My Serenity . . . My Wisdom

Nathan at the Dentist

2009-01-16T15:04:00.002-05:00

I just spent 3 hours at the dentist with Nathan today... 2 days ago it was 2 hours for x-rays.. geeez... for a kid with good teeth they sure spent alot of time on him.

Today they did a cleaning, and to fill 4 cavities, but they could only do 2 because Nathan just about passed out after the 4th shot of novicane! He is a trooper, doesn't have a problem with needles or the dentist, but the 4 shots were a little overwhelming for him. After the 3rd one, he was lying there STILL as can be and I thought there was a problem.. the dentist asked him if he was ok and he wasn't responding at all, I told the dentist to STOP and I got up and went over to him and he wasn't doing anything.. I thought he passed out! He was fine, he was just in shock over the pain of the needle going in.. he was so numb he could't talk. He did good though... he has the whitest teeth :)

Nathan is my little trooper... he had 9 teeth pulled when he was 4 years old from a deficiancy when he was a baby.... so he knows the ropes of the dentist.
Well that was my interesting day...... dont you just LOVE the sound and the smell of a dentist office?? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He wanted me to take photos of his clean white teeth hehehe.. he is so proud of himself.

So Sorry... I need to post more

2009-01-15T16:44:00.003-05:00

Hey Friends... well first off I am in the process of making a new blog.... i am moving over to WORDPRESS.... I will give you guys the link when I am finished... I am taking my blogging to a whole new level... I can't wait for all of you to see it.

2nd.. the reason I haven't been blogging as much is because I have come face to face with one of my biggest fears since finding out I was born with a heart disorder and that being me possibly having to have open heart surgery. My aorta has enlarged since I was first tested in 2006 and they want to get a closer look. I have tests to take, I am going in for a Aortic CT angiogram. This will give us all the info we need to see if my aorta has dialted and how much. I will know alot more results next week. I am scared yes, I have many things going through my mind, but I have the best support through this.

I will keep you all up to date and I will also give you guys the link to my new blog i am working on... hopefully it will be done this weekend.

Starting the 200 Sit-Up Challenge

2009-01-11T22:03:00.003-05:00

As you all know, I have done the 100 pushup challenge.. now I am doing the 200 situp challenge.. which is going to be easy seeing I can do about 800 a day.. but to do 200 in a row is what I am aiming for. I took the initial test already and did 80 in a row.. which means, I have to start on week 3 because I already can do 80 in a row.. so this will be a 3 week challenge for me.. of course I have to ask my DR if I can do it seeing some things have changed.. but I hope I can.

Here is the website if you are interested in doing this challenge with me

http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html

A Little About Mike..

2009-01-08T23:31:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite parts of going up to NH was seeing good friends I haven't seen in a while, and one of them is Mike.. Mike and Tim have known each other for 27 years, Tim use to babysit him when he was little.. he has been a friend of the family for a long long time.. and they have been best friends.. I have known mike for 17 years now as long as I have been with Tim. Mike is just funny and awesome and it was so good seeing him.. was great seeing his wife and kids too, he now has TWINS hehehe busy dad! Love ya Mike.. Here is a photo of me and Mike

Some SNOWY Photos from New Hampshire

2009-01-07T01:11:00.002-05:00

I haven't had time to post photos.. but I wanted to post these... here are some photos from our trip to NH with the kids seeing snow for the first time in 3 years.. Nathan couldn't get enough of it, he wanted to clean off all the cars by himeself.. he was obsessed.. it's funny!

I am FINALLY Home from New Hampshire

2008-12-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

Well it's been a long week and i am so glad to be home and in my own bed! I will fill you all in and post photos later on when I re-coop!

My Photo Won - Editors Choice Award

2008-12-17T01:35:00.006-05:00

This photo was taken in my sons Freshman year of the Marching Band 3 years ago. He played 3rd bass and I got this shot as they were marching off the field. I used a side SB800 Flash to fill in the shadows from the stadium lights and it came out as a sillouette. This photo won Editors Choice Award... (Chris is in the middle)

Tornado Alley IMAX Movie Coming Out Soon!

2008-12-15T01:14:00.004-05:00

There is a very popular TV show on Discovery called "Storm Chasers" .. this show is huge.. it's a show all about storm chasers, and a guy name Sean Casey, and he is a professional storm chaser and a IMAX Film Maker.. he is making a movie called "Tornado Alley" which will be in 3d IMAX sometime next year! Also part of the show is Meteorologist Reed Timmer, Josh Wurman who drives the DOW (Doppler Radar on Wheels), and Josh Taylor.. they are an amazing storm chasing team, all helping Sean Casey get the TIV (Tornado Intercept vehicle) into the tornado to film this movie.. if you haven't seen this awesome show, you have to see it.. it's absolutley amazing.. you will be on the edge of your seat. It's on Sunday Nights.. check it out.. I would do anything to do what these guys do.

Here is the cover for the new movie coming out next year.. I cannot WAIT to see this!

Busy Week Ahead

2008-12-14T16:14:00.003-05:00

I am glad to be resting the last part of today.... it's going to be a busy week, alot going on, including packing and getting ready for our trip to NH next week, we are leaving Friday night. Chris has finals all next week, and the kids have alot of things going on in school, some photoshoots and orders to fill before I leave... so I doubt very much I will be having any free time after today.

I have lost 7 pounds in a week and a half by leaning out! I have been doing nothing but cardio for 10 days! I have 2 pairs of pants that dont fit anymore, it's just crazy, I can't believe how well this program worked... I am seeing definition in places I have never see it before, so building up and leaning out has been an awesome experience.

People keep asking me what happened with the 100 pushup challenge.. I screwed up.. on week 5 I was suppose to do 2 sets at a time, instead of 1 and I messed the whole entire thing up, I was so close to reaching week 6. I have to redo the challenge over at week 4 and do it for 3 weeks.. it's so frusterating. I was up to 58 pushups at one time. For all of you doing this, when you get to week 5, PLEASE read the chart right, you have to do 2 sets of each section. I will reach the 100 in 3 weeks.. I hope

Hope everyone is having a good weekend....

Photos - Chris at the Concert

2008-12-12T21:57:00.004-05:00

Here are some photos of Chris at the Christmas Concert tonight... then a photo of him with the percussion on Wind symphony.. they did an awesome job tonight.. the wind symphony is the elite band.. Chris was asked to be on wind symphony in his freshman year which never happens, but Chris knew all his scales as a freshman, and now he is a junior, this is Chris's 3rd year on Wind Symphony.. they are amazing..

It's Friday ... It's The Weekend

2008-12-12T15:08:00.003-05:00

It's the weekend and I have alot to do and alot to accomplish! Christopher has a Christmas Concert tonight, Chris is in Wind Symphony, so his group will be the last to play. It's at 7:00pm tonight at the Woodstock High School if anyone is interested in seeing the Christmas Concert.

I have alot of "working out" to do this weekend.. I am on a certain routine till next Friday, so I am kicking butt.. already lost 6 pounds in leaning out.. I dont want to lose anymore on the scale.. but I am feeling more fit everyday.. it's hard work though!

I have a couple photoshoots this weekend.. tis the season, this is my busiest time of the year. I also want to get started in packing for NH.. not looking forward to that, but I have to do what I have to do....

I hope everyone has a good weekend

Some Getting Into The Holiday TOO Much!

2008-12-09T16:44:00.000-05:00

My kitten apparently wanted to help put up the Christmas decorations... she stole the beads, and held them randsom, then she decided to decorate herself, and play with them till they broke! Then once they broke, she chased the darn beads all over the house and drove us nuts! She's like a kid... you can't take your eye off her for a moment! yeah in the photos she looks all innocent, but in real, she is sneaky!

FUNNY VIDEO - Snow Up North

2008-12-08T11:57:00.003-05:00

Yes this is what happens when you wake up and your car is covered in Snow.. this is NH.. especially the falling down part.. look what happenes.. this video cracks me up!

CLICK on PLAY

Woodstock Christmas Parade - Marching Band

2008-12-06T23:51:00.004-05:00

Every year the Woodstock Marching Band is in the Woodstock Downtown Christmas parade, it's a huge event every year.... I rode on the gator right behind the band.. it was a long parade and very very COLD! It's cool because not only is the Marching Band in the parade, but my church "Momentum" is in the parade too.. Ross and all them had a cool theme this year.. it was huge this year, alot of people in the parade.. Here are some photos of Chris from today before the parade..

Starting the 9 day Detox Today

2008-12-05T09:58:00.002-05:00

Okay, well it's time to LEAN out.. I have lifted weights, and now it's time to detox the body and lean out so I can burn burn burn and see the muscles I have built.. I am a little weary about the detox, it's hard.. you have to eat all fruits and veggies, 1 cup of brown rice a day, 2 low fat yogurts a day, 4 egg whites a day, 1 cup of oatmeal a day, and lots and lots of water.. you can eat all the fuits and veggies you want all day long. This is a 9 day detox, and then you go back to eating meats and stuff.. I will lose alot in the 9 days i am doing it.. you drop alot of weight, but it's ok, I will be working out and LEANING it out heheheh.. I am going for the fit look I have always wanted so I am pretty happy to see how this turns out.

I am going into day 3 of week 5 of the pushup challenge too..

I will let you guys know how the detox thing goes.. it's going to be hard, eating every 2 hours, and nothing but fruit and veggies.. I will be sick of it I am sure, but it's only 9 DAYS! I just hope by eating this way I will still have the energy to workout!

