All about August

(With more pictures than any one person should need!!!)

We celebrated Nick's 5th birthday at the Bowling Ally with a Scooby Doo party

Poppy took Chatham and I back to Nevin park for some late Summer fun at the Splash Park

He was such a big boy dashing in and out of the water all by himself.

They had a ball- and Chatham even rocked on the duck (which he would have NO part of last month!)

Poppy has become Chatham's BEST bud!

Celebrating another birthday with the Cadwallader's- we had a party for Chris and had John Deer Cake!!!!

Chris has thirty candles more than Lauren this year; and Lauren was GREEN with envy!

Chris was a good sport with the mandatory attire

Wrapping up this busy month we went to a Crawdad's game with Ashlee, Sarah, Kathleen, the Cadwallader's and all the kids (7 their- and 1 on the way....that would be Sarah, NOT ME!) The Crawdads is Hickory's Baseball team- it's minor league- or minor minor league----double A or something like that.

Harris was given a foul ball that a nice gentlemen near us caught.

And some of the bigger kids went down to greet Conrad the Crawdad.

Devin is VERY pleased with how 'in' to baseball Chatham is. Maybe he'll follow in Daddy's footsteps.

Oh just forget it!

I'm tired, my son is off the wall (cranky, tired, FULL of tantrums) and my heart just isn't in it right now. I caved and bought a Cheerwine at work this morning AND I've had a handful of funsized Twix bars already.

The beginning of the school year IS NOT the time to try to eat better, quit caffiene and promise to blog for 30 days (STRAIGHT!).... so

these pictures will cover day 8-11 of the blog challenge- and in a few days I will let you know just how many nights I managed to fit in/stay awake for a work out.

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 - a photo you took (see day 11)

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

This picture was taken in late 1985 or early 1986 (that's my dad giving my sister (in front) and ME a horsey ride!
Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Since this blog is REALLY about Chatham- I added his most recent picture!

DAY SEVEN

Nothing new to report- hoping to get back on track after letting things slide this weekend.

Here is your daily does of Chatham.... It fits right in with my day seven's challenge of a picture that makes me happy!



This was sent to me on Friday from Chatham's teacher

DAY SIX

Today I think the Blog Challenge: 20 of my favorite things....will actually be harder than the workout Challenge. In the words of Chatham "I DEED IT!" I worked out over the weekend!!! I have now made it further in the 30 Day Shred than all other attempts (COMBINED)

I have gotten a lot of support from friends who DO read my BLOG!!!! (thanks Lisa) Knowing that someone is actually keeping up with this helps me REALLY want to succeed!

SO- here are my 20 things....notice that while exercising DID NOT make the list Coke DID!!!

1.Chatham
2.Devin

3.Family
4.Friends
5.Suntanned skin
6. A good hair day
7. Shopping for back to school
8. Sushi
9. Sappy Movies
10. flannel PJ pants
11. a sweatshirt right out of the dryer
12. Family Vacations
13. Pictures
14. Cuddling

15. a cold-fizzy coke!!! (I MISS IT!)
16.picnicking in the park
17. Christmas
18. smell of fresh cut grass
19. new shoes
20.Flip Flops

DAY FIVE

I am starting today's post on a positive note....

My favorite quote is something that my mother has always said and that is "This is the Good Stuff"!

I find myself saying this a lot and that makes me smile- I like to know that I am aware and witness a lot of the simple pleasures in my life.

Here are a few of the simple pleasures I had this past week.

Looking at these pictures reminds me that my life isn't revolving around my 30 Day Shred Challenge....although I am in a slump with being sore, tired, and unmotivated. THIS IS THE GOOD STUFF- I am doing this to see more good in life and more good in myself. By following through with my diet and exercise I will be a happier person doing all the things I want (like the pictures above)

DAY FOUR

I think I've learned to live without caffeine- didn't get any headaches or withdrawl symptoms- so I'm obviously not as hooked on them as I thought. Therefore, I am stepping it up a notch and I am going to cut out sweets- no desserts, no candy, NO SWEETS! This one shouldn't be too hard I get in more trouble with chips and salty snacks than I do sweets....but I will save this feat for Monday (since we're celebrating Nick's birthday this weekend!)

This weekend will be my test to see if I stick with the workouts on Saturdays and Sundays- I like to be optimistic- so go ahead....hold your breath!

On the BlogFront we are moving on to Favorite Books.....

As a kid I red Lurlene McDaniels Books- my mom and sister called them my "boo-hoo books" because they are SUPER depressing and ALWAYS made me cry- to this day they are still some of my favorites- because I have never been much of a reader, but I read close to 20 of her books- so she must have been doing something right.

DAY THREE

Working out is hard to fit into my schedule- but I normally am already sick of exercising- and so far I'm hanging in there (haha- two days I know) Nothing much to report- still haven't caved and had a Coke (or any other Soda) so I think I'll make the 30 days this time!!!

Day Three of the Blog Challenge is my favorite Televison Program...and I must admit (although VERY embarrassing) that I am HOOKED on ABC Family's Secret Life of the American Teenager. We started watching it for a project through a school where I worked. It was a way to "connect" to "kids these days"... it ended up being trashy and WAY too sexual and we couldn't insist that kids watch it...but I was hooked- the bad story line, the lying, the underage issues. It's like a bad car accident that you want to look away from but just can't!

