Amazing Tweet

I always feel the need to apologize each time I write a personal blog piece because I neglect this blog so much.  But it is what it is and as I've mentioned in previous posts I feel like I cheat on this blog with my little friend Twitter!  It's so much easier to put down snippets throughout my day of my happenings, thoughts, gripes, inspirations, etc. than to make/find the time to write consistent blog pieces.  As my friend Kim Becker told me, your blog is like a travel scrapbook.  Yes, it seems I only write posts about our trips.  Well, guess it's better than nothing and at least I'll have a nice compilation for my family because heaven knows I won't be doing any physical scrabooking of ANY sort.  And besides I can only aspire to write a blog as witty and funny as the aforementioned Mrs. Becker, so why even try? But I digress...

So speaking of my dear friend Twitter, today I read a really amazing tweet from actress, author, humanitarian Ashley Judd.  This is the text of her tweet, forgive the title of the linked post:

@AshleyJudd: a thoughtful read - how those of us w/ mental illness are depicted in relationships, from @BitchMedia: http://bit.ly/oj6i7o”


I was really touched by the phrase "those of us w/mental illness".  Mental illness is near and dear to my heart so I am always impressed when a celebrity lends their "name" if you will to the cause and hopefully the greater goal of erasing stigmatism.  I wish more work was being done now and wish more work had been done in the past so people like my Mother who have suffered with the stigma of being "crazy" could've been embraced more along their journey.  Their are more "crazy" people out there that I'm sure most would care to admit and if there were less stigma then certainly more would come forward and seek help.  My husband likes to say the only difference betweem his family and mine is that mine are diagnosed!  Well to an extent that's true and more prevalant than most realize.

So kudos today to Ms. Judd for sending that tweet.  You made one person proud today and I hope made many others think about their own lives and loved ones with your statement. 

Also, that tweet reminded me that I have not yet read Ashley Judd's book All That is Bitter and Sweet so it's now downloaded to my iPad and I'm ready to curl up and get started reading it.

One Bad Mother 4th of July

My brother-in-law operates a fireworks stand.  With 2 small boys and a pyrotechnic leaning daddy this equals trouble.  Going to the fireworks stand was like their own piece of heaven on earth.  It was interesting observing the various firework products.  They all have interesting names which I assume makes them more marketable to certain segments of the population.  Well, anyway, now that Conner is 6 and reading he really became attached to one product in particular.  One Bad Mother...

It was quite hilarious.  Conner would say when our we going to get...One Bad Mother.  I hope Uncle Bobby doesn't run out of...One Bad Mother.  I can't wait to shoot...One Bad Mother.  It was funny how he said it in casual conversation in a totally innocent context.  Although, I think next year just to be safe I will be reviewing the inventory in advance of our visit to the fireworks stand.

We enjoyed a nice homegrown fireworks show on 41-A in Sango.  It was loud and stinky and I wouldn't recommend it as your only form of fireworks celebration for the 4th but my boys enjoyed it and that's what matters.

BTW...Andy has a new camera that needs some work on the focus...

Prior to that, we kicked off the long weekend with the Steele's and our usual cookout/pool party at G's parent's house in Joelton.  As of last year, we added a fireworks show in the mix.  This is where the pyrotechnic leaning side of my husband emerged.  I'm not a huge fan of the DIY fireworks anyway and this year sealed it for me.  An errant firecracker came my way and hit be in the back as I was ducking for cover.  Not cool.  And Toddler Steele is forever scarred as a result of being inundated with fireworks as soon as he woke from his nap.  

And I guess I can back up prior to that and mention the early start to our weekend was a lovely overnight trip to celebrate Andy's birthday.  We had a great time at Evins Mill.  It makes for a nice one or two night getaway that's close to Nashville.  We hiked, read on the porch and had some great fresh food.

Looking down and over from the side of the falls...

Carmack Falls was gorgeous

Summer is Flying By!

Well summer is in essence halfway over for us.  School has been out about  a month and starts back on August 1st.  We had a great start to summer with a trip to south Florida. We really enjoyed our trip and it was probably one of the most "normal" family experiences I've ever had with my family in my life EVER. For those of you that know my background I hope you're happy to hear this news because I'm sure happy to share it!  For those of you that don't know my background then maybe one day I'll write a memoir and fill you in :-) 

Tonight is the first night the boys have been in bed before 8pm since school let out. We've been busy with VBS and get togethers all summer thus far. Conner tests for his next belt this week in karate.  He calculated tonight that he'll have his Little Dragon black belt one year from now. That seemed to give him some renewed enthusiasm about karate.  

We're also entering what I call "birthday season" next week with mine and Andy's birthdays eight days apart with 4th of July in between. So I'm already mentally preparing for the ensuing gluttony!  Guess I better prepare physically and increase my workouts too...