Week 5 - The 100 Pushup Challenge

2008-12-03T00:09:00.002-05:00

Well I am in week 5 of the pushup challenge.. one week to go and I should be able to pull off 100 pushups in a row in my 6th week. Right now I am up to 55 pushups in a row.. I am doing about 180 pushups within 8 minutes of time total. I cannot wait to see how well this challenge works. If I do it, I get a badge. I think I can do it ... it's been 5 weeks now, my arms are in great shape.. we will see what happens.. I will keep you all posted on this challenge as everyone keeps asking me.

If I for some reason cannot do the 100 in a row next week, then I have to start at week 5 again and go up to 6.. but I think I can do it. We will see!

Like Father Like Son

2008-11-28T21:58:00.005-05:00

This photo cracks me up! Nathan was on Tim's laptop, with the headphones on and all. He is going to be just like his dad, smart in computers! He even looks a little like him here! This is so funny, I love this photo.. this was taken here in NC at our friends house.. actually all my kids are into the computer... I have a bunch of nerds in the house

Congrats Ross, Jared and Debbie

2008-11-27T23:36:00.005-05:00

Ross, Debbie and Jared did the 10K run this morning for the gobble jog in marietta... sorry I missed it guys, I know you have been working hard on this for months! I wish I could have been there with you guys.... I am so proud of you guys! YAY! here is a photo that ross posted..

Jared, Debbie and Ross

We are Here in North Carolina

2008-11-27T14:17:00.002-05:00

We made it to NC about 11:00pm last night.. we got caught in horrible traffic outside on 85, took forever. Our 5 hour trip took 7 hours. Christopher talked the whole entire 7 hour trip, he sat behind me and drove me NUTS the whole way here! *food for thought, never let a 17 year old have a cup of coffee before a road trip*

We will be here till saturday morning and then we head back home. I think Kelli is taking me out shopping on BLACK FRIDAY… should be interesting, I never went shopping on the maddest shopping day in the world... I think Christmas Shopping is so over-rated! In my opinion I think that the meaning of Christmas has lost it's value... it has turned into a crazy maddness instead of a holiday for being with people you love.

have a great Thanksgiving Everyone! ….. I will try and take photos

Good Luck Ross and Jared running Thursday!

2008-11-26T00:09:00.005-05:00

I am going to miss it, but Thursday Ross and Jared and Debbie (the trainer) are running the thanksgiving run called "the Gobble Jog" in marietta showing their support for our church "Momentum" ... it's run by MUST MINISTRIES for a great cause!

I know Ross and Jared both have been training for this run, and if I was going to be home, I would have trained and done it too.... so I wish you guys luck this Thursday.. you guys are amazing! Let me know how it goes .... I wish I could watch you guys run, or be there with you!

My New Blog!

2008-11-25T14:43:00.002-05:00

Okay... well Ross has talked me into changing over to WORDPRESS a new blog page... so I made a new blog, but it's not done yet. Here is the link to my new blog
http://myserenitymywisdom.wordpress.com

I will still post to this one till my new one is done... I like this new one, it has alot of cool options.. I still have to add alot more stuff.. check both blogs until the new one is done

Karen 51 Ross 50 WHOO HOO

2008-11-23T22:07:00.002-05:00

Okay.. tonight Ross and Amie came over for dinner, and it just wouldn't be a get together if me and Ross were not competing in some kind of fitness competition! SO Ross said to my son Chris "How many Pushups can you do?" .. Chris said "I think I can do about 100" .. "Ross said, I think I can do about 100 too".. ohhhh ok, lets see who can do the most. So I sat there and watched Ross go first, Ross pushed out 50 before he couldn't do anymore.. Chris 45 pushups he couldn't do anymore! I later then said.. wanna see me push out 50? Ross said "push out 51" so amie comes in the room to see this.. I pushed out 51 PUSHUPS BABY! I beat them BOTH! What a rush.. I couldn't feel my arms for about 30 minutes, but I kicked some BUTT!

I told you Ross I would post this on my blog... 51 pushups BABY!

Well.. Woodstock WON ... Good and Not So Good!

2008-11-21T23:23:00.002-05:00

Well Woodstock won the game tonight in the playoffs.. the good news is THEY WON and the marching band goes to another game.. the bad news is, we got to CAMDEN by charter bus 6 hours away next FRIDAY, which means my vacation with the family to NC is cut in HALF now.. we have to leave back to GA Thursday night (Thanksgiving night) .... to be back to GA Friday morning to be on the bus by 10am! 6 hour DRIVE.. this is going to be LONG LONG game.. we wont be back till Saturday 5am! I am so bummed we have to cut the trip in half now, but Chris is leadership and I am press so we have to go! WOODSTOCK was not suppose to win tonight, this is CRAZY...

I am impressed!

2008-11-21T08:31:00.004-05:00

As all of you know, I am doing the 100 pushups challenge.. I am wrapping up week 4 of the 6 week challenge, and when I first started this program, I took the initial test and I could only push out 15 in a row.. as of last night just for the fun of it, I pushed out 50 pushups without stopping!!! granted I couldn't feel my arms after that, but this program is WORKING! I am halfway there! I have 2 weeks to go and by week 6 I should be able to do 100 consecutive pushups with no problems. I have a feeling I am going to do it!

I was a little skeptical of this when I first started because I struggled to even do 20 in a row, but I am amazed... whoever created this challenge is smart... I have built my arms strong and toned, and my whole upper body and core also.. it's amazing.. Oh and let me make it clear, I am doing MAN pushups, not girl version ones!

anyone who wants to do this challenge here is the website

http://hundredpushups.com/

Chris is in the Newspaper Again

2008-11-20T11:53:00.003-05:00

Well Chris and the Leadership have made it in the paper again.. the Cherokee Tribune.. my photo credit is right under the photo YAY.. they messed up on my son's name though, they put Chris Curry instead of Courcy.. Argggg.. Check out the photo.. chris is on the right, on top, 3rd over from the right

Great Photo

2008-11-19T17:46:00.002-05:00

Sometimes the unexpected candid photos are the best.. Amie was being funny here, and she didn't think I would take the photo... Addaly is looking at her mom like OH MY GOSH MOM, and Ross, well he looks ready for the photo as always hahaha.. this is a good photo of the WISEMAN FAMILY.. I took this photo at their new house last week... this is such a classic... Amie will kill me if she see's this on my blog heheheh

It's MONDAY... busy busy week ahead!

2008-11-17T16:27:00.003-05:00

Well, it's going to be another busy week! Chris has indoor drumlime practice, on top of a Wind Symphony Concert this week, on top of regular marching band practice because Woodstock keeps winning in the playoffs so we have to keep going to the games.. and note we have to go to a game this Friday when it's going to be 25 degree's out! can you say NEW HAMPSHIRE!

I have clients this week, and lots of photos to touch up, and meetings and just alot going on! I dont know how I do it to be honest.....

Going into week 4 of the 100 pushup challenge.. it's getting so hard I can't even tell you! 3 weeks left of this, I can't wait to see what week 6 will bring me.. will I be able to do 100 pushups? we will see..

Have a good week everyone!

Week 3 DONE of the 100 Pushup Challenge!

2008-11-14T13:37:00.003-05:00

Let me tell you, week 3 was HARD! today I did 22, 30, 20, 20 and 28.. only 90 second breaks in between.. that is a total of 120 pushups.. going into week 4 it gets REALLY hard.. 3 more weeks and I will be able to do 100 pushups in a row without any breaks.. this is an amazing program.. my arms are in the best shape they have EVER been in! It's hard though.. I know Amie joined me.. she is going into her 2nd week, I am going into my 4th.. I think she wanted me to be the ginny pig to see if it worked, and if it doesn't she will stop hahahah .. love ya Amie!

have a good weekend everyone!

Day 1 Week 3 - 100 Pushup Challenge

2008-11-10T19:58:00.005-05:00

Well I have made it to week 3 of the 100 pushup challenge! In order to push to week 3, you had to take another initial test so they could put you on a new level. when I first started I could do 12-15 in a row non stop.. going into week 3 I can do 30 pushups without stopping.... so that put me on a new level for level 3! I did my first set today of week 3 and it's HARD! I did a total of 80 pushups in a 10 minute time frame.. I am so sore, but it's working! By week 6 I can see myself doing the 100 pushup challenge.. this is amazing, my arms are taking a whole new shape, and this enhances my weight training at the gym as well... I think Amie is going to join me in this challenge, but she will have to start at week 1... HEY ROSS you going to do it? you can do 50 man! MACHO MAN! I CHALLENGE YOU!

New Fall Photos

2008-11-09T19:52:00.006-05:00

I did ALOT of photoshoots this weekend.. alot of my regulars, and some new ones, but I managed to take my own kids fall photos.. we do them every year at this time. The colors were beautiful at the park we go to, so I made some time to take their new photos for the fall season.. take a look.. I love them, they came out nice.. it shocks me how much they have changed even compared to last years fall photos.... I am officially photo'd out after this weekend!

Hope you like them....

The Marching Band is Not Over!

2008-11-08T09:27:00.002-05:00

Well, I thought Marching Band was over for the year... our football team "Woodstock Wolverines" made the playoffs, so we have to do another game.. we did not expect this to happen.. we thought the competition last saturday was it.. well now we have to go to whatever games our football team makes.. so here we go again! In the 3 years Chris has been on the Marching Band, we have never been in the playoffs.. this will be interesting!

