Category: Family

Darren’s Visit…

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We loved getting to visit with my brother, Darren, over the holidays. He and I had a fun day together playing frisbee golf, catching up over lunch at Birdie’s (one of my favorite restaurants in Nolensville), and hanging out with Tom and the boys.

We spent Christmas day at Mom and Marty’s…visiting, eating, and opening presents with everybody. Darren made the most delicious stuffing with mushrooms, bacon, and creme fraiche. I know my mom was in heaven having all of her babies home with her. I love this picture of Mom, Darren, and my boys!

Dylan…

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Look at my handsome nephew, Dylan! He’s now officially a U.S. Marine. I cried and cried when my sister sent me this picture…just so amazed and inspired by his choices and grateful for how God has answered prayers and turned this young man’s life around.

Gabe Dixon…

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I was SO excited to go see Gabe Dixon at the Franklin Theater tonight with my sister, Julie! She loves him as much as I do. We met early for dinner at Tazeki’s (I had never eaten there…fresh and delicious Greek food) and walked around downtown Franklin before the show. Gabe is SUCH a talented musician and singer that you can see it on the faces of the musicians in his band when he’s playing and singing…when he hits a riff here or there that just floors them (and us). I love listening to music and sharing that experience with people I love who love it too…Julie and I were jamming out, dancing in our seats. AND…I got to meet Gabe and get a picture with him!!! I had met him once before when he played piano for Kate York and I sang harmony for her…years and years ago. But I was super pumped to tell him how much I’ve always loved his music…something got into me, and I was even brave enough to sing a line of a song to him that he sang at a benefit for clean water many years back that has always stayed with me…he started singing along with me and said, “You like that song? I liked that one too. I should record it.” Hopefully, he will.

Xander’s 5th Grade Graduation…

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Xander’s 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony was tonight! It was a big deal for this momma…it was already a big deal because my Xan-Man is going to be a middle schooler next year…but even bigger because of the year we’ve all come through and because we missed Jonas’ 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony last year due to COVID. It was definitely one of those head-shaking, tear-jerking moments for me, realizing once again just how fast time passes.

I totally teared up when Xander came processing into the gym, when the kids sang “When You Believe” and “Hall of Fame”, and when Principal Fuller asked us to give the kids a round of applause for making it through this challenging year. Xander received the Perfect Attendance Award and the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence! Congratulations, Xander!!!

Colorado with Tree…

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I was SO excited to get to go with Tree, one of my precious sisters-in-law, to Colorado for some rest and relaxation this weekend/week!!! What a blessing!!!

We stayed in the sweetest guest house, ate dinner at one of the most delicious restaurants I’ve been to in a long time (The Roost), went for a drive along the Peak to Peak Parkway, picnicked at a reservoir, hiked in the snow (only for a half of a mile because every few steps one of our legs would sink into the snow up to our knees), walked around a beautiful lake, visited an old Catholic church (Chapel on the Rock) and camp (Camp Saint Malo), grilled out, did yoga, read books (I finished The Unwanteds: Island of Shipwrecks and almost finished Running with the Kenyans), went for walks/runs, went to mass, ate brunch (which we ended up boxing up and taking home because of a cold downpour), watched a movie, went shopping, visited used bookstores, ate healthy food, and caught up on each other’s lives.

Here are a few pictures of our time together in Longmont, Colorado (just outside of Boulder).

Camp Beans…

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One of Petra’s favorite places in the world is Camp Beans. As much as she can whenever we go out of town, Jeanne takes care of Petra for us. All we have to do is mention Aunt Beans’ and Riley’s names, and Petra’s ears perk up and she’s looking at the door, ready to jump in the van when we say the word “go”. We dropped Petra off this morning and got to spend a little bit of time, visiting with Aunt Beans, hanging out in her backyard, and checking out the coolest ever chicken coupe next door that her neighbor has been working on during the quarantine. It’s such a blessing to know that Petra will be in the best and most loving hands ever while we’re out of town…AND she’ll be keeping Aunt Beans and Riley company. Win. Win.

Weekend: Grandma and Grandpa’s…

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We went to VA this weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa. They are putting their house on the market this summer that they’ve lived in for over 20 years. I’m so grateful that we were able to spend time together one last time in a house that holds so many memories for all of us.

Jonas and Xander wanted to say goodbye to the fort they built with their cousins…

Roman wanted to go for a paddle boat ride on the lake…

And, of course, we had to get a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with the boys on the front steps…

Here’s to so many more memories in the new house!!!

CMA Awards…

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I enjoyed being able to go to the CMA Awards with my mom tonight …more than anything, I enjoyed just spending time with her. Here we are in our fancy dresses on the red carpet…

Lake Wylie…

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We went to Lake Wylie, NC this past week for our biennial celebration of Grandma and Grandpa Seyfried’s wedding anniversary with Grandma and Grandpa Seyfried, The Seyfrieds, The Longs, and The Paccassis. We are so blessed to be able to gather together with family. We enjoyed tubing, riding on the boat, swimming in the lake, paddle boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, waverunnering, eating, playing games, reading, and catching up.

For more pictures, click on the “Lake Wylie 2019” picture page to the right.

Lunch with MeMe…

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Jonas and I were so excited to get to have lunch with MeMe after his kickball tournament today!!! We ate at Edley’s Barbecue in Nashville…it’s one of MeMe’s favorite spots, but we had never been. It was so good…especially the banana pudding…and even better to get to share it with MeMe.

Petra’s 10th Birthday…

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We celebrated Petra’s 10th birthday (Cinco de Mayo) with her BFFs, my sister Jeanne and her dog Riley. Jeanne takes care of Petra whenever we go out of town, and Petra loves her SO much that every time she comes over…not only does Petra do crazy dog and run laps around the house she also tries to get in Jeanne’s car when she leaves. HaHa! Happy 10th birthday to best dog ever…we love you, Petra!!!

Easter…

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We spent Easter with Pops, Maw, Hilda, Jennifer, and Kerry this year. We had a delicious potluck lunch, watched the boys hunt for Easter eggs, and sat on the front porch…enjoying the spring weather and each other’s company.

Ernest Tubb Record Shop…

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Tonight, not only did I get to celebrate my 11th wedding anniversary with Tom but I got to sing on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop with my incomparable mother, Connie Smith!!! It was such and honor, and I was so excited. I sang two of my favorites of her songs…”Where Is My Caste?” and “The Hinges on the Door”. I’m so grateful to have such a precious (AND talented) mother and friend. Here’s a picture collage that my brother put together of my mom singing at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop when she was about my age (probably younger) and me.