No Treats This Halloween

This was supposed to be our year. Everyone had us pegged as one of the top two teams in the state, but there were no treats for us on this Halloween. We lost today’s state quarter final game 2-3. 

Team captains lead the team onto the field. 

Starting 11

Team prayer

Keagan is heart broken. 

I am, too. 

First Place in State League

The seeding for the state tournament came down to today’s final state league game. The biggest game of the season, and we desperately wanted to win. After last year’s injury and his two week recovery period that caused him to miss the game against Memphis last October, Keagan wanted a chance to redeem himself and get the win! I even texted his coach this week to tell him Keagan was in rare form with a winning-at-all-costs attitude. After 100 minutes of play, the whistle finally blew. The win was ours!!

Oma and Opa made the five hour drive to Jackson to watch the game. What a game to see, too! 

Now we prepare for state! 

Go Big Orange

This weekend we went to Knoxville for AGR parent weekend. Evan texted us earlier in the week that the chef was making chicken baskets and the guys rented a mechanical bull. I asked him if we would get a repeat of this. 

We had a late bbq lunch with Makinley’s sorority at Fiji Island. 

We stopped by the AGR house, and then we made our way to the stadium for the band march. (By the way, I thought for sure the ‘stache was a result of pledgeship. Why would he grow it otherwise? I continue to try to find a justification for the facial hair. I was saddened to see today that no other pledge had such. I think this means Evan likes the look of a 1980’s tv police detective.) 

We made it to the stadium for warm-ups, the band’s pre-game performance, and the laser light show. Keagan was super impressed with the marching band’s technique and their ability to form letters. Clearly our high school’s band leaves a lot to be desired. 

The crowd was electric and loud! An hour later and the noise of the crowd is still reverberating in my ears. 

Because we are crazy, we left the game at half time to drive across the state for tomorrow’s state league game. On our way out of the stadium, we ran into one of the 5 star basketball recruits that Evan played AAU with in middle school. I hugged a future NBA star. 

With a 300 mile trip ahead of us, we stopped at the gas station for snacks and a spoon. For the record, fast food employees are not happy to serve you at 1000 when you need a spoon.

Fall Break

Fall break is coming to a close for me; Keagan has the rest of the week to sleep in, wear his robe all day, and play FIFA. After a full weekend on the road touring schools and playing soccer, we spent Tuesday at home. Today Keagan and I drove to Nashville for brunch.

Our favorite buttermilk biscuits are now in Nashville!

 We didn’t fly to Hawaii, hike the mountains, or swim in the ocean for fall break like so many of our friends, but we had lots of together time in the car, I got quality time at the gym, I soaked up the sun next to the pool, and we both had time to just be. In many ways, it was better!

School Visit #IHaveLostCount

Today’s school visit took us to Cleveland, TN for LeeUPreview. We arrived with zero expectations, and we were both taken by surprise at the modern buildings, the beauty of the campus, and the amenities in the surrounding community. We were told repeatedly about the school’s focus on a Christ centered education. We heard about mandatory chapel attendance, mandatory service hours, and strict curfew hours. 

We were served breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We met the business department chair, listened to the chancellor speak, and took a tour of the campus. We had to leave an hour early to get back to town for training, but I would have loved to have seen how much more they could have impressed me. 

This school has a D2 soccer program and a style of play that we were told best matched Keagan’s aggressive play. We have yet to meet the coach, but after today’s impressive visit, Lee has moved up to the top of our long list of possibilities. We drove to the new soccer and track complex and almost had the gall to jump the fence and walk on the pitch, but I decided to not risk expulsion before admittance. 

Pressure

Keagan is attending a half day ID camp today at Carson Newman. 

While at camp, he received an email from a coach at another school that wrote to say he planned to attend next Sunday’s state league game. This is a big game; the winner takes the first place standing and is more highly seeded in October’s state tournament. Keagan feels lots of pressure to keep his knee healthy, get enough rest, and perform. When he read the coach’s email, he texted our group chat today, “even more pressure on that game.” 

Evan responded. 

Making Memories Since 1978

Like so many plans, my 2020 girls’ trip to Nashville was canceled due to Covid. Now, one year later, we finally got to make that trip! Saturday we met at the airport and made our way to the VRBO. While waiting out the afternoon rain, we broke open our first bottle of wine. No trip is complete without a commemorative glass. Monica had these made. 

We had dinner in the Gulch. After three hours at the table, we made it back to the rooftop balcony of the VRBO. We were up until 1:00 listening to it rain, talking, and swapping stories. 

Sunday we had brunch at my very favorite place in downtown Nashville, Hampton Social. 

We had bellinis with glitter balls, chicken stacks, and fried potatoes with feta cheese. It was all fantastic. 

We made it to the rooftop bar just before it rained again. 


We took advantage of the rain free hour and walked Broadway. We took refuge at the VRBO while it stormed, and then hit 12 South for Cronuts, shopping, and coffee. 

When the stores closed for the day, we headed north to tour Vandy and walk Centennial Park. 

Dinner was at the swanky 1230 Supper Club. We enjoyed live music while we dined on steaks. 

We made it to the rooftop bar and found spectacular views of Broadway. 

We were told earlier that we were too old and not hot enough to get to the rooftop bar, but we were hot enough for a Sunday night. 



Our weekend was filled with big laughs, great food, and even better company. Our next trip is already planned. Watch out New Orleans - we are coming to you in 2022. 

My Kitchen is Full

I’ve had the very best start to the weekend! I’m in my kitchen surrounded by all four kids, eating homemade chocolate chip cookies, and swapping the best stories and memories. The kitchen is filled with laughter and joy; my heart is full.

We all go our separate ways tomorrow morning. Tonight’s happiness with being together again will have to tide me over until Thanksgiving.