Livin' La Vida Cam!

a bff girls get-a-way

2012-01-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

....and the road trip begins! I took Friday off from school, left for Durham Thursday night and here Caroline and I are leaving bright and early Friday morning for the beach! It was AWESOME! I lovvvvved every second of taking the day off. I needed it, bad! Madison and Madalyn met us at the beach house at 4 that afternoon and the weekend officially began.

Being January it really was not too cold. We knew when we got there the very first thing we had to do was "de - winterize" the house. It seemed a little too complicated for this little girl, but after reading directions that were in the house, and matching them with an email dad sent me we finally figured it out. By the way, dads directions were different than the directions that were printed in the house.
- 1st things first, TURN THE HEAT ON, and pour a glass of wine, then disect the "de-winterizing" instructions.

...and thats exactly what we did.

another instruction on the sheet said, "get the metal t in the closet and use it to turn the switch at the street" - Caroline and I were looking for a screw driver that had a "t" point on it... until we saw it, THE BIG METAL BLACK T. Never used one of them before. We got the fire pit started, caroline got down to business trying to break up the starter log.... lets just say we ended up using the whole thing.

Our night continued with grilled hamburgers and my homemade sweet potato fries that I completely forgot to put in the oven, because we were downstairs grillin, chattin, laughin, and sippin!

Saturday we brewed some coffee, layed in sweatpants all day LITERALLY, did some pinterest crafts, and made drunken gummies! I have never had these before, but of course we found them on pinterest. We soaked them over night, and then rinsed them off. They were SO good. You got to try them, but make sure to spray them off in the sink before eating or else- your heading down your 21st birthday road again :)

This is my craft I made.. I used paint chips, mod podge, canvas.... I'm not to sure really what to think about it. Maybe it will look cool hanging in a shadow box or something in my new bathroom. I'll have to play with it. It looks cool/ a little 80's. I'll have to see. Caroline did some sewing thing, making a bunch of petals to form a pillow (pinterest inspired again :) Madalyn, she cut them out, and smoked cigars! HA love her. Madison made sure everyone got their hour dose of gummies and built the fire!

Sunday came.... it was SADDDDDDDDDDDDD. Madalyn had to leave around 12, she had a six hour drive ahead of her :(. The 3 of us packed up around 2, locked the door, winterized the house, had our keys in our hands and were saying our goodbyes until......

Crazy cam and madison thought it would be an excellent idea to stay. It took a bit of convincing from our boss, caroline. But we finally did. So, of course we had to "de-winterize" the house again, go the the store, get some brooskies, pull everything out again and start the fire.We actually ended up leaving Sunday around 8 ish. Waking up at 3 in the morning just sounded miserable.

It was an awesome, relaxing, and fun weekend. I secretly wish we were there right now! Thanks mom and dad for letting us use the house :)

xoxo

God... through the eyes of kids

2012-01-05T20:02:00.000-05:00

I'm back :) - Ya'll didn't think I'd come back did you? I definitly took quite the "hiatus" , is that how you spell that word?

2 things that I would like to do at some point (No, this is not a New Years resolution...)

1- Write a book about my life, with excerpts from "the mouth of babes" from my classroom. I think it would be totally entertaining...
2 - Sell my wine glasses. I LOVE painting them, and always do it for presents year round but how cool would it be to have my own line in one of those "girly, boutique" shops that I never shop in?

I have to tell you that my FAVORITE part of the school year with my kiddos is the Christmas holiday season. It starts in my classroom right after Thanksgiving break and we have a solid 3 weeks to enjoy the lights, decorations, music and festivities. I have a snowman in my room this year that I made in Spanish class back in 7th grade... my kids love it. I love it too because its like a big pinata almost and reminds me of South Charlotte Middle School and my teacher--- ugh, wish I could remember his name, but he resembles Humpty Dumpty. It was there, in that class, that I learned my favorite Spanish word--- sacapuntas (pencil sharpener ladies and gents!) Its got quite a ring to it, don't you think?!

Celebrating Christmas in a public school runs on quite a fine line. I however totally focus more on Christmas than any other holiday. How can you not if you are a believer!! I mean come on... It's the Lords birthday! I was amazed this year to watch my kids, listen to them talking with friends, and hear them sing all about Jesus. My radio is on each morning in class when the kids come in... to 91.9 Christian music station. I play it during writing time too. On many occasions I have caught my kids singing along with the songs! Ha, I love it. My kids reference God and Jesus on many occasions, and I just eat it up asking questions as if I don't know anything just to get more out of there 6 year old mouths!

Here are a few:
* I was reading a story about weather and asked how drizzle and rainstorm were different, one of my Chinese little friends stood up and said (forget the hand raising...) IT MEANS GOD IS CRYING REALLY REALLY HARD. That lesson lost its umph real fast. I laughed and laughed....

* During guided reading ("small group reading" for all you non teachers,) we were reading a story about a grandmother having a yard sale. I asked what made them think she was a grandmother, and what it reminded them of. One of my little girls said, " You know what, my grandma died once, and she in da ground, and she about to turn to a skeleton, and den she gonna be in heaven." Me: Really, whats it like up there? - "I don't even know, I not up der"

*I think I told the kids to do something one afternoon, and one kid must have not liked it and said " ohhhhhh Jesus no" - another little girl got SO mad she said Jesus, and said " Don't be sayin Jesus name like dat, you aint sposed to do dat, my grandmomma said so"

....they crack me up.

xoxo

2011-07-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

Its been almost a MONTH since I have blogged, shame on me, and there went my new years resolution- fail! I have been a busy girl this month...As if working at the Architectural firm doesnt wear me out enough, then I go to the gym, come home and eat dinner, and by then...well, I'm ready to lay horizontal.

I've been thinking a lot today about where I am at this point in my life living in Charlotte. I was thinking about how unhappy I was in Raleigh and that I knew I needed to make the move to Charlotte to be closer to the fam and save money that I didnt have yet. I came to Charlotte, blinded almost. I had not a clue what I was going to do about work, and was just trusting in God to guide me, provide for me, and start raking the path for me here. I doubted, I was frustrated, I got mad, I got sad sometimes at the thought that I may not teach this year, and that just killed me. But in all of that I knew God was the only one I fully, and whole heartedly needed to rely on, pray to, tell him over and over again what I wanted and needed (as if he didnt know already ha!). So today as I thought about different things I became so thankful at what the Lord had waiting for me in Charlotte - it was all planned out and I worried over nothing. (Note to self: never worry, he's GOT YOU, hand in hand)

Almost immediately when I moved in and unpacked my things back at moms and pops household... I got a phone call from a family friend Doctor of ours who new of a position at this Architectural firm and that he was best friends with the Architect. The firm took me to lunch, chatted a bit, and basically got the job right then and there at good ol' Providence Cafe. I was thrilled to have a job, and consistent income coming my way, and honestly was really excited to start something new. I even through teaching out the window in my head and told myself maybe teaching just isn't for me right now... God showed me greater plans later on.

I met some really fun people at work, learned a lot, messed up a lot, gained patience, almost sent an original drawing out of the office for FedEx (not ok.) Put together a rolling cart all by myself from IKEA for the office (usually I would have asked a male figure to help me out on these kinds of things, but I pretty much was forced to figure it out on my own, and I did it!) Ruard had to tighten some screws for me but other than that, I turned into an expert IKEA roll cart put-r-together girl! I booked flights wrong, I learned what a plotter machine was, I gained the courage to ask my boss if we could please get some sunflowers in the office, I couldnt handle all the WHITE- drove me nuts! I learned that "spec book" meant specifications for a clients new home book, I learned that there is WAY more to interior designing than just matching a pillow to a couch, I learned that some people invest a ton of money in their homes...more than I could grasp (I like simple better to be honest....give me a white picket fence and a wrap around porch and I'm golden, oh yeah, and a rocking swing) I learned to take some people for a grain of salt, I learned excellent customer service skills, I learned how to scan drawings fromt the plotter to my computer, I learned how to take snap shots of a computer screen of what I needed only and print out (this was really cool!) I learned how to tackle a MAC computer, but most importantly I met 5 new people, made connections with each one of them, learned from them and embraced an unknown opportunity of the Architect drawing world! - and no its "not for me!"

and God still was holding my hand and had new and different plans for me....

