sunny snohomish kind of day

Yesterday was such a happy sunny day! My S-I-L brought my neices up to have me shoot some spring photos of them. (lucky girls- they are on mid-winter break this week!)

It was still frosty and cold outside- so we started out in the garage studios.....

and then we headed down to historic downtown Snohomish- there is such a treasure trove of great places to shoot (shhhhh.... don't give my secret away.... haaahaaaa!) Great old doorways and wonderful architechtural elements... and wonderful shops with vintage styles, reproductions and recycled antiques.

we found some great doorways, and a really cool stash of old windows leaned up against the back of one of those shops....

It was exactly two years and one hour ago....

It was exactly two years and one hour ago ..... 730 days ago........17,521 hours ago.... that I kissed my dear friend on the forehead and told her that I loved her... and even in her coma state- she moved her head toward me- she heard me- I know she did. I told her that I'd see her soon....and walked slowly down the hallway, out the door and to my car. I sat there momentarily to gather myself- and as I drove away- I knew that I would never see her again...... At least not in the flesh.....

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I drive past the care center where she passed almost every day. Somedays I'm so absorbed in the now- that I don't always give it a thought. But from mid January to mid February- it's positively painful.

I wonder what my fabulous, vibrant, zany-crazy friend would be up to- if she weren't gone. What knitting or volunteer project would she be up to???? What photo or crafting project would she be trying to rope me in to????

I miss Nan so much- but particulary this fiscal month- I would have been celebrating her birthday, both kids' birthdays, Super Bowl, and Valentine's day.... but they all culminate on today, and tomorrow....

I met Nan durring an early childbirth Ed. class when we were pregnant with Onika. I can scarcely believe- that was almost 10 years ago! It was an instant connection- we just loved being around each other. We hired her to be our doula- and she was our childbirth educator. We formed a fast and lasting bond- she was in the delivery room when both kids were born. Our families shared holidays, birthdays and religeous milesones for our children (baptisms & Bar Mitzvahs). Mostly it was phone calls to cheer each other on and our favorite- a cup of tea.
At her 45th birthday tea- she had just discovered a lump- but told none of us.....

You'd never know it in this photo- at her son's Bar Mitavah--but she had found out just the day or two before- that the lump she had found- was in fact cancer..... she lived life with such gusto- that as we were setting up for this event- she told me so matter of factly- that I couldn't even fathom... but that's just the kind of girl she was- unstoppable!

The next couple of years brought much treatment- and hope- but then it began to grow- and spread- with a vengance- and it was like the chemo and radiation- was like fertilizer- it was growing and spreading- and they couldn't stop it. She phoned me the night before she and her entire family met with the enoclogist to decide whether or not to cease treatment. She asked me what I thought... .... I first asked her what she thought.... "are you able and willing to still fight? If so- you know I stand beside you- and will help you fight..... but if you are tired- and done- then I give you permission to stop...you are my friend- and I will love and support whatever YOU decide...."

The doctors told her they had done what they could- and so- we waited.... a couple of weeks later- she called me and asked me to come and cut her hair again- it would be the last time... I asked if she wanted me to shave it off again- and she said "no- I want to still have some hair...." and the pause in her voice- let me know- that she wanted some hair when she went..... it was a tough job as she kept passing in and out of conciousness on me... so I did the best I could to clean it up and make the semblance of a "cut".

I had come to visit not long after that- and she was sitting up- I was thrilled! She patted the bed, motioning me to come and sit beside her- and as I did- she fell into my arms... and she smiled and whispered- "you always smell so good!" and we laughed.... these were the kind of giggles and moments we shared..... right up until that night- 730 days ago- we were true friends- 'til the end.

Yeah!!!! I'm so happy to have taken photos for this family today!

I got to do their belly photos almost exactly a year ago! It was so neat to be able to meet the babies in person fianlly!

It's been a long road for this couple- but now- they finally have their miracles- and they are absolutely wonderful!
I'm honored you would choose me!!!

Sweet baby girl "S"- she was my happy funny girl today.... she just makes me giggle- love her!

And "G-Man"- he's the serious type.... and so beautiful!

He loves this book- so he and daddy took a little mine break to read and mellow out- and I just kept shooting.

Congrats guys- you do good work! :) xoox D

Sweet Treats!

So in between the kids' games yesterday- I thought I'd try and capture some color, texture and tastes for Valentine's day.... just playing around....

The color of crimsom cranberries....

Bitter sweet chocolate chips..

MMMMMMM.... and the homemade Hostess cupcake..... mine are soooooo much better!

I make a devil's food cupcake, fill with pudding of choice- in this case- vanilla, and top with frosting and sprinkles if desired......

This is goodness right here folks!

And last but not least.... I finished the afternoon in the sunshine with a frosty beverage......it wasn't valentine colors- but it was sunny and happy to match the setting sun on a great day!

Foul!!!!

Tip off!!!! Let's get ready to R-U-M-B-L-E!!!!!!! Oni's friend K snags the ball at tip-off- and away they went!

What a defensive game Oni's team had Saturday morning!!! The team they played was lightening fast- and crazy accurate- and they absolutely killed us in points....BUT.....!

We've never seen Oni play with this much passion and aggression!!! It was a thrill to watch!

This girl stuck to her like white on rice-

Oni stood her ground as she yanked the ball back from this girl

and as she helped her teammate wrestle the ball back into posession.....

And really took to heart what I've been telling her all week- at this point- take the foul if you have to- at least we know you're really in there trying......

And try she did- she actually fouled out of the game! She was in tears- and coach Mike called all the girls to the side for a group hug- he was so proud of her for really getting in there! We thought she was embarrassed at fouling out... and she came off the court after the game in tears again to me. I asked her why the tears??? I was never so proud- she rocked today!!! and then- I cried- she said, "no-mom- I'm crying because I'm mad- I wanted to play that last quarter!"

Sniff-sniff- I'm va-clempt here- talk amongst yourselves here!

Ho-rah! Now THAT is how you play ball!!!!!!

Go Red-Hot Fire Monkeys!!!!!

The girl is on F-I-R-E!!!!

The Little Lady Huskies were off to a fast start Saturday- and stayed hot! Coach Scott had another coaching/reffing obligation, and asked Ron if he'd fill in for him. He got them warmed up and pumped up- and they stayed up! They don't keep score for this age bracket- but they should have Saturday!

Up and down the court they raced- both teams- as hard as they could go- good defense and crazy good shooting! Gabbi had 12 points!!!!! as did the little girl in the right of this photo.... and the girl on the left likely had close to that- for 6&7 year olds- their shot percentages are off the charts!

We were down a key player- but these girls kept the pace- even with a stepped on finger (I had her out in the hall doing minor triage with her momma while the game raged on) a banged up elbow and shoulder and Gabbi had a run-in-knock-down with a girl and dinged her wrist pretty good.

We've never really had this age group beg to come out because they were so tired- all just red in the face and sweating!!!

What an awesome game- and G'ma Miles came up to catch this one too! We couldn't be more proud- great game Gabbi!