I love my kids, but every once in awhile I feel overwhelmed raising them. There are times when I am impatient or tired or think life is challenging. But then I try to put it all in perspective and realize that these frustrating moments are fleeting, just growing pains for Keith and I as parents and Isabella and Gabby as kids.  This is stuff every parent goes through at one time or another. And some parents go through much more.

A recent email reminds me of how lucky we are. These tiny little blips in our family life are so inconsequential to what some family’s grapple with on a daily basis.

A few years ago, Keith arrived at a family portrait session – 3 children and their parents. The kids were just adorable. As he was having fun photographing them – the parents mentioned that their little one, Henry had a debilitating condition called mitochondrial disease. The little guy could not eat solid food – he was fed through a feeding tube. “In his first three years, Henry had 12 surgeries and procedures, dozens of diagnostic exams, over one hundred doctors’ appointments (with over a dozen specialists), hundreds of physical therapy sessions, taken several medicines, and the list goes on.  And, of course, he had (and has) gear.  He has a feeding pump, a nebulizer, feeding tubes and other stuff, an IV pole, bags that depressurize his stomach, a back pack to carry his pump, leg braces, and . . . .  You get the picture.”

That’s about the time Keith took the above photo of Henry.

Since that time, Henry’s older brother has also been diagnosed with the same disease. Yet somehow, the parents have found the strength to start a foundation called Henry’s Hope, adopt another child (2 of Henry’s siblings are adopted), write a book called Three Candles and help other family’s with children that  have life-threatening conditions.

The email was from Henry’s dad – just keeping us up to date on the family and sending us a link to the Three Candles website.

Talk about putting it all into perspective.

On Monday, Networking Phoenix held their 10th Signature Event at The Talking Stick Resort.  One of our favorite charities, The Girls Rule Foundation was there to raise awareness of their very important mission – to help girls create bright futures. One of the co-founders of this amazing charity is Dena Patton, life coach extraordinaire and founder of Chat, Chew and Chocolate.

We were there to document the attendees of the event – women who were proud to make the pronouncement that all young girls need to hear; that they are all “Brilliant, Beautiful & Bold”. Check out Girls Rule!

Wow, here’s some pretty scary stats taken from their website:

Stats That Hurt:

• Arizona has A 32% high school dropout rate

• Only 56% of girls like their self-image
• 60% of girls 14-17 are on ‘diets’

• 1 in 17 Arizona teens are in gangs
• Arizona’s teen birth rate is the nation’s third worse
• 60% of students who have a child don’t graduate

• Research shows that a girl’s confidence and self-esteem start to decline during her early adolescence

“Helping Girls Create Bright Futures”

Girls Rule is an organization that provides educational programs that empower and inspire girls in four main areas: how to find happiness within when the world says the opposite, how to be accountable for their own greatness to make wise choices, how to build their self-esteem instead of depending on boys, drugs or peers, and how to become their most brilliant self by learning mapping skills that will powerfully build a step-by-step plan for their future.

One of our children’s favorite places in the world is the Phoenix Children’s Museum.  It is certainly no surprise that they absolutely embrace every corner of the museum – it is a feast for their senses.  Our kids are the perfect ages (4 and 6) to really get the most that the museum has to offer – from the amazing structure when your first walk in to the art studio to the play grocery store/restaurant.  They (and all sorts of children from around the valley) have a blast from start to finish.

Considering how important the Phoenix Children’s Museum is for Valley children it was the perfect back drop for the Free Arts of Arizona Volunteer Appreciation event held last week.  Free Arts strives to impact the lives of children through art – they bring “the healing powers of the creative arts to abused, neglected and homeless children by partnering with over 100 group homes, treatment centers and shelters in Maricopa County.”

The volunteers at Free Arts are such an integral part of the program’s continued success.  Having the volunteer appreciation event at the Museum complemented the Free Arts message.

When I am at the Museum with my children they are able to express themselves in the safe, fun atmosphere that the Museum provides. Free Arts would like all children to have the same opportunity and be able to express their emotions and thrive in a safe environment. The hard work of the volunteers directly benefits the “thousands of abused, homeless and at-risk children who participate in the programs of Free Arts of Arizona each year.” (taken from the Free Arts website)

Thank you volunteers!

(Free Arts of Arizona is the partner charity of Keith Pitts Photography.  We enjoy photographing their events and participating in any way we can be helpful.  We feel honored to be associated with such an amazing charity!)

Hi All,

First let me say “Free Arts of Arizona” is a wonderful charitable organization. They bring the arts to underprivileged and marginalized kids to bring up (or back) their self esteem. I encourage everyone reading this to learn more about them by clicking on their link (and of course reading their info). Another great thing is that they are fun to work with and they appreciate their volunteers. They recently threw a party and art exhibit at the Bentley Projects in appreciation. We donated the “Live PhotoBooth” (we are the official photographers) for the party. Following are a few shots from the night. Props were provided by volunteers. Let me add that it is very interesting watching adults pick through props. The amount of thought that sometimes goes into it is intriguing. With that I present with photos. Enjoy.

Sincerely,

Keith

Our partner charity Free Arts of Arizona has announced a great event on May 19th:  Lunch at the Movies.  If you would like to know more about Free Arts of Arizona, please visit their website and see what an amazing organization they are!

Below is a an overview of the event taken from their website – don’t miss out – a great movie, a great cause!

[Guess who the paparazzi will be for the event???  If you guessed Keith Pitts Photography - you are right!]

An Event Benefiting Free Arts of Arizona

Tickets are on sale now! Click here to reserve your seat!

