Giving In

I didn't start the Twilight Series until the first movie was released, then I flew through the series. I'm also late to read the Hunger Games. I've been hearing more and more people rave about the books and anticipate the movie release. So when I saw the first book on sale at Walmart for less than 7 dollars, I grabbed it. Thankfully, Spring Break allowed a few hours of downtime to read. I really enjoyed it. I already bought the second book and look forward to the third.

Beauty

This one is my favorite. It is a 72 year old Weeping Hemlock. This was shot underneath at the trunk.

This week while on Spring Break, the kids and I went for a hike to a local place we explored a few times last year. I paid a little more attention to the conifer section this time around. There are some stunningly beautiful things in nature.

Slackers R Us

Yes, I've been a major slacker since Christmas with taking pictures and with blogging in general. Honestly, things haven't changed that much. We've pretty much kept the same routine going since the holidays.

So here's a recap of highlights from the past few months:
(IT IS LONG, SO GET READY TO READ)

At the end of January, Chad had a business trip to Atlanta for a few days. My parents came and got the kids for a few days. Instead of meeting my parents halfway to pick up the kids, I decided to go to Middle TN. It just so happens that 3 of my BFFs from HS where getting together for dinner that Friday night. I joined them at Chili's Friday night and decided to spend a second night with the. We went to Arrington Vineyards and Broadway Brewhouse Saturday night. Then my Sunday morning wakeup call was about Cooper's busted eye. I spent the next 3 hours in the ER in Franklin.

Oh, I also dropped my beloved cell phone and shattered the top screen. Luckily, Chad was available for an upgrade and graciously shared it with me. So I was able to get the iPhone 4s. I love it!!

February started off slow. Chad took the kids to Middle TN the second weekend for Monster Jam. Unfortunately, I don't think Cooper enjoyed himself as much as he did last year. I sure did enjoy my weekend alone. I had dinner with a dear friend Friday night and spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and being lazy.

The last weekend of the month was my HS friends' annual get together. I think this is the 3 year in a row that we've have been able to meet up. We had the BEST time! I am not sure I have laughed that hard in years. We spent lots of time looking at pictures that span nearly 20 years. Many I have no memory of taking. We danced in Wendy's living room to our "old favorites" from the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was a great way to celebrate a soon to be send off for one of our friends. One is moving off to Washington, D.C. Now, we'll just have to make an annual trip up north.

March has started off really with a bang. Chad signed Cooper up for t-ball. The first practice was cancelled due to rain. The second practice was a go expect Cooper totally freaked out and walked off the field with his arms crossed. I think Chad and I were shocked. We were going to pull him from it, but we decided to see it through. The third practice was rained out today, but he's all set in his baseball gear. He seems excited, so hopefully he be a happy camper next week.

Marlee's Upward Soccer was cancelled for the season. She's never had a desire for dance but has shown some interest in gymnastics. Luckily her BFF, Kyndal, is also interested. So Kyndal's mom, April signed the girls up.

We're coming off of Spring Break. The kids and I went to visit my parents for a few days. The weather was beautiful. We were able to visit the Nashville Zoo. It's great and was so busy. I guess everyone else had the same idea.

Cooper celebrates his 4th Birthday next week. It's hard to believe for sure. I'll leave you with a few pictures I've taken with my phone.

Glenwood

I work at a pretty amazing school! I hope for a long, rewarding career there. We were featured on the local news this past week. When I interviewed, I was told Glenwood was the hidden jewel of Oak Ridge. I would say we're still the jewel but not so hidden anymore.

What's Right with Our Schools

The Time has come

I knew it would most likely be Cooper that would be in the ER for an injury. Today was that day. Cooper was running, fell, and busted his forehead open. If I could have avoided taking him to the ER, I would have. Thankfully, the visit was nothing like I imagined. The atmosphere was calm. The staff was super friendly, and Cooper was the perfect patient. You would think he had been sedated as relaxed as he was. He got six stitches. We'll have to take him to the doctor in 7 days or so to have the stitches removed.

He's super sensitive about it. He doesn't want anyone taking pictures. This was as good as I could get.

The nurse put this gel numbing medicine on the wound. We had to wait nearly an hour for it to take effect. This is was allowed him to be so still. He couldn't feel anything. He got a bear to love on.

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a whole new way to fight

marlee and cooper can fight over just about anything these days. thanks to nana and papa (with mom's approval) they can now fight over who is a better air hockey player or who is the ping pong champ! yay! winter is going to be such fun!!! lol

Pitiful

Hardly 20 minutes after opening Santa's gifts Cooper got sick. He spent the whole day hopping from couch to couch to our bed. In between he would get sick. I guess he picked up a nasty little 24 hour bug. He didn't get to enjoy his Christmas presents at all. I felt so sorry for him. He was wasn't his usually active self. He's still not 100%. He has hardly eaten anything all week. He needs all the extra weight he can get.