AAGA

I've started volunteering for Adopt a Golden Atlanta. I have always wanted to help out, but just didn't know how to get involved. Kitty Cathy, who owns Pekay Goldens helped me get in touch with the right people to start volunteering. I love it! I have really enjoyed spending time with the dogs who are in desparate need of some love!

The purpose of life is not just to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten

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Father's Day

We went over to the in-laws on Father's Day. Jay's dad made his special homemade burgers that everyone loves!

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Wing 'N Rock Fest @ the Marietta Square

Michelle and I made our way over to the Marietta Square for the Wing 'N Rock festival. My college roommate and Fraternity brother Wes lives in historic district, so we didn't have to worry about parking (or a ride home :) ). There were about twenty wing vendors lining the streets. It's tough to say who had the best wings - but I'd be happy with Taco Mac, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Wild Wing Cafe. In the park, we watched a Led Zeppelin cover band (the drummer was incredible - they played Moby Dick and he went wild...), and then an Allman Brothers cover band (who were EXCELLENT).

Michelle & Me at Wes' house

Wes & his girlfriend KatieThe four of us...

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Back to Eating Healthy

I'm on a health kick (again). During Easter break I found out that my dad was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He is pretty sure that he developed it from his dad, who was also Type II. It hit me hard that my dad and I are so similar in a lot of ways. He has been in great shape most of his life (he ran 5 miles every day for as long as I can remember) but he tends to skip breakfast, then eat lunch and dinner. In college I studied nutition religiously and was a crazy health nut, working out 2 hours a day and counting every bit of carbs, calories, fat, sugar, fiber etc that went into my body. I have kept some of the habits over the years but slipped into eating fast food (which I wouldn't have ever put in my mouth a few years ago). I also wear Invisalign to straighten my teeth. I have lost a few pounds from my 'normal' because it can be hard to take them out to eat, brush, put them back in all day long...s0 I have been eating a lot less than I should throughout the day. I still work out during the week, just less. My goal is 10 miles per week of walking with a little running. One of the things that really shook me is that there are two ways to wear your body out - NOT EATING 5-6 MEALS A DAY and EATING HIGH PROTEIN DIETS. My parents' Dietitian also said that the fastest way to bring on Diabetes is to cut carbs...because your body works over time to compensate for the loss of sugar. DON'T CUT CARBS... EAT BALANCED MEALS. I have always bought high-fiber pasta and just about anything that has "extra fiber." (The Dietitian recommended high fiber foods too). It slows the absorption of the carbohydrates so you don't get slammed when it is turned into sugar. And I have always preached to Jay (probably annoyingly) that we should do all of our shopping on the outer perimeter of the grocery store (think about the natural foods that are around the perimeter and the processed stuff that is in the middle). Anyway, nutrition has always been a passion of mine and the recent news has just fueled it back up again . I'm very ready to focus on healthy eating habits again. And sticking to my exercise plan. I could talk about it all day, but that is my very long, freaking out, vent for now. :)

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Easter in Tennessee

Jay and I drove up to Tennessee for Easter weekend. Spending time in East Tennessee is always nice. I have classes on Saturday and haven't been up there in 3 months so it was great to be 'home'. The areas around Knoxville are so green this time of year (no Bermuda!). The wild flowers along the roads and in fields are so colorful and bright this time of year. I would move back TOMORROW if I could!

I wanted to buy Austin an Easter present so my sister and I took him to Toys R Us on Saturday. I bought him a 4-wheeler that he can drive around the house. It even has enough power to run through the grass. :)

After Toys R Us, we headed to the mall. We stopped for a while in a kiddie playground area so Austin could play. The video below is for Kerry and Grandma!

Going down the slide...

My sister Kerry and Austin

My mom cooked for hours and finally got a chance to sit down! Easter dinner was SO GOOD!! Ham, broccoli casserole, potato salad, pinapple casserole and pinapple upside-down cake. Mmmmm....

I bought him this little golf set. When we got home, Uncle Jay showed him how to play!

My dad and sister...

The goldens snuggling...

He's already 38 lbs - at 2 years!

My mom taught Austin to go to the door and call for his dog Riley. He calls her "Riiii--eeeey." This clip is for her! :)

Easter Sunday we went to my favorite church, Cedar Springs Presbyterian. There's just something about the Pastor's sermons that I absolutely love. It's THE church that has really changed my views about going to church on Sunday ...and feeling like I need it every weekend. I was happy that we got to go back for Easter!

Jay and I after church Easter Sunday

Thank you Easter bunny!

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