Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my Mom. Her name is Gloria.

She is 76 years old and I dont think she has ever had a professional photo taken of her in her life! My son is turning 3 and would love for him to have a portrait of her for later in his life.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I'd like to nominate Lauren (leighla)

Because her strength and courage as a mother goes above and beyond anything I am capable of.

She doesn't know it...but she inspires me every day.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate LaurenExp. Lauren lost her son Nicholas almost 5 years ago and endured one of the worst tragedies any mommy will ever experience.

Added to that the tremendous struggle with infertility for so long, enduring month after month of tears - Lauren and her DH have been blessed with one of the most adorable little boys I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on

Through almost every step of our journey to become mommies, Lauren was one of my biggest supporters even when she lost a pregnancy when I had a successful one almost 3 years ago. To go though such heartache and still be a HUGE ray of sunshine to me and SO many others on this site is why I feel Lauren is so deserving of this honor. Unless you have dealt with the disappointment month after month of knowing you are not pregnant or suffered yet another loss after losing a child.... well, you truly do not understand what torture that is.

To have Heather capture just a small part of her DS's life to treasure for a lifetime would be wonderful

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I'd like to nominate my good friend Michelle. She is a former LIFer. I hope she doesn't mind me posting.

Her and her husband went through a lot while TTC. finally after IVF she had her beautiful daughter Samantha, who's now 9 months old. Michelle is a SAHM and while taking care of her daughter, she was caring for her father who went into the hospital for heart surgery. After the surgery he had circulation complications and had to have his leg amputated. Her and her sister helped get him into a rehab and take care of him. Then her mom (her parents divorced a few years ago) moved in with Michelle and her husband temporarily. She's been living with them for months now while looking for a new place.

So I think my dear friend Michelle deserves a photo shoot of her beautiful family. I think she's earned it!

Message edited 4/29/2010 8:52:02 PM.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my friend Danielle. She became pregnant at 19 and raised her baby on her own while putting herself through nursing school. She is one of the kindest, caring people I know. She now has two other children and is a wonderful mom and friend. I know she would love to have a photo session for her family.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

OMG these stories
Good luck Heather trying to pick just one

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would nominate my friend Kathy. She doesn't post on here, but she's been my friend since Kindergarten. She has two children, and a third on the way - due in May...right as her oldest child turns 3!!
She's a really phenomenal mom....and has really difficult pregnancies, but she loves her kids so much that she's willing to sacrifice her own body for them!
Mostly, though, I think she deserves it because she lost her own mother to cancer right before her first child was born. Her mother was an amazing woman, and it breaks my heart to know that she'll never be able to meet her adorable grandchildren.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my mom... Helen...

My mom gave us everything growing up.. she not only managed to raise us, but she also managed to go to school, finish her degree, finish her business administration, and work her way up to an administrator position... inspiring me and making me realize that I can do whatever I desire.. if I work hard.. I know lots of people say it, but without the positive role model of my mother, I would not be where I am today...

Now that I have become successful in my carreer, I inspire to be a mom to my daughter like she was to me... she never got pictures of us as kids with her... and always wanted us to take studio pictures... but we always told her it was silly.... nowt hat I have my daughter, i understand why she wanted them.. and if I could make up for all of my mistakes denying her of the photos.. with a session for her.. it would mean the world to both of us...

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would love to nominate my sister Nancy (Nancy6485).
Had my nephew at 19. Is a single mom.
My mom passed away and Nancy basically "took over" the house.
Cooks, Cleans, takes care of her DS, my dad and even the dogs.
Her now boyfriend lives OOS. She;s doing the long distance thing.
My nephew is 5 years old and is the most caring boy!
She also works 2 jobs (one PT and one Temp). She keeps on top of my nephews activiities (soccer, baseball) and all his school work.
She has overcome a lot and I completley look up her.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

i'd like to nominate my best friend coleen. she has amazing twin girls who are 10 and just made the honor roll again. she's a single mom and works as a very dedicated special education teacher. she has saved for so many years and finally bought a house for her girls. she does everything herself to fix it up (plumbing, putting in an alarm system, refinishing cabinets, digging up trees in the yard, you name it she's done it.) she never does anything for herself and i think these pictures would be amazing to put up in her new home.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I nominate Alicia, my mother. Throughout my life she has shown me time and time again how amazing she is. She is a strong, intelligent, generous, and humble woman who has dedicated much of her life to raising me. She has made more sacrifices than I could ever count or repay to ensure that I had an optimal childhood/upbringing. And now, after doing so much for me these 33 years, she is an absolutely amazing and dedicated grandmother to my 6 month old son. She reduced her work hours so that she could take care of my son so that I could complete my doctorate. Everytime I see them together, I smile and I know that there is no better place for my son than with her (and my dad). My son smiles as soon as he sees her - she knows how to make him laugh and loves him more than words can describe. She is my hero for so many reasons and I am thankful every day that God blessed me with such an amazing mother.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I'd like to nominate my dear friend Kelly (not a LIF member) who is expecting db #2 - dd #1 will be 14 months old when db is born. It takes an incredible woman to be a great mom and I know she can do it! I would love to have a shoot together with our kids and our families to reflect upon when the kids are grown.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would be honored to nominate my sister Laura. She is a divorced single mom of two wonderful boys, 11 and 15. She drives a school bus (worked extra hard to drive the 'big' bus!) and has a clerical job too. All while she goes to college to become a nurse so she can take her boys to Disney and all the places we went growing up. She has come so far since a not so pleasant divorce. We are all so proud of her.

