Wow it really has been awhile and the last time I was on here life was very different.  I am happy to report that I now have the most awesome job with the most amazing leaders that make me excited about not only going to work but about being apart of a company that makes a difference….shout out to EccoSelect!  I’m an IT Recruiter and can be reached for anything business related at kwoods@eccoselect.com  My very favorite day is when I can help someone get a new job!  It is so rewarding and I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity for this career path. I’m extremely thankful for that life change that seemed scary at first but was definitely God’s plan for me! #workplug

So in a nutshell the last two years we were super focused on our oldest son.  I am the Chief College Get-It-Done Girl!  I do the research then offer ideas to the kid involved, my most recent customer being my son who is now a freshman in college and a pledge in Sigma Nu Fraternity at KU.  Carter is living the dream but also realizing college is a lot harder than high school and learning how to utilize the resources available to him.  I feel pretty ripped off to have gone to college before the internet.  I want a do over!

Here is what I learned from living and surviving my first child’s senior year, graduation and launch.  I created more drama and stress for myself than what was necessary.  The anticipation of all of it and how I would feel and maybe a little bit of what is expected of a mom in my shoes played a big part.  I love this boy so fiercely, he has turned out to be one of the most loving humans I’ve ever met and his love of Christ is unwavering and so special.  He overcomes the challenge of focusing on not-so-fun stuff and balances it with seeking fun every day.  He knows when he needs quiet time to refuel and has gotten into a great routine of working out so he stays fit, strong and healthy.  I’m so happy he enjoys it because it will help his mind and body to fend off stress and keep him healthy.  I don’t even cry anymore when he leaves because he is having the time of his life.  I’m so happy for him.  I might scream inside “take me with you” but there is no sadness, only appreciation for how well he handles himself and the awareness that he needs to figure out this college academic thing.   Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

It’s Russell’s World and we are just living in it.

Family Day September 15, 2018–a monumental day in our lives.

So here we are today, October 5, 2018.  I will tell you what happened between college drop off day on August 15th to Family Day on September 15th is still unfathomable.  If you told me all that would take place I wouldn’t believe you in 100 years.  We were busy getting into a routine of sorts with lots of back to school events, so many exciting games to attend, lots of meetings and crazy juggling.  By the end of August my husband was very sick.  I was frustrated because he didn’t want to go to the doctor so I stopped nagging.  Finally after weeks of crushing fatigue, an annoying cough, upset stomach, extreme weightloss and daily fevers he decided he would go.   Cutting to the chase…he started with the walk-in clinic and they sent him straight to the ER because of his extremely high blood pressure.  A half day ordeal and probably $2000 bill resulted in “you need to see a doctor.”  I called 20 places to find someone taking new patients immediately and found one who would see him the day after Labor Day.  I felt some relief but what would normally be a fun filled weekend was plagued with him just not feeling right and the rest of us standing by wondering what was really wrong with him.

Fast forward to our yearly birthday week with Brad celebrating on the 11th and Whitney on the 13th.  It was a busy week so it was the usual hustle but we made time for a birthday dinner at home to celebrate Brad and had Carter on Facetime so it felt like the FamBam was all together.  We laughed and listened to Carter’s stories.  Brad had gone to a few doctor appointments and was treated for his stomach issues and high blood pressure but the doctor was concerned about his labs.  She ordered an ultrasound of his liver to see what was behind his elevated liver enzymes.  So on his birthday…which being 9/11 is hard enough…he was told he had lesions that could be cancer.  A CT of his torso was scheduled for Friday.  He had been pushing me out of this whole process so I begged to go with him to the appointment after the CT to discuss the results.  I knew things were getting serious and it was time for him to let me in.

We met for breakfast to kill time before the office opened.  It seemed like a big day but we tried to enjoy the quiet time together since that is rare.  The appointment started and the doctor seemed to just be checking in with him.  Since he had almost fainted a few times during blood draws she knew she needed to make sure he had gotten the scan and needed to stay close to the situation.  He told her the scans were going to be sent over right away so she went to check to see if they had arrived.  She came back in with two sheets of paper with wording, no images…I wanted to see images.  She read the analysis…and then summarized…this is colon cancer that has spread to your liver.  I looked at his face to watch his reaction.  It reminded me of the time we had a hard landing on the way to Key West and his eyes got so big and I laughed and laughed at his reaction.  Today I didn’t laugh but saw that child like, wide eyed reaction.  She stated that none of this was from drinking.  He had worried he had done all of this to himself since his first blood draw on August 27th but it wasn’t.  There was no guilt here, he just got cancer and it wasn’t his fault.  She stumbled around with her words and said she was calling an oncologist and that she would be in touch.  It was a fuzzy day, by the end he had an appointment for a liver biopsy the following Friday.  This sent me into orbit!  We can’t wait another week…he needs action now is all I could think about.