Week 2 Done - Pushup Challenge

2008-11-07T10:03:00.002-05:00

I am done week 2 of the 100 pushup challenge. It's getting harder and harder and my arms are taking a shape I never saw before. Week 2 was tough and week 3 is going to be brutal. I pushed out 80 pushups today for my 3rd day but not in a row yet.. it was with 60 second intervals. That is just amazing! Before I start week 3, you have to take the pushup test again before going to the next level.. which means Sunday night I have to push out as many pushups as I can before hitting the floor and that will be my new level.. week 3 is HARD.. but last night I pushed out 25 pushups in a row, when before I could only do 12-15 ... so this challenge is working! By week 6 I will be able to do 100 pushups in a row with no troubles, and I cannot wait to see that happen.

In the meantime my arms are rock hard.. I love it.. it's making my weight lifting easier too.. for anyone who wants to try the 100 pushup challenge, here is the link

http://hundredpushups.com

I am telling you, it WORKS.. I will keep you updated on my challenge!

Unrealistic - Need to Vent

2008-11-05T13:41:00.007-05:00

You all know I am a fan of the "Biggest Loser" show, (well was)... I like to watch it to see what they are doing for workouts, and what challenges they do to lose the weight. Well Oprah had "behind the Scenes" for Biggest Losers.. they had some people come back from a few episodes ago to see if they kept the weight off, or if they gained it back, and they gave you behind the scene secrets of the show. Bob and Jillian were also on the oprah show too, to talk about the Biggest Loser.

Well I could NOT believe it when they said that these people workout 7-8 Hours a DAY on the show, on the ranch to lose this weight! that is so rediculous! Any Dr. would tell you that working out your heart and muscles for that amount a time a day is TOO much. I have had 3 professional trainers tell me that you are not suppose to do any more than 45 minutes of cardio a DAY and when lifting weights you should alternate days so that you give your muscles breaks in between. 7 HOURS A DAY! it's a no wonder why these people are dropping weight so fast, they are putting their body into Max overdrive and the body has no choice but to lose weight! It's unrealistic and it's unhealthy, and the fact that they have these people doing this for the SHOW sickens me. The Women get 1,200 calories a day while working off about 4,000 calories??? Um Hello Michael Phelps doesn't even burn 4,000 calories a day! This is obscure!

They had a few people who kept the weight off, but there were alot of people who gained it all back.. it's sad to see that because they lost over 100 pounds and gained it all back because they were never taught the correct way to lose weight healthy. they were shoved back home after losing all that weight, and no human being has 7-8 hours in their day to workout.. so they have to go back to normal life and try and keep up with that momentum and they can't and they gain the weight back. No one person should lose 100 pounds in 4-5 months.. it took me 3 years to lose the weight I did and to train myself to workout healthy and body train.. but forcing people to be in the gym 7-8 hours a day is rediculous.. and it's unhealthy in the long run.. it may be immediate results, but the body will break down and rebel.

So I have a new found Dis-Respect for the show.. I love Bob and Jillian, but to do this fora TV show sets no true example to those who are really trying to lose weight to be healthy. This show is based around $150,000 ... shouldn't the prize be health that you can maintain your whole life the healthy way? ... I am dissapointed about this.

A Classic Photo!

2008-11-05T00:15:00.004-05:00

hahah here is a photo of Amie and Ross from Kids Fest last Friday on Halloween.. this is SUCH a cute photo... love the tights amie.. it's so stylish girl! Awww what a cute couple :) .. Ross dont kill me for posting this.. I had to share.. you guys look so HIP!

Photos from Last Night!

2008-11-02T08:54:00.007-05:00

As you read below, we took 1st place across the board last night! DRUMLINE WON 1st PLACE! This was their last competition... Marching Season is over! What a way to end the season.. now Chris does Indoor Drumline, but the schedule is nothing like it's been..

Here are a couple of photos from last night.. Chris holding the Drumline Trophy, and a closeup of the Trophy.. I love the first photo.. looks like he is saying "hahah it's all mine" and the last photo I got a good shot of the bass line doing their solo on the field.. YAY!

We Took 1st Place ACROSS THE BOARD!

2008-11-02T00:34:00.003-04:00

I just got back from Competition at Newnan.. VERY VERY long day.. I am so ready for bed, but wanted to update you all on how it went. DRUMLINE TOOK FIRST PLACE! We took first place all across the board, even 1st place band... we kicked some major butt tonight!

Also tonight was our last event for the Marching Band.. it's kinda sad.. so officially tonight as it ended, chris is now a SENIOR on the Marching Band for next year! Upper Classman, and hopefully he will be Drum Captain next year!

I took some photos of Chris with the trophy, but I will post those later, I am VERY tired.. been non stop since Friday night! I need a vacation.. to a very quiet place around NO ONE!

Have a good rest of the weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

2008-10-31T00:58:00.004-04:00

Awwww My Middle Baby turns 12 Today! awww where did the time go? He's in 6th grade going to JR High next year.. he's just about taller than me.. but he is the sweetest most CARING and LOVEABLE child I have ever known.... He's cuddly, and loving and so good for me all the time..

We are going to do a few things today for his birthday, but Sunday is his Birthday Party... He will have so much fun... we have a huge surprise for him... I can't say yet though :)

I am going to do what I always do and post a before and after photo on Birthdays.. Here is a before and after of Ryan.. his 1st Birthday and him now.. awwww this makes me sad!

Interesting Photo

2008-10-31T00:48:00.002-04:00

Okay.. chris was having some fun with my photo.. we took some goofy photos last night with my camera and chris took a photo and he edited it for fun... it's the photo on the right... kinda neat that Chris is so creative... I usually hate photos of me, but I like this one on the right.. It's a DARING photo for me :) Kinda cool.. thanks Chris

Amazing Photo .. Had to Share!

2008-10-30T07:04:00.003-04:00

I just had to share this photo with you guys.. This is Grant, Ross and Amie's youngest boy.. This is him joining his father in prayer at church. I did not take this photo, someone at the church did.. I wish I had, it's a great shot! I just love it! .. I think this photo was taken during baptism they had this past weekend, I was not there, but this is just so awesome!

Ross you have a boy following in your footsteps :) ...

Day 2 Of The Push Up Challenge

2008-10-29T15:44:00.003-04:00

Okay, I am at day 2 of the 100 Pushup challenge, and I am so SORE I cannot move my arms! in sets I did a total of 45 Pushups Monday, and in sets I did a total of 50 pushups today.. I have one more set Friday of 55 total, but they have you doing it in 5 sets. My arms are killing me! The most I can do in a row right now is 20.. I can't believe this challenge will have me doing 100 in a row by week 6! I am excited to see if it works! By the feel of it I hope it works!

I wonder how others are doing with this?

Me and Chris Photo ... Yay!

2008-10-29T08:31:00.007-04:00

Awww someone just sent this to me.. last week someone took a photo of me and Chris, it's actually funny.. I forgot who took this photo.. this was after competition at Sprayberry! I think Chris is coming around with the photo taking.. I dont have to pay him anymore (kidding) .. all I know is, it was COLD out that night!

I still find it hard to believe that Chris is going to be a senior next MAY! is that crazy or what? I can still remember taking him to his first day of school in Kindergarten.. I am just shocked how time flies by so quick.. Aww I love this photo.... my new fav!

The 100 Push Up Challenge

2008-10-24T16:12:00.005-04:00

I am excited about this! I learned about this new 100 Push Up Challenge and it's just awesome.. I can't wait to see if I can do it in 6 Weeks.. Anyone who wants to join me in this challenge let me know.. it starts Monday! I know Amie is on board already... Here's the website
http://www.hundredpushups.com/

-----------------

The whole idea of this is a 6 week program, and you have to follow the chart. They have you doing 5 Sets of pushups 3 times a week, and you have to do the number of pushups according to your level.. so Monday, Wednesday and Friday you have to do 5 sets of pushups according to your level. By week 6 you should be easily up to 100 situps in a row with no problems. Check out the website.. this is exciting because I am very strong upper body and I remember when I couldn't even do 1 pushup and I am up to 25 in a ROW without stopping. I cannot imagine doing 100 in a row, so I am excited to see if this works, I heard from everyone that it does.. it builds endurance each day you do it. this will not only make me do 100 pushups in 6 weeks, but the pullups I do at the gym will come easier because of this strength too.. I am excited..

Check it out .. I challenge you :)

Me and My Boys

2008-10-22T22:54:00.009-04:00

I just love spending quality time with Nathan and Ryan when I am not so busy.. We sat outside on the swing the other day and they wanted a photo with me.. they are too sweet.. here are some nice photos we took.. I miss them so much when I am busy with the Marching Band and Work.. I think I am almost ready to take their Fall Photos!

My Nathan

2008-10-21T15:29:00.003-04:00

awwwww... I just love the many faces of Nathan.. he is the comedian in the family... he is so funny and makes the cutest faces! He is getting so big!

Drumline WON 1st PLACE!

2008-10-19T02:06:00.007-04:00

I just got back from competition and percussion took 1st place! This year it was more special to me because chris is LEADERSHIP and he got to be up there for the awards and got to hold the trophy! I go to be on the the field so I got a great shot of Chris holding the trophy.... This was alot of HARD work paid off... and this is only our first competition, we have 2 more!

last night we also won overall 2nd place, and best musican award! We were .3 away from making 1st place.. thats ok, there is always next week at JSU!

here is a photo of Chris holding his Trophy! He was so excited about this! There is nothing better than this!

