Hi everyone!!! I am getting ready for the Vancouver show coming up this weekend. I am so excited to go and see all of my competition friends:) We have two of our Central Oregon girls competing, and they both look incredible!!! I can't wait to see where they place.

I am officially on the "hard core" diet program now:) I have a photo shoot the day after Emerald Cup in 3 weeks! I am eating nothing but chicken, yams, and green veggies.....yum, yum, yum:) I have already lost about 3lbs, which I am assuming is mostly water, but I'll take it:) Twice daily cardio is so hard on my low carb days....forgot how fun this is. (even though its only been 5 months:)

Glad to be busy at the contest this weekend....it is the anniversary of my dad's death. So keeping busy keeps my mind off of it. I feel bad not being home to support my mom though....but mom, the kids, and I are going tomorrow to put flowers on his grave. The kids actually love doing this, they say it makes them feel closer to poppy. I miss him so much, I feel like it was just yesterday. He was one of my best friends. Ok, enough sad talk....I didn't mean to bring everybody down!

I am having so much fun with my kids this week! We are sleeping in (well, till 7:00, which is sleeping in for us:) We went and visited one of my best friends who has a new baby. The kids held the baby and of course asked me "mom can we have one?" and my answer was, "you have to convince your father." I have always wanted a 3rd child, but my husband is convinced that we are done! When I got my pro card, I took that as my sign that we should be done:) Everything happens for a reason:)

I almost forgot!!!!! I got a note from my bone marrow recipient!!! I was so excited, I sat in my kitchen crying. She wrote some of the most touching words I have ever read. I cannot wait to meet her! From the note, I gather that she lives in the United States, and she speaks English:) It is going to be very hard to wait until November to meet her. Rules are rules though....well, I must go snuggle my little ones before they fall asleep. Take care everyone. Train hard, no excuses. Love ya,

Tami

I am going on day 15 of my sinus infection from hell!!! Thought I would write a quick note before my Nyquil kicks in and I pass out:) I started antibiotic #2 today. Hopefully I can get my "girl" voice back soon. My workouts are difficult because I get really winded quickly. I am actually having to use my inhaler...which is reserved for my random encounters with rabbits:)

I just finished watching American Idol (everyone vote for Chris:). I am really into it this go round for some reason. I love Kelly, she is precious. Taylor cracks me up, but Chris is my boy:) I am actually voting this year...isn't that crazy?

I held a posing class on Sunday....the first on my own. It was so much fun! I really love helping others to get ready for competitions. I feel blessed by the success I have had in this industry, and just want to pass on what I have learned. Tanji's contest is only 10 days away! I am getting so excited to actually watch a contest and not be in it! I have always competed in the shows I attend.

I am so random tonight! I will do you all a favor and stop writing:) I am going to bed now....must get my beauty sleep. Lord knows I need it! I promise I will be back to my old self soon. Take care everyone, train hard. No excuses! Love ya,

Tami

The last 4 days have been SO exciting!!!! Two of my best friends delivered their babies! I had the priviledge to be at both of their deliveries. It was the most draining 2 days of my life, but also the most beautiful. The first delivered on Saturday night at 11:37pm.....a huge baby boy weighing in at 9 pounds 3 ounces!!!! She did it all natural! (She's such a stud) The second friend delivered yesterday at 5:55pm, again, a beautiful big baby boy weighing in at 8 pounds 10 ounces! She also did it all natural! ( I have tough friends:) Unfortunately, I have had a really bad cold....so I haven't gotten to kiss either of my new little men. They better get ready, cuz when auntie Tam is better- they are going to be smothered by all my kisses:)

I have more great news!! I passed my ACE exam with flying colors (to my surprise:). I am now officially a certified personal trainer!!!! It feels really good to have that certification behind my name....even though I don't really "have" to have it, it still feels good!

I was informed tonight that my competition pics are in Oxygen.....I hope to find a copy tomorrow. Wow! I always wanted to be in Oxygen, and now I am:) Now if only I could get in there as a model and not a competitor....wouldn't that be something!!!??? Well, I must go to bed...this cold is kicking my butt. I need sleep:) Take care, train hard, no excuses! Talk soon,

Tami

Hi friends!!! I am so excited for Tanji! She placed 6th at the Arnold this weekend. I have been combing the internet tonight for pictures of all the competitors. I was disappointed to see that Heidi Fletcher and Allison Daughtry placed second to last and last place:( Both of these girls are hard workers and deserved to place better than that. I am anxious to see the score sheets when they come out. I know the only reason they placed that poorly was due to being "rookies". I will probably have my fair share of that too......

I have officially started cleaning up my diet. I have done well so far, but it is so hard to remind yourself constantly...wait, you can't have that. I don't realize how much I eat out of boredom and emotions until I start my diet. It takes a couple weeks to transition my brain into that way of thinking. I did have a cheat day yesterday...we went to the Central Oregon Sportsman Show in Redmond. This is always a big family outing for us! The kids love it, my husband loves it, and I actually like it too. (It turns into a day of socializing with all the people I only see once a year:)
We did something SO crazy yesterday.....we actually booked an African hunting safari!!!!!! We will spend 7 days at a 37,000 acre ranch in Namibia Africa (which is located on the south western coast of Africa just above South Africa.) It is the dream vacation for the whole family. I get to see Africa and all the beautiful wildlife, my husband gets to kill things, and the lodge has a huge swimming pool (which is the one thing my kids are totally pumped about!).....what more could a redneck family ask for:) The only bad thing, is the 20 hour flight to get there. We will take a 10 hour flight to Frankfurt Germany, and then another 10 hour flight to Windhoek Namibia. Hopefully my Doctor will give me sedatives for the kids:) I love and adore my children.....but I am also realistic about their ability to sit on a damn plane for 20 hours:)!!! My husband is pretty cute about the whole thing.....we are still in disbelief that we are really going.

I am on baby patrol!!! My 2 best friends are pregnant. They are due 2 days apart, and could go into labor at any minute. The problem is that they both want me at their deliveries.....but they are delivering in different hospitals about an hour apart!! I am praying that this does not happen at the same time. One is scheduled to be induced next Monday. I took the day off work, so hopefully this baby doesn't get a different idea about things:) The other friend is already dilated to 3cm so she could go at any minute....hopefully she does before Monday.

Well that's about all the excitement in my life! I have to work tomorrow, so off to bed I go! I will try to write more....my little DW tells me that I am not writing in my journal enough:) Take care everyone! Train hard- no excuses! Love ya,

Tami