So you wonder how people act in these situations.  I think my head has been separated from my body since that moment.  We walked outside and were like two zombies getting into our cars to go to work.  He said he’d call his parents but was very much in denial and not convinced of the diagnosis.  They were images, they weren’t factual.  There would be testing and more things to come.  I drove away and my bulldog tendencies kicked in…who could I call to get him into a specialist and away from the primary care doctor who seemed to have never had a patient with cancer.  She did nothing wrong and in hindsight did her job to go through the steps of discovery.  But I wanted him seen right now, let’s get this started and get him medicine to get him better.  I think we both googled what we could.  I didn’t as much as him just because I’ve seen cancer up close a few times and followed the journey from diagnosis to treatment, recovery and demise.  He searched and looked for loopholes, any he could find that would make it not be cancer.  That night he asked me, “what did you hear that doctor say?”  It was a weekend of back and forth, denial and realization and I begged him to let me take over.  He agreed then said no and then agreed again.  I was dying for Monday morning to arrive so I could get him help.  But first we had family day.  We had to tell the kids.  It was going to be awful.

FamBam adventures are my favorite

I bought us all bracelets with a tiny metal emblem that had a cross on one side and Mother Mary on the other.  Brad’s was a little bigger.  They are a little girly but the boys wore them anyway.  I told them they could keep them close by if they didn’t want to wear them.  Brad and I have worn them everyday since we told the kids.  It reminds me of our bond no matter where we are we are together.  We didn’t have a lot of detail but told them there would be testing and they were in charge of doing well in school and being positive and supportive.  Leave the rest to the doctors and God.  We enjoyed the day even though it was super hot and Brad was not having the best energy day.  We sat under the big old trees enjoying the view and quiet.  Russell hated the bugs but loved playing basketball.  We tried to enjoy each other despite the heaviness.

Monday morning arrived and I was ready to get the show on the road. Thanks to my good friend Brian I was given the “red carpet hot line” to the University of Kansas Cancer Center.  I later learned it was the number for people who are employees who get the inside track.  However, I think anyone who is cared for by the employees of KU Med get the red carpet treatment.  They’ve been amazing.  Brittany listened to me, while we talked she gathered every file she had access to and said she would call me back with next steps.  By the time I got to my office I literally was skipping and feeling so accomplished.  By the end of the day his primary and KU Med had worked together to line up a colonosopy/biopsy, liver biopsy and an appointment with an oncologist the following Tuesday.  The wheels were in motion THANK GOD!

Beautiful sky at our soccer game on September 22, 2018

The thing about our family is no matter what we still do our thing.  We run and run and love every minute.  Brad busted out of that last biopsy and we headed straight for the soccer field.  It was a busy weekend and he was determined to go to every single game.  We had beautiful weather and Russell’s team got 2nd place in a Division 1 tournament.  It was a great way to kick off the first week of this journey with continued focus on positive energy and normalcy.

Week one would consist of a great meeting with his oncologist Dr. Kelly Pendergrass and then a major hustle to get him the right vaccinations, a PET scan and Port installation.  I felt terribly guilty about missing so much work but my new role as Project Manager was very important so that Brad had all of the information and instructions written down and committed to memory.  I found myself retelling parts of the process to him and reminding him of steps and procedures to make sure he was caring for his port and doing what he needed to do.  During this time of fasting for procedures and trying to recover those missed meals created his an anxiety and resistance to proper nutrition.  I’m quite used to this as my boys are big food negotiators so I will battle that resistance with authority.  In the end he knows I’m right.  He got a game plan from his dietitian and his Nurse Practitioner so I will be the enforcer and stay flexible for when he needs it.  People… I am here to say he will not be eating Burger King chicken sandwiches any time soon! (like over my dead body)  We had a major standoff in the middle of the chemo pit 30 minutes into his infusion over a BK sandwich!  I’m happy to report he ate what I got him and it was a healthy sandwich that accounted for half the calories he needs in a day.

