Category: Tom and Jodi

Fall Creek Falls…

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Tom and I are SO grateful to Maw who took care of the boys for us so we could go on a two day, one night hiking/backpacking/camping trip to Fall Creek Falls. We hiked the Cane Creek Overnight Upper Loop Trail…14 miles that we split into two 7 mile hikes. We ended up ditching our packs the second day…about 2 miles into our hike before beginning a series of ascents…what took us 2 hours to hike took us 6 minutes to drive to go back and pick up our packs. Ha! It was well worth the physical fatigue just to get out and away from everything and everyone and to just be together in the great outdoors.

NVFD…

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To celebrate the end of Jonas’ baseball season, Tom invited all of the boys from the team out to the fire department to run through the water from the fire hose. Jonas was a little hesitant but eventually got into it, Xander was all about it, and Roman would have none of it. (The crying picture of Roman might be the first in a new series I’ll post, directly inspired by Greg Pemboroke’s hysterically therapeutic blog “Reasons My Son Is Crying”…he was crying because I wouldn’t let him take pictures with my phone near a 50 foot jet stream of water from a fire truck.)

Xander freaked us all (and himself) out by running into an electrified barbed wire fence…all I can say is that Tom got to him quicker than I did and I was running for my life down the hill. He was amazingly and thankfully okay except for a vertical scrape down the length of his chest and understandable tears from being hurt and scared. I saw something in that moment…the difference between Tom and I and in what we’ve passed on to our kids…I would’ve just wanted to go home and certainly wouldn’t have gotten back out there…so I was so proud to see that Xander tended more in this moment towards what Tom would’ve done…he got right back out there and had more fun than most of the other kids. I’m so grateful for these little…these big triumphs of character in the little things. Go, Xander!


Strawberry Picking…

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The boys and I went strawberry picking this morning. We were headed to a local patch with our moms’ group, but we found out at the last minute that it was closed. So we ended up driving out to Valley Home Farms where we’ve gone the last two summers in a row…since we got out there a little later than we would have if we had planned on it…it was HOT. We enjoyed our picking time but didn’t last that long in the heat. The boys were so drained that I ended up pushing all of them in the stroller back down the little dirt road from the strawberry fields back up to the home store. We cooled off in the shade and treated ourselves to the best homemade strawberry honey pops in the world. We’re looking forward to visiting our favorite u-pick farms this summer and picking more delicious, in-season fruit!

Last Day of School…

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Today was Jonas and Xander’s last day of preschool for the year. It hit me this morning, as I was trying to keep a peaceful heart in the midst of a van full of wildness, that this would be my last morning to drive Jonas to preschool EVER. And that’s when it started…that lump in the throat thing. So far, I’ve been surprised at my out-of-character, non-emotional response to: talking with friends and family about Jonas starting kindergarten in the fall (he’s ready to go and I’m ready for him to go), attending the kindergarten registration meeting and turning in all of his paperwork, and buying his school supply kit. But there was just something about walking him to his preschool classroom for the last time and getting to witness a few of their daily morning activities (circle time, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance) that really got to me…it was definitely a slow motion and a fast forward moment all in one. Here are a few pictures of him with: his best friend, Henry; his dear teachers, Mrs. Deese and Mrs. Nofi; the American flag; his yearbook; his classmates; and his Mommy (I totally have the same look on my face as I did the day I brought him home from the hospital).

Tom spent time with Xander and Roman in Xander’s classroom, where Xan-Man was delighted to receive his yearbook as well. Here’s a picture of his sweetness with his precious teachers, Mrs. Cathy and Mrs. Lynda.

