Guatemala

I am so fortunate that my Junior League volunteer placement this year is with Austin Smiles. Austin Smiles is a non profit organization that provides plastic surgery, primarily cleft lip and palate repairs, to children in Austin and in various Latin American countries. I was placed as the trip photographer for the fall mission trip to Guatemala City. So back in November, I packed up and left the family with their daddy and GiGi and headed off for a life changing week!

I am finding hard to put into words what this trip was like for me. It was exhausting, uplifting, heartbreaking, rejuvenating, FUN, and in a weird way, relaxing (I was able to sleep through the night, every night...haven't done that in a lonnnngggg time). I was up every morning at 5:30 am, ate breakfast at the hotel, and was on the first van to the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center. I didn't see much of the city since it was usually dark when we returned to the hotel at night, but I did capture a few shots from the van and from the rooftop of the surgery center.

Things got busy pretty quickly each morning as the team prepared to triage patients, run 3 operating rooms, and provide post-op care. My job was three fold. I needed to get a before and after photo of every patient, document the facilities for future trips, and capture those heartfelt moments that convey the mission of Austin Smiles in a single photo. I was busy! However, there were times when things slowed down for me and I was able to observe surgeries, visit with some families, and help out other members of the team in various ways.

As a photographer (still finding it hard to call myself that), I was prepared for what to do, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I saw and felt while I was there. I was struck by how much these children were loved by their families. I never felt they were neglected, despite how their society might feel about their abnormal appearance. The parents never complained. Some of these surgeries can leave the kids with a good deal of pain, and the families never seemed to be angry and they never demanded anything from the nurses or doctors. I kept thinking that wouldn't happen here in the USA. I don't think I could have remained that calm while my child was in pain. Some parents held their children all night. They were incredibly grateful. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for them to hand their child over to a doctor they had just met. What faith and trust. The children were so happy! Yes, they were uncomfortable, but those old enough to know what was happening, were so sweet and thankful. Some of these surgeries take as little as 15 mins, but they change a life. It's not just about how they look, but these children can now eat, drink and breathe properly! I wasn't sure how I would feel watching the surgeries, but I was fascinated! It was amazing to watch a child transform right before my eyes. There were certainly moments of sadness, like when we had to turn away a patient because their health was not what it needed to be to undergo surgery. It was heartbreaking for the family.

I left Guatemala feeling incredibly blessed. My children are beyond privileged and I am so grateful for their health. I have a lot more patience than usual with them. When I get frustrated with them or with anything that doesn't seem to be going my way, I can put it all in perspective with much greater ease. I hope I have the chance to go on another mission. I think everyone should have this opportunity. It was truly remarkable.

I took nearly 800 photos. I wish I could show them all, but I will spare you. Here are some of my favorites...

Here are a few before and after photos.

This is Flor... and she stole my heart. She was so sweet and brave.

My roomate, Daira

On Friday, we were treated to a day off and took a bus to the beautiful town of Antigua where we spent our last night. It was a beautiful city surrounded by dormant and active volcanos. It was so colorful and beautiful. I went on a speed walking tour of the city and saw most everything! Then I joined a few others and we paid a driver to take us to some of the surrounding villages. This was a treat.

I bought this poncho from this women in a small town where many of the beautiful textiles are made. She said it took her 3 months to make.

Thank you to the Junior League of Austin and to Austin Smiles for the trip of a lifetime.

A very Merry Christmas

For the first time in a few years, we were home for Christmas. It was a little strange not to be with our extended family, but I loved getting to attend Christmas Eve service at our church and the kids were really excited for Santa to come to their house.

The kids were up bright and early and were ready to see if Santa had come. They had both asked for roller skates, and sure enough, Santa delivered. Aubrey's big gift from us was a new (used) bike, and Henry received an astronaut helmet and Buzz Lightyear space suit.

After a yummy breakfast, we set off on a family roller skate/rollerblade ride. I couldn't believe how quickly Henry picked it up, and I was thankful I didn't take any big spills!

