It was 1999 and i can remember it like it was yesterday.  My dad picked me up from a friends house in the middle of the summer.    I should have been in a lot of trouble for what me and friends had just finished doing.  However, all my dad could do is look at me with tears  in his eyes and he said ” Son, We have a long tough road ahead of us.  You mother has stage 3 throat cancer. ”    He told me i was gonna have to step up and be a man.  Help out around the house and help take care of my younger siblings.   Our mother fought cancer off and on for the next 15 years.  She had over 60 radiation treatments and 7 surgeries total.  The doctors said they didn’t know if it was worth the fight or not but our mom chose to fight with everything she had and she did it for her children.   I’m so thankful my mom chose to fight.  That year we went to Disney World to celebrate my mothers first successful bout with cancer.   We went on 3-4 mini vacations a year and made memories that i’ll have forever.  Whether it’s fishing for Northern Pike and Walleye in Minnesota, hiking Pike’s Peak in Colorado or one of our many trips to Destin, Florida.  I’m so thankful my mom chose to fight cancer and make these memories with my father, me and my younger siblings.  Our business wouldn’t have its name if it wasn’t for my mother.  She came up with the name Special Moments and we will carry it on forever.  We are having a Wake or Celebration of Life for my mother tomorrow Tuesday March 18th at Bluff Hole park in Mulberry, Ar.   My family and I are extremely thankful and speechless with all the phone calls, emails, text messages etc.   In Spring of 2012 we talked my mother into doing a short little shoot with her and the Grandchildren.  Though, we have added a grand baby and another on the way.  I’m truly thankful my wife Janie had the idea to do this shoot.   Below are our favorites from the shoot.  It’s been a tough 4 years with the passing of our Father after  a tragic vehicle accident on Christmas night and now our mother’s passing.  I am truly a blessed man to have such an amazing wife.  Janie has taken care of my family through all of the tragedies.  She hugged us when we were down.  Gave us tough love when we needed it.  I love my family and i’m so lucky to have my little brother and little sisters by my side.  We are all sad and heartbroken but at the same time we are so lucky to have eachother and our beautiful babies to help us through these times.  Our parent’s memories live in us and you can guarantee we make them proud.  Don’t feel sorry for us.  We have a ton of amazing memories and you can guarantee we will make many many more. Our parents are finally reunited.  Below is our mother’s obituary.  Again Thank you to anyone and everyone who has helped us through this tough time.

Karen Alexander, 50, of Fort Smith, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2014 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Karen was born in Alameda, CA on December 16, 1963 to Doyle and Mary Hudson, eventually relocating to the Fort Smith area where she graduated from North Side High School. She was married to Harold Alexander for 26 years before his passing and raised four children together.

She helped to found the families Photography business, Special Moments Photography in 1994 and enjoyed working alongside the family in growing the business. Karen was the happiest spending time with her husband and children, soaking up the sun and watching all of her kids making memories.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and husband but is survived by four children: Harold Alexander II and wife Janie of Fort Smith; Colby Alexander of Fort Smith; KyndraLynne Alexander of Branson, MO; and Hannah Alexander of Fort Smith. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Skylar, Hadleigh, Emmalyn and Robert as well as two brothers, Greg Hudson and Steve Hudson and her sister Kim Hudson.

A private memorial for family and friends will be held to honor Karen’s life at noon on Tuesday, March 18 at Bluff Hole in Mulberry.

R.I.P Mom i will always remember you for the strong, courageous loving woman you were.

In Loving Memory of Karen Alexander 12/16/1963 – 03/13/2014