WHAT A GAME!

As my Mom put it, "it was a night to be remembered." There are no words to describe the excitement, the anticipation, the comeback, the win, the loss, the game in general. You would've just had to have been there - and many of you were. The announcers came over the speakers during the game and stated that the attendance that came through the stadium this weekend for those games topped an all time record high with over 56,000 people. Now that is saying something when you are just talking about high school football. WOWZERS!

The stadium was gorgeous - even more than I ever could have anticipated. I apologize in advance for the grainy pictures. As you can imagine, I am going nutso over them but I really worked "Razzi" and our glass last night to the core. My lenses, even my 70-300mm lens, was no match for this stadium. It was just too big - too massive. I did the best I could with what equipment I had but I really needed to be down on the floor with the "big boys" in order to capture the shots I wanted. However, that would have required a press pass which I didn't have. No fun! Ha ha! I did manage to capture a good roof shot though of our Indianapolis Colts winning banner from the Superbowl two years ago.

These shots were of both teams - Carmel above - and Center Grove below - running out onto the field at the start of the game.

Then you have the fans...Carmel (our new school) in blue and yellow, CG (my Alma mater) in red and white...

I just couldn't get over the incredible crowd that turned out for this game. Even back when I was in high school 15 years ago, there was a HUGE rivalry amongst Carmel and CG. It's never changed and in fact it has probably gotten worse since the years that I've been gone and out of school. The coin toss shown below...love how these boys hold hands now days. Look closely...you'll see it.

The kick off. Carmel won the coin toss...

Center Grove fans dawning all of their red...My camera almost acted as a pair of binoculars when I had my telephoto lens attached. It was cool to see people thru my camera from such a far distance away. I even found people I know in the pictures I captured whom I couldn't see when there in the stadium. Too funny.

Carmel pretty much came out and whooped CG for the entire game. As I watched in horror, but yet tried to be excited for Carmel, I silently prayed for a brutal CG comeback. I'm sorry new Carmel friends. They are my homies. My peeps. My life until 3 months ago. Some of my best friends were donned in red and I felt the pain when they were loosing. Each time they made a good play (CG), I'd clap and get excited. Beings that we were sitting in the end zone, we had a few people look at me from Carmel and give me this glare like..."What are you doing?" Problem was...Brent talked Brennen & I into wearing our Carmel gear to the game. So here I am sporting my Carmel sweatshirt but rooting for CG. Most were confused. I'm sure of it. Heck...I was even confused. Ha ha! Tamara said that the fans around us probably thought I had split personalities. :) Truth is...I did during that game. I wanted both teams to win.

Part of the Carmel Band...

Carmel running out onto the field after half time - still whooping CG at that point.

I was coveting the big guys and their glass (their lenses) down on the field. Man...that is just so not fair to own one of those big, bad, boys. And to have a press pass too? Come on now...share the love, will ya?

Brennen and Derek enjoying the view from the stairs...Loved Brennen's body expression here. You could tell he was just as confused as I was on who he wanted to win. He was back and forth all night long.

The big win...Center Grove came back to score three touchdowns in the last 6 minutes of the game. It was unbelievable. I was elated. The man upstairs answered my silent prayers for a Center Grove win last night. When it looked impossible for CG to come back, I think Carmel got complacent. They thought that they had it in the bag. Most people did. However, God does miraculous things when he feels the need. In the end, CG took home the title and made the biggest orchestrated comeback in state finals history rallying from a 19 point deficit to beat Carmel 36-33. You can read all about it HERE (our local newspaper). Watching Center Grove soak up that win made my heart happy. As I said, I'm a very loyal person. Brent calls it my "Mafia Mentality." It is what it is. I am who I am. Mafia mentality or not, CG is my school. My hometown, my world as I've always known it.

Look at the two players (above) in the top right hand corner of this image. The one player is overwhelmed with emotion as he hugs his teammate. I cry just looking at it. Really - I do! As the local paper put it, this championship was basically nine years in the making. Most of these senior boys had played since the 4th grade together. As you can imagine, one WOULD be filled with a ton of emotion after a comeback and a win like this...

Carmel fans cleared the stadium pretty quickly once the game was over. Again, I was out close to the field trying to snap shots of the CG win all while donning the blue Carmel spirit wear that Brent coerced me into wearing. Women - wives...always follow your gut. When your spouse tells you to wear one color, go with what your gut tells you to wear. Because Brennen and I listened to Brent...we got to all do the walk of shame out of the building while sporting our Carmel attire. Ha ha! At least Tamara and Derek had some CG gear on. We got to walk out with them. I was just praying that none of my other Center Grove friends saw me in my Carmel gear before I made it to the truck. I knew if they did, I'd be doomed. HA! Like my Mom told me to do, I was ready to run like H---! No really though...as Brent said on the way to the game...the good thing for us is that no matter who won the game - our family won either way. He was right. Although I was really pulling for CG, I would have supported Carmel too. They are our new home and we are just as proud of our Greyhounds as we are our Trojans. They worked hard all season long to get to that game and played extremely well until those last 5 minutes of the game. When push comes to shove though, a win is never easy. Even when you are ahead by three touchdowns. Never get too comfortable. Life should NEVER be "comfortable." If it is, you've gotten too big for your britches and need to come down a level or two.

I snapped this shot of this gal above as she stood - looking on - in support of Carmel once the game was over. I don't know who she was but I thought she represented what a lot of people were probably feeling last night. Her body language said it all. I'm guessing she was the Mom of a Carmel player. I'm also guessing that because of the heartbreaking loss, their night was a long one last night. She seemed so little - so small - standing at the corner end of this huge stadium. Now she was helping to bare a big and painful loss as were many other Carmel parents. It broke my heart for her and the others. Again, even though CG is my stompin' ground and who I was technically rooting for, you can't help but feel bad and upset for the other team when their season ends with a loss. I ssooooo wish that both teams could have taken home the state championship title. We all know that those type endings are never an option though. Life just doesn't work that way. So...CONGRATS to both teams. Both are awesome in my opinion. A big thanks to CG though for giving us a night to remember. It is just another moment to go down in my memory book when it comes to my Alma mater. Even though my graduation took place back in 1993 from Center Grove, last night propelled me right back to those days of elation when our school would win and win big. Seeing all of the young students there rooting on the school brought back so many memories for me. I felt like a kid again when CG ran out on that field after their big win. Funny how time really does fly by so fast. One minute you're a senior in high school soaking it all in yourself and the next minute you are propelled 15 years into the future, now called the present, standing there with your 9 year old son watching your hometown school do what they do best! This thing we call life...capturing it one image at a time... xoxoxo, Angie

WHO SHALL WE ROOT FOR?

I've dreaded this moment all school year long. The predictions have remained the same all season. Those predictions ended up being dead on. The North vs. the South. Our old school - vs - our new school. Our old side of town, my hometown, my stompin' ground vs. our new side of town, our new home. Brennen's old school and the school I graduated from vs. what we now call his and Kenidi's new school. Who on earth shall we root for? I've received 100's of emails in the weeks leading up to this moment. Both from friends of ours on the North as well as friends of ours from the South side. The main question they all asked...

"What side will you be sitting on?"

The last email I got was from my girlfriend Jenny. It read like this...
"ANG...YOU BETTER BE CHEERING FOR CG. REMEMBER WHERE YOUR ROOTS ARE GIRL! ~JEN"

I'm in a rock and a hard place. Brennen and I want to root for CG. It was our life. Our home for so many years. It was basically my only home. Brent however thinks we need to support our new life. Our new school. Our new friends here on the North side. Our new team.

Now comes the question of what spirit gear we will we be dawning tonight at the state championship game. That color of the chosen spirit wear will decide where we place our rumps and on what side - what bleachers - we will be cheering from tonight. My stomach is in knots.

So silly but it really is. I'm an extremely loyal person and I want to be loyal to my alma mater. Whatever shall I do? Go red or go blue? No matter where we sit and cheer from, I'm excited to view the game from inside our new Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil stadium for this HUGE event tonight. It's the brand new retractable roof stadium that just opened this season. It's the first time our family will be seeing it in person and I'm stoked about that.

The town has gone crazy. Everybody and their brother will be at this game tonight. I'm excited to see old friends from my old stompin' ground as well as new friends from our new stompin' ground that we actually call "home" now. We'll be attending with good friends of ours who will be there to help support us in our confusion. They've already called asking what color they should "don" themselves. They are from the south side but their son doesn't attend either of the two schools going head to head with one another tonight. It's great to have the moral support from them. We are definitely gonna need it! :)

Fun times~fun times!

Pictures of the big night to come. Pray for us that we still have friends after the night is over. ;)

GO RED & GO BLUE!

xoxoxo, Angie

BUSTED

I'm alive. Yes, still here. Still breathing. Were you beginning to assume that I was in the county lock-up for trespassing again with "Razzi" in tow? HA! No, but close. I knew it would happen sooner or later. I guess it happened "sooner" rather than later though. I've heard horror stories about photographers who are run off properties because they are trespassing while trying to capture the perfect shot. And today...I - for a split second - maybe for like all of 3 minutes or so - thought that I was going to be shot - or arrested. One of the two. :)

Let me explain...

I pass this old abandoned house almost everyday out in the country. It's the gorgeous and oh so disheveled home you see in the picture above. Each time I pass it, I swear that I'm going to go back and visit the property with "Razzi." The house offers so much character and has so much to give to a photographer craving a backdrop. It's an old - vintage- worn out - memory infested -backdrop. Well today, we had pure sunshine and blue skies. The weather was stunning outdoors. So...after a meeting I had with a new friend interested in blogging, I headed out with Razzi in tow to the property I'd been dying to set foot on.

5 minutes into my shoot, a car comes barreling around the corner of this old home and scares the living daylights out of me. I never saw it coming - never heard it coming. The vehicle and its driver were a HUGE surprise to me. At that moment, I start preparing in my head what I'm about to say in regard to why I'm on this property - unauthorized. The driver pulls up and its an elderly lady. AND.SHE.AIN'T.HAPPY! She hauls butt around that corner and pulls right up to my feet - inches from my precious toes. Rolls down her window - looks square at me in the face and says - word for word - "What do you think you are doing?"

Immediately I think - "Oh crap Razzi - we are doomed. Dead. Goners. We goin' to jaaaiilll! It's been nice shootin' with ya but we are in deep doo doo now." I, with my voice shaking, explain to this older woman that I'm involved in a photography class where we are required to come up with assignments. I told her that I pass by the home each day but never realized it was occupied. I thought it was abandoned. Had I known someone lived there, I would have knocked on the door and gotten permission to shoot there first. She was initially very rough, abrasive, and ticked off at me for being there. Clearly! She told me that she didn't live in that home but that she still owns it. Apparently she bought the lot and now lives in a newer home next door to this property but I had no idea. I realized that I needed to "change her state." You know...just like I attempt to do when I'm on the side of the road being chewed out by police officers for speeding or not pulling over for a traffic stop fast enough??? Yeah, attempting to change their state.

