[Lifestyle] Abby:Everyday

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing an actual queen. Seriously, she has the crowns to prove it! Abby is a gentle soul, quiet and sweet, and fully unaware of her natural beauty.

Abby's mom wanted some images for her pageant portfolio and Abby's knack for adorable little newsboy caps just compliments her beautiful brown eyes and long brown [and shiny] hair!! As a treat, she even showed me her pageant strut and let me tell you, the girl as some spunk and certainly deserves her titles!

It was a windy day of sorts, but far better than the ice and snow and rain we've had (and those conditions are at different times this season!) Abby has a cute little pink playhouse in her back yard, which provided the perfect backdrop for this girly-girl. She told me doesn't play in it anymore, but nevertheless, it was useful for me today. Abby, I enjoyed our little talk about boyfriends, or lack thereof for the sake of your daddy reading this. Rock your walk, baby girl! Congrats on your win today!!

There's an evil little Troll doing this to me...

So if you haven't heard, I've been victimized by a troll. Yes, a troll.

A little ugly, mean little troll, a la "Three Billy Goats Gruff."

See, what happened is, I've been trying to lose the baby weight I gained with my now 2 and a half year old. It was easy the first time around, but I guess what they say is true: it gets harder to lose the weight with each successive pregnancy. And who is they anyway? I've always wanted to know. They said this. They did that. That's what they said.

Er, back to the original programming...

Okay, so I ran into this troll who promised me wealth untold. Oops, wrong story. Anyways, this creature promised me I'd be thin, rich and I'd never want for anything again. If I'd just drink this magic potion. Silly me, I should've already learned the method to his madness by now!

So, I drink the magic potion (again) in hopes of attaining the perfect body, riches beyond reason, and desires for nothing. And each time it is the same result:

I AM PREGNANT!!!! (In my defense, his wizard suit was an excellent marketing tool!) That little troll, you wait til I find him(again)!!

Okay, seriously, I thought I'd throw in a little folklore entertainment. There really is no troll, unless you consider my husband to represent him (just kidding, honey.) But in saying that, that troll has given me riches in that my life and family is rich beyond any dollar value that could represent it, and I do never want for anything, oh, except to be debt-free, but that is beyond a troll's magical assistance. At least while our economy is in the pits.

And being thin, well I am thin.

Thin on a small family, that's quite evident. Thin on sleep(it's 2 a.m. right now). Thin on a monotonous life, because I know how adventurous life is with a house full of kids, games, sibling rivalry, cheerleading, meal time, paper cuts, homework, t-ball, school programs, scraped knees, the occasional lazy day, messes, church functions, parent-teacher conferences, providing answers for the most insane questions, fishing, bath time, an overabundance of love, and so much more.

But most of all, God's blessings have been bestowed upon us once again. Surprised doesn't even scratch the surface of what I felt the other morning. But as with life, some of the greatest moments are those that are never planned. And preparation is for pansies.

We are all excited, especially the children, even Aubrey, whom I feared would be all "I'm-the-baby" and all "anti-anything-having-to-do-with-another-baby." But I should've known better, she loves babies, her own collection of babies and the new baby at her daycare.

Brennan wants a brother so bad, he's actually been telling us that for, oh, several months now. But I've been all "anti-anything-having-to-do-with-another-baby", so God has had other plans to show me. And Haley, she's so excited that she walked into school this morning letting all who would listen that her mommy is pregnant again! I had to let her have her moment.

So, that troll hasn't been so much of a liar as he hasn't been too clear of his definitions. We are having a baby that will bring rich blessings, and I will be thin on boredom. And the only thing I will ever want is for my children to be happy and healthy.

Stay tuned for my (mis)adventures in pregnancy, my growing family and photography.

God bless the little troll.

Break-dancin' in a Winter Wonderland

Ok, anyone who lives here knows that this has been a craaaaaazzzaaaayyy winter. Don't you agree? I mean, we've seen snow, ice, a massive ice storm, temps in the 70s, and well, more snow and sleet today.

