As promised, I have decided on a winner for the Snapshot Moms FREE spot and because I had so many entries, I’ve decided to give away TWO 1/2 OFF spots, instead of one, to our May 15th workshop.   If you are a winner and cannot make it to the May 15th class (this Saturday 5-8pm), please let me know asap so I can choose another winner.

Okay, without further ado, the winners are:

The FREE spot goes to Jessica Talbott.  Her story was simply heart wrenching.  This chick deserves some good luck!

The two 1/2 OFF spots go to Brandi Moore and Tiffany Adkisson.  You two ladies can mail or Paypal the 1/2 registration fee of $62.50 to reserve your spot.  If you choose not to accept the spot, let me know so I can offer the gift to another person.

AND, remember, those of you already entered can referr a friend this week and receive $50 off your own registration.

Have a great Monday!

Luckily, I was enjoying myself just thinking of you…I like to live vicariously that way.  SO, in honor of me being able to STAY HOME on the most insane shopping day of the year and retain my sanity, here are the winners of the BLACK FRIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE!!!  WHOOP WHOOP!

50% WINNERS:

Ashley Snovel

Brandi Moore

Jennifer Tarlton

Lisa Davis

Angela Holland

AND THE SURPRISE WINNER (from my random drawing after the sale ended):  AMY PRECURE

Please email me the amount of certificate you’d like, I’ll take 50% off and send it to you first thing Monday morning.  Payment can be made by mailing a check or using a credit card through Paypal.  I love you all!

AND, since I can’t post without adding a few photos…here’s a peek into my Thanksgiving Day. 

From left to right:

1.  Wes enjoying some swing time  2. Kevin lugging Blakely around  3. Uncle Mike soaking up some rays  4. Grandma spending quality time with Wes  5. Meme and Dad laughing at our crazy kiddos.  6. The “boys” in search of wild game.  7. More searching  8. Reese getting some hammock time (not wanting photos!)  9. Sloane climbed up in the fort!

Lots of trampoline fun…

and being chased by the “BIG BAD WOLF”…

and talk of “VERY LARGE” deer in the future.

This month is a tiny bit different, because I somehow feel closer to the winner.  We met over a year ago when I was lucky enough to photograph her family.  They were so spunky and spirited, and I had so much fun getting to hang with them!  I didn’t even realize back then the many challenges they face.  I now have a deeper respect for them and all they’ve achieved.  It must’ve taken great courage to become the awesome family they are today.

You’re probably wondering how in the world I could’ve learned so much about a family in just a year, especially since I haven’t even seen them since then.  It’s a phenomenon called Facebook.  You’ve heard of it, right?  Isn’t it great!  This awesome mother of 4 befriended me on Facebook and in doing so allowed me to keep up with her daily life and family.  I recently learned of the struggle she’s facing with one of her daughters.  So, as I was reading the nominations this month, her’s stood out among all the others.

Here is the nomination letter from her husband, written back in April:

Good Evening Shannon,
Isn’t Facebook a wonderful format for communication?

I would like to nominate my wife Pamela Fox.  She has been nothing but a blessing to our children as well as me.  In case you may have forgotten, we have four daughters.  Ashley 15, Alexis 13, Adison 7 and Alyvia 5.  Alexis is a survivor of congestive heart failure shortly after birth.  And Alyvia was born with no right hand.

Pam has been one of the most wonderful sources of encouragement to the children and this old man.  She has never let the children look down or get away with saying “they can’t” do something.   Because of her attitude and drive she has instilled in our children a sense of confidence and happiness.

Pam is constantly taking our children after her job at ****** Elementary to soccer, dance or any other school activity that might take place in the evening.  She misses out on so many things she would love to do because of the children.  I want to cry for her at times as she shows an attitude of selflessness.  Even if she gets a nail appointment she makes sure some of the girls get to go and get their nails done with her.

It would mean so much to us as a family, but most of all for Pam to have a session for herself.

Oh, perhaps the strongest reason is she puts up with BRENT FOX, daily.

Isn’t he sweet?  He has a sense of humor, too!

As you read, their daughter Alexis has some heart complications and is currently preparing for heart surgery.  Please keep her in your prayers.  I know that soon I will be able to update you by sharing some gorgeous photos of mom and daughter, post surgery, to prove how wonderfully Alexis is recovering.  Until then, congratulations go out to our July “beautiful momma” winner….

PAM FOX

I can’t wait to celebrate your wonderful life and family once again!

Last night, I finished two sessions, got the CDs in the mail today, and even got some prop shopping done!  With all that off my mind, I guess the fog began to lift.  THEN, a little lightbulb moment.  Uhm…HELLO, loser photographer lady….YOU HAVE A CONTEST WINNER TO ANNOUNCE!!!!

Please forgive “loser photographer lady” for not announcing the beautiful mom winner on the day I was supposed to announce her.  I’m over a week late.  I know this.  Since you’ve had to wait so long, I think I’ll also throw in a few FREE prints with this winner’s session.  [**big smile, wink wink**]

Before I announce the winner for this month, please remember I am still accepting nominations for beautiful women you know.  YOU CAN NOMINATE YOURSELF.  The session’s focus will be on the winner, not on her family.  However, if it’s important to her, she can choose to include her family in a few of the shots.  I’m totally okay with that!  I simply want this to be about HER.  To read more about this contest, go HERE.  You may nominate women by emailing me or by messaging me on Facebook.