I begin telling this woman that I love her property and that it is truly a photographer's dream. I compliment the "red" door on her beloved old home. She quickly corrects me and tells me that "it isn't RED, it's rust young child!" Loved that. Red or rust, it is the one beautiful flaw that has repeatedly drawn me to the property itself. You can see a closer shot of this gorgeous door over HERE on my Angie Seaman Photography blog.

By the time I was done, I had learned that this elderly ladies name was "Mary Lynn." She was a widow and her husband had passed away 11 years ago. She told me stories and memories about living in that old house. She divuldged how she went through 2 propane gas tanks in just one month during her first winter alone in that home while attempting to heat it. She talked about how she and her husband lived there together but once he passed, she built the home on the property next door and now lives there. She asked me my name - asked me about my sweatshirt I was wearing and what it said. It just so happened to be a sweatshirt from my kids elementary school. During our conversation, she became insistent that I get a photograph of the "gingerbread siding" on the homes upper half. She drove in a circle around the old home as I walked along side her moving car - all while being shown the vintage "gingerbread siding" that she said she was sure I wanted pictures of.I.obeyed.her.So did Razzi.We got pictures of the old vintage gingerbread siding on her stunning old home.

At one point, I felt myself wanting to ask for a picture of her too. Just like her old home, she offered so much character as well. However, I thought the request of a photograph of her might really be pushing it in her eyes. She proceeded to point out other directions I could drive to find older houses that she thought would be good portrait spots. I listened intently with every intention of finding those spots she turned me on to. She even went so far as to offer me into her old barn to photograph her horses in the back. She told me not to worry about the big yellow lab that was back there with the horses and that he wouldn't hurt me. However, I ultimately opted to sit that trip out. I've watched too many forensic file and FBI shows to get that comfortable with her. Just last week I watched one where an old lady had buried like 7 bodies in her back yard. No joke! Therefore, my visions of possibly being chopped up into a million little pieces by an old lady out in a really old barn who was ticked off at me for trespassing - kept me from meandering back to photograph the horses.

HA! Just kidding. Although she had me shakin' in my boots, I knew Razzi and I could take her if we needed too. Yellow lab and all. Hee hee! I'm being bad. Bad Angie. The best part to the story was when she eventually fessed up and told me she thought I was with the "Tax People." HA! I said - "Nope, not me. Not with the Tax People!" Mary Lynn then went into a rant about how we better be seeing some "hope and change" after all the hoop-la and promises she has heard with the new president-elect about change coming. Oh yeah...she was clearly a McCain/Palin fan/voter and I totally "heart that." I knew right then that Mary Lynn and I could be life long friends. ;) Wink Wink!

As I pulled away and began to catch my breath after shaking from horror and fear, I thanked God for not having the police show up during my lil' trespassing escapade and I also thanked him for my new friend. Mary Lynn. She was a great lady. Just protecting her property - her memories - just as any of us would and should do too. Once I got my nerves calmed down enough to laugh...I laughed.

While laughing, my cell phone rang. I looked down and saw that it was Brennen and Kenidi's school calling. I lost my breath again as I remembered that I was wearing the school sweatshirt when trespassing on Mary Lynn's property. Remember, she asked me what my sweatshirt said? I soooooo panicked. I asked God if this was his sick sense of humor kicking in as punishment for my trespassing. I then said to myself..."Oh snap Razzi...she's busted us. Totally through us under the bus. I bet she called the school and turned us in."

Nahhhhhh...she didn't! It was all good - it was just Kenidi's teacher calling to tell me something about Kenidi and a mishap she had in class today. I laughed out loud and told her teacher why I was worried when I saw the school phone number pop up on my cell. Razzi and I sooooooo thought we were going to be havin' to have a sit down with the principal for trespassing while sporting our school spirit wear. HA HA! Great day - one that kept me on my toes.

Here's to turkey's, blessings, gratitude, family, new friends, old homes, treasured memories, vintage gingerbread siding, trespassing and to being thankful that I wasn't with "the tax people" today.

Happy Thanksgiving eve everyone! I'm so thankful and extremely grateful for all of you.

xoxoxo, Angie

SHRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK.....

Guess what I found laying at my front door when I came home moments ago?

5 days early I might add. Shrreeeeeeeeeeeeek!

I spotted the package on my door step from a mile away as I pulled onto our street. No joke!

So now...I'm sipping on a salted carmel hot chocolate from good ol' Starbucks and doin' some installin.'

Installin' of this big, bad, mean, puppy.

Oh joy! Let.the.fun.begin!

CREATE

Look what arrived in my mailbox last week....

Oh yeah...now it's in my AGD studio downstairs in the basement...hanging above all of my thread spools. Jennifer made this awesome custom banner for me. As you can tell, she "ROCKED IT!" I asked her to pull together for me a banner that read CREATE so that I could fill a certain spot in my sewing/bead studio at home. With a little planning, a few discussions back and forth regarding coloring, placement of rhinestones, chandelier crystals, and so forth...we eventually got it all together. And she nailed it!

It fits perfectly in that open space above my racks of thread spools which just so happened to be driving me bonkers. Every time I looked at that gap, it made me cringe. I knew I needed something clever to fill that small and lengthy space. The custom banner from Jennifer was just the trick I was looking for. And notice the wings she added at the last minute??? How me! She said she read my blog right as she was getting ready to finish the banner and realized that I liked "wings." So what did she do to add more flare? She added "wings" of course. And...I couldn't be happier. LOVIN' IT! I'm going to be painting my studio a light cotton candy pink or bubble gum pink here soon - when we paint Kenidi's room. Once the studio is painted that color, it will go perfect with the banner on that wall. Girlie as all get out! Love that! The detail Jennifer put into this banner was just amazing. Thanks girl.

It totally R-A-W-K-S!

While I was in the studio snapping shots of the new banner, I thought I'd also show you some of my other favorite decor pieces in my space. The heart with the wings shown above as well as the one shown below are some of my "fav's" in there too. Carissa (BrownEyedFox) made these for me quite a while ago. Love that girl! Love her to pieces! These two hearts with wings really add character to my studio space.

And shown below...how about these cute little blocks that I found on ETSY??? Love them! LOVE ETSY! ETSY is my BFF! Seriously. :) I had this gal make me the word "DESIGN" so that it would fit this one little spot on my organizer shelf. And they did! The blocks also spell out things like "Trendy, funky, style, etc." So, So fun!

The painting shown above is another one of my favorites. For the life of me though, I can't remember who painted it for me. It was something I ordered off of eBay back in 2004 when I first began my AGD endeavor. This designer also painted and so she painted this adorable little picture of a boutique storefront for me. It was back when my AGD logo was an Eiffel tower. Remember that? All of you faithful and loyal AGD people should remember that. Those of you who have been with me from the start and 4E-V-A-H! Love you!

The aqua and zebra cross right below that painting are from my AGD boutique. I sell them on my website. Those also come in a pink leopard if you are interested in one. Love those! Big sellers for ol' AGD! And for all of you who commented on the blog post below this one in regard to wanting to know where I got those polka dot stockings from, well there are in my AGD boutique as well. You can buy the pink and green ones HERE and the blue and green ones HERE. I also have some zebra and leopard stockings on the AGD website too. They are my fav's. I had a hard time deciding which ones to actually put up on our mantle this year. In the end, I thought the polka dot ones looked better with our beach themed decor.

And lastly, right by my cutting table are some custom painted AGD letters and my faux shears that hang on the wall. Love those. The pink and brown AGD letters were painted by the same gal who painted the boutique store front picture. I'm so sick over not being able to remember who did those for me. Either way, these are just a few of my favorite things within my studio space. Like Kenidi's room, I'll show you the entire studio once it is all painted and totally done. Until then, you'll have to be happy with these sneak peeks. The walls will look so much better once they are light pink up against that brown crown molding/trim. I'd love to paint that trim but Brent refuses to let me. He likes it. He claims it is nice and manly for the basement area itself and for the "the gentleman's room" we have down there. (cigar style room with fireplace, TV, poker table, etc. even though he doesn't smoke or play poker) HA! The studio room was modeled and staged as a yoga/exercise room when we first bought the house. I had to go in and make it mine and do the best I could with the colors and window treatments until I can paint and change the shades. I am in the process of having Sherri paint me up a huge painting of just a pair of WINGS for one wall in the studio. It will hang right above my cutting table. Thankfully, her schedule can handle it and she hopes to ship it out to me next Monday. It will be the final piece that I need to make the studio complete before I decide on an exact paint color in there. Sherri is a fellow designer that I worked with inside an eBay design group that I was a part of when I first started selling & designing on eBay 4 years ago. I love her! Her work is to die for and her "mad skillz" are a true force to be reckoned with. She's created jeans/clothes for Kenidi and everything. Awesome girl! Just awesome! Once I get her custom piece on my wall in there, I'll be set. Nothing like adding a big ol' pair of huge wings to the wall in that studio area. Just my style! I'll post a picture of it here on the blog once I get it from Sherri. Then...I'll paint those walls a pink shade so that they can seam up against the baby poop brown trim a bit better. Hee hee! Pinks and browns...I can handle that. Not a problem. Anyone want to have a painting party with me? ;)

xoxoxo, Angie

TRIMMIMGS ARE UP

Although these shots need LOTS of work, I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am that I was able to take these images last night in the dark while in our great room. The only lights in the house that were on were the lights above our fireplace as well as the tree lights themselves. I ran a quick test with "Razzi" on "Auto mode" (remember the "stupid friend" my photo instructor described? Yeah, that's auto mode.) Well, when I did the run thru on "auto mode," the whole room lit up like daylight and you couldn't even tell I had lights on the tree. So then, the "new student" in me ran for my tripod. I set it up, hooked Razzi to it, turned the lights back off and went to town. These two images shown above and below were the end result...

I have to be honest and tell you that this is the FIRST year EVAH that I've been knowledgeable enough to change my shutter speeds and shoot at night - let alone shoot a Christmas tree - and actually make the image look like a night time image with the tree lights melting or draping off the tree. Amazing what a few one on one classes will do with a photography instructor. Learning these manual modes have made all the difference in the approach of my images. I started to be lazy and just shoot them all on "auto." Then, after reviewing the images, I knew I had to put my brain to work and drag out the tripod as well as the numbers and all that I've learned in my classes. For those of you who aren't real familiar with night photography or photography in general, you must use a tripod in order to get decent images in darkness. As the shutter opens to capture a shot, the camera has to be perfectly still or it will blur the image. Even if we lean up against something and THINK we are being completely steady/still, our body still moves enought to cause motion blur in a night time image. In the photography realm, they commonly call it "camera shake." Thus, where and why the tripod comes into play. To give you a before and after example, these images show below were the BEFORE's that were shot on "Auto" - yeah...my stupid friend.

