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Category Archives: Updates

Coach Wenstrom’s son

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” -George S. Patton, Jr.
Since September I’ve been anxiously awaiting to meet this special little guy.  I think you all will enjoy finally meeting the son of the late Coach Wenstrom, here’s 2 week old JC.

In...

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March 6, 2010 - 11:22 am Kathie Bynum - These are amazing - I am so happy to see this little guy. Congradulations Melissa!!! Kathie

March 6, 2010 - 6:49 pm Imhoof - Thanks for sharing precious pictures and I am very happy for you and your miracle son, JC! God bless you always. Midori

March 7, 2010 - 8:06 am Elana Hand - These pictures are great. He is so adorable. Hope to see him soon. Congratulations Melissa.

March 7, 2010 - 10:00 am Heather Keenan - He is a treasure! I hope you are feeling well, Melissa, and enjoying every minute of your lives together. Heather

March 7, 2010 - 10:46 am Melinda Sawyer - You made my day - what an adorable little one - hope you're basking in the moment. And yes, I do think he resembles Jeff. He would be so proud as I'm sure you are. Congratulations. Melinda

March 7, 2010 - 6:43 pm Karen Bennett - He is so adorable and yes, I can see Jeff in him. Enjoy every moment you have with him ~ it will go by so fast!

March 8, 2010 - 6:48 am Sylvia Sandin - The pictures are truly amazing; thank you so much for sharing! Such attention to detail is a testament of how much you, Melissa and Little JC have touched Amanda's professional sensibilities. I look forward to meeting this little "star" in person! Bravo to you all!!

March 8, 2010 - 6:58 am Teresa - Oh my goodness. He is SOOOO cute. I was shocked at how much he looks like Jeff. Can't wait to babysit when you bring him in.

March 8, 2010 - 7:35 am Linda Pierce - The pictures are adorable, he is so cute. I too see Jeff in his precious little face. Melissa, enjoy every second with you new baby boy! Congratulations! Jeff would be so proud!!!

March 8, 2010 - 7:41 am Sue Cappetta - What wonderful memories. JC is so aware! Enjoy the wonders each new day brings.

March 8, 2010 - 7:49 am Judy Malys - The pictures are adorable as is JC. Looking forward to seeing him in person.

March 8, 2010 - 7:57 am Debbie Campanaro - Congratulations, Melissa and welcome baby JC! These pictures are awesome and amazing. Everyday will bring new joy. I know Jeff is proudly watching over you both. Can't wait to meet him.

March 8, 2010 - 8:14 am Jeanette Williams - What a blessing! Congratulations to you and your son. Enjoy every moment as they grow up quickly. Looking forward to seeing the 2 of you soon.

March 8, 2010 - 8:34 am Jo Alice Walker - How precious! I was touched by Amanda Kern's comments as well as the beautiful way she captured your son's features. We are glad lil' JC is part of our Lyman family. What a beautiful blessing he is and will be!

March 8, 2010 - 8:41 am Liz MacKeon - What a thrill to see God's miracles! Thanks so much for sharing ! I look forward to seeing both of you!

March 8, 2010 - 9:05 am Mary Edmiston - What beautiful pictures of this precious baby boy! I know you will be amazed every day as he grows. Can't wait to see you both.

March 8, 2010 - 9:29 am CHRISTL FORZA - He is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these amazing photographs. I look forward to meeting him in person. He is just adorable!

March 8, 2010 - 9:37 am Rosalie Cook - I knew you would be an awesome mother! I am happy for you and the baby! Enjoy the blessing. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Rosalie Cook

March 8, 2010 - 3:16 pm Mary K Adessa - what gorgeous photos of your baby-you must be so proud! I can't wait to meet him...I hope you are doing well. Miss you! Mary

March 9, 2010 - 7:52 am Diane Whitted - I can't wait to see you and the baby in person, I love those picture. I hope you're enjoying those early morning feeding. ha ha

March 9, 2010 - 10:04 am Sharon Sacco - He's absolutely adorable! Seeing these pictures and reading the stories reminded me of how precious life truly is and how we should never take things for granted. Thank you for sharing with us..you've made my day!

March 10, 2010 - 11:49 am lisa rios - Those are amazing!!! The tribute brought tears to my eyes. Enjoy him while he is little! Lisa

March 10, 2010 - 2:21 pm Halima Fisher - Well, Congrats New Mommy! May God continue to Bless you and your little one more and more each year. Miracles & Blessings, Miracles & Blessings...Halima

Yep, my little ones are growing!

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” -Robert Brault
Things have been so crazy these last few months that I’ve put off taking the kids to the doctor until today. The kids have been doing well and I could tell they were growing, but I...

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March 5, 2010 - 10:11 am ki.p - Hope, I totally sympathize with you! I remember vividly being 9 years old, and the Dr. telling me I had to have some blood work. Well, I ran clear out of the doctors office! You're much braver that I was, I'm glad you survived. ;)

an update + FREE photo sessions

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.”
-Abraham Lincoln
I thought I’d take a moment to update you all as I gear up for the last 9 days of course work towards my masters in the winter quarter at SCAD and the final week before Valencia’s spring break....