Here’s the letter I received nominating this beautiful mom winner:

“Just a few reasons why my mom is so special to me…

Having survived Hemangiosarcoma twice, a very rare and deadly cancer, my mother will never be the same. Not only was her strength and unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ revealed, but also her abounding care and compassion for others. On the chemo floor, my mother was enduring 5 days of 24-hour treatment every 21 days for many months. She was one of the favorite patients because of her humor and determination to beat this battle with cancer. During this past year, I have seen my mother grow so much in her faith. Christ has worked through her in so many different ways. If you need something, she is the first to volunteer. If you need prayers, your name is at the top of her list. My mother is my best friend. I can’t say enough about the many different ways I love her! With the 1 year anniversary of her 2nd diagnosis approaching, I can’t help but to reflect on what a miracle it is that she is with us today making a difference in so many lives through her testimony of faith.”

After reading that letter, I was thinking how weak a person I am…How I sometimes complain about random things beyond my control…Or how I gripe about being too busy…etc…etc…

After reading that letter, I started to feel very thankful for my health, my friends, and my family.  I began to feel a bit silly for complaining about such small, mundane things.  I stopped, if only for a few minutes, to breathe in everything that is good in my life.  Because, truly, I have nothing to complain about.

This month’s winner is Bonnie Bower.

Congratulations, Bonnie.  AND, thank you, Lindsay, for nominating such an inspirational woman for this contest.  I can’t wait to meet her and photograph her beautiful smile from the inside out.

See you soon!

BONUS Post!!

More Tee-ball.  Meet Pryce!

You know I can’t write a post without including some sort of photos for your enjoyment, right?  I know you may be tired of all the tee-ball photos, but that’s what my life consists of right now.  It’s June and tee-ball is in full swing.  This time around, though, I wasn’t snapping photos of Ty.  I was snapping photos of this green-eyed cutie!

When Pryce’s mom saw the photos I’d posted of Ty’s tee-ball team and of the Sweet Cleats, she emailed and asked if I’d be willing to shoot some photos of Pryce’s game.  I thought about it for a split second and then figured, why not!  I love me some baseball!

If you are interested in having some action shots taken of your son or daughter during their favorite sport, you can!  Email me and I’ll give you a personal quote based on the sport and location.  Minimum charge is $100 for 45 minutes worth of action. AND, yes, you will receive a disc including print release which allows you to make as many reprints as you’d like for personal use.

Okay, enough about me.  Back to Pryce!

What is it about baseball players and their hat?  I always seem to get this shot.  It’s perfect, though, isn’t it.

Pryce was all business in that green uniform.  It’s obvious, he has “baseball fever” bad.  I can’t wait to see what he looks like on the field in a few more years!

That was so funny!  Every time the ball was hit, he’d bounce in the air just a bit from the exhileration of it all.  Hilarious!

Here he is running the bases after a pretty good hit, himself!

On first base.

Made it to second base!

Headed for third!

Go, Pryce, go!

But, first meet the Brookshire Family…

I first met this cute little family back in December when their little man was only 3 months old.  Now, he’s a growing boy with the biggest cheeks ever!  AND, big blue eyes to go with them!

The poor little fella had to deal with wet grass from all the rain drizzling down during our morning session on Saturday, but he was a regular trooper.  He was so inquisitive and happy about being outside, free to take in all the new sights.  Every few minutes we were grabbing the umbrellas, but he seemed content to hang with his momma and smile some more!

Let’s take a closer look at that smooch!  Shall we…

Aren’t they adorable!  This was the perfect session to help me announce my Beautiful Momma winner since this momma fits the bill perfectly!  She’s radiant, isn’t she…

and Dad’s pretty cute, too!

I’d say this was a pretty neat session even with all the icky weather.  I had to shoot a couple while we were packing up the cars…I think they turned out to be my favorites!  Go figure!

OKAY, OKAY!  I know you’re waiting for it…

I have a bit of a surprise for May’s beautiful momma winner.  There are TWO WINNERS!

Whoo-hoo!

Yep, I’m the neatest person on the planet!  Just ask anyone!  Okay, maybe not THAT neat, but these two lucky gals are…

ASHLEY SNOVEL & AMY HOOVER!!!

Ashley’s husband sent me a nomination last month that truly made me smile and then this month I get a nomination for Amy from Ashley.  It was too cool!  The heartfelt letters from a husband and friend are what put them over the top.  I simply couldn’t limit this month to JUST ONE winner.

Read what Ashley’s husband, Jacob, had to say about his beautiful wife:

“Ashley is a wonderful woman. Her heart for children and her ability to empathize with them has given her some sort of supernatural power to discover what makes a child tick. Her job as a reading specialist has given her a platform to showcase those talents…

Her ability to open a child’s eyes to how they read has undoubtedly changed their ENTIRE lives…

But that’s just children she spends 15-20 minutes a day with.  Imagine her passion for her own children. It’s nearly indescribable, and I am in awe of her every day. Her passion all around is infectious. Her passion for her family is tremendous. She loves to dance, and you can’t help but to dance with her. She loves to laugh, and you can’t help but bend over backwards to get a giggle from her.

