Senior Prom

Makinley’s high school hosted prom tonight at a local venue. While Makinley had her nails and hair done, Evan and I spent the afternoon at the NSC game. (I’ve never been more grateful to be a boy mom.) It rained all day long and ruined our plans for beautiful pictures at the country club. However, we had a 15 minute break in rain where we were able to get a couple of pics at the club house. Dinner plans were reserved at a local steak house, and Evan has been looking forward to dinner all week. 

My friend called me tonight and said, “Your teen looks like a 30 year old man!” Perhaps, but he’s still my baby boy. 

Tuesday’s Loss in Pictures

The joy of scoring first and being ahead was short lived. 

Keagan kept pace with H all night. 

Evan had a great defensive game. 

Pure determination. 

Keagan’s game plan to play two CDMs fell on deaf ears. Guess what? We are playing with two CDMs Thursday night! 

Both boys with the weird bird arms. 😂

Unfortunately, we lost to our district rivals. Fortunately, we maintain first place in district. 

The Game in Pictures

Tuesday night’s game in pictures.

I love how he still plays with his tongue out like he did when he was five! 

Our keeper missed a PK shot that was awarded after Evan was called for a foul (horrible call) in the box. Keagan went straight to him, patted him on the back, and encouraged him to keep his head high. This! This is what I love most about sports. Teamwork. Brotherhood. Selflessness.



Seeing this picture of them playing together makes me miss last year something awful. I was robbed of so many memories that could have been. 

This may be my favorite shot. Keagan dropped back so Evan could carry the ball. 

Evan can head the ball like no one else. 

Oh, happy night! Senior recognition and a big win! I wish I had a picture of Evan celebrating the win!

Soccer Senior Night

We played a big game tonight. We knew the winner would take first place in district, and we came out on top with a score of 4-3. I have never seen Evan so hyped or so excited to win a game - not even the reactions after winning either of the two state titles compare. 

Evan’s best friend Alex and the family came out to cheer him on. I may have converted them to soccer fans.

Oma and Opa made the long drive yesterday to Tennessee and turn around to drive back home to Texas tomorrow. They say the game, the win, were worth the drive.

These two are the absolute best! Chris is such a good friend to Evan. He keeps us all laughing.

I missed getting a pic with the Baylors, but they, too, were in the stands cheering for Evan. Even with such a big cheering section, I still made all the noise. After 14 years of soccer, some things are still the same. 

Keagan Funny

We were sitting on the couch last night watching the Mavs game when I told my dad I needed him to take a look at the clock because it was running fast. Keagan looked perplexed. So I explained the clock just chimed nine, but it was actually 8:58. 

Keagan said, “That’s what that means? Nine chimes means it is 9:00? I thought it was random all of this time.”

Y’all. How can this be? How can my 16 year old just now make the connection with telling time and grandfather clock chimes? We laughed hard at this for a good long time 

Artistic

In elementary school Keagan disliked, almost hated, Art in the Schools Night. Parents and students lined the hallways of the school gawking at student art work, praising their kids. Keagan, though, was always embarrassed by his work. In first grade, his tree didn’t look quite right, so he lied, pointed to the best tree, and told me that one was his. He fessed up when I questioned him about it. I framed his off balanced, odd shaped tree and told him every day how much I loved it. 

Fast forward to tenth grade and Keagan got placed in art. We thought for sure this would be the longest year of our lives having to suffer through a YEAR of art, but the teacher soon showed us that even those that drew odd looking trees in first grade can find success in 10th grade. 

Look at this! It looks just like a sloth - even if Evan disagrees. I’m going to frame it and tell Keagan every day how much I love it. 

New Vol Day

Today we are celebrating #NewVolDay. Students all across the country are celebrating their acceptance to UTK and the new adventure that awaits them. Evan and McKinley are two of the 6,000 admitted to the #UTK2025. 

Advising begins in June. Ignite is in July. Move-ins are in August. 

Soccer in Pictures

There are no pictures of Evan because the defense did not touch the ball at tonight’s game. The JV team played the second half. We won 6-0. I am so very thankful for the teacher that takes these shots. 

Tuesday night is a big game for us. Both teams are undefeated in district play.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! The Easter Bunny made his way to our house last night. 

It was so nice to have Easter service in person this year. It sure beats church on the couch in pajamas. Neither boy had much to wear to church today after our spring quarantine last year, so I picked up a couple of shirts for the boys yesterday. Then, as it was time to leave, we realized neither boy had pants that truly fit. We made do; they were only mildly uncomfortable. 

I cooked most of yesterday, so we could have our traditional Easter lunch today with minimal fuss. Now that we have eaten and perused the baskets, it’s an afternoon of rest.

He is risen. He is risen indeed.