I got a call from Sterling Elementary school (I went there for 5th grade!) for an interview...finally learned with Danny's help to relax in interviews, go in with confidence, show them what they would be missing if they didn't hire me, smile, be me, know that something else would work out if this opportunity didn't...and it calmed me down immediately! - But I was so thankful, excited, ECSTATIC, and joyful when I got a call from Human Resources asking me if I would take the position (still waiting on if it is first or second grade!)

So my last day at the Ruard Veltman Architecture was this past friday, it was bitter sweet to be honest. Now I have 1 week off and then its back to consistent income again in a job that I love and have such a strong passion for. I am praying for a smooth transition, meeting fun new people, not to get overwhelmed the first week, and for an awesome 1st year classroom (meaning great kids!) - feel free to send this prayer request to the man upstairs for me as well :)

Moral of my blog today: Things always work out, even when your feeling down, lost and totally not in control of anything, because God cares about you, he knows what you love, he knows what you need, he knows whats best for you. Those who go through hard times are BLESSED because there is a definite learning experience in every single situation, and you come out of the hole feeling renewed, strengthened, and more faithful.

So my prayer for YOU today is if you are going through a hard time in any part of your life, personal, or work that you give all your worries to God, do what you can, but wait patiently, and the outcome is not up to you (relax in that!) Do your best in all you do, but leave the rest of it up to the Lord!

I should really start writing a book... about my life, the ups the downs, what I've learned, the happy the sad, and everything that has happened in my life that makes me ME today!!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend :)
I will leave you a picture of my nephew just cheesin it, chillin in the sand! He's my little boo and I love him to pieces! Don't you think he has my cheeks?! - Thats my boy!!
xoxo
Cam

Do you take Splenda?

2011-07-02T09:59:00.000-04:00

I do. I take 3 in a small cup of coffee I make at home. In a coffee shop a Grande would call for 4 and a Venti which I never buy (probably because I wouldn't drink the whole thing, or don't pronounce it correctly) would call for 5.
I'm usually in a big hurry when fixing my coffee, but a time doesn't go by where I don't read the quotes on the back of the Splenda packet. If you are thinking, "I didn't even know there were quotes on the back?" - Well then two things for you... you need to stop and appreciate the small things in life every once in a while, especially the ones that make you smile, and you could possibly be buying the knock of brand of Splenda, switch to the original brand stat! :)

"Being sweet is contagious. Go ahead, spread it around." I love this one. Reminds me of how laughter and smiles do the same thing - and yawning ha!

"There's no better time than the present to start living the sweet life." I love this one too, it is so true! You could look at this one a few different ways... simply, "There is no better time than the present." - Just hold on to this thought for a moment, why is this true? Well because the past is in the past, and whether it was sometimes good or sometimes bad it won't ever happen again, we are only left with special memories to last us! Living in the present is constant, we are ALWAYS in the present...so therefore it is at that time (always) - to live a "sweet" life. Live it "sweetly" - the way God intended for you to!

I wish Splenda would hire me to write quotes on the back of splenda packets :)

The 3rd List of what you may not know!

2011-06-25T09:19:00.000-04:00

It has been quite sometime since I have added to "what you may not know about me" list.... perhaps because it takes alot of random moments that I have with myself to actually witness first hand accounts of things that I recognize as silly, crazy, different, and completely "Cameron" -- and then to remember them...

On to the 3rd list of what you may not know about Cameron:

1- I hate shopping. one exception- if I'm going for something specific i'm down, if I'm going to "browse" all day- nooo thanks, I'll take a long raincheck.

2- Most people group their laundry by darks and lights, I group mine by what can go in the dryer and what has to be hung up. (of course that changes a bit if its a new item, colors will run the first 2 washes!)

3- When I go to a bagel shop, I never can decide between cream cheese on an everything bagel, or bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel. So everytime I get "bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel with a side of cream cheese, so I can dip half of the bagel in cream cheese and its like 2 for 1! Genous.

4- Im usually not a book worm, I would like to always have a book that I'm reading but I don't year round... usually in the summer time only. I have a habit of getting 3/4 into the book (you know at the really good parts) and sneaking to the last 2 pages of the book to try and figure out what happens, knowing that it will ruin it for me. I just did this last week to my Nicholas Sparks book - and I havent finished reading it because now I know the two lovebirds rekindle. I have to quit this habit immediately.

5-I much rather roll all the windows and sunroof down in my car then use the AC. I have been told it saves gas, and plus I like the wind blowing in my face... this always turns into a singing jam out session, they are the best!

6-I run over curbs like its my day job. Curbs in the neighborhood, curbs in shopping centers, curbs on small highways. I think its my car and the placing of the curb, Danny thinks its me. I should stop this as well, could pop a wheely any day now.

7-When I put something in the microwave I usually don't look at how long it needs to go in there or make a logical guess... I literally just push a bunch of numbers and stand there until I think its ready. I've gotten pretttty good at this. For example: Warm up coffee - I probably should push 30 seconds... instead I very quickly do something like this 87436, and wait usually around 30 seconds.

8- I will grow a sunflower garden one day, and it will be beautiful

Welcome Whaler!

2011-06-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

"Whaler" is here and we are so HAPPY! A home is not a home without mans best friend, a pup! They make a house a home. We got Whaler for dad for an early Fathers Day present and I think he just about Cloud 9'd it when we told him! We sure do miss our special, special Maddy girl, but I think Whaler has brought a little bit of Maddy back into our lives in a unique way that is different for all of us...
Whaler doesn't know this yet, but I'm waking her up at 6:00am stat to go out for a quick run before work! She's gonna be my running buddy, I actually might be dragging her for a little while, or walking... but in just a few months she might be dragging me.

"In lieu of baby updates that I see on blogs often, here goes mine, HA"

Barks from Whaler at 7 Weeks:
- Woof, I'm ridiculously scared of Cameron's lotion bottle
- Woof, Cameron cleaned her bathroom floor and didn't tell me so I took a good 12 inch slide on the tile
- Woof, Cameron currently is winning in tug of war, she doesnt know whats coming though..
- Woof, I heard her talking about our run in the morning and I am excited, but I hope she doesnt make me do lunges
- Woof, I love eating pedomiters, they are pretty good.
- Woof, Cameron tried putting me in her UGG boot tonight, she's ridiculous I tried to tell her my butt wouldnt fit in that thing and that I'd pose for a cute picture somewhere else...
- Woof, I like my food right now with a little hot water to soften it up for me, but Cameron gave it to me straight up tonight, no water = choke alert, sis, come on, get with it...

my itty bitty running buddy :)

Im teaching her to follow me around and like being in my room the most, its working so far.

I love you sweet Whaler, I hope you are excited for adventures with your sis... I have some really good ideas!

3 peas in a pod

2011-05-01T20:49:00.001-04:00

I have been blessed with many special woman in my life, but a special 2 of them when we three are together is just an indescribable bond that has lasted 14 years now and counting. Seriously. It is true. Last year we planned our first annual "3 blind mice" trip to the beach, and this year we continued it. As we have gotten older our jobs may have changed, our living situations and towns have changed, we have all had our ups and our downs but our relationships with one another remain constant and growing.

Having an annual 3 blind mice reunion came about when Andrea was about to get engaged. We knew things would change a little, not in a bad way but just in a different way, and we wanted to make sure that we still would have one long weekend a year that the three of us would be together to enjoy each others company. It is crazy to think about but we, as woman do.... This year was our 2nd annual, 1 married, 2 not married. We wondered what the 3rd annual would be like, the 4th, the 5th, and how eventually 3 blind mice weekends could possible turn into 3 blind mice plus our hubby's beach weekends, and then eventually 3 blind mice weekends plus hubby's plus crawling babies. OH MY! Our days and evenings would eventually turn from the three of us grilling, acting ridiculous, spending an hour deciding what kind of alcoholic girly drink we wanted to bring to the beach that day to........ Our husbands grilling, us in the kitchen fixing the sides, pouring wine, and a possible talk to the kiddies as to why Melanies little girl should fall in love with my little boy or vice versa (HA! Just kidding) It is crazy how things change and how we will one day fall in love with the change but for now I am so thankful for Andrea and Melanie!

