Giraffe Feeding

We fed the giraffes at the zoo today. I'd say it was definitely worth $5 and sweating in line for a few minutes. The kiddos loved it and so did the grown-ups. The giraffes are always Emery's favorite, so getting up close and personal with them was way cool. Thanks to Anna for taking some great pics for us! 

I mean look at that tongue....seriously??

Had to throw in one Instagram!

A Taste of Summer

Actually, it's more like a gulp. IT'S HOT OUTSIDE!

More Spring!

The Nowlin's have certainly been enjoying Springtime! 

We have a new membership to the Botanic Gardens and Case absolutely loves "My Big Backyard." We have yet to check out the rest of the Gardens but hope to soon. I think he will really enjoy the lakes, bridges and koi fish too if I can tear him away from the "river" and sandbox.

There are loads of tulips at the Botanic Gardens...big beautiful exotic ones. 

Emery loves to swing with Momma and watch big bro in the "river."

We have also frequented the zoo this spring with some of our friends! This day the weather was perfect and so was the company!

Rhet, Charlie, Evangeline, Juliette, Case and Emery

And our new house has an abundance of azalea's. Azalea's everywhere and of all colors...10 different shades of pink and purple, white, orange and red. They are everywhere and so beautiful! The pollen is a bit ridiculous right now, but our azaleas and dogwoods are just so pretty. Just some of the reasons I love this time of year. Now if I could just get our allergies under control....

JOB

That's right folks, I've got me a J.O.B. As of tomorrow, I'll be the new Executive Director for the Memphis World Trade Club. And....I'm pretty excited about it. It's a part-time gig, just 10-15 hours a week from home. I think it's going to be the perfect set up for me. Since it's a club and not a business, I'll be an independent contractor. You see, all of the officers and board members are "volunteers" that have demanding day jobs already, so the club has to have someone handle the day-to-day dealings and that's going to be me. I'll manage their website and member database, coordinate their monthly club meetings and all member communications, and help manage and coordinate the details for their annual Port Night event at the Peabody in November. I don't know much about International trade, but I will very soon!

The kids are going to start Parent's Day Out at Highland two days a week (Tues. & Thurs.) so that I'm not trying to squeeze work into nap time every day. I believe it will be super flexible and low stress, which is exactly what I was hoping to find, but wasn't sure existed. I mean, where do you even look for low-stress part-time jobs that are very interesting?? And I didn't find this job, it found me. It was totally a God thing and I am so thankful. An answer to our prayers.

Spring!

Spring has sprung at the Nowlin house and here is proof! For the first time ever, I've actually managed to plant, nurture and keep from killing some beautiful flowers! I do NOT have a green thumb of any sort. I know nothing about plants or flowers and have never really had a desire to fool with them much. But, when we bought this house, two large planters outside our front door came along with it. So........I decided I give growing some tulips a try. They are my favorite! looking forward to watching them grow every year (hopefully)!

Bittersweet

Emery is growing up. I can't stand it. I also can't do one thing about it. She's now officially "graduated" to whole milk and a sippy cup. NO MORE PUMPING AND NO MORE BOTTLES! Hallelujah!! That is the super sweet part! But it makes me devastatingly sad that I nursed her for the last time this morning. I am going to miss it, but it's the right time for us. My baby is turning into a toddler...ready or not! And I am looking forward to some pretty fun milestones in our near future!

As a side note, this NUK sippy is her favorite and made the transition a cinch for us! I guess it's fairly similar to a bottle...but it's NOT! :) She even likes her milk cold! What? I have no idea. I didn't do anything special with her. Case liked his milk warm and in a bottle until he was almost two, despite our efforts to persuade him otherwise! They say no two children are alike, and that's certainly been the case with our two!

Who Needs Seasons?

Winter, we have not missed you around here this year. Not. One. Bit. 

Life-sized Dino's at the zoo! Way cool!