A Sweet Partnership.

My Mara Bracelet - In Remembrance of Kary

I've mentioned the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) before... It's such a wonderful gift to families who have lost a baby. As a photographer and a mother, I am so honored to be a part of it. The families I have met have all touched me so deeply and have all made an impact on my life.

One of my friends from high school lost a sweet little girl named, Mara. After Mara passed away, we got in touch again. We talked about Mara, our other children, and our lives and how they have changed since losing a child. Her mission is to make these beautiful bracelets for other people who have lost children. They are such a nice remembrance gift. She and I were talking one day and I told her I'd be glad to photograph the bracelets so she could share them with others. Something very special came from that...

A renewed friendship, and the gift she has given of making bracelets for all the NILMDTS families I work with. This weekend alone, I was contacted about two sessions. When I get a phone call from the hospital, the rest of my world stops and I am focused on getting there. I pack my bag, print off a consent form, grab my brochure and camera, and I go.

It is a comfort to me to know that I can send a small token of love to the mothers of these children when I send a Mara bracelet. I know it is made with love, and I know Mara is thought of each time a bracelet is made and sent out with the cd of images.

It's amazing what can form from loss. God can use it. He does use it - every time. We live in a fallen, sad world, where loss is allowed to happen. The miracle in loss is that God uses it to change us. We will never be the same after our world comes crashing down. I never thought I'd be in this place... I never thought this is something I could do. But, with experiences like those I've had, with friends who give, I have been changed and blessed. Thank you baby T, baby E, baby A, baby J, baby K, and of course, Kary & Mara. Your lives will always be a gift to those who love you.

Back to my friends...

So, I had this grand idea of writing about my friends for a week, and well, I had those other things on my heart so, I kind of got a little sidetracked. Today..... let's talk about Darci!

Oh, Darci. You and I have been through so many good things together, as well as many trying things. Thankfully, through it all, we've been there for each other, we've been there to pray, and we've been there just to be there. Your friendship is a wonderful blessing to me in many ways. You have taught me a lot about being a better friend and person. You have shown me your faithfulness in God. You have been an example of an excellent, patient, self-less parent.

You are a natural teacher. An instructor with the best motive - love and true devotion to your student... no matter what the area of study. You have determination, motivation, and excellent execution of your plans. You follow through with what you've set your mind to, and I admire that very much. So many of us have these amazing plans and ideas but never really follow through with them. You, however, set a goal and totally go for it.

I still question sometimes why you call me 'friend', but I'm so glad you do. I am also so pleased that our sons have become such wonderful little friends. God is faithful, friend. God is faithful.

Only One.

There's only One who never fails to beckon the morning light...

-Only One by Caedmon's Call

Every shadow is evidence of sun...

-Sunrise by Nichole Nordeman

Only you can see the good in broken things...

-Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon

I believe You are good and righteous...

Be Near by Bethany Dillon

And, pretty much all of the lyrics to Beautiful by Shawn McDonald. (check this out)

These are just things that have been on my mind lately. There's so much junk in this world. So many things that are clearly wrong that are gradually turning into being accepted. Don't offend others, keep your beliefs to yourself. There are so many people (myself included) who are losing focus. My son is nearly 4 years old and we've done a very bad job of making sure he's been to church to learn about Christ. This is something I've been feeling extremely guilty about lately. We pray with him every night, and I'd like to think we set a good example of trying to be kind to others, help others in need, and just love, but that's not enough. It's not enough to be "good people". It's not enough. So many people are losing that core belief that Christ needs to be our Savior. We need to admit that "good" isn't enough.

Taking him to church does not guarantee his salvation. Churches can have just as negative effect in people's lives as well. I know this. But, will he ever know Christ if I don't expose him? Will he ever know the Way, if I'm not showing him?

Gulp.

Yes, exactly why I needed to write this post. To call myself out. To quit being a coward. To get my happy behind out of bed Sunday mornings and show my son what it is to obey. Churches can hurt people. I know this full well. But, churches can love people too. Churches can be something good. And, I know this full well too.

So readers, I'm asking that you pray that we find a church where Gabe can grow up. Where he can see us actively involved and obeying.

I know I'm being very personal here - and why blog about this? Well, no more worrying about what people think. It's exhausting feeling like I need to please everyone. This is part of the reason I stopped blogging before... I felt overwhelmed with feeling like I wasn't as great as these other blogger moms out there. I felt inadequate. I felt inferior. But, I guess I'm feeling stronger now or something!