Now granted, the room is pitch black with the exception of the tree lights and the accent lights above the fireplace that are on. This is what the great room looks like at night in total darkness. However, look at the drab and gloom in the images above compared to when I changed up the shutter speed and went manual (1st two photos on this page). Hard to believe the top two images were taken in total darkness too, eh? It was the same room. The exact same lights were on in both the before and the after examples. Nothing changed except the fact that I booted my stupid friend out on the street and used my peanut brain for the numbers regarding my shutter speed. Because I detest math, camera numbers make my stomach churn. It's a tough process for me. One that I used to avoid at all costs. Now, that has changed. The before and after images are like night and day. LITERALLY! In the after shots shown at the top of this page, the lights are basically "dripping" off of the Christmas tree and the lights above our fireplace mantle are like star bursts. The whole room is warm and alive. It just screams Christmas. However, the before shots are dull and boring. Bare and bland. Changing the shutter speed and using my tripod gave me a totally different experience when viewing the final shots.Gosh I can't wait for my next photography class again this Tuesday. I'm so thrilled with all of the learning that has come from this adventure. I'm like a sponge these past few weeks. Just soaking it all in as much as I possibly can. The other fun part to my week next week will be the arrival of the new photoshop program in my mailbox that I ordered. My dear sweet, awesome, and oh so rockin' husband bought me the new photoshop program this past Thursday and I can't wait to get it. I've wanted this particular program for ummmm....like two years. It was quite an investment though and something I couldn't fathom spending the money on just so I could "play" with it. However, now that I've officially begun Angie Seaman Photography, Brent bought me the program to learn and use throughout my new journey. Thanks babe! I love you bunches! Hopefully the program will arrive by the end of this next week. I'll pretty much attack the UPS man when I see him coming up the walk with it. HA!

Along with the new program, I located a person at one of our local photography stores that teaches one on one classes for learning Photoshop. Again, A GOD SEND! Photoshop makes my brain spin and hurt real bad. It's a program that needs teaching because without someone to help you, you are pretty much lost. (unless you've worked with these type programs before) Although I use photography software everyday, mine is all user friendly. In my opinion, photoshop is far from user friendly. It isn't one that you can just plop down and learn in the first hour of owning it. Therefore, I've set up times where this individual will come to my home and teach me in 1-2 hour sessions how to use photoshop as well as all the fun techniques and tricks to manipulate photos. YAY FUN! Can you see me jumpin' on my bed right now? That is how crazy excited I am at this point. Again, this whole process (the photography business, the software, the classes that are one on one rather than in a class setting, etc.) has been a couple of years in the making. To have it in my hands right now and officially attained, makes my heart skip many beats.

Well, enough about my photography passion right now - how bout' these cute kids? We had a blast putting up the tree last night and adorning it with our new beach themed ornaments as well as the old and sentimental ornaments that have been with us for years already.

Check out Kenidi's "I'm gonna get ya" face in this shot above. Cracks me up. It's so her!

The Christmas cookies were a HUGE hit amongst all of us. I think we ate more of the raw cookie dough than we did the actual baked ones though.

I know Mom (my Mom)...you are cringing right now at the thought. Can you believe they always tried to tell me that I'd get "Sugar worms" for eating raw cookie dough when I was a kid? What's up with that, eh? Talk about givin' a kid nightmares. Now look, every Dairy Queen in town promotes "sugar worms" with the aid of raw cookie dough in their ice cream. HA! Our parents and their old wise tales. Sugar worms, salmonella, it's all good. ;)

xoxoxo, Angie

I MUST BE SICK...(Still)

Now, I don't have any defibrillators around so please don't go into cardiac arrest on me. I know, I know. It's shocking. Angie's cooking! Rare occasions only come along like this ever so often. Basically. like. Never. Or maybe when I'm craving something I can't get my hands on in the immediate future. Ha ha! I must still be sick. Either way, the house smells of chili this morning. I've been craving chili for weeks - ever since it began getting cold here in Indy. However, I've been unable to get any that would suffice my craving. Wendy's drive thru chili just doesn't cut it. ;) So...tonight we are having a delectable family evening together. We are pulling out the Christmas decorations, putting up the Christmas tree, flipping the fireplaces on, crankin' some Mariah Carey Christmas music throughout the house thanks to Apple, and enjoying a hot bowl of chili with a HUGE dollop of sour cream on top and a heaping mound of shredded cheddar cheese. Yeap, it's going to be a nice, warm, toasty, and festive evening here in the Seaman household tonight.

When I passed these in the grocery store last night, I grabbed them for our after dinner treat - mainly for Kenidi and Brennen. Well, mostly for Kenidi. See...she is obsessed with Christmas tree's, snowmen, and anything Santa this year. Therefore, I had to grab these when I saw them because I knew she'd be in heaven tonight once she got her grubby little paws on them. I normally am not big into the Christmas season. I find it highly "commercialized" as my sweet friend Brenda described it on her blog this morning. It disappoints me to see just how much we always miss the point - the mark - or the real reason behind the season. No matter how many Happy Birthday Jesus cakes we bake or stories from the bible we read at Christmas...the retail stores, the gifts, the wasted money spent, etc...it all supersedes and shadows the true spirit of Christmas. However this year, with the way Kenidi is into all things Christmas, she has us beaming with excitement. We are putting the decor out early. Getting nostalgic. We are soaking in the season and all it will allow us to take from it. In the meantime, I'm looking for every way possible to keep Christ prevalent and the priority in each moment.

And before I sign off today, I just had to write and thank all of you for your overwhelming emails, blog posts, for signing THE WALL, etc. in regard to my new photography business. Your response and support was just out of this world. Brent and I couldn't get over it. And a HUGE thank you to those who've already emailed me or called about getting on my 2009 schedule. You guys RAWK! I never imagined I'd get the response and take off like I did already. Although I won't be doing this journey to make an actual "living" off of or as a full time job, it'll sure be a fun hobby with all of you guys as well as with the brand new families I get to shoot along the way. And for those of you who contacted me about traveling out of state to shoot your families and several others in a one day gathering, I'd love to. You know the drill. Just holla' when the plans are finalized. I'm there.

For now, speaking of photography, I'm off to go snap some more shots today for my photography class next Tuesday. The homework assignment is coming due so I'd better get on it. The good news is that after I come inside from this fridgid 30 degree Indiana weather, I can come in and home to some nice hot chili, cookies, egg nog, sour cream, (you get my point) etc. later tonight with the fam. I pray all of you have a spectacular weekend lined up and that you're able to hunker down and soak up your family too.

Happy holidays. They are here...Blessings, Angie

THE SURPRISE REVEALED

Go check out the brand new ANGIE SEAMAN PHOTOGRAPHY website and blog. Wowsers! My heart is beaming with excitement today. Yes, this is an early Christmas present to myself. This website and blog has consumed every blank space in my brain for the past two weeks and it's ready to go as of today. Crystal, the creative brain behind bringing my visions to life, is who I credit this timely announcement to. Crystal ROCKS! There is no other way to sum her up. She took on a project overnight and turned it into my reality within a little less than two weeks. Again, she R-A-W-K-S! If you have a website or graphic need, she is your go to gal. Please pay her a visit and tell her Angie sent you should you ever need her type of services. I promise you that she doesn't disappoint. I'm a very impatient person. And the best thing about Crystal is her attention to detail and her turn around time. This girl is quick and sooooooo on it. I love that about her. Most web people take 4EVVAAAHHHH! She doesn't. She is quick, swift, thorough, and very efficient with your time.

Now, go visit my new site, check out "The WALL" page, then leave me a comment on the wall... Will ya? Aside from "The Story" page, the wall is one of my favorite pages on the site itself. I'd love to have you drop me a line there. Once you do, the comments should appear on the wall within 48 hours or so after leaving it. Awesome feature.

And lastly, if you have a need for a photography session...look me up. You definitely know where to find me. Ha ha! Thanks to each of you for helping to inspire me and see this dream thru. Part of why I went forth with this endeavor is because of your compliments and nudgings regarding my photography images. I decided to pursue this passion of mine and I must include you guys when thanking all of those involved. We'll see where the good Lord takes me with this journey. I plan to dive in heavily after the new year but especially as spring approaches.

My first goal...I'd love to find some families with special needs children that want or need some photographs done. That type of opportunity would make my heart melt. Any opportunity to be behind the lens makes my heart melt but these kids often go unnoticed in the everyday world. I'd love to draw some attention to their stunning and oh so gorgeous faces.

In the meantime, shoot me an email if you, your family, your friends, or even your co-workers would like to get on my book for the 2009 schedule. I'm ready. So is "Razzi." :)Hugs, Angie

PS...And yes, I will still be making, creating, designing and selling any and all things AGD. Nothing will slow down in that aspect of my life. Same as usual. Blogging the same as usual too.

THE FLYING CUPCAKE

Oh my heavens...another lover of wings...

Let me preface this post by saying that Brennen brought home a great report card from school on Friday of last week. Beings that we were sick all weekend, I wanted to take the kids and treat him for a job well done yesterday once they were both home. So first, we headed to our favorite nacho supreme place in the world. Yes, that quaint little hole in the wall that I've loved for years. Well, Brennen is now obsessed with their food as well. After scarfing down a plate of those awesome out of this world nachos that were piled high with sour cream, we headed just a wee bit south to a place I had recently found while googling "cupcake bakeries" in our state. OH.MY.GOODNESS. Those three words sum our experience there perfectly. Welcome to the "Flying Cupcake."

I of course knew it was going to be a great place when I got out and saw that their sign reflected wings behind the cupcake on their logo. Oh yeah...this is going to be right up our alley. This place was the most eclectic and whimsical place I'd ever seen. Perfect for kids. Sitting in an area of town known for its nightlife and draw to the younger crowds, it was perfect for my kiddo's and I on this chilly November afternoon. The character of the store as well as the character of the building and environment outside were just the best. I'm posting these photos here for all of my fellow Indiana Hoosiers so that you can make it a point to go and visit the "Flying Cupcake" when you have the time.

