Kaylee's first day of preschool

Yesterday was Kaylee's first day of preschool! She is attending a "mommy's morning out'"program put on by a local high school. The high school offers a 'early childhood education' program for the high school students and those 2 classes teach the 'mommy's morning out program'. It is a really cool program! It runs Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30-12:45. So it isn't all week or all day, which is a good transition for her (And me!).

So her first day went very well- she was super excited! She had a friend, Corbin, who has been in our 'mom's playgroup' for the last year and a half that is attending 'school' with her. They met outside and got to walk in together- and they really enjoy that!

Kaylee and Corbin ready to walk in!

When she walked in she said "WOW!" and ran off to start playing! She played with the toys, started a painting project and then looked at me and said "Its okay mommy, you can go now!" Needless to say, there were no tears on her part! I guess she is really more grown up than I thought! *sniff sniff*

Playing with the toys!

Finding her cubbie

painting station


Michael wasn't quite sure what to think when we got home. He kept walking around saying "where's sissy momma?" But after a while, I think he was enjoying having the toys all to himself!


When I picked Kaylee up from school- the teacher, Mrs. Bowen, said she did great, and that her and Corbin stayed together all day. Kaylee told me all about what they did and learned! And she couldn't wait to go back!


I can't wait to see how it unfolds as the school year goes on!

August is here!

August is here... with the smell of school supplies, new clothes and crowds of people in the stores.. However, August means so much more to me. Yes- August is one of my favorite months of the year!! Why you might ask? When so many dread August because of its heat, or going back to school ( I start back teaching in 2 weeks by the way!). . . Why do I love August so much??

Well- it has alot of special meanings for me. . . . It was the month I met my now husband.... almost 12 years ago (first day of college). . . It is also the month of my birthday!!! WOOHOO (in 6 days)... but most of all.... its the month I married my sweetheart!

Tommorow we will celebrate 8 wonderful, joyful, laughter filled years together! When I think back over those 8 years of marriage, I think of so much... all the fun we've had together, the tears we've shared... All the Georgia games we have been to together, the laughter we've shared. the 2 homes we have lived in... and last but not least.....the two wonderful little children we have brought into the world.

Yes, August is here.... in all her glory, and I'm SOOO happy- cause I have ALOT to celebrate!

I love you honey- Happy Anniversary!

30 days till 30!!

I can't believe it! In only 30 days, I will be in another age bracket!!! the big 3-0!! Wow.
When I think back over the last 29 years of my life, I think, I've done and have alot to be proud of!

I'm married to the man of my dreams (for 8 years on the 3rd), I have 2 wonderful children, a wonderful home and community of friends, a great church family , I've been saved by Jesus Christ and last but definitely not least I have a Terrific, super, awesome, most wonderful family!

I've done alot to be proud of too. I love 4-H and did so many wonderful things in 4-H. Now, I love giving back to the program when I can! I finished college, and then graduate school...., I teach students part time about the wonderful things of science and life, I work a part time job with mary kay that focuses on God first, family second and career third and i LOVE LOVE LOVE that! I stay home with my children which I never thought would be possible! I've visited 11 different states in my life, and the Bahamas. I've published scientific papers and won awards for my presentations. I have friends from all over the world- literally! I have celebrated my parents 30th + anniversaries and am thankful to them for showing me the value of love and sticking together, in a world where divorce is the norm. I've brought a few people to the Lord for salvation. I've run three 5k's and 10k this year! I have friends from childhood that I still stay in touch with and I have finally learned the art of couponing!! ha ha

I"m not trying to boast, or toot my own horn, but looking back over my life, I've got alot to be proud of for the last 30 years of my life... and now I have to look ahead and wonder and dream of what will happen in the next 30 years of my life. Although I know I'm officially getting older.... I still have to say- I'm so happy with where my life is, and I'm so THANKFUL to those who have helped me to get to where I am!!

So...... 30 days... and counting!

4th of July- Peachtree Road Race

Most of you should remember back at the first of 2010, our new years resolution was to run and excerise more.. with an ultimate goal of running the Peachtree Road race on the 4th in Atlanta. (its a 10k or 6.2 miles)

Well.... Sunday was the 4th and YES we did it!!! We ran the Peachtree road race, along with 55,000 other people and FINISHED in a time of 1 hr and 20 Min!!! Out of 55,000 people we finished 32,300! Not too bad if I say so myself!

