What a Find!

I decided I would be productive today & clean out my computer files. Of course anyone who knows me, knows that I would never do that without a little encouragement. My computer sent me a sweet little pop-up message this morning, telling me to free up some space or expect a computer crash in the near future. So I figured I'd listen.

Anyway... look what I found! I don't know why I didn't process this before, hmmm... must have been in a hurry or something. Looking at this picture, I remember it exactly. I had been taking pictures of Cassidy with this bouquet & Jackson kept pitching a fit, wanting his picture made with it. I kept telling him that his Daddy would kill us both if I made his picture with a bouquet of flowers!! :o) But, naturally, I gave in to the whines... here he is post-pout (a little leftover, do you think?)... watching for Daddy out the window. I love the lighting! I'm posting both but I think I'm leaning more toward the bw?...

My 1st BW Conversion!

Yay me! This is my first black & white conversion without an action! YIPPEEEE!

Actually, I really can't take much credit because it happened by accident. I was trying to fix the colors & discovered a "channel mixer" in CS2, somehow it became b&w. I played with the different channels & that's what I got :o) Just don't ask me to do it again! HA!

After looking at Lyndsay's blog the other day (Life In Motion- it's on the sidebar!) I felt compelled to go out & shoot some pics. Mainly because I'm in a slump, but mostly because Lyndsay made winter look beautiful with her black & white images. I need to shoot more with my 50 1.4, too, so I figured what the heck. I bought this shirt & hat at Old Navy before Christmas with the purpose of taking Jackson's picture wearing it. When I saw it, I immediately thought of his eyes- & it matches perfectly, don't you think?

Whew!

Whew! So glad Christmas is finally over... not that I didn't enjoy it, but I'm just glad all the "business" of the holidays is over & done with. I'll be glad to go to Wal-Mart for groceries without fighting the shopping crowds!

I've been doing terrible on my 26 things, but here is one... ant's eye view of the Christmas tree :o)

I tried something different.

I'm really bad about getting in a rut because if something works for me, I stick with it, but I wanted to try something new. So I did.

And Julie doesn't like it! :o) HEE HEE.

But I sort of did. (We have agreed to disagree on certain things, ha!) Not something that I would do alot of, and I may not even do it again, but I kind of liked it with these pics. It's one of the actions from MarieC (Phreckles Photography)... burning I think, which is supposed to be a black & white action, only I stopped it before the gradient map, then tweaked a little, and,..... well,....

Voila.
Something different.

Tucker's Thoughts

Tucker brought home a "Christmas Journal" from school yesterday. I have been reading through this thing & getting a kick out of every page! Nothing is so funny as the thoughts of a 6 year old. I've gotta share this entry (I'm not correcting his spelling, either, it's too funny).

I think santa should wear a dinsar soot. I will be scerd. I will run away from him. He will be scery.

Where in the WORLD did he come up with santa & a dinosaur suit?!? He's got a picture & everything, I so wish I could scan it! Too funny.

Hable no HTML?

Not sure what's happened to my blog... well, I might have a slight idea... ?

I attempted to edit the HTML. HA HA HA!!!! I don't even know what HTML is! :o) I keep thinking I'm going to figure it out, but I think I better leave it alone before I cause computer crashes all over the world.

I added a header of the kids. I haven't finished it yet, but it's 2:23 am, and yes, I have to work in the morning... no wait, I have to work this morning so I better hit the sack. Let me know what you think about my header... things I need to change, add, etc will be greatly appreciated!

Christmas Gathering

Just wanted to share a few from one of my family's Christmas get-togethers. This is my neice, Trinity & nephew, Hayden. Trinity is so sassy & Hayden is a bit reminiscent of Forrest Gump- he talks slow & very, very Southern. "That too don't bwong to me." Translation- that tool doesn't belong to me. HA! So cute.

You might notice my re-decorated tree in the background! HIP HIP HOORAY! :o)

What Brady Are You?

