Travels!

Wow have we been having a fun time on our travels! Jameson has had a great time eating the snow! Earlier today William & Mara were here playing with Jameson. They all wanted to go outside so we got all bundled up and headed out. William asked Jameson if he wanted to ride in the gator with him and they could both pretend to be the daddys. And then he said, "Mara you can be the honey (aka mommy/wife)." I was laughing so hard at them!

Over the weekend I was in Michigan for an ADPi conference. It went really well. Our district has a new colony at Drake University. We wanted them to know we were thinking about this so we took a group photo of everyone that was at the conference this weekend. Here is the photo we sent to them.

Then today we spent the morning relaxing. This afternoon we met up with my friend Simonette. We had a good time chatting and watching Jameson be himself. Then we headed to see my grandma. If I didn't know her true age, I would never believe that she is 88. She was trying to teach me how to knit and then Jameson wanted to get in on the action too. So cute!

Creating with friends!

Earlier this week I was a very lucky girl to get some crafty time with some of my dearest college friends. Jaimie hosted and Julie, Jaime & Krista all came. It was amazing to catch up with each other. Here are a few of the digital pages that I did while we were together.

Using some fun kits from K Studios & Pink Ellie at AfterFiveDesigns.com. (The photo has a lightroom treatment which Kristen created - so makes me smile!)
Here is another one using a kit from AfterFiveDesigns.com but the best part about this one...you can get it for free from The Daily Scrapper.

This is another one using things from After5.

I've been enjoying some major quality time with my family...heavenly! This weekend I'm heading to Michigan for the District Leadership Conference for ADPi. I'm so excited to meet the new recruitment teams for our 21 chapters!

Tagged...

I was tagged by Sarah Ha. So instead of just posting the pictures from our weekend I have some text to accompany them. Enjoy!

4 things I love about my husband:

1. That he does have a fun side (doesn't come out often but it is hidden in there - yeah for seeing it lots this past weekend!)
2. His passion for work - he so desperately wants to provide for us as a family and I admire it

3. The way he and Jameson connect (like in the car on the way home from Ohio - not many men would ride in the backseat to play legos for 5 hours)

4. That he does so much around the house for us

4 Movies I would watch more than once:


1. Pretty woman
2. Sweet Home Alabama
3. Thomas Crown Affair
4. Wild Hogs

4 TV shows I watch more than once:


1. Grey's Anatomy
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. Brothers & Sisters
4. Friday Night Lights

4 Places I have been:

1. Ohio
2. Paris
3. England
4. British Virgin Islands

4 People who email me regularly:

1. Sarah Hi
2. Mom
3. Jen W
4. Christy

4 Favorite Foods:

1. Ice Cream
2. Freshly baked muffins
3. Sweet potato casserole (I am so totally in a fall food mood!)
4. Pumpkin pie

4 Places I would like to visit:

1. Dominican Republic (Compassion child Jose's home)
2. Disney World
3. Maine
4. Key West

4 Things I am looking forward to this coming year:

1. Taking Jameson to the Magic Kingdom
2. Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for family
3. Spending a scrapbook weekend with friends
4. Celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary

4 People I would like to tag

1. Sarah Hi
2. Abby
3. Jen T.
4. Christy
5. Caroline (I know I did too many but I couldn't decide)

ADPi Model

Please help me assist a young ADPi to achieve her dream. My roommate at the summer workshop has asked us to help spread the word about her friend Kelsey. She has a chance to jump to the front of the line for the Next Top Model audition in Houston. Just click here and select the bubble by Kelsey's name. Thanks!

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Lately I have been overwhelmed with the joy of helping others with my God given talents. About 6 months ago when LALR was sold I knew that He had something else on the horizon for me. I wasn't quite sure what it was but was happy to patiently wait until He showed it to me. I've come to realize it wasn't just one thing that He knew would cross paths with me but many little things. I am passionate about doing things in excel and especially when it involves mail merge. (I mean really love to do it!) I've got a fun project to help with at church. I'm going to be helping to organize some of the details of the upcoming group connections. This a little detail and a totally behind the scenes things. About 10 years ago or so I wouldn't have seen the purpose in something like this - from a greater purpose standpoint. Within the last year I've been reminded that it takes many little things to make something great. The one doing the administrative task is just as important as the big boss, everyone has their own gifts and talents to share with others. Being creative and organized are my things...and I love them!

Okay I'm going to get back to my other talent, entertaining a little boy that is about to get up from nap.

Ohio!

We're here! After 8 hours in the car we made it to Xenia earlier this week. Not a very eventful drive - which is just the way we like it. Julia didn't have a good time but overall I think she did well since she was car sick most of the ride. We were grateful we didn't have any sickies actually in our car (we caravanned with Aunt Tam). I have noticed that whenever Jameson has a cold his motion sickness is worse. We're going to Cedar Point next week so hopefully everyone will be able to enjoy the fun rides?!