After birthday season we'll be on the road again for summer work conferences - one in Chattanooga and the other in Scottsdale, Arizona then exactly one work after returning from all that travel school starts.  In the meantime, I'm going to try and savor and be present for each moment that's left of this summer. Hope you and yours are finding some time for fun and family this summer too.  



**I originally wrote this last week.  Blogpress on my iPad has not been kind to me in trying to post.  But at least now I can add some pics from our trip to Florida since I didn't have those on my iPad.  Birthday season starts later this week and Conner now has his blue belt.

It was a long 8 day vacation...we needed some TLC before getting on the plane :-)

Camren. Doug, Mom, Thomas and Conner

80

Just a number but a pretty large one when you consider a person's life.  My dad would've been that number today.  Here's a yellow rose (his favorite) in honor of this day.

Grateful to be spending the day with my brother of whom I don't see very often these days.  Here we are taken yesterday after church.

Happy birthday Dad.  I'm sure you're smiling down today.

The Kindergarten Graduation That Wasn't

We have a knack in our family for having a sickness during a major event.  Kindergarten graduation did not disappoint.  Camren had been sick on the Sunday prior to the Tuesday evening graduation but it was a quick fever with a little lethargy but not too much pomp and circumstance.  No, that was reserved for the actual graduate on graduation day.  After reading my friends Kim's blog then maybe I shouldn't feel so bad about our well planned graduation but I was a horrible, miserable mess.  So here goes...

Conner woke up not feeling well Tuesday morning.  He even had a very low grade 99 degree fever.  I gave him some Tylenol and said I'd pick him up prior to or at lunch but he needed to go for his final graduation practice and then he could rest all afternoon before the program.  This graduation is a little more elaborate than apparently others (ahem, Kim) with a 30 minute program (including surprises for the parents) performed by the students and a full cap, gown, sash & class ring ensemble as well as the diploma presentation.  Of course there are only 3 students in his class so even if it weren't for my extreme desire to see him perform in this program that he has literally practiced all year for some of it then it was also quite a disappointment for his classmates for him not to participate.  Now back to the story...

I was about to head to school when I got the call.  Conner was not feeling well and was in fact worse.  By the time I got there he was in tears and burning up.  So we went home for more Tylenol/Motrin and hopes that a nice long nap would cure his ailments.  I called the nurse to see if there was a compelling enough reason to bring him in for an antibiotic shot to get him through the evening but since Camren's illness on Sunday had been short lived we both assumed it was a virus.  Then on the way home Conner vomited.  After that Conner did nap and did feel better for a while so we all proceeded to get ready.  And then he vomited again about an hour before he had to be at school.  Oh, did I mention he also had chills.  Yeah that too.  Things were not looking good but it was time for more medicine and I was hoping he could at least go and walk down to get his diploma.  He mustered up the energy to do that and we got to school in time (well, after they held up the end of graduation for 15 minutes) and put his cap and gown on over his suit and tie and he wouldn't do it.  He was afraid he night throw up going down the aisle.  So that was it.  We sat in the back while Andy accepted his diploma and I cried the whole time.

It seems ridiculous as I recount it.  It was just a small moment in time.  But to us that had spent months planning this event it was devastating.

At least I got some pictures of him and his two classmates in their caps and gowns.

The next morning he was feeling some better but still running fever.  Since we were also leaving for vacation that morning we made an unscheduled visit to the doctor and of course he had strep throat.  Or at least we think so even though his quick test was negative but Camren's was positive.  So two shots of antibiotics later (one for each boy) and we boarded a plane to Florida.  I'd like to say that's the rest of the story but we had to make a connecting flight in sunny Orlando but due to weather in the midwest we had an eventual 7+ hour delay.  So I did what any other mother with a credit card might do.  I rented a car, two car seats and drove our little sick, happy family down 3 hours and 15 minutes to Ft. Myers.  Best decision I've ever made.  Well, at least this week.  Especially compared to coercing my child to kindergarten graduation for naught.

Conner and Ms. McFarland

Andy and Conner

Ani, Conner and Emma Grace

Camren being too cute!

If Conner had performed he would've been the "candy man" in one of the numbers.

Note the streaks of tears in my makeup on the right side of my face!

Beautiful silhouette by one of the moms at school.

Sweet GM

Today would've been my sweet Mamaw's 72nd birthday.  I could write about her all day.  It still takes my breath away to think she's not with us anymore.  I always called her Mamaw but when my boys came along we started calling her Great Mamaw then just GM for short.  I wanted to share a few of my favorite pics from the last trip we had out west with her before she got sick.  I'm so grateful for all the time I was blessed with her.  I learned so many lessons from her while she with us but I seem to maybe have learned even more from her after she's been gone.  Or maybe I'm just now applying them.  Either way her spirit inspires me every day.

Conner, baby Camren & GM 

May 2008

Donna & GM at The Fish Market (one of their faves)

May 2008

One of my fav pics of all time in her newly 

remodeled, beautiful, California backyard.  