Chemo started on October 3rd and on Day 3 I am happy to report he is already seeing signs of his cancer symptoms subsiding and feels really good.  He is still weak, still needs to feed his body so it can work properly but it is not a terrible situation.  Between the amazing medicines to ward off nausea and the cancer killing chemo he is reaping the benefits already.  The NP said the chemo will fight the cancer so his depleted body doesn’t have to.  24 hours after starting he didn’t have a fever, didn’t need a nap and only coughed a few times.  I would say that is the first victory in this process!  I don’t need a scan or blood work to see that incredible improvement!  If he can act more like Brad I’m happy and know God is working his plan.

So now that is all caught up I want to blog going forward about funny things involved in this journey.  We’ve preached normalcy and I feel that is the only way to go.  We can’t all give in to what tv or society makes you believe is the way you should act.  I now understand why friends who have suffered this disease seemed to go about life so normally.  In fact they showed us the only way to do it.  It would be too exhausting to do it any other way.  Carter designed some rally bracelets for the kids to give out and people are asking to buy them.  While I think that is awkward it is a sweet sentiment and everyone is excited to wear one.  We just want support, prayers and love showered on Brad so he can be as strong as possible in mind, body and spirit!  I’ve already been reminded of ways he has impacted kids’ lives just by being the funny dad and giving a kid a little extra attention.  He has a sense of kids who might need some extra dad love and just naturally, without thinking makes that little joke with kid who may not have that with their own dad.  Kids that have been around over the years have likely heard his playlist, heard his favorite joke #onetime and eaten a great breakfast, lunch or dinner served up by Chef Brad.  I’m looking forward to his energy to get back to that place where he can feel good enough to cook and do things he loves without the heavy weight of fatigue. #Battle4bRad  https://coloncancercoalition.org

I’ve had so much fun taking advantage of the beautiful weather and can’t wait for the leaves to change so I can take even more!  I’ve been lucky enough to be hired to take pictures of families, dance teams, sports teams, babies and seniors. I’m working on some options for the Winter months and working on my flash lighting skills.   If you need pictures taken send me an email kimwoods0@gmail.com (0 is a zero)




Like most of us I have made half hearted attempts at losing weight and getting fit which usually entails a trip to the gym, eating salads and blowing it all in the evening.  So Brad and I decided to really take a big leap. The GM diet is very strict and whether you lose weight or not you realize what bad habits you have without even thinking about the caloric intake.  I did this diet in college when I was a camp counselor and the kids called me the “Little Green Giant” because I would eat plates of cooked frozen broccoli, green beans etc.  It was very hard to execute at a camp with limited access to groceries but we did it. I remember how great I felt afterwards!

So we bought everything and kicked it off on Sunday which was ALL fruit day. Thankfully the berries were amazing and was my favorite part!

  
By the end of the day I was sooooo ready for some non-sweet veggies! I made some legal vinegar and lemon zest salad dressing with garlic and other favorite spices…it was ok.  The best part about day 2 is the baked potato for breakfast and the spaghetti squash with homemade sauce for dinner.  It was all veggies and spices and will replace any form of sauce we have made in the past!!! So tasty and the freshness really made the difference. I puréed about 6 tomatoes, peppers, onion, fresh spinach and a jalapeño. I added fennel, basil, oregano, cayenne (because it goes in everything), pepper and probably others I’ve forgotten.  I cooked it at a med-high heat so everything cooked together and the flavors blended nicely. The spaghetti squash was just cut in half, removed seeds, laid cut side down on metal pan with a lip and added about a half cup of water to the bottom. I baked on 350 for 45 minutes, forked out the spaghetti and YUM! Warm yummy goodness! Brad said, “Spaghetti Squash is so cool” and requested a Phad Thai experiment for next week.

  
On Veggie/Fruit day we mostly just had more of the same and my favorite was a spinach salad with fruit and legal vinaigrette (never knew it was spelled that way, I’m a reformed ranch girl).

So we get the banana and milk day with veggie soup on Day 4. I did ok on this day but Brad was pretty hungry. Breakfast felt like cereal and I love the soup so I made it through. I was pretty hungry at bedtime and I cooked all of the meat in the evening so I was busy and smelling the yummy garlic and meat cooking which helped my cravings.