You walk into the store and it initially reminds you of the "back in the day" old soda or candy shops. Lots of apothecary jars. Vintage ones. LOVE that! The tables are painted in quaint colors that attract a child's attention like no bodies business.The furniture on the walls and within the space are beat up, bruised, worn out, plain old. LOOOOVVVVEEEEEE that!You can see the pipes in the ceilings. Like an old loft or warehouse. Love that too!They had already begun decorating for Christmas and let me just tell ya'...Vintage, Vintage, Vintage. Perfect in every way. The nostalgia of anything done in the color of pink surrounding Christmas decorations makes my heart swell.There were just so many yummy colors in this place that it totally should be classified as "criminal." Is it Gaudy? Yes! But oh how stunningly gaudy it was.
They even served gelatto on top of the fantabulous cupcakes they offered too. I soooooo need these pink and aqua painted cake stands for my studio at home. I could surely display something worthy inside them. Right?
And the classic pink chalkboard proudly displaying all of their flavors above, I need it for my studio too.Love the old fashioned lolly pops here... And their old time rock candy sticks done in my most favorite color in this whole wide world... Check out the bowling pins in the window as well as the seafoam colored old Dr. Pepper cooler on the wall there. What flare they both bring to the space. Seafoam...again another one of my all time favorite colors.
Oh and let's not forget this gorgeous brilliant blue ice cream case... Here is an awesome display of their fantastic work and what they are apparently so known for... Kenidi thought she was in heaven. (PS...This shot of Kenidi below drove me crazy. In my files - it is as smooth as a whistle. On the blog however, it's grainy as all get out. As you can see. Just something to throw a wrench in my day. One small thing in life that can cause me to go nuts if I'd let it. Believe me-I almost did. Did I mention how much I love "Blogger?" HA!)
I adore this aqua colored polka dot table cloth above...Look at these babies...perfect. Shear perfection wrapped in a piece of paper. How cute are the reindeer on top? And the pink Christmas tree? Oh Mom (my Mom)...I know you want it. :)This image of Kenidi and Brennen makes my heart melt. That moment captured on film was worth the drive all in itself. A shot like this one above is why I am so passionate about photography. Without "Razzi," I'd never see that moment exchanged at that time between the two of them again. However, because of a camera, I've got it in my heart, my mind, and my hands forever now. The decor around them, the struggling light inside the space, the moment...it's priceless. All of it. (although it again is showing up grainy here on the blog)
The outside of the building reminds of Florida. My favorite places in Florida. The aqua building with the white arondach (sp?) beach style chairs. The black and white striped awning with the pink in for their logo. The wings on their logo. I was in heaven. I would've loved to have met the owner of this place while there. Unfortunately, they weren't in. Either way, the nice young girl working the counter was kind enough to let me snap away while inside there. I was truly in my element. Then, to take these home made it even better...The best part about the location of the "flying cupcake" is that they have a children's book store right next door to them called "Kids Ink." This is where Brennen's REAL treat for the good report card came in. He and Kenidi both love books. Brennen is especially into reading this year. He has a 4th grade teacher that has really sparked his interest in reading and I'm so thankful for this. We went next door to Kids Ink and spent an hour just walking around in there helping him to pick out some books, a toy, and a sketch pad that he fell in love with. Kenidi Grace found her some Santa Claus books that she had to have as well. I told ya'all that she is really into Christmas this year. The only bad part to our day is that on our way home, Brennen let me know that he no longer believes in Santa and that he knows Santa is really his Daddy and I. I've fought it for two years and finally this year decided that he was almost 10 years old and I couldn't keep it going any longer. Boo hoo! Just another sign that he is growing up right in front of our eyes - way faster then we'd prefer.
On another note and back to topic...you didn't think I'd leave you without images of Kenidi scarfing down one of these beautiful cupcakes, did ya? NEEVVAAHHH!
It is days like these, with your children, that make life so bright, so joyous, and Motherhood so valuable. Life is a gift, every second of it, and yesterday was no different for us.

Now, if you are from Indiana, go to the Flying Cupcake. If you are outside of Indy, google cupcake bakeries, find one close to you, and then take your kids there for the afternoon. I promise it will be worth the trip.Sugar Sugar...love it!xoxoxo, Angie

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

THE HAPPY THINGS

Oh yes...I've been waiting on this day for months. So have my gadgets...

Guess what or should I say guess "who" we have now added to all of our family electronics today? Uh huh...

Yes, him.

His new CD was just released today.

Oh the little things in life that make me happy...

ALIVE & SURVIVING

Yes, we are alive. It's been a sick, sick, weekend/week for the Seaman clan over the past 7 days. I was in bed for three solid days straight and hadn't felt this bad in a long time. It knocked me down like a mac truck running over the top of me or something. My Dad and Cathy came over last night and brought us some good ol' homemade chicken burritos for dinner. You can see them all over Kenidi's mouth in the picture above. The exciting part about last night other than me being out of bed for the first time in three days was that my uncle Tim, from Arizona, came over too. My Dad had just picked him up from the new and stunning newly built Indianapolis Airport Saturday afternoon. The new airport just opened last week so our family is eager to see it when we fly out for Christmas vacation next month. In the end, it was a great night with family - even though I felt way under par. It's always great to see my uncle. It brought a smile to my face to see Kenidi with him last night. She took to him just like I always did as a young girl her age. I can't wait to tell her about the Linder's ice cream/candy store trips with uncle Tim someday. Mommy always had a ball with him. (He's one of my Dad's brothers) We headed downstairs to the basement at one point and Brennen challenged Uncle Tim to a good ol' fashioned game of pool. Needless to say, uncle Tim gave him a skinnin' when the score was settled.

We also all sat down and watched a fun movie together in the theater via apple Itunes TV. I'm telling you guys, if there is one thing I can suggest for your family Christmas gift this year or for your hubbies maybe, it's APPLE TV. This $329 box hooks up to your TV system and you never have to leave your home to rent or buy a movie again. Just how you would buy music from Itunes for your Ipod, they have this set up to use your same Itunes music account and you buy or rent (your choice) movies, tv shows, etc. for your home system. We love it. We bought and rented three different tv shows this weekend via our Apple TV while we were all home and sick. It is so worth the $329 price and then some. The shows and movies are all categorized via genre (kids, family, comedy, new releases, tv shows, cartoons, etc.) The selection goes on and on. It's not like your on demand thru cable or anything like that. It's way bigger - way better. Once you rent or buy the movie or tv show, it is downloaded to your account and yours forever. Again, just like the music you buy for your Ipod. Last night, when my parents and my uncle were here, we all hung out in the basement theater watched the movie BABY MAMA together via apple TV. I truly thought I was going to die. It was hysterical. We laughed and laughed. If you haven't seen this show, you must. Click HERE to watch the movie trailer for it. And...I highly recommend you watching the movie more than once - at least twice. It gets funnier with each time you see it. As a sick family on Saturday, the four of us also hunkered down under the covers in Mommy and Daddy's bed to watch KICKING AND SCREAMING with Will Ferrel. That was too funny as well. We all loved it. Very cute show. Then again, we are big Will Ferrel fans in our house either way. You can see the trailer for it HERE. Two great shows. Must see TV as they say. Ha ha. These last few shots are just to share of Kenidi. This was last week one day after school. She loves anything to do with Christmas this year so we broke out some of her boutique clothes that have a Christmas theme on them a bit early. We are off to an eye appointment for her this afternoon. Please pray that we have good news come from this doctor.

Tis' the season...Christmas will be here before we know it.

In the meantime, I'm off to go photograph some shots for my homework assignment in my photography class. They are due tomorrow morning so I have to drag my sick heiney out of this house and go shoot waterfalls in 30 degree Indiana weather today. Oh the joys of the winter season. YAY RAH FUN. "Razzi" isn't happy about it either - trust me! Much love, Angie

THEY MISS US...

My friends rang today...

in my sleep - as I laid feeling like I was dying.

In my dreams I began to feel something on my toes. Something grainy.

Then I could smell it. The scent of fresh salt water. Surf and Turf meals. Hot tanning oil baking the skin. I could visually see them - my friends that is. Maybe I was hallucinating from the sickness. No...I see them...they rang me. You know - my friends...from down South...

Yes...these guys...my beach buds. My friends that I always snap shots of when lying totally relaxed on the beaches of South Florida. They have a tendency to come right up to me and demand their photographs be taken. Feisty, controling, little devils but gorgeous.

They rang me today...to tell me that the beach, the sand, the white caps on the ocean waves... apparently they are all missing us. One friend explained how dark and dreary the beach is without "Razzi", myself, and our glass. (our lenses)

They told me they are ready for us and they are going thru absolute withdraws not having us around. How sad I am for our friends. For Mr. Ocean and Mrs. Sand. So is Kenidi.

We are ready for more beach belly laughs again.

You know...the laughs you can only have while sitting ocean side with God atop your all time favorite raft...

Oh and those clouds...my favorite kind...against the back drop of a beautiful blue sky.

We are ready for glowing tans, sun bleached salt water wet hair, and more sights of this...

Good ol' Grace - down in sunny Bonita Beach, Florida.

34 more days and counting. This Mama is looking forward to tons of beach belly laughs, glowing tans and wet sun bleached salt water wet hair, as well as 100's of new photo ops beach side with good ol' "Razzi" and our glass. I'm ready to put all this new knowledge from my photography classes to the test. What a perfect place to do it at too. My favorite place in this world. The beach. I'm so excited to get behind the lens and push the shutter while there that I can barely stand it. 34 more days and then this clan will be spending Christmas by the sea again this year. Thanks friends...for ringing today. We'll be there soon. Plenty of papa"Razzi" time headed your way. I promise to capture your best side this year too. Really, I will.

Until then, tell God to keep the skies blue, the clouds the whitest of white, the sun the brightest of bright and to please keep the sand warm for us... PS...A blog I read, married to the preacher, hosts this fphoto Friday. I thought I'd participate this week but posting all of the images above. I managed to snap each on of these photos when we spent the Summer in Naples/Bonita Springs back in June-August of this year. South Florida is a place close to our hearts here in this family. Either way, feel free to visit Natalie's blog. She is a great Christian woman.

WHY I DO IT...

There are times when people who don't understand "blogging" ask me why I do it or what keeps me motivated to "keep" doing it. Well, an email I received this morning from a blog follower is the perfect answer for why I blog everyday. She is one of too numerous to count emails that I receive on a weekly basis. And yes, I save them all. Every...single...one...of...them! I am humbled and grateful for each one I receive and for the time each of you take to write to me. I always respond to every email as well. It might take me a few days - sometimes a couple of weeks but I always reply. That is a promise. I especially love those emails from individuals that have been blog stalkers for a while and then finally come out of the closet to say hello. LOVE those emails! With that said, thank you new friend for your email below. Like the others...you've made my day and all that I do worthy. This is helpful during those moments when you hear Satan trying to detour you from writing with mental thoughts running thru your head such as "No one cares. No one will read it. It's not funny. You aren't funny. Why bother - no one is out there today who needs it?" And so on. Although each of you say what an inspiration myself and the AGD blog are to your day to day routine, what you don't realize is that you guys are actually MY inspiration. Without you...this blog wouldn't be here. Bottom line. With that said, Alice you've provided me with the affirmation to continue on for yet another days post. I thank you and everyone else who've ever written to me. And with Alice's permission, I decided to share her email here because I think she might help inspire some of you other Mom's out there that are in her same boat.