Thanks for listening, friends. And, thanks for letting me be me. :)

Autumn's Blessings

Just because I'm feeling incredibly blessed:

• I have wonderful inlaws (on both sides of the family) who feel more like immediate family than "inlaws".
• I have a healthy, happy, hilarious little boy.
• I have a loving husband that loves me for who I am.
• I have terrific friends. Love them to pieces.
• I have the best siblings a person could ask for.
• I have awesome, talented, intelligent, cool nieces and nephew (and another little one in the oven... :)
• I love my part time job as a photographer.
• My business has been growing without advertising.
• My house is clean.
• It's Autumn - my favorite time of year.
  

Today's Friend??? ...Marya!

Miss Marya (pronounced Mary-uh) is a great kind of friend. There are so many times that I'll just look at her and start smiling, trying not to laugh. Then she will look at me and say, "What?!" She just cracks me up. Often times, I find myself smiling, near laughter, as I approach the walkway to her house. I told her this one time - she didn't know why I'd start smiling. And I told her, "Because we always have such a great time together, and I just know I'm going to be laughing!"

Today is Marya's day because she and I scrapbooked together today. Gabe had preschool this morning and I was off work. So, she came up and we got to scrap. She and I can sit and scrap for hours (and we do!) It'll be nothing for us to start at 9:00 in the morning and not be done until 12:00, and that's only because we know we have to get home!

She's a mom that's a lot like me - pretty easy-going, yet worries about what she does or doesn't do to be a good mom. I know a lot of moms are like that, but she's just a lot like me. And, she's a lot like Tami. And, I think that's why the 3 of us get along so well! Marya has a very gentle heart... she will cry at any sad story. I love that about her, because she is able to show her emotion easily - not something that comes very easily to me.

Another thing about Marya is that no topic of conversation has not been approached between me and her! My husband always says, "What did you and Marya talk about tonight?" My response is always, "You know, weiners, like always!" For some reason, my husband thinks that's all women talk about when they're together! Another thing I love about Marya is that she takes crap from Greg and gives it right back to him. And, I think he really likes her for that. I don't know about you, but it's pretty cool when your husband likes your friends. Another way Marya and Tami are similar!

Marya, thank you for being a friend I know I'm guaranteed to laugh with, a friend who will talk about weiners with me (hahaha), and a friend who has been through thick and thin with me.

PS: Marya, please don't hate me for this picture... we really need to get some new ones of us together. I couldn't find ANY pictures of you by yourself! Hopefully this picture made you laugh... it sure made me.

Write About Your Friends Week!

So, I thought I'd write a little something (or sumfin, as Gabe would say) about each of my friends attending the Momma Getaway in a couple weeks. All these ladies mean so much to me, and well, I think I should share a little about them!

First up? Mrs. Tami Lyons! C'mon on down! You're the first friend on the Write About Your Friends Week!

Tami is one of the best people I've ever met, and the coolest thing about her is, she doesn't even know it. She and I have some of the best times ever, some of those being at the Momma Getaway's. Since I'm a snorer (booo...) I have to sleep in the snoring room. Well, Tami doesn't want me to be in the scary room by myself - If you saw where this lodge is located, you'd be afraid too... It's like Deliverance!

I digress.

Anywho, we have some of THE best conversations in there. We always lay in our bunks (not in a gay way - she in hers, me in mine!) and talk. Just when we say goodnight, one of us inevitably starts talking again, and we end up staying up for an hour or more talking! What a good friendship.

She's put up with my insecurities, my forgetfulness, and my busy life. She's cried with me when I've been upset, and she's given me hugs even when I didn't know I needed them. She's the best kind of friend - one that loves me for who I am and isn't afraid to tell me if/when I'm making a mistake, or doing something I may regret.

She & her family have introduced me to a world of new things: Serious garage sale shopping, Dominoes, Twilight, a new appreciation for scary movies, sewing, etc... Her family has embraced mine as their own. She and her husband Steve have raised fun, unconditionally loving, hilarious kids that we have grown extremely close to.

Tami, I am so thankful for you. Thank you for being my Bestie.

MG Fall 2010

Oh my goodness... I am so ready for the Fall Momma Getaway! What's a Momma Getaway you ask?? Well, let me just provide you with a little bullet list of details...

• Me and a few of my very closest friends. I'm kind of the common denominator among all of the ladies... I introduced them and we all seem to get along great!
• A LOT of scrapbooking. I mean A LOT. We each get a large table, put them in the shape of a large square (so we can see each other when we're talking) and scrap, sew, make jewelry, whatever from Thursday night to Sunday mid-afternoon! It's kind of like the old quilting bees.
• Good food. Each lady is responsible for providing a meal to share. And, we all bring snacks and our own drinks.
• Good conversations... sometimes its deep, sometimes its just funny!
• Staying up as late as we want (sometimes as late as 3:30 am... wowza... we're rebels!
• A lodge-type cabin... complete with a stuffed bear. (for our protection)
• Bunk beds! :)
• A snoring room - I won't say who's sleeping there.
• We have a TV/DVD combo there and we like to have movies playing in the background and we'll bring music too.
• No distractions and no "MOM!!!!!" or "I'm Firsty!!!" :) It's kinda nice to be able to relax a little without being distracted by all you have to do around the house too.
• Great husbands that realize that we work hard all year and understand that we need a break too.

