Personal.

Those of you who know me know that the organization
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep holds a very special
place in my heart and in my life.
I have been an active affiliate for 2 years and
a have coordinated our services for Minneapolis
Children's Hospital for the past year.

In doing so I have met some fabulous photographers,
worked with some of the greatest hospital staff,
grieved with many families, some that have experienced
multiple losses. I thank God everyday that he has
given me the talent, the tools and the strength to
approach every session so that I can share with these
photographers, educate hospital staff members and
start the healing process for these broken families.

At this time, I will continue to coordinate for
Minneapolis Children's and Methodist hospitals but I
will not be photographing anymore sessions.

God Bless.

Rainy Monday.

What better way to spend a rainy Monday than
attending a TCPPA board meeting! YAY!

I just received a request to photograph a Chef!
Pretty excited! I'm thinkin' maybe....oh, idk,
TRADE FOR FOOD!!! :p~~~~ (that's me drooling!)

Sandy (Sam) Puc (pronounced 'Putch'), of NILMDTS fame,
is going to be in town Wednesday holding a seminar at
the Ramada MOA. It'll be great to see her again.
This year her tour concentrates on "Tots 2 Teens".
Last year the theme was "Bellies & Babies".
Busy woman, that Sam!

Gary Comes Home/Jaxon Goes Home.

Gary's been away since Wednesday.
He and 3 other guys went back out to Oregon
to play golf at Bandon Dunes.

These same 4 ventured out there 3 years ago,
loved it so much they returned this year.
This is about 4 & half hours from Portland.







They've made this trip an annual thing and
have selected some mighty swanky spots to
chase the white ball. Bandon was a "must do"
again.

Where there were 3 courses: Bandon Dunes,
Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails, there are
now nearly 4. Old MacDonald is near completion
and the guys played the 10 hole that were
open on Friday making that a 28 hole day!

As you can tell from the # of recent posts,
I've been busy while he's been away.

No weddings this weekend but I did have the
honor of attending Jaxon's funeral yesterday.
Another NILMDTS family forever changed and
another friendship forged. God is good.



I am thankful that the rain came today instead
of yesterday. God is good.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

Thanksgiving Plans Grow.

My friend Megan, from Chicago, is coming
to town to see her brother's family for
Thanksgiving and is going to spend some
time here, at our home, as well!
I'm so excited! Megan will be coming over
to my sister's for Thanksgiving with Gary
and I. Anne's totally cool with that!
Gotta love a sister who will find a spot
for 1 more! That makes 25! YIKES!

I was on call yesterday in the west for NILMDTS
and received 2 calls. The first one was at
Children's in Minneapolis and the 2nd was
for the UofM Children's. Very different losses
I was nearly sent away on the 2nd session due
to the fact that the father was pretty firm
on not wanting any photography. The mom insisted
on my services and so the father stepped out,
I entered the room, hopped up on the bed with
she and her son and granted her request.
As I left the room, I waited to make eye contact
with the father, nodded and mouthed the words
"thank you." and he said "thank you."

I hate that these losses occur but I am forever
grateful that God has given me the ability, the
talent and the support that I need to walk into
these families lives, at what must be the most
intimate of moments, and give them images that
will help them remember, mourn & heal.

On an up note...today is Kiki's birthday!
She's Owen & Reese's mom, my brother's wife.
I love her. Happy Birthday Kindra! :)

A late Saturday post.

I received a call for a NILMDTS session
this morning at 4am...of course I responded.
To Jacquie's delight, I will not post any photos.
(you're welcome!)

I was not on call nor do we typically respond
in the middle of the night but my phone rang
and I just couldn't ignore it. Nor could I even
THINK about calling Matt Moses (who was on call
today)...and to Matt, you're welcome! ;)

All went well. Slippery drive in the snow & all.
I returned home around 6:30 and could NOT get
back to sleep and of all Saturdays, this one
I scheduled several hair clients! UGH!!
Hence the nap later in the day.

I have some really terrific shots from a trip
to see Santa (with Reese & Owen) from Thursday
and I intend on posting them tomorrow.

I'm getting excited for the big gathering at my
sister's on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Thanks Anne
for hosting, ALWAYS!!

Rainy Thursday.

My sister calls it "Thirsty Thursday". Amateur.

