From the Haugen Heart

Jessica and Dan got married on September 19 under a brilliant Autumn sun. God smiled on them and gave them a perfect afternoon after showers in the morning. The ring bearer's name is Pudge and I am fairly certain that there has never been a more beloved ring bearer in any wedding anywhere! It was a bit of a challenge to get him down the aisle but, with the promise of a treat, he was willing to waddle down the aisle! There were a few tears, well chosen words from Grandfather, and a smashed cake in the face to top it off. Dan and Jessica's life is off to a great start!

I just photographed Abby to celebrate a milestone in her life: turning 10. It was a perfect day to be wading in a stream. Abby found that she could catch the tiny fish at Dallas City Park. Getting her to look at the camera was a challenge after awhile.

Self-discovery, stretching, growing, learning new things. That has been what my life has been about for the last two years. As part of a quest to redefine myself, I have been doing a lot of reading, some photography, some inspirational, some self improvement, some business. Last night I was reading "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. It is a business book about major corporations that made the jump from being good companies to great companies. Although I am certainly not part of a major corporation, I am finding lots of food for thought about leadership and change. Living With Adversity There is an amazing story in the book about Admiral Jim Stockdale , the highest-ranking US military officer in the "Hanoi Hilton" POW camp during Vietnam. Tortured over 20 times during the 8 years, Stockdale lived out the war without any prisoner's rights, no set release date,and no certainty as to whether he would even survive to see his family again. He shouldered the burden of com...