Momma Getaway might seem a little selfish, but this is really the only time of year I get to scrapbook. We have a late winter/early spring one too. During the rest of the year, I'm busy as a Mom, wife, and photographer. Greg travels a lot with his job too, so this gives me a little away time. For like the entire month before, I'm busy organizing my pages (a lot of the fun of the whole thing for me!!) and just thinking about all I hope to get done. This year, we're going to incorporate some devotions in as well. I'm excited about trying to tie that into a scrapbook layout or craft idea too.

Momma Getaway - we're ready!

On my mind.

I don't know what it is about turning 30, but I feel like I've been doing a lot of soul-searching lately!

I made reference in one of my last posts about knowing what one of my goals is - to make people happy and not to tear them down. One of the worst feelings I've ever felt is knowing that I've hurt someone's feelings. I think a lot of times my personality comes across as insecure because I'm always apologizing or worrying about what someone thinks.

Honestly, in the little things, it doesn't matter to me what people think. I love owls. I love vintage trivets. I love vintage stationary. I love vintage, ok, well pretty much anything from the 70's! I love to change the toliet paper roll to a fresh one when we have company coming over (don't worry... I'm not wasteful, I just put it away for later). I do that so our company doesn't run out... so they don't have to go searching. I don't do it because I'm afraid our house won't look perfect. I straighten my naturally curly hair. I give in to my child a lot. I yell at Greg sometimes. My house is a fright right now (and most of the time due to a busy life!). I am me and I'm an ok gal.

So, I guess tonight I just wanted to talk a little bit about me. I am enjoying life right now - where we are. Our growing family - Jenny & Rene are expecting, Lindsey & Matt are getting married, and Dan & Sonya are getting married. Gabe is at a great age to play. Greg and I are in a great spot. I have a job. I have my photography. Life is good. I feel like I'm maturing and at 30 years old, I'm really not so worried about what other people think.

Bottom line - Love my Greg & my Gabe, love my family, enjoy each day, and don't stress the small stuff. After all, we've got one go around here. I'm not going to spend that time - waste that time - on relationships, activities, and stuff that aren't me and what I'm living for.

I am not afraid to garage sale.

I love to garage sale. It's one of my favorite activities with my BFF, Tami. Here are some of my recent finds!

I plan on cutting the front of this pillow off and framing it for my scrapbook room. I loved, loved, loved the embroidery, but even with washing it, the thought of laying on someone else's pillow creeped me out. Ok, only one of these is from a garage sale. The top middle one is what started my collection. It is one of the only items I have from my Grandma Smith and I have always cherished it. I love the design and I love how sweet it is. The one on the bottom right, I got from a garage sale for $2.50. I was so excited to find it!! The one on the left is from eBay. I think I paid $7.00 for it. Periodically, I'll get on eBay and etsy and check for them. I just think they are precious. I'd like to have a collection on my kitchen wall.

And THIS. Oh, it just makes my heart melt! It's in near perfect condition, an antique, and best of all, I found it for $12.00. I got this at the Pantagraph's garage sale. I am thrilled about this one. This will be great for newborn pictures. I'm toying with the idea of spray-painting it white, but after photographing it, I think I may leave it alone. I've got a couple baby sessions coming up, I'll just have to try it out.

And this. This was too sad not to buy. My mom and I collect recipes and always put together our own recipe books. This was a recipe book belonging to someone in Washburn and it was being sold for $1.00. All of the recipes inside were either hand-written or collected from the 1950's-1970's from newspapers or magazines. I thought of the time, thought, and care that was put into this. I thought of the mom/wife sitting and planning out meals for her family. I thought this was a treasure.
AND, we can't forget about Gabers! My most exciting finds are when I find vintage Fisher Price toys. I love the little people like I had when I was little. And, Gabe loves them too. He loves getting to "give them a bath" when we get home - which consists of him pulling a chair up to the kitchen sink and me helping him wash all the guys. Ok, so Mommy washes and Gabe splashes and makes a mess, but he loves it. I think I paid $20 for the above set, but it was worth it. It had all the pieces, plus a few extra. And, it went great with the family house we got him on eBay for Christmas last year.

And, I got this one yesterday at the Pantagraph's garage sale. It was only $4.00 and it had all the pieces (except for the side door, but that's ok!). And, Gabe loved it. He's been playing with it non-stop since I brought it home.

