I was recently asked to serve on the board of directors for Children First in Athens...Yes, quite an honor, but why me???

A friend/UGA professor of mine, who serves on the board, thought I would be an asset. Really??? Part of the process is to fill out a resume... WHAT??? Not sure I fit the mold to serve in this capacity. I reviewed the other board members and fall terribly short, so here goes, lol, take me or leave me!

This is what I added to an addendum that didn't fit on the app.

Board Member Application for Children First, INC. Board of Director

1. Why I want to join Children First Board of Directors - I have been passionate for the well being of children for as long as I can remember. My husband and I have 5 children (3 sons by birth and 2 daughters through adoption). We have fostered 11 children over the years and have invited birth mothers as well as troubled teens to live in our home. I wholeheartedly believe in Children First’s motto, Every Child Deserves a Safe Home, and I would love to help facilitate that goal.
2. What strengths do you bring to the Children First Board of Directors and Family of Programs? I have years of hands on experience working with children and teens as well as advocating for children who have come from difficult backgrounds who are often misunderstood. Along with my experience serving as a foster parent, I have been involved in several online, as well as local adoption groups, such as: AAFCA (Athens Area Families of China Adoption) and ACMP (Asian Children’s Mentoring Program out of UGA). I have educated myself through books, seminars, and conferences as to how to help children from hard places connect and feel safe and loved in their environment so they can thrive. I can offer understanding as to what both the families and the volunteers needs might be. I also believe that my entrepreneurial experience will be an asset because I am self motivated, organized, and know how to make good business decisions. Lastly, as a resident of Oconee County, I believe that I have insight into what the people of Oconee County care about.                                                                                         
3. What is your professional background/resume. (warning, this is not your typical resume) After graduating from Wheeler High School in Marietta. I attended Kennesaw State University for 2 years. When it came time for me to decide on a major, I could think of nothing I wanted more than to become a wife and mother, so I followed my heart, knowing I could someday finish my degree if I ever decided on a major I wanted to pursue. My husband and I married and started a family right away. When our boys were 6,4,and 2, we began fostering children, which eventually led us to adopting 2 daughters. After years of fostering through Hope for Children, I worked for Metro Music Art and Movement for 6 years in East Cobb as an independent contractor recruiting schools in the area and educating children through music, art, and movement. When I moved to Oconee County 14 years ago, what began as helping my new neighbors settle in and fix up their homes, evolved into a small interior decorating business, From House to Home, which continues to spread through word of mouth by satisfied clients today. Around the same time my decorating business was getting started, another business began to emerge. I was teaching my daughter’s how to swim in my neighborhood pool in Lane Creek Subdivision when other parents began asking if they could pay me to teach their children to swim. I’m pretty sure it’s not because I’m an excellent swimmer, but might have more to do with the experience I have gleaned from my yearning to know how to help children feel connected, safe, and loved, and therefore reach their highest potential. This business too has spread sole by word of mouth throughout Oconee and Clarke County. I now have hired 3 assistants to help me manage this small business. Then just last year, I started working for TFL (Tennis for Life) in Oconee County, as an independent contractor, teaching tennis lessons to children. I was recently PTR certified to teach10U(10 years and under) tennis. My entire life and passion evolve around children.

Boys band played again this year at the Iron Factory at Athfest!!!

Girls really enjoyed Athfest! This was their first year to attend! Keith, me, and girls had dinner at the Iron Factory before the show. They serve Korean BBQ and cook at your table!



The boys brought in a huge crowd! The Iron Factory is an outdoor venue! Their sound system is stellar! The boys love playing there! The crowd begged for an encore, so they gave it to them!!!





Tyler singing and Jordon doing back up vocals.



Tyler and his lovely wife, Emily and the newest band member, James!



Our waiter and cook asked us if Tyler, Alex, and Drew were our kids. We said, "Yes"! He said, "I was with them that night when the cops came with the helicopter to save us when our raft fell apart in the river." OMG, Yes, we remembered it well! Keith and I and the girls went to dinner (the boys wanted to stay behind and bring them leftovers). There was a big storm and those little boogers had been making a raft all week out of wood and rope and thought it would be a good idea to go down the river behind our house in a thunderstorm. The cops called us while we were out to dinner and said our boys were reported missing. Their raft fell apart and they got separated. One made it to the shore and called the cops because it was storming and pitch black and he had been walking up and down the banks looking for them and couldn't find them! No wonder I was put on blood pressure medicine. Those boys almost put me in an early grave with all their antics!



Tyler - lead vocalist and rhythm guitar, Alex - keyboard, tambourine, and bongos, Rio - drums,
Jordon - lead guitar, James - bass.



Emma, Drew, and Hayley:)))



Drew holding up Emma so she can see. All the boys are good to their little sisters and the girls adore them back!









This was the cover of the paper this week, showing a picture of Athfest from last year. Look closely and you'll see Emily, Tyler, and Alex right there on the front page of the paper!!!





My boys and their sweet friends!



My sweet (almost son) Nick. We adopted him in our hearts when he lived with us for over a year when he was in high school! (Lol, look at Alex in the background:)

Father's Day!

Keith, me, and the girls started off Father's Day with breakfast at Waffle House. Later that afternoon, the big kids came over with Remi and Luna. Marge was thrilled, lol. They brought Keith a gift that they retrieved from a dumpster... a fan blade in which they wrote, "We are your biggest fans!" HaHaHa. Such creative kids! They also brought over a yummy meat and cheese tray that we nibbled on all day! Activities for the day included... board games, jam sessions, wii, golf cart rides, corn hole, and swimming with Tyler's go-pro underwater camera. For dinner, we grilled out chicken and I tried some new recipes that I found on Facebook... Baked Veggie Wedges: Russet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Zuccini, and Avacado's. It looked way easier on the video, lol. While they turned out delicious, it's just too much work for me. I think I'll go back to my "easy, cheesy 4 ingredients or less" cooking. We ended the evening chilling on the deck, talking, laughing, and listening to the boys play guitar. It was a very good day! I love my little tribe!!!