Florida Trip - June 2010

Hello Hello!  It’s officially been a week since we’ve been home from yet another fantastic Florida adventure. (Starting to feel like a broken record… what can I say though, we have so much fun there!!).  Anyway, I had hoped to get this blog post done this past weekend (in my attempt to stay on top of things), but Friday night I got carried away in the blogosphere and DANG, some people have amazing lives – more on that later.  Suffice to say I am back to living my own life and happy to share a few pics from our trip.

Our main reason for heading down south was for my little bro’s high school graduation.  The first few days were filled with his party and graduation ceremony.  

That weekend Braden got to travel down to Tampa w/ Ahma, Tanner and his great friend Robert who was adding a stripe to his black belt via the annual testing this year held in Tampa, FL.  Apparently it is a VERY cutthroat endeavor and Braden was amazed by it all!  He absolutely LOVE tae kwon do… could it be b/c he loves all things weapons and fighting?

Anyway, moving in to the second week, we had a great time shopping (the outlets in FL are the BEST), playing w/ neighborhood friends, fishing off the dock, swimming in our neighbors beautiful pool and so forth.

Ahma pulled some oldies but goodies out of her FHE box!!

Peekaboooo!!

The second weekend of our trip, Ashlee and I took Braden down to Sanibel Island… GORGEOUS!!  We met Marliss and her 3 little cutie pies and stayed at a beautiful little hotel right on the beach.  

YUM!!  The best hamburger EVER.

I love the picture of her little boy Banner asleep on my shoulder in the pool.  He is delicious!!!

Friday Ash, Braden and I did something that has officially made it to my “Favorite Things” list (which doesn’t really exist, but if it did, this is so on it!).  We rented bikes… but not just any bike, B and I shared a tandem adult kiddie bike and it rocked.  We peddled all the way down to the end of the Island – down to the lighthouse.  It was about 5 miles roundtrip and my little guy peddled furiously the entire time.  Sun burnt and sweaty  he cried when we had to turn the bikes in, “MOOOOM, I don’t want to stooooop”.  It was SO much fun (and a great workout for me).  I WANT ONE! *side note, I just found out this week you can purchase the "child tandem add-on at Target"!!  Definitely getting that soon :)

Sat. night, we celebrated my Moms, ____ B-day with dinner and a show!!  We hit up the hilarious “Sak’s Improve Comedy Club”… it was seriously funny and high note to end the trip on.  The boys and I left Monday and the drive back was PERFECTION!!  It was our best yet.  They slept several of the 9 hours and were so well behaved!!

I feel so blessed to be able to visit/see my family as often as I do.  I’m always jealous of people who live SO CLOSE to family… but for now I will settle for our Florida trips here and there and just be thankful we are able to make them!!!

LASTLY… we are on pins and needles waiting for Tanner’s mission call!!  We thought it would come while we were out there…. IT HAS TO COME THIS WEEK!  Stay tuned.

SPICE UP YOUR WALLS!

For anyone looking to spice up your walls with photographs and/or art, I just did an inspirational post on my photography blog with a few fun ideas I am trying to gather for my own clients.

The things is, is there are so many MORE amazing ideas out there!!! It's exciting and overwhelming all in one. If you have any favorite sites (photography design and the likes) I'd love to add them to my collection!

Start Spreadin' The News!!!

I can't believe it's already been a whole week since the big trip!! I wanted to sit down and blog the details before they slipped away! I had 5 photo shoots this week and Braden had surgery today (more on that later) so it was definitely a break from reality... though "break" is hardly the word I would use to sum up 4 jam-packed, fun-filled, inspiring days in the Big Apple!!

First and foremost, I have to give a little shout out to my wonderful hubby for supporting me in going and making it all work out on the home front. It's never easy to walk away from your family, esp. with little ones, but Blake really pulled through w/ the help of many... so THANK YOU!!

Another fun tidbit: I was able to spend the entire weekend with my Sis. Ash, who coincidentally flew in from Dubai the same day... within the same hour. SO, we met at the airport Friday afternoon and AWAY WE WENT!!

Friday night was the big awards ceremony portion of the AMI convention at the Waldorf Astoria. Just being in such a historical place was awesome. What a way to start the weekend. I saw many women who I had the pleasure of meeting during this past month at the Governor's Mansion event and so forth. The entire evening was fantastic. There was a DVD presentation of the Cultural Art award winners and we were called up on stage as well. The whole evening focused on "excellence" for women/mothers. It was really neat and I was honored to be there.