Busy Weekend....

2008-10-17T11:08:00.000-04:00

Wow it's been a while since I have blogged... I have a busy weekend! Tonight Chris has a game at Kennesaw Mountain and then tomorrow is the first competition! It's at sprayberry high school YAY! This is one of my favorite competitions of the year.. the school are great.. we are up against some great school this year.. the biggest one being Lassiter High School. We are a AAA band this year having over 100 students on the Marching Band, so we compete against harder people this year. So I will be gone tonight, and half the day tomorrow into tomorow night, and then a photoshoot on Sunday.. I am HOPING to spend some time with Tim, Nathan and Ryan the other half of Sunday...

I will post photos from the game and competition this weekend... have a good weekend.. suppose to feel like fall finally

Chris's Homecoming Photos

2008-10-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

I meant to post these, but time got away from me... Chris went to HomeComing last saturday night with Taylor... they had a good time. Here are a couple photos

New Contest Photo

2008-10-09T22:48:00.003-04:00

I have entered another photo into the better photo contest.. I took this photo Tuesday night at the Exebition, it's the SNARELINE.. I love this shot because they had no idea I was taking it, and the lighting was perfect.... Chris is not in this photo of course because it's the snareline, but it's a great photo.. I will let you guys know how it goes in the contest.

Some New Photos

2008-10-08T19:52:00.008-04:00

last night was the Cherokee County Exebition.. here are some photos I took of Chris.. actually smiling.. yep.. I think it's starting to grow on him :)

Love this photo.. Yay a Smile!

The Bassline in Black and White.. cool shot!

chris putting his hat on, getting ready to perform

Chris and his good friend Courtney who is also on the bassline!

Chris at DRESS CENTER.. you can't move when your in this position!

The More Serious Chris

Monday... Busy Band Week

2008-10-06T19:47:00.002-04:00

This week is a busy week for the band.... Tuesday night is the Cherokee County Exebition, this is one of my favorite things to go to every year, this year it's at Creekville High School.. the exebitions are fun, to watch other bands play and our band as well. Wednesday night is the Homecoming parade and Bonfire Band Pep rally, and Thursday is practice, and Friday is Homecoming Game.. HOME game. This is one of the busiest weeks of Band.

I hope everyone has had a good Monday.. have a good week.. I will try and update this week on the happenings with the kids and stuff.

It's Been a While

2008-10-02T07:15:00.002-04:00

I didn't realize that I haven't updated since last weekend.... it's been a rough week for me, and alot is going on here with my schedule. Tomorrow and the weekend is pretty crazy, so I am hoping to not do too too much today.

Christopher is giving blood today for the American Red Cross.. this is his first time, and he has practice later on during the day, so I hope he will be ok to do this. He is pretty excited about it, I dont know why, but he is excited about it.. anything to do with medical he gets excited about it.. I tell you, he was born to be in the medical field. He has to have a Echo done of his heart sometime this year because they need to test all my kids due to my heart condition, they want to make sure my kids dont have the same thing... chris is all excited about having a heart echo done, but then again, why wouldn't he be? he wants to be a heart DR.

Well I hope to write more this weekend.. if I have time that is

Chris made The Front Page!

2008-09-27T22:19:00.003-04:00

Chris made the front page of the Tribune Newspaper this morning.. They took a photo of him from the bass's... NO I did not take this photo...

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE IT LARGE!

Vote For Woodstock Marching Band

2008-09-27T10:47:00.003-04:00

Last night Channel 2 News covered the band and their halftime performance.. you can vote for them to win band of the week, then at the end they will vote on all the bands who won band of the week for the grand winner.

Check out the bands performance here
http://my.wsbtv.com/kickapps/_Woodstock-Band/video/343235/6690.html

Here is where you vote
http://www.wsbtv.com/surveyresults/17549609/index.html?section=sportszonefriday

They kicked butt last week.. check out during the end the drum solo of the bass's it's awesome.. it's amazing how fast they move around with those bass's on them... there is one thing that chris has learned is to run backwards with a bass on... their solo was awesome!

Helped Amie and Ross Move

2008-09-24T22:13:00.003-04:00

I just got back from helping Amie and Ross move a little... it was so exciting to see this new journey for them... ever since I met Amie she has always talked about wanting to get her own house again, and every time I was in the car with her, we would pass by a house and say "awww thats pretty, thats so pretty, someday I will have my own house" well now she does, and it's beautiful and I am so proud and happy for them! They have EARNED it.. it's a gift from god and I hope they make many happy memories there!

Congrats on the new house guys :) ... more room to PARTY now :) ... Just kidding!

My Poor Ryan

2008-09-23T22:58:00.004-04:00

Ryan was not a happy camper today.. he had to spend all day in school pondering over the fact that he had to get 3 SHOTS done at the DR's after school. He had to get his 6th grade (12 year old) shots.. He got off the bus with his pout look on his face like "I dont want to do this" .. I felt so bad for him. We got to the Dr's and the nurse brought in 3 needles.. he was actually CALM but just nervous! They gave him 2 shots in one arm and one shot right in the muscle of the other arm.. I felt so bad for him.. he didn't cry, he didn't do anything he just sat there and took it. I was actually shocked that he turned his head and watched her put the needle in... BRAVE child!

Poor Ryan is so sore.. he is in so much pain, can't even lift his arms up. I feel bad for him, and he has to go to school in the morning.. ouch! I hate it when kids have to go through pain... but I made it up to him after and got him a ice cream and his favorite thing for dinner.. but he is still sore.... but he is all set now until he needs another booster in 10 years. I should have taken a photo of his face when he got off the bus.... it was funny but so sad! He has those puppy eyes like "please dont make me do this" awwwwwwww...... I just love my kids so much!

Back To Working Out ... Was Great!

2008-09-22T13:22:00.002-04:00

I went back to the gym this morning 6:00am.. I ran for a half hour and did weights and abs.. it felt SO GOOD to be back at the gym after my 2 week break. I needed that break, I was getting burnt out.. now I am back to full routine and my body is thanking me.. well tomorrow I dont think so, but today I feel FIT.

Got up this morning and weighed.. lost 6 pounds! WOW! dont ask how.. but I am back in the routine, and lifting weights.. I have a goal to meet by the end of this year with my weight lifting and cardio.. it's going to be hard, I have so many distractions lately, but I am up for the challenge....

This Years Wall Photo

2008-09-20T14:46:00.005-04:00

Everyone that comes to my house knows about the "Marching Band Wall" .. I started this wall in Chris's freshman year on the Drumline. I pick one big photo for that season and then a group Bass photo and then a misc photo for that year.. so on my wall right now is a freshman side, a sophmore side and now this year i am working on his Junior section. I pick ONE BIG photo for each season of a pose. I got my photo last night at the game for this season's big photo to go on the wall. This is always a challenge because Chris doesn't like to pose for photos, so I have to get a photo for the wall. Well I am so glad I got last nights, it's different and it's from a different angle, and I love it...

Here is this years Junior year wall photo

BELOW is his Freshman wall photo and his Sophmore Wall Photo...

It's Been a While.....

2008-09-19T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I blogged.. been kinda busy with alot going on. It's Friday again.. This afternoon me, Amie and the kids are taking the kids to the park to have a picnic.. it's been a while since we have done that, it's always nice to have that time with the kids.. my kids fall break wasn't much of a vacation.. we didn't do anything.... I feel bad about that.

Chris has a GAME tonight.. it's the first HOME game of the season. Yup that means I will busy taking photos all night... This also means that they will be giving out the "media guides" in which all my portraits of the band will be displayed... I can't wait to see my work in the guide. Woodstock plays Marietta tonight.. the first home game is always the most exciting! Come check it out if your not doing anything tonight.. game starts at 7:30pm.. come check out the drumline!

I better rest up while I can.. Bootcamp starts back up Monday! Yup, there was a 2 weeks break! I also took a week off from working out.. my body needed the break, But I am back and back into a strict weight lifting routine.. I am going to do some crossfit training this month too! hard stuff but gives you an amazing body!

Anyways... last week me and my Ryan took a photo together... I was looking at it and just LOVE it.. I love all the photos of me and my kids.. they will cherish these photos when they get older.. Ryan has the biggest heart.. he must tell me 2o times a day he loves me.. I love this photo awwww!

Amazing Photoshoot.. Simply Amazing!

2008-09-15T10:54:00.016-04:00

As you know I specialize in Children Photography... well this past Sunday I have had the pleasure to take on a client who I know who comes to our Thursday Woman's group and she has a little baby name Natalie... when I first saw her smile I knew I had to do her photos.. so I told her I would do the baby photos for free.. I have been out of the loop for a while and haven't done a baby photoshoot in months... This baby smiles so much that I did her photoshoot in 20 minutes with the normal being an hour to an hour and a half.. she smiles so much it's crazy.

Take a look at some of the work I did yesterday.... would you know that these photos were taken OUTSIDE at the park, on a black moonchair, with a black cloth.. this is all natural lighting, no flash.. it was cloudy which was perfect, taken at about 6:00pm.. this first one she was reaching out to my camera... so cute!

Major Hangover.. Never again!

