Let it Snow!

Here's some shots from this afternoon, We took these early afternoon right as the snow began. I don't care if we only got a dusting, the white stuff is just beautiful and the kids think so, too. Just look at those smiles. Pure Joy!

Valentine's Day Cards

Here are some Valentine's Day cards I made for Bennett and Addison. After I fix the typo's, I'm going to print them as wallets for them to hand out on February 14th!. If you want some, let me know I'll throw them together for you.

Some new tricks

Here's some shots of Bennett from today. We ventured out in the cold--so much for the 50 degree weather we were promised. He and I both remembered about a year ago, the great snow we got in the Fort. I wish it would return. I had some time to play with some new fun actions on Photoshop, some I would use with scrapbooking not really for the traditional portrait session. Anywho, he and I had a freezing good time. We even topped our afternoon off with ice cream!

What a week

I don't even know where to start to describe the Delta School of photography? What started out as something I was very hesitate about attending turned into the best experience EVER. I was somewhat intimidated about who would be attending---studio photographers and such. From the moment I arrived I was welcomed into this world of photography! No sobs, don't you love when that happens. I'm considered just the mom with the camera to some, but to Bob and Edna Lloyd (my instructors) I was their student. And boy was I at the front of the class, not literally, I was seated right next to Bob and his computer the whole time. He is by far the most talented, humble, generous, and gracious photographer I've met. I could go on and on just about he and Edna, but the words wouldn't do him justice. I learned so much about lighting. For Studio, too. So hopefully, if I get enough business in the next few months, Still Moments by Leigh Ann will have a studio, too? I just can't wait to shoot both in studio and on location.
There were ten girls in our class ( no guys), so we deemed ourselves Bob's Angel's. I'll have to post our picture whenever he transfers the file to us. One in particular really helped me, Tammy P! you rock! thanks for all the ps freebies! I never did give you my song file, I'll get that to you. I am looking forward to LR this summer. I am hoping to make it.

All I am saying is bring on the business. I've got new products (photo books)to sale-- you guys are going to love. I am using a new lab to process that I can provide much better prints, finishes, etc.

The best blessing from this experience is that I learned a quicker and more efficient workflow so that I can spend more time with my family after I get done shooting. I will always teach high school so the faster and better I can shoot on the weekends--the more time I get freed up between these two jobs and the better your photographs will be.

Doug has been a trooper keeping the big kids -- mom and dad for keeping Bryant. I owe you guys and I am very thankful to you all for letting me go.

My website is in transition, so those who have visible galleries. I'll need you to make selections in the next few weeks. Starting Feb. 5th, all galleries will require a password. I'll just have a few featured galleries on there to view. So let me know if there are any questions you all have. I'll do my best to visit with each of you to assign passwords if you need them after the 5th.

Bare Naked Tree!

Considering the earlier post and the picture of my tree that was taken today, I guess I don't worry too much about the way the house looks? I wish we could leave the tree up all year. Although the decorations are all put away, I still like to see it fill up my living room. It always seems so naked in the house after Christmas is put away.

it is the little things

I have a hard time finding balance around my house. Do I make sure the house is clean and then squeeze in time to play with the kiddoes, or do I say, "Forget about the piles of laundry, dishes, mail," your kids are only little for such a short time. I would love to say that I do the latter, but it seems like when I don't clean up first, I don't enjoy the time with the kids because I'm fretting over the mess. I never have time during the week, to simply enjoy them. We are ever so busy with work, swimming, gymnastics, church that I'm desperate for times just with the five of us. I guess I should be thankful for my 1,500 square foot house that it takes only half of my Saturday to pick up. When or if we ever move, I doubt I will be able to clean the mess as quick as I can now. But, by the time I get the house clean, the groceries bought, my Saturday is spent. That makes me sad. Being a mom is so hard in many ways. But the most difficult for me is to remember the little things can make a mark on life far more than we think. Those little things like painting my six year old's fingernails, or crashing cars with the two year old, or listening to some new game my seven year old would like to beat on PSII---that's what I should be consumed with. But acknowledging it and actually dedicating Saturday's to the kids and not the house is very difficult for me. Doug is my hero. He is constantly playing with the kids, whatever they want to do, he does it__except painting the fingernails__Why can't mom's play that role that the dad's so greatly fulfill?

awards assembly

Today Bennett and Addison had their assembly for first semester grades. You might think the word BUG means the creepy crawly creatures outside, but if you ask Bennett he'll answer "Bring Up Grades". He was so proud to have finally made an A in writing. He's been trying really hard to earn an A. We were proud to hear he was a member of the BUG club today that meant he got his A! Both kids earned perfect attendance for the fall, I live vicariously through my children as I not once earned that title, Perfect Attendant! Anyway, I was the proud momma with the camera.

new computer!

Finally, I got my new computer ordered, it shipped, and now I'm setting it up in my scrapbook room. I'm still getting all my files transferred but with all this space on the machine, Still Moments can be business until 2020, I think! My monitor is the best part, Bennett asked if I got a new t.v.? Yes, I totally splurged, but everyone's photos look so good on this big screen. Now bring on spring so I can get busy with clients. I am attending a conference on photography in the next few weeks. I am so excited to be going, it will be a treat. I haven't ever taught photography as a unit with my yearbook students, mainly because I've not had any curriculum, but after this conference I hope to inspire some of my students as well as myself. I should have a good working curriculum to share with others.

Happy New Year

I bet 2008 will be more of the same for my family. I hope so anyway--where I do hope to grow in all areas of my life (except physically of course), if 08 is as blessed as 07 was then, I have nothing more to gain. I wanted to say a big thanks to my friends who have allowed me to capture their families and precious ones this year. I guess the photography thing was definately the biggest surprise of 07. I can't wait to get this part time job more developed. I am anxious to see God's blessings and his will for all of us my family, and extended family. So, to the new start! Bring it on!

I had to post this funny picture of Bryant. We told the kids that they could stay up to see the up close and personal firework show at midnight, but lil Bryant just couldn't make it. He feel asleep in the video chair. So cute. Addison was the only one to enjoy the front row seat from her bed to watch the fireworks at Hunts Park right across the street. That's one bonus of living here!