Lil' Slugger (May.2012)

When I played softball growing up, I was the pitcher for my team.  When Grayson decided that she wanted to play, I beamed with pride.  I thought she would follow in my footsteps, but, with my daughter, its all about the gear. You have to look the part, you see.  In soccer, she always wanted to play goalie because of the cool goalie gloves.  Apparently, softball pitchers don't have enough bells and whistles associated with their task.  The protection from other little 7 year old girls is a little bit much, don't you think?  (It took 2 dads to help her between innings!) Nonetheless, she caught on and did quite well for her first season.  Although she played all over the field, catcher was her preferred position.  My lil' slugger! 

Sound Kitchen (5.11.12)

Last spring, Lloyd and I attended the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Sugar Ball and bid on a silent auction piece that caught our eye-- Six hours of recording and engineering time at Sound Kitchen Studio, a premiere recording studio in Nashville.  It shouldn't surprise you that we won our item.  And, it shouldn't surprise you that we chose our songs almost immediately.  That was not a big deal.   To coordinate, however, several people's schedules and have them all align with the studio's available time.... that took a year to accomplish!  While we're not ready to share our rough mix with you just yet, here's a glimpse into our first (and hopefully not the last) experience with laying down some tracks off our new record.  

UTAA Honor (4.24.12)

Very rarely do I write about work on our family blog, but, I will just mention that I was honored recently by receiving the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award for 2012. This is sweet for me for many reasons, most of all though, I am proud to follow in my mom's footsteps... who is an outstanding teacher herself.

A Bigger Pool (4.20.12)

Sometimes, the time comes when you outgrow your habitat.  It's only natural to want to spread your wings and fly, but, in this case, our turtles (Lincoln, Ernestine, and Hazel) were just crashing into each other in their small water tank...with no room to swim.  So, after caring for them for about a year and a half (they were my birthday present in 2011), we decided to let them explore a bigger pool.   The big ones took easily to their new surroundings, but, Hazel?  She came back twice and let me stroke her nose before she headed off into the wild (brown) yonder.  A touched parent was I!  

Eye of the Tiger- Learning from the Best (3.18.12)

When you want to do something well, you learn from the best. Our good friend Hal is working with Harrison on some music he knows very well (ughhmmm... former Survivor band member himself). Hal, you're the best! Thanks for spending time with our son.

The Dentist (4.5.12)

Children, brush your teeth, and floss!  If you don't, you may end up in The Chair!

Cherry Grove 2012 (3.18.12)

The Cherry Grove bloomed so early this year, that we almost missed its gorgeous blooms.  Most of the petals were on the ground at the time of this picture taking.

Sugar Gliders (3.18.12)

After seeing this little sweet thang at the Flea Market, Grayson tried to convince her parents that she needed a Sugar Glider for her birthday.  I have to admit, I was smitten too, until Lloyd found an online video of these creatures at night.  I don't think we'd have gotten much sleep around here if we had given in to her whim.  Thank goodness for parental discretion! 

Arthur David Finks (3.17.12)

On the highway home from the beach, just before you reach the city limits of Montgomery, a special place remains.  In our 11 years, of marriage, Lloyd had never brought me here.  I'm glad we stopped to visit.

As the Sun Sets... (3.16.12)

You might expect that a few sunset shots would be taken.....

Thanks Lee and Ellen!  When can we come again??? 

New Florida Girl (3.15.12)

Deep Sea Fishing with Dad was what got everyone up early this morning.  

Getting to drive the boat and catching our dinner for the evening were highlights aboard the New Florida Girl.  How much fun could two kids have?  

Spring Break Question (3.14.12)

What do kids do on Spring Break these days?  Imagine... the beach is short walk away.  Bikes are ready for the taking.  An ocean breeze is calling your name.



(This was only their ritual every morning just after waking up.... we made them ditch their iphones as soon as breakfast was served).

This is what I did on my florida vacation... (3.13.12)

(there were walks along the beach)

 (forts and ditches were built)

(kids were buried)

(warm ups occurred on the pier)

(and I....well, I pretty much sat....)