So as a followup, I have borrowed a couple of lenses from my friend. I had the 50mm 1.4 as well as the 24-70mm 2.8. I used the 24-70 when visting my kids at camp. WOW what a difference. Again I am a novice when it comes to photography but I had alot of good pics (by my standards). But I now Love this lens. I pretty much stayed in AP mode but played with TV when I was taking photo's of my Son shooting baskets. Even played around with the macro on the 24-70mm. My friend now gave me his 100mm to try for macro shots as well. I think I may rent the 70-200 2.8 or 4.0 for a week to try that out. I am going to Newport, RI for a couple of days and it can probably come in handy.
The 24-70mm 2.8 is easy to love, but it's called "The Brick" for a reason -- as I'm sure you've figured out.
There is also a 24-105mm 4.0 IS with a little more reach (but one stop less light) and stabilization, which some people prefer when handholding a lens like that. Likewise, that 70-200 4.0 IS is a really nice handholdable zoom, as long as f/4 is fast enough for the existing light. The 70-200 2.8 IS is a tank.... Heavy to handhold for long periods of time, IMO.
The scuttlebutt is that the 24-70mm 2.8 might get updated with the new hybrid stabilization just announced, but its all just guessing and hoping right now and only time will tell (maybe September?) FWIW, I would buy that lens today, sight unseen.
The 100mm 2.8 Macro is still my favorite lens, though on a crop sensor body its not terribly versatile for general use. Mine is not always on my 50D, but it *is* always in the bag. A little practice with a monopod or tripod might be in order depending on what kind of light you are shooting in. Macro can be frustrating, it needs a dose of patience, esp. if you are trying to handhold a lens like that. Which is why we buy tripods with extension arms and ring lights and tripod rings and ... (I would love for this to get the new hybrid stabilization if it was usable at macro distances.)