The peachtree in itself is quite an experience! From all the crowds cheering you on, to all the vendors handing out stuff along the race route to the music from the bands on the streets. It was so much fun! I was worried about running with so many people... but it was really cool to see everyone having so much fun!
I'm so proud of us for sticking to a plan, and achieving our goals! I would have NEVER imagined I would run the peachtree road race... .but we are now considering making it a yearly tradition!!

here are a few pics from the race experience. . . I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th-

I know we did!!

Our numbers the night before the race! We had so much fun getting ready for it!

The starting line... It was amazing to see that large flag hanging over the start, hearing the national anthem and seeing a flyover right before the race started!!

Ready to run!

Just before our race wave "H" hit the start line

Just after crossing the finish line. You can't tell but we are absolutly soaking wet (from a combination of sweat and all the misters/water guns along the race route!)!

What Time is it?????

Its................. BIBLE TIME!!!!

Since Sunday at our church, The Grove, we have been participating in our first BIBLE TIME. Our Theme is "Camp Bible Time". This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bible Time at the Grove. And what an amazing experience!!I have never seen so many adults in a church (almost 400) come together to do their part to make BIBLE TIME an amazing experience for every young person who comes on our church campus.


My job this week has been to oversee photography for the PreK area (birth-5yrs). It has been so amazing to see how even the youngest kids on campus are being taught about Jesus and are having so much fun! Both of my kids fall into P-K area and they are really loving it!


Chris is working on "the hill" with the High schoolers, and it has been awesome!

I have already heard some stories of kids giving their hearts to Jesus, and how God is moving among the middle and high schoolers! What a amazing thing to be a part of!!


Tonight is our last night of classes, tommorow night is "family night" where we will have a cookout and fireworks to end this great week long event.



Here are a few pictures of my family/kids from this week. Look for more to come later this week!

Personal best!

This past weekend was the 8th Annual Commerce Star light Road race. Chris and I ran it, along with Chris's sister Lisa-

It was a great morning for a race, not too hot, and my favorite part of this particular course was, it was litterally a mile from my house, and it was FLAT! After our last 2 really hilly races, this was a nice break!

Chris and I achieved a personal best on this race- 38:24! We have been working hard to increase our speed (okay, I have... chris could run much faster than me, but he always stays beside me during the race!... thanks sweetie!), and it has finally paid off!

It was a great race!!

After the race, we returned home, cleaned up and headed back to downtown commerce for the festival activities. It was such a fun morning!! The kids loved all the activities and it was alot of fun to share as a family.

Later that evening we had invited family and friends over for a cookout and to watch the fireworks which you can see from right across the street from our house. It was a wonderful afternoon!!

here are some wonderful pictures from our wonderful Saturday!!

In just 5 days chris and I will do what we set out to do as part of our new years resolution- run (/walk) the peachtree road race! We are so excited!!!

Summer is here!

Its June-... and the middle of June at that! I can't believe how quickly the year seems to be going by!!

We returned from vacation a few weeks ago, but as you know we are always busy here so I didn't get a chance to post any pictures or updates.. so here goes!

We went to Myrtle Beach, SC for the first time in quite a while (first time ever for the kids!). It was alot of fun. The kids did well on the ride up, one of the longest so far.

The beach was a bit 'cooler' than we'd like but we still made the most of it and had fun. The last 2 days were the best weather wise and we really enjoyed the sun!

Kaylee LOVED riding in the waves on her boggie board, and Michael loved just RUNNING :) HA HA

We played putt putt one day as a family- that was loads of fun,

visited a local boardwalk and enjoyed all the sights there....

and finally our last night there we took Aunt Lisa out for her birthday to the Medieval times- It was a great week!

And here is our new Family Beach Picture!

Chris and I are currently in the final preperations for our big Peachtree road race coming in 2 weeks. We actually have a 5k on the 26th of June here in Commerce and then the 10k (peachtree) the weekend of July 4th. We are very excited, and a little proud of ourselves for sticking to our plan and making this life change. We have both really fallen in love with running and enjoy doing it. Its made us healthier, stronger and a little more disciplined.