Anyway....I have two wonderful functions today.
First, I will meet with all of the Metro area
Coordinators for NILMDTS at O'Gara's in St. Paul.
This organization is growing so much that we
need to keep things in check so that we are all
handling sessions and contact with area hospitals
in the same manner. This will be our first official
meeting of this sort. Haven't seen some of these
gals in quite some time.

Then, despite the fact that Cheers in Bloomington
is having their annual wine tasting tonight from
6-8 (which I never miss), I have a NACE event at
the Sofitel. Ordinarily we meet on Wednesdays but
this month it's a Thursday and it's their big
"Tour of Chefs" annual fund raiser for Open Arms
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I had a BLAST last year!
Here are some shots from 2007 at the St. Paul Hotel.

FABulous food, drinks, desserts, decor and auction!












Enjoy the rain...could be a big nap day!

Gorgeous Sunday!

The calendar says it's November but the
weather still says October...no complaints
here!

I'm heading down to St. Anthony Main for an
engagement shoot for a couple that is getting
married next June. Looking forward to working
with this couple!

Last night I had another call from Abbott.
a nearly 39 week loss. Sudden & tragic.
A beautiful baby boy. Completely perfect on
the outside.

I've had the misfortune of photographing
two losses in one day before but mostly all of
the babies are never in any condition to survive
or even fight their conditions so when I come
upon a baby that is so perfect looking and
full term it puzzles me beyond belief.
I don't know the outcome of his condition, nor
will I, which makes it even tougher to let it go.

To those of you who read this blog on a regular
basis, I apologize for all the sadness I've
been reporting. Know that I am well and continue
to do God's work.

I get to attend my niece's birthday party later
today (after the e-session) and I am looking
forward to that!!

Love your families and friends as if there were
no tomorrow!

On Call...

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
Heather called around 8 this morning
with a 29 week loss at Abbott.
Grabbed my camera and hopped in the
car. This mom went into spontaneous
labor and delivered a sweet girl.
God had other plans for her as she
was born with some skeletal dysplasia.
TOTALLY unexpected.
Such a beautiful day for such a loss.

I remain on call today.

Happy Birthday Chris Slater!!!!
I missed you at Abbott today!

Tomorrow is J's birthday and we are still
working on getting together for a birthday
shoot!

More stellar weather today.

So Far, So Fab!

Well not, perhaps, for all the Tampa Bay Ray's
fans but for me? I can't believe my week thus far.
And it's only Thursday!

I've had 2 really extraordinary opportunities
this week. First, finally meeting Jo down in
Albert Lea...Second, on that same day, I got to
reconnect with my cousins, aunt & uncle. Had
so much fun, I stayed over night in Owatonna
and really caught up!

Then, today I met up with Kelly Read.
I met Kelly and her husband (and their daughter
Alliah) last December 8th. I was called to photograph
their daughter, born still, for NILMDTS.



We've talked about getting together and finally
today was the day. I was so excited and nervous.
How would this go? Our only connection is one of
sadness, I thought. But Kelly's face lit up as I
entered the Caribou at 8000 Norman Lake Dr.
Kelly revealed that she feels a positive connection
with me. She also shared with me that, in all reality,
I was about the only other person that actually saw
Alliah. How intimate is that? I felt nervous and
felt myself ramble. I grabbed her arm from across
the table and said..."I'm so sorry, I feel so
nervous!" Kelly put me at ease and shared so much
more with me including her passion to go forward
and try to help other families with losses such as
theirs. She wanted to plant that seed with me and
with whom ever else might want to get behind her
or beside her in her efforts to help others heal
and to continue on her healing journey as well.





Kelly and her husband are, again, pregnant. This
time with a boy, due the middle/end of March.
She says this pregnancy feels so different and
her past has made her proactive for the days, weeks
and months that lie ahead of them.
Pray for this family, that they find strength as
they approach the anniversary of Alliah's passing,
that they draw closer to God, their faith and as
they gather with family and friends on that anniversary.
Pray that they feel peace in knowing that she is
with the Lord and find hope for the future with
their new son.


Well, like I said..it's only Thursday and already
I feel so blessed and grateful this week to be apart
of the lives of these ladies and to know that God
is doing wonderful things with me. I can't wait to
witness what's next!

9/19.