RE/SUBJECT LINE: You don't know me but you inspire me!

Dear Sweet Angie,
I am an avid blog reader or really stalker (I don't know if I have ever left a comment). I can't wait to see your blog everyday and most of the time check it twice or three times a day. I don't remember who's blog I got your blog from but it is not important. I just wanted to write you a note to let you know that YOU inspire me. The story of your life and the struggles with your sweet cheeks, Kenidi, inspire me. The way you started your business is such a testimony to "if God wants you to do something he will equip you."
I am a "stay-at-home" mom (working two days a week while my 3 yr old and 1 yr old girls attend a Mother's Day Out program). I am in the planning stage of starting a business myself (ALL inspired by you). I would not have even thought I could get as far as I am right now without your testimony. I am a little scared of failing or, the opposite, not having enough time or energy to get all the work done. Thank you for sharing your story with people you don't even "know".

Sincerely, Alice B.

Her 2nd response after I replied to her above email had this at the bottom of the note...

You make me smile. Thanks, Alice
PS...LOVE LOVE LOVE your outlook on gossip.....I am right there with ya sister.....I hate the tearing of people down we should always be lifting people up!!!

YOU ROCK ALICE! And good luck with your new business venture. Stay focused, stay positive and stay faithful. Never be afraid of failure. Some of the best businesses in the world have failed before regaining a stable footing. Without failures in life, the successes would never be any fun. In a nutshell, have courage - carry on!

Big Hugs everybody. Thanks again Alice! Blessings, Angie

BAH HUMBUG~!

To add to yet another gray, rainey, gloomy day...

NO...I didn't get another one. HA HA! I know that is what all of you yay-whos out there were thinking when you saw that picture and read the first line. Admit it. Don't lie. Jesus knows when you're lying. Just ask Brennen. ;)

Anyway...I thought all of you out in blog land would be happy to know that I just held my breath, bit my arm, pulled my hair, kicked, screamed, and whaled a bit and then I began to stuff an envelope with a $163 bottomless pit of a money order addressed to the circuit court in Kentucky for my speeding ticket. You know-my traffic violation that I received from officer friendly on the way home from Gatlinburg a couple of weeks ago? Yeah. That one!

And yes, I'm physically ill now. Way more than yesterday. BLAH!

BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

After going South today to check on our old house and to drop some things off to Karen, I headed back home. As I drove home I thought about what a gloomy, nasty, day it was. It's cold and rainey. Gray and dark. Not only that but my wonderful husband and beautiful children gave me the sickness that they've all got. Yes, Mama is officially down. Thus, I'm dragging and feel like I'm dying. However, after what seemed like a forever long drive back to the North side of town, I rounded the corner onto our culdesac and saw this big, long, box laying on our front porch. (shown in the photo above) I grabbed the mail from our mailbox and rushed inside to see what was inside this oh so intriguing brown and lime box. Of course it said flowers on the outside and was addressed to Brent and I both. I was thinking..."who sent us flowers?" Then, I opened it. GASP... Take a look at these stunning beauties, will ya? They are from Scott and Christina. Remember, the couple that came in from California this past weekend who we got to meet in person for the first time??? Well, they sent us these gorgeous flowers. Thanks Scott and Christina. These are nothing short of stunning. I'm in heaven. The colors are spectacular. I had a hard time putting "razzi" down once I got to snapping away.

You guys really shouldn't have. I can't wait for Brent to get home and see them. You two are incredibly sweet and we sooooooo enjoyed our time with you guys as well. This arrangement just ROCKS! I love that they came all the way from San Diego too. What a distance they traveled before ending up on my front porch. YAY!

Then, as if Christina & Scott's flowers weren't enough already, I found this package in my mailbox. What is it you ask? Well look closely...

I participated in Pamperbeki's ornament exchange a few weeks ago and this is my crazy, awesome, cool, and oh so me, Christmas ornament from the person who got my name. It's a shell ornament all the way from the beaches of Maine. And look at the crystal tied to it....it's aqua/turquoise blue for heavens sake. Just like the colors in our home. Ironically, I had just found some really whimsical cottage style ornaments for our tree this year at our pool company's store. During the winter months here in Indiana, they clear out all of their buckets of chlorine tabs, pool chemicals, etc. and then turn their showroom into a Christmas wonderland with all kinds of trees and ornaments you can purchase. Leave it to them - beings that they are a pool store - to have the perfect cottage/beach ornaments for our tree this year that match our new home. I can't wait to photograph them and show them to you soon. Either way, this shell ornament goes PERFECTLY with all of the new ones I found. Thanks so much to my new friend out in Maine who sent this to me. I love it and it's so me that it's ridiculous! This gal has an ETSY store if you'd like to purchase some of her ornaments yourself. Click HERE to find them.

Here was the ornament (shown below) that I just mailed out to the woman I had for my exchange. I hope she likes it. You know me, Mrs. Eclectic. I pray her tree isn't too traditional. Ha ha! And yes, this was an ornament I purchased at our pool store along with the cottage/beach ornaments that I got for our tree.

Then, to make my week even brighter...I get this card and a hand-written letter (shown below) in my mailbox as well. Now...ya'all know how much Angie loves hand written letters. No one does this anymore. I miss that from days past when life was calm enough for people to still write a handwritten letter, thank you, etc. Well, guess who this heartfelt note and card was from? It came all the way from Alabama. Bailee Bryant's other Grandma (Rhonda's Mom) sent us this incredible card and letter. I cried. Imagine! Not a shocker there - I know. Thank you guys for this. You really made our day. Each of you are like our extended family although we've never met in person. As I told Rhonda though, I know that God is planning that day for all of us soon enough. He intends for us to meet face to face one day - I firmly believe that. In the meantime, thank you for this kind and so not necessary thank you letter regarding the shoe drive we all did for Bailee. She deserves it and so much more! ;) It has truly been our honor and our pleasure to do it. More shoes/socks are soon to be on their way!!! Lovin' my Alabama girls...

And speaking of thank you notes, I also got this little card from Kenidi's special ed teacher too. I received it on Monday & it meant so very much to me as well. I adore her teachers this year and the aides that help her day to day routines go smoothly while at school. Each of them are nothing short of amazing. This thank you was for helping out in Kenidi's special ed room last Friday. Again, it was my pleasure. I have to tell you though...while there I had a mere melt down. Yes, an emotional melt down. Seconds after reporting to her class to help, I witnessed her teacher undergo a very trying and stressful moment with another student. In a nutshell, let's just say that she probably has a few light bruises from the event. It was at a moment when another special needs child had lost his temper and he was bound and determined to let her have it. I witnessed the whole event myself as well as how she handled the child, her demeanor, and the course she chose to redirect him. As I watched all of this play out, I once again saw the sincere patience, love, grace, and giving spirit that this teacher as well as the aides in the class have for our special needs children. It's no secret to most that special needs children can have some tempers. Not only that but God made them strong. Sometimes I think that Kenidi has the strength of a 30 year old man rather than a 5 year old little girl. The "special needs" in them by no means titles them as "weak." Quite the contrary actually. With that said, this little boy who lost his temper was no different. Kenidi's been there and I've got the battle wounds to prove it. So does Brent. So does Brennen. It is truly part of their inability to communicate properly though. Imagine how frustrated you'd be if you couldn't talk and express your emotions or wants. You learn day by day, how best to control the outbursts, the melt downs, and the all out rage in tempers. Then, you try desperately to re-direct them when it happens. Some days are way worse than others. These moments are exceptionally hard and emotionally trying when in public. Most onlookers assume you have an unruly child that you can't control unless your special needs child has physical abnormalities that show their disability visually. In the end, the key to getting thru these moments is nothing short of tons of love and tons of patience. I know by the end of some nights with Kenidi, as a parent, you are physically, emotionally, and mentally spent. As exhausted as you might be though...you still take one look at her and know you'd do it all over again a million times over because she is soooooooo worth it.

Before the whole event in Kenidi's class was over that morning...I was sobbing. I literally lost control of my emotions as I witnessed their teacher take control, redirect, and move on like nothing had ever happened. And she did it with grace, patience, and love. These special ed teachers are "special" people themselves. They are few and far between. They do this day in and day out - all day long Monday thru Friday and the kids aren't even their kids. (technically) As I begin to cry and then realized I was unable to regroup and pretend as though I wasn't, I decided to duck into a side room off of the classroom. I spent a few hurried seconds trying to re-gain control of myself and the basket case I had just become. All the while hoping no one would notice. I cried. Again. Imagine! I know-anotha' shocker! Eventually Kenidi's teacher saw me and I had to cave. She came up to me and was like "Oh my goodness, are you OK?" I put my arm around her and told her that after witnessing that event, I felt she deserved a big hug. I reminded her again how much I commend each of them for what they do it and for how well they do it considering that these aren't even their own kids. She then reminded me that "In the end, they really are." WOW! Each teacher and aide are forces to be reckoned with. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God picked them for these jobs for a reason. When you go to children's school and you pass the special ed room, whether you have a child in there or not, you should stop those teachers and thank them for what they do. Really. It would probably make their day to hear that someone appreciated and valued them. I know many special education classes go un-noticed. (not mentioned in school newsletters, not photographed like other classrooms, etc.) These teachers deserve a ginormous amount of credit & recognition for what they endure each day. When I left the school that day, I called Brent from my cell in the car and sobbed some more as I explained the ordeal I'd just witnessed earlier that morning. I told him how silly I felt for breaking down and crying in the middle of their classroom. His exact words to me were..."We are so lucky - God sure does take care of us!" He was right. We are so very lucky for where the God Lord above lead us this year. The new house, the new school, the new teachers and staff...it's all priceless. And yes, God sure does take care of us. I'm so blessed by all of you who made my mailbox experience such a delight this week. My cold, nasty, gloomy, gray, day quickly turned into sheer sunshine all because of each of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!Hugs & love always, Angie

MAINLY WORDLESS BUT OH SO WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

No words needed...

The images and the smile speaks volumes...

PS...Bailee's sister Brooklyn loved her goody bag we sent to her as well.

Big thanks to Rhonda, Bailee and Brooklyn's Mommy for sending these pictures on to me last night. Your 2nd shipment is coming soon Bailee...

We love you girls!