I won't name the time or place but I can totally recall a time I literally peed in my pants from laughing so hard with these girls, and the times where we all have shed tears, leaned on each other, built eachother up, and did it again and again if we had to! Here is to the 3 of us! Love you both!

(Quick side note): I dubbed the name "3 blind mice" for us one night after Young Life in highschool, I can't recall why I said it and what made me think of it, my guess would be I was just being really silly, but we laughed that I said it for a good 10 minutes...and what do you know, years later Im blogging about the "3 blind mice". Where Does time go?! Enjoy 1st annual and 2nd annual pictures :)

1st annual :)

2nd annual :)

Make time for it

2011-04-19T21:47:00.000-04:00

I just recently picked back up my paint brush again, about 2 weeks ago. I also forgot how much I love painting. In the past I have done a ton of wine glasses, as presents for birthdays or Christmas usually... or for the occasional, "Thankyou so much for being a connection for me and helping me make contacts within the school system"! ....I sware I'll paint 8, for the principal who offers me a job. So basically, wine glasses have been my thing UNTIL I whipped out the canvas. Thats right, canvas like Picasso painted on, the real deal. I've been wanting to paint something for my little boo, Clark for the longest time and never got around to it really until 2 weeks ago. I had the windows open, the music on, and it was just me chillin' on a Saturday morning! I used to not think so, because I'm such a people person, BUT...spending time alone really should be taken advantage of by everyone. I think it is a learned appreciation, honestly I'm still learning that it can be kind of cool.

Here is my Saturday morning project...complete :)

I picked back up my paintbrush, now YOU go find that hobby of yours that you have been "meaning" to do and do it!

I am thankful for:

My passion I have for crafts

I learned:

To appreciate moments to myself

from the mouth of kids

2011-04-06T21:12:00.001-04:00

     Over the years of my teaching "career"...though it has not been consistent by ANY means, It has been rewarding in so many ways. The most rewarding I have found is for them to tell you they love you. Not only does it melt your heart in an "aww so sweet" kind of way, but it also aches a little...maybe I was or am the only love that child has ever known, and that is terribly sad. Kids like this, well I will be honest, I just want to take them home, care for them, show the them love my parents show me, God shows me, and just make that extra impact on them in the way that there mothers should and sometimes don't. But then, I want to give them back :)!
     The other reason I find this job rewarding is that they make me LAUGH! I wonder if I was funny in kindergarten, ha? Anyways I could not help over the years to keep an unorganized journal aka sticky notes, torn off paper, more sticky notes, maybe a piece of a referral to the office form.... all bundled up in hopes of me actually doing something with it all one day. Well today is the first step, blogging them.
     How cool would it be to write a book about my experience and interactions with kids, the things they say, how they make me laugh (sometimes I have to hide it), how many hats I've had to wear being a teacher (some of my kids probably think I'm equivalent to Dr. Oz, only if they knew...) and how to effectively love on some that don't know what love is. Maybe one day, but for now I'll stick to my blog and if I were really lucky mabye it'll be a first draft that I look back on and laugh. These are a few of my favorites from my unorganized kid journal, if you will. In no order. Please know I am not making fun of some of their totally butchered gramatical errors...but sometimes they are just so darn funny.

*(apparently I had too much bronzer on this day, go figure, white girl in the winter...) "Why you got dem sprinkles all ova ya face, you want to be a princess everyday?"

*How do you spell YMCA? "it... it .. it... starts with a Y, I promise I do, I went their yesterday I promise" (nobody was arguing with you go on with your smart brain!)

*(This was in a card one wrote to me during free writing, aka you can write anything you want) "Dear Ms. Todd I am sorry for talking?" (Why thank you for the apology, but was it heart felt or were you asking a question?)

*(another card) "Dear Ms. Tood, You are my favit techr how od are you?"

*(from a parent... don't get scared now) "Hello (boys name) teacher, I am sorry what happen at school thrusday but i ahve sat down and talked to him about it, and also took things away that he likes or like to do. And I hope that he is on his be behavior for the rest of the year, here ismy contact number if you need to get in touch with me, P.S. feel free to write back" (Ok, I might have to make a little fun of this one... YIKES! So, you took things away that he likes, good parenting start, props to ya. "Feel free to write back"... so were pen pals now, oh lord!)

*(from a parent) " Please excuse ____ he woke up with a nose bleed." (So did I in kindergarten tons of times especially in the Winter when the air was dry, next time hold tissue up to it for a good 10 minutes... then your good to go to school! No need to miss a whole day of ABC'S and 123's for a nose bleed :)

*(I was doing assessments, and one of my assessments I had to get them to build shapes with playdough, one child, when I wasn't looking took my playdough ball I had, and I noticed it when I went on to test another child) Me: "Excuse me but I just saw you put that playdough in your bookbag, perhaps that is mine?!" Child: He stared at me like, How'd she see that?!.... and when no words came out.... something else came out the other end. (always tell the truth boys and girls, rule #5 on our classroom rule list we created at the beginning of the year :)

*(I guess I had a bad hair day today) "Mits Todd, did you hear that storm last night, and did you get electrocuted or something?" (dang, busted by a 5 year old.... get your hair in check tomorrow am Ms. Todd)

*(Parent note) "_______ was out of school cause smashed his finger in the car door, and he also was running a fever to. But he should be god for today. Also can you write me to let me know ehn school is out fr Spring breck. And please excuse him for thursday." (.... is this the truth?)

*(This week was working on different kinds of transportation, I asked the kids to cut out of a magazine things they would bring in their suitcase I had made for them.) I looked at one child and said, "Why are all these girls in your suitcase? "Oh, becauseI'm bringing 10 women with me to meet Obama".... "Well how do you know they want to go with you?" .... "Cus look at dem, they raisin their hands" (were talking about pictures of women in magazines!) HILARIOUS.

*(this is me just overhearing a little girl) "ohhhh yeahhh ohhh yeah my momma put 5 mints in my pocket, ohhh yeah ohhh yeah"

*"Ms. Todd you need to go to da man store and get you a man."
Me: "Interesting, what is the man store?"
"Well you know you go dare to pick you a man out, dats why you go"
Me: (I always go along with the convos, you get more out of them that way, ha!) So, I just pick one out huh?
"Well if he blinks at you, he is yours, if not you walk away, but make sure you wear your lipstick, and he need to give you that ring you wearin already" (Target ring, ladies and gentlemen)
Me: "Interesting, how do you get there?"
(then he proceeds to give me ridiculous directions..... LORD HAVE MERCY!!!!!)

Hope you got a slight glimpse into my hilarious teaching life :) WHERE do they come up with these things?!

It's called fishing for a reason

2011-04-01T21:13:00.000-04:00

I found out last Monday that on that upcoming Friday was a vacation day for us teachers. First thing I did was smile, second thing I did was text Poppa Todd, "I don't have work Friday, you trying to go to the beach and go fishing?" Response = "Sure!"

...And that is how Caroline, Dad, and I created our "ron da vue" trip to Sunset beach! We left Thursday after work, sang some Celine Dion, did a little white girl rap jam out session, talked, laughed, and were excited for our get- a -way weekend! We both grew up going to Sunset beach as little girls and both had grown a love for the "Sunset Beach bridge" that was so famous... (who knows we could have been building sandcastles, jumping waves, and running around with our bathing suits up our butts at the same time when we were 5, ha!)
Anyways, all of you Sunset Beach natives remember how cool that bridge was. Was it a pain in the butt when we couldn't get the boat under it at high tide - YES! Was it a pain in the butt when we had to leave at a certain time to make the bridge openings so we could get through with the boat - YES!
But,
-Was it worth the waves and hello's from the man in the little house each time?
-The crazy adventures of about 8 of us on the boat dunking down and pushing up on the old bridge so that we would immerse the boat further in the water and we could get through? (and praying to God all at the same time that my father was not going to kill us, just kidding.)
-The slight scare you'd sometimes get as you drove over it wondering at each "rickety sound" if it was then that it was gonna finally break and you'd be instantly famous and on T.V. for experiencing it?
-How it would automatically open for shrimp boats, and barges, (and we'd secretly think, how'd they get that kind of power)?
-That there were always small boats tied up to it fishing?
-That it was unique, different, old and still working?

YES OF COURSE!