2008-09-14T08:53:00.009-04:00

last night was the best night I ever had, but I will never drink again! I dont remember anything after the 1st drink, it was tall and I had it on an empty stomach, and it had 3 different rums in it, after that drink is a blur... I remember little things here and there, but other than that, I woke up in my bed, in my pajamas and I have no clue how I got there! A couple people called me this morning and told me how entertaining I was last night... they took video and photos.. I dont even want to know.... I had 3 drinks called "The Ultimate" something.. it had alot of stuff in it..

From what I DO remember in the beginning I had such a good time.. all my friends there, they gave me such cute gifts and cards, and it was just wonderful! I guess I took lots of photos, so I will have to go back and look at the photos I took ha!

I have such a headache I can't even go to church this morning, and I have a baby photoshoot today... this is going to be interesting.

I wont drink ever again, I dont like the feeling.. but at least I can say I did, and that was enough for me!

Here is a photo of the group of us... I think I had one drink at this point.. I dont know

heather, traci, me, leanne, amie, and Kim ...

Me.. I dont remember this photo.. poor kim had to sit next to me all night! Kim drank too, hey Kim what drink was that? hahah I think I had a sip..

VIDEO - The Cadance

2008-09-12T22:45:00.002-04:00

Chris and the Drumline doing "The Cadance" for this year... sounds awesome... of course you tube cuts the crap out of the video so the quality is not as nice.. but at least you can hear it.. PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON to see it.. make sure your volume is up!

It's Friday

2008-09-12T08:07:00.004-04:00

Sorry I know I haven't blogged all week really... I have had a tough week and trying to get through it. It's my Birthday today, but it's not complete because Tim went to NY for a week.. I miss him already! He is taking me out with the kids when he gets back... but it's still not the same, I miss him more so this time around. Him and I realized last night before he got on the plane that he was flying on 9-11 .... that spooked me out a little.. but he is fine and safe in NY right now.

Saturday night (tomorrow night), my friends are taking me out for my birthday.. Tracy, Amie, Leanne, Nicole, Heather, Kim, and Anna.. they are all such good friends.

The kids are on vacation next week "fall break" .... I will have to find some things for them to do.... doesn't feel like fall yet thats for sure.... oh well

have a good weekend

.. P.S. I took a photo of Chris at practice yesterday.... I like this photo...

Check it out! PHOTOS

2008-09-09T15:05:00.018-04:00

I found this new PHOTO PROGRAM for my blog so you guys can scroll through new photos.. here are Chris's marching band Photos this year so far... take a look.. look under the photo and click on the thumbnails to see the next photo OR you can click on the photo itself and it bring you to the next one.. it's really cool, and so much easier for me to post photos!

It's Monday....

2008-09-08T15:45:00.004-04:00

It's Monday and I have another busy week ahead of me... Tim is leaving for NY on Thursday.. kinda bummed about that because he is leaving the day before my Birthday.. but thats ok, we plan to do something together when he gets back. My friends are taking me out this Saturday night... it's going to be an interesting night out!

It's going to be crazy this week.... I really do need a vacation.. I wish I was going to the ocean for a week, that would be so nice. My kids are on vacation for a week next week, I wish we could do something and get away, but we can't.. Chris's marching band is so HIGH in priority right now, they are right in the middle of learning new drills for competitions.. he HAS to be there... so we are pretty much stuck till the 2nd week of November when Marching season is over.... I feel bad for nathan and ryan sometimes because of that, but we have to do what we have to do. I will make it up to them somehow. So with them being on vacation all next week, I have to fit in all my clients and stuff next week... and with Tim being gone half the week, it's going to be hectic.

Listen to the song on my page... listen to the words.. boy do some of those words fit my life! WOW! it hits home! ... some will know what that means

have a good week everyone

Sunday.... I slept in too late!

2008-09-07T17:01:00.007-04:00

Ever have one of those days where you sleep in and the day is gone? yeah I slept in till 2:30pm... oh well I must have needed it.. working out so much, doing alot of running, and then being at the band camp from 3-9:30 last night, I was tired! The bad thing about sleeping in is that it can backfire and you get too much sleep and your still tired all day.. oh well.. I have alot to get caught up on today work-wise.

I got sunburn yesterday being at the camp.. it was HOT yesterday..... speaking of weather, keep your eye on Hurrican IKE.. it's a CAT4 and looks to hit either EAST of Florida or WEST.. either way we will get something from it.. if we get the EAST side of it we will only get winds, if we get the west side of it, well... thats another story.

have a good day...

This is a powerful Hurricane... I hope it doesn't hit us!

My Baby Not a Baby Anymore!

2008-09-06T11:46:00.001-04:00

I was fixing up some photos from last Friday's game, and I came across this one and just looked at it, kinda sad that Chris has grown up so fast! It seems like yesterday he was starting his first day of school in Kindergarten... now he is going to be a senior next May, and getting his license in a couple months... and what really hits me is the fact that he will be off to college in just a year and a half ... it's so overwhelming when all you can really remember is their younger years like it was yesterday.

I love this photo of him, it's one of my new fav's.. he is actually SMILING! Oh my gosh.. and I didn't have to pay him?! ha kidding..

Free Friday

2008-09-05T20:58:00.005-04:00

I dont remember the last time I didn't have much going on, on a Friday! Chris didn't have a game tonight, it was an open game, so they just had practice. It was beautiful out today.. I love it when we have High Pressure over our area, lots of sun and no muggie air. Tim and I went out tonight which was nice... he is leaving for NY next thursday so it's nice to spend some time before I get busy again next week.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I am on the roster for being at the Fall Band Camp at the Woodstock highschool from 3-9pm.. going to be a long day in the sun... taking photos and helping out. From 7-9 they are going to be in the stadium running through their program in the football field. I will post photos when I upload them, I still haven't finished last weeks photos, I am a little behind.

Hope everyone has a good weekend...

Silly Kids

2008-09-03T17:17:00.003-04:00

Nathan and Ryan always wrestle and fool around.. well I had to get a photo of this, Nathan giving Ryan a piggy back.. ryan is the same height as me and nathan gave him a piggy back ride.. I think nathan is going to be our football player in the house, he is strong! they are goofballs!

nathan giving Ryan a piggy back ride.. Ryan weighs 30 pounds more than nathan ... this is funny!

nathan gets a turn.. they are goofballs!

It's Wednesday

2008-09-03T11:15:00.007-04:00

This week is flying by already... I am feeling a little better.. the past couple days I have been feeling so ILL.. everytime I ate I felt very sick, but then I was hungry and then if I ate something I felt sick.. I get this once in a while.. it happens to me at least twice a year, and everyone knows I hardly get sick. I dont think I was sick, I just think it's stress and I need to listen to my body and relax more. I feel much better this afternoon, not as nauseous!

This Saturday Chris's Marching Band is having FALL HOME CAMP.. they will be practicing at the school from 9am till 9pm.. I am helping out 3pm - 9pm .. maybe I will take some photos.. I love to watch them working on their new sections of the program.

I have a video clip of the drumline doing the cadence.. I will post that this week, I know alot of you have been asking me about it. I will get to it.. it's been a crazy week so far.

Check out the new song on this page.... it's such a great song..

Have a good day!

Totally Worn Down

2008-09-01T16:01:00.008-04:00

HA I feel like one of those erasers on the top of a pencil thats been used over and over and over and I am worn down to nothing! I am on and off in bed today... I have a bad sinus headache, allergies were really bad all day yesterday, I am very tired and worn out.. I get this once in a while when I just am worn out! I hardly ever feel yucky physically.. so I better listen to my body and slow down! I'm not sick, I just have a very bad sinus headache from the bad allergie attack I had all day yesterday and I need to relax and rest!

I am glad today is a holiday.. sometimes when I feel this way going tanning with the warm lamps helps me feel better... my friend got me a gift certificate to the tanning place and I still haven't used them, maybe I will try laying in the warm bed and see if that helps.. I feel so YUCKY today!

I hope everyone has had a good holiday weekend.. I keep thinking today is Sunday, doesn't feel like Monday, I am going to be screwed up all week now. I hope I dont have alot going on this week... I think I have 2 clients but thats about it, and no game this Friday, so it should be an easy week I hope.

I hope everyone has a good day

Some Photos

2008-08-31T14:29:00.012-04:00

I had a tough time getting the shots I wanted.. I got some ok shots for the paper, but other than that nothing I am printing up in excitement!

Here are a couple shots of Chris at least.. they came out OKAY.. I am very picky about my work, the first one will be going on the wall in our house, we have a Marching Band wall with all of Chris's Years on drumline, and I do the collage a certain way, and this shot was good for the small side shot photo.. Everyone who comes to my house loves the Marching Band wall in my office..

So here are the couple shots that came out ok.. it's not my best by any means, but good enough. You can CLICK on these photos to see them bigger if you want.

Chris side view full uniform on.. he went from 3rd bass to 2nd bass this year. 2nd bass is the harder one to play.

The BASSLINE (they almost go from shortest to tallest)

He always looks mad, but in real he is just focused!

This is a candid shot..

Chris with Courtney and Sarah on the line.. Everyone says chris looks just like me in this photo.. I dont see it but okay :)

Saturday.. Tired..

2008-08-30T14:10:00.006-04:00

Hmm I dont know what happened to my other 2 blogs I posted, they dissapeared... oh well....

Today I am so tired.. I hope to get some rest this weekend, I really need it. Didn't get home till midnight last night, it was a very long day/night last night.... got some ok photos.. haven't touched any photos up yet, when I do I will post a couple.. I got a few video clips of the drumline too.

