Happy 14th Birthday Colton!

Dude spent his day skateboarding with his friend Kevin. Kevin joined us for dinner and Cody showed up in time for cake. It was a nice, low-key day!

Can you believe he's almost as tall as me?

Making a wish...

Seriously, is it Friday already?

I can't believe how quickly this week has gone. I feel like I'm on some kind of high speed train shuttling to Cole's first day of high school. The closer it gets the quicker things seem to be moving and meanwhile I'm hanging on to the back of the train dragging my heels and trying to get everything to slow down just a little...I don't know if I'm ready yet. There's no doubt he is though. After many unreturned messages, we finally were able to make contact with someone on his cross country team to find out where summer practices were being held. He made the last two and they kicked his butt! He hung in there and did a great job but he could tell the difference it would have made had he actually been running all summer! Today was the last practice until school begins and there was a pool party afterwards. He spent time checking out the girls in their bikinis and making new friends. Even during our stop for some initial school supplies Dude just looks at me expecting me to cry. The truth is I can go through the motions without actually thinking about any of it and that helps. As I type this though, tears are brimming...thank goodness he's outside or I'd be so in trouble! No tears!

I am very excited for the opportunities and activites the next four years will bring. He is such a confident, intelligent, caring and funny guy...he's going to have a complete blast in high school. I watch him with anticipation and eagerness to see what's next...even though I know at the end of this chapter he'll graduate not only from high school but into the world of being a self-sufficient man creating his own path in this world. His open house is next Friday and his first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 8!!!

Our Very Own Ironman!
My mom emailed me today that my cousin JW will be participating in the Lake Placid Ironman this weekend. He will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles...total craziness! I checked out the Ironman website and we'll be able to track his race progress live through their website as well as watch him finish (very cool!) So, send up some cheers and well wishes on Sunday morning. Dubbs, you da man!

Hayden's in the Hiz-ouse!
Colton's cousin Hayden flew in from Colorado on Sunday to spend the week with us. I can't believe how much he's changed since his visit last year!

The Dude is Back in Town!
It's been a great week -- having Colton back home -- and as you can imagine, things quickly got back to normal. He's had friends at the house every day...eating me out of house and home...I feel like I live at the grocery store! It's amazing how much food teenage guys can eat! Colton and friends have been attending my running group runs and...even though they haven't been running regularly...still managed to seriously out run me! Ah the benefits of youth! I'm even more grateful that I'm working out of the house now because it translates into so much more time with Dude and his friends. I'm totally loving every second!

(r to l): Forrest, Michael, Dude and Cody...all except Cody will be freshmen this fall. Cody will be a sophomore.

At breakfast after our Saturday long run. (l to r): Cody, Corey, me, Daniel, Dude and Austen

Cody, Dude and Austen keeping me company Friday night while watching "The Best Week Ever" and "The Soup"

Oh, what a night!

Well, I guess it's always good to end on a high note, eh? Brenda and I went out (yes, again!) last night. I haven't gone out this much in the entire three years I've lived here!!! It was a fantastic night and we met some very interesting people. Bob and Bruce both played football for the NFL and were great to hang out with...very funny and kind...great combination.

Dude comes home tomorrow and, while I've LOVED hanging out so much, I can't wait to get him home and spend time doing what I truly love...raising him.

Bob

Bruce

Baby Hope
She's just so cute...too bad she wasn't a little nicer!

The Men of Aria
One of Brenda's favorite haunts is a fabulous little restaurant called Aria. It quickly became a fave of mine...not just for the atmosphere but because Ben and Tim are so amazing and great. Tim owns the restaurant and Ben mixes killer drinks (especially their Snapdragon martini). Ben, who looks like Ralf Fienes, hates having his picture taken. I was feeling a little mischievious the other night and kept trying to snap a picture...clearly I didn't succeed! Fortunately Tim posed for me!

North Georgia Running Group
I started a running group to help keep me motivated so I can actually run with my sister in November at the Outer Banks Half Marathon instead of watching from the sidelines. I've met some really great people so far and am enjoying getting out and being social. Saturday mornings we go out for breakfast in the Marietta Square...this past Saturday Joanne, Corey, Baxter (the dog and our official mascot and pacer) and I ran about seven miles and then chowed down at the Three Bears Cafe.

