My Blessings

Viviana Herrera is a 25-year-old single mother in Bowling Green, Ky., who immigrated from Medellin, Columbia six years ago with her mother and seven other brothers and sisters. Before moving out of Columbia, Herrera's fiancé was killed when she was only 16 years old and pregnant with Jackeline.  Her father was a successful lawyer and was also killed, forcing her and her family to flee, eventually coming to the United States. Viviana remains one of the main breadwinners for the family as she raises her kids in the same four-bedroom apartment as her mother and five other brothers and sisters.

Viviana Herrera walks with her children, Mateo (left), 6, and Jackeline (right) 8, in downtown Bowling Green, Ky., on their way to church.

Herrera has held a full-time position as a medical assistant at Dr. Embry's Neighborhood Clinic for almost two years where she does everything from taking blood pressures to filing paperwork. Despite such a large family and financial burden, Herrera does her part to take care of not only her own children but her brothers and sisters as well. "Each one is an important part of my life," Herrera said. 

After work Herrera cleans the room that she shares with her children. Herrera and her children have lived in the same four-bedroom apartment with her six other relatives since they arrived in Bowling Green. Herrera has recently applied for an apartment of her own. "I need my space and my children need their own rooms," Herrera said.

Herrera spends few moments alone in the full house as she blow-dries her hair in the bathroom before work. 

Pahola, Herrera's 17-year-old sister, does Jackeline's hair while she takes a nap after a long day at work. 

Jackeline, 8, caught her nephew, Jayden, 1, before he managed to run outside. Because of the many kids, they are sometimes forced to watch each other.

Enjoying time off and out of the house, Herrera and her kids play together at the park on a Sunday afternoon after church. 

Viviana and her family and friends celebrate Jackeline's 9th birthday on May 10, 2010.  "I feel blessed," Herrera said of her children.  "They are my everything -- the reason I get up in the morning." 

In Sickness and in Health

Ted and Darlene Zaehringer have been married for 43 years. They have nine children and 20 grandchildren, some still living near the family home in Elizabethtown, others scattered across the country. Love for, and from, his family infuses every aspect Ted’s life. It is the joy that counterbalances the suffering caused by serious health problems that have marked nearly all of the 66-year-old’s adult life.

One day 44 years ago, Ted — then a paratrooper-in-training — was headed back to base at Fort Bragg, when a car accident destroyed his spleen and caused severe damage to his liver. Chronic medical problems resulting from his injuries, including dangerously high blood ammonia levels, have required repeated hospitalizations, including one of several days’ duration just a week before these images were made.

Despite the frequent doctor visits, and a long list of medications required to support her husband’s declining health, Darlene remains optimistic about the couple’s future. Love and hope are her constant bulwarks against potentially crippling anxiety.

“I plan for the worst,” Darlene said. “That way if it happens I don’t fall to pieces,and if it doesn’t happen, then I say, ‘that was easy!’”

She’s far from ready to get along without her husband. ”It scares me to think of being alone because I have relied on him so much,” Darlene said. “I would be lost without him.”

So instead of dwelling on the physical ill-health that challenges them both, the couple focus on maintaining the health of their relationship. “I learned a long time ago it takes two to make a marriage,” Ted said. The couple eats together and prays together. They converted to Mormonism together in 1979 and today teach together in their church.

“We’ve grown up together,” Ted said, explaining how the good and bad over the years have served to strengthen his bond with his wife. Whatever tomorrow may bring, Darlene agreed, ” You start together, and you end together.”

Ted Zaehringer shifts around papers on his makeshift desk.  Ted and his wife, Darlene, have been married for 43 years.  Together they have nine children and 20 grandchildren. 

Ted and Darlene Zaehringer pray before lunch, while their youngest daughter, Maggie Bowman, comforts her crying 2-year-old daughter in the next room.  The Mormon faith the Zaehringer's have practiced since April 1979 plays a huge role in their lives.  The first time they stepped through the church doors, Darlene said, "It felt like we had gone home." 

Darlene Zaehringer hands her husband, Ted, a clean shirt before dinner because he had just finished mowing the grass. 

Ted Zaehringer went to the Fort Knox Ireland Army Community Hospital Thursday morning for blood work to evaluate his red and white cell count and ammonia levels.  The 66-year-old's ammonia levels rose sharply the week before, requiring a five-day hospitalization.  Liver damage suffered as a consequence of a serious auto accident over 40 years ago often poses Ted health challenges. 

Ted Zaehringer gets ready for a walk while his daughter Maggie Bowman and her daughter Hailey Bowman read together on the living room couch.  Toby, Maggie's 1-year-old Great Dane, tries to join in on the fun. 

After bending down to get something from the refrigerator, Ted struggles to get back up.  Forty years of health problems have left him frail and slow. 

Darlene Zaehringer cuts her husband's hair in the backyard of their Elizabethtown home.  "I've been doing it for years, " Darlene said.  Together Darlene and Ted have nine children, and since haircuts can be expensive, they found a more affordable way to get them. 

After getting a hair cut by his wife, Darlene, Ted Zaehringer takes a catnap in their backyard while Darlene does yard work.  Ted said he loves being in the sun because he is almost always cold. 

Ted holds his face in his hands as the Zaehringer family socializes after dinner.  He is easily exhausted and usually takes naps throughout the day. 

Singles

An Oklahoman family wades through water to seek refuge at a nearby Days Inn near downtown Nashville after heavy rains caused the Cumberland River to flood. More rain fell in a 24-hour period than ever before in Nashville. Throughout the city many residents were forced from their homes and businesses as emergency responders worked for hours to help get people to shelter.

After being bound to a wheelchair since the third grade, Jennifer Franey, 18, has dealt with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) after her muscles stopped growing when she was younger. When Franey turned 16, she got her new friend and service dog, Cash.  Through the last two years their relationship has grown.
"I probably won't get another one after him because it'd be too hard," Franey said.  "I couldn't replace him."

Western Kentucky University police officers detain a customer after tasing him in the Downing University Center Subway on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. The man allegedly jumped the counter to pursue a Subway employee as four men attempted to restrain him before WKU police arrived.  

Butler County High School's Zeke Woodcock and South Warren High School's Josh Bartley almost collide after Woodcock takes a shot on the basket during Friday's, Feb. 18, 2011, game with only minutes left.  South Warren won 54 -39. 

Sara Lopez and Damani Walker, both 12,  sneak kisses on the couch at Sara's older brother's apartment when her brother and his wife aren't looking.  Earlier that day Lopez had broken-up with Walker only to ask him back out a couple hours later.  "My mom doesn't know that I have a boyfriend," Lopez said.  "She would be really mad if she found out we kiss."

Keeping his balance, Ben Bishop of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville prepares to release as he makes a throw  during a meet at Western Kentucky University. Bishop won the hammer throw at 201' 9" and went on to win the shot put and the discus events.

Maria Lopez holds her baby granddaughter, Aileen Herrera-Lopez, after hearing the news that her son and father to Aileen had been jailed on a allegation of domestic abuse asserted by Aileen's mother. Maria is now faced with balancing her struggles of becoming a citizen with her plans to fight against her son's allegation.   

Fairgoers ride the Orbiter at The Simpson County Fair in Franklin, Ky.

Excited about the news, Western Kentucky University junior Tiffany Elmore and Senior Emily Teegarden celebrate the announcement of the Lady Toppers' at-large bid for the NCAA volleyball tournament at Double Dogs restaurant in Bowling Green, Ky. The team will play its first game in Champaign, Ill., against the University of Cincinnati.

Children and grandchildren of Maria Lopez play on the living room couch as they wait for her before her wedding ceremony starts.