Join us at the Harkins Cine Capri on May 19th where Free Arts is proud to premier the short documentary films, “Every Child Matters” and “Unleashing Creativity” by award winning film maker Phyllis Lane, directed by Alejandra Nash.

Each year our luncheon raises essential funds for the continuation of our one-of-a-kind outreach programs bringing hope and healing to Arizona’s abused child population living in over 110 facilities here in Maricopa County.

Ticket Information

VIP Admission Tickets $500.00 per person
Includes: Valet Parking, Preferred Seating and Movie Munchies and Boxed Lunch

General Admission Tickets $250.00 per person
Includes Movie Munchies and Boxed Lunch

Event Details
On May 19th, 2010
Doors Open at 11:00am
Registration, Networking
11:00am to 12:00pm
Program
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Meet the Film Makers & Art Exhibit Opens
1:00pm to 1:30pm
Event Concludes at 1:00pm

A Few Facts about this Event:
• As the premier annual event for Free Arts of Arizona, is attended by supporters from all segments of our community. Included are business and community leaders, arts and education leaders and educators as well as local businesses and elected officials.

• The Lunch at the Movies event and its sponsors receive media attention through major outlets including our media partner, Clear Channel Communications, television coverage through local news, internet and social media coverage. *A full Media Plan to follow as requested

• Our new location and format include a full hour for networking and viewing of this year’s special exhibit presented exclusively by the children we serve. Click here to reserve your seats now!

See you at the Movies!

We would love to be able to somehow help the people of Haiti – from this distance the only real help we can provide is through financial donations.  My cousin just posted this on facebook – in case you haven’t decided yet where to donate – this looks like a wonderful start!

“If you would like to reach out to the people of Haiti, consider this small organization (low overhead) that works very directly in the country. The founder is Margaret Trost, a mother at our school who wrote a poignant book “On That Day Everybody Ate, One Woman’s Story of Hope and Possibility in Haiti”. Check it out: http://whatiffoundation.org/“

Thanks Vickie!

We recently had the good fortune of meeting a truly amazing woman, a recent breast cancer survivor, and a big supporter of Relay for Life!  Her goal is to find a fundraiser that will help raise more money each year for this very important cause.  We couldn’t agree more!

For the past several years, Keith has donated his time to photograph local Relay for Life events.   This year we put our heads together and came up with “Portraits for a Cure”!  A great solution to get a picture for the holidays of your favorite pet, you with your four legged friend or maybe a session with you and the kids!  The first portrait session is actually on Halloween – what a great opportunity to have a shot taken of your pet in a costume or  your kids with their friends all dressed up for trick or treating!

Here are the details:

Relay for Life is offering an exclusive opportunity to get great Holiday Pictures at their  “Portraits for a Cure” fundraiser.

Photographer Keith Pitts will offer on location portrait events on Saturday, October 31st and Saturday, November 14th!  For a $100 donation to Relay for Life, people (and their pets) will receive a 20-minute private photo session, along with a credit of $45 (equal to a 5×7 inch portrait ).

This is an excellent way for area residents to trot out their furry friends or just bring the kids, either way, you will get great pictures at a great price (just in time for holiday cards), while benefitting a great cause: Relay for Life.

WHEN:

Saturday, October 31st (feel free to come in costume!)

Saturday, November 14th

10:00 am – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Chaparral Park (near the Community Center)

5401 N. Hayden Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

(SE of Hayden and Jackrabbit)

HOW:

To schedule your session, please call 480.947.0460 or contact Melissa at melissa@keithpitts.com.

Appointments are on a first come, first served basis.

• session must be prepaid (checks made payable to Relay for Life)

• please bring your dog on a leash

• please arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled session

{We happen to know a very special Phoenix family that could greatly benefit from donations to this program – if you would like more info about how you can help them directly, please email me!}

A Valuable Tax Credit for you — A Quality Education for a Deserving Child.
HELP FUND SCHOLARSHIPS WITHOUT INCURRING ANY EXTRA COST FOR YOU!
This tax credit money ONLY funds scholarships for families with finacial need.
Example …

If you owe $4,000 in AZ state income tax, THEN…

EITHER… You pay $4,000 to the Arizona State Treasury;
OR… You GIVE $1,000 to the School of your choice for scholarships;
AND You ONLY Pay $3,000 to the Arizona State Treasury. YOU DECIDE!
How it works …

Send up to $1,000 ($500 if single) to the School of your choice by December 31.
AZ gives you a dollar-for-dollar credit against your state taxes. Any amount counts as a payment towards state income tax and reduces the total amount you owe the state. If the combination of your contribution to the School of your choice AND the taxes withheld from your paycheck is greater than the amount you owe the state, you will receive a refund from the state. Contributions must be received by December 31.

Your chosen school uses these directed tax dollars to provide scholarships to needy students. We believe that all children should have access to quality education, and we treasure the diverse community these contributions permit us to create.

Other school tax credits …Please note that this contribution does NOT preclude you from taking advantage of the AZ state tax credits for a contribution to a public or charter school. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity as well.

For more information about all state tax educational credits, access the Arizona Department of Revenue at www.azdor.gov and type “school tax credit” into the search box.

Hi All,

Here is an interesting fact. If I photograph an NFL rookie prospect before the draft, that prospect will be selected first overall. I am not kidding. I am at 100 percent so far. Case in point, I photographed Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, on the Red Carpet at the Steve Nash Bash in Scottsdale, AZ a few months back. Now it has been announced that he has signed a contract with the Detroit Lions for six years and 78 million dollars. See! Incredible! One shot, one draft, first overall. Now I will have to fight off the agents and prospects next year clamoring to have me photograph them. Whew! It will be tough. Good luck Matt. You owe me one.

Sincerely,

Keith