March is my favorite month of the year and it starts with a bang with my birthday on the first. Just under a year ago the world was turned upside down due to the pandemic. In fact just a year ago on March 1st we were celebrating with the students of DanceBlue as they were finishing up their 24 hour dance marathon. Just 14 days later the world began closing down and widespread panic began across the world. The past year has changed us all. It has truly made us appreciate the small things.
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| Last year I started a new tradition on my birthday by running half my age in miles. I woke up early and decided to do it again. Only problem was that my watch decided to act up during the run. I had to restart it three different times so I didn't get the 18 mile tracked all in one run. I found a penny on the run, which I stopped and picked up. Ever since my Mamaw died my dad has picked up every heads up penny that he finds because it reminded him of his mother. I just couldn't let this one go on that morning. I wish so much that my Mamaw could have met my kids. She would have loved them. A lot of people don't apprecitate their grandparents, but I am so thankful for the 17 years that I had with the only grandparent that I can remember. I also included my daily devotion which really hit home with me. I want to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength. |
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| After my 18 mile run Jennifer and I went out for breakfast at my favorite spot, Wild Eggs. For lunch we took Brinley and my parents out to KSBar. This is becoming my new birthday spot. I think 2 out of the last 3 years I have come here on my birthday. |
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| The kids took a scooter ride around the neighborhood and Grandma took Pepper for a stroll. After we got home we also took Grandma and Grandpa out to the backyard to see how good of a shot they were with a BB gun. |
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| They got me a cookie cake for dessert and they knew exactly how I like it, with as much icing as possible. I also finished a puzzle that one of the kids at work had given me. For dinner I had my absolute favorite food in the whole world, Giordano's pizza! It was delicious. |
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| Since my parents hadn't been fully vaccinated we continued to wear masks around them while we were in the house. We didn't want to risk getting them sick. The kids taught Grandma and Grandpa how to play chess. Which was really funny because at one point in Grandpa's teaching career he was actually the chess coach. He said there were a couple of really good kids who helped him out. |
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| I have been completely blessed during my 36 years on this Earth. These are three of my biggest blessings. |
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| Since I was off on my birthday I was welcomed back with my computer area all decorated. They know me so well because they put UK stuff on my birthday sign. I even had a family bring me a birthday cookie in the shape of 36. It was delicious. I also got to show off one of my birthday gifts, the jibbitz that I got to put into my crocs. They were of course a huge hit with my little patients. |
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| I also received another gift from a family at work. They actually included something inside for the whole family. Brinley got a bunny night light. Landon got a soccer ball belt that returns the ball after you kick it. Jennifer got a candle and I got some awesome slice of pizza socks. It was a very thoughtful gift from a very special family. |
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| March 3rd was the first day of school for Brinley. At this point Landon had been in school for about 2 weeks. You can tell who was excited about getting up in the morning. Landon was trying to catch any extra sleep that he could and Brinley was up and getting some bunny snuggles in before leaving for school. |
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| Brinley's first day of in person 3rd grade. She was so excited to finally go and meet her teacher in person for the first time. She did not do well at all with virtual school. |
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| One of my little patients asked me for some of my jibbitz. I was very happy to share them with him. I only had one rule and that was that he couldn't have the little dog. That was a gift from one of my patients. I even named it Buddy after her dog. |
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Jennifer and I finally got to get out and do something with just the two of us. After dropping off the kids at school. We went to the Pinnacles in Berea to hike. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun. Not once did we have to hear "Are we there yet? or Can we go home?". I did kind of miss having them hike with us though.
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| More pictures of our hike together. We can't wait until the kids actually start to like hiking with us. Then we are planning to take them out west and hike all kinds of places. |
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| One of Brinley's teachers told her that she makes dandelion jam every year. Well Brinley really wanted to try it out. So she started collecting every one that she could find. Turns out that it has tons of sugar and of course Brinley loved it. Not sure that it is something that I ever want to try. I would actually be happy if I never saw another dandelion, especially in my yard. |
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| We took the kids out for a mini golf night at Malibu Jacks. I got the only hole in one of the day. We had a lot of fun getting out and doing something normal in Lexington. |
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| Brinley loves her little Pepper. She is such a sweet little girl. Except when she picks my flowers to make Pepper's walking stroller prettier. |
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| The kids helped me put together some of my birthday puzzles. I got a set of four 500 piece puzzles that were all Disney themed. They took a little over a week to do all 4 of them. Jigsaw puzzles are one of my favorite things to do. It might actually be the only thing that keeps me still and keeps my mind from wandering. I just keep focused on finding the next piece. |
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| This lovely lady took a lot of convincing, but I finally talked her to going to dayshift. I would say that 12 years on nights was enough. I am proud of her for jumping in and doing it. It will be so much nicer when we are all on a "normal" schedule. |
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| Pi day! One of my favorite made up holidays. March 14th or 3.14. Everyone should enjoy a slice of pie on this day. Brinley has been enjoying it her entire life. |
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| March 15th will also hold a special place in my heart because back in the year 2005 while on Spring Break in New Orleans I asked Jennifer to marry me. It was after we had Cafe du Monde beignets. So every year on that day I get up and make these for Jennifer and the kids. Landon enjoys as much powdered sugar as possible. Last year our little fryer stopped working and we decided that we didn't need to replace it. I just cooked the beignets on the stove with a pot of oil. Well, a small grease fire later and I was thinking that not getting a new fryer was a mistake. Two days later I came home to a new fryer on the porch from my parents. |
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| Happy St. Patrick's Day! The kids not only wore green, but they also ate it too! |
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| Jennifer and I also got to go out to dinner to celebrate our engagement anniversary. The server was mighty confused that we were celebrating the day we got engaged, but I can find a way to celebrate anything. Jeff Ruby's was delicious as always. |
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| Not exactly the March Madness that Kentucky fans were wanting this year, Nothing like watching the opening round upsets of the tournament with a little lunch to make it a little more enjoyable. |
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| For the past 3 years we have participated in Southland's Meal Packing. This year was no different any other except we had to wear masks. I have committed my life to serving others. I want my children to know that there is always an opportunity to help others. You never really know how much a small gesture can affect someone's day. |
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| Cancer sucks! Childhood cancer really SUCKS! A young patient that I took care of for three years finally became pain free and was able to play a round of golf up in heaven. The kids and I went to his memorial service that was held out on the baseball field where he played. I had a lot of great memories with this young man and his family. I will be happy to see him again one day. Until then I still think about and pray for his family who have to live without him here. |
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| Brinley has such a love for her little rabbit. She was trying to teach it to jump up on her bed. This is not something that I would ever want an animal to do, but Brinley wants the rabbit to do everything with her. |
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| The kids and I made a little trip out to the little par 3 course for a round of golf. Brinley said she didn't want to play with us, but on hole 10 she changed her mind (just like a woman). So she played the back nine with us. I really hope these two learn to love sports as much as me. |
March was a great month and we did lots of fun stuff. Both kids actually returned to school for the first time in 355 days! Everyone was excited to be back in person and getting to see their friends. We also found many things to celebrate, which might be the only way that we have made it through the past year. You have to celebrate the small victories. I have been so blessed to spend 36 years on this Earth and plan on spending the rest of my days, months, and years living my life to the fullest and living a life that God would be proud of me. Thanks for reading and God bless!