From there, we met up with my good friend Amber and hit Iguanas near Times Square. It is a restaurant/club with a live Salsa band and dancing!! Very fun. We ended up walking around Times Square until early morn.... had to get some "NY Cheesecake". Only in NYC is that possible at 2am! It was delish! I must add that this trip was all about the food and broadway. Two of my favorite things!!

So, after a solid 4 hours of sleep, Amber and I set out for Times Square again, this time to wait a few hours for $30 Rush tickets for the new broadway show "Promises, Promises" with Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenowith. We were FIRST in the rush line and scored tickets for the matinee! It's crazy how long the line got by 10am! Luckily Amber is a profesh at this, so we came prepared w/ lawn chairs.

Meanwhile, a few blocks down, Revlon was kicking off a huge run/walk for breast cancer and Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba and Dr. Oz were there to support it. It was SO COOL to see so many people there running for the cause. And of course, I love a great celeb sighting. I snuck around to the side of the stage as they were walking off and got close enough to snap a few good pics!

Okay... on to Promises, Promises!! I thoroughly enjoyed the show!! I LOVED Sean Hayes' character, which had us laughing out loud. Kristen Cheno's character was a bit more serious at times, but the music was great (previewed on Glee the week prior). THE BEST part, of course, was waiting with the crowds at the stage door. We snuck out of the show 2 minutes early (learned that last time around) and were at the front of the "pack" to say hi to the actors. Sean Hayes was so nice... even though I HATE that picture of my triple chin with him. Oh well... he was awesome.

Little pint-sized Kristen was adorable!! She has so much personality and I enjoyed seeing her so close as well!!

After the show we met up with my cousin Amber (2 Ambers!!) and grabbed a bite to eat at Le Parker Meridian Hotel (can't remember the name of the restaurant). Ash and I were bound and determined to see the show "In the Heights" so we ran a few blocks down and threw our names in the lottery (10 names are picked nightly for $26.50 front row seats). Well, guess who's name got called: ASHLEE'S!! WE were pumped. More on that in a minute.

First we snapped a quick pic of the group before we had to go into our show. You may notice the police man, the barricades and the cop cars in the background. This was taken MINUTES before the whole "car bomb debacle". YES, WE WERE LITERALLY ON 42nd street... right where it all went down, right WHEN it all went down. Of course we didn't know exactly what was going on, but let me tell you it was MAYHEM!!! The cops were yelling, the were barricading every which way, and the people were so confused and freaked out, it was crazy!!

Ash and I ran to make it to our Show (snuck in a few cupcakes from CRUMBS!!! YUM!!). FRONT ROW WAS AWESOME!! The show ended up starting 45 minutes late due to police activity and once in, we couldn't leave the building, BUT we did get to see the whole show AND it was AMAZING!!! Seriously, one of my favorite new shows. PLUS, will from season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance is in the show (and Corbin Blue did a FANTASTIC job as well!!!). We saw Will after the show and grabbed a quick picture with him before the Police continued to wrangle the crowds out of Times Square.

What a night! Sunday morning we met up with our good friends the Smocks who recently moved to the city. They live in a beautiful apartment and took us to the best Bagel shop for breakfast. We walked to Central Park and enjoyed a gorgeous morning. Thanks Smocks... it was so fun to see you and the girlies!!

We hit a few more spots -- Grand Central Station, H&M, Mexicana Mama (one of favorites from last time) AND for all you Food Network junkies, Ash and I have had our eye on this 24 layer chocolate cake, every since it previewed on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". When we found out we were going to be close to the Strip House, we had to pop in for a bite... or two. THIS CAKE WAS INCREDIBLE!! AND HUGE!! It was ohhh, so good.

That night, we ended up getting a hotel in SOHO and strolled through Little Italy to round out the day.

Monday... the final day!! Just to back up a bit, the night before I left for New York, I got a call from the Regis and Kelly show, letting us know they had tickets for us for Monday (I had written a few weeks earlier, but thought it was too last minute). So we were pumped for the show and although our Taxi driver went all kinds of crazy in getting us lost, we made it in time and even scored FRONT AND CENTER seats.

