JUNE 6th - MEMPHIS ZOO

Nathan was feeling a little stir crazy here with our Texas vacation trip still being a week away so, he decided that we needed to go to Memphis. I didn’t really care to drive an hour or so to get there since we were going to be driving many, many hours the very next weekend but, he cleverly won me over by saying we could eat at On the Border while we were there. I’m a sucker for that place and have repeatedly mentioned how I miss living 5 minutes from it. We couldn’t really figure out what else to do besides go to the mall. I wanted to go to the botanical gardens but purely to take pictures of the kids surrounded by the beautiful scenery. That would have been a bore for everyone else though. Museums…ehhh. The zoo was our next option. I think we go once every 2 years or so. The kids like going and there usually are flowers and pretty landscaping all around so, we surprised them and showed up in the parking lot much to their amazement.

The local folk here insisted that we go to the Memphis Zoo because it was so amazing and far better than the Nashville Zoo. For some reason I just can’t stand going to the zoo. Maybe it’s because you wander around for miles, breathe the stench of numerous animals’ bodily projectiles, look your hardest for the best animals that are no where in sight, and sweat so badly that you begin to think that stench may actually be coming from your own body. They are just dirty animals trapped in captivity…What’s the big deal? Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the appeal. Even though the kids only care to look at each exhibit for 5-10 seconds, they really do enjoy it. And, afterall, that’s what it’s all about.

I pretty much spent the whole time a few steps behind everyone so I could play paparazzi. I think I took about 250 pictures. Maybe that’s why my camera battery that I fully charged the night before was halfway gone in just a couple of hours. I think I may have been bordering on obsessive. I guess I just really enjoy it and want to capture the best photos I can so, I try to take plenty of extras just in case. Sorry for the large amount of photos here, but this was minimal compared to how many I took. As boring as it may be to me, there are actually many pretty things to see at the zoo.

This was nothing compared to the Fort Worth Zoo. We walked through the whole place in maybe 45 minutes. I was getting really mad that we paid $40 for nothing special. No lions, no bears, no “oh my”. While the kids were playing on the playground we realized that we skipped a couple of sections. We jaunted another 45 minutes backtracking on what we didn’t see before. We found the lions…At least the female ones hiding under a rock. No impressive Mufasa Lion King like you expect to see. We found the bears…One polar bear and one black bear far in a corner. The hippo tank…Empty. Nearly every outdoor animal pond…Floating trash everywhere. They had this fountain area with water surrounding it that a handful of kids were swimming in with their clothes on…Disgusting and slightly disturbing at the same time. I will say that it was only about 80 degrees and Nathan and I were both wearing jeans with no complaints…And that was a pleasant surprise.

We hit my beloved On the Border, a couple of stores at the mall, and the carousel that we so conveniently parked right in front of, and left on our merry way back to Jackson. We are having to constantly remind ourselves that the entertainment, shopping, dining, etc. that we are use to in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and what the people here are use to are on much different levels…And always will be. Granted, we have not made it to Nashville or the Smokey Mountains yet, but so far, everything is definitely bigger and better in Texas.

MAY 30th - SAL PICNIC

Every year Nathan’s company does something big for the employees come summertime. In Texas, they normally do a huge Six Flags group day and offer family passes for about half price. They also do a picnic at a park with a couple of bounce houses on the hottest day possible. Not very many people come to it and tons of food gets wasted. Well, this year’s Save A Lot picnic far surpassed last year’s. Of course, the reason is because we are in a different warehouse in a different state, but I have to say we were very impressed. They rented out the entire Family Fun Center for 3 hours and had it catered with lots of different food. It was great that Nathan didn’t have to cook food the whole time. We were all given a bracelet that allowed us to do everything for free…roller skating, bowling, batting cages, go karts, mini golf, laser tag, and arcade games. The place was packed and people were even there early to get in. I couldn’t believe it. In Texas, it was like pulling teeth to get even management to be involved in anything outside of their required hourly duties. I think maybe 30 people showed up last year.

This year close to 300 people came. It probably helped that most of them already know everyone and their families since the majority of them grew up in the area. We pretty much hung out by ourselves but the kids had lots of fun. The time went by so fast that we didn’t even get to do everything. Nathan had to go back and forth mingling and doing some bossly things, but he got to spend far more time with us than usual.

Cole is a hot shot "pro" on the Wii bowling game so, he was not happy that he kept throwing gutter balls on the real thing.
We hit the mini golf while everyone was eating to avoid a wait. That was a good idea until we realized that there wasn't much food left.

I took this picture when he wasn't paying attention. Funny how he appears to be bragging even when he thinks no one is looking. We like to call him Sir Bragsalot.
Brooke would manually place the ball right next to the hole and simultaneously raise her hand and yell "woo" every time she knocked it in. It was really cute.
Cole is all business. Eyes on the prize.

I'm not kidding, we waited an hour in line to ride the go karts because so many people had small kids that couldn't ride alone. So not worth it...At least to the parents. Turns out it is kind of painful when you're close to the age of 30.

