Finally Finished.... With School!

What a weekend! We have been b-balling for the last few weeks it seems, with no end in sight! Derek will be traveling to Gainesville and then Leesburg these next two weekends. We might drive over Saturday, but M has a dance recital Sunday! It has been a blast. Both his teams are showing great promise! He has a great group of kids, and the parents are awesome! M & B have been troopers! They have not complained because one of Derek's players actually have a little sister, and they just play together! It has really worked out quite nice! The weather has finally started to sort itself out! We are still getting some rain (which is a good thing) and the temperature has been in the high 70's. I believe this weekend it will be in the 80's! Before you know it we will be back in the pool kicking those fabulous tans! School ended for me Sunday! I was so excited... it was the end of a very long three year journey! Hopefully my dissertation will be finished by December. The stress that has been removed is a true blessing! I did not realize how time consuming it had become. When you are in the thick-of-it, you just keeping marching on! I think I am going to catch-up on some much needed sleep this week. Then, I will start on the house and yard! Both of those items have been on light duty for the past 3 years! I think I am going to do the 47 fling boogie! I bought my trash bags yesterday, and plan to fill everyone of them with something by next Sunday! This house will be cleaned out, rearranged, and ready for the "new" part of our lives very soon! In the meantime, we have to finish up this school year. I believe we have about 34 days left and then an eleven week summer! We are very excited about our summer plans! We are just going to wait and enjoy this last little bit of school!

Enjoy your week!

Are we glad to be home!

We had a great weekend in Knoxville. That is really an awesome college town. The girls had a blast, the students were so friendly and kind to us- Derek's basketball team ... not so great! They will correct a lot of those problems at practice this week!

The city of Knoxville has a great flower department! Not sure what the official name is for that , but they really have flowering trees and flowers throughout that city! It really makes a difference. I miss not being able to really "grow" tulips here!

This is my final week of school! I did not think this week would ever arrive, but I am sure glad it has! I will not know what it feels like to live without deadlines and requirements! My dissertation should be finished by December, but even that is so much easier now that all the coursework is finished! Looks like a 2010 graduation date!

We missed church on Easter... I think that is a first (if the radio counts we did listen to a really good TN preacher!). It looks like from our FB page that Easter was great at our church. I saw on Fox News that church attendance was up yesterday because of the economy! Whatever... people know they should be in church on EASTER at least! Maybe hope was renewed for many families yesterday. Our own pastor reminded us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). I believe that to be true!

It was the first year in a long time that I did not have to cook Easter Dinner! We did have some awesome food though - lunch at O'Charley's and dinner at Cracker Barrel! I think we are all ready for some home cooked meals!

38 days left in this school year. My how time has flown by! We have a busy summer planned, but it will be so nice to sleep in a little!

Enjoy your week!

Just for you to SMILE!

We're in Knoxville!

Well yesterday we headed for K-ville, and detoured through Atlanta to hit the American Girl Doll Store (and yes, before you comment I know that 95N is quicker... but that does not lead to the AGD Store!). It was a blast! I think B & M both smiled from the time we pulled into the North Point Mall until they fell asleep last night! They (and I) absolutely love that store and restaurant! It is such a neat experience for little girls! It is so girly ... all things girls!

Since Derek rode up on the team bus, he was not with us, (in fact, had not even left J-ville at that point!) So.... we spent a lot of time in there looking at ABSOLUTELY everything, updating wish lists, and picking out new things for their current dolls! It was a blast. I do believe an overnight trip to Atlanta will be planned (they have HOTELS that cater to AGD's!) I am thinking Birthday!

