Random thought about Adoption...

Friday, January 22, 2010

My sister and I were both adopted. I'm watching the Hope for Haiti telethon and seeing so many of these orphans. It was bad enough before the devastating earthquake but now...
The sad part is that there is so much red tape involved with adoption. This, I speak of from the perspective  of my parents.  After you get through the red tape, you have to be able to afford all of the legal fees involved with adoption. I'd adopt in a heartbeat--any child! But why can't they make it more affordable for the "average" American. "Average" Americans raise great kids you know!

I am grateful for the sacrifices that my parents made for us.  I can't say that my life in the Philippines would've been destitute. In fact, another couple wanted to adopt us and they happened to be University Professors, as the story goes. But I can say that I am grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded as an American citizen thanks to my parents!
Okay, so here are a few photos. The black and white photo is my twin sister, Hilary and I (our names had changed 3 times by the age of 5!) in our adoption announcement photo. I'm on the right. The others are from our days growing up in OKC. My mom was pregnant w/ my baby sister and we were foster family to Wendy and Michele Coates---they were sisters in the OK 'system'. (They are the youngest in the photos. Wendy is the older of the 2) And in every sense of the word, they were our sisters. We wanted to adopt them. We really loved them. I really wonder about where life has taken them.  Unfortunately, we couldn't adopt them because they are 1/2 Native American . The requirement (at the time) was that you had to have at least 1/4 Native American blood to adopt them. Admittedly, the other wrench was that we were being stationed in Germany and there just wasn't time for evaluations, etc... Crazy. They went back into the system, but I can honestly tell you that they've never left my heart. I do hope life has been good to them!
So...yep, we'd adopt. No DOUBT!

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Another SneakPeek



Here's another Snapshot of a session I had with a great family. These boys were so awesome and I could tell that they think the world of their Mama!  I came home telling my son that I hope that he still loves me and respects me like these gentlemen obviously feel for her!

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SweetHeart of a Deal being offered Now!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010



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"S" Family Snapshot SneakPeek!

Monday, January 18, 2010



I know I've shared a quick little SneakPeek of the twins, but here's one of all of the kids...

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Windy, Beautiful Day...

Sunday, January 17, 2010


to get some photos of the neighbors's kids!  Please see http://www.pwsausa.org/syndrome/index.htm and educate yourself about this rare disease.  Thanks for letting me take some photos of the kids today! Can't wait to do it again!

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text HAITI

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Did you know that you can text HAITI to 90999 and you will easily donate $10.00 to the relief efforts in Haiti?  How does it work? According to CNN, the State Department has initiated this 1st-time effort to easily donate to the cause. You text HAITI and will recieve a text message thanking you for your $10.00 donation which will show up on your cell phone bill.  Great idea! Text to Haiti

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Happy Birthday to my 'Baby'

Tuesday, January 12, 2010


I know he can't stand that I call him my baby---aren't our children our babies for ever? Well, today, my baby turned 11 years old. He keeps us so busy and I don't know what life would be like without him!  Happy Birthday Bubba! We love you---and THANKS for helping me so much with my company! He's always willing to let me take photos of him and was so excited about me starting Snapshot Artistry. I know he wants the world to think I'm as great a photographer as he believes I am!

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Finally finished my Website!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Today is a great day! I finally 'finished' my website! Can we ever actually be done? As much as I have going on in my mind at any given moment, it seemed to take forever to get it together and claim to have a finalized site!  I'm so excited about what 2010 has to offer and look forward to many more photo shoots, gaining a ton of knowledge and meeting new people!

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