Graduation Dinner

We celebrated Evan’s upcoming college graduation tonight while the family was in town. His only request was that we celebrate with a steak dinner and a nice wine. Wes cooked the steaks, I made the sides, and Mom and Vikki brought the wine. 

I’m still shocked sometimes to remember I have adult children. Most days I still feel 35; I don’t identify as a 50 year old. Pretty sure I’m in the wrong body. Time has surely flown by in the last 22 years but especially these past 3.5 years. One more round of finals and he’s officially done with his undergrad.

It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas

It’s overwhelming thinking about pulling out the Christmas decor. Every year I dread it. But when it’s dark and I’m on the couch watching football with Christmas lights twinkling, I’m so pleased that I took the time to decorate. 

So satisfying. So peaceful. So pretty. 

Turkey Day

The driveway is full of cars. The fridge is full of great food. And the couch is full of my favorite people. It’s Thanksgiving week!

We started the holiday at the gym under the orange lights. This is our version of a turkey trot. 

We had a great meal complete with everyone’s favorite side, and then we hurried outside to grab a couple of photos before Man U kicked off. 

The boys came home with a backpack of clothes that included pajama pants and sweats. That is all. 

We watched football, took naps, and then made our way to the pies. 

More football and more great food is on the agenda again tomorrow. 

Cheers

Cheers. 

This took on a whole new meaning for me today. An UCA competition was not on my 2024 bingo card, but I’m here for it. I’m the newest fan of cheer competition.

I can’t define what constitutes a win; I don’t even know how scores are obtained, but Caro’s team came home with a first place win at Regionals.

I’m now awaiting the day Jamie performs the girls’ routine in the audience with the other over-the-top cheer dads. 

HoCo 24

Tonight was Evan’s last SEC game as a student. He scored a student a ticket on the third row.

His last weekend spent pomping - or drinking beer while supervising pledges who pomped a float.  

His last HoCo week as a student. The week ended on a high note with another point in the win column.

Four more weeks and he graduates. Gosh, the time went by so fast! 

Number 22

I skipped the gym Saturday morning, but got up at dawn to make the drive to Knox to wish my baby boy a happy birthday. 

I got this great picture. 

And this one. 

I’m sick. The photographer is dead to me because of this. 

If you had told me in 2004 in Germany that I’d one day celebrate Evan’s 22nd birthday at a tailgate for a SEC school, I’d believe you. At the age of two, his favorite movie was “Rudy.” He got into a three point stance before he could talk. And I can’t tell you how many times I had to pull him off of the AMHS football field on Saturdays during a game. He wanted to be on that field with those teens, my students, so badly. So it is appropriate we celebrated turning 22 on a game weekend outside of Neyland. 

Happiest of birthdays to my boy!