I have another stunning baby to share with you today. This family was photographed by one of our newest photographers to Soul, Carolyn Coffee. I think you can see by this photo that this little one was just so beautiful. Carolyn met her and sadly had to say goodbye in three short hours at Children's Hospital. We send the family much love and care as they journey through the loss of such lovely a child as this. The families evaluation of Carolyn's work was stellar.

Soul had the privilege of sending a photographer to an event that was in honor of the life of Vick Lynn Piha Ashberg. Our shooter captured images for Vicki's family and supporters who came out to raise money for City of Hope, which is working toward a cure and gives amazing medical help to cancer patients. With the advent of digital photography and the generosity of our photographers we were able to send another new shooter, Amy Kyle to this bowling event without spending any of our money, but we proudly joined in to record this amazing effort that brought in $500,000 toward cancer research and care. I commend the work of Amy and I heard from Vicki's sister how pleased she was with the photos.

As a mom I want to close today with another photo of my oldest who is currently in Australia. She and Lew are inspiration for all of my work in photography so here is one of my latest images of a daughter who has helped me become the photographer that I am today. I close as always in love and peace and send dearest McKenzie my hopes for a fantastic vacation, Lynette

Vicki is one of the three women who inspired our work with adults at end of life. We are hoping with help of board members, Brenda Wagner and Kelly NcNelis to expand the work of our adult legacy project. I want you all to know that with the loss of Vicki, Deana, and Julie we are dedicated to helping children who lose parents at a young age to have beautiful photo memories. If you know of anyone who would like this gift, please share with them that we are more than happy to be of service.

I arrived home yesterday afternoon after working with 3 of my long time family clients in my business to find our new intern hard at work making some amazing prayer flags that will be a part of our 5 year celebration. Yes, we are starting early as the idea is going to take time and effort to bring to fruition. I have a vision of our courtyard being covered with prayer flags for a celebration in honor of all our Soul children, families and adults. Zoie is working hard to print a flag with each and every one of our released children and adults. It is a project that takes skill and patience but Zoie is doing an excellent job. In time we will ask all of you to join us at work parties to create flags in honor of those who have touched your hearts. I hope that this project will become a show in itself and can be sent to brighten and enlighten many place here and abroad. I am posting a photo of Zoie hard at work. I will keep you posted as to how you can make your own flag and share those that Zoie has completed.

I close today with
another photo I recently took of McKenzie who is now in Australia. My two daughters are the inspiration for my life in photography so I salute Mac today and send her my best wishes for a magic vacation. In love and peace, Lynette

While visiting McKenzie last week in Chico, she got word that her senior project is complete and she received a very good grade on her work. This means that in the near future her diploma will be arriving and she is now officially a graduate. Today she is off to Australia where she will spend a couple of weeks vacationing with her boyfriend and they will have a couple of days in Byron Bay where they will see my brother. Mac has worked very hard managing the Breakfast Buzz and I know this is a much needed vacation. I am posting a couple of recent photos of McKenzie from my visit.

Our new Teens in Public Service intern has been with us for a little over a week now and we are delighted with her help. Her name is Zoie and she is such addition to our staff. I know Sarah is working on a couple more new bookings and of course as releases come in I will share the photos with all of you who support the work of Soulumination.

I am posting tonight one of my favorite Soul shots taken by my good friend and mentor Kurt Smith. The photos were taken last year while Jay was in remission from Burkitts Lymphoma. Sometimes it takes a while to for parents to find the time to get us the required release forms. This photo of Soul child Jay and his mom really delights me and I am so proud that we have releases to share this little guy with all of you.

Doug and I are hoping to make a couple of trips in the coming years where I can use my camera skills to record children in other countries. These would be photos taken to further humanitarian causes at an orphanage in Mozambique and then for children suffering the effects of the landmines left in Vietnam. This work would not be part of Soul, but will hopefully take my skills into areas that need attention. Doug would use his construction skills at the orphanage in Mozambique, which is a dream that he has been putting on the back burner until we got our new home/studio completed here in Ballard. As things take shape I will share with you as I know this will be important work.

I must head off soon to the comfort of my living room to do my nightly editing chores. Its such a busy time of year so each day is packed. I was blessed to spent most of the day yesterday and late into the evening with a dear friend that used to be our neighbor in our condo days on Capitol Hill when the girls were babies. She is a mother, nurse and married to a doctor who specializes in bone marrow transplants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It was grand to spend hours talking about the work of Soul and all the emotions that come with the mission with someone who so obviously understood how this all works. Thank you Ann for your understanding and your insights.

Again thanks to those who have supported us through the news letter appeal, I hope more will people will add us to their giving list as each donation is so appreciated and keeps us moving forward. I close as always, in love and peace, Lynette

I worked with Sarah at a beautiful wedding last night that I awoke chattering away to Doug about how much I love my work. This bride and groom related to me in such a way that I feel such a part of the whole wedding. Stephanie Solomon was their wedding coordinator and she never fails to amaze me with her ability to bring exceptional beauty to weddings. Stephanie is the ultimate professional and I am pleased to work with her and call her friend. Cory Bogle was the videographers and its always a pleasure to work alongside someone of his heart and talent. I send my best wishes to Allison and Jim, the bride and groom as they start their married life together.

