oh i can't WAIT for your responses...

so back in april i got my nose pierced...

well this weekend...

i got a tattoo. :)

yes. it's large. i know.

Trish and I took a trip back to Nashville to hear the band, Josh Garrett and the Bottomline.
While we were there we decided to get tattoos... it was totally a spur of the moment thing. I have been talking about possibly getting one for a while and I already had a few ideas of what I wanted. I showed Jay (my tattoo artist) a picture of what I had found online and he said, "can I draw you something better?"
:)

so, he did...

on my back...

with a marker...

lol

me excited... thinking "getting a tattoo isn't so bad"

the finished drawing

me gripping that chair for dear life

it hurt! i'm not gonna lie to you!
thinking, "wow... maybe it's not as easy as i thought it would be!"

it hurt so much that i cried!

AND i told Jay it was worse than child birth. lol

ok, looking back on it... just based on the pain factor... it rivals child birth because you can't get an epidural for a tattoo! :)

(it's not red like that anymore...)

no. i am not crazy. no. i have not lost my mind.

i wanted a tattoo. the opportunity presented itself. i did it. :)

and...

I LOVE IT!

Has it really been over 2 weeks?

Wow! I haven't blogged in over 2 weeks!

Life has just been CRAZY! Evan was here for 2 weeks and we've been trying to get back into our "regular" routine... if there is such a thing!

I just haven't felt like blogging...

and sadly, my Project 365 went down the tubes when my camera decided to stop working properly. It was just too hard to keep up with it using my camera on my phone. :(

But here's a picture I took a few minutes ago...

is it ok to bribe my kid with M&Ms to make her poop in the potty?

If it were working, I would say yes... so far, no such luck!

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that Riley turned 2 on March 2nd! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

And it only took 7 hours and 45 minutes...

I'm pretty sure that's a record.

It's normally an 8 hour drive from my home in Tennessee to my parents' home in Florida, but that's with Brandon driving... :)

Apparently I drive a tad bit quicker.

I have a picture to post, but I can't get to it from here... *sigh* I'm beginning to see a trend as of late.

So, almost 8 hours on the road after an already full morning... I'm exhausted and GOING TO BED!

Night!

A seat with a view...

This was my view on the way to Lynchburg, TN today...

47/365

And on the way back...
Those are my feet propped up on the arm rest between Brandon and Evan. :)

My Monday Mumblings for today...

1. Lynchburg, TN is further from Cleveland than it seems on the map.

2. My kids do not travel as well as they used to! *Maybe it's because we have traveled so much the last few days*

3. Evan is very tolerant of my children... for that I am thankful.

4. Chandler has really taken a liking to Evan... for that, I feel sorry for him!

5. The Jack Daniel's Distillery is smelly... not really bad... not really good... just smelly.

6. The Jack Daniel's Distillery tour is educational... when you aren't chasing children and you can pay attention to the guide.

7. Our guide... slightly obnoxious. *sigh*

8. However, Evan got the opportunity to hear a "real tennessee accent".

9. I'm looking forward to only having to be in the car long enough to take Chandler to and from school tomorrow!

10. I'm exhausted!

A day downtown...

This afternoon we headed to downtown Atlanta to wander around and show Evan some of the sights...

46/365

Here we are at the Centennial Olympic Park in downtown

After the park we stopped by the CNN Center for lunch in the food court and then drove over to Zoo Atlanta.

After the zoo we loaded up and drove back to Tennessee... after a little Mario Kart, the girls crashed for the night and we lounged around watching a movie.

I declare war...

This morning we decided to play a little paintball...

I haven't played paintball in quite some time. In fact the last time I played, I ended up with bloody knuckles and decided I was done playing for a while.

45/365

Cousin Brett and Me

Brandon and Me

I have video footage, but again, my phone and computer are not cooperating! ARG!

When I do get the footage uploaded, you'll get to see my injuries and just one of the hits that I took.

After we got cleaned up from paintball, we had dinner at IHOP. Dinner was yummy and just what we needed after running around like crazy people in the woods.

After dinner, Cousin Brett and I headed off to the airport to pick up EVAN!

