In the Heights and In the Hospital

The two highlights of our week!!  

First though, I'll start w/ my little man Braden and what's been going on with him.  I CAN NOT believe it's been almost exactly a year since his car accident.  I can tell you that I am beyond grateful that to look at him, you would never know what he has gone through this year.  He has healed wonderfully and things are good.  After his two initial surgeries on the day of the accident he has since had one maxiofacial surgery to detach the right side of his lip from the frenulum.  The majority of the trauma to his face has been the scar tissue build up from impact (again, stuff you can't really see on the outside, thankfully) and as the scar tissue was healing inside his upper lip, it was attaching itself to the gums.  

Our other scar tissue issue, was the "caving in" of the nasal cavity causing a few other negative side effects.  AND this is what nobody sees but has been the hardest part of the recovery.  Since he fractured his nose in the accident and sustained so much pressure there has been the continual build up of scar tissue within his nose making it really hard for him to breathe and even harder to SLEEP!!!!  This little guy has not had a full night of sleep in a year b/c he is constantly waking him self up gasping for breath. Insufficient airflow through the nose causes grinding, apnea and all sorts of other issues.  So, this brought  us to our last procedure... resolving things with an Ear Nose and Throat Dr./Plastic Surgeon.  

Yesterday we made hopefully one of our last trips to the Hospital/Medical Center for one day surgery.  The doc wanted to perform a nasal endoscopy, remove the adenoids, and then once he was all the way in he was going to make the final decision on what to do with the scar tissue build up.  There were several options... the worst case being cutting through the nose and essentially scrapping/removing the tissue itself.  The only problem with that would be re-scarring and re-build up :(

LUCKILY, after finishing the first two procedures, he found out the tissue was still soft enough so he ended up injecting 4 different areas with steroids hoping to "melt" (his word) the tissue down.  Only downside to that is we will have to go back in 8 weeks for another round of steroid shots in the nose (it's outpatient/one day again... but still... it's ONE MORE THING and that means a lot to Braden).  

Amazingly today, Braden is doing GREAT!!  I mean, even yesterday as soon as we got home from the hospital, he was up and at it, doing every single craft project we could think of!!  He was extra HIGH and extra LOW at points from being on Lore-tab, but really things are going to be fine!!!  He hasn't complained of pain (Dr. said the steroid injection points would be sore) but NO COMPLAINTS... just lot's of ENERGY!!  Yeah!  I am so happy and grateful.  

I'll finish this post on another happy note.  Wednesday (after lot's of strep at our house) Blake and I finally got to go on our Valentine's Day Date!!  We got 5th row seats to "In the Heights", one of my favorite Broadway shows that I had been dying to take Blake too.  Last year, Ashlee and I won "lottery tickets" and front row seats to the show during our trip to NYC.  It also happened to be on the same night of the "car bomber in Time Square"... ring a bell?!!!  So, the show was delayed an hour and half and we were quarantined inside the theatre for the evening... but it was a FABULOUS show and a great memory (I know it sounds crazy, but it was a fun memory) and I couldn't wait to see it again.

I have to say, the tour show was just as talented and amazing!!  Blake loved it too and leaned over half way through and said, "thanks so much for bringing me".

Okay, hope everyone has a great weekend!!  We will be laying low, but happy that the recovery is going so well!!  THANK YOU for all the thoughts and prayers sent our way this week.  They are so appreciated!!

V-DAY OR BUST!!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Valentines Day!!  We are still a bit hunkered down... I'm getting over strep, G over an ear infection... Blake caught something yesterday... all on top of getting ready for Bray's big surgery on Friday!!  Still we had a beautiful day (70 weather was gift enough!!)

I SURE LOVE MY BOYS and Valentines Day is a great way to celebrate that!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Oooopsss! That was meant for my work Blog...

But it's too cute to erase!! I forgot to sign out of this blog first (it's late!!) Guess I'll go repeat the entire post on Hart to Hart!!  Oh Well!

Oh BABY!! Graham Newborn Session Sneak Peek {Charlotte Area Newborn Photography}

How adorable is this little Teddy Graham!!  I had the pleasure of shooting lil' Graham last week and while Newborn sessions are one of my favorite genres (do I say that about every kind?!) they can definitely be a bit unpredictable!!  This little guy was persistent... he DID NOT WANT to sleep, so we got some nice "wide-eyed" shots...

