Leavin' on a Jet Plane

We're getting ready for the big adventure...please pray for us, especially for my sanity!

Grandma has been waiting patiently to see the pre-California haircut. It went over much better than we expected.

I am NOT...

a graphic designer! I love those Home Depot (or is it Lowes) commercials of homeowners proclaiming "I am not a painter. I am not an electrician. Etc." They play over and over in my head when I convince my husband to go the "cheaper" route and do home projects that we are not qualified to do on our own.

Okay, back to the post. I found some very simple, clean, classic templates that are easy to use and threw in a few pictures from my last portrait session to see how they worked.

Starlight, Starbright....

A long, long time ago (no....not in a land far, far away), I worked for a non-profit called the Starbright Foundation, who created technology based, interactive programs for children with chronic medical conditions. I'm not sure on the details (I am guessing because of funding issues), at some point, Starbright merged with the Starlight Foundation, which is also a Los Angeles based non-profit (I always understood them to be more of a "Make a Wish" type organization for children with medical conditions...but I could be wrong).

Anyway...Colgate is having a contest where a hospital is given a Fun Center (games, movies, etc.)as a prize. Children's Hospital of Michigan is in the running (and currently winning, last I checked...but not by much).

Since my education is in medicine, I live in Michigan and I used to work for one of the organizations, I thought this was the perfect "non-photography" post for my blog.

The contest ends Feb. 29th, so don't delay...VOTE NOW!

Vote for Detroit

Fun in the Sun...

...glasses!

After a trip with dad to the mall yesterday, I was a little nervous to see what the "I show you mommy" was going to be about after the boys called me to tell me they were on their way home.

I couldn't believe my son even let dad get these on him long enough for him to realize they were kind of cool. Now he won't take them off!

Tough guys.

Rockin' out with "La Queen"

What are you lookin' at? (my favorite)

Not again mom.
He doesn't mind me as much if I am this far away.

Caroline 1 year - The Slideshow

Here's the slideshow from Caroline's 1 year session. Click on the title of the post to view the show.

The Mouse and His Child

Does anyone remember that movie? I have odd memories about scenes in that movie. Were there scary parts in it (for a kids movie)?

Well, I guess this post would more appropriately be titled, "The Child and His Mouse" anyway.

This was a Valentine's Day present from Grandma and Grandpa V! It was love at first sight.


My son gets to meet the Big Cheese in a few weeks in person. We'll see if the reaction is the same.

Miss Caroline

I have had such a pleasure documenting this sweet little girl during her first fabulous year of life! I can't believe she is one year old already! She will be a big sister in a few months and I can't wait to meet her little brother too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

So the childcare providers reminded me yesterday when I dropped off my son not to forget my son's Valentine's Day cards to pass out to all the kids when he comes to daycare today.



Uhhhhhh...what? He's TWO! Since when did two year olds pass out Valentine's Day cards!?! I faked a calm look and said "They are ready at home waiting!"


So bad mom (and dad) ran to Target last night to find exactly what I expected....the selection of cards was very slim! I guess waiting until the day before to buy them is not a good idea....note to self. It was then that I was glad my son was only TWO and couldn't have cared less what was on the cards that we picked for him to give out to his little friends.


Of course, I love all of my family and friends, but here are the two men in my life that make me love being a wife and a mom. Happy Valentine's Day Husband and Son!

I mean, how can I not love this face?

Or this one....

To protect the identity of the innocent...

...these images have been cropped to hide the faces of those who may not want them shown.

I couldn't help myself!

Medical Humor

My husband shared this with me. I thought it was funny. FYI...my residency was in radiology...hmmm. My husband...emergency medicine.

Hope this doesn't offend anyone. Where do the OB/GYNers fall?

The Flu

Yikes, the flu has taken hold of me and won't let go! Anyone else feel my pain? I am so lucky my son and husband haven't gotten it (yet), which is why I know almost for certain it is the flu. (I'm the only dunce in the family who didn't get the flu shot!)

Here's a few from the couch today, the first one is especially for Grandma...who bought this hat for my son, which I just love (the hat that is...and my son too)!

And Thomas the Tank Engine has some new competition in our house. My son calls him "La Queen" which makes me chuckle almost every time he says it....which is A LOT!