Evan Almighty

i've been involved over the last year and a half with a group called chemo angels - i have to admit i found it online by accident, but once i discovered it, i was hooked from the get-go. its concept is to pair people who are willing to "support" those struggling with cancer, by sending them positive wishes, cards, little gifts, any type of "pick-me-up" to keep them in good spirits. when i applied, i never dreamed i would get the name of a little 6 year old boy, evan, struggling with such a fight. when receiving his name, it was one of those "can i really do this? " moments. as a mother of two, i just wasn't sure i could emotionally handle watching this little boy go through such a gut-wrenching battle. however, i jumped right in and it has been such a lesson in life. it really has shown me to not sweat the small stuff and to be thankful for what i have. i have watched him online over the last year and half and have followed the blog that his mom keeps for him - and now, to make this life-changing experience even more real for me, i was able to meet evan while his family vacationed in california for their spring break! his famiy felt like they had been my next door neighbors for years. i didn't want our day together to end - it will certainly be one that i will cherish.... and to finally be able to wrap my arms around evan and give him a hug just left me at a loss for words. keep this little guy in your prayers and if you feel like doing a good deed - check out the chemo angels website -- maybe you'll get hooked as well! http://www.chemoangels.net/

My Easter Girls

march 17th- i unknowingly wore a green tank top to the gym today so i think i had st. patricks day on my mind without even realizing it - i can remember a few more eventful st. pats celebrations than i had today. oh well, guess that comes with the price of getting older and becoming a mom. i attempted, (because taking pictures of my girls is ALWAYS an attempt and quite often not a successful attempt), to take easter pictures of my two today to send home for the family back in illinois. i pretended that little cartoon guy, cailou, was in my camera so that got their attention and at least allowed me to catch one of them both looking at me and both smiling.

Inspiring

i finally finished editing pictures for a humanitarian event

i photographed for the Immortal Chaplains Foundation, last month which was held on the queen mary in long beach - quite an amazing purpose behind this foundation and certainly a new type of event for my plate of experiences. i left the event so inspired to "give" and do more for others. the honoree of the evening was aaron cohen, an orange county resident who has worked undercover to locate and free thousands of victims of slavery in over 23 countries risking his life to do so. his slideshow of photographs from his various trips were breath-taking and gut-wrenching all in one.

Back to Florida

We've said goodbye to a good friend, Cathy, that we made here in California, one of the first friends I met when moving here two years ago - she and her family have moved back to Florida, and I know that she will find happiness there - but I realize no matter how young or old you are, saying goodbye just never gets any easier - the wonder of when you will see one another again really lingers. I've tried to remind myself through this week of "mourning" her move, the closing that Jason's grandpa would always use to end his phone calls- he would never say goodbye, as he would point out, it wasn't a goodbye, it was always an "I'll see you later." -It was much more comforting and reassuring that yes, you will see one another again. well, cathy, from one sunny state to another, you are truly missed and I look forward to "seeing you later" - hopefully much sooner rather than later.