  
MEAT AND TOMATOES DAY! This clean cooking requires a new pan so between trying it out and devouring a hamburger for breakfast I felt pretty satisfied. Thankfully I had a lunch and at at HuHot so I got a big treat, grilled sliced steak and tomatoes! It was amazing! I felt bad for Brad so I made him some for dinner.

   
 
Today is Friday, day 6 and Veggie/Lean Protein day. I’m enjoying the cabbage soup and threw in some hamburger from yesterday.  I’m feeling good going into the weekend and think I’ll distract myself with cleaning projects that have been ignored. Clean body, mind and house! Maybe I’ll have my shit together by mid-February?!?!

Tomorrow we plan to make stir “fried” veggies and rice with puréed fruit juice for a treat. SuperBowl Sunday we will experiment with new legal Paleo minded appetizers and plan our attack for the next week. I have no interest in celebrating our success by wrecking our willpower!  I do look forward to a glass of wine or beer which is actually suggested! Haha! Cheers!

This is the most comprehensive site  GM Diet I’ll report my results when we are all done and arrive at Day 8 “celebration” day! Honestly, so far it feels like I’m pre-Royals World Series/Nutcracker/Christmas shape and can start my quest at a more “normal” weight for me. My real goal is to feel beach ready by June.

 Mexico July 2015 

In February I hit my stride that will quicken to a sprint until some time in July.  Whitney’s dance team has an annual “Showcase” so as a dance mom I’m frantically getting all of her costumes altered and “blinged” so she is stage ready.  This year didn’t seem to be as frantic as I’ve remembered in the past.  I think I was more mentally prepared because I spaced out the shoe and accessory buying, some were included in her Christmas stash.  I’m ready with three days to spare!  Yay Me!

People Help The People–Lyrical

New York, NY Line

Let’s Be Bad-Musical Theatre

These are a few of the highlights from her Dress Rehearsal.  I took over 900 photos to share with the team to help them see corrections and because I love getting the first look at our dances as a trade off to freebie action shots.  This year is no joke!  My 13 year old girl is turning into a woman before my eyes which brings so many other issues to deal with and weigh heavy on my protective mothering heart!  I’m thankful it is all happening with grace and a little at a time.  Her dad is in denial and he’s fine to just stay there about 10 more years.

And this bring me to the BOY MOM side of the equation.  Big Russell is our busy guy juggling soccer and baseball seasons simultaneously.  We used to get bothered by the busy-ness of three kids and three schedules but now we just kind of put on our big boy/girl pant on and go with it.  So far there are only a few overlaps and we just make it work.  We strive for 100% performance but will take 95% and be thankful.  Russell is such a grateful child and is so excited when he has a practice or game.  He’s ALL IN 100% of the time!  He has never waivered, EVER!  I’ll ask him if his uniform is ready and usually it is laying on his floor like a chalk drawing with all pieces accounted for.  Bless his sweet heart!

Carter is enjoying being a superfan in high school and follows his team stats closely.  He’s still playing some sports but this has been a transition year for him.  Baseball tryouts are in a few weeks, fingers crossed!  There are 40-50 guys trying out for 15 spots.  UBER competitive where we live.

I’ve been lucky enough to round up some Senior Portrait requests and was blessed to photograph a fresh crop of babies in January!  Along with my kid cheering I’ll be booking lots of photoshoots as the weather warms up and mamas need their babies documented.  I’m super excited because I bought myself a new portrait lens!  I can’t wait to use it and think it will give me better results and require less editing time.  I’m a slave to light so this lens will give me more to work with when I am shooting indoors.  My mind is buzzing at all of the options and opportunities I want to tryout!

With the weather quickly turning to Winter I’ve been up to my eyeballs in photoshoots which is so awesome!  I’m so happy my love of photography can be shared with sweet families, children and friends.  Photography is a celebration of life, I get compliments all the time on sweet moments I capture but that is how I’m wired.  I know people get sick of me inundating them but they also like it if they are the one captured in an unforgettable moment.

My next step is to create marketing materials.  I wish my son would make me a logo.  I would love to have something custom and am just kind bluuuuh about the whole thing.  Talk about creative block!  I don’t even have an idea!  I just need someone else to do it for me.  Below is a first stab at it but the designer didn’t respond back when I asked for a few changes.  It will do for now but would like something “cuter.”