Anyway, we were semi excited b/c it was Betty White and a NCIS dude... but after they filmed Monday's live show, they surprised us by filming Friday's show as well. Which included.... drum roll...... RUSSELL CROWE!!! Ahhh... he was so fun to see in person. They also filmed Sofia Vergara (Blake's favorita) and Chris Noth.

Since Russell Crowe is promoting Robin Hood, he brought his trusty bow and arrow!!

It was really cool being so close. Reg and Kelly would come right up to our area during every commercial break and interact with the audience. I told Kelly I loved her shoes... she was rockin' the 5 inch heel! BTW, she is SO TINY, it's unbelievable. It makes me never want to eat again!! Call us crazy, but we love a good "celeb experience" and this one topped them all!!

We stopped by the temple on our way out... it is so beautiful, just right there on 65th street (I think?!!)

AND LASTLY, for the big finale, we did a little shopping on canal street and then crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to the infamous "Grimaldis". Yep, I have to admit it... some of the BEST pizza I've ever had. The last time we were in town, the line was an hour long. We lucked out Monday and waited 5 minutes max. It was a GREAT way to end one of the MOST AMAZING weekends ever.

Wow, what else can I say! The trip exceeded all my expectations. I would have been happy with just Friday night. It was a great experience to be apart of and recognized within the AMI conference. From there it just kept getting better!! Thank you to Amber for letting us crash with you and for your intricate knowledge of subways and streets!! If you made it this far in my "Journal" thanks for stopping by and letting me share!!

NYC Bound

Since I last posted/shared about my graphic arts award a few more exciting things have surfaced! First and foremost I am headed to NYC a week from today and I am BEYOND excited. On Friday night the National AMI convention - held at none other than the Waldorf Astoria - will kick off and I get to attend the ceremony to receive the award!!

My sister Ashlee coincidentally happens to be flying home from her month long adventure in Dubai and has a layover in NYC. She'll drop the last leg and stay the weekend w/ me in New York... the timing could not have worked out better!!!! We arrive to JFK within 15 mins of each other.

Anyway, it should be a fun weekend. It will be fun to catch up with friends AND of course we will be making a little time for broadway. Top on the list: (you know we'll be doing some theatre door stalking!!)

Lastly, if you're not already tired of hearing about all this, A little article came out in out in our local paper this week covering the whole story. I was excited... if anything it will be great advertising for my business.

A fun week with Uncle T!!

We got a very special visit this week from my brother Taylor -- driving cross country from college (BYUi) to home (Orlando) for the summer. The boys were in heaven... especially since it was a busy week for Blake and we did not get to see much of him!! Let the good times roll...

We had nightly wrestling matches, hulk hands and all

We went strawberry picking and made awesome salads, juices and smoothies with all the delicious berries!!

AND the highlight for Bray was building a model airplane FROM SCRATCH. Seriously, I don't know how Taylor came up with this. He literally had a few dowels, foam core and duct tape... I mean what else would you need. They did get a little hobby shop propeller plane too but nothing can compare to this turbo glider!!

Thanks for stopping through Uncle T-Sizzle! It was a blast. Oh... and we have to mention Taylor's "Cardio Funk" debut. I talked him into trying my cardio hip hop class - I am addicted and love bringing new blood to the dance floor (plus if Blake can do it... you can too!) Anyway, he did great and even got up in front during "All the Single Ladies". hahaha... now that's a picture I wish I had!

A GREAT HONOR!!

Many of you know what a rocky month this has been for our family, to say the least!! About a week and a half ago amidst the throws of it all, I have to admit I was feeling a bit down. I hadn't really left the house in 3 weeks and Braden's personality had yet to make a full come back.

To preface this all, a few months earlier I had entered a cultural arts design contest through the American Mother Inc Association at the suggestion of my dear friend Carrie. I entered on the National level in the categories of Photography and then Graphic Design not really thinking anything of it. Fast forward to my "down in the dumps" week, I received a letter in the mail with the news that I had won first place on the national level for my graphic design entry. WHAAAAT! The news could not have come at a better time. I was thrilled!

Then, two days later, the President of the South Carolina chapter emailed me and invited me to SC Mother of the Year celebration down in Columbian, SC which took place yesterday. I won't bore with too many details but it was a FABULOUS DAY!! First a luncheon honoring various outstanding women in South Carolina at the Palmetto Club. I was seated at the head center table and felt like a faux celeb!! I made so many great connections and was even asked to help participate in design work w/ the association as well as illustrate a children's book through photographs?!!

