My latest favorite commercial

Homecoming.

Well, I survived homecoming week! It was hectic and crazy and cram-packed, but I survived and all I could think of this afternoon was my "homecoming" .... as in coming - home to my cozy house to rest and relax and recharge!

We played the Rockvale Ravens this week and beat 'em with a shut out! I was so proud!! We had a big Fall Festival type thing after the pep rally outside until game time, it was so much fun! MTSU brought over Lightening and their cheerleaders and dance team along with some fraternity and sorority step teams! There was popcorn and cotton candy! My cheer parents sold candy! We even had a ton of alumni from the old high school AND the middle school along with past principals (every one I have ever worked for) and family representatives of the deceased principals! It was a really neat night and week in general! It was special because it was the last ever "Central Middle School" homecoming as next year the school will be known as "Central Magnet School" and most of the teacher there, including me, will be at new middle schools in the county!

Lily decked out in her cheer uniform...

I'm sorry, but it doesn't get much cuter than that! I am SO thankful that my mom can sew! Every time someone asks where she got it, she says, "Grandmommy made it!

This week on a quest to fix quick meals, being that we were SOOOOO busy, I opted for hamburgers and later sandwiches on my new find....

If you have not tried these yet, you should! they are thin and kind of like pita bread, but whole wheat and softer. I can't really explain is, but they are really really really good and much better for you than "regular" bread. Like I said, we used them as bun substitutes and they were great and for sandwiches... also great! I even thought about making Cinnamon toast rounds with them!

Yesterday I was looking at one of these....

...and wondering what in the world we were doing! Neither Chris nor I know anything about soccer, but we were "stand in" coaches for our friend Patrick who was out to have his first baby! It was hot and bug infested.... we all three got ate up, and we lost the game! Guess we shouldn't try to coach soccer any time soon, lol.

And today was...

Crazy sock day at my school (we didn't participate because neither of us have crazy socks and we were focusing our efforts and thoughts more on...) funny feet day at Lily's school! I don't know about you, but I think these feet are pretty funny!!!!

All in all, this week has kicked my butt, but it's all been worth it. Especially when I got to come home today! Whew!

Football, Fall, and Fun

Well, I am averaging a post a week, but that's better than nothing right?

Since I last posted I have been busy as usual with school, cheer, and life in general. The life part included two fantasy football drafts! They were both fun. The first was at Chris' house for my co-ed league to draft. I am the commissioner and we have 12 teams again this year! I got first pick in the first round of our draft! I took Adrian Peterson, of course! Good thing too, because without his 43 points he scored me (that's right, 43!!!!!) this week I would have gotten smoked! My second draft was the following day at Buffalo Wild Wings and it was a blast too! I ended up with a team I am happy with and after week one of the regular season, I am up in both leagues! :-)

This week also brought Fall Festival at Lily's school! It was a lot of fun and although she was a little too young/small for some of the activities she still had a blast! It was moved inside because of all the rain! And OH MY GOODNESS the rain! It has rained, and rained, and rained and they are calling for rain on into next week! The only good thing about it is the hope of a "rain day" lol! I can always use a free day off work! :-)

Overall the last week has been full of fun! We went to C-town and celebrated my dad and brother's birthdays! I have spent some time relaxing at home (and boy have a needed it)! And spent some time with friends!

That's all the update I have in me tonight! No I am off to veg on the couch... or read my book... we'll see! Goodnight!

Falling....

Chris and I have been a long time coming. I can say that I have been falling for many years as our relationship developed from colleagues to friends to soul mates and best friends and now into the loving (that's right, I said the "L" word) relationship that we now find in each other.

Part I left off in the 2005-06 school year I believe. That year we became best friends and over the summer we did a lot together with our group of friends!! Although I had seen Lily quite a bit over the last year, this is the summer I really got to know her and watch her grow! I admired Chris so much for the father that he was! He had such a firm and loving relationship with Lily! He is an AMAZING dad! He shows so much love and support - I didn't know anyone could contain the love he has for his daughter - and he sets the bar high and holds her accountable and I love that! I got to watch Lily grow from this little runt....

(HOW cute is she?)

To this young lady! :-) From 2006-2009 Chris really spent so much time, energy, and focus on being a single dad. He was very open and honest with everyone about his singular focus on Lily and making her life with two homes and separated parents the best that it could be! He has done amazing things for her and still does.

Those years of transition for him also brought transition for our friendship. We did more and more together with our friends and began to confide in one another and support one another individually. Chris met my family, coming to Chattanooga for riverbend for his own little daddy-vacation as he liked to call it! Chris and I began to do a few things just the two of us because we did enjoy each other's company so much and began to understand that no matter our relationship in life, we were, beyond a shadow of a doubt, soul-mates! The level of comfort and understanding could only be explained by two souls that know eachother beyond all understanding. :-)


Being that we both enjoy sports we headed to see the Braves play and the Titans (of course) once or twice each year.

We began spending more time together on the golf course too! It is the game he loves and the game I am so glad to finally have some help with! :-)

I have to stop here and say, Chris introduced me to Web! They are brothers of the heart! And it is through their relationship that my relationship with Megan bloomed and flourished!

So I have Chris to thank for Megan! And, of course, I had to get Megan and Lauren together as soon as possible and... well.... you all know the story there! Inseperable to say the least!

Over the course of the last three or four years, I can say this...

Chris slowly, without effort became my person. The person I trusted above all others. The person whoes shoulder I wanted to cry one. The one that listened and understood when I needed to vent. The one I wanted to talk to about everything. The one that got mad with me, just because I needed someone too! He became my best friend, soul mate, and partner in life. And that was all before we took the steps to begin a romantic relationship with one another.

One of the things I admire the most about Chris is the way he parents...

...and his love for children, and all things funny, and his ability to make me smile, no matter what.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is part II. :-) It's hard to cram a 4 year beginning into two posts, but I have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot about Chris and getting to know him quite well in the future! The long-term future, if you catch my drift! ;-)

I will tell you this. We officially became a couple this summer. I have never been happier. And, as cheesy as it sounds and although I didn't feel like I had a piece missing, I now feel complete. :-) And He? Well, he feels like he has a second chance at life. He is now in the right place, with the right person instead of the wrong place with the wrong person. As he likes to say, "I sure do love my do-over!" And I sure do love being his do-over... there's nothing I'd rather be!