My Love contest.....

In an effort to spice up the cold days of February and give some folks who might not have had an opportunity to own a large print from me a chance at one, I had a contest. It was a love contest. People submitted their photos showing love to me, I posted them on facebook in a gallery on my professional page and they invited friends and family to vote for their photos. There was such a huge response, I was not prepared for so many newcomers to my facebook page!! Thrilled....I am!!

I was so thrilled that I took it from THREE prizes to THIRTY prizes as I felt the folks who entered deserved something for sharing me with friends and family. I gave first place price to the top three ladies who entered, they each invited over 200 people to vote. Kudos ladies and many thanks!! First place went to Candace Laliberte. She submitted this photo of her nephews.......Richie and Luke

I sent out the congratulatory emails notifying everyone of their prizes. I received many thanks but Candace sent me the most amazing email. I knew nothing about her story before this and found that her first place prize was most deserving....the outpouring of love from family and friends was amazing!

Kelly,

You just made my day. I can't tell you how excited my little Richie will be.

Now I can tell you a little bit about our year.... it's been a hard one. My husband plays hockey overseas. I leave work to come with him, we've been married for about two years. We were born and raised in Saco, Maine, have lots of family and friends there; which makes it a little hard to leave. About four months ago my little brother passed away, he had just turned 21. He had a snowmobile accident about ten years ago now, he was 12. He survived but suffered a traumatic brain injury. My second nephew Richie was born the day before the day the anniversary of Michael's accident... February 14th.

My brother had his first grand mal seizure as a result of his brain injury on October 14th; which happened to be the day before my first nephew was born. He died as a result of a seizure six years later, this past October 14th at 11:45 pm.

I saw your contest and felt compelled to enter. Richie was Michaels god-son and my brother Michael loved him so so much.

The kids have had such a hard time with his passing and talk about him all the time. To be honest, most of the questions they ask I have no idea how to answer. "We miss mononcle, will we ever see him again, when will we see him again, etc."

I made my family a two hour slideshow of our entire lives after Michael passed. I worked for it on weeks on end, even though it hurt to relive the memories of our life so soon, I needed to make a start to finish of all the photos I had of him so that we could never forget our memories. My nephews were obsessed with the dvd I gave my sister even though she couldn't get herself to watch it, (she was not ready). When I asked Richie what he wanted for his fourth birthday, he said "pictures of me and my lukey like you made of mononcle".

This photo shoot kelly, this is for them, for them to make their memories together. I pray that they fill your day with joy and love and laughter, and that it's a day that they will have to remember together forever.

Thank you for this opportunity, I am so grateful. I wish that you gain many more clients, you certainly have me as a future client.

Sending you love this Valentines Day and Gratitude.

Sincerely,
Candace Laliberte

Please send the gift certificate to my sister.

It's amazing the people I've met through my work! I treasure each relationship! They starting an epilepsy and traumatic brain injury foundation in Michael's name and I wanted to show my support by posting her story here.

Thank you, Candace! I look forward to meeting you in person!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Our story of Valentines....

THIS is what I love about Valentines day!!!!!!! Every year I'm thankful to see them still taking the time to sit and write each classmates name with care. Branden's already outgrown it and buying "cool" valentines for an 11-year-old boy is nearly impossible! I didn't take the time to create my own cards for them this year, seems almost a chore to get them in front of the camera sometimes!
I love the excitement in choosing just the right card for each child in her class........

...the concentration it takes to spell each name correctly......

but sometimes there are so many, the concentration fades and eyes get tired.......


at about the 8th card....the exhaustion sets in.......


...to the point you flat out need to rest a minute........

....but, she pulls it together and gets the other five done.....pen capped....job done!!!!!
After all that work, a whipped cream sundae is definately in order!!!!
That's how its done over here!!!!

Makenna did her's in her room this year...there's something more personal about writing out valentines when you're a 2nd grader I guess. I missed it all!

Cameron prepared a box for all his school cards and decorated it like a Rubix cube. It was cute...he was very proud!

Today I couldn't make it up our steep driveway! Ice has overtaken the dirt the boys put down for me yesterday. Brother bailed me out with lots of dirt - I consider all wheel drive on a daily basis now!

I'm off to edit!

Enjoy!
~kel~