April 13th, 2003...

That was the day the we all lost an amazing man, an amazing soul, and an overall amazing person.

Jeffrey Allen Mayfield was perhaps one of the funniest, light hearted, and loving people whom I have ever had the privilege to meet. Part of me is different and better for having known him. 

All of us who were lucky enough to have called him a friend took something from him. His personality oozed goodness and happiness more than anything else. 

Grieving for Jeff was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and he really sits in the back of my thoughts often. I would have thought that 9 years later, that the feelings I felt would be lighter, but they aren't... however with those 9 years, I have gained the perspective to be able to look back and remember the smiles, the laugh, and the fun times we had together.

Jeff gave so many people the gift of his love, and I just hope that I am 1/3 of the good person he was. 

Carl and I have so much to thank him for... our first home, our first child, our love...

I miss you Jeff. Thank you for everything. 

So today, in your memory, I am not going to cry. I am going to laugh; I am going to think of you; I am going to spend time with the people that I love. I want to give others what you gave me... happiness.

Visiting my Granny...

We recently made the trip up to the Holler where my Granny lives. She will be 93 this year! Isn't she just beautiful? All three families made the trip, and so did my mom. It has been a long time since she has gotten all her great grand children and grandchildren together.

Here she is with her great-grand-children from my mom's side... 

One of me and Granny taken by my nephew...

Here are a few shots of the kids down at the old water hole where Granny used to get her water from a fresh spring in the rocks:

Afternoon Tea

No photo... but...

I just wanted to let you all know that Everleigh took her first steps last night!!! 3 of them!!!

Rory's Pinewood Derby Race...

He did really good for his first time! He was third in his Den, but didn't place in the top three for the Wolves, so he didn't get to move on to the Pack finals... here are a few photos of "Left Lane Cruiser"(his car) and a video that Rory took himself at the race!

(Rory's car is the Yellow car with the red stripe down it and the driver's head popping up).

The Bean is one...

My little baby is no longer a baby...

Yesterday we celebrated before Cute Hubbie left town. With the beautiful weather, we decided to take the kids on a riverside picnic. It was a ton of fun and Evie loved her cupcake...

Today, after her nap, we tried for another photoshoot in her adorable birthday dress and here is what we got...

The first is her with her new present, a cool walk behind toy:

The second is the much awaited cake smash:

It is hard to believe that my little tiny girl has turned one... it seems like just yesterday that she was in my arms for the first time being held and loved on. It always amazes me how fast the time passes and how quickly life changes.

She will be one...

in just a few days... Can you believe that my baby has grown so much?!?! She is now our little lady... or at least will be come Sunday.

Beautiful Baby Boy E.

Welcome to the world Baby E. His family is such a joy to be around and photograph. Between the perfect day outside, and their joy of being new parents,  it was impossible not to leave happy and warm.

E. is the sweetest little thing! Mellow, cute, and cuddly... he totally reminded me while I like newborns so much!!

11 Months of the Bean...

Can you believe that in one month my little girl will be a year old?!?!??!?!?!

My New Adventure...

Here is the most recent adventure we have started...

If you are in the Asheville area and need a chicken coop builder, I have the guys for you!

It has been a while...

A while back (over the summer) I took a few months and took out my dreadlocks. I thought that some of you might be interested in the process and how it worked out for me!

I have had 2 sets of dreads, one that were truly dreadful because they were done extremely poorly and not sectioned by Adorn Hair Salon here in Asheville. I actually ended up with balding spots from where they didn't section the hair out, it was a mess. To fix that, I went to Eclipse Salon and worked with Jenn, who did a wonderful job with a dread perm. We were able to hide the bald spots, and I had exactly what I wanted for almost 5 years!!

This past summer, I needed a change, and decided to comb out the locks, it took me about 3 months, 6 combs, and LOTS of time. When I was done, I went back to Eclipse to see Jenn and after it all, I had a ton of hair left and was able to end with should length hair that was healthy and full of life.

During the process, I discovered a few things:

Dry combing to remove was better.
VO5 in the tube smoothed it out and helped keep it from re-tangling.
Go slow.
Don't expect to be done quickly.
A TON of hair comes out, and that is ok... I seriously think there was enough to knit a quilt, lol.

No matter the reason for, or how you start your dreads, they become a part of you; your energy, life and ... well... everything go into them, and when you brush them out, a lot of energy comes out too, it was really neat to feel the release of some negative energy and the good that came from the removal process.

Here was the process in photos: