Going Private

Hi everyone! I've decided to go private for several reasons. If you would like to continue to read send me an email and Ill add you to this list!

Deestephensadventures@gmail.com

Thanks!

Ready for Some FOOTBALL!

We are less than a week away from the official kickoff to the college football season and I couldn't be more excited!

As most of you know, I went to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and as with most SEC schools, it's all about the Fall and football!

It's a BIG deal even when you're not in the town where your alma mater is.

Every year the Charlotte area SEC school alumni associations come together as one for a 'Kickoff Party'.

This started many years ago and I have only missed a few over the years.

This year was extra special because it was Shelby's first time!

Our alumni group went all out to make us standout in the crowd by hand painting this Tiger eye for our tent.

Great for photo ops, even for my Virginia Tech Hokie hubby.

One of our alumni members owns Painting with a Twist here in Charlotte and was nice enough to be on site giving everyone a chance to do a little painting.

Just like last year our Arkansas fan friends met up there with us.

Shelby got snuggles from Miss Katie.

New to the group this year was Missouri and Texas A&M.

Little weird but welcome to them!

My little Tiger.

Shelby was one of MANY babies there this year.

A fun family event.

Now bring on the games!!!!!

The COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF IS ON!!!

Does your town do something like this either for SEC, ACC, Big 10, etc??

Mommy Night Out

Before getting married and then having a baby I was quite the social butterfly.
Not to say that I'm not now, it's just that I don't get invited to as many events as I use to.

That could be for many reasons, one of the biggest being, that I'm not in television news anymore. Instead I work in corporate television producing internal messages and training videos.

But, back in the day I went to charity events, political events, you name it, if I was invited I went.

Well, last night I had a glimpse back into my 'former' life being invited to an event at The Charlotte City Club for the Former NFL Players Orgnanization and the Kiwanis Club.

My former colleague from Fox Charlotte invited me.
Alexis and I go way back.

The event was a fundraiser for charities helping children with childhood cancer and the place was packed!!

The bartenders were former NFL players. It was so fun to see just how many different people live in Charlotte that never necessarily played for the Panthers.

And, it was fun and amazing to see just how many teams some of these guys played for!

There were several players there from the Panthers team that traveled to the Super Bowl.
Colin told me that the year that they went was actually his rookie year!

Can you imagine?

The highlight of the night was getting to see this guy.

I worked with him for YEARS at Fox and he was always available for a last minute interview or to fill in on the set. He was a TRUE life saver!

I had not seen him in 8-years. It was fun to share with him that I had gotten married and had a baby.

The entire night brought back so many memories and back to a place in my life that has long set sail.

Would I give up my time with Shelby, Brad and Buddy to do this every night?
NO!!!!

But, I have to say it was nice to get out and have a little 'Mommy night out' and catch up with old friends and colleagues.
Thanks to Alexis for inviting me!!

Currently

Lost for blog content I've decided to rip off my friend MCW(who I'm going to do an entire girls weekend with in October) and do a 'Currently'.

Currently I'm watching Redskins football with my husband and snuggling with Mr. Buddy while Shelby snoozes.

Drinking a glass of wine trying to write this blog and go upstairs and watch my RHOOC reunion part 2.

Glad I bought these Inchworm bottle labels. WtheH no one told me about these for nursery school mommies before now, I'll never know.

via

Wondering how Shelby got so big.

 I walked into her nursery school today and in comparison to the other babies in her class(granted, she should have moved up already) she's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!

8-months and on the move!!

 Planning my morning workout which involves laying out all my clothes, shoes, socks.

and finally...

Thinking that my hair looked dumb today at work.

Our main manager told me that it looked like her attempt at having her hair straight.

 As for our beach weekend?

We had a good time despite rain.

The highlight for me was Brad's comb over.

Cute or what?

LOL!

 And, Sunday was glorious because we were united with our Shelbs.

She had a WONDERFUL TIME with my parents and vice-versa.

She's a GiGi and Poppi kind of girl!!

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

CIAO!

Keeping it Real - Cabbage Soup Diet

In trying to keep it real here on the blog I'm talking about my quest to freaking lose weight.

Or, keep it off.

UGHH..

Such a pain, and I get so TIRED of it.

I've talked about my constant battle with weight here on this blog a long time ago.

Click here for a refresher.

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As for recently, you might remember my post exactly a month ago, here, about nearly being at my goal weight.

Well, I was doing good, but the last two weeks have been SO hard.

I want to eat, eat, eat.

Fast food doesn't get me, it's just sandwiches, cheese, chips and wine.