After the wedding I went up to the Zoo at about midnight to take photos of Lew at a fundraiser. I never want to miss an opportunity to photograph either of my girls so even though I had already shot for 11 hours I wanted to grab shots of Lew at this event that benefited Seattle Public Schools and was organized by one of her room mates. Congratulations to this fine group of young philanthropists. I am posting a shot of Lulu and Mike from the day before the prom when I was practicing with my new camera and Lew was showing me her new dress.

I share today a new child to Soulumination. Her name is Lydia and her photos were taken by Jon Ward. As you can see, she is adorable and is battling leukemia. She is here from the South and I have had the pleasure of meeting her twice now when I have been at Children's dropping off photos. Jon's work just tickled all of us and we are delighted to have him with us.

I want to thank Kurt Smith and many of the staff at Glazers who made a recent purchase feel so special. Russ, Swan and others at Glazers joined Kurt in helping me have a fun and meaningful day. This work of mine has added so much to my life and I am thankful for the great friendships that have resulted from following my passion.

I must run and finish packing as I am leaving to visit my daughter McKenzie in Chico. I will be gone until Wednesday evening and I am so excited to see Mac and her kitties. Sarah has been busy booking new families so Soul will be expanding our mission as I enjoy some time with my first born. Ah, life is good. In love and peace, Lynette

Today is a day that Doug and I dreamed of when we first talked of marriage and children. It was our goal that our children would graduate from college debt free and its happened! Today we are heading to Olympia for Llewelyn's graduation from Evergreen. She is walking even though she got her diploma in December. Also this week McKenzie turned in her senior project to complete her degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I am very emotional and proud of both girls and I know my mom will be with us in spirit as this is something that she was also very excited about. I share today one of my favorite images from their childhood.

Yesterday I had a great day at Children's Hospital. My friend and nurse Suzanne had spearheaded an event for the fathers on the SCCA unit. Seahawks and basketball players were so kind and attentive and caring to each patient and their fathers. Our own board member Deb was there as she helped a group boys raise funds and get some amazing treats for the patients and their dads.

After this amazing celebration I met a new family to Soulumination. I was smitten with beauty of their girls and their mom has a keen wit and is so obviously devoted that I really didn't want to leave their room when I was done. It was also nice to see their proud grandma beaming from near the bedside. I send them much care as they have lots ahead of them.

We just had a visit from Josiah's dad and baby sister. Its such a delight to watch this family grow. Alice, Dave, Henry and Ellie bring warmth and compassion with each visit. Sarah is busy booking two new shoots that were brought to our attention just this morning, we are so happy that we can be of service to families. Please let others know about our mission as we have such talented photographers that are willing to serve. In love and peace, Lynette

I want to thank my board members for yet another great meeting tonight. We welcomed my friend, Kelly McNelis to the board and she brings amazing experience and huge compassion. Her connection to the legacy work of the adult part of Soul and her friendship with board member, Brenda Wagner, make her a great addition. All the board members have their expertise and sometimes I chuckle inwardly that their role is occasionally to remind me that its okay to ask for financial help. I wish I had the fortitude and confidence to keep moving forward in a straight and purposeful direction, but often these wonderful people of Soul have to give me a little shake so to speak. Their patience and dedication to the cause helps guide me to solid ground when my own soul is a bit tattered by the grief that can be such a clear reality in working with this mission.

With Father's Day this Sunday I send much love to the fathers of Soulumination. These men touch each of us that meet them with their love and devotion. I am posting a photo of my little pal Emma today with her dad and brother. She recently shared her birthday celebration with us so I thought this photo was especially timely.

I get to see my own dad tomorrow. Doug and I will pick him up at the Seattle ferry and he will spend the night here with us and then we take him to the train on Thursday. He is going to Oregon to see my sister's new home. Big thanks to my sister in law, Diane for driving him to the ferry.

We had a new request that came through on my email today, plus Sarah had our Soul photographer, Christina out on another shoot. We keep meeting new families and connecting regularly with families that we have already worked with. I am so sorry to say that my Soul pal Chris won't be coming over to have some time to chat and pick up his DVD's, instead I send his entire family condolences in for the unexpected loss of an uncle. I send a special hug to his mom Renee as the loss of a brother must leave a big whole in one's life.

I thank the young women from Holy Names for their great efforts for Soulumination. I share photos of them at last weeks work party. We sincerely hope we can count on them for future support as we all felt a genuine connection with these women.

Hugs across the country to my young friend Elise in New Jersey as she is fighting MRSA once again. Elise is such a fighter and I hate to think of her going through more trials, but somehow she just bounces back. Of course our Olympic swimmer, Marin is in my heart as I am starting to see ads for the Olympics. Marin is undergoing radiation and she is also another Soul member who fights forward with such grace and spunk.

