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)!!

The Illustrious Yellow Belt Test... Finally Conquered!!

Braden tested for his yellow belt (finally!!!) on Friday, March 6th. He's been in Karate since he was 3 and half, but for some reason we never quite made it to testing!! Anyway, he rocked the test and was happy and all smiles all day Friday. Then Saturday happened...

No worries though. We know he'll be back mastering his Tae Kwon Do Ninja skills in no time! He's such a champ and even though he's not cleared to go back for a while... he'll get there!

EVERYBODY LOVES A GIVEAWAY!!

I just did this same post on my Photography blog... and since it's a giveaway, I thought I would do a little cross-promotion!!!!

Earlier this week I posted some tidbits on exciting promotions taking place over the next few months. Today Introduced a few more new elements to the blog.

In addition to the monthly promos I am also going to start posting photography & photoshop tips as well as highlight preferred vendors/blogs. I think this will be a fun interactive way to stay connected with YOU ALL!!

So, to kick things off I am highlighting a blog AND GIVING SOMETHING A WAY!!! This weekend I will be presenting a photography class at a mini women's retreat for my church. In my research I came across this fantastic site:

ellapublishing.com

Ella Publishing Co. is an innovator in the creation and delivery of digital books (eBooks) to the scrapbook industry. Founded in 2009 by Lain Ehmann and Angie Lucas, Ella Publishing Co. aims to inspire, educate, and entertain memory keepers around the world with top-quality emedia products

Since my goal this year is to become more educated (and of course share this education the best I can with YOU - hence the offering of photography/photoshop classes, workshops etc...) I am giving away a mini

"On-the-Go Photo Tips Photography Guide"

All you have to do is leave your name & email in the comment section on my Hart to Hart Digital Blog. This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere, interested in learning a bit more about taking better pictures!!! Become a follower and you will be entered twice!! Stay tuned for tips and more giveaways. Good luck and happy snapping!!

A NEW LOOK!!

Lots more trip pictures to come... but while I'm here posting, I thought I would FINALLY FINALLY update my blog aesthetically speaking. Wow, that was long over due. I am so over the green and black and all our feet at the top of the page!! I needed something more colorful and fun. And don't worry, I only wasted the whole night on the header. I hate how obsessive I can be. Yay!! Spring and warmth and brightness is just around the corner :)

Wickedly Good Times in Florida!!

What a fabulous week this has shaped out to be!! The boys and I drove down to Florida last Wednesday... we were going through "grandparent withdraws" (mutually... right Mom!!!) And we also had occasion to celebrate: Aunt Ashlee turned the BIG Three Oh. Since she and I saw the musical Wicked on Broadway for mine in '08, we decided it would be fun to see it again for hers (I'm liking this tradition!).

Anyway, we had a great evening/night down in Tampa. The show was A-MAZING once again, and we left in a giddy, Glinda induced coma, that caused us to all swap shoes (oh, the blisters) and order every desert on the menu at midnight!! HAPPY B-DAY ASH!! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you :)

SNOW DRIFTING...

Yesterday boasted a little more action than we planned for!! It started snowing around 5pm right as the boys and I were leaving karate. We had to run home, get ready, make a quick dish and then turn around and head back to the church for the Branch V-day Party. Long story short, the difference between the 5pm snow and the 7pm was phenomenal! Before we knew it we were driving 15 mph in a bit of a snowstorm. Now, I do have an SUV, but it is neither all wheel, nor front wheel drive… the thing is a nightmare to drive in the snow. Had I realized when we left how bad/dangerous the roads were, I wouldn’t have gone, but just 2 hours before they were fine, so we decided to head out anyway.

So there we were trekking along as slow as possible, trying not to freak out. It didn’t help that my windshield wipers are apparently on it’s their last legs and I was having trouble seeing out the window. Anyway, about half way there, I hit a patch of something and started sliding. I was in the right line… we slid left, then back right (It’s all slow motion, but I think I remember lighting trying to turn the wheel and NOT slam on the breaks). From there we did a full 360 and then started another one as we spun into the median/ditch in the middle of the road. We ended up stuck in the ditch facing on coming traffic. I couldn’t move the car and I was trying to stay CALM!! No one was hurt; the boys were fine (though Braden was worried that we were going to get a ticket).

What happened from here on out, I consider an absolute miracle and godsend!! I called Blake (at the church) and he left immediately, but was still a good 20 mins. away. He told me to stay put… I couldn’t really move so that was fine. A few minutes later, my neighbor Kelly called and asked if I was home… I told her I was actually stuck in a ditch on the 521. She said, she was afraid I would say that!! They had just passed me on the road and saw the white ENVOY. Here’s the kicker: she was driving by but wasn’t sure if it was me stuck in the snow. At the moment she turned her head back I turned my interior light on and she saw my hair. I had a feeling to turn on my interior light at that moment and I’m so glad I listened. She called and sent her husband back to help us AND here’s why having Jason help us was such a godsend. I would’ve stayed put, but Jason decided to start backing us up (parallel to the road) to see if we could get a little more traction somewhere else. After we backed up a bit, he got out to survey the area. Literally moments after we had moved, a mustang came flying off the road and spun/landed in the exact spot where were before we moved. Ahhhhhh… can you even imagine. I am beyond grateful that again, no one was hurt. We left the car there last night, but managed to get it out this morning once the snow melted a bit. Everything’s fine, but it’s got me thinking.

