Governor of Alaska

These days it is sometimes hard to find good politicians. I recently heard about the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin and have been reading more about her. Last week she gave birth to her 5th child who was born with down syndrome. Here is an article about the labor and birth of this precious child.

April 18, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd welcomed the arrival of their fifth child this morning. The Palins were thankful that the Governor’s labor began yesterday while she was in Texas at the Governor's Energy Conference where she gave the keynote luncheon address, but let up enough for her to travel on Alaska Airlines back to Alaska in time to deliver her second son.
Trig Paxson Van Palin was born at 6:30 a.m. and weighs six pounds, two ounces. The Governor and Trig are both doing well and resting comfortably.
The family released the following statement:
"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
The Palins have four other children including Track, 18, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13 and Piper, 7

I hope we see more of Sarah in the future, her name has even been brought up as a running mate to McCain.

MRSA

I have suspected I have had MRSA for over a year now. It was after I read an article about a misdiagnosed case that was thought to be a spider bite. I struggled with a spider bite several years ago that about took my toe off. I ended up at the Wound Care Clinic with such a deep sore the nurse only had one thing to say when she saw it, "Yuck".

This past week I had a golf ball size lump come up on the side of my head and I have tried just about everything alternative to get rid of it, including my chiropractor hooking electrodes up to it (I didn't get better but my cell phone charged up when I put it to my ear).

After an excruciating night of pain I finally went to my family doctor who told me I have a staph infection that is probably MRSA.

The funny thing is I have been telling Chris for quite a while that I have MRSA and he just laughs at me, well today I couldn't wait to call and tell him, "Ha, Ha I do have MRSA! " Whose laughing now?! Hmmmmm.... actually I'm not laughing, in fact I'm kinda sad and in alot of pain. I know this is pretty serious and I am taking some pretty strong drugs to get rid of it so don't worry but a prayer would be appreciated.

PSA- NEVER GOOGLE MRSA (it's not pretty)

Claustrophobia

I knew I had it but this past week I realized just how bad I did. I was scheduled for a MRI on Thursday and when I got there and they tried to put me inside the tiny tube I freaked.... I mean struggling to breath, uncontrollable crying freaked!

This is where they tried to put me.

Not going to happen!

I remember my first experience with claustrophobia, I was around 6 years old and a neighbor had purchased a new refrigerator. Like any loving parent they had taken the box it came in, threw it in the front yard and yelled, "have fun kids" or something like that.

There were three of us and somehow I climbed in first followed by the other two, the next thing I remember was moving very quickly to remove myself from the box even if it meant tearing off my friends limbs in the process. I am sure one of them still has my sneaker print on the side of his face. I was convinced I couldn't breath and the terror I had felt at that moment has kept me clear of large boxes since.

As I have gotten older I have also developed fear of flying on packed airplanes and covered parking garages! Chris got real upset with me one time when he was trying to park and told me I was being unreasonable! Hello- claustrophobia = irrational fear! Of course it's not reasonable!

I have discovered that a dose of Xanax (or what my kids call Mom's happy pills) seems to curb the edge when I need it and I have heard a stiff drink helps too. It's a good thing I don't drink or I might get the reputation of this guy.

Speaking of Otis... if Mayberry was so perfect why did he need to be drunk all the time? Well that's a subject for another day's blog.

Heather's hair.....

For the last 6 years Heather's hair has been in the state of constant change. We were lucky enough to live next to one of the best hair stylist around and Heather bartered babysitting for hair styling. Being impulsive Heather has always come home from one of these sessions with the wildest hair.... well this time she has outdone herself. She has more colors in her hair then you can imagine. She has what she likes to call "rock star hair". She is now an official member of the Outcast Band at church and she has a big part in a skit they are doing in the upcoming Outcast 3 day conference so I guess the hair fits the lifestyle.

Just remember if you don't like it will probably look different the next time you see her.

Date Night

Last night Chris and I got away by ourselves for the first time in..... ummmm..... in ...... WOW .... a REALLY long time. Thanks to my brother in-law Robert whose neck was hurting and gave us tickets to a Mavs game (as Jordan would say- W00t! W00t!). Since you have to take a small loan out to get gas and parking can be crazy we decide to take the DART train to the arena. I decide not to take my camera and I regretted it all night.

The ride there was long but the train took us right up to the arena. The game was so much fun and it got even more fun when during one of the breaks they had a "dance for your dinner" game and we saw our own Dr. Clothier trying to break dance, being that he is Church of Christ and never danced in his life it didn't go real well.

The two men sitting in front of us had ALOT to drink, I was praying they were taking the train home -imagine my surprise when we got back to Plano and realized they were parked right next to us. PSA- Don't drink and drive!

The whole night reminded me of another time.... almost 25 years ago... our first date!! Except the Mavs were playing the Spurs that night. I don't even remember if the Mavs won then but I do know they won last night... beating the Seattle Supersonics who will probably soon be the OKC Supersonics..... that doesn't sound right, they will have to get a new name.

We rode home watching a lightning storm out the train windows... it was incredible and again I wished for my camera....

Shopping at Target

If you happen to be shopping at Target and on the scrapbook aisle look up at the borders, you might see someone you know! I did today.... I saw my sweet Amy smiling down at me. Heather and I squealed so loud I'm pretty sure security was called. We took a picture even though they don't allow pictures of displays to be taken. Don't worry I asked permission first.

Be sure and comment me if you see her!

A pretty bad day

Yesterday morning I took more Senior portraits. As we left to go take them the wind started gusting and it was raining off and on. I had a feeling this was going to be a waste of time. Well it ended up being perfect weather for the shots we got. The overcast sky was the perfect filtered light. The wind added an element to the pictures that was stunning.

I was so pleased with the pictures.

Moral of the story- it make look like a disaster but somehow things can turn around and be exactly what you needed them to be.

Check out some of my shots on my photography blog http://lindabechtoldphotography.blogspot.com/