Okay I know I'm getting totally carried away with this stuff, but I thought this was kind of funny. I LOVED the Brady Bunch! I thought I'd be Jan.... but I'm BOBBY BRADY! lol... What Brady are you? Take the quiz & find out! Be sure to tell me the result :o)

You Are Bobby Brainy

Ultra competitive, you will do almost anything to win. From pull ups to pool sharking, you're very talented. And while everyone is aware of your victories, they still (affectionately) consider you to be a little brat!

What Brady Are You?

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

You Are Prancer

You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form. Why You're Naughty: Because you're Santa's pet, and you won't let anyone show you up. Why You're Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Growing Up

I realized that I hadn't posted any pictures of Tucker on my blog. BAD MAMA.

I hate moments like this. Moments when you realize that times flying, things are changing, and there is nothing in your power to stop it, or even slow it down. My baby is growing up. I guess he's technically not "the" baby, as he's my oldest, but he's MY baby, nonetheless.

I pulled out a scrapbook the other day & was showing it to him- he was about 2 years old in the pictures. I just started crying like a baby!

"Mama, why are you sad?"
"Because you're getting so big. You're growing up."
"But why does that make you sad, Mama?"
"Because when you grow up, you will go off to college & find a girl & get married. Then you'll leave me."
"I'm never leaving you, Mama. I'm gonna marry you. I know Daddy already married you but he won't care."


AWWWWWW. How sweet is that?!?!

Mama's Happy

Had to post a picture of Little Miss Thang... isn't she the cutest! I absolutely love photographing her because she's like a mini model, always striking poses - and, well, HELLO, she is gorgeous. Very easy to photograph.

Finally got that tree RE-decorated after work tonight. I must say it's a beautiful sight in all its gold & clear light glory. :o)

Hey, if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Just Something!

I am so happy. So happy for my best friend, Jamee, who I have watched struggle to find her way. She's been through so much in her life, which doesn't help when God made her a drama queen in the first place. After kissing a lot of toads (& marrying 1!) she has finally found someone who loves her, quirkiness & all. He is so in love with her you can see it - it's not something he says, so much, just something that I can see when he looks at her. It's just something in his eyes, just something in his smile. It's "just something" that makes other people long for someone who looks at them the way he looks at her.

They are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their baby girl, Ashleigh, in late December. I think Jamee has never looked more beautiful. By the look in Chet's eye, I think he agrees. :o)

The Ladder

"Mama, I have a ladder on myself."

I'll never forget the first time I heard those words. What in the world could he be thinking? A ladder on myself? Tucker's always coming up with strange things, this was no exception. Here he came, running in the kitchen, butt naked.

"Honey, what do you mean? And why are you naked?"
"I have a ladder on myself."
"What do you mean you have a ladder on yourself? And why are you naked?"
"Because I wanted to show you. See I have a ladder on myself."

He proceeds to point to the indention his pajamas has made on his side. "See my ladder?" He was so proud of that "ladder".

It's little moments like these I never want to forget.

One Little Tooth

It's here! Weeks of sheer anticipation of its arrival has worn us out.... Cassidy has finally cut her first tooth.

I knew it was coming because all the signs were there- fever, runny nose, little cough here & there. Cassidy has also been a tiny bit irritable. Hmmm, well truth be known, maybe a lot irritable. Ok, ok, ok. Downright crabby. My little princess has turned into a tooth-cutting, fit-pitching, gonna-get-my-way-or-I-will-cry-until-I-puke monster. Surely this too will pass??? (I know I've read that in the Bible somewhere!)

Getting in the Holiday Spirit!

Here's Kayleigh, still proofing her session. Thought this one was cute & wanted to share :o)



I have to say, today was a much better day! Eric & I had a very long talk about how silly our dispute is. Christmas is for the kids, after all! So we let them decide what to do with the tree, & they want my decorations back up! HIP HIP HOORAY! Hee hee.... wonder if I would be so joyful if they would have decided to decorate it themselves? LOL!! It's still "bald" and "blank" as Tucker says, but we'll get it RE-decorated soon.

