I heart faces photo challenge Yellow

Yellow is happiness, sunshine, and bright happy days...here is my favorite Yellow shot! Yellow coat, and of course, our favorite, the loyal yellow lab.



check out the other yellow submissions at  http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/05/photo-contest-yellow/



Being sick is no fun!

Fevers and children are not a good combination.  Ty started having a fever yesterday, and due to that, there was no t-ball for the boy. It was going to be the last t-ball game I was going to be able to watch. I was bummed.  Not only for the loss of t-ball, but knowing how miserable it is to have a fever and not know what is wrong with them.

I received a phone call at 7:30 am and it was Ty telling me he still has a fever and can't go to school.  He asked if I would come over and take his temperature.  Oh me oh my.  Part of me didn't want to catch whatever he has, and the other part knew that regardless, I would be there, with my best Nurse Ratchett gear, and see for myself what was wrong with the boy.

His temp was 101.4 eyes didn't have their sparkle, and his cheeks were a ruddy reddish color.  No rash on his tummy, no headache. Just a good old fever.  Hmmmm temp was taken an hour after Tylenol & it was still over 101.  Downstairs we went, and pulled out the big gun...Mom administered ibuprofen.  Didn't taste good, but he took it like a man.  Hoping he's better tomorrow...hoping no other family member gets this bug...



Chunky monkey greeted me at the door.  He's got two cute little teeth on the bottom, but they are his best kept secret!





So pathetic! Just laying around watching dinosaur train.



here's a link to a smiling Ty time  http://www.haugensgalleri.blogspot.com/

A Thousand Sisters

Last night was the end of a very long week for me.  I was one of three co-chairs for the spring forum of the Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Salem. This is the largest fundraiser our organization does, and it has been in the planning stages for close to a year.

Wedding barely behind me, and then full steam ahead into the last details associated with the forum.  This year's speaker was Lisa Shannon, a Portland, OR native who while watching Oprah one day being ill at home, had a life changing experience and began her mission of helping  women of the Congo.

We learned of so many atrocities in the Congo. Hard to believe that in this day and age that these things still go on, and that there is so little publicity alerting us. It had me thinking, and still this morning, I'm thinking hard. Why do we feel so little for so many people who are suffering? Are we a self absorbed selfish group? Have we become so comfortable in our indulgent life styles that we can't look beyond it to see what happens in other parts of the world? Or are the thoughts of what happens there just too hard, and beyond our comfort zone?  I don't have any more answers today, then I did after reading Lisa's book, A Thousand Sisters.

I do know I feel good about where the money from last night's event is going.  Salem/Keizer school children will receive backpacks and school supplies throughout the school year. Teens being fazed out of the state foster care program will receive assistance from our group to set them up in their first independent living situation, even given a bike to help with transportation. I know that families struggling in homeless shelters will be given a kit to make a birthday party complete with cake, napkins, and gifts for their children. These are the reasons I continue with my membership in the Auxiliary.  Many times during the year I have felt overwhelmed by "things" and circumstances. If not for the other women I work with volunteering, I may have thrown in the towel. 

The women of the Congo have a horrible life. Not sure what I can do about it, but I will continue thinking of them, and for now, try to find that feel good feeling for the good that is coming from the unfortunate circumstances in the Congo.  It falls under the category, that from everything that happens something good comes from it.  If you wait long enough, something good always happens.

Thanks to Lisa, and her shocking story of the women in the Congo.  You have helped many many youth's in the Salem/Keizer area.

Lisa Shannon, on day 5 of her hunger strike for Women of the Congo

Lisa and her mom with Jill from Maps Credit Union our forum sponsor

This young woman is doing a thesis on the Congo, and was excited to visit with Lisa one on one

This photo is on the cover of Lisa's book A Thousand Sisters

boys are recruited at a young age to be in the militia



This was the first woman that Lisa sponsored



Even with the tragedies in their lives, they still find ways to celebrate what is good.  A nice lesson for all of us

Lisa signing books at the end of the lecture. Such a inspiring evening.

