Went on a date with my hubby last night!

Keith had a gift certificate to Longhorn from work and we were both in the mood for a steak and baked potato! We need to do that more often... The girls are old enough to stay home by themselves now:)))

Julia slept over tonight...

The girls went swimming today because it was 82 degrees in February! But the pool was still pretty cold, so they jumped in and then right out! They also made homemade slime, played truth or dare, and played board games on the deck. I made Julia's favorite, tatortot casserole, for dinner. Then they played on the playstation. I think they're worn out... I know I am. I had a tennis match early this morning (I won:))) Then went to Walmart for my monthly supplies. Then came home, paid bills, put away laundry, cooked dinner, and am blogging. I'm ready for bed, Night!

Drew got his own welder! So he can weld on the side now!

Ellie had curriculum night and had to sign up for AP/Honors classes tonight for next year...

Ellie got some sweatshirts that were on sale at curriculum night!

While teaching tennis today, one of my kids, Chant, said, "Hey Coach Michele, look what I made with the balls; take my picture!"

Emma's entry into the essay contest at Barnes and Nobles...

I Love School Because of You

Dear Mrs. Varner,

I am currently in 6th Grade and writing for an Essay contest. I am writing about my favorite teacher, so I chose you. You have taught me for two years, kindergarten and first grade! You are my favorite teacher because you have taught me a lot in those two years, and you made me love going to school everyday!

    You are my favorite teacher because over the two years you have had with me, you taught me a lot. Not just educationally but also emotionally, like being kind to one another even if the other person was being mean. You always made me smile, and I loved when you would sing to us in kindergarten! You taught me the days of the week and the months of the year, and you made learning so much fun!

    Last but not least, you are my favorite teacher because you made me love going to school everyday. Every morning I would look forward to going to school because I wanted to see you! You always made my day happy, and the way you spoke felt so calming to me. When I would walk into the room, you would always smile at me. I strongly believe what someone said in a video. They said, “ Teachers should earn just as much as doctors because a doctor can do heart surgery and safe the life of a kid, but a great teacher can reach the heart of that kid and allow him to truly live.” You have definitely done that to me, thank you. 

                    Sincerely,

                            Emma Kate Nicholson 

Last night we went to the UGA/TN basketball game and to dinner at George's Low Country Table with a bunch of tennis junkie's/neighbors!!

These gals have become such good friends of mine. I've discovered that as you really get to know your "neighbors" you realize, we are all made out of the same fabric. Often we don't allow ourselves the time to get close enough to really get to know each other. We often judge too quickly. Who are we to judge, really??? We all come from different walks of life, but we all function at the highest level we possibly can. When I take the time to really get inside each person's story, I fall in love with them. They are all mini-me's. We are all the same... all broken in some way, but all created in the image of our creator! 

The true church was never supposed to be made up of "religious folks" who try to show the world just how perfect we are... but what knits us together is our authenticity and being the safe place where we are not afraid to be vulnerable with one another, because there are no judges among us. We are not called to be our brothers keeper, but to love each other just as we are. And when you don't understand why someone does what they do, trust that everyone is doing the best they can with what they know... 

When I first met each of these ladies (some from tennis, and some from my neighborhood) I thought we were as different as night and day. But over time, as I plunged into each of their lives, I began to see we were not that different after all. All broken in some way, but all trying to be the best version of ourselves we knew how to be at the time.  As I was invited into their lives and their struggles, we were knit together like family. Hmmm, wonder if that's what the true church is supposed to look like? Loving your neighbors as they are and then helping each other be the best versions of ourselves. All of us each others teacher and each others student.

Really, this just pours out of my sister?

If we are created in the image of our creator. And just look around every day and see all the beauty created for us. No, we don't live in a grey, flat world! We wake up to sunrises and fall asleep to sunsets and witness amazing beauty every second of every day if we just have eyes to see. I've often wondered if creativity God's way of connecting to each of us individually. Is that why we feel such a high when we create... You know, when you're in the flow. Does He flow through us, or does our creator not only want to create through us, but with us? Be still and listen... what does he want to create through and with you that will not only fill you, but fill you even more as you gift others with such an amazing gift...

Work,work,work...

Every night the girls are loaded down with homework, most nights til 9:30 or 10:00... sometimes later. Emma only does gymnastics 1 day a week from 5:00-6:00. Ellie has Lit club after school for an hour once a month. They really don't have time for extracurricular activities with their homework load. They get off the bus at 4:00, have a snack, make their lunches for the next day, and then get started on their homework! Sometimes they work straight through dinner (eating dinner while they are trying to finish their homework. One night Emma (12 years old) was supposed to stay up and watch the inaugural address and write a paper on it and turn it in the next day! Childhood is such a short window of time. I wish teachers would realize that and leave the schoolwork at school and let the kids play outside and have free time and family time after school. Argh!!! Our kids need a balanced life!

Ok, I vented! Emma is working on an art project here. She made a pair of glasses out of yarn and glue. Ellie wrote a piece in the NOHS quarterly Literature magazine! They work so hard! I'm so proud of all their effort!

I love my Cherry Blossom Tree!!!

Judson, the son of Kathy, one of my oldest and dearest friends, just got married in December!

Our favorite dinner... Ground Turkey Pasta!!!

Lisa, Keith's sister, came to visit this weekend!!!

OMG, spending a weekend with family is soooo awesome! No expectations, just do what you normally do... 

We ordered pizza Friday night, watched the Olympics, and just chilled, enjoying one another's company. Then Saturday morning, Keith created one of his many special weekend breakfasts, as usual.  We hung out in our sweats all day, watching the Olympics and doing laundry (wish you could have seen Lisa dumping the warm laundry in her lap, lol, she is always cold and loves the warmth of "fresh out of the dryer laundry"!) 

It rained all day Saturday, so a comfy, cozy TV day was perfect! Saturday night, we tried a new vegan restaurant downtown... The Grit. All I can say is, their grilled cheese/tomatoe sandwiches were to die for! Their ramen and loaded nachos weren't too bad either:)

random 5 second update...

I saw 7 deer this morning. 4 ran in front of my car and 3 ran behind it. I was in the middle of a deer stampede!

Keith's sister, Lisa, is coming for a visit this weekend! Yay, I can't wait!!!

Drew just got his own welding machine and is going to start doing his own projects on the side. I'm so excited for him!

So proud of my man!!! Keith just completed the business management course!

Why Drew, Why??? Because it makes me laugh, ma! It's only hair, it'll grow back!

Me: Why Drew, Why??? 
Drew: Because it makes me laugh, ma! It's only hair, it'll grow back!
Me: What about your boss, what will he say???
Drew: Mom, I work in a welding garage, they'll say, "Awesome haircut man!"

In case you haven't seen the movie, Joe Dirt, this is what the main character looks like. Joe has a redneck mullet just like this! All my boys love that movie. Keith even dressed like Joe Dirt for Halloween one year, lol!