Next stop, the Governor's Mansion. Another luncheon/tea with fabulous food and more honoring. This portion was mainly for the SC Mother of the Year, but again, I met many great people and had a wonderful time. I felt so dotted on and was handing out business cards like crazy.

Sigh... back to reality!! It was a great honor though and I am hoping to make it out to NYC April 30th - May 2nd for the national convention where they will hand out the national awards!!

Thanks for letting me share. The good news could not have come at a better time. I will add that Braden is doing well. He will have oral surgery within the next few weeks so we are just waiting to hear how that will all play out!!

I'm posting a picture of me from yesterday. I was talking too much to get any other really great ones (at least with my camera)

While I was busy on one side of town, Blake was on the other with the kiddies at the Columbia Zoo!! Lot's of funny pictures, had to post a few :)

Just monkey-in' around!!

Easter in Cherokee 2010

We had a great time celebrating Easter with Blake's family this year!! Even though I couldn't get Gavin to smile for any pics... don't let it fool you, we had a blast!! The weather was fantastic and the cousins had a lot of fun together.

Family Easter egg hunt in the park!! I loved Millie's oh-so-fashionable "hand bag basket". Also, Braden was hamming it up for the camera big time! Other than that, between the hunt on Sat. and a visit from the Easter bunny on Sunday, it's safe to say the kiddies got plenty of easter-time fun in AND plenty of CANDY.

Yay! The EB found us all the way in Cherokee :)

And of course the crowning moment for the boys... a ride on Papa's motorcycle (G says "papdirtbike" (one word, referring to ANY and ALL motorcycles). I think they would have driven home just like this given the chance!!

How Cute is THAT!

Ash was helping me update my headshot on Tues. and these two were hamming it up the entire time!! Gavy's face is his personality to a T right now... you can also see how well Mr. B is healing.

The Last 3 Weeks... or so!!

Thought I would post another update on how life has been the past few weeks. First things first... each week is getting progressively better and I even feel like we are getting our "old Braden" back personality wise, so that is good!

We made a trip to the plastic surgeon who was very happy with the healing of his face. There is still a lot of scar tissue resolving, but I am amazed and happy with his bottom lip up to this point.

We did have a little trip up this week. After visit #2 with Braden's Ped. Dentist, we did find out that there is still some extensive oral surgery ahead. Because his mouth was so swollen for a while (and let's face it, we weren't really trying to get in there and look around b/c for a while touching Bray anywhere was drama) we weren't able to see what was going on. But last week we discovered that the gums above his left "I tooth" are completely disintegrated and the tooth is exposed from root to tip. A few surrounding teeth are gray (dead) and his lip on the right side is healing and attaching itself (through scar tissue) straight to the gum surface. Okay!!! So, we are not out of the clear yet.

We are distraught about having to put this little guy through more surgery, but we can't leave things put with the way his mouth is healing. We visit the oral surgeon next week to check out more options.

Anyway, we have still been so appreciative of help with meals in the neighborhood (still going strong and has been such an amazing thing) as well as help with Gavin!!

Aunt Ashlee came for a visit for the past few days and that was awesome!!! Both boys LOVED that and we were sad to see her go!! She's headed to Dubai to help Tiffani w/ her new, sweet little baby Zoey!!

So, it seems like by last week I hadn't left the house at all!!! I was getting a bit stir crazy as was Braden. I had cancelled all camera classes and work related projects (though I did manage to get the new website up and running - another story!!) and was determined to make this week a little more normal. Here's what else we've been up to!!

Tuesday I had the amazing opportunity to take a contemporary dance workshop from the Parson's Dance Company (based out of NYC). They were in town for 4 days with their show and they offered an advanced modern masterclass through NC Dance Theatre. Yes, I have danced my whole life and was on the modern dance company in college, BUT that was a LONG time ago!! Let me just say that this was one of the BEST classes I have ever taken and it of course made me miss moving/dancing like that, like CRAZY!! There are just not enough hours in the day and/or days in the week for the things I wish I could do!!

BTW, I'm still sore, but it was so worth it!

Friday night Blake and I went on a date (it had been a while!!). We hit up the Robin Thicke concert at the Fillmore here in Charlotte! We went with some good friends and had a GREAT time. I am a bit obsessed with RT (you now when you just find THAT song?!?!) So for the past 5 years I have loved him. This show was awesome b/c it was up close and personal.

