Our Dog Mac

Mac is our 4-year-old choodle (chihuahua/poodle mix). He has gotten into the bad habit of jumping onto a chair and then onto the kitchen table if we fail to push our chairs in after a meal. (Okay, perhaps we've gotten into the bad habit of not pushing our chairs in.) Whichever way you look at it, he's gotten up there more times than he should and has had his fair share of leftovers.

This afternoon Jenna caught him just laying up on the table enjoying the nice breeze coming in from the sunroom.

Marching Band Pictures

Last night was the first time the marching band performed on their home field and they did a great job. Unfortunately the football team didn't fare as well and lost 28-9 even though they were leading at the half 9-7. (Perhaps they should be at the school practicing today from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. like the band.

Playing in the stands during the game.

Warming up for pregame.

Open House

Last week I went to Open House for Jenna (while Steve and Seth were at Titans practice). I was able to meet her homeroom teacher - who is also her writing, English and Science teacher. She rotates to two other teachers for Math and Social Studies but because of the way the evening was structured I was not able to meet them. Jenna is on safety patrol this year. The school gives fifth graders an opportunity to be on safety patrol for one semester to help keep carpool line flowing smoothly and to help with crowd control in the hallways. Jenna and her friend are assigned to an outdoor path that leads to the portables.

On Tuesday of this week Steve and I (with Jenna tagging along) went to open house for Seth. I am very impressed with the high school (so far!). The principal is in his second year at IHS and is very enthusiastic - with the students being the main focus of the teachers and administration. We were able to follow Seth's schedule and meet all if his teachers. He starts the day with biology, followed by band, honors world history, heath science education, honors English and Algebra I. I am most excited about the health science education class Seth is taking. This is the core class that students need if they are going to take the medical field track throughout their high school career. The teacher is a former athletic trainer for a local high school. At the end of the school year Seth will be first aid and CPR certified. He will also be given opportunities to job shadow this year.

A New Week

Today is the beginning of a new week. The kids are adjusting to new school schedules but I am still getting into the swing of things. I totally forgot that today was a Power Monday for Seth and I didn't let him sleep in. (The high school has Power Mondays where the kids don't have to be at school until 8:15. This is time that the teachers use to meet together for planning.)

Jenna is on safety patrol at her school and they started their assignments this morning. I did remember that she had to be at school at 8:15. The school gives fifth graders the opportunity to be on safety patrol - either helping with carpool line or being inside for crowd control in the hallways.

Hopefully next Monday I'll remember to let Seth sleep in.

Marching Band and Gymnastics

I wasn't able to get a good picture of Seth Friday night, but I'm posting a picture of the band in the stands playing during the game. Seth said he had a great time Friday night. The halftime show still needs some work, so hopefully the rain will stay away this week and they'll get some good practice time in to get ready for the home opener on Friday night. I'm sure I'll be able to get a picture of him Friday night before the game. (By the way, our team won the game 15-14.)

Jenna started taking gymnastics again this spring at a local place called "Let It Shine". They are a Christian organization taking their name from Matthew 5:6 "Let your light so shine". They give the girls scripture verses at the end of their session. It is a very postive, fun atmosphere and Jenna is enjoying it. She is in the girls intermediate class on Saturday mornings. Yesterday they worked on the vault and balance beam.

Marching band Season Begins Tonight

Seth is marching in his first halftime show tonight as a trumpet player for the Independence High School Eagles marching band!! It's an away football game and he doesn't know we're going.....I hope he's surprised. Since it's an away football game I'm not sure what kind of pictures I'll be able to get, but I'll try to get a few to post tomorrow. I can't wait to hear what he thinks of the whole experience of staying after school, eating dinner at the school, loading up the semi (yes - they travel with a semi for equipment!), the experience of marching, etc. (Yes - I'm reliving my band geek days thru him!)

It's been over 30 years since I marched with the Shenango High School Wildcat marching band. I told Seth that I don't think I played one note for either pre-game or the halftime show for my first game. I hadn't had time to get my uniform pants altered and I was afraid they were going to fall off out on the 50 yard line! Thankfully for everyone in attendance that night.....they didn't.

Titans Training Camp

One of the fun things about living in Nashville is that we have two professional sports teams - the Predators (hockey) and the Tennessee Titans (football). We all like sports so we enjoy going to games when we can. Through the generosity of the company Steve works for, we're often given tickets for the Preds games. The Titans are our adopted football team - but our blood runs black and gold and we're all Steeler fans at heart. Steve and Seth have been to a few Titans games and we all went to the Titans vs. Steeler football game this past December. (It was Jenna's first pro football game.) At that game, we donned the Steeler's black and gold instead of Titans blue and white. Although the Titans beat the Steelers in that game, the Steelers won when it mattered and are Super Bowl champs. (Come to think of it, we also went to the Predators versus Penguins hockey game in January. The Predators beat the Penguins, but the Penguins know how to win when it matters too and are Stanley Cup champs!)


Steve took a half day of vacation yesterday and after having lunch with Jenna at her school he picked Seth up after school and they went to Baptist Sports Park to watch the Titans practice. During training camp and pre-season, fans are allowed in (for free!) to watch practice.

Here are some pictures from the afternoon practice.


























The three Titans quarterbacks (in red) - Collins, Ramsey and Young.







And the reason why I watch Titans football.......head coach Jeff Fisher.