I was on call for NILMDTS yesterday.
As soon as I got my sister's foils in her hair
I got a call to go to the U of M Children's.
I was able to finish Anne and wait for the call from
Carin in Famiy Care for a more definitive time frame.
I was also able to arrange for a "shadow" to join me.
A shadow is someone that wants to work with NILMDTS
but perhaps is not certain that this is something that
they can do. This way they can come along, observe and
make the determination before getting on the national
call list as a full fledged affiliate.

This is a very, tough thing, as you can imagine.
This isn't for everyone or every photographer.
NILMDTS, after 3 years, is making their selection
process more defined. They are seeking professionals with
skills that perhaps that most hobbyists don't possess.

I thank each and everyone of you that support me in my
efforts to serve these families. I feel that this has
become my life's most important work. Not to make less of
MOMF because that has become quite it's own little engine
that could in a short time too. They are just so very different.
I wouldn't ever attempt to compare. Both foundations serve
families with devastation. My camera and I can somehow bridge
gaps for these folks and aid in healing. I love that.

Today I will meet with a family at, what has become know as,
"My Hilton". A family with a little girl enduring a struggle
with cancer will check in, with her family for a weekend
of fun, shopping, exploring, swimming, playing.
A respite, a break, a departure from her new "normal".
All compliments of the Airport Hilton and the MOMF!

Later I will meet up with Jenn Malone & Pedro Diaz of Bella
Pictures. Jenn is in town to shoot with me tomorrow and Pedro
is here shooting a wedding in Eden Prairie tomorrow as well.
So the 3 of us are going to meet up at Jenn's hotel and
swap stories and talk shop! Can't wait!

G...did ya get the package???



Boo liked Alison's lap...



...a lot.




Do more than you thought you could do today.

Cold night...chilly morning.

By that I mean that I got a late call from the
Charge nurse at Mpls. Children's.
Full term girl born at 3am yesterday failing.
I knew if I sat at the computer and on the phone
trying to line up an affiliate that I would be
quite possibly be delaying the inevitable so I
grabbed my camera and raced downtown.

Family all gathered. Mom & Dad exhausted and holding
their daughter in the NICU. No answers, no indications
of what the trouble might be. So not fair.

I pray that, in God's grace, she made it through the
night and by some miracle she hangs in and shocks
everyone by surviving.



I'm praying for you little miss S.

Hobie.

Today marks the 1 month anniversary of Hobie's death.
I am filled with sorrow, still. I miss him everyday.
Last night (early this morning, actually) around 4:30am
I was woken by Katie, Hobie's litter mate sister.
She was meowing in the hall like she does when she
wants to play. I sprung up and ran to her side. This is
just highly unusual for her to alert anyone in the
middle of the night so it startled me a bit.
When I got to her she had me follow her to the living
room. It was dark and so is she but from the street
light I saw her stop so I sat down next to her and
picked her up and held her. She wasn't interested in
playing. I don't really know what this was all about.
This is my parenting, I guess. She must have had a nightmare
or as I like to think, she missed Hobie. That was about
the time we discovered him a month ago.

I endured 2 NILMDTS sessions yesterday...nearly 3. One at
Mpls. Children's and the other at Abbott. This is a foundation
that is so near and dear to my heart and soul yet I wish there
was no need. My heart aches for all of the families.
God has blessed me with both the talent and the strength for
the task at hand whenever I get a call. I am grateful.
Thank you to Jessica Towey for coming along to shadow.
She will be an excellent affiliate. Please pray that the
Lord give her the strength as well.

So it's Labor Day weekend. What are you going to do with yours?

Taken from my NILMDTS post

(I posted this yesterday and I wanted to
place it here as well. Hope you don't mind)


I got a call from Jessica this morning.
She asked if I knew who was on call in the
West today?..."no one." I said.
So I ran down there.

I entered the PICU (watch for TONS of construction
around the Mpls. Children's block. It's bad!),
Mother, Father and Daughter...sitting on
a love seat behind the curtain that surrounded
M's bed. Already in her parent's arms, I layed
my bag on the floor, and started right in.
When I left, other family members were arriving.




As I was leaving I looked to my right and saw
some familiar faces. Sadly, The Family whose
twin daughter I photographed in January and whose
other twin I photographed the homecoming for a
couple of months ago was back at PICU.
Seems Danza has gotten sick. I asked if I could
come over and say "hi" and they motioned me over.
I got up close to Danza and said a get well prayer
for her and the parents told me that they would
keep me in the know. I'm so glad I took this session!
Here's Danza from her homecoming session!




