Nathan Blakeney poses in front of his Banzai Sidewinder Blast.

Yesterday, I was in Tuscaloosa for the Southern Christian Writers Conference. While I was listening to one of the writing seminars, my cell phone vibrated.  I could see my husband was calling.  “How sweet,” I thought.  “He’s calling to wish me a Happy Anniversary.”

I quietly answered.  “Guess what,” he says.  “We just got Parents magazine in the mail.”  I was a little excited because the July issue has an article I wrote about Nathan.  “Oh, and Happy Anniversary…”

It was, indeed, a Happy Anniversary.  I hope you’ll take a look at “Nathan’s Wonder Slide.”  If I’ve bought all the issues in town , you can read it at Parents’ online magazine:  http://www.parents.com/kids/development/physical/nathans-wonder-slide-/

Many thanks to local photographer, Lisa Tilley-Newman, for the beautiful photos in the article.

Ahhh…the magic of professionally retouched photography.  Bryan, Nathan, and I recently enjoyed a photo session with photographer, Lisa Tilley Newman, at her Pass Christian home/studio.

I have some vanity issues, no doubt.  But if I were excessively vain, I would toss up the second photo alone and pretend that my teeth are always sparkly white and that my complexion is clear with only a hint of wrinkles.  And truthfully, this is probably the last I’ll speak of my tweaked photos….In other words, do not expect an asterisk by them on this website admitting to the enhancements.

Even Nathan, who needs no tweaking whatsoever, looks extra angelic.  Is that a halo sprouting from his head?

I am consoled by the fact that every time I pick up a slick magazine, the vision of perfection on the front cover has enjoyed the same flattering treatment.  So…”don’t hate me because I’m beautiful!”  Because …shhh …I’m not …I just used a good photographer!

View Lisa’s beautiful photography gallery at http://www.tilleynewman.com/.