Granted, I'm giving myself a pass for wine these days.

I enjoy it.

Enough said.

So, knowing we are leaving for the beach this Thursday night, I decided I was going to do the cabbage soup diet.

I've done this MULTIPLE times.

My Mom actually got me hooked on it and it's a great detox.

But, the last time I did it was in the year 2009.

Click here.

It works, as much as people like to laugh about it.

It's a 7-day diet where you eat soup along with a specific meal plan each day.

I have typically done it before a big event to drop a few pounds(water weight).

Such as I did in 2009, for Beth and DJ's wedding.

Click here.

I was able to lose 7-pounds prior to their wedding.

(even drinking wine some of the nights)

Brad actually did it with me and was hooked.

He's done it more than I have in recent years.

So, Brad and I both agreed to do it this week.

He made the HUGE pot of it on Saturday night.

Here's the recipe and diet.

We add mushrooms to ours.

I started it yesterday and you will ask how is it going??

Not fabulous.

I did okay yesterday until we went to the pool and I had a beer or two.

I came in and instead of eating my 2nd bowl of soup?

Triscuits and havarti.

I, didn't go overboard but still.

I promised to start new right there.

Today, is the day where you eat only veggies and soup.

After eating celery and tomatoes for breakfast I ate all my soup by 10:30am.

UGH...

Then, I fought cravings and got a coffee with non fat milk.

Then??

I came home and ate a few cheese and crackers.

Not many at all.

And, now..

I'm eating green beans.

Failure?

Maybe a little bit, but the only thing I can give myself credit for is that I don't just go bonkers.

I cheatfor a minute then get back on the wagon.

More to come...

BTW... 

in an effort to really keep it real?

Me trying to buy some sort of tankini.

Yep, didn't do it.

Another reminder to keep on keepin on.............

Feeling Lost

Happy Sunday.

I'm loving life right now and have a ton of blog topics to write about but for some reason I'm just not feeling the motivation to write them right now.

Ughh..

I've had laptop issues and we're in a transition period with Shelby, and I need to start writing notes to myself when I think of things to write about to force myself to actually blog about it.

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For now, I'm going to be lame and post a few pictures of our weekend.

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Shelby is all about the tub right now.

Tonight, she started standing up in there and before I knew it flipped out on her head.

UGH.

She's fine but I felt bad and realize she's growing up very fast.

VERY FAST.

Shelby had her first trip to the park today.

I love the park we've just been gone a lot this Summer so we haven't gone.

Today was hot.as.all.get out.

Even so I busted out the camera.

My friend Lynn met up with us and was just as excited as I was to see Shelby enjoy Freedom Park.

While at the park Sophie the Giraffe went MIA.

This is the last picture of her.

We canvassed the place but she was nowhere to be found.

I'm guessing a dog got her.

Will I buy another??

ugh..

probably.

Sad to say but this was Shelby's first time on the swings too.

She loved it, even if it was hot!

That's all I have for tonight.

Tomorrow I am going to force myself to write a few posts I've been thinking about.

Hoping you all had a fab weekend.

Life has Truly Changed

Life as we knew it with an infant is over!

Shelby is on the go and moving out!

Her speed of crawling seemed to happen overnight!
And now??

She's starting to pull up!

Her teacher at school told Brad she will be an early walker.

Gosh....we are in for it!

Check out this video from last night.

This weekend will be spent installing baby gates and trying to find a new spot for Buddy's bowls so Shelby doesn't always make a beeline for them. I wish we had a walk in pantry to put them in but we don't. Ideas?? I'll be sure to update you on our baby proofing! Until then Happy Thursday!

Shelby Meets Great Aunts and Uncle

It's no secret around here that Brad and I both are very family oriented. 

We love our families and are so lucky to live near them.

This past weekend was very special because Shelby got to meet her two Great Aunts and her Great Uncle!

They all drove down to my in-laws lake house from Southwest Virginia.

Shelby was able to get a little bit of playtime in before they arrived!

Needing a nap, she wasn't so sure when they first got there.

'Hello, Uncle Dennis!'

Then she took a nap and was in a better mood and was excited to meet her Great Aunts Becky and Barbara!

Later on we decided to enjoy the nice weather and hit the lake!

It was a fun filled day that ended with Uncle Dennis and Aunt Barbara giving Shelby all the coins from the year she was born.

Along with a family dinner.

Then Sunday, out for another boat ride before heading home.

I swear, this past weekend was by far the nicest weekend we've had all Summer when it comes to weather.

Not a drop of rain!! 

Can I get a WOOHOO??!!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend too.