HOOSIER SKY

This was the glow over the Hoosier sky this morning around 7:15am. Unedited-straight off my camera. I couldn't help but grab "Razzi" and run outside like a freak of nature in my bare feet atop the crisp, cold, frost on the grass to capture the moment. "The moment...this thing we call life." Remember. that. slogan. Yes, I'm sure the select few neighbors we have in our new subdivision think I'm nuts by now. I am confident that they've all convened and talked amongst one another at how they often pass by our court and find me laying flat out on the cement on my blubber belly snapping a shot of a leaf, frogs, grasshoppers, etc. This morning it was me, my hair standing straight on end, my so not sexy morning at the bus stop attire, no socks, no shoes, but with Razzi in hand out there snapping away amongst the dark - yet glowing sky of an Indiana sunrise. Yeap, I'm loony. I'm a freak. No doubt about it. I've never denied it. I'm just glad I can give everyone something to talk about. HA HA! Either way, I took some time just savoring the moment as I tried to capture life while looking"thru God's lens." Then, before I knew it, I felt like a puppy who has gone out to potty in the snow and cannot get back in because his feet are frozen. Come on - you Midwesterners have had this happen to your family pet, right? You send them out on a cold morning or a snowy night to do their business. Then, the next thing you know you're traipsing out there all while mumbling some jargon about how you're going to kill the family dog once you get to it, just so you can rescue him/her because their paws are frozen stiff. Yeap, that was me in my bare feet this morning. I seriously thought I was going to have to start yelling for Brent to come rescue me at one point. It's definitely not my idea of Romeo and Juliet but consider the romanticism behind it. Hubby rushes out, whisks adoring wife up off the ground as she is waving her "Razzi" around in the air, just to carry us both back indoors to the warm heat. HA! OK...it's definitely not going to win an academy award. I digress. It took me 20 minutes to feel life and/or blood flowing thru my feet (paws) again once I was back inside. Note to self..."Self...grab some flip flops next time." ;)

For now, I'm off to go play a bit more with my new photography software that I'm currently swooning over as well as work side by side with this sista' for the next few days. She is my partner in crime...my "rock star" when it comes to what I'm now attempting to bring to life. No other web designer I asked could envision what I was envisioning. No other graphic artist knew what the heck I was talking about when I attempted to describe it. One passed it off to another, and another, and so forth. However, it eventually just clicked! It dawned on me. I needed to go back to who knew me and my style the best. So I did. I went back to who totally understood my verbage when I said "make it grungy." When I said make it funky, make it rock star-esque, make it edgy, make it different, make it Angie...she did. Thus, why I love her so.

You knew it was bound to happen. It was just a matter of time. Stay tuned. This train is on the track and moving full speed ahead. Ooopsss...Kenidi says sshhhhh....

"It's still under wraps Mommy!" Hands over mouth. It's still only our secret for a bit longer. We know ya'll just love it when we keep you in suspense. Until then, thanks for the support.

xoxoxo, ~Angie

NEW FROM AGD

New today from Angelica Grace...The "Chocolate Cotton Candy" handbag/tote.Lined with polka dot fun pockets on the interior, creamy pink silk fabric on the outside, along with pearl pink handles and a chocolate zebra pattern to swoon over. This one is a real keeper! This new design is not for the shy. Prepared to be stopped - frequently - when carrying it over your shoulder.

Get yours HERE and HERE while you can. This little number would make a great Christmas gift for a girlfriend, a unique diaper bag for an up and coming baby shower gift you might be searching for, or simply put...a gift to yourself for...well...for just being "you!"XOXOXO, Angie PS...Measurements are: 14.5h" x 12w" with a 6.5-7" handle drop.

NEW FRIENDS

It's 12:20pm and I'm still in my big, baggy, sweatshirt and my sweats. This is what happens when you spend a great night out with new friends last night. I think Brent and I rolled our butts into bed at about 1am this morning. Needless to say, I'm too old for this type of behavior and am now dragging and paying the price for it today. Funny thing is, we just went downtown for dinner and then came back to our house and chatted it up after that. We didn't do any partying or dancing on the tables as Brent might be typically capable of. (HA! Just kidding babe!) It was just a calm but oh so fun night of laughter with friends. Meet Scott and Christina. They are, as I mentioned yesterday, from California. Christina was a customer/client of mine back about 3 years ago when I first began sewing. I laughed last night and talked about what a scary thought it was that she purchased a boutique set from me back when I first began sewing. Gosh only knows what the pitiful looking set looked like at that time. Hee hee! Luckily, Christina stayed close by and wasn't scared off by my newbie abilities as a brand new seamstress all those years ago. She is now an avid AGD blog reader and friend. This was Scott's 2nd trip to Indiana and Christina's first. They are contemplating a move here later on and were in town to check out the schools, areas, shopping - wink Christina ;) etc. Beings that they live next to Orange County, Hoosier land is a BIG and I mean a BIG switch from their hometown. However, after talking with Christina many times and hearing their reasoning for it again last night, the move here stems around their future and the future they want for their children. Like Brent told them last night, Indiana "IS" a great place to raise your kids. I agree.

Being a Hoosier is a much slower pace than CA living. I think that Scott and Christina are craving that part of Indiana. We hope that their decision comes smooth and easy for them and that God's will shall be done when weighing out their options to stay there or move here. If God should lead them to Indy, Brent and I will be here with open arms. Being two self-employed business owners, Scott and Brent really hit it off. It's always grand to find your husband bonding with your girl-friends husband. Nothing like having things in common with another couple your age. So...thanks again for hanging with the Seaman Clan last night Scott and Christina. We had a great evening and look forward to doing it again sometime soon - God willing. We pray your flight back home was a smooth one this morning and that you are still alive after dancin' on all those tables and "chasing penquins" till' wee hours of the morning last night. Right Brentster? HA! Just kiddddeeeennnnnnnn'!

Hugs, Angie & Brent

PS...Thanks to my sweet mother in law, Debbie, for snapping the shot above for us.

PSS...To all of you hounding me about wanting a picture of me on the blog again recently....there you go! We are good for another 6 months. ;) Funny thing is, Brent and I always seem to be wearing the same black shirts anytime we do jump into a picture. What's up with that, eh?

ANOTHER FUN BLOG AWARD

My dear, sweet, blog friend, HIPMOMOFBOYZ gave me this blog award way back on October 22nd. Beings that I'm such a slacker, I'm just now getting around to participating and posting it here. Bad Angie-bad Angie!!! I'm honored to have received this award and thank you so very much for giving it to me. Your comment about me on your blog when you passed this award on to me made my heart smile. You are such a sweetheart! :)

The rules are to list 6 things I value and 6 things I can live without. Then, I'm supposed to pass the award along. So...here goes...

6 THINGS I VALUE:
1. God
2. My entire family
3. The smell of the ocean, sand between my toes, & the sound of crashing waves
4. Loyal friends, loyal family members, loyal employee's
5. "Razzi" (my camera)
6. This blog and each of you reading it

6 THINGS I "COULD" LIVE WITHOUT
1. Winter
2. "Haters" & individuals who gossip about others
3. Meat
4. Speeding tickets
5. My oily skin
6. 6:30am awakenings by my 5 year old on a Saturday morning

I'M PASSING THIS AWARD ON TO...

Some of my faithful blog readers who have my AGD blog listed on the side bar of their own blog page. Thus, directing new traffic to my blog on a daily basis. Thanks sista's! You girls ROCK! :)

1. Whispers of Faith

2. Glamrbaby

3. The Gonzales Family

4. Stacy-Life Inside (Articcosmo)

5. Stacey (All because two people fell in love)

6. Mamas Toe Head Boyz

Hope everyone has a great weekend this weekend. I'm nursing some sick ones back to health today. All three of my crew members are under the weather. Oh what fun...tis' the season. Please God just don't let them give it to me. Mamma' can't afford to be down! Stay tuned tomorrow night or Monday for "hopefully" an introduction to one of my blog readers who is here in town this weekend. Her and her husband are from California and they are here visiting the great state of Indiana - contemplating a move to Hoosier territory. Oh what fun that would be to have you move near by Christina! We have plans to get together with her and her husband Scott for dinner tomorrow night so I'm hoping to snap a shot of the two of them for you. If so, I'll share it here on the ol' blog if they give me their permission. ;) It's always so fun to meet you blog readers face to face, front and center, and in person.

XOXOXO, Angie

GOT SHOES?

How about socks?

Well...thanks to each and every one of you lil' Miss Bailee sure does.

I just wanted to show you the start of our collection from the shoe and sock drive all of you are helping to fund. As you know, we raised $1175 thus far for Bailee's project. What you see in the photo above are about 30 of the 40 something pairs of shoes we are shipping out to her this afternoon. I had the honor of speaking with Bailee on the phone the other night and I can't express to you the joy in this little girls voice. She had me in tears when she called and left me a voicemail earlier that evening. Her Alabama accent when she refers to me as "Miss Angie" is nothing short of priceless. The gratitude and appreciation was overflowing from this child as we spoke. To say that we made her day or her week, is way too nonchalant. You guys have helped make this girls life. She is so proud and so very happy. I cannot wait for this first box to get to her early next week.

The good news...we still have approximately $550 left to spend on Bailee. My awesome and oh so rockin' sewing employee and dear friend, Karen, has been helping me bargain shop for these items. She even drove 45 minutes south of her home the other day to go to a Crocs outlet for me and grab some Crocs for Bailee once we learned that she likes to wear the croc styles to church. I couldn't have found all that we did in this short amount of time without Karen's help and her "slick rick bargain moves." Ha ha!

I plan to take some days next week and go find other stores (payless, shoe carnival, JC Penny's etc.), and spend the remaining $550 for Bailee. We've pretty much bought every cute and trendy size 2 or 2.5 shoe from Target, Walmart, Von Maur, Crocs, Osh Kosh, Kohl's, and the Adidas store that there is to buy. Therefore, we must explore other chains and find some new styles within their racks. I've had a blast shopping for you Bailee. So has Miss Karen! In fact, take a peek at the cool jibbitz attached to the pink crocs below. Miss Karen threw those in for you as a little added extra surprise from just her. Dontcha' just love the replica AGD wings? The guitar one ROCKS too. This picture below also shows just a few of my "fav's" out of the 30 pairs that we've purchased for you thus far.

We hope you love your first shipment of shoes and socks Bailee. There are more to come sweetie. Hang tight for us and enjoy these for now once they arrive next week.

We love you! ~Angie & all of the AGD blog followers who contributed to this project

SNEAK PEEK

Hold your horses - your zebra's...this one ROCKS it like no other. A new AGD creation that screams Angelica Grace and Angie like nothing ever before. Think bold, think soft and elegant, think funky yet oh so feminine. Think "envy" because I guarantee all of your "gur-frens" (as Karen says) will be coveting this one. Karen also told me..."This one is killa'!"

I agree.

