Spring at Last

This week I've been feeling rather bummed. I've been trying to pinpoint it and am pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that nearly every member of my family is spending the entire week on the stunning western coast of PORTUGAL. I have been missing my family a ton lately so missing this vacation puts an extra sting in the fact that they're all having fun without us.

I hate missing family vacations.

What I hate even more is that 1) I couldn't justify spending money we don't have to go, 2) that we didn't have the money to go in the first place even though my husband is a freaking dentist, and 3) that by the time I realized how badly I wanted to go and was willing to fork over savings and Sky Miles to do it, it was too late. My passport had expired, and after working for a U.S. Congressman's office and hearing of other people's passport woes, I have absolutely zero faith in the U.S. State Department's ability to expedite passports even when you pay extra to have it done. So today I vow to get my passport renewed as soon as possible and to never miss a family vacation ever, ever, ever again.

My brightspot this week has been that after a long and colder winter than I ever thought possible this far south, spring has finally arrived in Knoxville. The popcorn is popping on the apricot tree (or whatever kind of tree it is) in front of our house and the joy it brings me makes that long winter worth it.

Here's a view from our front yard. Every house on the street has the same tree in their front yard and they are all blooming splendidly.

And the warmer weather means we can finally start playing outside more. No more trying to keep energetic little boys cooped up indoors. James and his cousin Coleman are good buddies. The other day Coleman came over and these two pounded out a little duet on the piano. I feel so lucky that James has had his cousins closeby since we've been in Knoxville and I am so sad that they're moving away soon.