Once in a while, I’ll take a photo that - as soon as I click the shutter - I am like “ahhhhhhh.” It’s such a great feeling when you get *THE* shot… anyone who takes photography seriously, whether professional or not, knows what I’m talking about. Then there’s the other times, when you get home & you’re sorting through your files, and you come across a photograph… or series of photographs, even… that tell a story. Kind of like this. It moved me so much that I named it. I call this masterpiece “My Sister has Cooties”… and of course, aptly subtitled “But My Mother Threatened Me if I Didn’t Smile for the Last One”.

Disclaimer: no brothers were harmed during this photo session. (No matter how painful his facial expressions may appear!)

Now…. on to good times & happy faces!

SEE! Told you he survived….

Hi there! Did you say that you wanted to see your pictures???

Oh, you did??

Like 50 times????

You don’t REEEEEEEALLLLY wanna see your pictures, do you??? I mean, you could wait another week, right? No? What’s that? You’re coming to beat me with your one good arm? HAHAHAHA!!!! *wink wink*

Okay, okay… you talked me into it. Here ya go! Hope it’s worth the wait!

Werk it, Shelby, werrrrrk it!

Now it’s Sydney’s turn…. g’on, gurrrrl!

Cue Xander - little brother who’s chock full of energy (okay maybe that’s an understatement). He has ‘em all wrapped around his finger… but with those curls, and those eyes (*sigh*) it’s not hard to see why!

A little treat for the gals out there - just kidding! This sneak peek is for Tyler’s mom *wink wink* Such a cutie, and soooo easy-going - makes my job EASY! I was lovin’ the yellow leaves here…

Too bad I don’t have any of him & his 2 hunting dogs processed yet. Let’s just say this - I’m not sure bringing them out near a lake full of ducks was the best idea I’ve ever come up with… once they spotted dinner, looking at the camera was just no longer an option! Funny dogs. Anyhoo, here’s another fave with some funky processing:

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Andi & Tyler!

People often ask me how I get a certain shot - what I do to keep the kids’ attention, how do I get them to cooperate, etc.

I think this is best answered with an illustration.

Before I can get this:

I have to let them do this:

Haha!!!

I’d like to start off by saying that I think Kara is gonna make EXCELLENT wife material if she’s nearly as patient with Josh as she’s been with me! The past few weeks have been crazy… SUPER busy time of year for photogs! Not that I’m complaining… just have lots more sessions than normal & when you add that along with my normally hectic life, things can get a bit hairy. And of course there was the whole vacation thing… but we won’t go there. I miss the beach!!!

These two were so sweet together. I love it when the guy just goes with it! I didn’t hear one single complaint outta him. Gotta give him a pat on the back for that! Kara, you’ve trained him well! *wink*
So glad fall is here… I’m loving the beautiful colors!!!

I just have to start this whole thing off by saying that I am literally just SOOOOO proud of my boys today. I mean, of course, I’m proud of them all the time - it’s just that today… well, it feels like a home run!!!

Second - Report cards came out today! This was Jackson’s very first report card & he was just a little nervous & excited. It was really kinda cute! I’m proud to report that he made all G’s (good) which is the best grade you can get when you’re in Kindergarten. Another interesting tidbit - in the conduct column, his teacher typed in “Is such a joy to have in class.” WOW. I’m speechless. Anyone who knows Jackson knows what a miracle accomplishment this is. Again, WOW.

Second - Nathan won the 4H photography contest at school! Naturally, I’m just giddy! When he brought home a flyer telling about the contest, we looked over each category… and I have to admit that I kinda, sorta, possibly gave him a nudge toward the photography category. He got a 1st place ribbon & will be competing at the next level! Here’s his winning photo, he named it “Amazing Sunset”. haha!

And what else did I get today with Nathan’s report card? His nomination for Beta Club, that’s what! Amazing!

And last, but CERTAINTLY not least…. Tucker made the A honor roll & was nominated for the National Honor Society!!!! I’m jumping up & down!!!! Can you tell?!?! Or should I use more exclamation marks?!?!?!!!!!

WAY TO GO, BOYS!!! I’m so proud of you… and I know you’re excited too. I told you all that hard work would pay off! I love you!<3<3<3

EVERY SINGLE DAY I say to myself (did I just admit that I talk to myself?) “Self, you need to blog today!”

And then, well……. life happens. Life with 4 kids… and a husband with a fireman’s schedule (all you fireman’s wives out there know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!)… and then there’s always that silly ole thing called WORK (which for me encompasses a whole list of things)… and then boy scouts and football and dance class and homework and projects and facebook (shutup Eric) …. well, you get my drift. I’m going to quit making excuses (I hear you… “here she goes again” lol) and get back to bloggin’. Regular-like. And if I don’t… well, then, y’all can start floggin’ me! (not sure what flogging really means, or where it came from, but it sounds kind of painful so take it easy!) *wink wink* Hmmm… blogging vs. flogging. heh.

So anyway … in celebration of Tuesday, and since I’ve never, ever done a “Ten on Tuesday” post in my life, here are 10 random updates/things/excerpts.. a few of which may embarrass the kiddos my kids may enjoy in years to come. After all, what are blogs for? *baaa hahaha!*

1) I turned 33 on September 7th. I’m thirty-something. I seriously hate getting older… and think it really stinks that birthdays seem to come so quickly now! Don’t you all remember when you were 10, and it seemed like it took foreeeeeeeeever for your birthday to come around? I vividly recall it feeling like my birthday only came once every 7 years - now it feels more like a bi-annual event or something. And instead of presents, you get wrinkles. Boo.