The Wedding

After months and months of planning, sharing ideas, shopping, it finally came down to the day.  My first born, my son, was to take a wife.

It was amazing the range of emotions I felt. I was truly happy, and as you will see, it was a stunning wedding, right out of a magazine. The beauty of the people and the surroundings could take your breath away!

Not much time, so I'll share a few shots that I loved...remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

This little doll was So in love, she just couldn't get enough bride time...she road on her coattails every chance she got.

Oh sweet butter cream! In all my years, I've never tasted cake like this before, and may never taste again!

When I called her name, and she looked up, it took my breath away! So lovely.

The view from the Master suite...folks didn't get too far from the food and drink!

"Gram" and her look alike granddaughter...

We had practiced, "ladies first" but when it came to crunch time....Teak was crying, Ty was wheeling him in circles, and Ty made the decision to get the buggy rolling...All were as cute and sweet as can be.  What you can't see, is the "Here comes the Bride" banner on the back of the wagon.

This photo courtesy of my sister...sweet baby was woken up minutes before heading down the aisle. Kinda looks like a little Winston Churchill, minus the cigar!

Little one would have nothing to do with the wagon, until after the wedding..so stubborn, and so adorable!

A new daughter for me

This was our view of the wedding.  I was too caught up in the moment to take photos, but Mr. had his trusty iPhone and shot several.  He's so proud of himself! It was an amazing moment, as the clouds parted, and sun came out. The forecast had been for rain, and I took this as a good sign. A sign that all was right, and this love would last and many happy years of marriage will follow.

my sisters...we always tease the youngest to say she's the oldest.

These are the prenatal pals. One on the left lived next door, born one month after our son, one in the middle born 3 months later. We have many photos of different times in their lives where they are in this order.






 


When Luke played football in Europe he was known as the Duke. Quickly we named them the Duke and Duchess....long before we knew of Will and Kate!



May photo challenge "flower"

Ahhh, spring has been very slow here.  So much rain, and when the sun came out, I went for a walk about in the yard, and it made my heart sing...now if the sun can stay awhile
To see more photos entered go to: http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/05/photo-contest-flowers/
and let the beauty sink in.

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Wedding planning

For those that know me, you know I'm a planner, a thinker, a git er done kind of gal.  For those that don't maybe Type A comes to mind.  Either way, I'm in sunny California with my son and his bride to be, helping to get the Saturday wedding organized and ready to roll. 
My darling in law likes to think of herself as bridechilla.....I'm affectionately know as mamarazzi.  My camera, my dear friend and I love to capture what is going on at any moment of the day. The grandsons are used to it, my son-in-law appears to have no problem, but my son?  Now that's another story!!  He says I ruined him at a young age by always taking photos.  I like to remind him when I'm dead and gone, he'll wish I had been around to capture even more memories.  Guess we'll have to wait and see about that one.

 This was where my cover was blown...he's trying to give me the "evil eye"

Yesterday, The threesome headed out to find the county courthouse and they were going to get their marriage license.  I purchased a new handbag that is really a camera bag in disguise.  I grabbed that, and nobody was the wiser, until I snapped off a few photos.  My son was less than amused, as you can see by the photo.  There was a point where they had to raise their hands and swear that all information was true and correct, and the groom had such a tight grip on my camera, I really thought he was going to break it!!  Made me laugh, but lesson learned....get some space from him, and I will snap away...will need a telephoto if I think I can run from him....he's ten times faster than his mama....I love him anyway, and plan on getting many many more shots this weekend...

Soft & Sweet I heart faces photo challenge

Go ahead, you know you want to see all the people who have entered soft and sweet photos.   Jump over to I heart faces at http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/04/photo-challenge-sweet/

this is a 20 month old who is so thrilled to find a friend in the mirror, and is giving him kisses.