She still uses 35mm film so she is very selective and limited with the photos she takes and she loves taking pics and displaying photos. The three of them would have so much fun in their very own photo session!

Thank you for this chance!

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate a co-worker for a newborn shoot. She is due in July. She recently got married and told her brother not to fly home from medical school for the wedding because he would be home "soon" anyway. He did not come to her wedding.

He found out on Friday 4/23 that he passed all his classes and was supposed to come home on Sunday 4/25, with a job at a hospital set to begin on May 7.

My co-workers parents went to the airport to pick up their son, but he didn't get off the plane. They found out he never got on the plane. He was found dead by a fisherman on Monday 4/26.

My co-worker is beside herself with grief over the loss of her brother as she was instrumental in getting him to continue medical school when he considered dropping out etc. Yet despite her grief and overwhelming desire to just crawl into a little ball, she is eating, and taking her vitamins, and managing to take care of herself and this pregnancy.

As for the other half of the prize . . . I nominate Shamrock124, who has also suffered a tragic loss recently.

Message edited 4/29/2010 11:02:14 PM.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

My BFF is an awesome mom! She has 3 kids, 16yr old 4 yr old and a 9 month old . She just does everything she can for all her kids! She has to drive her teenage daughter EVERYWHERE, she has an adorable yet rambuctious toddler boy and a sweet new baby girl. She is always last on her list. She works crazy hours and an extremely hard time paying for daycare with the 2 younger kids and all 3 kids are in VERY different stages of their lives and really need her in all different ways. She spreads herself so thin and NEVER second guesses anything she can do for them. She is just really great. She definitely deserves whatever she can get. She lost her entire family bc of a personal issue and her DH's family is all OOS. She is all alone with her DH and 3 kids. They are really stuggling financially. I hope to be half as good a mom to my son as she is to her beautiful children. Her name is Mary and she is my best friend.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

i would like to nominate Tara, MrsS518 one of my newest friends who has become a best friend to me over the past 9 months. we bonded on here while we were pregnant going through ALOT of the same things, we have a lot more in common then i ever thought we would she and her daughter become such a wounderful part of mine and my daughters life. my daughter absolutely adores hers its amazing to see their connection. Shes such an amazing mother and friend she will answer a text or phone call at all hours of the day/night just to hear me b!tch. as i would do the same for her. she will gladly take my dd for me if i ask at a split seconds notice, she will plan the most amazing birthdays, she gives her dd anything and everything she ould ever dream of, she loves her little girl endlessly! i seriously dont have a clue in the worrld what i would do with myself or how i would be the mother i am today with out her in my life! (now that im crying.. its been one of those days) Thanks tara for being a wonderful friend and mommy!!!

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

i have been having a hard time with this since I read the original posting. if i had to nominate one amazing woman in my life, i was torn between roughly 30 (though it makes me happy that i have that many amazing women to ponder).

this may be against the rules, but i'd like to take my name OUT of the running in this entry and nominate two groups of children that I know.

one of my best friends is Kelly (kellybean, a non frequent poster). she is a single mother doing an AMAZING job rasing two incredible boys. these boys ALWAYS think of others before themselves (quite incredible at their ages), they would quite literally break a body part to give you a smile and if they know you are hurting, would rush to your side in a heartbeat. Example: naturally her boys know dave's work schedule (that he works both days on the weekend). Her oldest son (11) Rob went to her one day and asked if he was old enough to take the train to New Jersey to spend the weekend with me, since he didn't want Emma & I to be lonely without Dave. Nuff said.

the other child/mother I would like to nominate is Deirdre (wowcoulditbe)'s daughter Samantha. this is one of the most amazing little girls i have EVER met...and i mean EVER. this incredible 3 year old little girl was diagnosed with diabetes not long ago and she has taken it better than most adults i know. deirdre has had to adjust her life & the life of her family in order to make it work for her oldest daughter & i am in awe of her strength every single day. i cannot imagine how hard it is for her to know her little girl can never understand the joy of a lollipop without hoping her sugar doesn't skyrocket.

without these children & women in my life, i would not know what it means to be an amazing mother. I am proud to call them both my friends and look forward to Emma learning from their children.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

