walk4williams.org

i am helping my friend sarah raise funds & awareness for her son matthew. when we first moved to phoenix i trained to become a respite therapist & was assigned to matthew. i took care of him for 6 months. he is an incredible kid who happens to have williams syndrome.

"williams syndrome is a rare genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. These occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music."

i met matthew when he was 3 & couldn't speak or communicate all that well. loud noises highly affected him & they'd just moved to a new neighborhood with lots of construction. when he'd get really worked up we had one magic trick... josh groban. we could put his cd on & matthew would immediately calm down. a few years later i was visiting with him & when i walked in the door he said "hi, miss megan." he'd remembered me & could talk & he had the SWEETEST voice i'd ever heard. one of the highlights of my life!!!! not to be dramatic but this was just such an amazing thing. just last year sarah posted a video on facebook of matthew getting up in front of his school & singing in his talent show. i cried as i watched that video. i made byran watch it with me & i cried again. bryan had gotten to know matthew pretty well. matthew adored him. so this little guy has a special place in our hearts.



which is why donating to this cause is a no brainer for us.

if you'd like to make a donation click on this link & be sure to leave a comment here with your name if you'd like a chance to win a portrait session.

the walk is may12th, so the contest will end may 11th at midnight phx time.

the portrait session is valued at $374. includes 1 hour on location. 1 - 11x14 print & 2 - 5x7's.

a sincere thanks to our soldiers.

With every step we take on American soil, we tread on ground made safer for us through the invaluable sacrifices of our service members and their families. During Military Family Month, we celebrate the exceptional service, strength, and sacrifice of our military families, whose commitment to our Nation goes above and beyond the call of duty.

- President Barack Obama

2011 Presidential Proclamation: Military Family Appreciation Month

i'm one of those saps that cries with every video that has the soldiers returning home to their families, pups & life here at home. i want to share in my gratitude, since tears i shed privately aren't showing my appreciation nearly enough.

this past weekend when we were getting ready to go through security at the louisville airport a soldier was in front of us. his wife, little girl, brother & mom were waving goodbye. i started tearing up. what they do for us is so invaluable. there is no way to repay them or thank them enough for what they do. but i'd like to try.

so, in honor of national military family appreciation month i would like to offer a free portrait session to one special military family!
please leave their names in the comments section & i will randomly draw a name on december 1st.

mda walk

bryan, finn & myself are walking for muscular dystrophy on march 27th.

stride & ride, baby.

we're hoping to raise money to help find a cure for muscular disease.

our personal goal is to raise $500.

i'm hoping to sweeten the deal by giving the largest donor a free portrait session!

that's a $300 value.

you'll get one hour on location & a $100 product credit. (must be used in 2010)

visit our page here to make your donation now! thanks.