Dallas Exodus Ministries

Last weekend i had the pleasure of taking pictures for an incredible charity and group of people- Exodus Ministries of Dallas.

This charity takes in about 10 women as they are coming back into society from prison, and reunites them with their children.

Exodus then sets these families up in an apartment (in a complex they own)that is furnished and rent free. counseling, child care help, training, a clothes closet, are all provided- but most importantly- a group of caring community members mentor and love these women back into society. each woman has strict rules to follow to stay in the program, which lasts 9 months.

although they don't have to pay rent- they are required to put rent money into an account... an account that gets them in the habit of being responsible for providing, and when it's time to leave the Exodus apartments, the women are given the money back to help them upstart their new lives.

taking pictures of these women and their children was touching- we bonded quickly. and this little boy pictured above gave me a couple of hugs during the day.

the charity event raised 49k for Exodus- with the help of some generous shooters and a great silent auction that included big screen tvs, vacations, and lots of guns.

this is the event that will be in an upcoming magazine- and as soon as i know more about it- i'll let you know. annnnnnd..... when i know which pictures they are using to tell the story- i will post them in a slide show for you!

time travels

em began high school this week- and she has funny stories to tell- i wish she would write!

she transfered out of cross country into spanish 1 and 2- and the next semester she'll take another class that offers outdoor sports like archery and shooting again.

and as you can see- her braces are cute on her!

and so... on monday we got out the door- and i came home to realize that time has reversed on me. i'm back to one child in school- and one at home.

life is strange!

it's official... Tay's papers are in!!!

the stake pres. pushed the electronic button last night and we are beyond excited! i'll post the email he sent me:

I submitted the application just minutes ago.



Best case Taylor’s application gets reviewed next week and placed on the agenda for assignment next Friday, August 30th. Packets with missionary assignments normally leave Salt Lake the following Tuesday or Wednesday but with the holiday that would probably be Wednesday or Thursday the 4th. He’s got a few things in the application that may raise a couple questions so it’s very possible it might be a week or two beyond that. I don’t anticipate major delays, but perhaps just some clarification required. It doesn’t take much to put it out a week or two, but now we know it’s in the hands of the Brethren and ultimately the Prophet.

the few things that are mentioned above could be his health paperwork, could be his little stint with the law last oct... i don't honestly know.

so there ya go! or... we go! but most definitely... he goes!!!

Marissa, Marissa!

We love you little honey bun! and, we hope that your birthday was fantabulish! :)

hey friends and fam...

the olympics(em and i like to show how we, too, can do the various floor exercise moves to tons of giggles... and shout and jump around cheering the close finishes in the swimming... we are not passive viewers...lol) have been so amazing that i haven't stopped by here to say hi in awhile- thought it was time to!

we've had lots of rain the past couple of days and many puddles, big and little are forming, becoming birdbaths for our little flying friends. i thought this was cute- my two faves, the cardinal and bluejay sharing. i wish i had had a better zoom ready to go- the birds wouldn't let me get as close as the dragonfly did- even so, not bad!

update on em: she has braces on her upper teeth now- and it looks cute on her. she wouldn't let me take a pic yet- but i will! em has decided to not run on the cross country team- so we are hoping that the counselor gets her schedule changed soon- as school starts next mon. also- em is giving a talk on sunday.... something to do with humility- hehe.

tay is in a holding pattern with his papers just a hair away from being sent in. we were given an old form when we visited the doc so we're trying to get a couple of other q's answered from him so that we can send it on. he's fine with it... i'm dying tho! his temple prep classes are beginning this week- and he is scheduled to get his patriarchal blessing this coming sunday evening.

as for me- i finished with the summer camps and i am now preparing for school to begin- for emily and for my classes, too. i'm throwing a 'you are a star party' for the children in my church class this week. they are 6 turning 7 and quite lively and fun!

i've also been busy with jeanie and the gun range. i put together their E News, along with many other projects such as the latest- putting together before and after photos showing the course of elm fork's progress during the last 5 years, that is to be presented to the city of dallas park and board.

this coming weekend exodus ministries is having their charity event and i am the photographer. i enjoy and look forward to this kind of work. :)

and so, i hope this little update finds you happy and well- and enjoying your beautiful families!

Mom! It's YOUR day!!!

Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Mom!

yes, you are a year older- but as i was saying- if i get to 62 and am as HALF as great, lovely, and respected as you- i'll take it. you're amazing!

love you tons- !

hope it was fantastic Dani!

because you deserved the very best birthday!

love ya dani!

my morning visitor

i don't know why i'm posting this pic, other than i thought it was very cool that the dragonfly decided to land a couple of feet away from me while i was outside with miley- and then didn't fly off as i crept up to within 5 inches of it for this photo. i sure do love nature!

okay- i'm back from the dead..., a 'funny' regarding finishing the Breaking Dawn story.

i haven't had time to process my thoughts enough to articulate why i enjoyed much of the book and why some of it bothered me. but over all, stephanie wrote an interesting ending that didn't leave me feeling like i was silly for reading it!

picture this- i plopped upon my bed after working at elm fork all day, grabbed up the book and began to read and relax. meanwhile em made her way home- so i invited her to bring her summer (leap) required reading and to scoot in next to me. i'm reading, of course, Breaking Dawn, and she is reading Jane Eyre.

freaky friday!

a picture update on miley...

hey family! i'm posting an update on miley today for mom. she has asked many times- so mom- here is miley!
she is now 12 weeks old and all of us were very surprised at how much she has grown since we left on vacation. (yes the kids are home and safe)
miley is a funny dog. and everyone seems to be drawn to her telling us how smart or cute she is.
check out her ears. they never seem to be doing the same thing at anytime that you look at her. it cracks us up.
and last night when the kids came home and we all sat outside with miley, miley seemed to be grinning from ear to ear!
on the downside... she's still potty training. ugh!