There are times however, when these little guys just don't want to be posed and folded and fiddled with.  What do you do?  I still go for the shot...

And then rely on a bit of photoshopping (still his face, just from a pose I didn't like as much)

FINAL "PRINT" shot.  What a beautiful little bundle.

I think by the end, we finally wore him out!  He collapsed into a milk coma on Mamma!!   All in a days (or 2) work!

My "WRASTLERS"

No... it's not a typo!!  It's how Papa says it, so it's how we all say it... and wrastlin' is what they do best!!!  

We went to our nephew Tanner's High School wrestling tournament this weekend in Marion.  It was all we could do to keep these little bear cubs off the mats.  Finally when they were down to the last match and the second mat was free, B&G ran down (with head gear and all) and started wrestling up a storm.  All the attention from the stands and onlookers turned to my guys... it was sooo funny!!  People were cheering, taking pictures and video.  I didn't have my good camera, but today, someone emailed me these!!

I think we may be watching a little too much Nacho Libre around here!

Sunday's Bridal Fair

If we're friends on facebook you may have read about my crazy SUNDAY!!  Church at the crack of dawn, Bridal Fair all day up in Concord AND THEN hosting all the Young Women and their Parents (from church) for dinner and a youth discussion.  It was a doozy!!  Thank goodness for HELP.  I had a fabulous assistant at the bridal fair (makes such a difference w/ 2 people) and of course Blake who made the entire dinner and desert and had the house clean and boys contained when I ran in the door 20 minutes before it was supposed to start.  BTW, this is a night when LST (latin-standard-time - at least 30 minutes AFTER designated start time) came in handy.  

It was actually a good day, BUT I've never been so excited to just flop myself down on the couch at the end of it.

Part of my excitement for the bridal fair was my NEW BACKDROP *squeal*.  I have been trying to get my whole "booth" look together for 3 years now.  I FINALLY decided to just splurge and buy the real deal... I mean, I loved the one Blake built me out of PVC pipe, but it was time.  It came in the mail on Tuesday and Saturday around 11p we finally had the time to put it together.

It looks complex, but really it's 15 mins tops to pop up and put together!!  SO AWESOME!

Of course, in my hurry I forgot to grab my camera.  Here's a crappy "phone picture" that doesn't do the booth justice.  You get the idea!!  Let the weddings roll in...

KATE SPADE AMPERSAND & STATE HEARTS {DIY}

I LOVE the Kate Spade store at the South Park Mall in Charlotte... and not necessarily for what they are selling inside!  I JUST LOVE what they do with their wall space.  So, for the past year every time I would walk by the store {and stare} there's one thing in particular that would always catches my eye: the bright pink stenciled ampersand!!  I had to have it!  I researched all over the internet trying to figure out where I could by one to brighten up my own home!  To my dismay, nothing.

One day I was perusing a design blog by one of my sister's good friends in Dubia {caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com}  She had the Kate Spade Ampersand canvas on one of her artwork walls in her home!!  I begged to Tiff to ask her where she bought it.  

Turns out she painted it and recommended a fantastic DIY tutorial by another fellow designer {http://high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-kate-spade-ampersand.html} who painted one as well.  AND it turns out, several Kate Spade stores boast this beautifully designed ampersand canvas, but each one is hand painted as well... so in sum, the only way to get one is to PAINT IT YOURSELF!!

I love an artistic challenge so I went for it!  I found out the actual ampersand design comes from famed typographist Herb Lubalin.  Anyway, I downloaded a few versions from the internet, bought my canvas and paint supplies, printed and cutout the ampersand, traced it on the canvas, then painted away!  It's a little darker that the store's version, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

On to the next design element: State Hearts.  The idea is a print of your state with a small heart in it!!  Brilliant, colorful... another must have.  I saw these cute and clever prints on Etsy, but I wanted square ones, with different colors and closer stripes.  I designed mine in photoshop (CA for me and NC for Blake).  The frames, however are another story.  I found the bright turquoise ones I wanted at Pottery Barn for $34.99 EACH!!  A bit pricey for little square frames, don't you think!!  Instead I found these square ones at ikea in the sales bin no less ($3 each).  Next I bought a can of spray paint and went to work.  I am telling you, they look exactly like Pottery Barn frames.  Finished, I love the punch of color and touch of whimsy both projects add to the wall.