Stay tuned.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

(Above: Brennen's Spanish Quiz and last weeks spelling test) Thankful for... 1) An incredible new school this year2) Impeccable new teachers with a truly rockin' principal and office staff3) Patience4) Hard work5) My nine year old (and my 5 year old too!) ;) ***WAY TO GO ROCKSTAR! WE LOVE YOU!***

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

These are our dear friends Jenny and Josh McCarty "chumming" with good ol' John McCain when he was here in Indiana back in March of this year. I went to highschool with Jenny and I truly adore her family. Her Mom and Dad as well as Jenny and Josh were also my "neighbors" until we moved to our new home up North. She emailed me last night and said, "Hi Northside friend. We just passed your southside home (so pretty all lit up) on our way home from the Republican results party tonight."

Thanks Jen. We appreciate everyone keeping a close eye on the old house while it is still for sale.

Jenny's husband Josh is a city county council man (Congrats on another 4 years Josh!) and therefore they attended a Republican event that John attended. When Jen sent me the picture, she wrote this in the email to me...

"This intimate place gave such a comfortable setting for John to really open up and share what he has been through and his vision for our country. He is a true American hero, and we are proud to be supporters from the very beginning."

That paragraph really jumped out at me. It's obvious that John McCain is and always was "our man" in regards to who we were voting for. I never hid that secret here on my blog nor will I ever. Jen sent me this picture yesterday as the both of us were still clinging to the hope of McCain/Palin landing the white house. I asked her if she minded if I shared it on the blog today. Being the awesome "gur-fren" that she is, she gave me permission to.

Although last nights election didn't turn out as myself or Jen would have wanted it to, it is done and it's time to move forward from here. Obama is now the President elect of our country and I accept that. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God had his hand on the outcome of this election and therefore, he obviously has a master plan that is way bigger than most of us can fathom. With that said, I'm eager to see Obama get into office and make all of the "change" we've heard so much about come to pass. I'm ready for the good news and the good days just like the rest of America. I pray that Obama will be a good President for our country and that he makes all of us Republican voters have to eat our opinions of him one day. If he accomplishes that, then we'll know he definitely succeeded.

In the end, we must continue to pray for our leader - no matter who he is or who he is not. He's in for a huge uphill battle and a road that is long when it comes to bringing America back to its comfortable status. As I told my Mom on the phone this morning, I watched the entire election coverage until 12:30am last night. I saw McCain's AWESOME concession speech and I also saw Obama's acceptance speech. If you have a heart, you couldn't help but be moved by the "hope" in the eyes of all the America's that we saw as each news crew panned across the United States - from state to state. As Obama spoke, he moved those individuals that for whatever reason, seemed to have lost all hope and faith in our country. With that same power he has over the people, I pray he utilizes that power to move mountains and make significant change in this country - FOR THE BETTER. Although I am not a fan of Obama's or anything that he stands for regarding politics, I was moved to see all of the "hope" that the American's who elected him into office were still clinging to.

As one CNN news reporter put it last night..."Maybe America has grown up now." Maybe, just maybe...we can stop throwing the race card around as an excuse everywhere and realize that America gives opportunity to anyone if you are just willing to take it, run with it, and seize it. Maybe, just maybe, those individuals who've felt that America doesn't treat others the same way that they treat some, can now have confirmation that we do. Again, although I don't support Obama, I am proud to live in a country where millions of white Americans elected an African American into office. I am proud to live in a country where Americans cling to hope and to change - no matter what the color of our skin. I'm proud to be a citizen of a country that proved last night that there are no race boundaries that can stop the will power of one willing to push on and take advantage of the opportunities given to them. Our life is that of which we make it. Barack Obama made his life what it now is by not making any excuses along the way. He clearly utilized all that America has given him in regards to opportunity. No one - not one person can argue that.

So...now comes the moment where as Republicans, we must pick our heads up, stop the complaining, stop the whining, accept the end result, honor God's master plan, move on, and unite for change. Good change. The election has been a fun one. One that I will always remember. My proudest moment as a parent recently came last night when we realized Brennen was still up in his room, awake, watching CNN & the election coverage. He wasn't sneaking and playing video games. He wasn't up and piddling when he should have been sleeping. He was up watching history be made all while still clinging to the hope that when he woke up this morning, his man, John McCain, would be scrolling across the TV screen as the next President of the United States.

Brennen is 9. He has a lot to learn. Tons actually. However, this election brought out conversations and topics in our house recently with Brennen that were so transparent and such "teaching moments." His school has done an awesome job at getting the kids informed, interested, and down right excited about the election. I commend them for helping us, as parents, open the door for topics of conversation we normally wouldn't have discussed. For that, we are so very blessed and so very thankful.

So...as you move about your day today on this gorgeous November morning, thank God for change, for opportunity, for hope, for your country, your Freedom, and for your right to freedom of speech. (I'm doing that as I type right now) Thank Christ in advance for being there in the next 4 ears because we KNOW he will be. Thank him for another day. Another moment. Another breath. We all have so very much to be thankful for this month as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. Rather than fill your office halls and break rooms or homes with hum drum discussions of how ticked off you are that your candidate didn't win last night, why not turn the topic to all you have to look forward to and all that you are thankful for on this stunningly beautiful November morning? Sound like a plan? It's my plan anyway.

Won't you join me?

Hugs and love always, Angie

PS...Thanks for the picture Jen and Josh. You two look "MAR-VA-LUS!" ;)

BLOGGING FROM "HER" BACK YARD!

Meet Carter. This is our nephew. He's Brent's sister's little boy. The child has blue eyes that are to die for. Just like his big sisters. On Sunday, we all spent the afternoon at Grandma Debbie's (Brent's Mom) for beef stew, Reuben casserole, pumpkin pie, as well as some Fall games and even a scavenger hunt amongst the family.

As we were leaving, I caught Carter out in the front yard before Jill strapped him into the car. He was playing with these sunglasses...

I couldn't pass up the moment so I got down on my heiney and started snapping away.

Brennen ran right behind him in the image above (I detest other people in the background of my pictures - even if it is my own son that did it). Ha ha! Good thing it was an impromptu shoot and not for a family or professional gig. Hee hee! The sun light at this moment on this particular day was perfect. It fell in all of the right spots.

I caught this one indoors of him earlier in the day. Look at those eyes...

Then, here is lil' Carter with his Uncle Brad and his Uncle Brent.

Below you have Ally, Carter's sister. She was playing the role of a goth bride at this moment. Ha ha! Her white dress and her black boots with the tattoo really made the image. Then, add in the flower and you've got a great shot. Hee hee! Delicate innocence meets rock and roll.

Here are Kenidi and Ally (cousins) after the blind fold game. Kenidi was still sporting her bandanna. The aunts blind folded the kids and had them feel goo, food items, etc. and had them guess what they were. It was a playoff of Halloween because the Grandparents didn't get to see the kids on Halloween night when they were dressed up. Some of the grand kids came dressed in their Halloween costumes and reset the night for Grandma Debbie and Papa Ron. Brennen wouldn't redress in his costume so I took Kenidi in her play clothes as well.

Here is Kenidi again playing with the bandanna...

Below...Jill came up with the idea to do a family scavenger hunt. So we did. I snapped this shot of everyone before we took off on the hunt. We even had Renee (Brent's cousin in the green shirt) there with us for the big event too. She just recently returned home from a 6 month mission's trip to Africa. The scavenger hunt was great fun that involved random neighbors, animals, cars, stealing mums from people's yards, etc. HA HA! I told you it was fun.

In the end though, the best moment was this one. I'm dedicating this picture below to "Rachel." I don't know Rachel personally but she apparently knows me. Hee hee! She is the owner of this play set that you see everyone on. During our scavenger hunt, one of the pictures we had to take was of everyone on someones play set in the neighborhood. Jill lead us to this particular house and said she knew the gal that lived there so we'd be fine climbing all over their swing set for the shot. We took the shot and Jill began to head back to the house so that she could beat the other team and alert them that we had finished and won. Well, as we are standing in this woman's driveway, all of a sudden her garage door starts going up. Out comes the homeowner, Rachel. The next words out of her mouth cracked me up. Brent is still talking about it.

She proceeds to tell us that she was laying down for a nap with her son when she looked out and noticed us out there. She said she had to come out and say hi because she just KNEW that we were "BLOGGING FROM HER PLAY SET." That's right friends, she apparently is an AGD blog follower/reader that I didn't know until Sunday. Somehow, she was turned onto my blog by another individual and is now a faithful reader of it. She said she saw us outside and just knew that we were "blogging" from her back yard. She was soooooooo happy about it. More like ecstatic. Needless to say, I introduced myself as well as the rest of our family to her. She of course, already knew us through this here ol' blog. What a small world, eh? I couldn't believe it. Brent and I laughed about it all the way home. In fact, we are still laughing about it. It was such a fun and neat moment. As we were leaving Rachel's house, she mentioned something about her play set/house being famous now. She was just too, too, cute. So thank you Rachel! Thank you for letting us bombard your backyard, climb all over your kids play set, and all while waking you up during a nap you were attempting to take on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It was great to meet you. It was even better to meet you knowing that you are an AGD blog follower. That makes my heart skip many, many, beats. I hope and pray that you keep reading as well as stay in touch - especially now that we have met face to face. Take care and thanks again for the use of your back yard.

See friends...I love this blog and love each of you because of moments like that. You couldn't plan that if you tried. Again, what a small, small, world.

Hugs, Angie & Family

VOTE HOWEVER YOU LIKE

Turn off my playlist music by pressing pause at the bottom of this page first. Then, come back up and hit play on this video. Make sure you really crank up your volume. This one is best if you "Jam" it. Be sure to also watch the young boy on your left. That childs got skillz!!! No matter how you vote today, this is a great little number to get you in the mood. It'll lift your spirits. I borrowed this from my friend Tanya's blog because I thought it was so cute. And remember, as you are standing in those long lines waiting to vote and you feel yourself starting to get frustrated about how long it is taking, look down at your healthy legs and feet. Then, look up and praise God that for placing you in a country where it is your "GOD-GIVEN RIGHT" to vote and praise him for your healthy legs and feet that allow you to stand in line on that firm soil that we in America commonly like to refer to as "Freedom."

God bless the U.S.A!

Have fun no matter who you are voting into office on this gorgeous November day today. Blessings to you and yours, Angie Seaman

LET THE FUN BEGIN

I'm posting a "sneak peek" here for two reasons. One, so that Bailee can see a small glimpse into the fun we are having while shopping for her shoes and socks. I've photographed the first four pair found below so she can see them - and only them. The other styles will be a surprise as they show up on her front door. YAY FUN! I plan to post several pictures of each of them on the blog though once we have hit the total amount purchased.

