You Capture Challenge - Letters

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/category/you-capture, and the author of the blog has a weekly photography challenge, called "You Capture." The object is to get us photography nuts out and about with our cameras. The challenge for this week was letters. So, I kept thinking about what letters would be most interesting to photograph over the weekend. During that time I went to my nephew, Connor's, first t-ball game. And then I realized the answer was right in front of my face! Here are some of my favorite letters:

Connor at Bat

Waiting in the Dugout

Future Baseball Star

This was Connor's first official t-ball game. He spent most of the time in the outfield walking in circles, playing in the dirt, and occasionally watching to see what was happening in the game. He's only four years old, so his attention span is short (hence his position in the outfield). He does well when he is at bat, but he doesn't run as quickly as the other team throws.

His baseball jersey and pants are too big, but it turns out you can only get them so small.

I had great fun getting these photos and I can't wait for next weeks challenge!

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. It is a day where everyone is encouraged to take steps to help save and protect our planet. God has created all things in the universe and we are instructed to care for the things he has provided for us. I was reading a new post by Alice and she had a cute drawing from Rick (see below) who so graciously allows us bloggers to copy and share his drawings. Thanks Rick!

I am trying to do my part to protect the Earth; I use energy efficient bulbs and appliances, I try to make sure lights are turned off when I'm not in rooms, my husband and I carpool, and I plant trees in my yard. However, my favorite way to show my appreciation for this gift God has given is to photograph the Earth's beauty. What an amazing and beautiful creation this world is!

Mother Goose

White Hydrangea

Bumble Bee

Courtesy of Rick Green

The Joy of a Child

In 2000 I got pregnant. I had been married for two years. We were trying to get pregnant and it only took two months after I stopped taking the pill. I was so excited and also terrified at the same time. My mother had three miscarriages; one before I was born, one after I was born, and one after my sister was born. My sister had one miscarriage when she was 17. I knew a miscarriage was a possibility, but I just wanted to relish the joy of the situation.

The same week I discovered I was pregnant, a co-worker/friend also discovered she was pregnant. We were excited that we would share this experience together. Two weeks later while at work I had a weird feeling that something wasn't right, it felt as though maybe I was starting my period, but I knew that couldn't be right. I went to the bathroom and I WAS bleeding. My husband and I worked together and I went to him in hysterics. After several hours in an emergency room all they could tell me was that I was "probably" going to miscarry and I would have to come back for another blood test the next day. I was at home alone when I got the call confirming what I already knew in my heart. My baby was gone. I have never hurt so badly. I had barely gotten used to the idea that I was pregnant and it was over already.

My husband was sad that the baby was gone, but I don't think he has ever truly understood the depth of the pain the loss caused me. It wounded me down to my very soul. My co-worker/friend had a wonderful pregnancy. No problems. She had a beautiful baby girl the same week I also should have been delivering my child. I don't think anyone ever understood how painful it was to watch her get everything I dreamed about. It's been almost 9 years now, but the pain is still so raw. I was happy for her, but her happiness reminded me that I should be experiencing the same joy. It was like a slap in the face.

About a year later I discovered that I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It causes fertility issues. I have never been able to get pregnant again. I may never get pregnant again. And the pain is always with me.

I never held my child. I never even saw my child. I just knew that for a brief time it was there within me. And then it wasn't. My dream was gone. But my sorrow from the loss of my dream is real, and still just as intense nine years later.

In 2003 my sister Wendy gave birth to a daughter. Alexis was born 16-weeks premature and she only lived for three days. After Alexis, Wendy had another miscarriage. She was finally able to carry a son, Connor (4), and a daughter, Raelee (9 months), to full-term. Because of the loss she (and our family) suffered, Wendy has never taken one moment for granted with her children. She knows how lucky she is to have them and that the death of her daughter will never leave any of us (along with her two miscarriages).

It has also reminded me that the pain never goes away, it is still there, but we can still have joy in our lives. Maybe one day I will know the joy of my own child in my arms. If not, then I will be sad, but I will go on.

I write this post as a way to honor all of the mothers out there who have experienced the sorrow of losing a child. People like Wendy, and Heather, and Beth, and millions of other women out there.

Please donate to the March of Dimes. They are saving the lives of babies and the hearts of mothers every day.

Photo Tag - You're It!

The beautiful and witty Lauren tagged me in a fun photo game. Here are the rules:

Take a picture of yourself right now.
No primping or preparing.
Just snap a picture.
Load the picture onto your blog.
Tag some people to play along.