Ok, I just officially had my first Blogging ADD moment... now back to my weekend... but first take a look at the bridge!

old bridge = miss it!

new bridge = mixed emotions

Caroline and I had every intention on fishing with our bathing suits on, the weather however had different plans for us. We were dressed fully, equivalent to "Nun style" + Ugg boots. That did not stop us, we still had all had a blast fishing Friday and Saturday. Just me, Dad, Carol, our beer cooler, music, and bait! I absolutely get a thrill like no other when I feel a bite on the line, kind of like the excitement a little girl gets when her mom buys her a new barbie doll, or Santa just left the new Easy Bake Oven for her on Christmas Day. It gets a little frustrating when you can't "catch" one...but in all honesty how much fun would it really be if you caught one every single time you cast the line in - exactly, not fun! I have a tendency to do the occasional throw the line in the marsh...don't worry though, I'm working on my directional placement and swing of the arms.
We all grilled shrimp and had pasta salad on Friday night and kicked back from a busy fishing, riding bike day and watched a movie. Dad left on Saturday, and we continued the weekend by christening the new fire pit at the beach house, making home made margaritas, a little cornhole, fishing off the dock, trying to light the grill for an hour, and just enjoyed Carol and Cam time! It was the best :)

This post I am thankful for:
-fish
-the beach house
-dad taking us out on the boat
-caroline

This post WE learned:
-you need lots and lots of lighter fluid when lighting a charcoal grill
-do not put the top on the grill thinking that the open holes on top would suffice enough oxygen to keep the fire going
-a corona in home made margaritas really are good
-fishing is called fishing for a reason

fisherman in the making, HA!

love beach bike riding!

livin' the dream life.

Took the boat to the inlet view and had Tequilla Sunrises and hush puppies!

a little this and a little that

2011-03-27T09:53:00.001-04:00

Don't ya just LOVE granola. Such a great "grab n go" snack. I'll have to give props to little sis, Jordy for the recipe! She just found this recipe online.... I tweeked it a little bit, in the way that I didn't measure anything and added 2 different ingredients. Its super healthy, and you can add it to your cereal, yogurt, or snack out of cup!

Here are the ingredients:

Why you may ask why I have all the "Great Value" labels.... gotta love Wally World's generic prices people :)

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl, unless your OCD, don't measure...put in what YOU like!

Take a look at this CLEAR picture! Why Thankyou phone camera...

On the stove, heat up a little honey, a little, peanut butter, a little veggie oil and a little applesauce. This is your "healthy sticky" that will make your granola, drizzle and stir all around and then.....

Put on a baking sheet (minus the dried fruit, that comes at the very end) and put in oven at 350 for about 20-30 minutes, keep checking on it and stirring it around it will burn if your not careful :)

This is the best part... I don't know how other people do it but I love pouring all of it in a big brown Harris Teeter bag, adding the fruit and doin a little shake shake... and there you have it :)

Now get to snacking :) Happy Sunday!

xoxo

Cam

I'd like to thank Akon and MJ

2011-03-12T22:25:00.000-05:00

....for being with me on my RACE DAY in my ear, blaring, and giving me that boost of energy I needed at the beginning, and definitely at the end!

     Thats right, my race has finally come and gone and I have learned quite some lessons! First of all, I will never run a "trail" run again. I will also seek out the course myself before comitting to it and not just go by what the internet says about how fun the trail is! I should have known, "trail" = through the woods and not pavement nor flat terrain. If you haven't noticed what I'm getting at is that this was brutally hard! Not kidding! Being sick and not training two weeks up until my race had a for real effect on how I did, but at the same time I was not expecting to be running up Mt. Everest either.

     The morning started out awesome (and then it was all down hill from there, not literally though, the trail was 100% up hill)... Poppa Todd suprised us with a carb loaded breakfast when Jordan and I walked into the kitchen at 6:30am! Home made Belgian waffles with Aunt Jamima syrup....love that girl. When we got there, people were doing warm up runs around the parking lot, we saw some new running gear we hadn't ever seen before, and we chatted it up with a woman who was in line to get her T-shirt right in front of us. All I can recall from the convo was that she said, "Oh yeah... it's hilly..."

    The announcer started counting down at the 10 second mark to let us begin, thats when I welcomed Akon and MJ into my life. The song was "hold my hand..." I had my head nod going great to the beat and well, thats about all I had going for me. The trail was INTENSE. At the mile one mark I began to wonder why I had running shoes on and not my dang hiking shoes, and fanny pack because thats the terrain I was trying to RUN to! I definitely had to walk, and while I should have power walked at some points to make better time I decided to enjoy the scenary and bring it down a notch (aka get recooperated).

     Have you ever heard the song "Just roll with it" by Eastin Corbin? Good ol' country song...anyways it came on my ipod at a perfect time. Right when I was coming around the bend I saw a bunch of canoes that overlooked a huge lake, and for about 12 seconds I literally thought about "just rollin with it" and grabbing a canoe, departing the race, callin' it a day, puttin' a fork in it, and DONE! Ohhh, but just as I ended that terrible thought a nice woman at a stand offered me water and said, "Your halfway, you look awesome!" Oh really, I thought... is that what you say to everyone whose struggling and has "where is the pavement" written on their foreheads? Nice woman though, thanks again for the H2O.

     And the 20 bucks all became worth it as I'm making my way out of the woods, I see the light (literally) and all of the hardcore trail runners cheering me on as I make it down the finish line. I turned on Akon and MJ once more and ran, ran, ran... like I was famous and on T.V. or something. I loved the home stretch, and loved how my dad was clicking away on the camera like I was on the red carpet or something, ha, made me feel famous once again! Time? I came in at one hour and 2 seconds flat!

     I'd like to end by saying *DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN*

It was tough, very tough...but I am glad little Jordy was there to run with me, even though she beat me...it was a good, lesson learned, eventful morning. I even got a cool running shirt, toothpaste, new toothbrush, relax drinks, chapstick, and entered to win a free teeth whitening!

Before: Dear Cameron, you have no clue what you are about to get yourself into, love Trail.

Turning off Akon and MJ in action

Gatorade + Done = Hallelluja

Dunka who?

2011-03-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

DunkaROOS! Who remembers Dunkaroos?! I have an insanely bad craving for them, right now, and for the last two months. I just looked them up online, they were the "Children of the 90's snack of all time" You can order your Dunkaroos still... but I have only seen so on Amazon.com. They came out in 1988... I was 3, but I'm pretty positive I was a sneaky little thing and took a Dunkaroo to my bed during nap time. I remember those things in the pantry like it was yesterday. I lit up when I saw them in my lunch every day at school, as well as when I opened up my "trapper keeper" to do my homework. There were my little dunkaroo friends ready and waiting to keep me happy while finishing my homework! Its a mystery as to why I don't look like the kangaroo today....

I'm still laughing at "trapper keepers" are you? How dorky were those things!

You KNOW you loved these.... If you didn't you cheated and dipped graham crackers in regular icing. SHAME ON YOU! If I could get my hands on a Dunkaroo, It'd make my week! Amazon.com, I will be speaking with you in the next few months to come.

How to run...

2011-02-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

From a baby that learns how to hold their head up to learning how to crawl, learning how to walk without falling and then learning how to run seems natural and oh so simplistic. It is, and should be for most people but I just diagnosed myself with "I'm 25 and don't know how to run properly syndrom..."

I am training for an 8k race March 12th in Raleigh and have been training for awhile now. Training according to my NOVICE training schedule (yes, I am a rookie long distance runner) includes strength training, conditioning, stretching, and relax days which I love! The running part varies to how many miles and what days to do them on. Sounds simple to follow, good routine, and its great except for my problem: RUNNIING CRAMPS.

I am a little dramatic, I know this :) but.... these running cramps are UNBEARABLE for real! Right up under my ribs and sometimes on the left and right side. The most frustrating part is when you have the energy along with a really good song on like this one (download it to your ipod NOW!): Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand Duet With Akon ft. Akon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCCnxBos10 .... AND YOU HAVE TO STOP!

