"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties."

- Erich Fromm

Toot, Toot!

Yea, that's my horn and I'm tootin' it! American Sex [graduate class project from last semester] won a Gold Addy + Judges Choice Award for Social Awareness!! We were even pulled aside by the ADDY hosts to tell how how amazing of a job we did - how moving our project was - and how much they can't wait to see us at Regionals!

So yes - Toot, Toot!

Our undergraduates cleaned house! 30 ADDYs total! Had a great night in Savannah - thanks for having us!

Grads, Undergrads, Professors + Dean

Partial American Sex - can't seem to ever get all together.

Look who I found! Lil' Steph!

Love.

I love you
Not only for what you are
But for what I am
When I am with you
-Roy Croft

I was lucky enough to have two Valentine's this year, both near and far. Bryan surprised me flowers and a note that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. Jack and I spent the day in our pj's catching up on our sleep. It was a great day, full of love - other than the fact my main beau is on the other side of the world.

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

- A. A. Milne

Paaaaaar-tay!

By the time Jack's party started, the majority of Statesboro's snow melted. The county got 3 - 5 inches!! Now, I know to many of you, that's not a lot. But let me remind you - we're in South Georgia. Last year, I was bringing Jack home from the hospital in shorts & a t-shirt.

Anyhow - Thank you so all of our loving friends who came over to celebrate Jack's first year of life. I requested no gifts - but no one came empty handed - Boy! Is Jack spoiled. From little people, to tool sets, picnic benches, books and clothes - Jack is more than set! Thank you, too, to all of you who sent love from afar. We're so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

loooooves his phones!

Jack is a shoe horse.
(takes after his mom & Unc)

all the guys assembling the loot.

Brant (Lauren & Russell - 2 years old) & Jack at Jack's new picnic table
(we love being outside!!!)

my red baby
(shirtless, saggy britches with one shoe and one sock - different feet)

Baby Nathan!
(Josh & Brandi's newbie - 5 weeks old!)

"People with courage and character always seem
sinister to the rest."
- Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)

Have Your Cake & ...

Mom will eat it.

I just don't understand it. I love cake - how can Jack not? He only poked at it. The only reason why he got frosting on his nose was because he giggled into his cake.

Jack Frost

The weather said it was going to snow today. I didn't believe it. At 6:30pm - it started to snow. And it stuck. At 7:30pm Jack and I went out to look at it. It's now 8:30 & my footprints are covered up. Hard to believe we are in South Georgia.

Have Your Cake & Eat It, Too!

Or not. Jack was hardly impressed by his 1st Birthday Cake! But we had a great time with close family and friends at El Sombrero for Jack's birthday! He even got to wear the El Som Birthday Sombrero and get sung to! So spoiled.

Welcome to toddlerhood, dear Jack! Thanks to Lindsay, Jeb, Robbie, Matthew and Granny June for celebrating with us! We had a great time! Hopefully he'll destroy the yummy Publix cake at his party on Saturday! (If not, I know I will!)

Happy 1st Birthday, Jack.

Happy Birthday, my sweet, loving, courageous, outgoing, happy, independent, strong, baby boy. I can't believe it's already been a year. It's been a long, trying year that has tested limits, patience, and strength. At the end of the day, it's Jack who always returns my tears with a hug, my worries with a laugh ... he reminds me to take a deep breath, relax for a second. He relieves my stress with a game of tag, crashing down blocks or walks around the neighborhood.

What I thought was going to be the worst year ever, with Bryan being gone, has turned out to have been the best ever. As much as it breaks my heart that Bryan missed out on Jack's firsts of everything - it was Jack's firsts that got me through missing his daddy.

Thank you, Jack, for being stronger than me. I love you more than you'll ever know.