Hanging out with Amie and Traci tonight, hopefully by 8pm I am up to it, I just want to sleep! Maybe I will get a 2nd wind, we'll see.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend

My Favorite Part of The Day

2008-08-26T14:32:00.008-04:00

lately, with going through so much there is not so much to look forward to, and the one thing that always puts a smile on my face (besides my kids loving me of course), is going to Chris's Marching Band practices a half hour before they are done, and watching them do run throughs of this years program, and seeing them do the cadence.... I still get chills watching Chris play on the drumline...

I guess no one would understand unless they were me when Chris was 8, 9 and 10 years old.... I would take Chris to the Dover marching band show EVERY year.. it was our thing. We would go in the 0 degree weather with 2 jackets on, hats and gloves and sit there and watch them compete.. we would literly freeze our butt on the concrete stairs, but Chris would sit there and watch the whole thing and his words were always "someday I want to be on the Drumline" and he said that every year we went.... I made sure to make that dream come true!

When we moved to GA he had to finish 8th grade, and sure enough at the end of the year the notice went out to all 8th graders to come to a marching band show and see what the marching band is like for their freshman year.. WOW those words couldn't come quick enough for Chris.

Going into Freshman Year we went to orientation for the Woodstock High School, and Chris took a B-LINE to the marching band director Bob Loehr.. "How and when can I join the marching band?" ... he went to try-outs his freshman year he was accepted onto the DRUMLINE 3rd Bass.. that doesn't happen often to freshmans, usually freshmans are put in PIT their first year. HOW PROUD was I? During the freshman year at every football game when he marched out with the drumline my eyes watered every time.. because I remember those feet dangling over the edge of the stairs at the age of 9 watching the drumline in Dover NH and him saying "Someday I am going to be on the Drumline" ...

Here we are 11th grade and Chris is still on the bassline and he is LEADERSHIP.. so it goes to show NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! I still get chills watching him.. because I know that time between him and I was special.. a dream we both made happen together!

So This is my favorite part of the day... it doesn't seem like much, but it's alot to me!

My Favorite Marching Photo of Chris... he's not smiling, but then he is!

It's Monday.. What a long Weekend

2008-08-25T02:10:00.010-04:00

it's Monday 2:30am, and I have to get up for bootcamp... can't sleep so thought I would update, haven't updated in 4 days! Sorry I haven't updated in a while.. been busy.

Chris has his first game this Friday, They have 3 more practices this week before the first game. Their first game is an away game at Kell High.. I can't believe it's football season already!

I have a couple photo shoots this weekend, a couple clients... shouldn't be that bad. I have a strict workout schedule this week.... I hope I can do it!

Womans group starts back up again this week, we are having it at my house on Thursdays from 9:30am till 11am ... we have a pretty big group this time.

have a good week

Just a Thought for Today

2008-08-20T17:06:00.003-04:00

Never give up no matter how hard it is! If your reading this, thank you for giving me more fuel to fight with... I am going to see this as a blessing instead of a curse. If you know me, and I doubt you do, when someone says I can't, I prove them wrong, and I WILL prove you wrong.

Thats all.... I hope everyone is having a good week :)

Crazy Week Already!

2008-08-19T11:58:00.003-04:00

This week is crazy already with all the appointments and meetings I have. I am so glad that I got a little more organized this past weekend.

The kids have open house this week... I always get a kick out of how the open house works down here.. it's like, how can you have an open house when school has only been going on for 2 weeks? what can the teacher possibly know about my child yet? Where I am from, our school systems up north, we dont have open house till the end of November, where the teachers have gotten to know the students for 2 months and have some grades to talk about, and then they would have another open house halfway in the year. This is crazy.. not even a full 2 weeks in school and my kids have open house tonight.. its just strange.

Chris's first game is next Friday! I cannot wait to get my hands into the photography for the band this year.... I missed alot last year and can't wait to start building the portraits this year for the band... the band booster board is amazing this year.. Tori you are the shit, you are making all our lives easier this year for the band. Their first game is at Kell High School!

Ross is spending the night this Friday night for MANS NIGHT... BBQ and Video Games.. HA I am going to have to buy some paper cups (inside joke) .. we will see who is a thunderstorm THEN!

Thats about it.. I gotta run, just wanted to catch up, haven't blogged in a couple days... hope everyone is having a nice week so far.

My Best Portrait this year!

2008-08-16T18:04:00.005-04:00

I am posting this because I am just so proud of this photo! This photo here is a photo of the "Snare Line" my son is not a snare so he is not in it, but its one of the best photos I have taken in a long time.. this is going to be blown up and put in the drumroom at the highschool... I love everything about this photo.. I wish my son was in it, but Chris is a BASS drum... I get chills looking at this photo because it was the perfect capture.. my best all year, and I love to challenge myself to get a better shot that the year before.

Click on Photo to see larger, you can see the quality in this portrait

The Snare Line .. having a little fun with the camera!

The Weekend is Here

2008-08-16T10:43:00.004-04:00

Usually I dont care for the weekends, but I think I am welcoming this weekend. last week was a weird hectic week, so I think I am looking forward to getting organized and spending time with my kids. I have a very busy week next week, VERY busy, so I really want to get organized and relax.

First off.. TIM PASSED HIS TEST! Yes! I have never seen him so excited! He has been studying for this test day after day.. it's called the "Cisco Certification".. I dont know the details of it, but it's a very important certification to get. It's a hard one I know that. This is just another thing under his belt and paper to add to the wall of many acheivments. He is so smart it makes me sick... I wish I had half his brain.

Yesterday Ryan came home all excited... his awesome old teacher from last year MR D called him into his class for a moment and said I have a math problem for you to solve over the weekend and I want to see if you can figure it out.. I think it's an 8th grade question or highschool math problem.. so Ryan tries to figure it out on the bus.. HE FIGURED IT OUT in like 20 minutes.. he comes home and tells me about it, he says "mom I have to call MR D and tell him I figured it out already" and so I call MR D and Ryan gets on the phone and I heard MR D say "GET OUT OF TOWN, GET OUT OF MY SPACE YOUR RIGHT" ... I was so proud! Ryan is in Advanced Math this year, he is very smart in math. How cool was that? I think it was an algebra question... he is going to be just like his dad!

I went out with Tracy last night... it was so fun, she is such a sweet friend. She took me to a cute place in atlanta called "cafe' Intermezzo" .. it was cute.. I love having a girls night, it regroups me.

Tonight Tim and I are going out without the kids... I am looking forward to it, it should be nice spending time with him alone...

Well thats it for now I guess.... I hope everyone else has a good weekend...

New Marching Photo of Chris!

2008-08-14T23:10:00.005-04:00

Here are 2 new Photos of Chris from the Photoshoot I did of the band yesterday! I love these 2 photos of Chris.... I can't believe he is a JUNIOR this year and this is his 3rd marching band year! I am so proud of him! click on the photos to make them larger!

chris in his uniform

Chris looks content here... love this photo!

It's Wednesday

2008-08-13T14:59:00.006-04:00

Wow I am so tired, but I think thats because I have been bad and staying up till 1 in the morning every night watching the olympics and then getting up at 5am for bootcamp.. yeah that might have something to do with it. I did bootcamp this morning, which was so challenging for me to get up and go, but I did it. Once you do it, you feel great, it's getting from the bed up to go! Usually Mondays are easier for me to get to bootcamp because Amie comes with me on Mondays, so I am not only responsible for myself, but I am for her because I pick her up.. but Wednesdays and Fridays are tough to get motivated to be up that early, but worth it in the end.

I have a busy couple days coming up.... I am doing a photoshoot for the marching band tomorrow, This is huge, I was asked to the take the group photo for the MEDIA GUIDE.. the marching band has never been in the media guide before, so they asked me to do the photo. We are going to do something new tomorrow and they are going to put me on a raised podium to take the shot from above... should be interesting. Then I have a meeting tomorrow night, and then another photoshoot Friday, and then finally get some free time after that.

As we get closer to the Football season, it starts getting crazy around here. Christopher's first game is August 29th, and it's an away game at Kell. I will travel to that. Chris will be practicing 3 days a week with the game on Friday and then every other saturday is home camp..

I hope everyone is having a good week, it's already halfway over.

My New Favorite Quote

2008-08-11T15:29:00.004-04:00

I saw a fitness and weight training quote that gave me chills when I read it, and it's the best advice you can give a person who weight trains, or does resistance training. I love it and it's SO TRUE

"Your Body doesn't Know numbers, so don't count. Just go till you can't go anymore, and then do 5 More"

Okay so It's Monday

2008-08-11T12:53:00.006-04:00

The weekend went by quick I was so busy! I did bootcamp this morning at 5:45am.. what a way to start off the day, although I am sore this morning, and I am sure I will be feeling it tomorrow morning.. alot of lunges and squats!

This morning while me and Amie were on our way back from Bootcamp around 7am, we looked over at Serene Bean and saw it wasn't open at it's usual time 7am! It was a surreal moment of realizing that it will never open again! It was sad... we were both bummed out about that... it will be harder when they take the sign down and replace it with some probably over rated store or something that will never be the same.

I have a usual busy week.. some photoshoots, some meetings for the band.. I kind of wish I was on vacation, now that would be great!

Have a good week!

Serene Bean's Last Night Open - Amazing Night!

