Fable of the Porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive. Moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
The real moral of the story......LEARN TO LIVE WITH THE PRICKS IN YOUR LIFE.

Simons Family Pics 2011

Lisa and Brandon Jastal had recently lost their sweet baby boy Aaron to a congenital heart defect

After the journey they had taken, Lisa really wanted to do something to give back to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT

Lisa is a talented photographer and decided to have a "special" where proceeds from the profits she made off of her photography would be donated to the hospital.

When I heard Lisa and Brandon would be coming to town, I couldn't help but take her up on her offer.

My children are not always the most cooperative for pictures...

so Lisa had her work cut out for her.

The kids are growing up so fast and soon they will be growing and going...

I desperately wanted to get some good family pictures before our family dynamic starts changing

Typical!

Since my birthday was coming up in several weeks, I tried guilting the kids into cooperating would count as a birthday present

The pictures were taken at the Canal Locks at Sidecut Metropark

My sweetheart

Dylan 16 years old

Kyle 15 yers old

Nicholas 10 years old

Luke 13 years old

Surrounded by the loves of my life

 Family love

We were thrilled with Lisa's work...

and thrilled to have some decent family photos