Today was such a busy day, we were all getting ready for church, then one by one started dropping like flies :o) Jackson started coughing & wheezing, then I started coughing, then Cassidy's nose started running.... we decided to sit today out. I wouldn't want any other kids to get sick. By the afternoon we were all medicated & feeling much better, all of us took a nap (except Tucker), which is something that I NEVER do - but it felt great! After our nap we were off to Ashleigh's birthday party at Party Central, the kids wore themselves out. Dinner at China Luck, would have been nice but like I said, the kids had worn themselves out, so it wasn't one of those nice *quiet* dinners (ha!)... but nice nonetheless. And even though my kids misbehave sometimes (well alot of times!) I was reminded once again how lucky I am when a little bald girl (obviously undergoing chemo) came into the restaurant. I am so blessed, so unbelievable thankful to have such a wonderfully healthy, beautiful family.

Christmas Cheer

Jackson is so funny. I was trying to attempt a nice Christmas shot here, but he discovered he could see himself in the ornament, so he started making faces. So funny!

Putting up the Christmas tree... happy memory for most, but not me! Every year my husband & I decide to fuss & fight over the tree. Granted, I am not a lover of colored lights. Okay, I downright despise them. I admit it. I'm evil. I like CLEAR *gasp* lights. Unthinkable.

I finally UN-decorated the tree today because I was sick & tired of hearing how much they hate my clear-light-gold-ornament tree. So what happens? SHOCK. Utter and total disbelief by my entired household. What's happened to the tree? Mama why did you take all the stuff off the tree, now it's blank? Put the decorations back on, Mama. Not just no, but HECK NO. I'm not going to be made the Scrooge of Christmas just because I hate the tacky colored lights (sorry if I offend). I'll just let them decorate it with whatever they want!

So that was my decision. Let them decorate it. With whatever they want! Then we go to Lowe's, Tucker throws a string of colored lights in the buggy. I thought I was going to have a panic attack, but I made it through somehow. He thinks we're putting those lights outside.

It would be so sad if something happened to those lights. Poor poor lights.

Sessions Everywhere!

Okay so I had 2 sessions this weekend & a session on Monday. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it, it's just a little rough with the kids, work, the holidays coming up. But hey- I'll count my blessings! It could definitely be worse.

I think my rear end is asleep from sitting in this chair so long so this blog entry is going to be short & sweet. Lucky blog! :o)

Silly Girl

Just wanted to share a couple of a little girl I had a session with this morning. She was such a ham! I love her little faces here & her outfits were just adorable. We had lots of fun!

Hard Day's Work

My nephew, Riley. I thought these turned out very cute. Can't wait to show my sis-in-law.

Today was arguably the roughest day at work since I started my new job. Everything was just a mess. I got home late, but just in time for Grey's Anatomy - honestly I didn't enjoy the episode much, but I don't know if it's that I was just in one of those sourpuss moods or what. I'm just kind of tired lately- tired of working, tired of cleaning, tired of the computer (yes you heard that right! lol)

Poor blog. It just gets Stephanie the griper. :o) I promise to be Stephanie the Sweetie Pie one day.

Just not today.

Whew!

Yay me! I am finally done with proofing the 2 photo shoots from weekend before last. It's such a huge relief to be finished. Between work & kids & proofing I haven't been getting much sleep lately. Oh, what's that saying... I can sleep when I'm dead. Yeah, man. Something to look forward to. HA! :o)
I've included a few favorites from the family reunion that I did since I've posted so many of "Daddy's girls". I got a little carried away :o)

For anyone who cares :o) Cassidy is doing much better.
I have another favorite from a photo shoot I'm posting. Just can't get enough of this little girl!