2008-08-10T02:06:00.020-04:00

I am still on a high from last night! Serene Bean had it's last night open, and it was so amazing to see a community of people come together. We all have busy lives, we have work, kids, school, and just alot going on, but when something as important as a place that brought alot of people together shuts down, we all came together to support the people who made this place special for each and every one of us. Every person there has their own story on how the Serene Bean has changed their life, and the people they met there. It was packed, standing room only, nothing but support for the place that made a difference to all.

Anna Kay Toms sang, lots of photos being taken, alot of love was in that place last night. I took tonz of photos of course.. I will share some of those with you guys. Everyone showed up.. Leanne, Anna, Heather, Nicole, Tracy and Brad, Amie and Ross, Ian, and many more! Anna sang, alot of people sang, even ROSS haha .. funny! I dont think I ever saw that place with so many people in it before... I think the owners Lara and Bill were touched by the support. We will miss this place, we all will! I am so sad tonight, like something has died and we all feel that way.

Check out some photos that were taken

The Bean.. alot of people left at this point, it was packed!

Yes Ross Sang, I was laughing so hard!

Amie and Ross

Me and Tracy .. My Most Sweetest wonderful friend!

Tracy and Brad.. such a cute couple!

The Infamous Sign we all love!

Lara the owner standing in front of part of the bean!

Scott, Leanne, Anna, Tim and John

Me and My Girl Leanne.. Love ya girl!

Me and Anna Kay Toms..

Heather and Lara .. im glad you came heather

Anna getting ready to sing!

Awww this place rocks!

last photo I took before leaving.. it was so sad!

It's Friday Again... and Again

2008-08-08T13:51:00.006-04:00

it seems like the only blog I remember is the Friday one.. it always seems like it's Friday when I come here and write. I guess the rest of the week is always a blank because I am so busy all the time during the week.

The Olympics started today YAY! I love the olympics.. Gymnastics and Swimming (GO PHELPS) .. love the mens gymnastics, these guys are built like you wouldn't believe, they have amazing strength! Can't wait to start recording those and watching those this weekend! I have been waiting all year for the olympics to start.. LOVE IT!

I am still VERY saddened that the Serene Bean is closing.. I stopped in last night and got me, Ross and Amie a drink on my way to their house.. it's just so sad to see notices all around there, and the people were talking... it was packed last night, it's just so sad! Speaking of the Serene Bean, we have all made our arrangments, we are all meeting at 7pm tomorow night at the bean.. Me, Leanne, Anna Kay Toms, Amie, Ross, Tracy and Brad and a couple others.. we will take photos of course.. Anna is singing I think at 9:30.. we will be there till 11:00pm..

Well it's Friday, waiting for my kids to get off the bus and then we are heading to the Pool for the day.. it's actually nice out where you can BREATH the air and it's still warm enough to swim.. I will probably fall asleep, I have gotten very little sleep this week.

have a good weekend...

I am so sad.. The Serene Bean is closing!

2008-08-07T13:28:00.006-04:00

I just found out today that my favorite place in the whole world to be "The Serene Bean" is closing Saturday night! They are having their last singing night, and everything! I have been so emotional to begin with the past couple weeks but this just put me into such sadness!

The Serene Bean is more than just a coffee house for me (obviously because I dont drink coffee), but this place is just where I met some of the greatest friends like Anna Kay Toms, Leanne, Heather Parks, Lara and Bill, Ian, Kate, Jonathan and MANY MANY more! This to me is such a huge loss, it's where I go to be alone with my thoughts, it's where I go to raise my spirits high when I am feeling down. I am at such a shock right now.....

Thank You Lara and Bill for providing such a wonderful HOME feeling you gave us at the Serene Bean.. it will be a huge loss to everyone and the community!

Join US this Saturday night a bunch of us are going to meet up.. it will probably be PACKED seeing it's the last night.. I just got off the phone with leanne and Anna is coming too, I hope she will be able to sing! ... I think Amie and Ross are coming too so hope to see you guys all there... we will be meeting at 7 till 11:00pm

New Photos of My Kids

2008-08-05T07:30:00.009-04:00

I took photos of my kids at the lake Sunday evening as the sun was going down.. they came out nice.. it was different than the usual I do every year! These were fun to do.. the kids had fun doing them.... there was no one there, it was perfect.

If you click on the photo, you can see a bigger version of the photo, better quality!

My favorite Photo.. Nathan and Ryan walkingto the rocks

Nathan, Chris and Ryan on the rocks at the lake

They look like TOUGH men! haha

Ryan, he looks so much older here!

Nathan.. he looks like he is up to no good here

Chris, I think I see a small smile coming on!

The Kids are Back to School

2008-08-04T09:37:00.007-04:00

Most parents would be elated that their kids have gone back to school, but I am actually bummed out.. I dont think the summer was long enough to be honest. Where I come from school ends for the summer the 2nd week of June, and we didn't go back till AFTER Labor Day which was like September 8th or something like that.. that was summer vacation! It's just weird down here! I feel like it went by too quick. We did alot this summer though.. I would have liked it if we made it to the ocean one more time, but maybe we can do that at the end of this month, we'll see. Of course where I come from as well the ocean is 20 minutes away, here you have to drive 5 hours to get there and take out a 2nd loan on your house to pay for the gas to get there, but it sure it pretty when you do get there.

Last night Tim took a photo of me and the kids, and I just LOVE it.. My boys.. they are getting so big. I did their photoshoot at the lake last night and they came out nice, I will share the photos with you guys this week sometime. I wish Tim was in this photo but he hates having his photo taken, but I do love it! This photo was taken when we got back from the lake!

So Darn Proud!

2008-08-03T17:11:00.010-04:00

See now Ross you got to embarass me in church in front of hundreds of people today, now it's my turn hahahah.. no for real, this is great.. I just want to say how PROUD I am of Ross and his weight loss! Ross lost 60 POUNDS since working out and training with Debbie (now my trainer as well), and he is just kicking some MAJOR butt.. him and Jared both! I remember Ross coming up to me last year and saying I was an inspiration to his weight loss, and I cannot take any credit, he has worked his ASS off for the past YEAR... and even though he can beat me in arm wrestling, I DO have the better cut.. sorry! heheh kidding!

No seriously I am so proud of you, you have overcome what is the hardest challenge in life and that's changing yourself to be healthier.. I have seen your ups and downs, and the hard challenges you have fought through when you had the nose and throat surgery, and how tough of a road that was for you, but you got back up and fought hard.. thats awesome.. you look like a whole new you, happier you!

I saw both you and Jared up on stage at church today and I said WOW.. just amazing! We are all getting healthy and fit and under the spell of a kick ass crazy trainer hahahah.... thats all I have to say now get down and give me 50 pushups hahah.. I am saying that in my best BOSTON accent.. I dunno do you think the Boston Accent is more demanding or Debbie's NY accent?

Love Ya Ross.. your the best!

Check out Ross's Testimonial on his blog.. it's amazing!
http://www.verticaljourney.blogspot.com/

Also check out his before and after photo... YOU ROCK MAN!

It's Friday Already

2008-08-01T11:56:00.005-04:00

Well I didn't do bootcamp this morning, I slept in, and rested! I think I needed it.. I was so tired from this hectic busy week.

last night Amie and I took the kids "school supply shopping" late at night! Amie had this coffee drink that put her on such a sugar high I was jealous.. I kept saying "where can I get some of that" hahaha.. it was fun though, got all the kids school supplies, now just have to go clothes shopping, my kids have grown out of all their old clothes, they are all getting too tall!

Tonight I am going out with my girl Tracy.. girls night .. We always have such a good time together, she is such a good friend.

Tomorrow (saturday)I am spending some time alone, and having some family time too.. I am doing the kids photoshoot this weekend.. I do a photoshoot on my kids twice a year, one in the late fall, and one at the beginning of the school year.. well it's about that time. I love taking out my big camera to take professional shots of my kids. We are thinking of taking the photos on the beach down at lake lanier tomorrow... we will see.. it has to be perfect lighting, so probably around 6:00 or 7 as the sun is starting to go down.

It will be a busy weekend, alot to do.. I can't believe it's August 1st already!

Wednesday..... Very Tired

2008-07-30T18:03:00.003-04:00

WOW it's been a rough day! I have been so sluggish and tired and sore! Debbiee warned me that the slugish tired feeling would come from being in detox of sugar.. it takes about 10 days to get this out of your system.. not that I ate much sugar before, it's just when you go from one kind of eating it changes your whole system.. I changed to very low carb and clean eating. I am sore all over, can't sit without the legs and abs killing me, but that will go away, I am use to that. Stretching and lots of water helps that.

So today has been a BLAH day all around... physically and Mentally.... it's been a long week and it's only Wednesday! I will say this, this has been one of the toughest programs I have ever been on.. it's very very challenging to eat every 2 hours, and doing this bootcamp 3 days a week, when before I only did it once a week.. but I keep saying to myself, look at where I will be at when this is done.. I will be the fittest I have ever been!

Have a good night!

Very Sore but Lost 5 Pounds!

2008-07-29T08:01:00.002-04:00

I am so sore from bootcamp! Those 250 squats are talking to me now.. in a bad way! ha! so ok I got on the scale this morning and I lost 5 pounds in just less than a week.. WOW I am shocked! Debbie said this would happen though.. eating totally clean and every 2 hours does change your body... but we will replace that with muscle. It's hard eating every 2 hours and being on a schedule with that, but to do this routine, you have to make it work.