Please pray for both these families.
____________________________________________________


I have a wedding out in Delano today. Thank
goodness the storms are out of here and they
took the heat and humidity with them!
We are all breathing a sigh of relief!

Here's a shot out my mom's hospital window
the other day...



I walked down to the end of the hall
and introduced myself to the hospital's
President, Mike Baumgartner to tell him
what a fabulous staff he has!



Later, on my way to Excelsior I snapped
this shot out my car window! WOW!



Gotta run.
Enjoy today!

Long, Hot, CRAZY day.

Took a session at Mpls Children's
this morning. A 4 year old girl.



I have to write more later...
My day got away from me.
I'll tell you more on Saturday.

Moved my Mom today from St. Francis
to St. Gertrudes! YAY!!!
Then a meeting with Urban Ventures,
Then a bout with the weather....again.

Mom's great!!

I've got a wedding all day tomorrow.
I'll post more on Sunday!

Peace.

S.

BBQ with the neighborhood.

Had a delicious invitation to go to a neighbor's
for a BBQ. How do you turn THAT down mid-week!
NO COOKING? I'm in!!

Here's some of the darlings in attendance.
(sisters Molly and Ellie)...in the 'secret garden'.





Hey, is that a glass of Cabernet in my hand?



Jenn & Michael are in town from Massachusetts
and are getting married at the most beautiful
church just off Nicollet Island. This is the oldest,
continuously used Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
Our Lady of Lourdes.
Can't wait to get there. The reception, of course,
will be held at the Nicollet Island Inn.
This will be a joy to shoot! Chloe will be shooting
with me and I look forward to working with her.
She is a fellow NILMDTS affiliate.

I sat with my mom for the majority of the day today.
She is in some extreme back pain due to a ruptured
disc. Her surgery is scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
I've never seen her like this and it's hard enough
sometimes to think of a parent as "aging" but to
see her having to deal with and manage pain is
quite another thing...We had a really nice day together.
After surgery, I'm certain that we will have more
of those and I look forward to them. She lost Tim
Russert and now this...NOT a good week for my mom.

Last night I elected to take a call to go to Abbott
to cover a session for a family that lost a 20+ week
old boy. The gentleman that was 'on call' was not
reachable so I went. The baby's name...Joshua.
When i arrived the Chaplain was coming out of their
room, she wiped a tear and I rubbed her back.
She then started to silently sob. I held her for a
couple of minutes and she thanked me for what we
do at NILMDTS and I told her what a special job
she has and that she was, indeed, an angel too.



God Bless.

Happy Birthday to G!

18. Wow! I'm officially old.
G turns 18 today and perhaps she'd like
to take Niner's to the Casino tonight! :)

I had an early morning call for NILMDTS.
I'm on call all day and so I just jumped
in the car and raced down (rush hour naturally)
to Riverside (University...by Augsburg) and
met a couple whom this would have been their
4th child. But at just 22 weeks, poor, sweet
Tred couldn't make it work any longer. Devastating.



I could get more calls today, we'll see.
I'd like to be able to fit the Hilton in later
today tho'...2 families are checking in around
5 today and that is always a joy-filled shoot!
These cancer kids are remarkable! I just love
this part of what I do...I guess this is a
"give back" day for me...It fills me up!

You know what else fills me up?
The fact that I decided to go ahead and cut
ties with Pictage. It was really a long time
coming and for many of you, you know the trials
that I went through with them over the past
couple of years. I think I may still attend
some PUG meetings as I have made so many
friendships there.

On Call...

Today I elected to be placed on the "on call"
list for NILMDTS. This will fulfill me for the
month of May. It really works out great!

James Ryan's mom, Laura, came by yesterday to
pick up the CD & images that I had printed at
WHCC. She said that it's just what she needed!
To get out of the house and drive...a gorgeous
day! It was nice to see her altho' I wasn't so
sure that she should be out driving around
2 days after delivering a baby but she assured
me that she was fine. Here's an image off that CD.



Well, it's kind of official...I will be the new
NILMDTS Coordinator for Minneapolis Children's
and for Fairview Southdale. This means that I will
be the liaison between those hospitals and the
appropriate affiliate photographer to serve the
session. The new "On Call" list makes that job
a whole lot easier! I am so proud to have been
asked to fill this position. And to my family,
friends, clients and therapist ;).....this does
not mean that I will be taking anymore calls to
cover sessions than normal. I just may have to
stop what I'm doing and make some calls. And I
can tell you first hand that this is a small task
compared to the reality that these families are
facing!