Although I know Doodles has done it already, I also would nominate Lauren(exp).
For the same reasons that Donna stated -- her terrible loss of her son, the struggles she has gone through with IVF. Five years of treatments with so many losses it's hard to keep track...and through it all, she was there for me also. Then, when we lost Rogan, she was so wonderful about it all...she just let me know that she was there if and when I needed her.
We got pregnant within a few months of each other and shared so much through our pregnancies that our bond got even closer. Cerclages, bedrest, diabetes -- it was almost comical.
And then our sons were born, both 5 weeks early, both boys, both in NICU...it's like they are brothers in some "blessed" way.
So, in my mind, if anyone deserves a free session, it's definitely Lauren.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate JoJo2010....I met her on the pregnancy board and have to say...although she may not know it she has really impacted my life. Weather it be through something funny she posted or something serious. She has such a sweet and kind heart and I think she should know that sometimes typed words are just what someone needs to make it through the day. I cannot thank her enough for all the amazing things she has done.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would love to nominate Kristin(Deedlebugs) and than her for thinking of me. It shows what a caring and kind person she is...and an awesome mom to boot!! As she said our baby boys share a birthdate and it would be nice for both of us to get a shoot with them.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my mom. She is the most giving person I know. She watches my son and my niece while taking care of my father who has been diagnosed again with pancreatic cancer. Her grandchildren are her world and we do not have a chance to get them all together for a picture that often.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I'd like to nominate my best friend Lisa. She was been through so much these past 3 years. Her 5 year old Christian has severe autism. The last 3 years has been nothing but constant schooling, therapies, doctors, testing. She was living in Florida when Chris was diagnosed and just over a year ago she moved back to NY to get him better help. She also was very lucky to have another little boy Nicholas this past november. The biggest thing I'd love to see is a perfect family photo. Lisa is constantly trying to get a great picture of herself with Chris. Id love to see the love in her eyes and her heart for him captured on film for lasting memories.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to my hero...MY MOTHER. I can't think of a better person who deserves this, simply because she is always doing for her family, friends, strangers and never wants/asks something for herself in return. My mother lives everyday with a positive attitude, wakes up every morning with a smile and appreciates the life she was given. My mothes is from Italy and came to the US when she was a teen. Before she finally came to the US, she was staying with her grandmother while her parents came to the US and were trying to get "permission" for her to come here. There was some new law that allowed a certain amount of family members at one tiime. Finally after 4 long years without her parents, they reunited. She embraced her new life in the US and all the opportunities she given. A few years ago, my brother was in a horrific accident and suffered traumatic bran injury and was in a coma. I can still hear the sound of my mothers scream from her bedroom from the call she received at 5:30 am. I found her on her knees praying to god to make her son be alive. When she left the house that morning, she didn't come back until 4 months later. She was with my brother every second of everyday. When he was transferred to rehab whch was in Philadeilphia she went and was with him from the second he woke up to the second he closed his eyes. All this time, she still made time for me because she didnt want me to feel "left out" Can you imagine?? Her son is in a coma and she is asking ME and evryone else around her if they are okay and if they are hungry?? My brother made it out of his coma and my mother got to dance with her son at his wedding. When I got pg with my son, she stopped working so I didn't have to put him in daycare. Never takes a thing from me...never lets me treat her to anything. Her response is "keep that money in your pocket. buy yourself or the kids something with it" Also,,,want to talk about being fair??? Whatever she does for one she does for the other. If she buys my nephew a piece of candy and it cost one dollar...the next day I will see her putting a dollar in the kids piggy bank. I can go on and on and on about all the wonderful things my mother does with love and from her heart. If we were to win...my mother would be more touched that I took the time to tell people just how wonderful she is than the actual photo shoot. OF course she would love shoot...im just saying She has given me a phenominal childhood and memories I will cherish forever. She is ALWAYS there for me and greets me with "hi puppa or Hi honey"every single time. I would want nothing more than to have a photo session with just me and my mom. The other session could be given to someone else on here who also nominated a wonderful mother,friend,sister.

As a mother now,,,I live everyday the same as I witnessed from my mother....with a smile on my face

Here is a picture of my mother...my hero..smiling as usual

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 4/30/2010 10:40:54 AM.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my friend Karen. She is such an amazing mother and woman. Her son Salvatore was born premature and has many health complications. He was born with Down syndrome and had to have 2 surgeries one being right after he was born. You could only imagine the pain, heartbreak and worry after having a baby and him being immediately taken away from you. Having tubes and Ivs all over his body is the 1st images she had of her son. He was in the hospital for 2 1/2 months. She was there every day visiting him until visiting hours were over. This poor baby has a feeding tube in its stomach that she takes care of completely. Karen has been so strong through it all and never gives up on him. He is so lucky to have her in his life! She makes sure he sees how much he is loved. She pushes her son to do anything that he can. She was told by doctors what things he may never do and she has not let that happen. She is courageous and loving and since having such a hard time and having to do this all by herself. I believe she deserves this way more than I do.

Re: Win a Photography Session from Forever Fireflies for you and a friend!

I would like to nominate my sister in law. She has been married to a man for 11 years who has been verbally and physically abusive towards her. She is a mom of 2 little boys 11 and 3. She has been struggling with her marriage since I have met her 10 years ago. She has gone through so much including tolerating cheating from her husband when she was pregnant. She almost died from hemorrage having her 2nd child due to placenta previa. Just recently has had the courage to press charges against her husband who threatened her with scissors. I can not think of anyone more deserving of this. She does not have any pictures of her and her boys together. I hope and pray she finally her the courage to leave this man! I think this shoot would be priceless for her!