My logo from Fiverr

The last few weeks have been so intense.  I find myself really doing all I can to put everything in God’s hands.  He’s delivered some really incredible news lately.  First my friend Heather got the terrific news from Johns Hopkins that they will operate and take out her pancreatic cancer.  I mean really…PRAISE THE LORD!  Then yesterday Russell’s baseball coaches good news was posted on Facebook.  His tumors have melted and it looks like he will be cancer free!  We just found out about Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma after our baseball season ended in July!  That is some fast work by his medical team and the good Lord.  I’m beyond grateful to be witness of such miracles.  Now for them both to finish their treatment and find a new normal.  These stories remind me to slow down, love my family and friends and cherish the itty bitty things in life.  There have been some other things on a more personal level and I just want to say the Lord showed me the way, he gave me the words and actions and my problems were solved.  What we also discovered is that our busy Sundays are taking a toll on us and we need to get our family back in church every week.

Here are some shots from my busy fall.

Saint Teresa Academy  Stars Dance Team

My sweet Carter and his first homecoming.  He did a great job and it was so much fun!

The first corsage

The guys, they were dashing!

Oh pardon us train, group pic

Model status

We love this heart sign, was perfect for these fun pics

Our sweet friends Kennedy and triumphant Heather

Gorgeous girls and dresses. Fun to see these sporty girls dolled up

These guys are so silly

and creative

My BIGS

Carter and Kennedy- BSSHS Homecoming 2014

And finally Miss Aurelia!  I’ve been taking her photos since she was born and love getting to spend time with her and her sweet parents.  They are always such good sports and up for whatever creativity we can find.  She is one sassy diva but I love it!

Mom and Aurelia’s outfits were perfection!

World Series here we come!

We are Royals crazy this year!

Model Status!

Gorgeous!

Got some rare smiles, she was a little annoyed with me.

See ya, I’m outta here.

I have camera cards full of pictures to edit now that the Royals aren’t taking up my every waking moment.  It was a fun ride!  We had a great time and will never forget our Blue Okctober!

This was my facebook post today.  I feel like it pretty much hits right where my heart is on this day each year.

The major thing that sticks in my mind from 9/11/01 was dropping off Carter at day care, he wasn’t even 2 yet and hearing the word terrorist come on the radio. I was like “no way” that wouldn’t happen, it was a mistake. Terrorist wasn’t a common word at the time and we never thought something like this would happen HERE. Since I worked at the Kansas City Business Journal we were very much watching the story unfold. I stood there, 9 months pregnant watching the tv in the newsroom as the towers fell and then as the pentagon was hit…the sky was raining giant airplanes. It was terrifying and I couldn’t fathom how the world would change, what was ahead for all of us but especially my babies, one at daycare and the other in my stomach. Then I felt terrible for my husband…this all happened on his birthday. I know his mom really hated that for him too. So we allowed ourselves to watch a summary of the information then turned off the tv and concentrated on our family. It was a year later when we really let ourselves be affected by this extreme tragedy. We watched the documentaries and weeped. We tabled the grief and worry so we could focus on bringing our daughter into the world. We shielded our son who loved planes, trains and cars too much to introduce the fact that airplanes could crash into buildings and kill thousands of people. We kept our cocoon safe from terrorists and the scary things they make us think about. Carter is now watching a documentary about that day and is fascinated. At almost 15 I think it is time for him to understand the events leading up to that day and what has followed. He will better understand the extreme bravery his Uncle Kyle Brown showed when he enlisted in the Marines and protected us on their soil during three deployments. And he still fights as a Reserve. This is a day to honor all of those people who protect our country, those who have died for our country, the first responders all around the US and the families of those lost but also the families who love those brave men and women. I appreciate and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

9-11-14 and 9-11-01 ***borrowed and reposted from tumblr

Kyle and the guys

So my brave big boy thought up a great way to ask a bestie gal pal to homecoming. It’s their first one and he made it a show stopper!!

He had been scheming and trying to keep it all to himself but I encouraged him to let me be his taxi and at least organize the plan. So we ran around between soccer and dance to get the goods.

At the crack of sunshine we picked up Bre his across the street BFF and headed to Starbucks. He asked the Barista to write HOMECOMING? on her Caramel Frapachino. She smiled and told him what a great idea that was.

We headed to the school with her “white girl” drink, bag of twix and *red* roses. On the way to pick flowers he said he didn’t know anything about that but was very definite in wanting only red roses.

