Easter & Misc photo's from this past week

Here are some pictures of easter. My neice Claire, my nephew Justin Jr and my son matthew. Papa and grandma Gale are also in the photo's. Additionally I posted pictures of matthew from last week. We where at our neighbors house (we live on a lake) and matte walked over to the water and splash splash splash with his feet he went, then PLOP. The water was so cold. He's a nut! I am so excited for the great weather this weekend!

Justin Jr

Claire, papa and matthew jr

matthew jr

Oh and you can't forget about my nephew IAN Sooooo handsome!

Excepted!

I have been excepted to CDIA boston university. I am very excited and I cannot wait to start in september. YEAH!

"expressions of Hope"

The fundraiser went great. I met so many nice people. The fundraiser was held at the Stone Publick House in Ashland. The function rooms and the food for the event where donated by the stones public house. How awesome is that! The food and service was amazing!

The boston marathon runners from the genzyme team to support NORD are such wonderful people. Kailene Simon, Elizabeth Masterjohn and their crew did an amazing job to help set up such a great event. The fundraiser as I had mention was hosted by the genzyme team along with Kathleen Coolidge from Genzyme Patient Relations in support of NORD (National Organization for Rare Diseases). All donations from this event go towards the NORD program and services to help those affected by these rare diseases. If you would like to donate please visit http://rarediseases.org/helping/boston_marathon. The team ended up raising $1625 at this event. Thanks to all of those who donated!

I met the sweetest little girl “Rachel”. Rachel has Canavan Disease, which is a degenerative disorder that causes progressive damage to nerve cells in the brain. This disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called leukodystrophies. Without the help of NORD, Rachel would not be getting the best treatments she needs.

Here is Kailene (right), Rachel (middle) and Rachel’s mom Sherri (left)

Here is Rachel and her sister Jessica. At one point Jessica helped Rachel clap her hands because they won a prize and Rachel had the best smile!

The 2010 Boston Marathon Runners with Jessica and Rachel

I learned that Kailene not only was helping with this fundraiser but she also does many events to raise money to help many people like Rachel. She is truly an inspiration.

Here is a picture of Kailene and Rachel. So sweet!

This is a poster that Kailene’s sister Ashley Souza made. It is awesome! Ashley's future goal after she finishes school I hear is to work for Pixar (the animation studio). I beleive that this will come true for her! :) Good luck Ashley!

Other posters which where hung throughout the function rooms where either painted or had been photographed by patients who also suffer from rare diseases. Each picture had a story which told us how the picture made them feel. These posters where so incredible. This one was my favorite.

I had a great time at the event and I cannot wait to do more photography work. Although I am JUST beginning I do feel that this is something that I want to do and that I will be great at. I can't wait to learn more and meet so many great people!

A new start, new beginnings...........

So my last day at Charles River Laboratories as a Study coordinator is June 4, 2010 as they will be closing the site down. I have been with the company for 14 years now. It will be very sad to leave, I have learned so much from so many people and I will definitely miss all the people I work with. This change has opened my eyes to new beginnings. New beginnings which I cannot wait for.

I am applying at CDIA at Boston University (center for digital imaging arts) cdia.com for a photography certificate. The certificate program is 10 months full time M-F 8:30 to 5:00 and starts in September. It's going to be a lot of work but a lot of work that I will love to do. Photography has been one of my favorite interests and to be able to do this as a job is going to make me extremely happy. My husband Matt is such a wonderful provider. I want to thank him for making my dreams come true and for helping us find a way for me to make this dream become a reality. His support and love has gotten me through this rough time and I want to let everyone know that I am so lucky to have him. Thanks for having such faith in me.

Tomorrow I am helping out a friend who my husband works with, Keilene (Part of the Genzyme team), who is running in the Boston marathon. She is having a fundraiser to raising money for NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders at Stone Publick house in ashland and has asked me to take pictures of the event and raffle off a 2 hour photo session with me. I am super excited and cannot wait to capture such a great event. It's for such a great cause. I cannot wait. I'll post pictures of the event this weekend.