BRAGGING RIGHTS...

Our daughter, Tami, at three months old

Every parent has bragging rights.  That is just a given.  Whether it be an overload of photographs (please be forewarned) or a few well chosen words that are repeated over and over again, this strange phenomenon is definitely a part of the human behavior.

Over the years there are many special occasions when bragging is appropriate, such as...

First Grade

One of the many sports she played and excelled in

Her first car that she bought and paid for herself

Her senior graduation

Her first official job

A Happy 21st Birthday present!!

Tami and Tim on their wedding day

The new addition to their family, Jake

Their little family...

...through the...

...passing years

These are just a sampling of our special bragging rights.  There certainly were many more, like...first steps, first laugh, first words, good report cards and wise choice of friends, to name a few.

I hope that we took the time and made the effort to let her know how much she is loved and appreciated over the years.

This past Tuesday was another one of those big bragging right days.  Tami was one of the honorees for the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer of Santa Cruz County.

We were able to attend the celebration of these remarkable and caring individuals.

Tami, pictured with Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Bruce McPherson. His grandfather, Dr. McPherson, delivered me way back when. Small world!

Tami works for the Soquel Elementary School District.  In addition to her regular job, she volunteers many hours in the classrooms, reading to the children, and also is part of a forum that is geared to resolving student bullying in schools, and mentoring at risk students.

At PetSmart with a potential adoptive family

She spends afternoons at the animal shelter where she walks dogs, has coordinated times and set-ups for dog adoption events at the local pet stores, and fosters dogs in her home.

She also volunteers for a local program called The Teen Kitchen Project.  This is a program that takes local school students, ages 13 through 17, and teaches them how to prepare and cook healthy meals for cancer patients going through chemotherapy.  Tami delivers the meals and she, personally, provides flowers so that they may have a little beauty in their lives.  She also has been known to take a client out for a movie when they feel the need to escape some of the hard times they are going through.

This beautiful little pup is an actual breast cancer survivor

Some of you know that Tami, herself, is an almost ten year cancer survivor and walks every year in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, raising money for breast cancer research.

I know, Tami, we have always tried to support you in everything you do and hope that we have succeeded in those endeavors.

You are not only an outstanding citizen in your community but, in addition, you are a wonderful daughter, wife and mother.  We love you and we are so very proud of the woman you have become.

...Dad and Mom...

Jake and Tami

I'm sharing today with the following parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground

Saturday Show Off at The Rosegarden in Malevik

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings, the Heart of Your Home