You'll get to meet him in tomorrow's post. :)

He was a bit tired after being awake for 30 hours so I decided not to ask him to pose for pictures tonight.

And we're off...

I'm sitting in Atlanta in Cousin Brett's room to send out this quick blog post...

and my picture isn't cooperating with me... again... ugh!

So, I took one, but I can't post it.

It was a photo of the roses that Brandon surprised me with when he came home from work today. Since we'll be in Atlanta visiting with family this weekend and won't go out on our own Valentine's date, he got me roses a day early.

We will be celebrating Valentine's Day with Cousin Brett, Aunt Karen, and Uncle Mike tomorrow at IHOP!

After dinner, Brett and I will drive to the airport to pick up Evan! YAY!

44/365

To Knoxville and back again...

This afternoon the choir loaded up on a charter bus and drove to Knoxville to sing at a prayer conference.

I sat with Trish on the bus. Much laughter ensued.

25/365

I mean like crazy amounts of laughter. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a LONG time.

I know Trish has a few "good" shots of me... I refrained from posting any really bad ones of her. :) Because I'm a good friend... and because she will "un-tag" herself in them if I post them on facebook.

After we sang, we stopped for dinner at Abuelo's.

Trish, Me, Ryan and Ashley

We all laughed pretty hard tonight.

I think a good time was had by all! Now I'm exhausted and headed to bed!

Monday Mumblings: Injuries and whatnot

1. My tooth is "less loose" today.

2. I grind my teeth at night so I'm kind of surprised it didn't fall out over night!

3. I had to take Brandon to the eye doctor this morning.

4. He had a "cornea abrasion"... the culprit? Riley.
After my post yesterday, are you really very surprised?

5. This is his 2nd cornea abrasion in 5 years!
The first one was courtesy of Chandler at 7 months old... babies have SHARP fingernails!

6. Currently he's laying in the bed attempting to sleep.

7. I asked him if I could lay in the bed all day if I had a cornea abrasion. :)

8. He threatened to give me one! :)

9. I had a leftover cupcake (from Chandler's party) for breakfast this morning... that's been the highpoint of the day so far!

10. I finally printed my pictures from Australia. They are going into a fun photo album today... I bought it at Target back in October.

*sigh* Here's to hoping that this day gets better from here!

Rumors

Rumor has it that Delta Airlines will soon be offering a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Sydney.

I get inside info because Cousin Brett works at the airport in Atlanta AND his dad, my Uncle Mike, works for Delta. :)

Delta just merged with Northwest Airlines and this flight will be something new starting in June... but like I said, rumor has it.

So, if any of my lovely Australian blogging buddies are considering a trip to the east coast of the United States... I'm only 2.5 hours from Atlanta AND we have a guest room!

I'm excited because maybe this means a return trip to Sydney isn't 10+ years away like I was afraid it might be! :)

Anyone up for a trip?


***Edited to add: Cousin Brett has just informed me that the flight will NOT be non-stop from Atlanta to Sydney, but they will have an L.A. to Sydney flight beginning July 1st. That's still happy news!

Where you can find me...

9/365

I was inspired by Jaime's picture on January 2nd.

So, there's a lot to learn from this picture... you ready?

Let's start with my phone... laying in front of the keyboard.
*I LOVE MY NEW PHONE! It's red... that alone makes me love it, but it's cool too! :)

My hands...
*I always type with my fingers on the correct keys... Thank you ole' what's-her-name that taught my 6th grade keyboard class. :)

My arm...
*I LOVE MY NEW PJS!!! I got them this week at Target. They are bright pink with white piping and have little gingerbread men on them. I saw them back before Christmas and REALLY wanted them, but I resisted... until this past Wednesday. :) Got them for 50% off!! YAY ME!

To the left of my arm...
*Scrapbook resources and supplies. The books, binders and magazines are all ideas for fantastic pages that are just WAITING for me! The white plastic organizer holds all sorts of fun scrapbook supplies... stickers, embellishments, notecards with more ideas on them, etc...