Traveling solo cross country with a 3 year 

old and 5 month old was SO worth it.  

So grateful for this trip...and looking forward to 

seeing her again one day!

My Dad

Centennial Park

1979

Dad, Me & Mom

My dad passed away 14 years ago today from complications of lung cancer.  It's amazing how your mind takes over on certain anniversaries, birthday, etc.  I dreamt about him last night.  I don't remember my parents taking me to Centennial Park however I have many pictures from there when I was little.  It's still one of my favorite places to go and now I take my children there often.  Thinking of you today, Dad.  Love, Julie

65 Days to Reshaping It All

I encourage anyone interested in some encouragement in the food department to check out the button on the right side of my blog.  This site will be offering daily tips and encouragement for all of us on our daily journey with food.  Candace Cameron Bure (DJ from Full House) recently published a book entitled Reshaping It All that talks about her journey with food but it also talks about the spiritual connection. As I tell anyone when I talk to them about my sideline passion of nutrition, it's a lifestyle not a diet, and I think this book follows in the same direction.  She also lists recipes that she uses in her family.

Disclaimer***I've yet to purchase this book for myself (although I did buy my Mom a copy for Mother's Day and I flipped through her copy before I mailed it).  I've been trying to catch up on some other reading (ahem, book club that's already been extended once amongst other things ;-)  But I do intend on getting the book later this week.  What really pushed me into wanting to get this book sooner rather than later was reading about the 65 Days to Reshaping It All event and Candace's co-author Darlene Schacht  saying that this book can be an inspiration for everyone whether you need to lose 100 pounds or just need to maintain your day to day journey with food.  So even though I'm not looking to lose weight it's always a good idea to have encouragement and re-affirmation of what my daily walk with food needs to be.  I like how Darlene admits that she herself has been doing some things she shouldn't and she co-authored the book!  Of course life circumstances puts us in different places for different reasons and even if you've done well in the past there's always room to slip up.  We always need encouragement and what better place to find if with other Christian women.  My goal is to be healthy for myself and my family.  I want to break the cycle of disease in my family and be as strong as I can so long as the Lord wants me in service here on this earth!

So here's to eating my salad today when I might be craving something else...

Easter In Georgia

We had a great time at Lookout Mountain Resort in Rising Fawn, Georgia over last weekend.  I'm saddened to hear that this area was hit by the storms yesterday and am praying for all of the others that lost lives and homes.  I got some really great pictures but until I delete some files on my computer they are stuck on the camera so I'll share some shots from the iphone.  You'll have to trust that I can some really awesome shots with the Canon that my sweetie got me for my birthday last year!

We have been so busy of late that I was looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing.  I packed all of our food and except for an ice cream treat after the Incline Railway we ate all our meals at the cabin.  I think that's a pretty big feat since it's so much easier to eat out while traveling combined with the fact that I like to get out and try new places then you can tell how much I was craving to stay in one place for a couple days!

I realized about half way down that I had left a couple of bags filled with Easter basket goodies (some really good stuff too I might add ;-) so we made a brief Walmart pit-stop to add to what I did bring.  I ended up doing 2 baskets and acted like the Easter bunny was confused when they found a few more goodies when I got home.  It worked out well considering I remembered everything else for the trip including all the recipe ingredients, church clothes, play clothes, toys, bikes, helmets & fishing gear to name a few things.  On a side note, I don't think families would ever travel if not for the Mom.  I love to travel so I do it all but man it will sure make you never want to travel again wear you out but I digress.

The boys did a lot of fishing and I did a lot of reading.  We did venture out for a short trip over to the Incline Railway on Saturday and to worship service on Sunday morning.  Otherwise it was biking and walking and resting. Just perfect!  The only not so perfect part of our adventure was a trip out on the resort boat.  I use the term "boat" very loosely here because this vessel reminded me of something that holds an order of cracklins at Captain D's.  At least my boys enjoyed it and after being a good sport and taking a short trip I promptly retreated back to the comfort of the cabin while Andy took turns taking the boys fishing on the boat.  Andy did end breaking the already duct taped boat oars but still managed to let Camren get his last ride in for equal time as his brother.  Thank you for that sweetie.  Your muscles are looking better as a result.  We won't talk about the "tan" between the end of your shorts and the top of your boots.  That looks extra nice :-)

The boys also helped me drive around the resort from time to time which is a huge deal to them.  No car seats and sitting in my lap!  Such a treat for us city folks!

Also we had a visit from the tooth fairy same night as the Easter bunny.  Conner lost his 6th tooth.  He now has 3 holes at one time and could easily pass for a Nashville Predators player!  Thank goodness the tooth fairy and Easter bunny knew where we were staying :-o

Conner riding through the water and having a blast.  

Another section of water caused 3 bike wrecks (me, Andy & Conner) but we won't discuss that!