Happy New Year

Well we are just over 10 hours into 2007... I'm sitting in our living room watching the kitties wrestle with each other (it's amazing how 8 small and 4 large feet make SO much noise - they rival the drums from Colin's room!) and am thinking about how far we have come in the last year.

2006 was a year of changes for us. The surgery in December 2005 really impacted both my life and Mike's and we decided that in 2006 we would pursue our passions and make changes in our life. Here are some of the high points of the year:

I joined my friend, Ginger's team and became a Creative Memories Consultant and am using my creative talents in new ways and am scrapbooking memories for my family to enjoy remembering. I have added new friends to my circle with my crops and am networking regularly. In August, I went to CM's convention, "Showcase" in Minneapolis with my Unit Leader and others on our team and had a blast, learning and meeting other Consultants.

I left the lactation practice though I am still active with Georgia Birth Network and am teaching and working with moms as often as I can. I am considering becoming certified as a postpartum doula to further be a help to new families.

During the summer Mike and I decided it was his turn to pursue a dream and make the photography business a reality. He began 'chatting' online with a number of very talented and giving photographers on a forum called OSP. The encouragement and support has benefited us in so many ways. In November we went to a get together in Chattanooga and the possibilities started to become realities for both of us.

So this fall 'In The Moment, Photography by Mike & Catherine Warren' officially opened and we began to book clients. Surprisingly, I decided that I like being behind the camera too and am pursuing maternity/infant/children's portraiture. (maybe being a lactation consultant has prepared me for this!)

Our family has grown, some have grown up, Eric and Colin have passed us in height and Tracie has become quite the adult, buying a home and pursuing a career she loves. Others have been added, Oliver's new playmates Licorice and Sterling (the most playful kittens I have ever seen) and baby Gabriel, my brother's new addition to his family. Christmas at my parents was a blast, though next year Colin will have to share his birthday celebration with Gabe. (I hope he likes melting ice cream cake as much as Colin does)

We did have some ups and downs, the loss of my Aunt Marilyn, too soon from a disease we don't really understand, she will be missed. The marriage of my youngest cousin, Laura, gave Mom, Robin and I a chance to bond on a trip to Michigan (by way of vineyards, distilleries and a hog farm) to reconnect with the Scheer family.

In terms of the kids they all are into one thing or another, Eric and his video games, Colin and the marimba and drums, Connor and anything Pokemon or Egyptian, Emma and her dancing. They took us to recitals, concerts, festivals and football games, the beach and the woods, and on driving lessons this year and promise us more in the coming year.

As I look to the future I can only imagine what they have in store for us... My wishes for them and for us are for health and happiness and to make it through each day a little better for the effort. I hope that 2007 is prosperous for all of us.

Watch the blog for more regular postings of what we are up to in the coming year. I am sure the adventures of Shabby Cat and her family will at least be entertaining!