The real reason for the trip to K-ville is BASKETBALL. Boys (U15 & U16) to be exact! And this is the tournament of all tournaments! I think the kids are ready. They pulled in about 9:30 this morning on their coach! They looked great, ate a little breakfast and if they were like their Coach, took a little nap. The weather is a little cold and A LOT rainy! Still a pretty city-- lots of Orange- had no ideas they loved the GATORS up here! (Just kidding--- I have been made well aware this is VOLNATION Land up here!) I did email Coach Summitt to see if she would be interested in meeting us for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee... whatever! (Derek believes that I am stalking her!) I love her though, and have loved her for years. I like her program, I like her ethics, I like how she makes her players stand for something, and I love her spirit! Unfortunately, she did not respond! I am sure she is very busy! So... the following pictures will have to do (BTW- this is one of the courts Derek's team will be playing on-.... so you never know, maybe she will be at her court!)

Driving through Georgia yesterday (and boy have they had some rain!) we saw all these beautiful trees in bloom again! I wonder if it is illegal to break a branch off! They look and smell so great! Last year when we were in Macon, I just fell in love! I could have these lining my driveway. If / when we make the move to Franklin, you can bet I will have a lot of these trees!

So, it was quite a long drive.. but I had the best music the entire time! The last song I heard before pulling into the hotel was this...

Navigation: D \ Darrell Evans \ Trading My Sorrows
I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
Chorus:And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning-

So true are these words! This week my mentee who was surplussed found a job at a brand new school! I am so sad, but so happy for her. Not only is she a great teacher, she has become a great friend. She has reminded me so many times this years "His way, NOT yours!" And for those of you who know me, you know I struggle with this--- it is totally an OCD thing. I am a planner- I know my entire year plans in January- very scheduled-- but listening to that song just reinforces that he is my JOY! And in HIS Time, and in His way, our desires will be answered!

We are off to lunch and a little sight seeing before the big games tonight! I will update pictures on Derek's basketball blog at http://www.jaxnets.blogspot.com/ if you want to look over there!

"Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers" Job 8: 19-20

Big Nights in the Rowan House!

Woo-Hoo! We are so excited about the basketball games Monday and Tuesday nights! Too bad were not last week during Spring Break. We were so excited to see Louisville's girls win tonight! That WAS a game!!! We know that one will be a barn-burner on Tuesday. It looks like they will be playing UCONN! Not so sure about the Monday night game, Michigan has really shocked us- not to mention knock-off Louisville (boys).
Today was our last day outside before we start back to school! We really have enjoyed this last week. Our yard and plants are doing so well with the combination of heat and rain! The break was great for us too! We really needed some down time, and it came at just the right time!
The sun is brutal here right now! M would not put on her sunglasses!
Today, B decided that Lilo was going to start shedding some weight. So, for about 4 hours she walked her, ran around with her, and just tried to get her moving. Lilo really liked being outside, and is so good with B on the leash. Stitch also came outside, but she only brings them one at a time right now.

This will be a short week for us at school. We leave for Knoxville Thursday for a big basketball tournament Easter weekend. We are excited to watch Derek coach his U15's. They are an unbelievable team, and great fun to watch!

As we head into summer mode, we are going to remember not to let people steal our joy! They can sure do it, especially people that are so unhappy to begin with. This last week we were able to see how good we have it, and we are not about to give that up!

Job 8:20-22 (New International Version)
20 "Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more."

School for me ends in 2 weeks- (just that dissertation left)! We were talking today about all the deadlines that will be removed from our family because of school. It has been a long and crazy journey but one I think we are all ready to see end. It has been fun and well worth the degree, but I am ready to just CHILL!

Check out Derek's coaching blog at jaxnets.blogspot.com to see all our great basketball this weekend with his U14's. He is certainly busy this year with 2 teams! (But, I think he really likes it!)

The Last Day.... of Spring Break!

Here is my mom and B and our basketball tournament tonight! We will be at the gym all weekend with Derek's U14 team! Let's hope they have a better Saturday!

B just loves to have her picture taken! She has been my poser all week! M, on the other hand always puts her hand up

Today, was our last day of Spring Break and we took a drive over to where I grew up. M wanted to see my old church, and house, and school. She hasn't seen it since she was in preschool. So off we went, on the grand 'ol tour! It looks so different now! I would hardly recognize the place! I think both M & B really enjoy seeing where I grew up and where I played and went to school. It is really neat to share with them! I even took them through my old church and the ball parks that we played at!
We go back to school Monday for 9 more weeks and then it will be summer time! Doesn't seem like it should be possible! Time flies when you are living right!