To give you all an update from last week. The presentations went well. There was really only one spot that I almost passed out. Not really sure why I stop breathing when I'm talking in front of crowds but when it happens my voice starts to quiver and it is not pretty. In addition to the breakout sessions that we were leading, I even had to add another little speaking role to the list...I was in a skit - I am so not an actor. As embarrassing as this is, I'm posting a picture here so you all can really see what fun we have in our voluntary roles! For the skit we were talking about the various 'hats' that alumnae in ADPi can wear. I really think the message was received too - yeah! The first group shot is of the team that lead the seminar. I really enjoyed working with Renee & Marcy on our sections. These are some outstanding sisters! The second group is all of the alumnae directors (minus 2 that weren't able to make it to Atlanta). At the summer workshops this is when I really get to see the rest of the AD team. I didn't feel like I really got to spend too much time with them this year - I missed you all. Watch out Orlando...the site of our 2009 Convention! The picture of Alphie cracks me up, Arlene did such a great job with all her bling!

During our free afternoon a couple of us headed downtown to check out the sites. We had lunch in the CNN center and then headed through Centennial park and onto the Coke-Cola museum. Nickelodeon was entertaining people in the park. It was so neat to see the mix of faces that were enjoying themselves. It was quite warm (about 95) so most everyone was either in the shade or in the one fountain that still had water. When you see empty fountains it is a visual reminder that we are still in drought. I had a really good time spending the afternoon with some of my fellow frozen north friends...Cara, Jenny & Christy. The picture in front of the Coke museum makes me laugh. Mainly because we didn't even actually go on the tour. The line to even get into the building was about an hour long and then we would still have to go on the tour. So instead we opted to wander through the store. It was neat to see all the stuff and we did get a to take a glance into the tasting room. Sometime I would really like to get back there for a tour but I'm guessing a Saturday in June is not the best time to try.

The night before we left for Ohio we had a good dinner together as a family. Images like this make me miss home. James is such a good father. We excited that he is coming to visit with us next week.

Later this week we're excited to get to Ashland for the Balloon Fest. I haven't attended since college. I'm so excited to share this with Jameson.

On another note, reading things like this from Compassion really make me so grateful and hopeful that there will eventually be enough. We know we have our next meal but remembering that not everyone does is affecting me.

Beauty!

How it is great to enjoy the simple beauties that are all around us. Today the weather is perfect and so far we've done some simple things just the 3 of us. Yesterday was a contrast, I had a migraine. Oh how I've enjoyed the many years I've done without them. Not a pretty sight but so grateful that Aunt Tam was able to watch Jameson for us and I've rescheduled the scrapbook class. I feel bad not being able to keep commitments but it just wasn't going to happen yesterday. I actually layed down and took a 4 hour nap. So glad it was totally gone this morning when I woke up. So this morning we made our rounds to Ace, Home Depot and then Zone 7. James is now outside planting all of our finds. I got some new ones from Mother Crill for Mother's Day so he is getting those rooted as well. I do hope that all of our many mothers enjoy their day tomorrow and for anyone that is a mother, grandmother or nurtures another human being...celebrate a day for you!

Before we headed into town today I was working on some adpi things which included spray painting cardboard letters. Jameson was helping me - yeah! After I got done they were sitting on the edge of the yard and I mentioned to James "I bet you didn't think you'll have to deal with stuff like this 10 years after college." His response "You're fine as long as you don't start spraying the rocks with your letters." So funny. I'm reminded of the history that we have together and how it makes me smile.

One more thing to share...today I learned about this bill on the tables which if passed would allow anyone to pull images from anywhere on the internet and use it as if it was their own. Frightening thought for those of us that use the internet to share our daily lives with long distance loved ones. Please read more here and take just a few minutes to write to your congressman (there is an online quick form so really it will only take a few minutes).

The picture here is Jameson on his new motorcycle that he got for his birthday from Grandma Susan & Joe Joe. He loves it so! Now I'm off to enjoy the awesome weather and my boys...along with the Fanello girls who are all coming to spend the night with us tonight!

84 today!

Today it felt like summer here in sunny SC. Last night I actually woke up and was warm from the humidity outside. Tonight we're getting a good old fashion summer storm. Heat lightning earlier followed by lots of ran. We spent some time this evening throwing rocks into the lake. It was great to see how much it has come up. We will take all the rain we can get! Before it started raining James mowed the lawn and Jameson was his helper. So cute how he wants to help out with things (I'll be reminding him of this in 10 years when he thinks he has better things to do).

Some other random bits to share. Lately in the morning when we come downstairs to let Deacon outside Jameson has been sitting on the back porch to wait for Deke. He sits in his folding chair and talks to the birds. Yesterday I heard him start saying "birdy, quiet please it is quiet time". Makes me smile at how similar he is to his father that he wants peace and quiet at times. Now fast forward to earlier today when he and I were having high pitched squealing contests in the car. From the backseat I heard "louder mommy". He is such a cool mixture of both me & James. Lets just hope more of the good then the bad, right?!

What a good laugh? Have you seen the new show called Eli Stone. Totally makes me laugh. Just a bit kooky yet attempting to be good. If you've missed the beginnings of it. You can catch up here.

Okay so I need some creative thinking help from my online friends. I'm working on a session for the summer workshop at adpi. We're doing a session on hats that will represent the various 'hats' of responsibility. What are some fun types of hats? We need about 8 different ones. I've already got floppy beach hat, baseball cap, dunce cap & hard hat. Thoughts on more?