A Work in Progress

So for the past five years, we've had plans to update our kitchen and it's certainly been a work in progress...and we're not finished yet, but getting much closer!

Objective #1: Get rid of the vegetables on the wall. Don't get me wrong I love vegetables...I love to eat them however, not decorate with them. My mother-in-law and I painted the walls back a couple of years ago and that made a big difference, but there was a lot more we wanted to do.

Before Picture #1

Objective #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7: new range, new microwave, cabinets painted, new hardware and counter tops and new sink and faucet. Our cabinets aren't old, they were just "pickled" and I wasn't too big of a fan. And the old white Formica counters had to GO!

Before Pic #2:

So here you have it folks...a couple of after pics:

Objective #8 and 9: Paint walls (again) and new floors. I have liked the army green for the past couple of years, but now I think we need something more neutral to go with our new granite counters so it's not so contrasty. However, we kind of need a break from all the updating, so we will probably wait a few months to get our second wind to finish it all up, but I'm very pleased with our progress so far!

Walking Milestones

I thought I'd post a video or two of Case's latest milestones. He can walk by himself now, as long as he has something to hold on to and push. It cracks me up that he walks without even bending his knees. He's got a ways to go, but he's getting there!
***Warning: Please ignore my annoying mommy voice in these videos!

Gettin' Ready for Some Serious Backpacking

Okay, so for Christmas, James received a subscription to Backpacker Magazine from my brother and his family. I made the suggestion to them because it was the only magazine he would ever pay money for at the bookstore. And, I was right, it was a big hit and we're now getting ready for some serious backpacking! We're planning on heading to the Grand Canyon in the spring to hike down to the bottom and back up again, so we had to get all the proper gear...

Backpacks...

A tent...

Sleeping bags...

And much more that is not shown...shoes, flashlights, rain gear, things to cook with, etc. All of which has to fold up to nearly nothing in order for us to carry it all for 18 miles!!!

I can't write this post without adding that in my nine years of knowing James, he's only bought me a handful of gifts and very few surprises, but these last few weeks, I've had a surprise waiting for me at home every few days! I've felt so special! :)

Afternoon at the Zoo

Today was such a beautiful day that James and I decided that we just could not stay indoors, so we got out and enjoyed the weather as much as we could. We started off the day at the Memphis Farmer's Market and loaded up on fresh fruits and veggies (which we had tonight for dinner and all was delicious) and then after Case woke up from his nap, we headed to the zoo for the afternoon (along with the rest of the city). Despite the crowd, we had a fantastic time. The weather was PERFECT! Here are a few pics (and one video).

Almost all of the animals were taking their afternoon naps while we were there.

You must check out this video. I don't know if it does this little guy justice, but this was the highlight of the zoo. These monkeys were little gymnasts. They had the longest arms I have ever seen. We watched them for a long time and cracked up.

My Little Water Baby

So, as some of you may know, the water was way too cold when we went to Mexico in March for Case to take his first official swim. I took him swimming for the first time yesterday and he loved it! the water was nice...not too warm and not too cool and he had no hesitation at all going in. Here are some pics from our afternoon at the pool.

I put him in the car and went back to get all our stuff. I was maybe gone for five minutes and he was zonked out when I got back to the car!

My Latest Treasure

Please check out my photographer's blog to see my latest treasure! Pics to come of it once it's hung in Case's room! Lindsey's husband, Casey, is an art director at the agency and so after she took this latest round of photos, there were so many great ones to choose from that she recommended doing a collage so I wouldn't have to choose. So, Casey designed it and then they had it produced and it looks freakin' fantastic!!!

Sickness and Serious Cuteness

Last week Case had a 102 fever and I stayed home with him for two days. And, I must admit that I loved every minute of it. I mean, I hated that he had a fever and didn't feel too good, but he was such a sweetheart. He just wanted me to hold him. On Thursday, I just sat on the couch and held him for about six hours. It was wonderful! I didn't get ANY housework done, like I had hoped, but that was fine by me. Finally on Saturday, he was back to his normal self and I was glad. I have no idea what spurred the fever. He didn't have any other symptoms to go along with it. Maybe he's getting some new teeth in...


Below are just a few pics of him that I've been meaning to post. Cutie Pie!

Tell me, why is it that ALL kids love to play in boxes?

FRIENDS

This weekend I headed to North Little Rock to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Sadie Belle Smith, to my dear friend Emily Bennett Smith. It was one big fantastic slumber party, complete with cake, punch and gifts. We had a GREAT time. It was so fun staying up late and catching up with all my friends from college that I don't get to see often enough.

