March Madness

I will never forget that the first conversation Jeff and I ever had was on Easter.  It was a time of new beginnings in so many ways for the both of us.  And this time of year, I am always especially reminded of how faithful, loving and redeeming our God is.  Can I get an "amen?"

We went to Mom and Dad's for Easter.  Mom has always made deviled eggs, green beans, macaroni salad, rolls, spiral-cut ham and dessert.  No one makes it like Mom does!  The boys played with airplanes all day while Mom and I relaxed on the porch.  

Here is the customary Easter family photo.  Love my sweet boys!  I laid awake in bed the other night just overcome with gratitude for all the love and joy these boys bring to me and everyone who knows them.

I love, love, love when Jeff is home!  He is THE BEST.  A) of all, he puts up with me and teaches me daily about unconditional love.  B) of all he shares in all the work of making our family go.  He does laundry, yard work, errands, and happens to be a fantastic chef!  When he's home, John Thomas gets waffles and pancakes for breakfast and I get sent to school with a breakfast sandwich like this!  Move over Wheaties, because this is "the breakfast of champions!"

We also get to start our school days with a little bit of quality time in the car line for school.  This is definitely the silver lining to an insanely long drop off line!  

Our John Thomas has such a tender, generous heart!  After school on Tuesday he took it upon himself to pack us a picnic for the front yard.  I have already started praying for the little girl who is sure to steal his heart one day and that she will truly cherish his sweet, sensitive nature.  

He's not all picnics and roses though!  Got this picture out of his "Kid Book" the other day.  He really took special care to include all of the details of his "ellfit."  Not sure if his teacher's "WOW!" is out of support or shock!

Besides the daily hubbub, a major holiday and Spring Break, March was full of other fun events! John Thomas had his kindergarten program.  Watching a couple hundred five year olds singing and dancing is nothing short of adorable!  Some kiddos are naturals when it comes to the spotlight…He is not one of them.  In spite of his nerves, he did a great job!  These are some of his kindergarten buddies!  Aren't they are such cuties?!

Our neighbor and pal, Conner, had a birthday party at the bowling alley.  These two love to hang out and I am thankful to share the cul-de-sac with such sweet friends!

Last night I got to share dinner with a room full of lovely ladies.  My friend, Nicole, is getting married in just a few weeks and we couldn't be happier for them!

Last Wednesday I got the scariest phone call imaginable.  Mom was being rushed to surgery.  She is still in the hospital, still in an immense amount of pain, and still not completely out of the woods.  This trying time has reminded us of the blessings of simple things like brushing your own teeth, coughing or laughing without pain, and solid foods.

I have blogged in my head several times over the past month.  I mused over politics, education, culture and religion.  But as I watch the bravest, strongest woman I know struggle to do the simplest things like sitting up or eating, all else fades to nothing.  Not a wall, not a trade policy, not a social security plan in the world matters as much as the people I love.  It might do us all some good to remember this and look for grace in the face of a world that thrives on controversy.

"Take A Load Off…"

The summer before I started my internship, I decided (in spite of my parents advice) to get a puppy.  I was single, trying to get my Masters, and very busy.  It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  He was, simply put, perfect.  I had wanted a chocolate girl, but came home with a little furry blonde boy.  I had no boy names picked out but one of my favorite songs at the time was "The Weight" from The Band, so I named him Chester.

Chester was a true companion.  When I lived by myself, he snuggled and made me feel safe.  He road-tripped with me all over the eastern half of the US.  He accepted the demotion that came with John Thomas and embraced his new role as part-vacuum and full-time baby toy with love in his heart.  He licked my tears when I was sad and was loyal until the moment we said goodbye.  I am tearing just thinking of all the love and laughter he brought to our lives.  A few weeks ago, he became very sick and we had to let him go.  For days, Hurley looked for him and every time he checked for Chester on my side of the bed, I got a little choked up.  I could probably write a book called "Chester and Me" or "Really Old Yeller" or something like that, but instead I will honor him with this post and be thankful for the third of my life shared with one of the very best dogs ever.