The new gym is great.. I was there till almost 11 last night doing my cardio... chris came with me and worked out which was nice. This routine is alot more challenging, harder than any routine I have ever been on before.. Jose was tough, but this is TOUGH!

have a good day everyone! It's Tuesday already, just 3 more days till I go to the beach YAY!

First Day Back at Bootcamp

2008-07-28T07:39:00.004-04:00

Bootcamp started back up today, there was a 2 week break.. 5:45am this morning.. me and Amie were dreading this because it's not even light out yet. On our way to bootcamp Amie said in the car "God's not even up yet" hahaha! It was brutal... but we did it! I ran, did squats, lunges, more running, sprinting, alternate lunges, some abs, the plank... 1 hour of harcore working out.. what a way to start off the day!

I am taking the kids to the new gym today.. we are going to hang out by the pool.. let the kids do some rock climbing.. then tonight I go in and do major cardio! YAY for a healthy and fit week!

I am kind of bummed out, I did not fully reach my goal I had set for this past weekend.. I had a goal to get the whole house done this weekend, but a couple of things set me back, I was so close to finishing it all and getting fully organized.. I will try and finish today.. I tried so hard, but something came up and I helped out a friend and that was important too.

Have a healthy and fit week!

Another Huge Decision and Change For Me

2008-07-27T15:09:00.004-04:00

I made some big changes today, and I think it's all for the good, because it involves my family. You all know that I have been a member of Golds Gym for 3 years now.. I did all my personal training there, I lost almost 100 of my 200 pounds there, they have been like family to me. Well Golds Gym moved to a bigger facility and for some reason it just wasn't the same... I have not had the same vibe since I have been there at their new place.... so with much thinking I have joined a new gym and alot of the golds gym people I love also moved over to this new gym. We moved over to LIFETIME FITNESS.. it's literly right down the street from the new Golds. This was a HUGE and DIFFICULT decision for me, but I could not pass up the fact that they are open 24/7, and my whole family can join almost for the same price I am paying at Golds for just me and Chris.

They have an outdoor pool with water slides where we can spend the day with the kids, they have kids fitness, rock climbing for the kids.. so much! They have 2 pools so Chris can do his laps and practice his swimming. The 24 Hours a day is what caught my eye because I am so busy, there are times when I would like to do my cardio late at night on the weekends and the Golds Gym closes at 8 on the weekends.... it was hard because I love some of my family at Golds, but so many people were leaving to this new gym, I wanted to follow and try something new.

I took a tour of the new Gym and almost died when I saw about 5 people there from Golds.. I was excited! They have alot of new cardio machines I never saw before and I like a new challenge, so I am pretty excited about this.. so I can take my kids to the gym during the day, go swimming, workout with them, and then go back at night and do my own routine.. this is great that I can involve my family into my fitness and health.

I have a BRUTAL routine coming up this week so if I am grouchy and dont post much, you guys will know why. Here is my schedule this week...

Monday- Bootcamp 5:45am JJ Biello Park
Monday Night - Cardio
Tuesday - Train with Debbie
Tuesday Night - Cardio
Wednesday - Bootcamp 5:45am JJ Biello Park
Wednesday Night - Cardio / Core / Abs
Thursday - Train with Debbie
Thursday Night - Cardio / Core / Abs
Friday - Bootcamp 5:45am JJ Biello Park
Friday Night - Core / Body Pump Class

Weekends - Whatever I have energy left for, or nothing at all :)

Are you guys tired yet? I am.. but SOOOO worth it! I am on a new eating program too, very hard, but it will lean me right out...

Have a good rest of the weekend

Saturday

2008-07-26T08:52:00.003-04:00

Well I was going to go with Christopher to DCI (Drum Corp International) Marching Band Show in Atlanta today, but I need to get organized and get things done... I would love it if I could go with him, but I am sure he will have a good time. They have other ones that we can go to, so I am sure this opportunity will come again.

Monday Bootcamp starts back up 5:45am.. YES thats early, I dont even think it's light out yet at that time.. I will be doing that camp Monday, Wed, and Friday.. then train Tues and Thur and cardio 5 days a week.. it's going to be brutal, but worth it.. bootcamp is hard! Amie is doing the bootcamp with me on Mondays, so that's cool.

Alot of you know that I took on the PR Position for the Band, and I am doing all the photography and gallery website for the band as well... well Here is the website I created to display the photos I have taken since 2006... this is my 3rd year doing the photography for the band.. I did take some time off last year, but check it out.. I created this website.. they are launching it next week.

CHECK IT OUT
http://www.whsmarchingbandphotos.com/

The Weekend is Here

2008-07-25T12:08:00.003-04:00

The Weekend is here, Tomorrow I might be going to DCI - Drum Corps International with Christopher.. it's a HUGE marching band competiton and show.. it's at the Georgia Dome tomorrow.. this is something Chris and I do all the time when we lived up in NH.. it's from 10am till 9pm, so it's a LONG LONG day... not 100% sure yet.

I need to get caught up on oraganization this weekend.. the kids start school soon, and I want to have everything organized with our house and life before the hectic schedule begins.. I love to be organized and everything in place.. house wise and kids rooms, and everything...

Next week we are going to TYBEE ISLAND from Friday to Saturday and Tracy is coming with me YAY! my kids will have a good time.. one last thing before school starts.. they are excited abotu it!

Well gotta run, have a good weekend.. I am tired and sluggish, but hopefully I get through that.

Me and My Girls

2008-07-25T00:03:00.009-04:00

Me, leanne and Anna Kay Toms always get together once a month and hang out together.. I love these girls, they make me smile :) ... we met last night at the Serene Bean in our usual spot.. I just love catching up with them.. they are so much fun. Anna didn't sing, but we hung out and talked for a couple hours, took goofy photos.. I always look forward to our once a month get together..

Thanks Leanne and Anna for a nice night last night.. I am glad we can do this together once a month... I can't wait to hear Anna sing again, we will have to plan on doing a Saturday night
show sometime soon :)

Anna, Leanne and Me.. Anna and her usual big smile, Leanne
looking innocent but we all know thats not true, and then me
being goofy in photos as usual!

Some DOWN Time

2008-07-23T17:32:00.002-04:00

Today, well I dont know what happened today... I slept most of it on and off.. I Just wanted to stay in bed and just stay under the blankets and get caught up on all my shows that saved on my DVR while I was on vacation.. 3:00pm I wake up and OH MY GOD my day is just about over! I dont know if it's good or bad when that happens. It's a good thing my kids were with friends for the day that allowed that to happen, but I must have needed it, even after vacation.

I woke up to a phone call from my mom telling me that NH got a Tornado.. wow that's something you dont hear every day, north NH where I use to live in Barrington.. weird! The weather has been wacky all over the world... doesn't matter where you live.

Heading to Amie and Ross's for dinner tonight.. Tim is redoing their computer, I am teaching Amie on digital touch ups, and just hanging out.. Just quality time with friends!

Well have a good rest of the day, what's left of it ... argg

Tuesday Madness!

2008-07-22T14:44:00.002-04:00

Okay I have been up since 5:30am and I have not stopped since! Can I please get off this rollercoaster ride called "back from vacation and need to make up for lost time" .. it's amazing what 4 days off will do to your agenda when you get back!

Something that is kinda cool, I am starting to train AMIE tonight on "Digital Photo Touch up".. I am taking Amie under my wing and bringing her on board in my photography business. She wants to learn how to touch up photos professionally and I am training her so she can start taking on some job.. her doing this will free up alot of time and give me more of a chance to fill my PR position for the band.. I am excited about this.

Busy week ahead... Wednesday having dinner at Amie and Ross's, Thursday meeting a friend and have 2 meetings and 1 photoshoots.. pretty busy week.. but thats ok, I like to keep busy :)

The kids start school in 2 weeks, I need to find one last thing fun for them to do before the summer vacation is over for them....

Have a good day everyone!

Monday - Back to the Grind!

2008-07-21T09:15:00.004-04:00

Went to the gym this morning with Amie, first time in a week because I was on vacation, and it was hard getting back into the game, but once I did my pullups, it all came back to me :) The beauty about working out is, your muscle has amazing memory.... I did 3 sets of 20 pullups and my body was like "yep, I am back!!!" ....... It's back to bootcamp 3 days a week, training and cardio.. but I love it!

Busy week ahead.. alot going on.. It's Monday and I dont know where to begin.. taking on this PR Position is interesting, I have alot to do with that this week, on top of teaching Amie how to touch up portraits so she can go into business with me and be a part of my photography team. Just so much going on, we will see how the week goes. The vacation was too short.

Have a good day... I know I know it's Monday, but try to have a good day..

We are all together again!

2008-07-20T12:00:00.004-04:00

I picked up Chris yesterday and it was so good to see him! He looks like he lost about 15 pounds, and has a better tan than me, but thats band camp for you! I didn't get to see Nathan and Ryan till almost 4, but it was great when they came home! Nathan's voice was just about gone.. he lost his voice at camp, and it sounds funny. Nathan has a raspy voice to begin with, it's worse.. but they both had a great time...I missed them alot! We all spent time together last night getting caught up. I have alot to do before my busy week starts... ALOT.. don't even know where to begin! being the PR for the band, I just have so much to do.. then my workout schedule starts back up tomorrow and clients.. just a busy week ahead!

Here are a couple photos from Hilton Head.. I will post more when I have more time..

Sunset on Harbor Towne

Tim took this photo of me... Harbor Towne

The Beautiul Ocean on Sea Pines