Here's a pic of the hostesses and the guest of honor. (Emily Wilson, Emily Smith, Myself, Trisha Timmerman)

Sadie is going to look precious in her tutu! So precious!

Trisha is one talented lady and one of her talents is making clothes and she made this precious dress for little Sadie.

Group photo of everyone: Erin, Brittany, Trisha, Emily, Mandi, Jessica, Emily, Myself and Sara

We wen out to dinner at YaYa's and it was delicious!

Me and Emily Wilson who is also expecting a baby in December! Can't wait!

Me and Mandi

And last but not least, me and Trisha

So, what is it you do, exactly?

If I had a dollar every time someone asked me this exact question: "So, what is it you do, exactly?" I'd be one rich lady. I don't even think my own family has a good grasp on what it is that I do for a living. My typical "short" and uncomplicated answer is, "I'm in advertising." And then I get responses like, "Do you make TV commercials and stuff?" So in order to clear a few things up, I decided to dedicate a blog post to it. Thanks, Kendall, for already writing about this...I'm stealing a lot from you!

Here's a pic of the building. My "official" title is Account Manager and my role is to work with clients and with the agency's creative department to make sure everything happens on time, on budget and on strategy. Kendall googled the official definition and here it is:

Account Executive (def) the link between the agency and its clients. They sell the agency's services to the client. They utilize the agency's various departments—including copywriting, design, interactive, and production—to create effective advertising campaigns for their clients. Account services professionals manage the relationship between the agency and the client. They are the first line of contact with the client - and the first line of defense. Essentially, they are the project managers for advertising accounts. Account services people are marketing and communications consultants; they must know as much about the brand as the client, and more about how to advertise it. Working Conditions: Advertising account executives work under a great deal of pressure in a highly competitive environment. They put in long hours and are ultimately responsible for seeing that artists and copywriters meet their schedules.

And yep, that's pretty accurate! Although it didn't mention trying to keep everyone happy all the time. I spend a lot of time doing that as well! My specific clients are Embassy Suites Hotels and other Hilton Family brands and departments. We do a lot of "internal communications" and less traditional advertising. And while it definitely can be stressful at times in a world of impossible deadlines, it's also part of the charm. I never dread coming into the office and most days even look forward to it and here are just some of the top reasons I love what I do...

1. My co-workers are practically like family. Of course like with any family, we have some tense moments, especially when things get crazy, but we have a good time together.
2. I work with some of the most talented people in the world (the people who actually write and design those "TV commercials." There's nothing more rewarding than presenting a concept to a client that is absolutely brilliant and having them praise your efforts afterward. Or pitching for new business and receiving the good news that they selected you.
   
3. I am blessed to not only have great co-workers, but also great clients who are also like family in many ways.
4. The environment at the agency is great. We "let loose" as often as we can. I mean what other office environment includes a basketball goal, foosball table, shuffleboard, cable TV and parties for every occasion imaginable?

Speaking of the office environment, here's a little tidbit about it.

Hanging on the walls throughout our building are large canvas images. Each employee here submitted something that gives them inspiration. The art directors then depicted that in a way of their choosing, made a canvas out of it, and they are now hanging on the walls throughout the entire agency.


Some show a certain destination: a sunset on the beach, the Grand Canyon. Some are things: a blank canvas, oil paints, freshly cut green grass. Some are activities: running, traveling, basketball. Others include everything from funny quotes, a Norman Rockwell scene, the moon... to Jane Fonda and Disney. ALL of these things mean something to a fellow co-worker.

Mine is on the bottom left of the photo above. It's a suitcase.My inspiration is specifically, travel or a packed suitcase. This is not to be confused with business travel...leisure travel ONLY! I think I mentioned in an earlier post that James and I love to travel together and would take as many trips around the world as we could if time and money allowed. So, what inspires you?

So, there you have it...my job in a nutshell and some info on the place that I spend my days. Hope this cleared up some of the confusion out there.

Fourth of July Weekend

We headed to Waverly, TN for the long weekend to see James' family. His sister, Sarah, and her family were visiting from Austin, TX. Case had a good time playing with his cousin, Greyson. I forgot to pack my camera, so thanks to David and Debra for taking all the pics and for sending them to me.

Here is a pic of Case and Greyson shortly after we arrived. We wanted them to hug each other.


I threw this one in because Case looks like such a chunker in it.