I think I went a little "Collage Happy" on my walls after I did this.  Either way it's fun to experiment w/ color and space and go beyond the simple photograph in a black frame or wall print from Kirklands (for example).

My next {DIY}project, these adorable alphabet prints I saw online today.  I'm going to make them for the shelves in the boy's rooms.  Will let you know how they turn out :)

"How I Became a Pirate"

Is literally one of our favorite books!!  So of course we were super excited when we found out not only the play, but the author was coming to town (ImaginOn Library).  Friday we spent the afternoon there doing all sorts of pirate projects!  We got to listen to the Author, Melinda Long read the book - who was adorable, by the way and she even signed our copy and talked to the boys!  

The most exciting part of the day was meeting the plundering pirates, Jeremy Jacob and old Braid Beard himself!!  The boys were in pirate heaven (and only slightly scared of the their very real green teeth!!)

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhh!!

New Blog Background...

I threw a new layout together today... seems as though I needed a little more yellow in my life :)  We'll see if it holds!!

Life is good and SLOW{er}!

A Year In Photographic Review!!

So, it's no secret that this year has been my busiest {and best!} with regards to my lil' business!!  I am blessed and thankful.  I had 82 sessions/projects/events/weddings etc... It's hard to sum up an entire year of work in words so I wanted to do something visual... and I wanted to pull a picture from each session, but that was a project in and of its self!!  I have almost everything organized alphabetically so I think I made it to the M's...

Anyway, here's to continuing to find the balance within the busy, and joy amidst the stress.  To stretching and taking risks, to dreaming, creating, reaching and fulfilling and going FARTHER than you ever thought you could!!  Here's to another GREAT YEAR!!

Happy New Year - 2011

Hope everyone had a fabulous New Years!  Blake and I got to go out... just the two of us!!  We had a really nice dinner, then had a great time at a little get together with some friends.  It's been a while since we've actually been out on New Years, so we could've been sitting in a parking lot and I would've been happy!  We came home around 11:30 and our neighbors, who were watching the boys, were out in the street doing fireworks... suprise!  I could not believe the boys were still awake and in full party mode.  We rang in the New Year w/ our neighbors, watching the ball drop and drinking sparkling cider!  Thankfully everyone slept in until 10am the next day!  A great way to start another year.  I'm looking forward to a fantastic 2011!!  CHEERS!

Walking In a Winter Wonderland - Christmas 2010

I think that title pretty much sums up our Christmas vacation!!  What a trip... and we almost didn't even make it!  

We were set to leave for Blake's Parent's house up in the mountains either Thursday evening or Friday (Christmas Eve Day).  Well, Wed. the poor kiddies both came down w/ Major GI Bugs that had us held up for two days cleaning up after them with stuff coming out both ends!!  Ohhh, I was so sad for them... and really hoping it wouldn't ruin their Christmas!  Finally Christmas Eve afternoon, we decided to go for it (with towels and barf bags in tow) and made it to the Harts!  We got there late, wrote a letter to Santa, left him some snacks and hit the hay!!  We let the boys sleep together in their new Buzz Lightyear Snuggies from their cousins.  So cute!!

The next morning we awoke to THIS!!!  This is the Hart's backyard view.  Wow, it was beautiful.  A true white Christmas.  For a girl who grew up in San Diego, this was pretty cool :)

We had a great time unwrapping all the gifts... Braden was even sent on a scavenger hunt throughout the whole house, leading him to each piece of his Tae Kwon Do "Sparing Gear" - definitely a favorite!

 Then we hit the SNOW!  It was cold, but fun.  We even tried to to sled and build a little snowman.

 Which got knocked down pretty quickly... b/c isn't that the fun part :)

 Little did we know, the glorious snow was literally "snowing us in"... for the next 2 days.  Around noon we lost power (thank goodness Nana and Papa have a generator).  We still had to keep most of the lights off and got quick little luke warm showers... but it was all part of the memory!  The cousins from Atlanta arrived that night.  Just in time for Christmas Dinner.  We had to get all of the vehicles off the mountain b/c Monday we were going to try and head to TN to the Smokies in the Wilderness Lodge.

On Sunday church was cancelled and they were calling for even more snow.  We decided to stay in town that night at the Holiday Inn so we could get out Monday morning!  Mon. morning we left once the snow had started to melt.  Normally the trip over to Pigeon Forge is about and hour and half!!  Seven hours later we had made.  Icy roads and bumper to bumper traffic made for a crazy trip.  BUT once we got there all was well.  Isn't this place awesome!

