Moms



"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."  ~Washington Irving



All five sisters with our Mom on a Sister Weekend in Pinetop



It’s hard to believe it’s been two years this month since we started this incredible journey we’re on.  Along the way, we’ve met some amazing moms and kids of all ages!  It seemed fitting today to offer a tribute to ALL the moms out there, whoever and wherever you may be!  Through our eyes, many women get “mom” status today, whether they have children who came from their own flesh and blood or whether they have become moms in some other way.  We hope each one of you realizes how special you are in the lives of those who love you and we hope today is an extra special day for you.

Our own mom, who we love and miss terribly, was really our second mom.  God blessed us with her after our first mom died when we were young.  We couldn’t have loved her more, nor she us, if we were related by blood.  And she was absolutely the best Mimi any child could ever have asked for!

So, to all the moms, grandmas, stepmoms, adoptive moms, surrogate moms, foster moms, mothers-in-law, aunts, pet moms, women who are “like a mom” and any other types of moms out there…we wish you the happiest of Mother’s Days.  May you be blessed just as you are a special blessing to someone else.

  

Here’s a not-so-small sample (it was too hard to choose!) of some of the beautiful moms we’ve had the privilege to photograph during this amazing process of making our dream come true!  Not all of them fit the rules of composition in photography and some have not been edited the way we like to see them.  To us, each image represents a mom who is perfectly beautiful and very special!

MOM

I’ve Seen An Angel

“You say you’ve seen an angel?”

My friend asked me today.

Without a hesitation, “Yes,

I have seen one,” I say.

He said, “What does she look like?

Is there a halo and some wings?

“No,” I replied quickly,

“She doesn’t have those things.”

“She does have the warmest smile,

And is loving like no other.

I ought to know,” I said,

“For this angel is my mother.”

~Unknown



Here we are at the beginning, with our "first" mom.  Such a dainty pose!!!



Blessings to you and your family...this day and always,

Karen and Tina

What Will Your Legacy Be?

There are things that matter like paying your bills, and doing laundry, and being kind to your neighbor, and being a good citizen.

And then there are things that matter like telling your loved ones that you love them, showing your loved ones you love them, accepting others unconditionally, and finding purpose in serving others.

How lucky am I to be surrounded by people who demonstrate the former, but more importantly the latter “things that matter”?  Last week, my better half and a team of other wonderful guys and gals put together a golf tournament, the proceeds of which went directly to MASD/ADS to benefit Special Olympians like my son.  They gave of their time, their talents, and their resources so that this could be realized in their 10^th annual Duck and Run Golf Tournament.  They are the “salt of the earth” and I am honored to call them my husband, my brother-in-law and nephews, their business associates and friends!

I had the pleasure of being a spectator at this event at Vistal Golf Club one morning last week.  I also had the pleasure of hanging with my daughter as we made the rounds and visited with golfers and fundraisers taking pictures of “things that matter”.   

The golf course was beautiful, the view divine, the weather was perfect, but the faces…they tell it all!  These are the faces and images of the “things that matter”.  I can’t think of anything I’d rather photograph!

Hole #1: “{D’}s Drive”.  Golfers were greeted at the first hole by a Special Olympian who can drive the golf ball as straight and long as the best of them.  They got to choose whether to play his ball or their own. And by the time they were back in their cart and on their way their lives had just been changed from meeting the ever talkative, always inquisitive and holds nothing back Mr.{D}…"play ball”! 





  

 Ambassadors and buddies making the rounds and hitting a few balls for the players.



And then there was this young lady! She and her parents sit at hole #15 (par 3) every Friday and raise donations to help buy uniforms for MASD/ADS Special Olympians.  They were happy to come and do the same the day of the golf tournament.  Miss{A} promises a sleeve of balls if their drive lands on the green, and if it’s a hole in one…a trip to Las Vegas!  She explains to the golfers arriving at the hole that it will include a little extra spending money for gambling, meals…(with this she pauses) and then delivers the punch line “and liquor”!  To this the golfer replies "You had me at hello" and hands her a $20!  She is very articulate and engaging and if it’s any hint both her e-mail addresses have the word “diva” in them!  Upon meeting my daughter and checking out the feathers in her hair she says, “Oh….they’re so you!  I’m a diva too!  Let’s take a picture….like this”!

How many rooms full of golfers do you imagine sing happy birthday to someone over lunch?  None, you think.  Well, as Mark explains it, anybody who hangs around Special Olympians for long, knows that anytime within a 3 week time period surrounding their birthday is fair game for singing and celebrating.  And so we did.  Ryan just happened to be celebrating his birthday ON the day of the tournament with about 104 golfers!  He was grinning from ear to ear.

These are the men and women who donated their hard earned money to sponsor a hole, purchase raffle tickets or mulligans, play 50/50 and/or play a round of golf. It's very touching when they win a prize or cash and turn around and donate it back to the athletes.



My Sweetie and some his team who devoted

themselves to making this tournament such a success!

   

They raised $17,400 for Special Olympics!


                   Life is good, and these….are the things that matter!

           Tina

This sits on the side
of the mountain
overlooking
Vistal Golf Club



   

GOT SMILES?

Senior High School students around the country will soon be graduating and making plans for life “post high school”!  Their schedules are filled with proms, finals, college applications, graduation and of course…senior pictures!  We are always thrilled to have the opportunity to capture images of these lovely young people as their excitement for being a senior is written all over their faces.  Miss {A} was no exception.  She had a smile that could light up the room, under a sunset that lit up the sky.  Have we said how much we loved this location for her shoot? 

Presenting, the lovely Mesa High School Graduate…Miss {A}!

How cool was this? We found some bronze sculptures of her high school mascot!



Someday she'll be a part of the hustle and bustle here.



THIS is the reason we love to shoot in the "golden hour"!



Congratulations and Good Luck Miss {A}



"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it’s possible" ~ Rich Devos

                                                 Tina