I thought I'd be doing better at blogging this time around, but we are so busy right now. Our last month consisted of the following:

• a minor car accident and dealing with a rental car, insurance, repairs, repairs messed up, etc...
• Greg in the hospital for 4 days with a minor surgery & MRSA
• a kitchen flood
• mid-remodel projects
• a messy house
• wedding invites & shower invites to design and prepare
• shopping and planning for a shower (I love preparing for showers!)
• a busy preschooler
• Greg travelling

I'm so excited for this coming week. We're going to St. Louis with Greg while he travels for work. We'll be going to Gabe's first Cardinals game and Gabe and I are going to head to the zoo while Greg's working. (Sorry Greg!). It'll be a well-enjoyed break and mini-vacation for the Herrman family! I'm sure I'll have a ton of pictures!

Daddy's Home!

What a week it's been for the Herrmans! Greg just got home today after being in the hospital for four days. Last Thursday, he had a hair follicle inside his nose that became infected. It caused him a lot of pain, so Friday, he went to the doc in a box to get it looked at. The doctor put him on a couple of antibiotics thinking it would help calm it down. By Monday, Greg still hadn't gotten better and was feeling weaker and more achy my the minute. So, we went to see our primary physician. The doctor was going to send Greg home with a heavy dose of antibiotics, but after hearing there'd been no improvement since Friday, he ordered us to go to the hospital.

Upon arriving there, Greg was seen by another doctor who determined Greg needed to go to the hospital in Bloomington so he could see an ENT. The doctor also ordered a cat scan so it could be determined how far up into the nasal cavity the infection went. Greg went by ambulance and I stopped by home to pack a bag for Gabe. Thankfully, we already had care set up for Gabe since Greg and I were supposed to be going on vacation with Steve & Tami. We didn't get to go on vacation, but that's ok by me. I'm just glad Greg's on the road to recovery!

Greg was diagnosed with MRSA at the hospital and an ENT performed a surgery to drain the infection and get the area cleaned out. In surgery preparation, they couldn't get a tube down his throat, so to relax the throat muscles, they gave him some medicine. That medicine caused his potassium levels to drop and when he woke up from surgery, his entire body was cramping. He was in so much pain! They were able to kind of get the cramping to stop, but his head and neck remained in pain - severe pain. I'd never seen it that bad before.

So, Greg was referred to a neurologist. The neurologist (who was awesome!) ordered an MRI and discovered Greg had 3 ruptured discs in his neck, one of which was very severe. The neurologist seemed to think that's been the reason for his chronic neck pain. It must have flared up because of the muscle cramping after surgery. He advised that surgery could be done to fix this. I felt nothing but hope after hearing this! Greg's suffered with neck pain for so long! So, we waited until he was safe to be off of the IV antibiotics and now he's home! We'll be following up with the neurologist in a couple of weeks to talk about treatment for the ruptured discs.

Craziness, isn't it? I couldn't believe that he had MRSA from an infected hair follicle and that we were finally able to find out about his neck problems! He's doing pretty well today. We both got a nap, I went and picked up Gabe, and we just did pizza delivery for supper. I'm so thankful that Greg is ok. I'm also thankful for all of our friends and family that stopped by, prayed for us, and helped with the Gabers. We love you all and are so thankful for you.

You know you should be wearing "mom jeans"....

When your idea of a great time is closing down Hobby Lobby! I was finally feeling better and decided it was time to get out of the house. I met my great friend, Marya, at Flattop and had a great time catching up with her. Marya is my 'scrappy' friend. She and I have been friends since 2001 (crazy!) where we met at work. Our relationship started out with a shared love of scrapbooking. We have literally spent hours together at scrapping marathons at each other's homes. She and I can talk for hours... and I mean hours. We will start out scrapping at 9:00 am, and before you know it, it's 10:00 at night. That has happened with us countless times!

Anywho... we had a great time tonight. We went to Hobby Lobby around 6:00 and stayed until 8:00 just looking and talking. Ok, so Hobby Lobby has like 5 or 6 scrapbook aisles... so we did a lot of talking! She has a little boy named Jac. Jac and Gabe are so much alike. I love swapping stories with her because it reassures me that my kid is normal! :) C'mon... all you moms out there have wondered, "Is my kid normal??" "Why is he DOING that?" It was too funny tonight because I was telling her some things that Gabe does and she would say, "Jac does that!"

I laughed a lot, I breathed sighs of relief, and I left feeling recharged and ready to go back home and see my fam. Gabe and I have spent a lot of time together this week... It was kinda nice to get out and laugh about someone else's kiddo misbehaving!