So there you have it...I am 27 going on 14!

DAY TWO

Today I haven't had a Coke (that's my drink of choice) and so far I really can't tell much of a difference, we'll see if I'm still singing the same tune around 3:00!!! I am not as sore as I expected- but I still HATE jumping jacks with a passion!!! And I must say it's a lot easier to work out now that I don't have a little black puppy under my feet!!!

Day TWO of the Blogging Challenge is my favorite movie.... LOVE STORY! I LOVE it, I start humming the theme music just typing the title.... I LOVE the story, I LOVE Preppy, and I cry before the first scene is over!!! If you haven't watched Love Story you are REALLY missing out!!

My 30 day Challenge

I have started the 30-day Shred with Jillian Michaels (yes, yes AGAIN!) this time I am going to blog about it so that I stay motivated. This way I have to answer to ya'll if I fail (yes, yes AGAIN!)

So here we go- Day ONE- the plan is to start at Phase One of Jillians Video, today is my last day drinking soda (of ANY sort) I am now (starting tomorrow!) only drinking H2O, juice, and milk....

My distraction to how much I HATE dieting and exercising is the 30- day Blogging Challenge.

I found this on NEXTTOHEAVEN a blog I love to read! It gives me something positive to blog about while I am "detoxing" from caffeine and suffering from sore muscles.

So here is a list of What you're in for:

Day 1 - your favorite song

Day 2 - your favorite movie

Day 3 - your favorite television program

Day 4 - your favorite book

Day 5 - your favorite quote

Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things

Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 - a photo you took

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Day 12 - something you are OCD about

Day 13 - a fictional book

Day 14 - a non-fictional book

Day 15 - your dream house

Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 19 - a talent of yours

Day 20 - a hobby of yours

Day 21 - a recipe

Day 22 - a website

Day 23 - a youtube video

Day 24 - where I live

Day 25 - your day, in great detail

Day 26 - your week, in great detail

Day 27 - my worst habit

Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse

Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 - a dream for the future

My favorite song changes from day to day.... I LOVE Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler (it's mine and my daddy's song), Greatest Story Ever Told by Oliver James (this was the song Devin and I danced to at our wedding), and recently I am loving It Won't be Like This for Long by Darius Rucker (that's right HOOTIE).

I hope you enjoy- and leave a comment with a link to your page if you choose to join the Challenge.

Toddlers Are A Lot Like Drunk College Friends....

Have you ever noticed that?

They are so much fun, they are always dancing around, doing something crazy.

They fall over and trip all the time, and they act like it's no big deal.

They talk a ton but don't make much sense and you say "that's great honey" even though you don't have a clue what they are talking about.

They can go from laughing to crying in under a second.

They will randomly get naked and run through the house.

They need your help putting them to bed.

They will randomly give you hugs in the middle of a conversation and tell you they love you.

If you take their drink away from them, they freak out.

They will talk to anybody, doesn't matter if they've never met before.

Your needs are completely none of their concern

When did my Baby become a little Man!!??!!

terrible focus (taken with Devin's Cell Phone) But too cute not to share!

My Morning Picture

Over the Summer, here at the Central Office, we like to work extended days (10 hrs) so we have Fridays off!!! WOO HOO!!

This means LOTS of people are working 7-6 instead of the usual 8-5. WELL....this isn't possible for me because I HAVE to pick up Chatham at 5 from daycare....SO this means I have been coming into work at a mind-numbing SIX A.M.!!! Devin volunteered to take Chatham to daycare for me in the mornings, so I can make it to work so early.

Every morning for the last five weeks Devin dresses Chatham and drops him off at school at 7:30- so around 7:20 each morning I get a text message. It has a picture of Chatham in the carseat headed down the road- It brightens my morning EVERYDAY!!!

Here is todays picture:

Ripley's Aquarium

While at the beach, we went to the aquarium on the rainy Sunday....

Saw fish, GIANT sharks.......

Chatham wasn't too sure where we had taken him!!!

But since Mama and Daddy were having fun, Chatham jumped right in.....sliding, fishing, and even making fishie faces


His favorite (and Daddy's) were the Sea Dragons

Chatham learned after seeing over 5,000 fish how to say "sishes" ("fishies")

There were lots of Stingrays and Chatham waved "ba-byeeeeee" to each and every one.

Then Daddy took him around to see the Nemo and Dori fish before settling in with some jellyfish.

A little wet from running through torrential rain to get in, but once inside a good time was had by all!

Surfside Beach

How do you take 311 pictures in 3 1/2 days???

By having SUCH a cute model...that's how!!

Just as the title says we've been at the beach.

We walked on the Pier








Spent LOTS of time in the pool



This is Chatham's first time with his toes in the sand (this year)

Daddy walked him down to the ocean

At first he wasn't so sure.....


but with a little help from Mama he was running in and out of waves in no time!

We even built a sand castle!

We DEFINITELY have a beach bum on our hands!