So I dropped them off

And they disappeared inside…and I was left to wait and watch for Bre and friends to post pictures of the big, FIRST ASK…

Here we go!! In a flash it happens, taking deep breaths and live in every moment.

It feels like I was just stressing about the kids being home alone all Summer and poof…they are back in school!  The BIGS seem to be off to a very focused start which is polar opposite of last year when they were both resisting organization.  I think they realized that mom really doesn’t want to be a helicopter and doesn’t have to be if they keep it together on their own.  Hoping for an easy breezy year!

Carter, my big Freshman!

Whitney Jane in 7th

Big Russell holds down VSE in 3rd

They all left at different times starting at 6:30am.  It made for a sleepy day for me and dad.  So far Carter has been doing a great job getting up on his own but has been all “preppy” so I have to iron for him.  He has tried on his own but it takes practice so hopefully he’ll master ironing soon.  Whitney wore a really cute outfit topped off with really tight headbands.  We told her they were too tight and she’d get a headache…she did.  Someday she’ll trust our advice.  Russell was easy breezy, no fussing over an outfit, just pulled something out of his drawer.  The funny thing is they each independently picked out their outfits and they all coordinated.  Too bad I didn’t get my official three together shot that morning with all of the wake up times being staggered.

Thankfully picframe, #rhonnadesigns app and Instagram give me my scrapbooking fix and allow me to produce a *these 3* picture to satisfy my first day tradition.

We went to dinner to celebrate so I snapped them all together for the side-by-side *look how they’ve grown* pic.

Left 2014 Right 2013 First Day of School

Wow I could cry, they are so big!  Carter was horrified he was in the same shorts.  I told him he just grows up not out and when you are a grown up you wear the same clothes over and over.

So my photography business is booming!  Yay!  Brides, babies, families and seniors have consumed my creativity outlet!  I love it of course!  It makes me so happy to stare at these darling faces and capture the love they have for each other.  Thankfully I’m surrounded by some really awesome people who are very easy to photograph.  I think opening newly edited pictures is like Christmas morning and am so thankful I get to do that for people.  I AM BLESSED!

Aaron and Christina #instagramfilter

We capped off a truly insane sports/dance year with Whitney’s Dance Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Despite the two day drive there and back it was nice to change up our traditional Branson trip for Nationals.  Our team danced their hearts out and looked so beautiful on stage.  Our Line is just so incredible, I can’t get enough and am so glad I have a video to watch whenever I want to go back and marvel at this team!  This dance has Itty bitties from age 7 to our 18 year old senior, including our sweethearts we have 75 dancers on our team!  Rock Stars!

Our awesome dancers on the beach, lovely ladies!

Carter had fun at the beach and played with the girls.  Who wouldn’t have fun surfing all day?  Man I love this kid!  He’s really growing into an awesome young man.  Headed to high school in just a few weeks!

If you can’t beat em join em!

And BIG RUSS celebrated being 8 while we were gone.  We celebrated before, during and after…he’s still hoping for a friend party and we are still trying to find a hole in the calendar for it.

BIG RUSSELL turns 8!

I still have 500 photos to edit from our trip but haven’t had a second to sit.  Here is a fav from my iphone.  I can’t wait to spend time editing these of my favorite girls “the OGs” and two families I took photos of as well.

The OGs from the Hen House

My love bugs in Nashville. We had fun exploring as we passed through on our way home.

We got home, went back to work then had an awesome visit with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Harley from Hawaii!  They are such cool, brilliant people!  It was fun talking with them and I think the kids got a kick out of them too.  Aloha Aunt Mary and Uncle Harley!

Then another wonderful week of busy-ness that included celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary at the Royals game then we enjoyed the Justin Timberlake concert!  The tickets were in my stocking Christmas morning so needless to say I was pumped it was finally here!  He was totally awesome of course.  He seemed very appreciative our crowds which packed the place two nights in a row!  Kansas City loves some JT!

Wow 19 years of marriage! Go Us!

Whitney and me #selfie

We are also packing in the last days at OOF and WOF and are lucky enough to have some mama friends who will take the kids while we are at work.

Carter and his posse’

We find out TODAY what dances Whitney will be in next year!  So excited to hear about all of the songs they picked etc.  It’s going to be an awesome year!

My wild child on the left and poised Taylor on the right. They make each other laugh!