Thank you John Boyt!!!

Many years ago I met a great group of people from Moncks Corner SC. I dated Michael Varner and through that relationship is how I met so many of these friends. We did and went so many places together and I have very fond memories of hanging out with this crowd all over the US. The beach at Wild Dunes, tailgating at Citadel games, skiing in West Virginia and Utah, Lake Murray on the weekends, etc. Eventually alot of us moved on and I lost touch with all of them.

Not too long ago I received a call from my sister in law letting me know she got an email from someone looking for me. She asked me if I knew a John Boyt. Evidentally Johnny has been very bored over the years and has been trying to find me! He remembered I had a brother that went to West Point and the year he graduated. He found my brother on a Westpoint graduate site, took a chance and emailed him. I could not believe he took the time over the years to find me. It has been at least 13 years or more since I last saw these guys. You don't know how that made me feel. I was also friends with John's wife, Carol. Can't wait to visit them when I get to South Carolina at some point in time.

Today is opening day for baseball...I am so proud!!!

Today is opening day for baseball and Mike and Hunter headed out at 7:45 this morning. All you moms know the warm feeling in your heart that comes from being so proud of your children. Tears start streaming down your face and your heart feels like it could explode. Of course your kids don't understand. "Mom, why are you crying. You are embarassing me.". One day they will understand. Here is Hunter in his new Phillies uniform. Hunter is so athletically inclined and anything to do with sports seems to come so easy for him. He hasn't found that one thing he is in love with but he will find his way. He is the shortest guy on the team but he has an arm and he is fast! Already he has been hit twice on the back while batting so he is a little gun shy about goiong up to bat. I would be too.

My day at the One Eighty Medical Spa

Ok...so turning 45 has me wishing that I wasn't such a sun goddess in my younger years. Not sure why but hitting the mid 40s is bothering me somewhat. Could it be I robbed the cradle and married someone 12 years younger than I am. No that is not it as most of the time I act younger than Mike does. Well a new medical spa opened a few miles from the house and I had to go check it out. I rarely do anything to pamper myself so I had a microdermabrasion and Jessner peel today. Helped that the first visit was 50% off as I am too cheap to pay full price. Wasn't too bad but I should start peeling soon so I will let you know how that goes. Of course since I am the one that is always behind the camera you will not see any before and after photos. Sorry!!!!! Stay tuned for the results although you have to have several of them done to see extended improvement. Guess I need to sell more photos to support my new chemical peel habit.

Today is my birthday and a few other happenings for the past week

Mike had lasik surgery this past week and is doing great. Goodbye glasses and contacts. Friday we were walking around the mall and he would ask me "Can you read that sign". I couldn't read it but he sure could. Maybe I should get to the eye doctor!

I have been on the PTO board for Hunter's school the past two years. Fun but lots of work, especially when you only have a few moms doing everything all year long. For months I have been working on the Radio Disney event. Radio Disney (for a high price) brings their equipment, DJ and staff to interact with the kids. Lots of music, games, food, and give aways. The kids are pretty pumped about it at school and for the event they can come in costume. I have put together a slideshow to music that will be played before the event on a big screen in the gym. The slideshow consists of the kids pictures I have taken throughout the year. Oh, did I mention I am their photographer and do the yearbook as well. You can view the slideshow here if you would like. Hope this will pump the kids up even more. Every mom, dad and kid loves to see their face on the big screen.

Watch it if you can. It took me three damn days to get it done!!! Oh and the person in the Donald Duck outfit at the beginning is the principal of the school.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2965172&alb=0


Hunter has started baseball practice. His coach is awesome. He hits the field and there is not a minute of time that he isn't teaching the kids to do something. Running through first base instead of slowing down, how to field the ball, how to throw, etc. Hunter is loving it and I am too. I am a little competitive when it comes to the sports stuff!

I am doing Sunday sessions for photography two times a month at a gymnastic center not far from the house. They are going well and I really like working with the little kids and making money on the side doing something I absolutely love.

Learning about butterflies

At dinner tonight Caroline told us she learned about butterflies in school today. Her dad asked her is she knew what butterflies started out as . She replied, "callerpooters". The next time you come across a callerpooter, please do not step on it or kick it to the side. Pick it up, stroke it lightly and just say, "Hi little callerpooter" and think of Caroline.

We went to Marshall's the other day and they had these raincoats and boots sitting on a rack at the front of the store. They sure know how to target the kids as Caroline saw them right away and of course had to have one. She chose this one because it was her favorite color, pink. She has hardly taken it off since she got it. Hunter even made this comment. "I do have to say she is pretty cute in it." Well that says a lot if big brother pays you a compliment. She had to wear it to school today. Rain boots, white tights, jean skirt and pink raincoat. When I picked her up she said, "Mom, all the kids said they liked my outfit today."

It started raining today and Caroline ran upstairs to let me know. She was so excited and it didn't register with me as to why. I then heard the door slam and when I looked out she was outside dancing in the rain with the boots and coat on. Kids are just awesome aren' t they!

Yippee!! Hunter made the Majors

Got the call tonight to let us know Hunter made the majors. Hurray! His coach is named Steve Boyd and he coaches all three of his boys teams. Busy man for sure. Practice starts tomorrow night at 6:30 so his dad will be able to take him to most of the practices. Start looking for baseball action photos soon. I think I am more excited than he is. I just love photographing sports.

Thank goodness for generous friends

This is my neighbors little girl, Shaye. I am so glad for generous friends that let me borrow their kids to practice on.

Caroline's Modeling Session

Today I wanted to practice taking photos so I had to think of a way to get Caroline to cooperate. Tried a few things and the only thing that would work was to offer to pay her. She is no dummy!!!! After it was over she asked me when I was going to the bank to get her money. I could see this getting pretty expensive on my part. Here is a photo from today.

Tried a few different techniques. Color boost on the first one, BW on the second and desaturation on the third. She is a wonderful little model when she wants to be.

Click on the photo to enlarge.