Wasn’t sure how or where to put this, I could email my brides or post here.  I’ll go with that option- I am going to be working in New Orleans in April-  anyone interested in a doing an engagement shoot there?  It would be awesome to get several sessions while I am there!  May as well- and it’s only the coolest city in Louisiana.  Anyone game?

January seems to be a month that just whizzes by me.  I always consider it a month of playing catch up (on wedding albums, business) But this January was even more of a blur than normal!    I decided on January 5th that I would definately do the Cenla Bridal fair and I dove in head first, sink or swim style, to get ready for the show.  Four albums, brochure, business cards, network cards, 6 large prints, countless other print examples, frames, background walls, decor….no wonder we are tired!  If I had to choose sink or swim, I would say I “swim”  describes the outcome of that day.  Most of the swimming is owed to Sarah & Keri who did an awesome job!  Stu did a wonderful job with construction.   I was unbelievably blessed and surrounded by great people – so the day went off better than I had hoped.  Thank you guys!

I also had a nice break of two newborns this month!  Congrats Alisha & Mike - Keith & Courtney

One more thing-  I am rolling out a new site soon.  It’s gonna be a weddings only site.  All my portrait stuff will be moved here.  The only thing hindering my new site is trying to figure out a new way to proof portraits on the blog.  So if the new site is launched and you have a portrait session you need to order from, let me know and I’ll get instructions to you on how to see a use a new proofing system (one I get the kinks worked out of course!)

Keri and Matt got married on October 24th- which is over a month ago, I know!   I have 4 weddings in the last few months that I have also neglected to blog.   I did a Christmas card for Keri and just realized that I am totally crazy about her wedding!  It’s the type of wedding I would have myself and besides, these two are really great people.   Not only is she totally gorgeous,(and Matt could be a bit of eye candy himself), she has that type of friendly, bubbly personality that makes people want to get to know her.  Their wedding was laid back and fun, not too fussy and with a setting like Hill Country, her images turned out fantastically!   

Wild and crazy kids!  Three is chaos, I always say that . Sarah somehow manages to do what I strive for-  keep all her hair and never raise her voice!

Happy Birthday Camille!  It took us a few chances to finally get together for Camille pictures, and I am so glad it finally worked out!  She is an absolute doll!

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Christmas.  This time of year we often hear- “Where has the year gone?” or “This year can’t be over yet”.  But it is and how odd it seems to say- 2010.  I remember how strange the idea of the year 2000 sounded- but the year 2010 sounds even more foreign. Highway 165 was scheduled to be completed this year- and I thought that was eternity away when the work first started in Olla.  Yet, it’s almost 2010 and no flying cars or jet packs like we all expected back in 1985.   

Hasn’t this year been a rough year all around?  Primarily the recession hit hard!  My household was certainly affected.  My family recently lost a loved one, just last week.  It seems that October was a blur of hospitals, waiting rooms and ultimately a funeral.  I do confess, I am a crybaby.  I spent the entirety of October crying, not so much for me, but the others I knew where hurting and feeling so helpless.   I’ll have to get off this subject soon or I’ll be crying again!     Basically, funerals suck and my family has had way too much experience with them.  Please Lord, let us not have another for a while.

Coming out of such a bad month and heading toward the holidays, I feel it particularly important to be thankful for my family and many blessings.  My hugs are a little firmer and longer this week.  Since it’s a time for celebration and giving- so here’s my gift for those who book a Fall or Christmas Session.  I am offering the following:

1.  30 minute Mini sessions November 22- 28th in the evening:  $20.00 session fee,  free 8×10 gift print, 2-3 card designs offered in your viewing session ($75 value)

3.  Full Session (however long it takes!): Regular session fee with  a complimentary 1 pose package:  1 8×10, 2 5×7s &  8 wallets & 10 Christmas cards and still have your $100 print credit!  ($220 value)

Here’s some recent Fall sessions:

I am venturing into some new territory this fall senior season, and I’m really excited!  I am teaming up with Brooke Stroud- a girl who has incredible styling know how and photographic skills to go along with that.  Together we are going rock out some senior sessions! 

Also- I’m running a recession special this year as well and adding some new packages.  I will still have my same package options with professional quality prints.  This year, however, I’m adding a few new digital collections!   My digital collection will be finished jpeg files on a DVD for you to keep, print, whatever you like!   Print them for youself, use them as gifts, put them in scrap books, your cards, your announcements- they are yours to have!   My digital packages with all the ins and outs will be listed on my site.   