Secondly, my other reason for this "early" post regarding the project for Bailee is due to some "hater" out there who proceeded to make contact with at least one of our project participants who purchased multiple shoes and socks for Bailee and raise questions in an email regarding to the "honesty" and "integrity" of this project. Now if there is one thing I've learned in life it's this... along with doing God's work, you bring out the demons. When living for God, you always manage to irritate one of your haters and their jealousy and envy comes out in ways that are indescribable. Unfortunately, some evil soul who needs desperate prayer (obviously), tried to take a fun and giving opportunity and turn it sour. Thankfully, the blog reader and AGD customer that this "hater" emailed stood up for us and this project for Bailee and let the author of the email have it right back. If there are others of you who purchased shoes and socks for Bailee and were contacted by this individual, I am so very sorry. At this time, we have no idea who this individual are in the process of running a search on their IP address and email address from which their email was mailed. Ah hah....the joys of owning a website and learning all of the technical "techie" research as well as being married to a man who owns a sales marketing firm who has access to all of the behind the scenes details in the IT world. We will be praying for this depressed, gloom and doom, soul who tried to ruin a great moment for a 10 year old little girl. Obviously they didn't succeed. I'm guessing they suffer from an awful bout' of jealousy, envy, and low self esteem in order to have stooped this low. I guess they thought those of you purchasing didn't really "KNOW" me, eh? Little did they know that all of you are my homies and sista's out there in blog land whom I talk to on a VERY REGULAR basis. Ha ha! In the end though, I am very thankful for those honest and trustworthy souls who purchased "give backs" for Bailee and who knew that this was a legitimate project started by Bailee's Mom in Alabama that we hopped on board instantly and decided to help contribute to in any way we could. Contrary to their belief, this project wasn't my idea. Bailee's family started the idea with their own friends and family first. Brent and I were moved by it and decided to do all we could to help. We knew that the AGD blog had a presence in this world and amongst all of your giving spirits, thus why we reached out to all of you as well as our close friends and family here in Indiana for help as well. If this poor soul would like Bailee's phone # to call and speak with their family about how they've just tried to ruin the fun and joy for a 10 year old child, all while confirming the project is true and sincere, then I'd love for them to step up to the plate, gain some guts, tuck their miserable little tail between their legs and contact me so that I can forward my phone # as well as the Bryant families on to them. I'd love to speak to this person and I'm sure Brandon or Rhonda Bryant wouldn't mind speaking to them either. Heck maybe we should let them speak to Grandma Kirby out in Georgia too. I'm sure it can all be arranged. Maybe a party line call. What fun that would be! In the meantime, they need prayer so I've been lifting them up tonight since learning of their efforts to try and destroy this "give back" for Bailee. I ask that you do the same.God is good - all the time. So...as I continue to shop for more shoes and socks this week, I'll also continue to keep the receipts of our purchases as well as the receipts from all of you purchasers out there. Each piece is already being boxed up for Bailee's parents so that they get the receipts from the stores (in case they need to exchange or return) as well as your purchase receipts from my AGD website so that they know exactly who purchased and how much each person/family gave to their daughter. Now "Hater"...if you don't mind, we've got lots more shoes and socks to find and buy for Bailee. Therefore, we got no time fo' yo' drama!

Lots of love and hugs everyone, Angie

NEW FROM AGD

Brand new today....it's a new applique design for tee's.Not only can these be done on tee's but on sweatshirts, jean jackets, etc. Got something else that rocks other than your kids? If so, we can do that name most likely as well. (i.e., my husband, my life, my church, my school, etc.) The options are endless here. Don't like these fabrics? We can do them in any color scheme you prefer. These are great "gifting" tee's for someone you need to purchase a gift for and what perfect timing for the holidays. They also make great teachers gifts as well. You can purchase these in our AGD boutique online HERE.

I've already worn mine and have gotten stopped everywhere I go about it. Get yours while you can. Blessings, Angie

HALLOWEEN 2008

We carved pumpkins...


played with the slimy goo and picked out the pumpkin seeds...

man handled the lid or top to our pumpkins all while enjoying the slimy texture on its underneath side...

Brennen did most of the digging this year - well because he wanted to. And Kenidi, well she just kept smiling and laughing at the whole process...

Brennen got his wish to carve "his own" pumpkin this year all by "himself." He didn't feel the need to get help from Mom or Dad this time. Although he about gave Mom a coronary a few times as he dug that big' ol' knife or carving tool in and out of the pumpkin, he managed to successfully complete the task and the carving all by himself.

Then came time to get the trick or treat buckets/pails ready for the big night. I've had these buckets for years and love the scripture on the back side of them. Remembering Christ in all things...all moments...I like it best that way.

Daddy got the privilege of delivering Kenidi to most of the stops while trick or treating while I took a few candid and very informal shots. Our little "K-licious" was a penguin for Halloween this year. She even managed to waddle a few times like a penguin would...

We spotted some Obama fans...

But never fear...we spotted some McCain/Palin fans too...

Oh wait...we were packin' our own McCain/Palin fans. They were with us. Ha ha! (Brent's brother Brad and his wife Aubree rockin' it out and showin' some love for McCain/Palin over the top of a sign in someones front yard. Don't you just love Brad's fairy wand? Thanks for noticing that on myspace Melissa. I guessed I missed it initially. Brad, it really adds to your "fierceness" brotha'! Ha ha!)

Then look what we found...

PENGUINS FOR PALIN...straight from Palin's home town of Wasilla, Alaska no doubt...

HA HA!

Due to not having but 6-8 houses in our own "new" neighborhood as of yet, we decided to drive around the corner from us and hit one of the quaint little "Village" neighborhoods that we love so much. Big houses, small houses, they are all so character driven from the outside. Each one packs its own flare - its own style - way different from it's neighbor next door. Love that! After hitting the neighborhood around our own, we went back to our house and got some last few shots of the kids before the pizza arrived. Love Brennen's (a.k.a Zac Efron) face in this one with his cousins below...

Could he look anymore "made to sit down and do this photo op?" Forced???

Kenidi jumped in minus her penguin costume and with a little bit of candy all down her sleeve already, and then I grumbled to Brennen..."Sit up and look like you are happy to be here!"
This was the end result...

Much better Brennen - whoops I mean Zac.
Man he is soooooooo my son. Attitude over pictures and all. No denying that one.The night ended with our bellies full of pizza and garlic cheese bread as well as with a blanket or two over us adults in the theater room as we hunkered down and watched Fox News. We are big news junkies in both our houses. We together, belted out our opinions of the election and the days ahead. Family. It's good to have someone that you can share the same views with. It's even better to have someone you can coerce to hang over a sign in someone else's front yard while giving the thumbs up signal so you can get a picture of it. Then to come back to our house Family is a good thing.
Had a blast Brad and Aubree.Love ya, The otha' Seaman Clan

THANK YOU SEEMS SO SMALL

As I sit down to type this thank you post, I'm am amazed at the work God can do is such a short time span. When I prayed for the ability to purchase 10 or so extra new pair of shoes and socks for Bailee via this blog and its visitors, I truly had no idea you guys would come out in the masses like you did. I am humbled and beyond grateful for those of you who participated in this shoe drive. I knew I could count on you guys. I really did. I've always said that I have THE BEST AGD customers and family in this world. I can now add to that list the best BLOG followers in this world too. You have all proven that time and time again.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from the pit of my absolute being for all who made Bailee's shoe/sock drive such a success. At this moment, with all of your "gives/purchases" of the socks and shoes, we have collectively raised right at $1175.00 (this number will go up as I continue to receive "gives") for Bailee. In a nutshell, after Indiana's 7% sales tax, we should be able to purchase somewhere close to approximately 40 pairs of shoes and approximately 40 sock bundles for Bailee give or take a couple. The trick and the fun will now be trying to locate those 40 pairs of shoes and bundles of socks at the store. We'll definitely be hitting multiple places - I'm sure. Not only that but we want to ship her some variations in the style of shoes as well as colors and so forth. We won't be sending her all of the same shoes. Never fear - Miss Angie will find her some funky and oh so "worthy" trendsetting tennis shoes. She is also able to wear crocs so we plan to send her some of those as well. For those of you who inquired about having the doctors or therapists make something for Bailee to help this problem, we appreciate it. Unfortunately, patients with CP don't have a lot of options. We even went so far as to call Kenidi's fabrication company that makes her custom orthodox and inserts for us here in Indiana. They too work with CP patients all of the time. As figured, they told us the same thing that Rhonda (Bailee's Mom) had already been told. That is, no matter how and no matter what type of shoe or what you do to it, you can't keep it from scraping and wearing down and wearing down quickly. It is inevitable and truly the nature of the beast when it comes to cerebral palsy.

So...because of your generosity and your giving spirits, we are now able to release or ease some of that financial burden (and also just the mere tedious stress regarding always having to run out and buy the shoes which takes time-valuable time) for Bailee's parents that go into managing this part of her medical needs. I wish I could share and express with you all of the multiple emails we received from Bailee herself, her Mom Rhonda, her Dad Brandon and the phone call from Bailee's Grandma Debby over the past couple of days. This family is truly overwhelmed by your compassion and cannot get over the outpouring of support you all stepped up and gave. Like them, I am beyond impressed and so far past thankful that I don't even know where to begin when trying to share our gratitude with this situation. Thank you just seems so small. Too small.

I am confident however, that God takes note of people like each of you and your good will gestures. You will be blessed for this - no doubt. In the process, I pray that all of our hearts are softened even more to the point that we stop to think of the family we pass in the store that is pushing a child in a wheel chair or the grown adult we move around on the street that is walking via a walker, etc. I pray that all of us take a moment to pray for that individual and their lives each time we see someone battling life in that manner. If Bailee does for you what she has done for our family, she will have inspired your hearts and your minds so much that you can't help but stop and lift that person on the street up when you pass them by. Whether by prayer, conversation with them, a gesture of help in some way, etc...just notice them and give them the time and attention that they so deserve. The same time and attention you'd give one of your own friends on the street.

Again, thank you just seems so small. Know this...

I will never forget those of you who helped me, help us, get to this moment. Neither will the good Lord above. Glory be to his highest for the bringing together of these amazing souls. Our God is good. We serve a BIG God and this is just one more confirmation of how BIG he really is.

In the meantime, if you still wish to do a purchase for Bailee via our website, please do. Even though we will be doing the BIG shopping trip for Bailee's new shoes and new socks in the next day or so, we'll continue to leave that purchase option open on our website in case some of you missed the opportunity and would still like to give. Rest assured, your shoes purchased for Bailee will get to her - even if you are new to this blog and stumble upon this option 6 months from now. As each one trickles in - one by one - one by one they will be shipped to her. We promise you that!

Thanks you guys! YOU ROCK!

Hugs and love from both the Seaman Family as well as the Bryant Family