Nathan and a couple of others made up 250 goodie bags filled with balls and tatoos and other toys for the kids to take home when they left. And for all of the employees they stuffed 152 backpacks with a questionable 1980’s replica tie-dye shirt along with a few other things. Nathan was supposed to wear his brightly colored purple/yellow/orange tie-dye shirt to the picnic, but he flat out refused. He wouldn’t let me take a picture of him in it for the blog either. What a poor sport. He said the committee actually picked them out and thought they were quite nice. As Jeff Foxworthy would say, “You might be a redneck if....”

MOM CAN SHAKE IT, TOO

The kids always want a chocolate shake when they see a Sonic. Their food is really not that great so that's usually all we get from there...And the occassional cherry limeade for me. So, I decided that I could make a chocolate shake just as easily. Yes, it's quite simple but geez I used up a whole gallon of ice cream just making 3 shakes. And I had to clean up the mess afterwards instead of pulling out of the Sonic carport and then just dropping the cups in the trash. Hmmm...Convenience or Cleaning??? That is a big conundrum with us...And I don't do cleaning very well. I wish I liked it or at least stayed on top of it, but it's just not my thing (or Nathan's or Cole's or Brooke's). Our house looks good when I am prepared for someone to visit, but I am so embarrassed when someone shows up unexpectedly. You'd think I would have figured it out after 2 apartments, 3 houses, and a decade of marriage. It is definitely a goal of mine to improve on this fall when Cole and Brooke are both in school. Soooo...We shall see.

The kids said that I make good "Mom Shakes".

Nathan has suddenly gotten this kick for chocolate shakes, too. Usually he doesn't eat hardly any sweets at all. We took the kids for ice cream at Maggie Moo's a couple of weeks ago. He got one of their milk shakes and craves them way too often now. Uhhhh...So much for helping each other eat better.

MAY 18th - COLE'S ASSEMBLY

Cole had his awards assembly for the first grade. I didn't think he was at this school long enough to get an award but surprisingly he did. Instead of the awesome straight S for satisfactory status that we had before, he got all A's and one B (grrr...to the teacher for not giving him any leniency on something he never learned before). I won't even go into the ridiculousness of the grading system. Apparently, Texas focuses more on math and science while Tennessee focuses more on reading and writing. Yes, it makes total sense that a child should be able to write perfectly in between useless giant lines instead of knowing how to add and subtract quickly. I'll make sure we complete the one-inch-letter-height-handwriting book over the summer instead of reading or math or thinking or anything else that might benefit my child in the future. Ok, that's all I'm going to say about that. Now for some pretty pictures.

I think Cole got 5 awards in Kindergarten. Honor roll is just about the only award they give out here. I feel so bad that Cole had to miss out on the last part of the year with his wonderful teacher and all his friends in Texas.

It is actually a nice little trophy award thing. I was shocked to see that his actual name was on there, too. Check out the "vintage" desks. They look like they are the original ones from when the school first opened long, long ago.The principal announced at the assembly that we could take our kids home when it was over if we chose to do so. Can you tell Cole was excited about that?In just a couple of short months Brooke will have her back pack on, too....Mommy tears.
Cole ran straight to his video games after lunch and this is what Brooke did. Oh how I wish I could still jump as if my body were weightless the way a child does. I don't even think my feet get an inch off the ground any more.

Cole was suppose to go only three days of school the last week. He went home around noon after the assembly on Monday, went the full day Tuesday and watched movies, and should have had a half day on Wednesday. When I picked him up on Tuesday they asked if he was coming the last day. What? Why wouldn't he? Oh that's right, you don't have to bring them if you don't want to since they already have their report cards and won't be counted absent. Sure, why didn't I think of that all those years ago when I was in school? Right before bed, I decided it would be a waste of time to take him up there for a few hours just to watch movies with a handful of kids. Yes...First week day of sleeping in...Or so I thought.

MOTHER'S DAY

This Mother's Day was something out of the ordinary. It was not at all bad, just very different. Normally, we go to church with my family and then meet at my mom's for a big lunch where everbody eats way too much. There are 15 of us there and lots of noise from all the little cousins squealing and playing together. The sliding back door is open because there always seems to be someone going in and out of the backyard and someone gets annoyed with the sound of it opening and closing over and over again. Multiple conversations are going on at once and the concentration level is quickly lowering. After a couple of hours, the kitchen and the house are in mass chaos from all the cooking and kids. We shower Mom with gifts and love, try to clean up, and head our separate ways...Until the next family birthday or holiday.