Okay, changing gears..here's more shots of Emily
at her Track & Field day...







Today, Boo is going to see Dr. Rodney Toogood.
Yes, that's his real name! We are contemplating
the dreaded "de -claw"...I know...I hate to do it
but...it's just a reality, really. It's no wonder
animals hate the vet! They have these things called
"soft paws"...they are like little Lee Press On Nails
for cats that cap the nail and prevent them from
doing damage. Hey, I've seen Hobie chew is rear claws,
OFF! I don't think that these things could possibly
stay on...ANYway, we're heading in this morning to
talk turkey and do a little blood work. I love him!
The other day, tho', he hopped up in bed and started
to nurse my face...weird, right? pushing my cheeks
and sucking my upper lip....I digress.

My sister is coming over today to help me get my
office organized...this is going to be fun!

OH, be sure to go to the Today show and vote for
Tom & Annie for the Race to the Alter! They are
too cute!

Danza.

Yay! Danza went home yesterday! And I got
to be there for the send off!







Thank you Christa & Randy for allowing me this
wonderful, beautiful, happy opportunity! Danza is
just perfect! A tiny miracle...what joy she will
bring! I'm glad you are keeping that photo that you
had taped to her bed. She will cherish that someday!
You just tell Danza that I told you not to toss it! :)
Keep in touch when you can to all the goings on!
I'll get your images to you soon.

Today I am going to go and sit with a friend who
has recently endured back surgery to break up
her boredom and bring her lunch.

The City Tour that Here's Life Inner City was
putting on this Saturday was canceled. I'm so
bummed. I was looking forward to that. I may
just head down there anyway and shoot in that
now I have a Saturday open...my last free Saturday
for the next 3 months!! YIKES!

I had to miss my PUG meeting last night.
My schedule has been pretty tight. Gary went
down to the Twins game with my brother and I
sat with some cabernet on the porch and watched
American Idol & Dancing with the Stars! big night!
Thanks to TiVO! Quite relaxing. Rusty (who might
start going by the name of "Cheddar") sat with
me the whole time...so cute.

Hey, I have GOT to get going!

Danza is ready to come home.

I'm going to hit the gym and then run down
to Children's to photograph a homecoming session.
Danza's twin sister, Joely Joy passed away
at Children's in early January but Danza
has been a real fighter and is now ready to go
home and start her life. So exciting.
Thanks Chris Slater for switching around your
appointment with me so that I can fulfill a
request by this family.

Rusty is so funny. At night, when I put him
in the office he sticks his paw out from under
the door and rattles the door back and forth
just like Hobie did when he was a kitten.
It's pretty funny! Then in the morning when
I let him out he stops and it's like he doesn't
know where to go first..again...funny.
I have to get a video recorder!

I actually have a pretty big hair day today so
I'm going to get rolling.

Nicki, are you ready for the city tour this
weekend!? I'm so excited!

NILMDS update

I have decided to take on the role of NILMDTS
coordinator for Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
Our new system of affiliates selecting days that
they will be available throughout each month
will ease the phone calls to be made by each
coordinator. So if you or anyone you know is
in need of our services at Children's (next to
Abbott) in Minneapolis, I'll be the one in charge
of coordinating a photographer for sessions
being handled at that hospital.

I'm finishing up the Martin wedding today and
will have their proofs online in the next couple
of days.

Rusty had a big day out of the office yesterday
and has discovered new worlds beyond that door!



He still gets put in there from time to time and
sleeps there as well...he's doing great but Hobie
and Katie are continuing their campaign to have
him ousted.

We had a lovely day yesterday...no rain!
The Austin's came here for a yummy mixed grill
and mimosas! Gary is the grill master around here!

Then we each took a little nap and watched the
Players Championship at Sawgrass....pretty exciting
really. Sergio Garcia pulled off the victory in
a playoff.

Anne called and invited us to dinner at Outback.
Gary held down the porch and I went to meet them.
We laughed so hard and for so long I got sweaty!
Good times. Fun stories. Fond memories and great
food...Thanks Baker's & Mom for a bonus end to a
Fabulous day!

Well, another Monday with lots to do.