The Girl Effect

In a previous post I talked about a book that I read, "Half the Sky."  As I read it I was reminded of the power of an education, something that my dad taught me to appreciate and cultivate, but never really understood the magnitude or the value of it to the degree that I do now. Especially as I am raising Sydney I am brought back to how different her life would be right now or in five years or ten years. I often think of how different my life would be but rarely think of how different hers would be if we had never met.... If she had not come to live with me.....

As it stands now, only two people in her family have actually graduated from high school (one being my ex-husband). That is 2 out of the 9 people, who could have finished high school, actually did graduate high school. There are still 6 children (including Sydney) who have not attended high school yet and I'm not sure how many will actually go. How many of those children will actually still be in school at that point? It never occurred to me that people don't actually finish high school.... But even here in the US so many don't.

k. I couldn't decide which video to post....  so here are both. hehe. Watch both of them. I know I can't change the world. But it brings such comfort and joy knowing that one girl even, Sydney, can change generations. Now if only I can find an organization for girls in the US, as I suspect there are so many even here that never finish school....

Christmas 2010

Never did I imagine that Sydney would lay down on the floor mid the unwrapping of gifts extravaganza. 

But she did and I think all the excitement and anticipation wore her out. That and maybe from sorting everyone's gifts before she even started opening her own. She was so excited about everyone getting gifts and wanted to make sure everyone got a lot of gifts.

I simply love holiday's with kids. It's just not the same without them. Kids bring the magic and amazement to Christmas. Without them it's just not the same. I am so grateful to be able to spend all my holidays with Sydney and for the excitement and fun she brings. I absolutely adore this girl and her crazy, wacky personality.

Half the Sky

So I know this is more of a photo blog..... But I recently read a book called "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." (well I listened to the audiobook at work)
I am not much of an activist, nor am I very political but this book really touched me in such a profound way. Actually..... it's not really even a political book or anything like that.... But for some reason when I think about women's rights or "saving" countries in conflict I automatically think "oh those crazy liberals..."

Well I just so happen to have a dear friend who is one of those "crazy liberals" and I love her to death for it. She amazes me with how passionate she is and her drive to make a difference in this world. Well I have to admit I wasn't dying to read this book but I did it because she asked me to. :) And I did read it! And I was so touched by it's message.

It amazes me how blessed we are in this country and it amazes me that there is so much oppression in the world that we are not even aware of. After reading this book I learned that it is not a matter of women's rights but of human rights. I don't really want to go into what the book is about.......There's just too much to even do it justice. Just read it! Read it! Read it!

I can't say what you will get out of it, as I am sure everyone gets something different from it.  But your eyes will be opened to a new view of your own world and hopefully a different world that maybe you never considered before... and come to realize how connected we all are.

Kristina and Scott

I have a LOT of photos to share from last fall and this winter. This is the first of many that I am dying to share.
This is my dear and best friend from my childhood. I have had the privilege of photographing Kristina and Scott before and I am so blessed that they asked me to do it again. I love these guys!