Memorial Day Weekend in Tennessee

Vance graduated from High School on the Friday before Memorial Day so me, JT, Mom, KD and Mindy headed to Tennessee to attend his graduation. (Click photo for more photos)

As always, it was quite the fun adventure in the car with Mom. The trip went smooth both ways and it was nice to spend time with Shelly.

We met Vance's girlfriend and she seemed real nice. Of course, he didn't want to really hang out with us, afterall, he's a high school graduate with a girlfriend who just got a new apartment... so it's not hard to figure out where he really wanted to be and who he wanted to be with.

We also got a chance to see Allie and how great she looks.... beautiful as always, but she's lost alot of weight and is continuing to do well. We met her boyfriend Shane. He seemed like a nice guy and didn't seem to mind sitting around with a bunch of women chatting.

Bo showed himself a bit while we were there. I really feel sorry for him and his problems and wish that something could be figured out to help him do better.

All in all, it was a good trip, but as always, after being gone for 4 days, it was GREAT to get home! Tim stayed home so he was glad to see us when we returned.

J.T. Gets His Glasses

J.T. got his glasses today and as you can see from the photo, we are very fortunate that he's very excited about it. When he put them on he was excited to see a big difference right away in his vision. He immediately started comparing how things looked with them on and with them off. He got real excited on the way home because he could read the license plates on other cars.

Tim and I felt like bad parents because we hadn't known he was having vision problems. We trusted that the school had done a vision screen and would have expected them to catch it - especially now that we know it should have been obvious to whoever gave the eye test.

I've worn glasses since I was 6 years old and I know what a pain they can be. I hoped he would be able to forego glasses as a child. But, I'm excited for him now knowing that his vision is improved and he can see properly. We are hopeful this will also help with some of the problems he's had in school.

Goodbye Elkei

Two weeks ago, we said Goodbye to Elkei. Elkei was a great dog and at 16 years old had lived a good life. However, the quality of her life had been going downhill for quite some time. It was a hard decision, but we made plans to put her to sleep. It was hard on her "sister" Winter since she had been her lifelong companion too and she wandered the house for about a week looking for her.

Of course, it was hard on all of us and we still have a void in the house without her. These photos were taken the day before she left us.

You were a good dog Elkei, and we all miss you greatly!

JT's Eye Exam

At the suggestion of JT's teacher, we took him to get his eyes checked yesterday. I didn't think there was a problem because he had been screened at school and nothing was noted. However, it was obvious the moment the eye test started and JT couldn't even read the largest line on the eye chart.

It turns out he is nearsighted and will need to wear glasses. Fortunately, right now he is excited about wearing glasses and isn't the least bit worried. I hope it stays that way. Of course, the novelty will wear out quickly. I started wearing glasses at 6 and I know what a big responsibility it will be for him. But, the doctor said his sight will be so much better, we probably won't have a problem getting him to wear them.

Tim Gets His Motorcycle

Tim got his new motorcycle today and he's pretty excited and can't wait to go "Vroom, Vroom, Vroooooooooom...!"

See more photos here...