Karie

My BFF Karie came down so we could interview with the Huffington Post. We were having fun taking pictures!

My birthday

We enjoyed an amazing dinner at the Melting Pot for my birthday.

Friends

I met this sweet Wounded Warrior Wife at Operation Homefront's Wounded Warrior Wives retreat in September. I was so glad to spend more time with her at the conference. She is an inspiration and someone I am thankful to know.

Donald Rumsfeld

Donal Rumsfeld was on the panel and signed books for us. Bryan and I met him back in 06 at the Army Navy Game.

Milblogging Conference

Mark Wills played for us at the 5th annual milblogging conference. His new song "Crazy Being Home" was very emotional for me to listen to but a great song.

Hail

We had a horrible hail storm and tornado threats all night. Luckily we just had damage to my husband's truck and possible roof damage. We are lucky and praying for those in Alabama.

Bank

We have been having our bank landscaped for over a year now. It is almost finished. Here is a before and after picture. I am so happy!

Rhododendron

They are in bloom! They didn't bloom last year as they were transplanted. Glad to see they are back!

Happy Easter

Fading tulip

Tulip

Wisteria Vines

Bleeding Hearts

Azalea

Waterfall

Diane

Best Spring Fragrance

Can't remember the name of this bush but it smells wonderful!

My Nephews 2nd Birthday

Flag

We have a flag hanging over our garage. Bryan made sure that it was lit from dusk till dawn. We had to have a flag on our home.

RC

My husband brought home these old RC cans that he collected when he was a kid.

Cardinal

I took this through the window with a screen on it but I had to catch this cardinal sitting in my cherry tree.

Banana Bread

I made some yummy banana bread muffins this week.

Grill

I am the grill master in this house. With Bryan's TBI he usually forgets about it and the food burns. Before he got hurt though I was still the better griller. Luckily we live in a pretty mild climate and get to grill all year long.

Cherry at night

I have been trying to learn how to use my camera on manual and to take pictures at night. Here is my weeping cherry in full bloom at night. We have a spot light on it so that helped make it show up better.

Church

I found this beautiful church tonight while driving around. Still working on taking good night shots and I have no idea what I'm doing so I just change some settings and go for it.

Pollination

I risked my life being up close and personal to these bee and yellow jackets. I go in to anaphylatic shock when being stung by one and I get shots to build immunity to them. However, I had to get a picture of the bees doing their job on my absolute favorite tree.

Heart-shaped view

Love this sculpture and view through it at UT Gardens.

Jane Magnolia

Can you tell I am obcessed with trees and flowers yet?

Geese

A paparazzi shot of the geese doing their bathing ritual.

James White Fort

I liked the shadow on this old cabin at James White Fort.

Cemetery

I like this cross in a very old cemetery downtown.

Spring Has Sprung

One of favorite trees is the Star Magnolia and they are in full bloom this week.

Toys

We have a Wounded Warrior Wife and her son staying with us. He loves Legos.

Hot Stone Massage

Bryan got me a hot stone massage at Natural Alternatives for Valentine's Day. It was 90 minutes of pure relaxation.

Welcome Home Flowers

My husband had these tulips for me when I came home. Tulips are my favorite.

Boat Ride Through the River

My Wounded Warrior Wife friend and I took a book ride through the river. This is one of the large buildings through the ride. It was a great night.

Alamo

Here is a picture of the Alamo

San Antonio

I spent the first week of March in San Antonio, TX for the Operation Homefront National Conference. It was a pretty cool town.

Treaty of the Holston River

I passed this statue the other day while walking the riverfront.

The Treaty of Holston was a treaty between the United States government and the Cherokee Nation signed on July 2, 1791 and proclaimed on February 7, 1792. It was signed by William Blount, governor in and over the territory of the United States south of the Ohio River, and superintendent of Indian affairs for the southern district for the United States and various representatives of the Cherokee Nation. The treaty established terms of relations between the United States and Cherokee, and established the Cherokee nation as a protectorate of the United States with the United States managing all foreign affairs of the Cherokee.
A monument of the treaty is located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville.

Tiny Pinecone

I saw this in the park and loved it!

Downtown view

This is a partial view of our downtown from one of my favorite parks in Knoxville, Ijames Nature Center.

Rainbow

I pulled out of my driveway today to see this. I knew it was going to be a good day!