Running…

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After my post-pregnancy body failed me last summer when I tried to get back to running with a Couch to 5K, I sat in the floor and cried. Then, I got really mad and decided to do something about it. I talked with a physical therapist who encouraged me to work on strengthening all of the muscles that three pregnancies had weakened. So, I started a three day a week training program at home and have been working on it ever since then. I’m so excited to say that here I am…a year later…training for the same Couch to 5K…and so far so good! It’s funny how my perspective on exercise has changed as I’ve gotten older…I’m motivated by desperation instead of obligation. And with every step I take…I’m pleasantly surprised and grateful instead of expecting to be able to do it and taking it for granted.
On my first twenty minute run in YEARS, Petra joined up with me when I passed by our house at the halfway mark, without her collar and her leash. I was worried that she wouldn’t stay with me, but she did…the whole way. In the quiet and stillness that comes in running alone, I talked with God about how I felt it was symbolic and what He wanted me to see. Then, a revelation came…that Petra stayed with me because she has a relationship with me…like we have with God and He has with us…like Tom and I have with each other and with our children. It made me think about that relationship…do I have it, do I cultivate it, do I trust in it, etc. It was a sweet reminder to that part of myself that likes to be in control…just to rest and trust. Yay for God who reveals Himself to us through His creation!

Marty’s Photos at the Frist…

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Tom and I enjoyed attending a super cool event at The Frist tonight…the opening of a new exhibit called “American Ballads: The Photographs of Marty Stuart”. The exhibition was divided into three sections: The Masters, Blue Line Hotshots, and The Badlands. What a beautiful thing art is…to see the world through someone else’s eyes, mind, and heart…and what a privilege to be a witness to something that’s been years in the making.

Mother’s Day Luncheon…

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I had lunch with Jonas and Xander at preschool today in honor of Mother’s Day. They gave me the sweetest gifts, hugs, and smiles. (We ended up leaving a little bit early as Xander had a meltdown about the Oreos I brought him just in case the treats they provided were not peanut-free which they weren’t…some meltdowns will forever be a mystery to me…oh well…I just keep trying to take a deep breath and try again.) Anyway…Happy Mother’s Day!

Game Ball…

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At the end of every baseball game, the coaches give the game ball to the most deserving player. Tonight that player was Jonas!!! He was so excited when they called his name…he looked like he was about to cry. Bless his sweet heart. Here he is…looking proud with Daddy.

Hatcher Family Dairy Tour…

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While Jonas and Xander were at preschool this morning, Roman and I got to take a tour of the Hatcher Family Dairy with our moms’ group. He was all about drinking the little sample cups of chocolate milk and milking the pretend cow. He was also totally fascinated with the port-a-potties, the farm cat, and the hand washing station so we made repeated visits after short interludes checking out the chickens, the cows, the creamery, and the milking parlor. It was fun for me just having one little boy to chase around, and he had a blast exploring the farm.

For the First Time in Six Years…

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I’ve just been thinking about this lately and am totally amazed and loving it (as any mom who has been either pregnant or nursing for five years in a row and is starting to come back to herself can attest)…

For the first time in six years:
1. Our youngest child is two, and I’m not pregnant.
2. We have only one kind of milk in our refrigerator (instead of breast milk, whole milk or 2%, and skim).
3. We have no infant’s medicine (only children’s) in our medicine cabinets.
4. There are no diapers whatsoever in the house.
5. All of our boys are sleeping in big boy beds.
6. We have only one booster seat (and no high chairs) at the table.

These may be small things, but they represent so much more to me. I saw a blog post of one of my favorite and most inspiring moms on the day she dropped her youngest child off at kindergarten this fall. She took a picture of herself to share with the world, and she wasn’t crying…she was jumping up and down with a big smile on her face. That is me right now in celebration of these small things.

The Marty Stuart Show…

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It was my privilege and honor to get to sing with my legendary mommy today on The Marty Stuart Show!!! We sang a song called “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know (About Him)” by The Davis Sisters. I was shaking in my boots but loving every minute of looking around in slo-mo, which is what happens to me in no-words-for-it moments like that, at my mom (we have to not look at each other much, though, because we’ll either laugh or cry), Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Chris Scruggs, and Eddie Stubbs. It was so comforting for me to look out in the studio audience and see my brother, Kerry, too. We had a lot of fun hanging out before, during, and after the show. Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave fame) burned it up with Marty on “Rainy Night in Georgia”, “Soul Man”, and “Lonesome Whistle”. What a priceless treat!