Back to blogging!  I got rather lazy over the summer- if I think about my summer a few key moments do stand out- like the birth of Nate (incredible!!!!), a great trip to see family.  But other than that, it’s no secret that I took the summer off and fighting the flu (was sick the entire month of July with the flu)!    I have all the side effects of doing nothing too- like about 10 extra pounds.   We did spend almost every evening swimming with the Ashley’s and eating, and eating.   One of my very favorite things to do is cook or bake.  I expanded those culinary skills this summer and used my friends and family as my personal guinea pigs.   All that swimming was NOT enough to counter balance all the eating though.  Turns out- swimming isn’t that great of an exercise for someone who has a bit of “padding”.   I was feeling pretty good about my exercise efforts until I caught a Bob Green show where he explained that unfortunately all that padding adds a bit of buoyancy and thereby reduces the amount of workout you get in the pool.  My bubble was burst.  After I recovered from that setback, I decided it was back to walking for me! 

After a summer of having all three with me, it’s sorta weird in the house now with just one kid.  It’s not that quiet, but it certainly feels like something is missing!  With two gone, I guess I can use this blog to fill the void.  I’m looking forward to working again.  My entire October and November is booked up with weddings.  Those bridal sessions and engagement sessions are taking place now and are keeping me busy.  I just had a busy weekend in general- Jason & Lauren’s baby shower was Saturday. A shower isn’t a big deal, right? Why should that even be considered as hard work. Well…….   to me there is no such thing as a simple party.  Cake, ice cream balloons- um.. no.   I have no idea what gene or what area of my brain is programmed to plan/co-ordinate parties, but I have a tendency to go overboard with decorations and details.   I just can not help it- I really have tried to stop myself, but it’s futile.  I think, well I know, some of my friends think I am crazy, but they just step aside and let me continue in my madness.     So I worked on that shower, finished that, drove to Shreveport and spent the evening with my sister (missing her soooo much!!!) .  I drove to Marshal the next morning for a bridal that lasted until 2 pm (I’ll have to post that later! speaking of- I HAVE FOUND MY FAVORITE LOCATION EVER!!! and I am still trying to talk them into letting me move in there permanently)  Later that evening, I had a great engagement session engagement session, stayed one more night with Dena and drove home early the next morning.    I am ready to stay put for a bit. 

Here’s my engagement session-

I have been a facebook junkie lately.  Look me up on facebook!   It occurred to me that I had yet again, forsaken the blog.  I am here to correct that! 

Here’s a peak at Megan & Jeremy wedding. 

The Centennial Cultural Center is working on a new project, a book.  They are adding a child’s recipe section and want entries from the children of Olla.  Basically- it will be a “from the mouths of babes” type thing.  Ask you child if they know how to make any type of food or of a recipe.  Write down that recipe exactly as your child tells it to you- then email that recipe to the Cultural Center at cultural@centurytel.net.  I’m assuming they will be silly, laughable recipes like “strawberry cake that you cook for seven hours at 49 degrees, or pumpkin bread – “3 cups of cinnamon, 1 cup of pepper, 1 cup of salt, 2 cups of pumpkin bread, 1 cup of olive oil – You have to cook it and that’s it.”

Laughable or not- get involved, spread the word and send your child’s cute little recipe anecdotes to the ladies at the Cultural Center! http://www.culturalcenter.us/index.html   email: cultural@centurytel.net

Also- the art camps are so much fun!  My ClaireBear made the cutest, and I mean the CUTEST painted canvas!  I have to admit Cyndi- that when you said “Painting Canvas” as an art class- I had visions of impressionistic works of art done by children blobbing paint onto a board.  I had signed my kid up expecting her to have fun throwing some paint around and make a memory of watching her make a mess.  Sure, she had fun with that brush- but what we came home with is something that I will treasure as long as I have breath!   What started off as paint blobs, was worked into the sweetest piece of art ever!  I don’t know what was more fun, watching the kids paint- or watching Cyndi work her magic.  She is just amazing- effortless!   Let me share her website for you all- www.thecrayonprincess.blogspot.com  and her Etsy site is www.crayonprincess.etsy.com  Thank you Cyndi!