Not too big, not too crazy.

You rocked it Robin!!! Love the voice, love the moves, love it all :)

And last but not least, is anyone else in love with Forsythia as much as I am!! Seriously, just seeing these wild yellow bushes growing all over makes me so happy!! I bought one and planted it on the side of my house this weekend, just because!

I must say that Spring makes me so happy!!! At least I've got that going for me :)

An Update of Sorts!

I have been hiding from my blog.

I could also say that I have been unbelievably busy and distracted with the events that have sort of turned our life upside down over the past few weeks… but really I’ve just been in hiding in general. Actually, maybe more like holing up or hunkering down… Mainly just trying to help my little guy get better and amazingly enough, HE IS GETTING BETTER!!

So, tonight I thought I would write down a few of the details from the accident, if anything to have them for our little family journal, that is this blog.

It’s not something that you really want to remember, but it’s also something you don’t want to forget. Meaning: It’s hard and sad that it almost takes something traumatic to really slap you in face and remind you of the single most important thing in life, but it’s also amazing and humbling to see the overflow of love, support, concern, prayers, calls, thoughts, messages, acts of kindness etc… I am truly overwhelmed and beyond grateful for it all and don’t ever want to forget it.

Saturday, March 6^th however is a different story. In short, Blake and Braden were headed to a Saturday morning basketball game. The were in Ballantyne heading north on Johnston road when a teenager failed to yield coming out of a median in the Ballantyne Country club. They hit hard. Blake's car is totaled. Poor Braden's lips/lower face were torn up. Although he was in his car seat and buckled in, the force of the hit threw him pretty hard into the front passenger seat causing lacerations by his teeth.

I got a call a few minutes after it happened. Blake told me an accident had happened and then threw his phone to a bystander to explain a bit more. I was already on my way into Ballantyne for a baby shower, so I booked it as quickly as I could to get down there, I however, was not prepared arriving to the scene. I freaked out when I saw a fire truck and ambulance… and the car. There was glass and blood everywhere… it was just crazy.

I saw Braden for the first time in the ambulance. His face was all bloody and he was in shock… seriously it was a mother's worse nightmare. I was crying and wanted to scream but the EMT said I would have to pull it together. We tried to keep him stable all the way to hospital uptown. He went from the ER, to radiology (catscans etc..) Then immediately had plastic surgery to sew up his lip as well as laparoscopic surgery in the abdomen due to major abdominal bruising and bleeding. He had a fractured nose, and his poor little face was swollen and black and blue.

Thankfully Blake was okay, just bruised and sore and his knee got banged up a bit. He was released from the ER after a few hours and we stayed with Braden for 3 days until they let him come home.

My Mom and Sister Camille, drove all day Sunday to get here. Blake’s parents were on their way home from a cruise and drove to be there Saturday night. We had help w/ Gavin from fantastic church friends and really had so many prayers and thoughts with us, that we could feel it.

Of course the best news was that everything is going to be okay. What has been amazing to me is how quickly the physical wounds are healing. Braden was/and has been such a trouper. The hospital was again, a bit of a nightmare, but who can blame a 4 year-old… I can only imagine what was going on in his head!

Anyway, we made it home from the hospital last Monday and though it's been up and down... it could've been worse so we are grateful for that. His face is looking so good, the pain has been minimized. We go back to the plastic surgeon next week to finalize things with that. His swelling and bruising is almost gone!!! Emotionally we're still on a roller coaster but that is definitely expected!! I have had such great help with Gavin (thank you thank you friends) and the BEST neighbors helping with meals. We’ve had packages and goodie baskets, crafts and deliveries all throughout the week and you can only imagine how much that has helped lift Braden’s spirits. Again, he has been such a trouper!!

I cannot express my gratitude enough. You never expect or hope to be on this end, but it does give you a humbling view of how wonderful it is to be loved and supported by so many.

I hope this post didn’t scare anyone! Just wanted to write out the story. Also, I’m posting a few pictures from day 5 on out. Definitely not going to post the ones from the first few days. Thank you again to anyone who has prayed, helped and supported in any way!

On a final happy note... we had a surprise visit from Darth Vader himself! You can't even imagine how excited/happy Braden was. Star Wars is what has been literally getting him through each day, so this was the icing on the cake! (A huge thanks to our fabulous neighbor who makes being a fan look good)!!