The Wilderness at the Smokies is an indoor water park resort!!  The kids had a blast.  It was funny to go from snow gear and boots, to bathing suits and flip flops!!  I loved it though and I was just glad we made it.  My favorite was the indoor outdoor hot tub.  It was HUGE and lead you from an indoor steam bath, to an outdoor hut tub.  So amazing to be in a hot tub w/ snow all around in 20 degree weather.

Bray braved up and tried his hand at body boarding!  Blake almost lost his trunks trying out as well!  The bigger waterslides were even surprisingly very fun.

The wave pool was also a hit!

THANK YOU NANA & PAPA For a wonderful Christmas break.  It was fun to improvise and come up with various back-up plans and versions of back-up plans!!  I'll end with our family picture.  This one almost didn't happen!  It was soooo cold, kiddies were crying and the snow was higher than we thought. We pulled a trashcan into the middle of the street, I set the timer and we got it!  Since it will likely be 2 years before we are ALL together again, I'd say it was worth!!  Love you guys :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!

Before I blog my big Christmas post, I thought I would post a few details/happenings leading up to Christmas break!

December continued to be an insanely busy month for me up until about the 18th (my LAST photo session).  I know your chins will drop in horror, but I didn't even begin Christmas shopping until the 19th... but that's okay, b/c we went simple and easy this year and I wanted to be able to ENJOY it!!

Here's another shocking confession: I haven't been able to bring myself to take down the Christmas decor!!  I know, I know... it's coming down this weekend... just enjoying it for one more day!  We ALWAYS leave for Christmas, so we don't get to enjoy it the whole month... last year I left it up a lot longer, so I'm already doing better!  I took a few pics to remember it!  I don't decorate w/ the traditional red & green... it's all silver n gold, bronze, turquoise, orange and pink!  Kind of fun.  AND I LOVED ALL the cards we got this year!  So many beautiful ones for the card holder!

A couple of shots from some Branch Youth Activities.  It has been fun serving w/ the youth over the past few months (after serving in Primary almost 8 years!!)  

TRI-STAKE Barn Dance

Our little Christmas Party for the girls

And finally, Braden's pre-school class presentation!!!  I LOVE how much he ENJOYS school.  He loves his teachers, friends, the creative projects, the singing, the learning etc...  I will save the dramatic story of Gavin and I actually getting to his Christmas program, but we made it at the end to hear him sing, "Go tell it on the Mountain"!  Too cute.  After he asked if I would take a picture of him in front of the church pretending to hold baby Jesus!  Loved it!

Merry Christmas from Braden & Gavin!!

A few days before Christmas I had a session with a little baby.  After he left, the props were still out... which gave Braden an idea (Mom are you smiling yet?!)  Braden wanted his own Christmas shoot, with costumes and all.  He planned the outfits, set all the poses and checked each shot to make sure it was right!!  

Anyway, we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a very HAPPY New Year!  With Love.

2010 Hart's Christmas Card

Last year my good friend Brandi told me, in so many words, I needed to step up my Christmas Card Game (of course in the nicest way!!!)  I mean... cards are a huge part of my job and for the past several years I have printed small{ish} cheap{ish} cards.  The designs were cute, but she was right it was time send something out that really represented me!!

Anyway, you've probably already seen it, but for "journaling sake" here's our 2010 card.  It's a miracle it all turned out, but I AM glad we went all out!  Thanks B!

By the way... a HUGE shout out to all of you!!  I got so many cute, fun, amazing cards this year... seems as though everyone was on top of the card game!!  KUDOS!!  I LOVE it!

 

And This is Why I LOVE Disney...

If you follow my blog at all, chances are you've seen me in my favorite {knock off} burberry hat MANY TIMES!!  I bought this in South Beach right after Blake and I got married and it has history!!  I wear it all the time!!  Anyway, I was sooo bummed when I realized I left my hat on the Mt. Everest roller coaster ride in The Animal Kingdom on the last ride of the day before the park closed!!  I heard Disney's lost and found is phenominal but I thought it was gone forever (I know, dramatic, but I really like this hat!)  On the off chance someone was going to turn it in, I called the L & F services the next day and reported it.  I also left my name and address in case!!