So... I did a little research on trusty ol' google, asked for advice from facebook friends, even stopped a trainer at my gym to ask what the cause was and how to fix it for good! Here is my list I have composed, literally, I wrote it out so I'll remember what to do each day:
1- Do ab work (apparently your core needs to be worked before you run)
2- Take evenly spaced deep breaths while you run
3- Eat a banana an hour before you go running
4- Get some electrolytes in you (I prefer the gummy bear kind!)
5-Do not drink or eat anything an hour and a half before your run (so when your mom said to you when you were 8 at the pool, "wait 30 minutes after your pizza before you go play with Jamie" she was right, but off an hour :)
6- You need to move the lactic acid out of your body, it builds up as you run.. so drink water through the day
7- Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth
8- Drink sports drinks occasionally, but dilute to half and half.
9- When you feel the painful monster coming on, find it and push as hard as you can upward
10-Don't run with your hands in a fist aka make them go floppy floppy... attractive right?
11- Every two steps breath in and the next two breath out

So if you can imagine, I'm counting breaths, making sure I'm stepping and breathing right, making sure my hands are not clinched, making sure i'm breathing in through the right hole and out the right hole, while all along pushing on my stomach................ This is what I felt like, are you ready? :

I am just praying this goes away!!! ...and that I can go back to just worrying about whether I'm lip singing the right words or not, that was way easier HA!

Coincidence or Fate

2011-02-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

I say FATE.
Let me give you a definition of the two.
Coincidence: is the occurring of an event in conjunction with any some conditions, e.g. another event. As such, a coincidence occurs when something uncanny, accidental and unexpected happens under conditions named, but not under a defined relationship.
Fate:The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events.The inevitable events predestined by this force. Here is what I found about Fate in reference to the bible: Only God is sovereign. His sovereign control is called “providence.” He has chosen to give us a free will, and He has created a moral universe in which the law of cause-and-effect is a reality. But God is God alone, and there are no “accidents” in the universe.

     This week was weird for me. I would say weird in a good way and that it really made me think about how God really does hear you, he really does care, he wants to share your feelings with you, he wants you to turn to him, he wants you to trust him... and what I really really learned is the more often you DO turn to him the more and more you will see him take action in your life, whatever that may be, and however that may be. Mysterious ways is how he works and I've seen it TWICE this week, and its very reassuring.
     Now when I was younger and in highschool it was always a struggle for me to understand that God wants you to Believe by faith and not by sight. I always was a believer, I just wished for something cool to happen to me, so that "I would believe even more"... sounds dumb right... well, it is. As I got older I learned that God wants us to believe in him with out seeing things directly because its all about TRUSTING. He wants us to put all of our trust in him, and the more you do it, you find you don't need to "see" miracles to feel satisfied. You will look at situations in a different light and feel satisfied just by the fact that he's got ya. Helllllllllo, he is my satisfaction, and he is the miracle in my life.
    Because of the story I am about to tell you, I do not believe in him any more than I do now... it just simply was an extra blessing for me to experience, and for him to once again tell me, "Cameron, I do hear you, I've got ears bigger than you know"... and that is a good feeling. I have serious issues with technology, whether it is losing them, breaking them, dropping them, losing warranty's and experiencing malfunctions with them (referring to the 2nd and 3rd example!) Sorry if you think this is gross, but I have to say it to make my story complete. The other morning I took out my retainer on the way to work because I wanted to drink my coffee... (Following the doctors orders, your not sopposed to drink warm drinks with it in.) So, naturally I put it in my lap and had all the intentions of the world to put it back in before I got out of the car, and what do you know technology got the best of me! (retainers are not computers or electronics, I get it, but I like to categorize them this way, go with it.) I didnt realize it until I left school, got to the gym and realized I didnt have it. After searching my car, I new it had to be in the school parking lot, so I turned around and looked. No luck. I called the orthodontist and told her my story and she said, "I'm sorry, I'll set you up an appointment, it will be $250 to replace." I was holding back my tears and could NOT make an appointment at that time so I told her I'd call her back... how embarrasing. Anyways, I was so frustrated because a few weeks before my camera broke, and a few days before my phone was stolen. At this point, "technology" is winning... lets be real. If I was writing a book, here is where I would start the chapter of the book that middle schoolers learn to label "Climax" (or, turning of events.) On the way to get my new retainer, I got a call from the place I get my hair cut, she said YOU WON! I said, WON WHAT?! I never when anything... ha! I had won the drawing they had, which I don't even remember putting my name in for, a credit of exactly $250 dollars to the Salon. FREE HAIR CUTS FOR A LONG TIME.... was all I could think about, and then I thought even more about how my retainer was $250 dollars... Coincidence or Fate? I was ecstatic and thought that my winning had canceled out the money that I have to pay for my retainer, since I won't be paying for haircuts for a LONG time. I immediately flew to cloud 9.
     The second "weird" thing of the week... I tried out two bible studies this week, first one wasn't such a great fit, and the second one I really felt a connection for and enjoyed the girls group! It came to the end of the night where prayer requests were taken. I had prayer requests, as everyone should but had just met these girls 30 minutes before and honestly didnt really feel quite comfortable enough to make a "request." So, I wasn't going to. The girl who went before me starting talking and essentially prayed for everything that I wanted to be prayed for, and in the exact same way that I would have wanted it said... it was weird! My eyes starting watering because I just could not believe what she had requested as a prayer request was what I wanted them to pray for me for, I was just to scared to do it. I left feeling a little overwhelmed, but connected, and once again assured that God was looking after me. It was fate, and it was in God's plans for that to happen because he knew I was too nervous or scared and he completely took that off my shoulders and prayed it for me through the other girl in the group. God works in mysterious ways.
     You could think these two things are coincidence if you wanted, but it is much more satisfying and fufilling to know it was fate and that God had control in both of these situations, and that he really is holding you in the palm of his hand, whether things like this happen to you or not... remember believing is not seeing. This was just two blessings I recieved this week. I hope that by telling you these stories that you look forward into this week knowing that he does hear you, whether you immediately see an outcome or not.

Have a good week
xoxo,
Cameron
P.S. This is my FIRST post without a picture, and for that I thank my broken camera :)!

The Gift of Giving

2011-01-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

     My mom and dad for Christmas gave my sisters and brother n law and I an envelope each in our stockings. The envelope was stuffed with a printed out paper that said OPTinNOW. It was a gift card for us to use to donate to this foundation, which is, Opportunity International - End Global Poverty. Faster. We were able to go to the website and pick for ourselves who we wanted to help, and what organization we wanted to contribute to.
     This organization is a non profit one and is very well known for providing loans to entrepreneurs located in some of the poorest places in the world. This is their opportunity to be successful, and we helped and so can you, so log on and donate.
     I gave my money to this woman below, Martha Boffah. She is 64 years old and has been running a Kindergarten classroom for 8 years now in a rented out space in Ghana. She started out by helping take care of her grandchildren and a friend of hers children and it developed into more of a school setting. She is raising money to expand this infrastructure to admit older children as well, and for school necessities, like desks and all of the basics for a classroom.

Once I contributed they give you a website to where you can follow her and her donations that she has recieved... I looked this morning and Martha Boffah has raised her $475 for the kids!! Go Martha :)
The gift of giving is the most rewarding gifts to recieve. Thanks again moms and pops!