In the middle of the picture, behind the keyboard...
*My miniature Eiffel Tower bought all the way from Paris by non other than... Cousin Brett. :) Brett's brother, Bobby, is in the AirForce and is currently stationed at a base in Ramstein, Germany. Brett and his parents (Aunt Karen and Uncle Mike) went to visit Bobby this past year and I requested this little Eiffel Tower...
One day, I'll see the real thing... up close and personal. :)

On my computer monitor...
*Simplify. One of my many goals for myself. In so many different areas of life. This little rub on serves as a daily reminder.



Tonight, Melanie sent me a text message with an offer to meet her at the theatre for a girl's night out... Brandon gave me the "go ahead" and I was off!
We saw, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"... I really enjoyed it, but I cried... a lot. :)
*It has renewed my love for Brad Pitt (who honestly, was becoming less and less attractive me as of late). His New Orleans accent (in my opinion) was spot on and VERY charming!
*Cate Blanchett was STUNNING! Her skin is gorgeous!
*It made me want to take ballet lessons!


On a much more serious note...
Please pray for my high school friend, Kim.
Kim and her husband, Neill, are expecting twins. They had a bit of a scare today... I'm not 100% sure how far along she is, but she's far enough for the girls (identical twin girls) to be born next week... They are measuring about 5 lbs each... I've heard that's a good weight for twins.
There is some concern about gallstones in Baby A and Baby B has some calcification on her chest and in the placenta.
Kim was sent for tests this evening. Once the results are back, they will make a decision about delivery.
Kim is worried (what mom wouldn't be?!?!), but she has faith in her doctor and has been encouraged by how pro-active the doctor has been. NICU has already been briefed on Kim's pregnancy and they are ready for the girls when the time comes.

I have faith in God and He knows exactly what He's doing.

So please say a prayer for Kim, Neill and their families. They need peace, wisdom and comfort right now.

Yeah, I'm still here!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately... we got back from having Thanksgiving in Atlanta with my extended family and I've been playing catch up since Saturday night!

As soon as I have pictures from Thanksgiving I'll be sure to post them... I forgot to take my camera (I know, I know... what WAS I thinking!!!) so I used my dad's camera and the camera is currently with him in FL. :)

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving... I've really enjoyed reading about everyone's holiday!

Can't wait to hear how Mummy McT's Thanksgiving meal turned out!!!

Why am I choosing to embarrass myself?

I saw this posted on Heather's blog as well as Renata's blog... check them out!

15 years ago, I was...
*13 years old
*In the 8th grade at Osceola Middle School in Ocala, FL
*The drum major of our middle school band for the Ocala Christmas Parade
*playing the flute
(Sorry, no picture for this one... I honestly looked, but the 8th grade was such an awkward year... I probably burned all pictures from that time in my life!)

10 years ago, I was...
*18 years old
*A high school graduate... graduated with honors :)
*Spending my last summer at home doing community theatre
*Moving to Tennessee in the fall to attend Lee University
*Majoring in Music Education
*Playing the oboe in the Symphonic Band

That's me on the right

The only picture you may ever see of me dancing... I'm just to the right of "Frank Butler"
The show was "Annie Get Your Gun"

Freshman year of college in the Symphonic Band
That's Brandon sitting behind us... funny that we barely knew each other in the picture!

Me and Brandon coming home from a mission's trip to Brazil... we were only friends back then.

5 years ago, I was...
*23 years old
*Becoming a mom for the 1st time in January
*Married for 2 years
*Graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration in May
*Spending 7 months as a stay at home mom after graduating

My first good look at Chandler

Chunky cheeks!

Graduation was extra special as a mom of a 4 month old baby girl!

Thanksgiving 2003

3 years ago, I was...
*25 years old
*Working as a Ministry Assistant at our church
*Married for 4 years
*Excited that we were buying our 1st house!

Our house just before we bought it
It looks different now :)

Chandler and Me December 2005... the pile of notebooks on the table reminds me of all the work I had to bring home with me!

1 year ago, I was...
*27 years old
*A mom of two beautiful girls
*Married for 6 years
*Staying at home full time!

Riley was born in March 2007

Just me: Mother's Day 2007

My Family on Thanksgiving 2007
Dad and Mom
My Sister,Erin, and her husband, Joel
Me, Brandon, Chandler and Riley

This past year, I was...
*watching my baby have surgery
*watching Chandler turn 5 years old
*watching Riley turn ONE!
*going to my 1st UGA football game
*becoming obsessed with Twilight
*off on an adventure to Australia!
*having life changing surgery
*learning to take time for myself.