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March 2, 2010 - 8:01 pm GINNY BROWN - hERE IS MY CONFIRMATION OF MY DONATION TO SAKINA. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE MUCH, I HAVE ALREADY RAISED $1100 ON MY OWN FOR THIS EVENT. GINNY BROWN ___________________________________________ *Your gift is to 2010 Relay For Life of Poinciana, FL on behalf of Sakina Zorayq. Please review your gift summary and click the Process Button below to complete your gift. Transaction Summary Transaction Date: 3/2/10 Gift Information Level: Enter an Amount ($10.00 Minimum) Amount: $10.00 Recognition Name (in honor, in memory , or in support of): In Memory of Shirley Dawson Send a note to whom you are supporting: You go, girlfriend! Billing Information Title: Ms. First Name: Virginia Middle Name: S Last Name: Brown Suffix: Street 1: 615 Davinci Pass Street 2: City: Poinciana State/Province: FL ZIP/Postal Code: 34759 Country: United States Email Address: RelayGinny@yahoo.com Email opt-in: No Email Type Home Remember me: Yes Are you interested in including ACS in your will trust or estate plan? No Are you interested in becoming involved in other American Cancer Society volunteer opportunities? No Are you interested in advocating for legislation to help cancer patients and their families? No Are you interested in becoming more involved in Relay For Life next year? No My company has Matching Funds. No Company Name: Payment Information Payment type: Credit Card Credit Card Number: ************4143

March 2, 2010 - 8:27 pm Amanda Kern - you rock Ginny. Thanks for you donation. I'll be sure your name is included in the drawing...AND on March 12th when my baby girl gets out of school I will be sure to take a video and share with you all who the two winners are!

March 2, 2010 - 11:28 pm Joyia Capo-Cox - I just emailed you mine! WIsh I could do more but cash is tight right now. No paycheck for 2 months will do that! Ugh.

March 6, 2010 - 6:40 pm Jay Yasuda - Amanda - I learned about your generous offer via Geraldine Gallagher. What a generous gift you are making available! My daughter always participates in RFL and I'll again be contributing to her, so I'll forego your "raffle." I'm moved by your message, about your miscarriage, and wish you all the best. May you soon find comfort and peace.

Learning Day 2010

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” – Pericles
One day a year Valencia Community College holds Learning Day. We cancel all classes, give the students the day off and all full time faculty and staff get a chance to learn. It’s...

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February 19, 2010 - 7:13 pm kristy pennino - you did a great job today, amanda. :-) i really enjoyed being your student for the day.

February 20, 2010 - 9:48 am Katie - Loved it! Got me re-energized to take more pictures of Isaiah and to try taking some different kinds of pictures of him as well. :)

Hysterosalpingography

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.” – Dorothy Thompson
Three months to the date that I learned I miscarried I’m incredibly relieved to share great news from the hysterosalpingography (HSG) procedure I underwent today. The procedure today confirmed that “I’m normal”. Okay, so perhaps some of you might believe that...

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February 2, 2010 - 4:09 pm Erica Reynoso Montalvo - I read this and let out a big ole sigh. Thank goodness, Mandy. **HUGS**

February 2, 2010 - 4:38 pm kristy pennino - horray! i'm so happy about your good news!! :-)

February 2, 2010 - 4:49 pm Alison Waring - Yay! What great news and I'm sure a tremendous relief :0)

February 2, 2010 - 8:34 pm peggy - i am so glad to hear that all is well you truly are blessed love ya

End of the semester updates

It’s that time in the semester where things get a little busier. Add in the piles of things I’m still working on getting caught up on and lets just say saying I’m “busy” is an understatement.
I’m sure most of our students agree. Yes, it’s the end of the semester. With it brings additional stress to...

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December 8, 2009 - 11:35 am Rosy - Love the bw photos. Looks like every one survived this one! :)

A sense of place + an update

I thought I’d share a little good news to start. Some of you may have heard through twitter or facebook, but I know many don’t follow either so I wanted to be sure I updated everyone. Last Friday I receive a call from the doctor and my HCG levels are officially at zero! That’s awesome...

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November 20, 2009 - 1:53 am joleen - great job!!

November 20, 2009 - 2:52 am Nando - Your collage is beautiful. I love the sincerity of it. I like the rough edges as well.

November 20, 2009 - 9:07 am katie mascarello simari - awwww beautiful! i love this project! it is always nice to have the ability to express yourself creatively it is very therapeutic... congratulations it looks awesome. the collage is cool, i was like woah. you can not tell!!

November 20, 2009 - 11:50 am Aunt Deb - Both of your projects are simply wonderful Amanda - you should make an A in the course. You hae a gift girl!!!

November 20, 2009 - 5:38 pm Rebecca - This is amazing work. Wonderful!

November 20, 2009 - 9:45 pm Mandy Bee - Love the montage! I decided to look first, read later and I was thinking "Those other women in the photo look just like Amanda." Yeah - duh. :) Awesome work!

Thanks to my fans!

If you’re reading this you obviously have stumbled across my blog somehow – either because I’ve done photos for you or someone you know or because someone has shared my work with you. In a very short time I’ve begun to learn how many of you have come to admire my photography and as I...

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My first day at the hospital

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” -Bernice Johnson Reagon
My first full day at the hospital has passed. The day began with me feeling pretty cruddy. In just the first day I have discovered a few of the things being in the hospital:

The doctor saw...

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October 24, 2009 - 11:22 pm Amanda - You actually made me tear up tonight. I've been saying it for days but I just really hope you feel much better soon.

In the hospital, again.

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” – Lance Armstrong
I never imagined earlier today that I’d find myself blogging from the hospital, but here I am...

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October 24, 2009 - 1:45 am Nando - Hi Amanda. You're quite a trooper and someone to really look up to. I will pray that you get better real soon. I hope you get some good rest. Wish you the best. ^_^

October 28, 2009 - 9:37 am Ginger - Oh Amanda, what a difficult journey you have been on lately. I cannot imagine the frustrations and emotions you are experiencing, even though you are so good at expressing them in writing. I'll be sure to say extra prayers for you and your family. Btw, I have had 2 HSG's and they will be a cake walk compared to what you have been through so far. Hopefully it will provide answers for you and a path to move forward on.