Since we now live in the far east, the normal was not possible. However, my mom decided that she wanted to be with her favorite child for Mother's Day. Just kidding Tim and Brent...She loves us all equally...Blah, blah, blah. So, I did get to spend Mother's Day with my mom. I chose a new church to visit. It is so uncomfortable going to a place where no one knows your name. But we went and experienced what they had to offer, whether it was our taste or not, and got through it. The music was not my favorite but the preacher was actually a good speaker even though his sermon made Nathan and I feel badly about some of our parenting choices. Evidently, he was doing a 4 week parenting series but seriously could have planned it around a different day. That was very fitting on Mother's Day to get a long lecture about what we shouldn't be doing and such. Slightly depressing.
Cole actually took this picture. He did pretty good after about 20 takes. For some reason he couldn't keep the camera still and push the button at the same time. He kept insisting that it was right before he pushed it but, for some reason, our heads would be missing on the screen afterwards. He tried so hard though.Brooke was so not in the mood for pictures. I rarely allow anyone to take pictures of me so it was especially nice that she was being such a brat about having her picture taken with me....And on Mother's Day.

The only reason I put this on here is because it is the only picture with me and the kids together...Plus Cole looks really sweet. Nathan was nice enough to take the picture without a 1,2,3 warning. I need every second to prepare to adjust my hair around my fat face, fake my smile, and stick my neck out. He doesn't care to take lots of pictures for selection purposes though. He's more of the one and done type. Thanks...Appreciate it!

What a good picture...That I took I might add. My guys look so handsome.

We took all of these pictures while my mom put my kitchen to use preparing a wonderful lunch. The kids enjoyed getting so much attention from Grandpa playing outside. Without hesitation, he does the things we are too lazy to do sometimes.

While it was very nice to be able to spend Mother's Day with my mom, it was also bitter sweet. I did feel guilty that Nathan's mom was not enjoying the day with her youngest child the same way my mom was. I know that she was so very upset that we weren't there with her this special day or her birthday the week before. Normally, we would have spent the Saturday before at her house and enjoying the day together. Getting a card in the mail just does not compare to being able to hug your child. While we know she understands, it still makes you feel awful when you hear the sadness over the phone. However, the love is and will always be there, and we can all take comfort in knowing that...We just have to remind ourselves of it a little more often now.

OUR FIRST VISITORS

We had our first visitors here in Tennessee. Grandma and Grandpa came...And brought their little dog, too. I think as soon as we found out we were moving, Grandma was already planning to visit on Mother's Day weekend.

The kids were so excited when they saw their car pull up. They were jumping up and down and screaming, "They're here, they're here!"

We set up the guest quarters as best as we could in the office, but Ginger still chose to bed hop every night.

Brooke loved Ginger's attention and was quickly willing to trade in her big dog for a little dog that could sleep in her bed.

We've never really played hosts to guests for more than a night...And when we did, it was a niece or nephew. That's much different when the guests are your parents. While it was so very special for my parents to make the long drive to come and visit us, I have to admit that it was a little strange, too. Mom and Daddy, out of habit, always just do everything for you. It is hard to remember that the roles are supposed to be reversed now that we're all grown up. I forget to do things all day long and usually just get things done randomly, but that isn't very productive when you have guests that don't go about their day the same way. Actually, I'm sure it is down right annoying. It was a new experience for us all, but one that we will have many opportunites to improve on and be better prepared for before long.

MAY 5th - POPE SCHOOL MUSICAL

Cole's school did a little end of the year musical. It was really fancy in the portable gymateria or cafeterium or what ever you call it. All the grades stood there and sang five songs from High School Musical. The verses are a jumbled cluster of forgotten words, but the choruses are loud and clear. Impressive. Check Cole out during the choruses where he suddenly realizes that he knows the words. Obviously, he was told to be still, but I think he really wanted to release his inner Danny Zuko and bust out a wop ba-ba lu-mop a wop bam boom!

Brooke wore her High School Musical shirt to support her brother. Actually, it was a complete coincidence, but it sure looked like I was the thoughtful mom on top of things and perfectly planning everything with no sweat.

WATCH OUT TAYLOR SWIFT

I just had to put this video of Brooke on here. She gets so embarrassed about seeing or hearing any video of her and would be really upset to know it was on here, but I just couldn't resist.

I began singing "You are My Sunshine" to her when she was just a baby. For the last few years we have been singing this at bedtime and then saying the same prayer afterwards.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for this day.

Thank you for our family.

Please watch over us and everybody we love,

And help us to have a good day tomorrow.

And please remember us.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

At first, Brooke was singing pretty and quitely and would whisper the prayer. She sounded so sweet. Then she found her groove and was in the zone. She had been singing like this for a few minutes before I finally found the camera. I just knew she would stop once I started recording, but surprisingly she just kept going. She is so painfully shy to most people and I just couldn't believe she was singing like this. She would have never done this if Cole or Nathan were home.

She couldn't see me because I was in the kitchen with the camera pointed around the corner. I figured she would come and find me but she never did. It was pretty difficult to keep the camera still and keep from laughing at the same time. Once she sat up and saw me she flipped out and ran to her room screaming. It took a few minutes to calm her down, but the video was so worth it. I love her.

Watch out Taylor Swift!

By the way, probably best if you don't mention you saw this to Brooke.