I'm at work on a break catching up on some of my favorite blogs right now. The only camera I have is my camera phone (which is only like 1.2 megapixels or something).

I don't like photos of myself, but here I am in my office at work for all the world (or the few wonderful people who read my blog) to see:

Now it's your turn!

Shelley

Leedra

Christy

Jenny

Have fun and no cheating!

Madeline Alice Spohr

Today I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs. One of my favorites is http://mooshinindy.com/. As I began reading some of her recent posts my heart began to break. A friend of Casey's (the author of the blog), Heather Spohr, lost her daughter, Madeline Alice Spohr. Madeline was born prematurely and because of that, her immune system was weak. Please take some time to read the posts at http://mooshinindy.com/ and also at http://www.remembermaddie.com/.

In remembrance of little Maddie, I have changed the color of some of my text to purple (I was trying to change the background color to purple, but since I'm not very good at this whole web design thing, I gave up because I don't know how).

I lost my niece, Alexis Leigh Fromme, in 2003. She was born 16 weeks premature. Alexis lived for 3 days. My sister, Wendy Fromme, and I have chosen to honor Alexis and other prematurely born babies (like Maddie) by walking for the March of Dimes every year.

Please take a moment and donate to the March of Dimes by clicking the link on the right-hand side of my blog. It only takes a moment. I know that economy is bad and times are tough all around, but even if you can only donate $1, every dollar helps.

Do this so families like the Spohrs and the Frommes don't have to know the pain of losing a child.

Alexis Leigh Fromme

Alexis

Alexis (1/21/03 - 1/24/03)

Happy Easter!

Today is an important day for all Christians. Today is the day that Jesus conquered death. Because of his death and Resurrection, we are able to spend eternity in paradise as long as we believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is a day for all Christians to rejoice and be thankful for all that Jesus has done for us. Our sins can be forgiven because of Him. What a wonderful gift we have been given.

Springtime and Easter go hand-in-hand. Last year around this time I took my nephew to the zoo (as I do several times a year). The zoo had planted hundreds of daffodils. The blooms were so beautiful! However, I was disheartened to see people picking the blooms. I was shocked that people just assumed that they could pick the flowers. I heard some of the zoo staff off to the side talking about how many hours the groundskeeping staff had spent planning the gardens and planting the bulbs. I haven't been to the zoo yet this spring, but if they chose to plant the daffodils again this year, I hope that installed signs that tell the guests not to pick the flowers. It is really sad that this would even be necessary, but people aren't teaching their children respect for anything anymore.

On behalf of all gardeners out there, I implore you, please don't pick the flowers! The flowers are there for everyone to enjoy, but if you pick the blooms, then no one can enjoy them.

Below are some photos of the daffodil gardens at the Louisville Zoo.

Happy Easter and blessings to all!

Field of Daffodils

Yellow Bloom

Orange & Yellow Bloom

Northern Arizona

One of the most interesting things about driving through Arizona is that you never know what you are going to see next. As you drive north from Tucson, the scenery changes dramatically. As you crest each hillside or mountain top the view changes. When you start in Southern Arizona, you will find the typical desert views: cactus, mountains, and rocks. Once you get north of Phoenix, the scenery begins to change. Before you know it, you are in dense pine tree forests. As you get into Flagstaff the land levels out at about 5000 feet. Then you see a large peak (Humphreys Peak) and you are left wondering how tall that mountain must be if you are already at 5000 feet (and the answer is 12,562 feet). As you get north of Flagstaff the scenery is constantly changing. You see the Painted Desert, different mountain ranges, the Grand Canyon, cattle farms, Indian Reservations, and more. When my husband and I drove from Page, Arizona east to Monument Valley (about 100 miles), the scenery was continually changing. You never knew what breath-taking view lie ahead. It was spectacular and indescribable, especially for those who truly appreciate the beauty of nature in all of its forms.

The photos below were taken north of Flagstaff and south of Page. The photos of the canyons were taken from Antelope Pass just south of Page. If you ever have the time, I highly recommend a scenic drive through Arizona. It isn't something you will soon forget.

Humpreys Peak

Canyon View from Antelope Pass

Rocky Mountainside of Antelope Pass

Mountains South of Page, Arizona

Colorful Layers

I'm Still Here

For the few wonderful, beautiful, souls who read my blog, please continue to read. I will put up some new photos this evening. I've been quite busy and I have not had the time to post anything the past week or so.

More Arizona photos to come soon!

Thank you for reading my blog. I really enjoy your kind comments.