William Clark Morrison's Debut

2011-01-17T10:37:00.001-05:00

     It seems like yesterday that it was Mothers Day when Jennifer and Brian told our families that they were pregnant and would be expecting a sweet baby boy on January 16th (which actually ended up being January 15th). On the other hand however the past month has seemed like for me an entire year, literally. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting.
     We all went to the hospital on January 15th around 9am, and he was born at 9:47am, big ol' boy 9lb's and 20 inches! It was seriously the weirdest feeling, thinking in just seconds that I was going to be an AUNT along with Jordan, Jennifer was going to be a MOM and brian was going to be a DAD and my parents were going to be GRANDPARENTS. Good Gosh! It was almost like we were little figures in a doll house and whoever was playing with us designated our soon to be roles, like it wasn't really real or something... and then we heard the first cry from baby Clark!
     Let me tell you about this cry... My dad couldn't sit still in the waiting room, can't blame a new gramps eh? He walked by her room, (room 6) and came back and said, I heard a cry. Mom and I got up and did a casual fast paced walk over to room 6 only to hear the nurse, and my dad from down the hallway saying we had to leave that we were violating policy and for security reasons we couldn't be there yet. When we got back to my dad, (I mean back in our waiting room cave) we were discussing this "cry" and I had originally thought that my dad had heard JENNIFER crying not the new born baby boy! I will say that wasn't such a bad interpretation coming from my end, I mean it could have easily been Jennifer crying, lets be honest. But, in fact it was our baby boy, Clark... and that was an exciting feeling.
     In my post feelin like this through pics I talked about how I couldn't sleep because of the anticipation of my nephew's arrival. You would think it would be better now that he is here... think again ladies and gentleman, I found my self waking up in the middle of the night wondering what he was doing, if his eyes had opened up, what he was maybe thinking, was he annoyed we past him around like a sack of potatos, what was it going to be like when we took him to the beach, when would be the first time I would get to watch him at my house in Raleigh, would he really like the "I love my aunt cam onesie", what was he going to grow up to be like, football linebacker, or in sales like his daddy, how would Jennifer and Brian know what to do with him, how often do you feed him, how would Jennifer and Brian even be able to shut their eyes to go to sleep at night knowing little Clark is 4 days old and "sound asleep" right beside them, what will it feel like when he hugs me for the first time (a good grip and squeeze kind of hug)... so many things, so many things = Aunt Cam not sleeping = hello Tylenol PM!
     For now I just give thanks to God for a safe arrival and for a healthy baby boy and momma! I love you little one, Happy Birthday to you sweet boy January 15, 2011

P.S. It has been said quite a few times that my little boy looks like me, I am a happy and proud aunt, thats my boy! I don't know where the dimple on his chin came from, but he has my cheeks!

I surrender to the monogram outfits, haaaaa

I love you

sleepy boy

let me just think about this, yep, I'm ready to go to my new room!

BEST WISHES TO THE NEW MORRISON FAMILY OF THREE! (4) when I come to in town, ha! XOXO

I'm feelin' like THIS through pics.

2011-01-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

First, and most importantly I feel ANXIOUS:

I am just literally on edge waiting for the phone call from my family saying, "Come home, Jennifer is going into labor and your nephew is about to be born!!! (It is the most exciting thing.......) I also am on edge waiting to find out from a job interview I had last week. It is a kindergarten position at a year round school and it just seems like this school really "fits." I've been praying a lot about it and the conversation usually goes like this. God, This has to be it right, this is my break, this is where I'm meant to be right now right, I mean you made me to do this, this sounds like a perfect opportunity to use my talents and skills and teach and show the love you have for us through me teaching at this school. I'm probably going to be really upset if this doesn't work out, so just preparing you, I'm going to need lots of reassurance that YOU KNOW BEST. K, love ya! He usually laughs at me and says "patience grasshopper."

Secondly I feel UPSET: My camera lens is stuck and won't open all the way, therefore leaving this new and improved blogging girl all out of luck. How can I blog without my camera?! ugh! Thank Goodness my ever so smart father buys insurance and warranty's when dealing with two things: Cameron and electronics. The question is how long will it be in Wolf Camera getting fixed... we will see.

Third I feel PUMPED UP: A few of my family members have signed up with me (they better hurry up if they haven't!) and Deana to run an 8k race in Charlotte. I have always wanted to run a race that I have worked hard for, prepared for, and have been really motivated to do. The "Turkey Trot"I went on in November was literally just a trot for me, I didn't train or anything. I have gotten my pedometer, figured out exactly how to use my mace I got from Santa, and gotten an arm band for my Ipod. Most of my training is done outside running, which is really different for me, I am used to the tredmill, but really excited to be doing this! I printed off a novice training schedule that includes days of strength and stretching, cross training, running, and most importantly rest day! Anyways, it just feels good to work towards something and even better I am sure to accomplish it!

Fourth I feel a little SCARED: My sister is due this week, technically the 16th, but could be sooner. Well, if you aren't "meteorology" (I could have made that word up, I'm not really sure.) material like I am, lets just say the Triangle is about to get ICED OUT. No, not Ice House Beer. Charlotte is supposed to get 5-9 inches ( I just heard it!) which means... I'm a little scared that she's going to call between right this second and Thursday morning where it will be probably very dangerous getting home. I need to be here as long as I can though just in case I get the job and my principal needs to see me, and I have a substitute job lined up already for Wednesday (which could get canceled anyways). Just really praying for a safe ride to Charlotte for myself and for Jordan whenever that may be this week. Jordan, I say we fly home, you in?!

Alright, time to log off this computer, because all of these feelings I haven't been sleeping well AT ALL... I actually have been up since 2am if you can imagine that. (Should have gone to Charlotte then before all the white stuff fell at 3:30am- yes, heard it on news at that time) I tossed and turned for three hours and got so bored I went to the gym at 5:15am (of course, with all the working people, jealous.) and got a Starbucks drink at 6:45 and well now, I'm about to try and get some sleep! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Cam

Dear Mom and Dad

2011-01-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

     I love looking through OLD pictures and OLD notes and cards etc. A few nights ago when I was at home in Charlotte for Christmas I was headed to bed, and I have no idea what sparked my interest but I went in my closet and brought out two huge (Sketcher shoebox might I add... stylish huh?!) shoeboxes and I sat in my bed for about an hour and a half looking through and reading old birthday cards, and notes my parents had written. It had been awhile since I had rummaged through these boxes, (yes, I'm a card and note girl pack rat, and have done this before) but a few really were a tuggin at the tear jerker, I went to bed with happy tears and woke up like a snowman face injected with salt.
     My Great grandfather had written me several birthday cards, most of them were when I was young in my Tom-boy stage. I did guys, I really did wear Umbros and T-shirts OFTEN. Yikes. Anyways, we called my Great Grandfather, "Ba-Ba" and in every card he wrote, "Hello dimples." I remember him always calling me that. He wrote, "He couldn't wait to see me, and that he hoped that I had a special special birthday." My sisters and I were lucky in that we were really close with Ba-Ba, we even named our "Wallabees shoes" after him. (I think they reminded us of the shoes he wore, so all the time we would refer to those shoes as our Ba-Ba shoes. I can hear it now, "Mom, have you seen my Ba-Ba shoes anywhere?" Maybe, when I'm 90 I can still wear my Ba-Ba shoes, be old people stylish and save my self some money. Good thinking Cameron. Love you and miss you Ba-Ba.
     Some silly and ridiculous notes were in there as well, lots from my two best friends Andrea and Melanie. I'll keep those to myself but lets just say I laughed and cried.
     It was a good "looking back" evening, and even better one when I found these pictures below... ENJOY!

Dear mom and dad,

Thank you for letting me run around the house naked with Jennifer with foam on our heads. I remember those days and making cone heads like it was yesterday. We HAVE to find the home video of this in ACTION.

Dear mom and dad,
Did I really like this T-shirt of mine. I know I never really kicked it, headed it, or smacked it like the T-shirt says, ha I just had fun running and trying to chase the soccer ball!
P.S. Whats up with my SHELL hair doo?!
(see, I wasn't lying about my Tom-boy) days....

Dear mom and dad,

Looks like I'm giving baby Jordan the snake grip, and thankyou for letting me rock the LEVIS they are HOT! Did Jordan let me always pick her up and hold her?! I remember loving to hold her! I guess my niche for being a teacher started young! (except I do remember using the tredmill we use to have as a Harris Teeter grocery check out line, good thing nothing came out of that afternoon of being a clerk.)

Dear mom and dad,

Dang! This face shouldn't ever give you any trouble huh?! If you do ever get mad at me like when I'm in highschool and never want to come home on time, and in college when I have a hard time handling my Wachovia account and over draw... will my dimples you guys gave me make it all okay!?

Fellow Readers,
Take some time this week to look back and see what old pictures you have laying around, maybe move them from the dusty closet to a picture frame or a magnet on the refridgerator. You will appreciate you did it and memories will come flying at you once you look at it long enough, thats the BEST part!

xoxo,
Cameron

2011-01-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

It has been an entire year since I started my blogging hobby. That is CRAZY. Why has time flown by so fast? On January 31st of last year (ok, so I lied, its been almost a year...) I blogged about my 5 reasons why I was wanting to take on this new hobby : Why I started blogging. I have to say after briefly looking back on my posts that it has been very good stress reliever, and pretty good evidence as to everything I have to be thankful for. I totally crack my self up sometimes typing, and I am more aware of how I am taken away by such small things in life, and that makes me appreciative. I am excited for what 2011 has to bring for myself, family and friends. I pray for exciting and memorable times with my soon to be nephew Clark, I pray for a clear direction and a 3 letter word that goes like this J-O-B, I pray for good health amongst the ones I love, and again and ever year I will pray for " laughter, love, and learning new things often"

Here's a recap on the end of TWO THOUSAND AND TEN....

