Jack (featuring Nicole + Craig)

Don't let his size fool you! This little guy knows what he likes and what he doesn't. Jack is absolutely in LOVE with his mom and dad, but not quite as in love with having his  picture taken by a strange lady. And, I get that... because I'm totally the same way. Show me a stranger who has a camera aimed at me, and I'll show you how quickly I can run. But, he warmed up to me after a while, was a great sport, and we had a fun and sun-filled day all over Little Forest Hills and East Dallas. As you can see from the photos, Nicole and Craig are a beautiful couple, who were very natural with Jack, which is kind of the idea behind the pictures I take. I would rather capture a moment than create one. So, they really did run through fields, catch butterflies, play the upee-side-down game (as I called it when I was a child) and more. All in all, we had a lovely, hot, fun, summer day, making memories in the sun. Who could ask for more? xoxo

Happy Father's Day....

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads, moms, grandpas, grandmas, stepdads, stepmoms, uncles and aunts who helped raise us.... We love you.

And from Happyfish Photography, thank you to all of the families who allowed me to be a part of their lives for the last year. It has been an honor to photograph each and every one of you.

Father's Day 2011 - Slideshow

xoxo

Fundraising Benefit for Kaati Brehm at The Meridian Room 06/20

Please read all the way to the end to see how YOU have come together, as a community, to forever change this story, and if you can't make it to the event but want to help, please feel free to donate here....

Kaati Brehm is a normal, hardworking 39 year-old local server. With one exception.... In November, Kaati was diagnosed with late stage IV cervical cancer. Since then she has undergone a series of radical surgeries and seven rounds of chemotherapy.

Most of you know Kaati from the nearly fifteen years that she worked at Terilli's on Lower Greenville. Or you might know her from The Wine Therapist and/or Dragonfly where she landed after Terilli's was engulfed in and destroyed by flames early last year.

When someone that we all know and are used to seeing at our favorite bar or restaurant gets sick, a few things go through our minds: "How bad is it? Will they survive? How can I help?" But days turn into weeks and weeks into months and the normal hum of our lives begin to take over once more. Suddenly, those thoughts which were once so constant and at the forefront of our minds are drowned out by a thousand other ideas that entertain, inspire, worry, or scare us on a daily basis. And instead of letting those initial concerns carry us on to do something to help, we let them fall into the background, and we comfort ourselves with ideas like: "Someone else is helping," "Insurance is paying," "There must have been savings," or "She's so strong.... She can handle anything."

Unfortunately, those are things that we tell ourselves instead of the truth. The reality is much harder to bear. For those of us who have watched a love one succumb to cancer or any other incapacitating disease, we know that real life is often not as bright and shiny as the affirmations that help us to move on and feel okay when the world seems like a dark and scary place.

Because the truth, as much as I would like to tell you all differently, is that no one else is helping. Insurance doesn't cover rent or food or even half of the medical costs. The savings were gone months ago. And even the strongest will sometimes fall without a support system in place or a little help from their friends.

The truth is that Kaati is sick. Kaati is sicker than any of us hope to become throughout our entire lives, and she doesn't have enough money to pay her rent, bills or feed herself. Her cancer is too far advanced for her to be able to work full-time and be treated simultaneously. And she has no options left.

That, my dearest friends & Facebook acquaintances, is the truth of what has happened to Kaati Brehm....

ONLY NOW, because of all of you, the story has changed. Just like that, we have helped Kaati pay for rent, bills, and chemotherapy for the last month. Plus, the outpouring of support that you have shown has helped us to gain attention from multiple news sources and private benefactors. We knew that some of you would give money and share kind words, but your endless amounts of love and generosity have been breathtaking at times. We are so proud to be members of the Dallas service industry, a group of people that defines the word family.

Please come out to support Kaati once more on June 20th at The Meridian Room. For a $10 cover, there will be drink specials, door prizes, a silent auction, and information on how to join The Servers Trust (if you have been a full-time server within the last year and come to the benefit, we will automatically sign you up!). You have already done so much, so while Monday night is about Kaati, it is also about each and every one of you -- what you have given, how you have loved, and what amazing people you have all grown up to be. We are proud to know you and call each of you a friend.

And, of course, on Monday night, we are celebrating Kaati... for all that she is and still can be... for how much of herself she has sacrificed for this community of servers... for her quirks and oddities and evil laughter.... We are celebrating Kaati, and we are showing her the love that she needs to keep fighting the good fight. Please come and show your support! Love, thanks, and good health to you all....

from the Sisters Troute
xoxo

For more information, please contact Marie Troute @ marie.troute@gmail.com/469.733.7789 or contact Julia Troute on Facebook.

The Servers Trust

Hello, all of my little fishies.... Here is some information about the nonprofit organization that I am starting called The Servers Trust. Please read this blurb, and let me know what you think:

Since last year, I have been posting information about fundraisers for servers. And that is because servers get sick -- just like we all do. But, unlike many, most servers do not have access to healthcare.

When a server is sick... when we can't or aren't allowed to work, due to illness or injury... there are no paid days off, no personal time, no help with medical bills. If you are a server, were a server, are married to a server, or your child is a server, then you know the absolute fear we feel when faced with the thought that we might need to see a doctor. Because what if something really is wrong? What then? For many of us, the option to see a doctor and getting the financial help that we need when we're sick can and WILL make the difference between getting better and getting worse, improving or deteriorating, living and dying....

What I am proposing with The Servers Trust is to create a nonprofit organization (that I will start and run with help from my sister, friends, and family) which will have the sole purpose of raising and dispersing money (year-round) to servers who are injured, laid off, or genuinely ill for at least three weeks. Basically... what I am promising is this... if you are hurt or sick or worse, then I will be there for you and fight to make sure that you have what you need when you actually need it. I will be relentless and passionate, and I will blow up Facebook on behalf of you and your family the way you have probably seen me do for others. I'm not saying that we can do everything, help everyone, or save every sick server, but I am promising to try.

The Servers Trust is a concept born out of necessity. We keep having fundraisers when something bad happens to one of us (and I say this with love because I am one of the people throwing the fundraisers). So, yes, we keep raising money, which is wonderful, but, in many cases, we're starting too late. We need to be more aggressive. We need to get out in front of this before it's too late for any more of us... before it's too late for even ONE more of us.

To do all of this, we need to get incorporated and file for nonprofit status, which will take a little time and money to do correctly. But, once that is taken care of, I can start applying for grants, almost daily, and I can raise money for the Dallas service industry, a group of people who I couldn't love more if I tried. I promise that I can raise money.... I can't stop cancer or fires or car accidents, but I can raise money, and I will do that for you. I will do that for all of you, if you ever need it.

As a nonprofit organization, I can actively pursue money and funding that I cannot pursue as a single person, and I will have the power to fight for each of you, should you ever be on the receiving end of bad news.

What I need from you, besides showing up for Kaati's benefit on June 20th at The Meridian Room, is that you support me so that I may continue to support all of you. I promise to do whatever I can, whenever I can, and you in turn, just have to show up. Come to an industry night when it benefits The Trust. If you have a little extra, give a little extra, but do so with the knowledge that if and when, God forbid, you should need it, someone will be putting in a little extra for you, too.

We have all needed this help at one time or another, so chances are we will all need it again. The time is now. And, I truly believe that this is where we begin. Love and good health to you all -- let's get started. xo