I know we were blessed, watched over and protected and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. There were so many little ways the Lord watched out for us last night… It was not a big accident or anything over traumatic, but something happens when your car starts spinning and things start happening in slow motion! I am beyond grateful for all my blessings – little and big. I feel foolish for having expectations of the shape and form of blessings; when in fact little tenders mercies and being safe and protect exceed all else. By sharing this, I don’t want to make it more dramatic than it was… I just want to be able to have the reminder that the Lord truly is mindful of us and loves us all.

Happy Valentines Day… I am definitely feeling the love.

I happened to have my camera in my pocket... grabbed it right as we walked out the door for the party. I took a few pics of the car after we backed up! CRAZY!

We first landed right were the mustang was...

Enough of the scary stuff!! This morning we played in the snow!! Major snow ball fight :)

SOME PRE-VALENTINES PARTYING!!

Last weekend Blake and I had 2 dates in one day... that's a rarity that definitely deserved a post. We had a babysitter come around 4p so that we could see an early 3D showing of AVATAR!! Wow, it rocked our world! Visually, it was amazing :) I'm am usually not into big budget, sci-fi etc... but this defied anything I've seen.

On to the Copes annual Valentines bash!! It was a blast and as you can see by Blake's and my face, we were all to excited to be there! We actually did pretty good on this year's "Rate My Mate" game... I mean we're not up to the Wahers status yet, but a girl can dream!!

The Show Must Go On... AND THANK YOU FED EX!!

This post is a HUGE shout out to some AMAZING workers at FED EX. There are good… no, GREAT people in this world so I’ve got to post about it.

Let me go back a bit… Hart to Hart Digital is Headed to "The Wedding Affair" Bridal Show, January 31st at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. I have been excited ALL month!! This will be a much larger event than my last one and I have pumped up the volume w/ my layout. So, up until about 1pm yesterday I was pumped. Here's what has happened since then:

I designed 3 new albums this month that are HUGE seller pieces. Great display albums are what attract brides and keep them at your table looking and talking. You then have the chance to sell yourself and your personality, which helps them decide to call you back. Anyway, these albums were stunning, show stoppers and were supposed to be arriving sometime during the week. By Wed. I panicked and called my supplier? With promises of returned phone calls, I never heard back. By Thursday I was super nervous about not receiving them in time so I called and requested overnight shipping. I was promised they would be shipped and received by Friday....phew...crisis averted... hundreds of customers no longer lost (hehehe, one can dream right!!!).

So, Friday, when Fed EX arrived, you can image my horror when the albums did NOT arrive in the package. Instead I received a frame order. Long story SHORT, they overnighted the wrong order. Okay… don’t panic, it’s not the end of the world, EXCEPT I really needed those albums and they said they would be here!!!!! When I called my supplier back I got a lame “I’m sorry”… they’ll be there Monday. MONDAY DOES NOT HELP ME!! I HAVE NOT SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON ALBUMS AND TRADE SHOW ENTRANCE FEES TO HAVE ALBUMS BY MONDAY!!

Calmly I called FED EX b/c something needed to be done!! I was transferred to a call center in India (or somewhere overseas) where I was told there was nothing that could be done. The order shipped “ground” and was in IL as of that morning. I said, “But can’t I upgrade and have it re-shipped overnight… I will pay ANYTHING” ??? Sorry Mam, there is NOTHING we can do, 10 times over.

I have a REALLY hard time taking no for an answer when I need a solution!! I asked to speak to a manager and here’s where my LOVE for FED EX was born.

I was transferred to Dan in Illinois… the nicest most accommodating person I had talked to all day. He heard me out, though my package had just left IL, he agreed to track the package, call the Charlotte hub and make sure someone “trapped” the package so I could pick it up on Sat. Of course with the glooming inclement weather, I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but there was still a good possibility I could pick it up myself on Sat. He told me to call the Charlotte Hub around midnight to see if it the package had been trapped. I WAS SO GRATEFULL that this guy took a few minutes to make some calls and work this out. He even called me back to confirm. WOW! I was impressed.

Around midnight (right when I was about to make my call) I received a call from the Charlotte HUB. They had my package!!! The man was worried about the snow that had started to fall and possible ice on Sat. He was worried about me driving all the way up to North Charlotte so he said he was going to personally deliver the package at 2am during his break!! WHAT… these guys were going ABOVE and BEYOND. I could NOT even express my gratitude. After getting my directions, he realized he had a colleague that lived around my area. They settled on this man personally dropping it on my door stop after his shift at 6am. Again, I was blown away by the customer service.

I woke up this morning to my 3 beautiful albums delivered (sitting in a pile of snow, might I add) on my doorstep. My appreciation is insurmountable. That will make a HUGE difference for me this weekend and despite the snow, the show will go on!! I am so grateful these people took time out of their schedules to go way above and beyond the norm. 3 HUGE CHEERS FOR FED EX and answers to prayers and not taking NO for an answer!!!

Have a great weekend! Mine is looking a lot brighter!!

SNOW DAY!!!

Well, we went to sleep last night to chilly weather with no signs of snow (at least here in Fort Mill, south of Charlotte). Would the weatherman deliver?!?!

HE DID! We woke up to a winter wonderland... at least for this area. The kids have been playing and faux sledding all morning. I am happy for them... not so happy for me. I have a Bridal Fair in Concord tomorrow and am not too thrilled about driving in all this... but drive I will, because be there I must (I've invested hundreds of non-returnable dollars!!!!)

We were going to drop the kids of with my Sister-in-law's family in Marion!! Since they are snowed in, that is a big NO GO!! Plan B: church is cancelled, so Blake will be watching the kids while I'm gone all day. Okay, so everything is working out! Not ideal, but we'll take it!