I'm still Around....!!

I promise I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth... Life has just been. . well, BUSY!

April was super busy! Easter was amazing as always- my favorite holiday (as a Christian and because chris and I got engaged over Easter weekend in 2000). The kids REALLY enjoyed Easter, hunting eggs, playing outside- it was alot of fun!!

Chris and I completed our 2nd 5K (we both finished 2nd for our age groups! I also had a huge international Poultry Disease conference I helped out with, and that pretty much took all my time! We had 380 participants almost 40 speakers, staff and guests and 23 countries represented! It was quite amazing!!!

Here's the 'group' photo.....

May started off with me basically trying to recover from the conference, and jumped basically right into spring! Kaylee had her end of the year Gymnastics show- it was quite awesome! here's the link to her beam routine! http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=4941125&k=6VA4X3RQTY5O5D1GPKU4SSUVWRJJ4&oid=1199638930845

Mother's Day was also amazing. I was treated to breakfast in bed, where my 4 yr old joined me for a while and gave me lots of love. I also recieved a WONDERFUL gift certificate to the local spa, and I can't WAIT to use it!!

I am constantly amazed at how much fun being a mother is! Yes, its ALOT of work, ALOT of self-sacrifice but it is SO rewarding! For instance, last night Kaylee said "mom, can we pray for my boo-boo?" Now to me, this is so rewarding- knowing that my almost 4 year old KNOWS to pray to God when something is wrong- is awesome! After all the praying, fasting and longing to be a mother, I am still SO thankful God chose me to have children. :)

Tommorow we head out for family vacation at Myrtle Beach, SC. I can't wait! This will be the first time we've taken the kids somewhere other than Edisto Island, and the first time Michael can really enjoy and participate in the Beach activities. I can't wait!

This was our family picture at the beach last summer..

. can't wait to post the new one in a week or so!!!!

Here are a few recent photos that are super cute! I promise not to be so long between blogs from here on out!!

We did it! Our first 5K!

Well- we did it! We made it through our first 5K!
Yesterday Chris and I participated in "Run Dahlonega", our first 5K event.

We have been training since the begining of the year to run the Peachtree road race in July, and decided that before then we would take part in a few 5K races locally. Yesterday was our first!

We woke up early to get ready, check in was at 9am and the race started at 10am. Chris's sister Lisa went with us to watch the kiddos for us while we ran. It was a beautiful day outside and the weather was perfect for a good run! Kaylee and Aunt Lisa and little Michael stood on the side lines and cheered for us as we went by. It was so cute to hear and see our kids waving for us as we would run by!

We finished in 45m 28sec. .. not too bad for our first race- and we didn't finish last! ha ha

We ran all but about 6 mintues of the race. . which we thought was pretty good!

Over all, we finished feeling so proud of how far we have come since January (when we thought it was hard to run for 1 1/2 mintues!). Our next 5K is in Gainesville April 24th. We are hoping to completly run that one- with no walking breaks!

Here are a few pictures from our day!

Ready to run!

Almost to the finish line!
We did it!

Save Georgia 4-H

My heart is heavy today as I read how

the University System of Georgia plans to reduce the 2010 budget.

If you haven't read what's going on- here is the link in the athens banner herald.


One of the biggest cuts involves my beloved Georgia 4-H program. I just can't imagine not having summer camp, or DPA or all the other wonderful 4-H get togethers at Rock Eagle.

I'm asking my fellow blog readers to contact their local representatives and tell them your experiences in Ga. 4-H and how much it impacted your lives.
Here are some numbers to call:

House Committe Chairman Brooks Coleman 404-656-9210

Senate Committe Chairman Dan Weber- 404-463-2260

Gov. Perdue's office-404-656-1776

Rep. Tommy Benton: 706.367.5891

Sen. Ralph Hudgens: (404) 656-4700

I know that I will be spending some time doing this today.
After all 4-H did for me, its the least I can do.

Update 12:30 noon: I've already called most of these listed above- 2 of them had no idea about 4-H getting cut!! Make those calls!!!!!

Save Georgia 4-H!!!!!

5 more days!!!