Since my last post was before Christmas, we've got some catching up to do. Here is our very belated Christmas PJ pic!  This is ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS!  Matching Christmas jammies with all my favorite people in front of a garishly large and bright tree just makes my heart flutter :).  

My bro and his family were able to come in for a few days.  They are so much fun to be around and John Thomas loves getting to spend time with these goofballs.  

 The weather was nice enough to spend lots of time outside.  Jeff and Poppy took the remote control plane out for a spin.  I'm not gonna say which "pilot" crashed the plane, but it ended up in about 25 pieces.

I think if you ask them, they would blame the photographer because she wanted them to fly the plane close enough for a good picture. (Whoops!)

 Santa was very generous this year.  He and his elves managed to deliver a fully assembled trampoline! We have all gotten hours of time on this baby--even Gramma gave it a whirl!

 We have also taken full advantage of all the wintry precipitation dropped on East Tennessee this year.  Snowball fights, sledding, snowmen, hot chocolate, snow days off school--basically it's been amazing :).

My two most favorite boys in the entire universe and sometimes when we are all together, I can't help but take a pause and relish their love and how truly blessed I am.  Truly. 

 Along with his normal affection and support, Jeff has done two incredibly loving and generous things in the past couple of weeks.  First, he went to couples yoga with me for Valentines Day.  He did A-mazing--totally earned his place on the yoga mat when he whipped out a headstand!  What a stud!  Second, he cashed in about 600,000 hotel miles so that me and my girl friends could stay in a swanky suite at the beachfront Hilton in Ft. Lauderdale!  He even had a limo pick us up at the airport!  I mean, a girl could get used to that…I'm just sayin!

We ate well, laughed so much we cried and had the time of our lives.  I am SO thankful to share life with these beautiful mamas.  And I am SO thankful to my loving hubby who gives his all to our family.  Mwah babe!

 Not a bad view to wake up to.  Till next year, my emojibit chicas!

Speaking of wonderful friendships…this was the last picture I took of Chester. I didn't know he was going to fall terribly ill within a few hours.  I just noticed that he and Hurley were pretty cozy.  Hurley almost always lays on the couch or under the bed, so I wonder if Hurley knew something we didn't and was spending their last few moments together.  May we all have the kind of relationships that bring us comfort when we need it most…without having to say a word.  Thank you Chester for always being one of the best parts of my day for the last 14 and a half years.  Miss you buddy.

And Heaven and Nature Sing

When the South Carolina Gamecocks came to Knoxville in the beginning of November, some of my favorite college girls headed into town too!  Although there were a few missing faces, it was nice to share some time with these beauties!

I consider myself very fortunate to have shared lots of shenanigans with these gals and still know that regardless of the distance (either in mileage or space between visits) we always have a blast!  Also, I have no idea who the fantastic photo bomber is.  Speaking of shenanigans..."Leave" it up to Jeff and John Thomas to figure out how to create extreme leaf pile jumping.    

                           

You must first make sure the pile is sufficient to support an elevated fall.

Swing into action.

Then free "fall" into Autumn bliss.

We decided to up our decorating game this year.  While I was safely making wreaths for the windows, Sparky, I mean Jeff, was dangling from the roof tacking lights to the gutters.  He is pretty much fearless and awesome and so much fun to share life with!

Do you see any resemblance?  

Isn't she a beaut!  Warms my heart every time she lights up!

Elfie has made his annual appearance at the Kimmel household as well.  I have learned some valuable strategies over the past couple of years.  1. Pace yourself…elves can't go all crazy in week one because it's all downhill from there.  2. It was imperative for us to discuss Jesus's birthday and the real reason for Christmas.  I realized this after John Thomas was being especially sweet to me and then 30 seconds later asked if I thought Elfie would tell Santa and he'd get more presents?!  Umm…No.

We've gotten into the holiday spirit at work with Festive Fridays!  Last week, my department even composed our version of the 12 days of Christmas!  I am a lucky gal to share the halls and my friendship with this lovable group!