Happy Birthday to Me!
I had a great birthday celebration weekend! Saturday night Brenda and Michelle took me out in Buckhead and once again we had a GREAT time and were up way too late. Sunday morning they took me to brunch in Midtown so I could have my favorite cake of all time...Einstein's coconut cake...seriously it's amazing! My good friend Tonya had me over to her house for a cookout with friends Sunday afternoon and then I had dinner with Victoria. The only way the day could have been better was if Colton and the rest of my family could have been here too. I've had an amazing year and am a long way from that sick, overtired, burned out girl I was last year. I am truly blessed and grateful for all the new and old friends in my life and for such a wonderfully supportive family. Of course the best gift I've ever received is dude...my life would absolutely be lost without him...he keeps me on my toes, tests me and makes me laugh. Thank you all for sharing my life with me and making it richer and happier than I could ever have imagined it to be.

Dude! Colton's Aunt Jerri sent these pics today of Colton, Hugh, Hayden and friends. It was so good to see his face...10 days and counting!

(Hugh's the one in the air and Hayden's in the green pants.)

Finally...a night out!
My time at Life University might not have been good for my health but it certainly has introduced me to some fabulous ladies that have become close friends. I met Brenda several months ago and we worked together on their Tour and developed a quick friendship. She's funny, intelligent and savvy and so much more. Our schedules finally allowed us to get together for a much needed (and deserved!) girl's night out. I had such a great time...Thank you Brenda!

Brenda and I and our only celebrity sitings of the night...celeb photos in the elevator at the Chop House.

Brenda took me to her neighborhood haunts...she lives in Buckhead so they were all amazing. She introduced me to her friends who, like her, were fantastic, warm and very entertaining! Our last stop of the night was Posh, a restaurant/bar just down the street from her place. This is us with Laurent.

We stayed well past closing time and enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio with Shance.

This is my celebrity look-a-like "John Cusak"...he's such a cutie!
Ever wonder what a $250,000 stove looks like? Here you go! I bet pancakes cooked on this thing are phenomenal!

The morning after! Abby and Ozzy were the only ones not feeling the effects of adult beverages and a really late night. They are brother and sister...can you believe Ozzy is 8 pounds heavier than little Abby? They are total love puffs!

Whew!

So, my car is still at the Audi service station and I won't have it back until at least Tuesday. The good news is the leak in the coolant system affected several other parts, including my timing belt which was due to be replaced in another 3,000 miles anyway, so...because the leak caused the damage everything, including my new timing belt, is under warranty! Man, did I luck out!

Ok, so what do I do with myself while Colton's in Colorado? Hmm, nothing too exciting but I have been keeping myself busy. My frustration at not being able to find a group to run with in North Georgia was the catalyst to my starting my own! The North Georgia Running Group has been up and "running" for about three weeks. There are three regular runners and about 14 people that have signed up but haven't made a run yet. Erika's Nashville half marathon inspired me to join her in the Outter Banks of North Carolina in November for the OBX Half Marathon. I'm working on getting more people from my running group involved and already have one committed to the full OBX marathon...should be a good time...after the race is over that is.

I just finished my third to the last class today. Whoo hoo! I will complete my MBA in marketing in September and will then have just three classes left for my second major of international business which I'll just pluck along at since I'll already be eligible to teach in September. I'm working on building my business and attracting more clients and seeking out additional teaching opportunities.

Tonight my friend Brenda is taking me out on the town. Should be interesting...hopefully it's a bit like riding a bike, since it's been way too long since I've been out and about in Atlanta after dark. I'm looking forward to it and will hopefully have some great pics to share with you tomorrow.

Only two weeks and one day until Dude comes home...but who's counting?

More Pics from Cole's Graduation Weekend

JT playing soccer with Cole, Forrest and his daddy. Seriously, is he the cutest, or what?

Bill and Irene -- I think this was the only time they stopped moving all weekend!

The Mark clan...JT was totally over the paparazi!

Colton after the cake fight.

JT's one smart little guy. He knows it's much better to eat the cake than play with it!

Bubba and 'mini me'



Grandma Irene taking JT and the balloons from the party for a walk.

This was taken around 4:30 a.m. -- before they drove back to Illinois -- we miss you guys!