Spring has sprung in northern KY, and colors are everywhere. I couldn’t resist a shot of some yellow forsythia against that amazing blue sky.
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#10/52 – Beginnings
Just got back from spending the weekend with Hanson and Kim. If all goes well, he will be able to go home sometime this week! He is such a little fighter…and has such a sweet personality. I can’t wait until I can actually do a photo shoot with him, but that is still a little while down the road. I’m so glad that he is going to be able to go home soon so he can begin life with his amazing parents!
Thank you all for the continued prayers, well wishes and support for Team Hanson! It means the world to me and to his family as well. He’s had a rough beginning, but this little boy is going to do something great in this world! I promise to post a photo of him as soon as I can. But for now, here’s his hand with Mommy’s
#9/52 – Warnings
This is a tornado siren, and I have never been more thankful that they are located in my part of the country than I am right now. Because of the warning ahead of the tornadoes that ripped through northern Kentucky on Friday, my family and friends are all safe.
Prayers for all the people affected by the tornadoes that have ravaged the country in the past week.
#8/52 – Characters
I’m sure you all recognize this character as a symbol for fast food, Big Macs and Happy Meals. But what you may not know is that he is also the symbol for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which I was introduced to this weekend. I had heard of Ronald McDonald House (RMH) before, but never really knew what the charity did. Well, let me give you a quick overview! RMH’s are located in larger cities near Children’s Hospitals, and provide families with sick children a place to stay, a loving atmosphere, and support from the fabulous volunteers there as well as other families who are there. Right now I cannot even find the words to present the services that RMH provides to families so, I encourage you to please check out their website (click the link above) to see what this amazing charity can provide for families who have children requiring extended medical treatment.
I was privileged enough to be a visitor at the RHM in Lexington KY this past weekend. Baby Hanson’s parents have been accepted to stay at the Lexington location while Hanson is in the hospital recovering from his open heart surgery. They have a comfortable place to stay, a private bathroom, laundry facilities, use of TV’s and computers, and a home-cooked meal each evening.
Families who are accepted into RHM are asked to give a donation of $10 per night, but if they cannot afford that, they are still welcome to stay. RMH is run completely by donations, and having seen the tremendous effect it has on the families there, I am definitely their newest advocate! If you’re looking for a charity to contribute to, a charity that really makes a difference in the lives of ordinary people in need, check out Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Baby Hanson update: Hanson had his arterial switch surgery to repair the CHD he was born with on Thursday, February 23rd. I am so happy to report that Hanson came through his surgery and is recovering very well. His heart rate is strong and his blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels are great! I was able to see him for a few minutes yesterday and he is one amazing little boy. I promise I will post pictures of him as soon as I can! Thank you so much to all of you for the love, prayers and good wishes. Hanson and his family still have a long recovery ahead of them, but things are looking good so far!
Here is Ronald, he sits outside the RMH in Lexington to welcome all who visit. A very special character, indeed.
#7/52 Rural
Wanted to give a quick update on Baby Hanson. He arrived at 12:53 PM on February 16 weighing in at 7 lbs. 9 oz., 18 3/4 inches long. He is absolutely beautiful!!! Right now he is at UK Children’s Hospital and is in stable condition awaiting his surgery later this week. Thank you all for the thoughts, mojo and prayers…we could all feel the love being sent our way. I would like to ask that you please keep Hanson and his family in mind this week as he undergoes surgery. I will update as I can. Thank you so much friends!
Now…for this week’s post.
I’ve passed by this house a million times and finally decided to stop and get a few photos. Doesn’t get much more rural than this 
#6/52 Work
I wanted to take a moment and ask a favor of all of you. The maternity shoot from last week is one of my dearest friends on this earth. And her baby boy is going to arrive this Thursday. He has been diagnosed (in-utero) with a congenital heart defect and will have to undergo open heart surgery shortly after his birth. If you’re the praying kind, could you please send some up on Thursday for Baby Hanson and his parents? If you don’t do prayer, please send some good mojo for them! Thank you, we appreciate it very much!
Now for this week’s post. I had the pleasure of photographing another sweet baby boy who recently entered the world. I have to say that I gained a whole new level of respect for photographers who photograph newborn babies. I did research and searched the internet for ideas, and yet it was much harder than I thought it would be. I have to say a special thank you to my “assistants” Macy and Caity, and to his mommy, April. I couldn’t have done this without them.
Even though this photo shoot was more difficult than I imagined, it still didn’t seem like “work.” Meet Baby Owen.
#5/52 Love
I had the opportunity to do my first maternity shoot and this is one of my favorite photos from the day. If this doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does. So excited for this little boy to make his big entrance into the world!
HONORED
My awesome friend Tammy has passed the One Beautiful Blog Award to me, and I am absolutely honored. Tammy was a huge inspiration to me during my Project365 and has become not only a friend, but also an invaluable resource to me regarding photography and post-editing software. I have made so many “friends” here in the blogging world and I am so thankful for all of you!
In order to receive this award I must tell you all something about myself and then pass the award on to other well deserving bloggers. Well, let’s see…I am an accountant for a manufacturing company; mother to a smart, beautiful newly-turned teenage daughter; and wife to the most amazing man I’ve ever met. My daughter Macy actually has a better photographic eye than I do, and I have learned so much by just watching her. We have 3 cats and 2 Pomeranians, one of which is named Cullen (yes, he was named after the Twilight Saga character Edward.) I have some “sisters” who share no part of my DNA, but are more like family to me than my own. I love these ladies immensely and am a much better because they are part of my life. And lastly, I am thankful beyond words for all of you that follow my blog. Y’all have helped me recognize a dream I didn’t even know I had.
And now, to pass the award on to some deserving blogs:
I follow many other blogs, and you can find them on my blog roll. Thank you again, Tammy, for choosing me for this award.
#4/52 Yummy!
Today is the hub’s birthday, and I made my first ever cake from scratch for him. Thank you to my sister-friends Amanda, Kim and Kistina for the support (this was quite traumatic for me LOL! I love to cook but have never baked much of anything unless it was from Toll House or Betty Crocker.) It turned out amazing! I want to eat this icing every day. Forever. Seriously.
#3/52 Utilities
We had an ice storm here in N KY last night. I went outside today to get some photos of the ice coated world, and had to get this shot of our electric meter decorated with icicles. So glad our utilities work inside even when they’re frozen outside!
Hope everyone is staying safe and warm. Photo is SOOC.
And just because, here’s a photo of our icy deck furniture. SOOC also.