Chris and I will run our first 5K this coming Saturday in Dahlonega. We are so excited!
As I type this I have my jogging clothes on, just waiting for Kaylee to wake up from her nap so that we can get outside and go for a jog!
I'm really loving jogging again. Its been since college for me, but its really fun and I love having my whole family to do it with. I'll have to take a pic and post of my kids in the jogging stroller :)

Kaylee's First Circus

This afternoon Daddy and Kaylee went to the circus- The Ringling Brothers Circus in Atlanta.

Wow, did they have a good time! All Kaylee has talked about this evening is the Elephants, the Clowns, the tigers and dancers. Daddy bought her a circus elephant and she is curled up with it in her bed as I type. She really enjoyed it alot! (Daddy did too!!)

Here are a few pictures from their exciting afternoon!

From snow to spring?!

Who would have known last weekend when it looked like this outside. . . .

that in one week it would look like this?!

We have greatly enjoyed the first few days of *spring* 'like' weather! Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the sunshine the other day. Granted, it still required a coat outside, it was WONDERFUL! Michael has really gotten into his toddler slide, and is enjoying climbing on it!

Get outside and enjoy the sunshine while you can

Happy Valentines!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Valentines surrounded by those you love!
Our Valentines here has been quite fun and exciting!
Friday I spent driving all morning making different Mary kay deliveries, but also taking the kids to visit their Aunt Sally and meme to give them their valentines cards and goodies-
Then Friday evening, we got almost 4.5 inches of snow over the weekend- that made it alot of fun! Chris and I almost cancelled our plans to go out Friday night to Atlanta for dinner, but decided to go ahead with it anyways.
The kids stayed with the grandparents and we headed out- snow and all.
It wasn't too bad untill about 9pm when we were heading back home and the craziness of slick roads started traffic delays on I-85, but we got home safe and sound!
Chris took me out to Buckhead to a place called Chops Lobster bar- it was REALLY good food! I'm a huge seafood lover, and they had some AWESOME seafood!

Saturday we went to pick up the kids who had been playing in the snow most of the morning over at the grandparents, we came home and had fun with them making valentines cakes and goodies.
Sunday we exchanged 'valentines' (mostly candy of course) with the kids and so today has been alot of fun- and ALOT of sugar (kisses and the food sugar! ha ha)

Overall, I've been surrounded all wekeend with all the people I love and it has been wonderful! I'm so blessed to have so many great 'loves' in my life, but there are 2 that could never compare- Jesus- my first love- who's love could never be explained in words, and of course the man of my life- Chris, whom I love with my whole heart as well, and couldn't imagine a day without him in my life.

I love you honey!

January- exciting, challenging and renewing-

This first month of 2010 has been very exciting, challenging and renewing for us as a family.

This month was filled with excitement! Our little Michael turned one- and what an exciting day it was. Of course mommy shed a few (happy/sad) tears that her little boy is getting so big, but I have so say that I just LOVE this age. Its so exciting and so much fun. I can't wait to experience this next year with him and continue to watch him grow!!

This month has also been challenging. Chris and I have made a commitment to run more this year, and to even run races. We have our first 5K coming up here in March and it has been rather challenging to make time for us to get our runs/walks in this month. Learning a new schedule while working, taking care of kids and just every day life happens has been just that- challenging. But we have persevered and we are getting better at it each week. . . cold weather and all!

This month has also been renewing for us as a family. During 2009 mine and Chris's hearts grew heavy, as we truly felt God tugging at us to go in a new direction, one that we really couldn't see 'clearly'. After a long time of prayer and discussion and decisions our family has moved into that new season spiritually, at a new church that is closer to home. It was one of the most difficult things we as a family had to do, but looking back on the past month, we all know it was the right thing to do. Its so hard to leave everything and everyone you've known for so many years, but we both know this is the path God has set before us.
Our new church home is just what we really need for our family right now, and although we miss our old family, they are still in our hearts. . we really are falling in love with this new family. . . and with God all over again. It has been so. . . renewing.

So, what has January held for you? For us its been exciting, challenging and renewing. . . and I can't wait to see what February has in store for us!

More birthday pictures!

Here are some more birthday pictures from today! Enjoy!