stay the course, light a star,change the world where'er you are. - richard le gallienne

first, it looks as if we will be moving to KS (probably the beginning of june). the detailer said that he is changing steve's orders and will officially release once the exceptional family member (EFM) stuff is straightened out. i submitted the EFM paperwork last week, to the san diego EFM coordinator, who in turn submits it to the main EFM coordinating folks in millington, TN.

you should know something in about 6-8 weeks, the coordinator said, as he was handing me my copies of the paperwork.

what?! 6-8 weeks? steve has orders waiting and his school start date is 1 july. is there any way they can expedite the process, since orders are on hold?

yea, i can do that. so you should hear something in 4-6 weeks. that's the expedited time.

UGH! so, i'm hoping to know something for sure in 4 weeks. the coordinator said that most detailers will go ahead and release the orders when the system says processing but i'm not so sure since kiele is rated a category 5 (limiting us to only san diego, DC and norfolk, VA). my fear is that kiele gets EFM 5 again and then what? for the moment, more waiting.

++++++

if you haven't already noticed, max's parents continue their journey--their fight--against neuroblastoma. and they keep up max's blog. i noticed today that their huge fundraising event, maxapalooza, is tentatively scheduled for september 26th.

so i had an idea.

my plan is to come back to san diego, for four or five days every fall and if enough interest, i will come back in the spring too...shooting 8-10 sessions while i'm here. i've already had a number of inquiries for a fall session and have started a waiting list. if you know you definitely want a fall session, please email me. sessions will be on a first come, first serve basis.

maybe, just maybe...i can coordinate my return with maxapalooza. i so want to attend and photograph this incredible fundraising event they are planning.

also, andy and melis are looking for some volunteer help for the event:

a web producer
t-shirt / apparel designer(s)
facebook / social media guru
event coordinator / manager

if you know anyone that might be of assistance, please refer them to max's blog and/or just have them email max's dad, andy, at amikulak@yahoo.com.

i close with a photo of max, from the first time i shot him weekly for mashed potatoes for breakfast. this was san diego's children's hospital celebration of champions. even though max lost his battle to cancer, he was and always will be one of the most amazing champions i've ever met. this year, andy and melis will again attend this event, but instead of watching their child run the race, they (along with hundreds of other parents) will release a balloon in their child's memory.