Riley's cyst removal: January 2008

Chandler's 5th Birthday Photo Shoot

Riley's 1st Birthday Photo Shoot

Our 1st UGA football game!

My Twilight Obsession!

Me & Charlie the Koala in Sydney, Australia!

Me just before surgery

Just Me: October 2008

Riding in the car with girls...

We are currently visiting Brandon's parents in Georiga for the weekend. We are celebrating an early Thanksgiving in combination with Brandon's birthday (11/18) and our nephew, Colten's, 2nd birthday (11/8).

On the way down last night, I was reading (Ecilpse. Yes, it's the 3rd book in the Twilight series and yes, I am reading it AGAIN!), Brandon was driving, and the girls were watching a movie.

Suddenly...
C: "Mom. I know what the ocean is."
J: "Really? What is it?"
C: "It's a large stomach of salt water."
J: "Huh?"

Brandon and I exchange puzzled looks

B: "Chan? Do you mean a large BODY of salt water?"
C: "Oh. Yeah. That's what I mean."

Our 1st UGA Game!

So, WAY back in June, I won 2 UGA football tickets on Ebay. The day before I left for Australia, Brandon and I took a road trip to Athens, Georgia to watch the Dawgs whip up on Central Michigan. The dawgs did not disappoint! :)

This trip to Athens was a first for me and for Brandon.

I'm pretty sure Athens is the ONLY place you will find a concrete bulldog wearing a toga!

We parked at The Varsity and had a quick lunch.
Now, I've eaten at the downtown Atlanta location MANY times in my 28 years and I have always LOVED the chaos of eating there (anywhere else chaos would drive me crazy, but it's all part of the experience at The Varsity!), but I have to say, it was nice to eat at the Athens location. It's WAY smaller, but just as noisey! :)

I can't remember what Brandon ordered, but here's mine...

Two Chili Burgers and Onion Rings! YUM!

But here's what makes me the MOST excited about a trip to The Varsity...

A Frosted Orange! (an F.O... for those of you who "speak Varsity"!)

After lunch we made the LONG walk to the stadium. We didn't do a very good job at judging how long it would take us to get to Athens... our directions were a little odd... or how long it would take us to find a parking spot WITHOUT paying $20 to park!

Once we made it to our seats we were just in awe of everything!

Us Pregame!

The Readcoat Marching band.

I never marched on the collegiate level because the college I attended doesn't even have a football team, but seeing the band in the stands REALLY made me miss marching band!

There's not many things that I REALLY miss about high school... and I was pretty sure that marching band was out of my system for good, but seeing these guys at halftime... *sigh*

AND... this really made me laugh... the last name of one of the drummajors was SMOOT! Those of you whom I know in "real life" will find that funny as well.
Smoot is my maiden name. :)

Every Friday night during marching season for 3 years the announcer guy would say, "...the Belleview High School band under the field direction of drummajor, Jennifer Smoot."
Ah! Good Memories!

The band playing before the game... the stands filled up pretty quick after I shot this video!
**Note: The UGA fight song is the ring tone on my cellphone. :)

Our seats were GREAT!
We were in the Alumni Section on the "shady side" of the stadium! Thank goodness for that!

We were in a good spot to see some pretty amazing plays... like this play by #24, Knowshon Moreno...



The fans went CRAZY!
I texted my friend, Dawn, who is probably the biggest UGA fan I know, and she said she was screaming so loud the neighbor's were probably wondering what was going on! :)

This guy that sat in front of me drove me a little crazy...

not only did he have his own running commentary, but...

this was how much room I had for my legs!

Just before halftime... the dawgs drivin' it towards the endzone!

TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA!

Ok, by halfway through the 3rd quarter I was beginning to lose focus! :) It was HOT and I was TIRED!

I perked back up after Moreno's amazing hurdle at the end of the 3rd quarter!!

The Dawgs played a great game! I'm so glad we were able to go to a game this season... hopefully we can make it to one next year!