I start my day at my computer sipping coffee and reading emails. I get and and all news from Facebook. I never watch or read the news.
I miss the Today Show sometimes but find myself a happier person for not being inundated with all the awfulness of the world every morning.
It's been this was for about 2 1/2  years now. I remember a big news event with a theater shooting and just crying about it as I held Arianna. Shortly after there was the Boston Marathon incident. I personally knew someone running so I was so afraid. That was what sealed the deal for me though. I just can't let media control my emotions and start my day off poorly over something that has little impact on my own life.
I choose happiness. This also means I am choosing to be ignorant of the things happening in our world. It's a trade I am willing to take.
Tell me, do you choose not to watch or read the news like me? How does it impact your day and mood?
If you do watch and read the news, why do you? Do you feel it brings negativity to your life?

Growing up my family was not involved in volunteer work. My parents were in Jaycees for a while when I was very young but I never knew what it really was.

When I was introduced to the concept of volunteering in my early 20's I was confused. You mean people work for free? What?

Ever since then it is like I am trying to make up for lost time. I volunteer my time and talents at charity events and try to donate 120 gift certificates a year to fundraising efforts in the Peoria/Pekin area and surrounding communities.

The volunteer work closest to my heart is the work I do for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS)

Here is more information from the organization:

NILMDTS provides remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the free gift of professional portraiture. NILMDTS trains, educates, and mobilizes professional quality photographers to provide beautiful heirloom portraits to families facing the untimely death of an infant. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family’s healing process by honoring the child’s legacy. History Maddux Achilles Haggard was born on Feb. 4, 2005, with a condition called myotubular myopathy that prevented him from breathing, swallowing or moving on his own. On the sixth day of his young life, his parents had to make the excruciating decision to take him off life support. But before they did, they called Littleton, Colorado photographer Sandy Puc' to take black and white portraits of them cradling their son. Puc' photographed the couple with Maddux at the hospital before he was removed from life support and after — when he was free from the tubes and the wires that had sustained him. “That night was the worst night of my life. But when I look at the images, that’s not what I’m reminded of. I’m reminded of the beauty and blessings he brought,” Cheryl Haggard (Maddux's mom) said. Those tender photographs documenting Maddux’s eternal connection with his parents inspired Cheryl Haggard and Sandy Puc' to found a nonprofit organization that has provided thousands of families of babies who are stillborn or are at risk of dying as newborns with free professional portraits with their baby. Sandy and Cheryl founded the organization in April 2005 and called it Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) after the children’s bedtime prayer. Reach Since NILMDTS was founded in 2005, over 11,000 volunteer photographers have been part of the network. NILMDTS reaches every state in the United States and has been present in 40 countries worldwide.

Since I became a volunteer and then the Area Coordinator in 2006 I have personally photographed and/or retouched 45 sessions.

Our local organization is currently looking for volunteers. Photographers as well as non-photographers can help and are encouraged to contact me for more information!

I often am asked how I got everyone looking so perfect for their portrait. I wanted to give you a good visual of all the things that go into our beautiful wall art. 

After your session I go through and personally narrow it down to the best of the best. No need for you to try to figure out from 2 similar poses which expression you prefer on little Billy. And look, your husband's eyes are closed on the one you love of little Amy. I will be sure every image you see looks amazing. I go through all the images in each series and use the best expression of each person to make one great image!

Once I have selected the best one I go to work perfecting every detail. Color correction, exposure tweaking, extra saturation, softening, blending and smoothing skin tone are all standard. 

I also love to really make an image pop with things like enhancing the sky and clouds and making everyone look their best. Wish you were 10 pounds lighter? Done!