Christmas was wonderful as always is but it was extra special this year...

We have a tradition that we go around and open one present at a time in a cirlce, this year our circle was in a way added my Mr. Baby Morrison. It was really fun watching Jennifer and Brian open for baby Clark and EXTRA fun when he knew we were laughing and smiling about THIS.....

Baby Clark LOVED his new onesie from Aunt Cam, He was breakin it down inside momma's belly, I saw it.

Another tradition that always happens Christmas morning during our opening presents is that we (Mom, Jennifer, Jordan, and I get new Winter pajamas from Dad! Yes they are all the same!) This is not a normal open present, tear off the bow, throw the paper in the trash kind of ordeal. It happens sometime in the middle of opening presents, after dad has had his coffee or two. He runs in the bedroom, grabs the bag that he has put them in and comes out in his crazy voice "jammmmmmmmmmmies for you, and you, and you, and you." (and throws them at us) This year he added, "BONUS ROUND" and threw matching tops to us, that are SO comfy! Hmmm... wonder what dad has up his sleeve to include Clark in our "jammie" tradition next year?! Here is our annual Jammie pic....

And here we are, excited and smiling in our AM attire :)

Our Oyster Roast was another success! We have one every year with family and friends and this year it was at our house! Dad and his friend Sam drove all the way to Wilmington to pic up those slimy little suckers. When we were younger we used to look forward to the Chic-fila chicken nuggets the moms bought for us as our appetizer dinner, now we actually look forward to enjoying the oysters (my taste buds are still in progress, I had 2 this year.) and sipping wine! The night mainly takes place in the garage, where tables are set with newspaper and the heater is a blowin! It is filled, with good convos, laughter and always fun memories! Uncle David, Grandaddy, and Dad always try to find the least slimy ones for me so that I'll like them a little more year after year. Welcome to the Oyster Roast of 2010...........

Uncle David and Cousin Neil (who ended up being Mi-Mi's waiter all night haha)

Oyster Shuckers UP!

Me, my awesome momma, Jennifer, Jordy, and Clark... essentially 3 generations in there!

Danny and me :)

Sisters!

Happy Anniversary "Livin La Vida Cam!" My New Years Resolution to YOU is to not be a monthly blogger and to turn into a typing machine and make myself a weekly blogger :)

XOXO and may LOVE and LAUGHTER fill your days in 2011!

Happy Almost Birthday JESUS

2010-12-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

I have a top 3 favorite things that I love... and SNOW happens to be at number 1, followed by SUNFLOWERS at number 2, and COOKING at number 3. So happy to announce that Raleigh had its first snow of the season this past Saturday! When it starts getting cold I'm a little bit of a freak watching the weather, pulling it up on my phone, (Thank you dearly, technology.) and flipping through the different weather stations to see which one is either calling for snow or which one is saying will accumulate more snow, and which one predicts it arriving the fastest. Based on all that, its how I decide which channel to watch... I'm always the one that believes the weather man 100% when everyone elses doesnt.

This past Saturday when it snowed Caroline and I watched probably 5 Christmas movies and baked cookies and iced them. We were in our pajams all day and she watched me act like a child catching snowflakes on my tongue, and trying to measure the centimeters that were accumulating on our deck. LOVE IT. Every year when it snows I never have the normal measuring device... a ruler, so I always am looking for something to measure with, pencil, wine stopper, fork.... totally gotta get a ruler. (Santa, did you hear that.) Anyways never got the measurment, but it coated the deck to a blissfully happy white !

Pretty snazzy mantle for Santa to come down huh?! I love making arrangements for the different seasons, until a week ago I had my Sunflower arrangement up, definitely had to go... I couldnt remember how I did my arrangement last year so I used some of the stuff I had from the previous year but bought a few more "spiral things" at Micheals this year. They are pretty cheap. Caroline and I bought the stockings for a dollar at Micheals as well as the wreath for 3 dollars. Us three went to Laurens parents for dinner in Timberlake this past Sunday had steaks, wine, good talks, saw the Panthers lose again (Im beginning to think this is a good thing, soposedly we get "the first pick" for next season if we lose the most games... thats what the male gender keeps telling me.) and.... we monogrammed our stockings!! Woohoo for the Brooks's monogram machine. It's the bomb. I am thankful my mom gave me the creative, arrangement making gene! Sorry dad, it was all mom for sure.

add flower to your face, makes the picture look cooler :)

$13 dollar cookie cutters, putting to use!

your never to old to decorate!

Dear Santa, I would love a new camera.

yes, Im rocking ECU sweat pants, comfy socks, my betty crocker cam apron, and my monkey fleece, dont be jealous now.

Snow 2010!

"Being thankful for laughter, love, and learning new things often"

- I have learned to cheer on the Panthers to lose.
- I have learned to Shop at Micheals for deals
- I am thankful for my love to decorate and celebrate the season of Jesus birthday!
- I have learned to never make home made popcorn alone without Caroline... It leads to stove fires....serious.

Thelma and Louise hit the road

2010-11-30T15:17:00.001-05:00

 The adventure begins... and as my blog states: THIS TRIP I REALLY AM THANKFUL FOR LAUGHTER, LOVE, AND LEARNING NEW THINGS OFTEN!

ME at the "lookout studio" over the Grand Canyon!

If you would have asked me a month ago if I would ever see the Grand Canyon, my answer would probably be "man I hope so, one day..." If you would have asked me a month ago if I would ever travel cross country in a CAR I would have said NO! Its funny how things work out, because I just did both of those things and had the most fun I could have ever had imagined doing it. Deana (mom of Aiden and Evan who I had been watching) and I left the Raleigh airport and flew to Atlanta and finally landed in LA!

When We arrived in LA we went out for dinner and drinks at the PINK TACO, went to bed... and woke up for our packing party, duh, mimossa's and packing!

Deana aka THELMA, Chaz (her actor friend), and me aka LOUISE standing on the boardwalk at Santa Monica

We had to buy cowgirl hats for our upcoming MULE RIDE to the top of the GRAND CANYON!

... AND WE DID IT!

PSALMS 104:24 engraved on the side of the lookout studio...really neat.

Just a few tips for if you ever decide to drive cross country:

- Don't get nervous if you at some points feel as though you are driving through the scene of Lion King where "Scar" is about to attack you. Check yourself, you are not Simba, and its just the scenary your NOT in the movie.

- Don't buy water bottles at every stop, take your previous cup and refill with ice and free water. We could have saved a bunch of money if we realized this when we were leaving LA not when we were in Asheville.

-Cows are not necessarily dead if they are laying down, same goes with horses. No need to call Animal 911.

- Elmers glue is a quick fix temporary face mask for when your feeling disgusting and just want a facial in the car. apply, let dry, peel off, done.

-Start becoming a fan of Indian things including their blankets a week before you start your traveling, you will see signs for them and exits for where to purchase them.

-Drive like a Mexican and overload your car with stuff, its just more fun that way.

-Appreciate truck drivers, they really do shower at Subway sandwhich shops, I saw the shower stalls.

-Take notes and write down all of your "funny's"... it WILL create quite a memory journal.

-If you see paper in the bathroom stall that says "Hi, tell us about your trip" by all means tell the paper about your trip but don't drop your wallet in the toilet at the same time.

-Don't rush the road trip or try to make a certain time... stop and have a fat girl meal, cheeseburger fries and a brooskie.

-Order room service at least once on your trip at your hotel.

-Bring PLENTY of comfy clothes to drive in or you'll be stinkin and end up taking a shower at the hotel and sleeping neked, and have a repeat of stink clothes the next day.

-Go out even just for a night cap at every city you stop in just for the experience and to tell people about your adventures, and of course go out in your "car clothes".

-Practice your "honking at truck driver moves" if its not on point, you won't get a honk

-Search deep down and find some kind of new appreciation for windmills... I mean they do save energy, they just look ridiculous when 20 are clumped together.

