Anna's glasses

Anna got her new glasses yesterday! She has been anxiously awaiting picking them up and having them adjusted so she can wear them to school. In just one year, her prescription has gone from 20/25 to 20/200!! She has just about the same prescription as me and had no idea what she could not see!! Hopefully she will enjoy having them....she has them 6 years before I first had corrective lenses. Definitely not a surprise as all the parents and grandparents have stellar vision in our family!!! Caroline is now curious when she can get glasses!!

2nd grade trip to Lichterman Nature Center

The second grade took a field trip to Lichterman Nature Center today. It was great weather (a little cool for shorts) but not too warm for their time outside. The kids loaded up on the bus (which is a treat since they don't ride one to school!) and met the parents over at Lichterman. The kids learned about the meadow, the forest and the lake settings in nature. They were able to see animals at the end including a snake (thank goodness Gary was not there, as he would have broken out in a cold sweat!). The kids had a good time and it was nice for the parents to catch up as well! Can't believe we are in the final quarter of second grade. Where has the school year gone??

anna's group was so attentive and asked great questions

inside the backyard habitat center meeting the animals the lovely snake

the class before heading to lunch at incredible pizza

Spring Break

The girls were on spring break March 14th through the 18th. Wishing I was off work the whole week but that did not happen...hopefully next year in my new job will I have this opportunity!! Mom and Dan had the girls on Tuesday and Thursday, Gary had fun on Wednesday and my days were Monday and Friday. Monday was a yucky and rainy day. We did not get to do much but the girls were glad to sleep a little later and just be. Mom took the girls to the Pink Palace on Tuesday and to the planetarium which is one of Anna's favorite things to do. She is fascinated by the stars and the universe...she definitely has some of my dad's genes!! The weather cleared up for Wednesday and Gary treated the girls to breakfast at Brother Juniper's, a morning/early afternoon at My Big Backyard and the afternoon at Paint a Piece. They definitely win the award for being away from home literally all day long. Thursday was a fun and beautiful day at the zoo with Mom. They were all, including Mom, worn out by the end of the day. Friday was pamper day with me. The girls both got haircuts, manicures and pedicures. They loved their sweet looks at the end of the day. Hoping for a chance to actually go somewhere next year, but made the most of our stay-cation.

soaking before manicures
such a lady

ready for pedicures!

all dolled up!!

Lent

Ever since College I have taken the time to truly focus on the Lenten season. My college roommate Elyse is Catholic and some of that must have rubbed off on me!! I usually find something quite challenging to "give up" during Lent. I have attended noon services at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis when I was working in that area. This year I love the sermon series at church....the 7 word of Christ meaning the words spoken by Jesus while on the cross. Very powerful and very enlightening into what is most important and what was on his mind. I am taking these 7 weeks as trying to get my priorities in line, to focus on what is really important, and to have a fresh beginning with my new job which will start the week before Easter. I am looking forward to the journey and to see what I can learn about myself. For those of you that are curious....I have given up sweets. This is by far one of the most difficult things for me to give up. Gary has joined in this year as well. Will see how things go....on top of mind for me this week is the Germantown Half Marathon that is on Sunday. Lots of training, hoepfully it will go well!!

my children....consuming a brownie sundae a la mode after dinner at chili's on monday....encourgament for my soul : )

Grandparents Day

Caroline's class hosted Grandparents day on Thursday. We are so lucky to have active grandparents here in town (we miss you Gammy!!) that can attend things such as this for the girls. Caroline was so excited because she was going to have 4 grandparents there to share the morning with her. The school does a great job or organizing refreshments and short tours in the room and then a visit to the Art Gallery. The schools selects artwork by the children and places a mat around the picture and sells it for $10. What a great fundraiser and a way to showcase some of the pictures the children have drawn. Dad and Julie and Mom and Dan were all able to attend and enjoying being a part of a special time with Caroline. I think she won the award for most grandparents in attendance. What a blessing to have grandparents that can spend time with my children and share their experiences with them.

caroline with grampa and gramma

mimi and papa

the grandparents with their purchased artwork....caroline was so proud!

New Beginnings

I am so excited that I have accepted a new job!! My time in public accounting is coming to a close....a 13-year run that has been a fantastic base for me to build on for the rest of my career. I will be joining ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration. I will be reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. ALSAC/St. Jude have both been clients of mine for over 5 years and they approached me back in December about interviewing for this newly created position. I was nervous but excited about the possibility of starting a new position. I survived the extensive interview process and the waiting process and will be starting on April 18th. I'm currently wrapping up my work at Deloitte and helping my team work through the 10-k filing for ServiceMaster. I am excited about taking a few weeks off....enjoying time to relax, celebrate Anna's birthday, host Gary's mom for a visit and travel to New Orleans for Gary's IronMan race all before starting my new adventure. St. Jude is an amazing organization that treats primarily childhood cancer patients through clinical trials all without an obligation to pay for treatment. That is how critical ALSAC is to the picture as they raise the money required to operate the hospital, all at a cost of approximately $1.3 million per day. That's a lot of fundraising!! While I will be sad to close the door on public accounting, I am thrilled at the possibilities ahead of me!