Low and behold last week, I received a package in the mail with my HAT!!  Yay!! And that is why I love Disney :) 

Grove Park Inn Getaway...

On the heals of our wonderfully, busy Thanksgiving "break", Blake and I had an amazing 4 day getaway to the Grove Park Inn... JUST the 2 of us!  Blake is the VP of the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association and planned the entire conference... in turn we got hooked up with the Presidential Suite!!  AND, Christmas came early for me!  I got to spend an entire day at GPI Spa, which is world renown... I mean it is AMAZING!!!!!  I did have to work/edit a good portion of the trip, but it was so NICE to relax in such peaceful, serene, surroundings.  I would HIGHLY recommend a stay there... especially around Christmas!

My BIG-FAT-EPIC Thanksgiving Post!!

I have put this post off for nearly 3 weeks now... just too many fun pictures and too little time to actually post about them!  I am, however, finally getting my life back this week, since I have officially finished all my client photo sessions, print/card orders, disk hand-off's etc...  Yay!!  I can focus on my own family and enjoy the Holidays and start crossing things off on my own to-do list! 

#1: Blog about Thanksgiving.

This was an amazing trip.  And I'm blogging all the pics/details mainly for myself.  I love to be able to looks back at my "online scrapbook" and remember the fun :)

This trip was a bit of a "working trip" you could say.  I was hired on by "Wild Florida" to film and edit a 10 minute mini movie of their picturesque surroundings via an airboat ride?!!  My new Canon 7d films in high quality HD video mode, so hey, why not!  (of course now I am reminded why I got out of videography and into photography... but it was a great job nonetheless).  I spent a lot of time on that project as well as time on several photo shoots (including my own family... finally!!!) and making Christmas cards for Mom, Tiff, Cami and my family!  Lot's of computer time :)

BUT there was also a lot of fun time... here are the pics.

Miniature golfing with the crew!  I love B&G's pirate scowl pic...

Getting ready for the main event.  Doing the "bawk bawk" dance with the Turkey... a Clark fam tradition

The day after Thanksgiving we headed to airport to pick up Tiff, Benton and Zoe from the Airport.  They traveled 18 hours from Dubai... GO TIFF!!  This was the first time meeting little for almost all of us!

The THREE amigos... actually got along pretty well!

Saturday night we hit "Old Town Kissimmee" a precursor to our Disney day!  Mom and Camille even did the Human Swing... the highest in the world I think!  I did that once and still have nightmares about it... but they had a great time!  The pictures aren't that good, but the boys had a blast!

MONDAY we had a fabulous day at Disney!!  We were there 15 hours and the kids did awesome!!  I LOVE the bottom right pic in this collage... look at the kids (get us out of these strollers and on to a ride!!)

Buzz light year... the crowd favorite! (what up w/ my pose?!!!)

Naps, melt downs and cotton candy... just part of the whole experience!!

The lighting of the castle had to be a highlight!  We were racing to get back from the Animal Kingdom and just made it!  It was SO FUN to be at Disney with all the Christmas Decorations up.  I would highly recommend it.  Our good friends the Copes (from NC) were are the Magic Kingdom that same day, but we never did manage to meet up!  We also saw some good friends from our San Diego days -- Brian Perkes cute family!  "It's a small world after all"!!

Had to include this funny set of pics!  Gavin is obsessed with cousin Zoe... he LOVED her.  He wanted to be sitting beside her any time we were in the car, and wanted to hold her any time he could get his hands on her!!  She was such a good sport!!  THIS IS THE BEST LITTLE BABY!!!  She goes with the flow, never fusses... even when G has his hands all over her!

To end the trip WE ALL took a road trip back to Charlotte.  Tiff and her kids, myself and the boys, Mom & Ash.  All 8 of us packed in the suburban and drove back (Blake had come back 4 days earlier to get back to work!!).  The trip went pretty smooth... not gonna sugar coat it though... there were some brutal parts!!  After being spoiled at Ahmas for 10 days it's always a little hard to get back into the routine of things.  Plus I think all the kids were at their limit w/ cousin time... BUT, it was a great memory and I'm so glad we made it.  We tried to visit Santa at the South Park Mall and then hit up the Branch Christmas Party... always a memorable evening!  

I LOVE MY FAMILY and I'm so glad we were able to spend this precious time together!