The kids spent the day playing and we finished getting packed up for our trek to Santa Fe the next day. I made a nice Christmas dinner that didn't take all day to prepare and we went to bed thankful for our many blessings.

Somehow I failed to get more photos of Aubrey! Oops.

Oh Holy Night

For Bridgette

Back in June, my dear friend Bridgette was diagnosed with breast cancer. I started getting to know Bridgette last year when her son and Aubrey were in the same Pre-K class. I actually remember the first time I saw Bridgette, which was probably a year before that. She was pregnant with her 3rd boy, and I remember thinking she was the best looking pregnant woman I had ever seen!

Fast forward to June. We were swimming in her pool one day when she said she had found a lump and was going to get it checked that very afternoon. We all talked about how it was probably nothing. I don't think I ever thought for one second it would be anything. I left a day or two later for our summer trip to Santa Fe.

I distinctly remember one morning thinking that I should check in with her and see how her appointment went. That very day, my friend Emily texted me and said to please call her ASAP. I had this feeling it was about Bridgette, and it was. The lump was cancer. I was shocked. I didn't know what to think or to say, but I knew I needed to call Bridgette right then. Although Bridgette and I had definitely grown closer and I was so happy to call her my friend, I still felt a little uneasy about calling. Would I be bothering her? What if she didn't want to talk about it? What in the world would I say? I have had similar feelings in the past when dealing with shocking news about a friend, specifically when my college roommate's 3 yr old son died. I regret to this day that I didn't call her right away. I waited a very long time to contact her because of my own fears and insecurities, and then I just felt like a terrible friend for waiting so long. What I know now is that it is far better to reach out. No harm can come from that. If the person isn't ready or able to talk, it's no big deal. But they will know that you care and will know they can count on you for support.

Anyway, I called Bridgette and from that short conversation, I knew more about Bridgette than I had learned in the past year. I had no idea how strong and brave she was. She was out for a walk, not changing her routine just because she was now a cancer patient. She knew the importance of taking care of herself. She was of course shocked, and hadn't had time to fully process all that would happen, but she was not sad. I'm sure she has cried a lot out along the way, but she was and is upbeat, she was and is positive, she was and is not going to let this cancer beat her. She is very competitive, you know.

Right about the same time she was diagnosed, my back took another turn for the worse. Here Bridgette is dealing with cancer, and she always asked how I was doing, and with genuine concern. E-v-e-r-y time I saw her. In many ways, cancer has changed her life, and yet, I somehow feel like nothing has changed. She is still strong, positive, and an incredible friend!!!! She inspires me so much and I could stand to learn a lot from her strength of character.

In the last 6 months, Bridgette has had a double mastectomy and reconstruction, 10 weeks straight of chemo, another surgery to remove her implants because her skin wasn't healing properly, and another 4 chemo treatments spaced 2 weeks apart. This last Tuesday was her last chemo treatment, just in time to feel yucky for Christmas. But she would never let us see that side of things. She has continued to exercise, take care of her family, and stay close with her friends. She is simply amazing.

Bridgette, Matt, and the boys... the day before surgery

Race for the Cure, Nov. 2011

Last day of chemo

And here is where you need to be really creative and imagine you see confetti raining down on Bridgette. Yes, I missed it. I got flustered by the moment and snapped too soon.

Leaving the infusion room for the last time!

Ringing the bell, and yes, these are blurry. Again, I was flustered and forgot to change my camera settings. Gheez.

Thank you Bridgette for your friendship and for teaching me so much about life and how to live it. See you later 2011... here's to a new year and an even stronger and better Bridgette!

Photos: lost but not forgotten

Well, not really. These photos were on a camera card that I just haven't used in a while and I almost forgot that I took them! Guess I should clean things up a little more often. So before I get the obligatory Christmas post up and going, I thought I would share these...

The little man's first attempt at putting his big boy undies on by himself. Inside out and backwards.

Aubrey's back to school sock-hop

Oh, and I certainly won't ever forget this... the hole in our dining room ceiling...

and the mess it made when my uber-handy husband put his leg through the ceiling.

And this... I have no idea, but I sure am thirsty now.