. I'll get better pics later in the season when he's in uniform, but this gives you an idea of the instrument he's playing.

Cross Country

Jenna is running cross country for her middle school, Spring Station Middle School. They had their first meet yesterday and she did great - placing 27th (not sure out of how many) with a time of 14.06 for 1-1/2 miles. This was her first experience ever running an event like this in 90° weather with about 90% humidity at 4:00 in the afternoon. She was the first sixth grader from her school to finish. (Sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls all run at the same time.)

First day of school 2010

Seth's first day of his sophomore year at Independence High School (8-12-10).

Jenna's first day of sxith grade at the brand new Spring Station Middle School. (8-12-10)

Jenna's Bedroom Makeover

For her birthday this year, Jenna wanted to re-do her room. With the help of a friend from church, her room was transformed from a pink little girl room to a sophisticated pre-teen room. Jenna chose a pretty combination of green, blue and chocolate brown. The painting was done last week and we spent this week looking for bedding and accessories. I forgot to take a picture of the wall with the window. Jenna chose plain green curtains for the window.

Jenna's Birthday

Jenna stretched her 11th birthday out into a weekend-long celebration. On Saturday night we went to Otters for dinner followed by dessert at Cold Stone Creamery. On Sunday, Uncle Brad and Aunt Sharon came down and went to church with us and then we went to Olive Garden for lunch. (Aunt Sharon has a birthday one week before Jenna, so Jenna likes to celebrate with her.) After lunch, Sharon and Brad came to our house where we had a chocolate chip cookie/Cool Whip dessert that Jenna requested. I also made cupcakes for our small group that night for Jenna's birthday. Jenna wanted peanutbutter pie for her "actual" birthday. We had that Monday night after she opened her gifts. Tuesday was her actual birthday. I took her out for breakfast to the Donut Palace and she chose meal in foil for her birthday dinner.