About the Cover Photographer
Brigette Carruth, the Our Town Cover Photographer, started In Focus Photography in 2003. Her varied work includes corporate head shots, families, and bridal photography. She is an active member of her church, teaching 7th grade Sunday school and playing the flute in the orchestra. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her boys play basketingball.
Brigette's Contact Info
770-617-3805
On the Cover
The Adamson Family
After the New Year begins, many people make resolutions to quit smoking, go to church, and the most popular, loose weight. For some it’s an easy process to make the change, but for others they need inspiration. This is why we wantto introduce you to the Adamson’s and share with you the story of Kendal Adamson, a young mom who decided even before another year rolled around she had to change her life.
Kendal and Justin Adamson have lived in Dallas for nine years. Kendal is from the Smyrna area and Justin is from Powder Springs. They have been married for nine years and recently celebrated their anniversary. In these nine years, they have added four children to their family. Lily age 7, Bo age 5, Lanie age 3 and Lucy age 21 months.
Kendal is a special needs pre-K teacher at Allgood Elementary, and is also a Jazzercise instructor at Jazzercise of Dallas. Justin is an Investment Performance Analyst at Grey and Company in Alpharetta. They are a young vibrant family who love to watch movies,play games and play outside when it’s warm. Together, they attend Church at the Ridge in Douglasville where they are very active. Kendal sings with the praise and worship band and Justin works with the kids and in operations.
Recently, Kendal reached a goal that many of us resolve to do each year: she reached her goal weight. At a starting weight of 208 on her tiny frame of only 5’1”, she knew she had a long road ahead of her but never dreamed her road would lead her onto a different kind of stage than the one she performs on at church.
After the birth of her fourth child in February 2009, Kendal decided to begin making changes to her lifestyle, and in June 2009, she began going to Jazzercise classes. Within two months she was wearing smaller clothes, had more energy and felt better. Kendal says, “I was excited because I began having the energy to keep up with my kids and then had to start buying smaller clothes!” By setting short-term goals for herself, changing her eating habits, and attending, on average, four exercise classes per week, Kendal lost 88 pounds and went from a size 18-20 to a size 4-6. She says “without prayer and reliance on the Lord, LOTS of support from friends and family, and Jazzercise, I would not have been able to do it! It feels great to know that not only am I now a much healthier, stronger, and happier person for my family, but I am also setting the example of living a healthy lifestyle for my children!”
Kendal’s family is very proud of her weight loss and life-style change. Her husband, Justin, says “she’s hot!!” Also, just as proud are her children, who hang out in the childcare room while their mommy works out. They think their mom “is awesome and strong.” Kendal has also inspired her friends and members of her family, including her mother-in-law, Dee. Dee says,” Kendal has proved to so many that she is amazing. Over thepast year, she has shown discipline and perseverance in her journey to accomplish her goal. While losing weight might have been her initial goal, she has accomplished so much
more. I have watched her emerge with renewed self-confidence, and throughout this journey, she has praised God for being the source of her strength. Kendal is inspirational to so many, including me, and I am very proud of her.”
Her students at Allgood Elementary and Jazzercise love her. Each group looks forward to her classes. Carin Norton, owner of Jazzercise of Dallas says, “We are very proud of Kendal. She has accomplished so much in such a short period of time and has been a huge motivator to many of our customers”. For the month of January, Jazzercise is offering your First Month for $20.11. See their ad on page 7.
Meeting this precious family was truly a blessing. They have a great heart for the Lord, and we especially want to thank them for being so accommodating and allowing us to include them on this cover. Little Lucy was recovering from pneumonia and you would never have known it. She was quite the trooper during our shoot.