Even with the rain.... It has been an Awesome Week!

This is just one of my big joys of the week... this tree! About 3 years ago, I seeded this small twig from the Crepe Myrtle in our front yard. I didn't think it would actually live, but I went ahead and rooted it in a glass jar above the sink. Well, low and behold, it took off. I wasn't really sure where I wanted to plant it so I just stuck it in the flower garden along our garage, where for the past few years it has just kind of hung-out! No special treatment! Well about 2 weeks ago, I dug it up and transplanted it into our backyard. There was not one leaf on the tree! In fact it looked like a great Halloween prop! I have watered it, but there was nothing on this tree! When I went out last night, I almost fell over with all the new growth! I am going to chalk it up to high humidity, lots of rain, and plenty of prayers! It is going to be a great addition back there! The pink flowers are going to just shine in the corner!

After lunch today, many of the kids worked on a computer quest.. kind of like a safari. They were able to use google or other search engines to find out all kinds of things about Spring! It was a really neat activity, and they learned a lot of information that they did not know! M would not let me help her.... that is what 4th grade will do to you!

This was our silly picture outside after lunch! Yes, these kids are split between 4 moms! Group shots! We all had a great time!

Having a picnic on the 2nd story patio at the library! The weather was so great, and M & B have a great time "packing" our lunch!

Kat and I have been friends before kids.... almost 17 years! (We met when we were really YOUNG!)

B believes that on picnics you eat off of paper plates, with "REAL" silverware!

This is the neatest little book nook! It just encourages you to climb on in with your book!

Yes... they are reading the SAME book!

M & B discuss what makes a good book, and who they like to read! Little Miss B has cruised through some books this Spring Break! This is her 3rd trip to the library!

I was thinking today about how tight things are for families. It seems there is always something needing to be done or fixed! When I was growing up, we lived very simple. We had gardens, cows, and chickens. We spent a lot of time playing around our house, in the pastures, and at my great grandparents. Life for us, was very simple! Growing up I can remember that my parents and my grandparents were not very showy at all. In fact, I grew up most of my childhood thinking we were very poor- when if fact, we were very rich. Rich in faith, Rich in family, rich in traditions, and rich in the love! Today, it is all about media overload and being presented with items that you really don't even need. This Spring Break, I have had the opportunity to just show our girls that you can literally hang-out in your own neighborhood not spend any money, and still have the best of fun! I believe that they have it! I don't want them to get caught up in looking at what they don't have, rather, rejoicing in all the good that does come their way. With our life-style and all the traveling that we do with summer trips, basketball, and dance, sometimes it is just nice to stay home and work at our own pace! Part of the peace that we feel surely comes from being connected to a great church and having the best of friends!

We continue to be so thankful for all that has been given to us, and that which is yet to come! God is GOOD!

"Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful." ` Colossians 3:15

Today we are building an ARK!

Because it is raining so much! The rain came in last night about 7:30 and has stayed pretty steady throughout the night and into the day! It is amazing what it is doing for our grass and flowers! They look great! Yesterday before the rains came we had a picnic at the park! It was so much fun!

Our park has great walking and biking trails! It is great to just spend the afternoon here! Our park has the best trees! And they are everywhere! A lonely palm tree nestled between the big oaks!
M & B love these red swings! Many days that each lay in one and just go back and forth!

We went to a great park by our house, and low and behold B could shimmy up the pole! Last night we actually went with Derek to one of his basketball practices. What a treat that was! M rarely stays for a whole practice, but she did last night (thanks in part to Spring Break!)

We even made a trip to the redbox and have been watching movies today! We can't say enough about how much we love Spring Break and hanging out at our HOUSE!