And all I can say is, somebody needs to bust out with some break-dancin' on these slick roads! Wouldn't that just be funny? I mean, there wouldn't be much effort since they could spin easily, and oh, watchin' the worm(or snake, whatever you want to call it, depends on what neighborhood you hail from), that would just put the "H" in funny, I mean, Hilarious.

I just thought it would bring a little humor to this unpredictable winter wonderland of a season we've had. You know, because seeing someone breakdance in the snow right now wouldn't be all that crazy.

Just thought I'd add a picture of the break-dancin' queen of the future...

The BIG "AWE"NNOUNCEMENT!!

UPDATE[3.11.09]: THERE ARE NOW 3 SESSIONS LEFT!!! Bust a move!


So, daddies, are you puzzled about what to give your lady, the mother of your precious angels, for Mother's Day?

And hot mommas, are you trying to figure out something better than a tie to present to the father of your little ankle-biters for Father's Day?

How about a sweet little custom photography package to remind them of the greatest thing they've ever accomplished! Sweeeeeet, now that's an "AWE"nnouncement!!

I'm having what is called a "mini-session" in April for families interested in having the images of their children forever engrained in photos. This session will be a 20-30 minute session at the specified location and the specified date(I'll let you know the deets[details] upon booking).

For this mini-session, there will be NO SESSION FEE!!! What?!? Yeah, you read me right! And you can choose from any of my custom collections and/or digital images and you will also receive an additional free 5x7 with the purchase of the Essential, Classic or Ultimate Collection!!

I know, you don't have tell me, I. Totally. R-O-C-K! Just put me on a stage with Def Leppard or Bon Jovi because I rock that much!

So, how can it get any sweeter, you ask? Well, let me tell ya--if you book for this session, you'll get 50% off your session fee when you book for an appointment at a later date(oh, and I just might throw in a freebie too!)

The Collections* as follows:

__________Basic Collection[one.pose]::$35
__________Essential Collection[two.poses]::$65
__________Classic Collection[three.poses]::$135
__________Ultimate Collection[three.poses]::$175

*Up to 3 people per session[$10 for each additional]. Only three(3) poses total for this session will be available. Check out my pricing list for more information and $35 will due on the day of the shoot. Payment will be due in full upon final purchase of package(s). FYI: You can purchase digital images of this session for $40 per image or $100 for all three. With a package, it will be $30 per image.

And, (there's more?), when you book your session, you will receive 10% off any storyboard collections[collages]! One last thing, I promise, one lucky person will win a free 2 image storyboard collage! Now, I'm triple rockin'! I'll throw in a little G'n'R with that one!

So, let's recap...

• A Custom Photography session with NO SESSION FEE
• A free 5x7 with the purchase of the Essential, Classic or Ultimate Collections([1] 5x7 per client session)
• 10% off any Storyboard Collection[Collages]
• One lucky thang will win a 2-image Storyboard
• 50% off your next session fee
• One personal jam session with Jon & Richie!
• Just kidding on that last one, but dang, you know you're gettin' a good deal without them!

So, you need to book early, because I'm only taking 10 appointments for this session, so call me [724.9202] or email me [stephaniegreenwell@sbcglobal.net] to schedule today! Don't just stand there, bust-a-move!



For now, I'll be livin' on a prayer...
[Look closely, you'll me see filling in for Richie!]

Another sneek peak...

I just wanted to post a collage I got done this morning. I tell ya, I've been feeling crappy the past few days, and I went to sleep at 7 p.m. last night, then went to bed at 8. Maybe it was just rest I needed because I feel so much better today!

I'll try to be entertaining in my next post!!

Update: I've added the collage of little "J"! As I was getting to know him, I learned that he loves to read--a man after my own heart!! So we checked out his extensive collection of Dr. Suess books, some of my faves! I heart Sam-I-Am...That Sam-I-Am, that Sam-I-am, I DO NOT LIKE THAT SAM-I-AM!.

Oh, hey, by the way, Dr. Suess' birthday is coming up in March. Make sure you read to your kiddos a fab book by him...they are so unique and a fun read for kids and adults alike!