-Get your contacts/glasses/goggles all up to par so you don't run over tumbleweed, or albino animals while driving.

-Talk about EVERYTHING with whoever you go with.... and you'll come back with a new best friend, LOVE YOU THELMA!

memorization at its best

2010-10-30T17:28:00.000-04:00

...as most of you know I have been eating, sleeping, and studying these days. Taking notecards to the face like a pro. (for my big GRE test) Its exhausting for sure! Sometimes I feel as though I have been ran over by a 16 wheeler or something, and I wonder why because I was sitting all day studying. If you really think about it though, looking at a computer screen for hours can totally be emotionally and phisically draining. In the midst of all of this I sometimes laugh out loud, (literally a "LOL" moment for all you acronmym junkies) by the way I study and actually memorize my vocabulary cards. I think of the craziest, most unheard of, ridiculous ways to memorize. So here you go for a laugh for the day if you havent had one:

mollify: It means to calm or soothe, I remember it by the "moll" in the word, reminds me of a girls name "Molly" and well, Molly's usually are calm and soothing to other people right?

discourse: It means a lecture or discussion, I remember it by the word "course".. In college my courses I had lots of lectures and discussions, didnt you?

extemporaneous: It means done with out preparation. I remember it by, If I made dinner extemporaneously it would be NOT Food Network material.

taciturn: It means not talkative. I remember it by thinking of the word "turn" that you see, and then I think if someone were to say "It's your turn to talk, I dont like talking"

tout: It means publicly praise. I think, If I catch a Trout fish... someone better be praising me!!

circumspect: It means to be careful and prudent. I think of a circle and how you have to be super careful when drawing a perfect circle!

enigmatic: It means mysterious. I think of Aliens. point blank.

acumen: It means accurate, quick. I think of putting the spice Cumin and how I never am accurate when measuring that spice in my chicken salad... even though its still on point!!

maverick: It means one who does not go along with a group. I think of my mom and how she HATED sororities in college, ha!

volatile: It means fickle and changeable. I look at "tile" and think people change their tile often in their bathroom. They don't, and shouldn't but just go with it.

propagate: It means to multiply/spread. Danny had bed bugs at his house a month ago and they propagated.

inchoate: It means not fully formed, initial stage. MY NEPHEW CLARK IS INCHOATE!

ephemeral: It means brief. The ep in the word reminds me of an epi pin... and I think those are brief shots... who knows.

buttress: It means a support or prop. When your old you might need a support for your butt, maybe, maybe not?

desiccate: It means to dry out. If you notice the two C's in the word I think Camerons Car... I have to dry it out if it pours rain inside my car if I have left the sunroof open.

Alright class is dismissed,
xoxo
Cameron

Mimi: I am posting a picture for YOU since you say I need to show more pictures :)

Dear Cameron, Your hand is so unnatural, weirdo. ME AND MOMMA!

a FRESH start

2010-10-08T14:43:00.000-04:00

     Fall is my MOST FAVORITE season of the year, and for that I am thankful that I live in a place that gets to experience all of the changes throughout the year. Fall however, for me is just a clean, crisp fresh start to all things pertaining to my life. I have cleaned out my summer clothes boxed them up, sent some to Good will, It's a fresh start for football season which the Panthers totally need each year, I have organized all of my tupperware and they are anxiously awaiting the day I make pots of chili and fill them for the freezer on a colllllld night, I have somewhat turned Asian in the way that I have been studying like a pshyco for my upcoming GRE test November first (I'm keeping all 20 little limbs crossed that this will lead to another fresh start of beginning Graduate School), I got a Brita from Jordan for my Birthday and have just started a new thing where I add either oranges, lemons, or limes each week for a hint of flavor to my purified water... and it is beyond refreshing! I just signed up to help with the Raleigh Rescue Mission downtown, to help prepare lunch for the homeless,(Taking part in helping the homeless during this time of year is not only very rewarding but this is when I feel they need it most and we need to help prepare them for the Winter! I have opened my windows and it is pretty amazing to turn off the air finally, and to wake up to the wind blowing in your room, and going to bed like that as well, again REFRESHING!
     Those of you who know me well, know I'm pretty much a happy girl, but I sware Fall season I'm just a little extra, and full of vitality (go with it...its a GRE word and I practice every second I get, for those of you who don't carry around index cards with vocabulary on them in your purse or wallet, the word means ENERGY). There is much anticipation about things to look forward to in my eyes about the fall and here they are:

-wearing my Uggs and sitting by a fire
-Santa is coming soon (I dont care who you are 5, or 80... the man is cool.)
-Clark, my soon to be nephew will be born in January!!
-Drinking hot chocolate and sugar cookie tea (yes they have it I promise...)
-waiting for the leaves to change color and fall so that I can make place card names for the Thanksgiving Table
-Pumpkin carving (PS invest in some vaseline, if you put it around the edges of your carving it lasts longer, for real)
-Toasting Pumpkin seeds
-Roasting marshmellows
-Grilling on the patio with the fam all bundled up with blankets
-The smell of any and everything pumpkin
-Christmas cups at Starbucks
-My first Best Friends Wedding
-Watching kids play and jump in the leaves (It just reminds me of my childhood, is 25 too old to participate?!)
-Home made apple cider in my crock pot (I always turn into a super Betty Crocker in the fall...)
-Playing with our NEW cornhole that Carolines dad made for us, and Laurens bean bags that she will soon sew! (THIS is realllllly exciting in our household, now I won't have to scrumage around and put rice or flour in bags as if those would suffice.....because lets be honest, they DONT!)
-Halloween Jokes, the kid ones, like: Why didn't the skeleton go to the party? Because he had noBODY to dance with........ha!
-Making Pumpkin desserts for my boys I nanny for (I am learning a TON about being a mother by the way..)
- our second annual girls carving party accompanied by spiked/non spiked pumpkin lattes and hot chocolate!

     I am sure there are more, but those are mostly what makes me happy about Fall and the season to come! As I was saying before, referring to Fall being a Fresh start for me for a lot of reasons, There is one thing that I think would be an awesome idea for me personally to do and maybe you should do with your family also. Before you go to bed, think about the best thing that happened to you that day, or one good thing that happened that day. Obviously there are plenty of crappy days throughout the year that we all have, so on those days I would advise your answer to simply be that you woke up alive, breathing and healthy that day. Now that I keep talking about this, I think I'm gonna pull a "Brady Bunch" and get Caroline and Lauren to play this little task with me when were cooking dinner or just hanging out at night, "What was the best thing that happened to you today, and what was one bad thing that happened" (your pretty stellar if you don't ever have a bad thing, Go you!) So cheers to my new assignment and the beginning of Fall!

I will start: Good thing(s): I had a major Fall clothes clean out/swap out, I killed a cockroach on my deck... Bad thing (s): This blog is taking to long to write and its exceeding my break limit for studying, I saw a few left over school things I had made under my bed for my previous classroom while cleaning and it made me sad.

I will leave you with a picture from our last years girls carving party, can't wait wait for this years!! PS, my hair is SOOOOOOOOOOOO short in this picture, seriously it takes a year to grow an inch and a half, what the heck man?!

The 2nd list of what you may not know....

2010-09-24T11:49:00.001-04:00

1) I like to fall asleep to the Food Network Channel and NEVER anything else.

2) I love wearing mens Old Spice deoderant... it just smells really good, goes on really good, reminds me of a good smelling man... I don't know, go figure.

3) I do not match up my socks in my sock drawer and recently this has been getting on my nerves, so I'm in the process of changing this habit!

4) Every night before bed I count how many hours I will get to sleep

5) When in college around christmas time I used to take extra Christmas tree branches and put them under my seat in my car so that my car smelled 100% like Christmas, only to realize it turned brown and flaked all over my car 4 days later... but so worth it! HA.

6) I cry every birthday, it's inevitable... man, 30th and 50th are gonna be real brutal.

7) People say I look like a Cabbage Patch kid, compliment?!

8) If I had a "bucket list" swimming with dolphins would be in my top 3!

9) I used to watch "Barney" past the cut off age.... I'm going to blame it on, "I had to watch it with my baby sister Jordan"

10) I LOVE a hoody, jeans, good company, and a great bonfire