Again, thank you so much for sending in those donations from the newsletter. We are so grateful and very proud of our board President, Lori Sawyer who really does the lions share of the work to make the newsletter happen. I close as always in love and peace, Lynette

Its nice at my age to learn new things and to see the wonders of all this world has to offer, simple and complex, all intriguing, all calling me to grow and become a more evolved person. I got to photograph and observe a birth of a new baby in my life in the early hours of this poignant Sunday. This baby is blessed by a family both biological and through friendship who will nurture and love her to the fullest extent imaginable. I was in awe of my pal Dawnelle as she beautifully delivered a 9 lb 3 oz daughter to a gallery of 11 women friends, her husband, her best friend's 3 year old son and my blazing cameras. I hope more friends and clients will feel inclined to invite me and the old Nikon's into their delivery rooms as it was one mind blowing experience.

As I drove to the hospital this morning at the same hour I left to go to my mom's bedside just 2 months ago, I felt both sad and excited. I knew that this time my heart would soar and last time it was such a different feeling. That trip to the hospital was life changing in such a different way.

My brother is currently in the hospital in Australia which rattles my cage as he is so far away and his HIV positive status always makes me a bit more concerned than is most likely necessary. I heard he is resting comfortably and his doctors are mostly positive that things will go well and he will be home and recovering safely very soon. He has been such a supporter of me throughout my lifetime and has shown such compassion toward Soulumination.

Yesterday I arrived at the home of parents of 'my' bride to hear that her mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last couple of weeks and was looking so beautiful even though she had just gone through radiation. This mom also told me that a dear friend of my daughters' has been diagnosed with non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and has returned to Seattle from her college to start chemotherapy. I will try to get in touch with her mom today and see when we can have time with this delightful young woman. Her prognosis is very good so we will just hold that thought in our hearts and let her effervescent ways guide us through her treatment. I did hear that she will soon be bald so I will offer to take some photos to commemorate her journey.

Huge congratulations to our dear friend and intern, Brenna Fallon. She was recently awarded an award from the AJC: Max H. Block Student Human Relations Award (and scholarship), given by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in conjunction with the family of Max H. Block. This prestigious award is presented to high school students in recognition of their contributions to promoting positive human relations and fostering a better understanding for all people, as demonstrated by their activities in their school and in their community. I share a photo today of Brenna and I that Sarah took for her to use when she spoke at the awards night.

We are most thankful to the family of Emma R. She recently had a birthday and we have been receiving lovely donations in honor of this milestone. Emma lives in New Jersey and I met her at the NTSAD conference last year. With this type of support it seems possible that I will be able to attend the conference again and record the children living with Tay Sacks in 09. I share a photo of Emma today and thank her with huge hugs across the miles

Our 3rd newsletter has obviously been well received since we are seeing some lovely donations in support of the work. Both Sarah and I are hopeful that it will be successful enough to carry us through the months ahead. In yesterdays mail we received a disc of a new child to Soul taken by Stephanie Cristalli. We are thankful for her talent and her generous spirit in joining this foundation. I close as always in love and peace and with much wonder in my heart at all this life lays before us, Lynette

This week finds me finishing up a round of medical check ups, all that are routine, but some new to me and less than appealing. This series of middle aged tests gives me just a hint of what our Soul families face routinely. I have always had respect for our families and now find that even more solidly in my heart. The endless rounds of hospital visits and routines are something that takes such patience and a whole lot of time.

I was down in the office early this morning when the Soul line rang and now Sarah is locating a photographer for yet another new baby to Soulumination. The call came from a social worker at Children's Hospital and I was looking forward to working with her but due to my appointment schedule I can not do this one and it looks as if Jodi Rosen will be our shooter. She is often available and its so nice that she is willing and very talented.

We received a disc of photos from Kurt Smith on Friday of a new boy to Soul. Kurt's photos look beautiful as always and I know the family will be thrilled. Stephanie Cristalli also did a shoot for us last week and Tara Clark made an attempt that had to be rescheduled. We are so thankful that our newest addition to our list of photographers, Jon Ward actually completed 2 shoots. His work is outstanding and having worked with him myself I know that his personality and heart is so beautifully suited to Soulumination. Sharlane graciously gave her time on a Saturday recently to take photos of a new Soul teen as she departed for her senior prom. The teen looked so beautiful that she took our breath away when we saw the photos. I am so thankful to all the photographers for their devotion and skill.

Thank you to those of you who have donated after receiving the newsletter. With the number of calls ever increasing your support is so appreciated. We are still seeing a few donations trickle in honoring my mom. I can't tell you what this means to me and to my dad. I want to thank dad and my siblings for realizing how mom felt about Soulumination and its an honor to continue the work knowing its part of her legacy. My siblings and I were so blessed to have such a wonderful mom.

I share today a photo that Greg Johnson sent me of myself with Chris. I received a phone call from his mom saying he had been in the hospital with heart issues. Please keep him in your hearts as he is one amazing young man. Greg is burning DVDs for Chris' family of the film he made of Chris driving a golf cart. This means that I may get to see Chris when he and his mom come to pick up so I hope I can convince them to go to lunch with me as Chris has such an amazing personality and his sense of humor is priceless.

I close as always in love and peace, Lynette