Anyways, (you notice how easily distracted I am?), little "J" really enjoyed telling me about his books, so I thought what better idea than to photograph him doing the very thing he enjoys so much! He was a delight and a friendly little dude. I love kids like that...

Yeah, Jesus sandals and Eastlands...That's what they're wearing now

Hey girl!

How are you? I'd thought I'd D
_________________________R
__________________________O
___________________________P you a few lines to tell you HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What you are going to do tonight? Me, I'm just sittin' here watchin' the Golden Girls. Call me later. I'll have my ringer off, but the lights on my see-through phone will light up and I'll answer! Talk to you later!

L.Y.L.A.S, V.B.F.F.&.A., I.S.G.W.A.S.F.A.A.T.Y.(Ok, I made up the last one!)

steph



Did anyone have a jr. high flashback? In case you've forgotten what those salutations mean, L.Y.L.A.S. = 'Love ya like a sister' and V.B.F.F.&.A = 'Very best friends forever and always'. Yeah, I'm sure glad they didn't leave it up to us to come up with the Morse code...

Anyways, today is one of my two very bestest friends birthdays. I know she's a loyal reader because I'll put her butt to the fire if she's not of my blog. I wanted to recognize her, her birthday, and to most of all, thank her and another BFF for putting garlic salt and hair mousse in my nether regions while I was asleep when we were kids. (You know, girls, I hope you both feel terrible, knowing that I couldn't help falling asleep first. Again, you will pay dearly sometime in this life. Maybe even in this blog...)

Alright, we started out not liking each other. She was from another school and was "ball-game" friends with my BFF. So we were "forced" to like each other. And I'm so thankful we did. Who would've thought 20, Oh! My! Gawd!, 20 years later we'd still be kicking it like old homies, er, mommies.

I mean, we've seen alot together--and this is by no means a summation of our friendship, but some of the funnier, more-tasteful-for-public-knowledge times:

-Fights (with each other and other people).
-Junior high cheerleading camp where she and our other BFF told me that that straw purse from Hawaii was soooooo cute[those wanches].
-Staying the night at her house every single Friday for 2,956 Fridays
-Those awkward teen years.
-Your picture pages. Oh, the many, many nights of laughter.
-Riding around C'ville with the interior lights on. The. whole. night.
-Gulf Shores and our butterfly tats and Bob Marley.
-Losing touch and becoming closer.
-Getting married. Having babies. Growing into ourselves.


And being proud of who we were, even if we weren't perfect.


You made me feel a sense of pride tonight when I called to wish you a happy birthday. You love reading my blog! This, coming from a super funny, super sarcastic, super witty mentality that I've always admired.

I. feel. honored.

And you've been a super fantastic friend over these two decades (ooh, did you just cringe to think two decades? That's just cccraaaaaazzyy!!) , even when our friendship took a detour. I wouldn't trade any moment of our friendship, even if I didn't know that we would still be friends.

Joan Lunden. Aussie hair products. Worcestshire burgers. Def Comedy Jam. Steven Segall. The scooter, baby! (Yeah, betcha forgot about those!)

Oh, Eastlands and Jesus sandals. Forgive me for the following:




I.S.G.W.A.S.F.A.A.T.Y. = I'm So Glad We Are Still Friends After All These Years

I love you. Happy Birthday, Liz.

[P.S. Congrats on the soon-to-be third addition]

Sneak Peek for the "F" Family

Today I had the pleasure of photographing an adorable family complete with a mommy, a daddy, a son and a 6 week old daughter. I'll post more details about the shoot and accompanying images.

If any of your are debating on having another child, maybe this image will push you over the on the side "Please-add-another-ankle-biter-to-my-order-with-adorableness-on-the-side." (I know, adorableness is not a word, but when I see a baby this adorable, I just starting making up words. Like, chub-a-lub and sweetified and perfectastic. It's my blog and I can say what I want.) *wink*

Anyway, my heart melted getting to hold her and undress her and listening to her coo and watching her little eyes and...well, you get the picture and are possibly feeling the urge too...

More to come! Enjoy!