Finally, my girlfriends and I had our Christmas party this weekend.  They are simply the best and I am truly a better person because of our friendships.   

As this next three weeks promises to be filled with busy days squeezing everything in, know that it is the time, energy, and affection we share that makes all the difference.  I am grateful the season of Advent is here and that we are all challenged to remember that the reason for our celebration is more than great recipes, stellar gifts, and holiday cheer.  It is the greatest gift the world has ever known--Emanuel.  My favorite Christmas concert, Behold the Lamb of God, always reminds me of this truth.  Merry Christmas dear friends. 

Hubba Bubba

It has been pretty quiet since the last update.  I guess no news is good news!  John Thomas met his first and (hopefully his only) imaginary friend!  If you look very closely, you will notice "Indy-visible".  Indy is, in many ways, the opposite of John Thomas…mostly because he likes to break rules! Indy spent the better part of his short stint at the lake in time out for hitting and being an all-around stinker!  

Thanks to the McAffry family adoption fundraiser, there aren't too many people who have to wonder what to wear for the UT games!  Thanks Mrs. Tia and Mr. Wes for always being so sweet to John Thomas!

But the biggest news of all is that this little fella taught himself how to blow a bubble!  He was determined to do it before he turned six!  Now if we could just get him riding a bike and tying his shoes, he'd be ready for first grade!

Step one:  Chew and prep gum.

 Step two: Focus and blow!

 …and blow!

 Step three: Grin, celebrate and repeat!

 Our nature boy also found this cool critter!  Honestly, I prefer nearly any critter to Indy!

The obligatory pumpkin gut picture.  Despite the fact that he loves to dig and isn't afraid to get dirty, he is not a fan of gooey pumpkin guts.  

Last year John Thomas was a hammerhead shark.  This year he wanted to be a whale.  Lord only knows what ocean critter he'll scheme up for next year!

Thank you to the Stooksbury's for having us over for Halloween!  It was a haunting good time :).

Good Ole Rocky Top

Fall Break was mostly amazing!  A few guilt-free days off work never hurt anyone, right?  Not to mention that East Tennessee in the Fall has to be one of the best places on the planet!  Jeff and John Thomas took a little time to go sniffing around the woods for something to put in our freezer.  They sure are hard to spot when they're all decked out in their camo. :)      

Jeff and I also took advantage of the extra time together to go on a 14 mile hike to Rocky Top!  Part of me was hoping that the Pride of the Southland Band would be serenading us when we got to the summit.  Instead, it was an amazing panoramic view of God's creation!  

You know how a picture never does the real thing justice?  This is definitely the case here.  Also, my bear cub, Jeff, insisted on climbing to the top of the highest tree to get the best vantage point for this pic.      He is such a "go-getter" and I am definitely one lucky lady!

Love this man and getting some extra time by his side.  I also love that he carried all the water and food for the entire trip because my lil pups were "dog" tired by the time we got back to the car!

This is within the first mile of the hike.  Notice the smiles that seem full of energy :).

We hiked up to over 5000 feet, so we got to see all the stages of Fall in a matter of hours.  

This was taken at mile 13.  Notice the absence of energy.  I can't even raise my lip enough to show my teeth.  We were both exhausted but had an amazing day and will do it all over again the next time we get the chance!

Kindergarten field day was also this week!  I played hooky on Friday to spend the day rooting on all the little Brickey Bears, especially this little cutie!  (Apparently, I am fond of this UT hat.)

After watching John Thomas run sprints, relays, and soccer dribbling drills --it has confirmed my belief that he is much better at precision events.  He and his class won first place in the egg relay!  He didn't drop the egg once!  Granted he was walking so slow that turtles and snails were using him for analogies.  But as they say, "slow and steady wins the race!"  

 He pretty much wore this smile all day as did most of the kiddos!

An update from the last blog about Monday Manies, there were THREE EXTRA VOLUNTEERS!  The five of us pampered and loved on lots of ladies at KARM!  Thanks Kim, Sue and Savannah for all your help!!  Next Monday Manies will be on November 2nd and I would love to serve by your side if you are interested!