Anyone who knows me knows that I just love little old people- and not that I don't love the sweet ones (don't we all), but the feisty ones I really, really enjoy! I was having a nice little conversation today with a little lady- you can't really understand much of what she says unless you listen very, very closey- and then, you still can't decipher much. Well I thought I was being all nice, having this lovely conversation, and WHAM! "You're fired!!!" Clear as a bell! Thank goodness she hired me back before it was said & done. (ha!) She watched me like a hawk for about an hour after that. I kept asking her if I was doing okay, & she told me "I reckon" so I guess I got her seal of approval. Nursing- never a dull moment. :o)

My Eye-Opener

I had a rather eye-opening experience yesterday.
I get a call from my mother-in-law saying that my daughter is running a fever (103) & that she has thrown up her tylenol. Now normally, I wouldn't go get her, but I have made this sort of silent vow that I am not putting work before my family anymore.
So I leave work, go pick her up & give her a tepid bath to cool her off. No luck, fever is rising & is 103.8, even after the bath. I'm not normally a paranoid mother, so I'm okay with the high fever as long as I know I can get it down. But for some reason I was a little more concerned than usual.
Off we go to the doctor's office. He decides she needs an x-ray to check for pneumonia. I noticed the X-ray tech looking at the films a little strangely, but hey, I'm not *that* paranoid mama, so I'm okay. Then I see it for myself. The spine is very very crooked. Probably just scoliosis, I think. But wait, her heart looks very enlarged? And why does her liver shadow look so big?
The doctor comes in & states that he thinks she was rotated & that he would like a repeat X-Ray to check her spine. He also feels that she looks just a little jaundiced & wants to check her liver enzymes & a blood count.
Okay. Paranoid mother is here. I call my husband. All sorts of scenarios are playing through my head. I have always been unable to watch the starving children or St. Jude commercials because just the thought of an ailing child is enough to make me cry. I've always said "I couldn't handle having a sick or terminal child". So the thought that something may be wrong with my precious little girl is enough to send me into a panic state. I started praying. Hard.
Luckily, everything checked out. She was rotated, her liver enzymes were normal. She is very sick & still running a fever, but she got an injection & is on oral antibiotics, so I am sure she will be fine in a few days.

My prayers are with all the mothers & fathers who have to live out my worst nightmare. My prayers are with the children who have to endure countless tests, needlesticks, and x-rays. My prayers are with the nurses who have to inflict pain on a child that doesn't understand you are only trying to help them. My prayers are with the doctors who have to break the news to a parent that their child is going to die, and there is nothing they can do about it - but pray.

Work, Work, & Work

So, this is my weekend to work. What fun. Not that I'm not usually working, it's just that I'm usually working on photography, not patients. :o)

I keep coming back to this picture. I love it! I love the colors, the fountain, the surprised look on her face, I love everything about it. She is such a cutie. Her sister was a mess, too. Their Daddy is serving in Iraq & these pics are a surprise for him. (Well I think they were meant to be, but one of the kids may have slipped & told him!)

As I'm proofing these pictures, I think how hard it must be to have your husband half way across the world. And how hard it must be to take care of two young children, all the while pretending you aren't worried about their Daddy & the fact that there is a possibility that he might not return. I can't imagine it, I just can't. The sacrifices these men & our family make on so many levels is absolutely beyond my comprehension.

Technically (UN-)Correct

Okay, so anyone who knows me knows that I am freakishly obsessed with photography! I love capturing little moments that I want to remember forever. Frankly, I'm going a little overboard with the whole thing. I can't look at anything anymore without thinking "I'd love to take a picture of that". Okay, so call me weird. It won't be the first time.

I just wanted to share a picture that, technically, is bad. Harsh light, shadows on the face. But it works for me. I absolutely *love* it! So, even though it's technically wrong, doesn't that make it right? *giggle*

Just food for thought.

And naturally, you know I have to share one of those artsy-fartsy moments too :o)

Stephanie, Overloaded

Okay, so I have to give some sort of explanation for the name- Stephanie, Overloaded - right?

Here goes - I am married to a WONDERFUL man, Eric - we have 3 children - Tucker, who is 6 years old & in first grade; Jackson, 2 years old & establishing his independence; Cassidy, 9 months old & crawling everywhere. I work outside the home full-time as a Registered Nurse. I am also an aspiring photographer!

Whew! Now you see why I'm up posting at 12:21 am :o) Busy gal!

Better late than never, I always say... here's Halloween pics of the kids!