Now that I’m home from vacation & have re-joined the real word (boo!)… thought I’d blog a few photos in between editing, scheduling, and answering 562 emails. (!) Here are some of my faves from Brittni’s senior session. Get ready for photo overload - the camera *LOVES* this girl!

I was really loving the light here!!!

and the famous yellow chair that I *cough* found on the side of the road….(yes, people, I’m weird like that!)

Promise to post some pics of my kiddos just as soon as I can get through this fat pile of work! Not that I’m complaining…. apparently since I’m “recently beachy” I’m not allowed to gripe… right Kendale & Rachael? *wink wink*

I’m on vacation! WEEEEEEEEEEE! I love the beach *so* much that I honestly believe I must’ve been a beach bum in another life. *wink wink*

I’ll definitely be sharing some personal photos soon, but for now I thought I’d share one from this morning’s mini session at the beach. I’m not sure this one qualifies as a beach portrait considering it was taken in the parking lot, but I thought she looked beautiful!

Angie - I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your vacation!

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!

Before I show any photos… I have to say that I will never, ever forget Keri… especially considering we almost got arrested during her photo shoot!!! *shock* Oh yeah. I’m making memories here, folks.

FYI: Getting on the railroad tracks is illegal. Two officers from our friendly Anniston Police Department dropped by during our shoot to inform me of that! Thank God they didn’t cuff me & throw me in a cell, because I’m thinking I wouldn’t last very long in jail. I’m also thinking… ehhhhh, that’s really not good PR. I can just hear Keri telling her college friends… “Yeah I’m still waiting on my senior portraits, my photographer was arrested during the shoot & her hubby refuses to post bail until she swears off the internet. So she’s doing the minimum 2yr sentence.” But I digress. Time for pictures!!!

So, Keri… I think it’s safe to say you’ll never forget your senior portrait session! *wink wink*

On a completely different note, I am going on a much needed, well deserved vacation during FALL BREAK! Anyone who knows me, knows that there’s no way I’m going 7 full days without working. So! I will be in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL area from October 11th - 17th & am booking a limited number of mini beach sessions. Packages start at $75 & include prints. Email me if you’re interested or have any questions! stephaniearnoldphoto@gmail.com

I’ve had the same crazy best friend for 20 years now… we’re like sisters. It’s so sweet to watch our baby girls grow up together, becoming a 2nd generation of best friends! Here’s a long-overdue shot of Miss Ashley, Cassidy’s best friend… isn’t she the cutest?
She looks all innocent there, doesn’t she? Angelic even! HA! She would have you TOTALLY fooled! Of course I’m KIDDING Jamee (*wink*) - love you guys!

I had the most awesome photog get-together in Nashville with a few of my photographer buddies. I’ve been so busy with my Grandad & Grandmother lately that I haven’t had time to take a minute to edit anything… but tonight I wanted to just take a few minutes for myself & play in photoshop before my brain went to mush & I forgot everything I know… which isn’t much, I know, shutup!

We were so lucky as to have the CUTEST stinkin’ model join us on Saturday for a shoot… poor thing had 4 photographers fighting over her. I think she loved every minute of it! *wink* LOVED this hotel … the aLoft in Franklin… so retro/modern-ish!

And I borrowed a lens… the 135L… yummy stuff, eh?

You guys are probably thinking by now that all I do is seniors, which is NOT SO!!! I have had alot of them lately, though, and have REALLY been enjoying myself. I ♥looooove ♥ photographing seniors. Actually, I love photographing everything. Just ask my husband. I can get rather annoying with a camera in-hand.

Isn’t she purrrrty? I had *so* much fun at her shoot with her, her mom & sister! I could post a picture of her sister here in some rather *ahem* interesting attire, but ehhhhh, she might hunt me down & kill me - so for the sake of my children, I’ll have to pass! =)

Congrats, girl!!! Hope you enjoy the last few weeks of your senior year! =)

P.S. - On a personal note, my wallet got stolen on Thursday when I was on my way home from the hospital (seeing my Grandad, who is doing great, thanks for asking!) …. So *IF* you’ve found my wallet & happened to google Stephanie Arnold & came here by some stroke of G-E-N-I-U-S … I just wanna say :p !!!!!! And I hope the little turkey just TRIIIIIIES to open up a credit card in my name or use my credit cards because when they do… OOOOOH they’re in TROUBLE! Okay. Anyhoo. Ta ta for now. =)

Look at me! I’ve blogged like, 3 whole days in a row! WEEEEEEEEE!

So I was sitting here at my computer, running late for work, thinking to myself - I need to BLOG! Yes, you read that right, darling blog readers. I’m ALWAYS thinking of others. *bats eyes*

So because I knoooooow that you have been dying to see yet another jaw-dropping image from yours truly, I thought I’d share one of Jessica! She’s another ‘09 graduating senior & just happens to be my husband’s cousin’s daughter (ok I just confused myself!) … anyhoo, she’s a KNOCKOUT - & smart as a whip! I’m gonna have to give her mom the credit for that =) She’ll be attending the esteemed University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!!!) =)

Congrats, Jessica!

I had so much fun with Lauren & her mom yesterday! I think I did almost as much talking as shooting (ok so maybe that’s not so uncommon for me…) - but who knew we had so much in common? Lauren’s dad is a Lieutenant at Anniston Fire Department - so is my sweet hubby, Eric! Aaaaand her mom is a RN. Sweet. =)

I drug the poor thing all over, I think she was ready to choke me by the time the session was over - but that’s okay. About 99% of sessions end like that. HA! They’re always grateful when the proofs come back!

Look at these gorgeous blue eyes - WOWSERS!

Can you say smokin’ hot? Okay I probably shouldn’t say that. But WOAH!

And here we have Stephanie attempting to eat up Lauren’s elbows with gravel. BWAAAA HAHAHAHA. I’m evil like that folks, yes I am.

Hope you enjoyed your sneak peek Lauren! =)

Didn’t post for like, ehhh, 2 or 3 months. I’M SO BAD! I’m going to try to redeem myself one of these days, but for now all you get is a mini post. BWAAAA HAHAHAHAHA! I’m evil, yes I am!

What’s happened since my last post? Lots =) We went to Disney World for a week over Spring Break. The kids had a blast but we were all so TIRED when we got home! I’ll have to post pics… later. (oh yeah, I just did that).

Since no post is a post without a picture (even a mini post), I’ll leave you with this young beauty who’s in a pageant this afternoon… Go Miss Kaitlin!!! I have a feeling she’s gonna do GREAT!