2) My kids say the funniest things! On the way home the other day, Nathan announces that he knows all about black widow spiders, and of course… Nathan being Nathan & all… he felt he must share this newfound wisdom with the masses. “Did you know that after two black widows get married, the wife kills the husband? That’s why they call them black widows.” Same car ride, 5 minutes later… “Was it only a glacier that sunk the Titanic or was an octopus involved?” Sheer genius.

3) Recently, I’ve noticed my wrinkles are multiplying like rabbits (see #1 re: getting old), so I’ve decided it’s time to get serious. I need to pause here & say: thank you, Jesus, for not putting a Sephora near me. I’m doing enough damage online. Amen. Okay… back to business. I’m seriously loving Philosophy skin care products. Specifically, the purity made simple (facial cleanser) and hope in a jar (moisturizer)… but the real STAR of the show is… drumroll please… Philosphy’s Microdelivery Peel. Can I just say, I got a sample application of this stuff… and I am IN LOVE. If you’d like to try it, you can get a little sample kit if you spend $25 at Sephora. And c’mon, who can’t spend $25 at Sephora? Here’s the code (thank me later): PHL45 - it’s awesomeness, guaranteed. Your skin will be baby soft!

4) Pause for pictures (because I know that’s what you’re really here for):

I went to high school with the mom of these 3 precious kiddos… aren’t they the CUTEST?!? Man, I feel for her… I sure do miss mine being little, but BOY! They’re an awful lot of work when they’re young. Wait - they’re an awful lot of work when they get older too. Then they turn into teenagers. Which scares me! But anyhoo, Maranda & Chuck, you definitely have 3 beautiful babies! For the record, I know these look “summery”, that’s because they are. I forgot to blog them… so sue me. *wink wink* or scroll wayyyyyy up & see disclaimer about life happening, yadda yadda.

5) I finally got to go to a photography thing! Granted, I should have taken a boat vs. the Tahoe, but still - I finally got to go to a photography thing!
WPPI Road Trip at the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta, GA. Such awesome speakers & I learned so much! Kirk Voclain was an absolute IDIOT (and I mean that in a GOOD way). If you ever have an opportunity to hear him, don’t miss it… I laughed so hard my face hurt. And check out his work… the photos in the water are taken with a Canon G9! Ridiculous!

6) I’m still looking for the *perfect* house plan… starting to think my husband will bury me in the back yard if I don’t pick one soon. He’s got the building bug. (Have to admit, I’m anxious too, I’m getting a S.T.U.D.I.O.!!!!)

7) Monday night madness has begun at the Arnold household. I’m still trying to figure out how in the world we scheduled every activity known to man on Monday night. We have football practice at 5:30pm, dance class at 6pm, and webelos (boy scouts) at 6:30pm. All at different places, of course. What fun would THAT be? I knew I hated Mondays for a reason.

Picture Pause #2 at one of my favorite photo spots! CUUUUUTE couple… and just look at her! She looks fabulous pregnant. I’m so jealous.The little one is already here & doing great. You might guess he’s cute as a button by looking at his parents! CONGRATS!

9) I am a facebook addict. Okay, there… I said it. I hope my husband doesn’t read this because he’s always giving me crap for it. I love catching up with all of my buddies from high school and college and work and old jobs and well, you get the drift. It’s a nosey person’s paradise!

10) I’m so excited to be going to the BEACH! I deserve a vacation… haven’t been on one since DisneyWorld back in the spring. I’ll be in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL area from October 11th - 17th & have a few mini beach sessions left. Packages start at $75 & include prints. Email me at stephanie@stephaniearnoldphotography.com for more info!

Okay, okay, two posts in less than 24 hours, what can I say? I’m trying to make it up to you. *wink wink*

Couldn’t help but share this little sneak peek as I’m editing…. This girl is seriously gorgeous with perfect hair and perfect lips and perfect eyes… *WHISTLE* …did I mention perfect hair and perfect lips and… oh yeah, I did, didn’t I?

Hope you like your teaser pic Kelsy! I’ll have your session ready soon… cross my heart & hope to die, stick a needle… wait. Yuck. Let’s not get needles involved here….

Stay tuned!

Poor blog. What did it ever do to deserve such mistreatment?! Neglected, I tell you. Been over a month since my last post. Oopsy!

So, what’s been going on? Well, here’s a rundown, in no particular order:
Grandad’s still in rehab with me… after 3 hospital visits, I think he’s finally on the mend! Very excited about that. The family has been looking into a long-term solution for my grandparents after he leaves… this has proven very time consuming & heart-wrenching. I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say there’s been alot of hours spent making phone calls, interviewing people, touring facilities, etc. It’s a painful process. In the mean time, my grandmother’s mental state has just really gone downhill… mood swings, wandering, memory loss… it’s sad to see. I’m hoping we’ll find a new normal for them, something that will make them happy as well as ensure their safety. Pray for us as a family, we sure need it!

Jackson started kindergarten today… I’m proud to say I didn’t get a note from the principal or even the teacher! I’m assuming everyone involved survived.

We got a new puppy. A basset hound named Buster. Poor thing. I would almost feel sorry for him, but he pees & poops on my hardwood… so I don’t. HA!

I got my wisdom teeth extracted last week & have developed dry sockets on the bottom. Fun stuff. Google “dry socket”, you’ll see what I mean! P.S. if by chance you have googled dry socket, and wound up here, run to the pharmacy & buy a Red Cross Toothache Complete Medication Kit. NOW. Follow the directions & thank me later.

I met some really cool local photogs in the Cheaha Professional Photographers Society. Poor Jen had some drama at IHOP but it’s all better now. *wink wink*

Oh yeah, and I’ve fit some sessions in there somewhere! Here’s a few from a 2010 Senior Session - look out ladies!

And after I cracked a funny… I’m such a jokester, yes I am.

he almost made me want another one. Just for a split second. Then reality hit & the feeling vanished. haha!!!!