Christmas Day…

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We spent Christmas Day in Hendersonville with Pops and Maw, Eddie Stubbs, Uncle Darren, Cousins Kaia and Marina, Uncle Kerry, Aunt Julie, Cousins Jordan and Dylan, and Aunt Jeanne. It was so sweet just to be around everybody…eating yummy food, playing with the kids, opening presents, and catching up by the fire. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve…

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We spent Christmas Eve in Gallatin with MeMe and PaPa, Aunt Jean, Aunt Julie, Cousins Jordan and Dylan, and Aunt Jeanne. We ate a delicious lunch (MeMe would totally win Master Chef), had fun watching the kids open their presents (I will never forget MeMe and PaPa coming down the hallway with a big wheel and a cool hat for each boy), and enjoyed a White Elephant gift exchange with the adults (the stealing part of the exchange is always so interesting and funny). Eat, drink, and be merry!

Uncle Darren and Cousins Kaia and Marina Visit From Norway…

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It was SUCH a treat to meet my brother, Darren, and my nieces, Kaia and Marina, who are visiting from Norway for the holidays…for lunch today!!! Everybody made it out, which made it even better, except for Tom, Xander, and Roman (daddy stayed home with the napping boys) and my nephew, Rueben (he couldn’t make it over from Norway this year, and we are all so BUMMED…it’s not the same without him). Jonas and I had a wonderful time just hanging out. Here’s a picture of the whole crew. We’re looking forward to more family time…

Gingerbread House Decorating Party…

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I was so excited to be able to spend some one on one time with Jonas at his Gingerbread House Decorating Party at preschool this morning.

Wondering on the way there how they were going to afford gingerbread house kits for all of the kids in the 4 and 4/5 year old classes, I smiled when I saw the milk cartons framed with graham crackers and held together by hot glue…I love the resourcefulness and creativity of teachers.

Jonas and I worked together…I iced the gingerbread house and the upside down ice cream cone tree, and he did all of the decorating. He had bowls and bowls of fun, decorative sweets to choose from: marshmallows, peppermints, candy canes, jolly ranchers, M & M’s, gingerbread man cookies, butterscotches, gumdrops, and coconut.

Here are a few pictures of us hard at work and of his gloriously festive finished product.

Skydiving…

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This morning we all (Grandma, Grandpa, Tom and I, and the boys) piled into the van and drove out to Jasper, TN. In celebration of Jackie’s 70th birthday coming up in December, she and Tom decided to go skydiving together!!! It was fairly nerve wracking for all of us to some degree leading up to the jump, but it was WAY cool to see them both come parachuting triumphantly down onto the runway. As they were getting onto the little twin engine plane to make their ascent to 10,000 feet, Jonas asked, “Mommy, do you think Grandma’s scared? Do you think Daddy’s scared?” I said, “Sure, buddy. Do you want to pray for them?” Before he could even answer, Xander said, “Yes!”, and so we did. Add that to Grandpa’s prayer over them before they walked into the Chattanooga Skydiving Company building and their priest’s blessing before they left home and all of the other prayers that I know were being offered up on their behalf, and I would say they were pretty well-covered in prayer. It’s the only way to go. Yay for living life to the fullest Jackie and Tom Seyfried style!!!

Jonas’ 5th Birthday Party…

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We had Jonas’ 5th birthday party at the park this afternoon (it was a little on the chilly side but the kids had a blast which is the most important thing and it was so nice not having to stress about cleaning the house). As always at parties, I get so caught up in the moment that I don’t quite take all the pictures that I wanted to…oh well. It was great visiting with family and friends and watching the kids play. Tom did a GREAT job of making Jonas’ “Lego cake” dream come true, don’t you think?