She’s up at 6 and down at midnight. But that doesn’t means she sleeps. She keeps calendars in her head and juggles tasks through the night trying to figure out the best way to spend time with her children by what would provide the BEST time for them – and me. She does what a mother does, she does what a teacher does, and she does them 100%. How she fits 200% into a day is beyond me, but I do know that it means she has no time for herself…”

If you thought that was heartfelt, take a look at what Ashley said about her beautiful friend, Amy:

In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to nominate a good friend of mine as a Beautiful Mom.  Amy Hoover will be celebrating her very first Mother’s Day this year.  Amy had her son this past December.  I asked Amy if she’s excited about her very first Mother’s Day.  Her reply: “It’s going to be better than Christmas.”  To understand this statement, you must first know the story of Amy’s struggles to become a Mommy.

“Amy and her husband were highschool sweethearts from a small town.  He was a football player and she was a cheerleader.  They went to college at ECU together where he was football player and she was a dancer.  It was the natural progression of things that this All-American couple would get married.  About a year later, they began trying to start a family.  This part of their life together was not as easy as the previous years had been.  They tried unsuccessfully for four long years to have a baby.  They lost three babies.  All of her friends that had gotten married after she and Bobby did began having babies.  She gave us baby shower after baby shower.  I know it was hard for her.  I know she was completely heartbroken and jealous. I know she ached and longed for a baby.  I know she wrestled with God and his putting her through all of these trials and brokenness. But that’s just the kind of person Amy is.  She would put her own anguish aside to celebrate a friend’s good news.

After losing the third baby, Amy decided to give up.  She was spiritually, emotionally, and physically defeated.  She and her husband decided that they would live their lives as a family of two. God had other plans.  Just two months after a hearbreaking miscarriage of their tiny baby that Amy always referred to as “Bean” and giving up on ever having a baby, Amy found out she was pregnant.  To say she was terrified would be an understatement.  But days turned in to weeks and weeks turned into months.  And before she knew it, she found out she was having a boy.  Amy never complained about any part of her pregnancy.  She reveled in every moment.  She knew what a miracle and blessing every ache and pain was. She finally got to be the guest of honor at baby showers.  She finally got to decorate a nursery.  And on December 15th, Amy finally got to hold her baby boy in her arms.

On Mother’s Day, we take time to appreciate and reflect on our mom’s and all they do for us.  But I think we also need to take time to really breathe in all the wonderfulness of being a mom ourselves.  For every kick and turn your baby makes in your belly, there is someone else longing for that.  For every poopy diaper your change and snotty nose you wipe, there is someone who would trade anything to have that experience.  Being a mom is a miracle.  Amy knows that.  Max is definitely the only Mother’s Day gift she’ll ever need.  But I can’t think of any better gift to give her than pictures of her and her beautiful Miracle: Max Edmond Hoover.”
Amazing letter, isn’t it…

Now go dry your eyes and have a great Monday!

AND…

CONGRATULATIONS to Ashley and Amy!  I can’t wait to get some fun photos for you girls!  I’ll be emailing you with details!

Here is the letter I received from her son:

“I am going to try to put into words why my mom is the greatest and most deserving of any other.  She has always been a very giving and loving person. She is always the first to offer herself or to help when no one else would. About a year ago she started being a foster mom. She loves kids and would never want to see someone going without.  She got 2 kids about christmas time in 2007 and has kept getting new ones since, even after my stepdad lost his job. On top of all of that she is always getting her grandkids and all 4 of them most of the time. Plus my brat kid brother Tanner. At any given time you can come to her house and you are ready to pull your hair out within 10 minutes. Not mom. She will be in her hospital bed asking if the kids can come see her. She just keeps going. I cant remember the last time I had a picture of just her in my house. Another thing I want to tell you is that we have 5 generations of females that are living in our family. My great grandma, grandma, mom ,my sister and the 2 girl grandkids. She would absolutely die to have a professional take that picture before it is too late.”

My very first beautiful mom WINNER is….

drumroll please….

JOANN MILLER!!!

After reading the letter, I got to thinking about Joann and how much she’s done for the ones around her.  I do know her a bit because I’ve done a few sessions for her family in the past.  The more I pieced together what I knew about her, the more her name kept making it’s way to the top of my list.

Then, just last week, we had some massive fires rip through our small town and many of the surrounding areas.  All of Oklahoma was a hot spot  – even making the national news.  It was pretty crazy around here for a few days – many of our friends lost their homes and all of their possessions…

Joann and her family were one of the families affected by the fires.  She lost everything.  Her house literally burned to the ground.  Thankfully, though, her family is okay.  BUT, all of her possessions were lost…including ALL of her photographs.  THIS and many other reasons is why Joann is my winner for April’s Beautiful mom contest.  Joann I’ll be contacting you very soon!  Congratulations – I hope this helps to lift the burden just a bit.

Here’s a photo a dug up from a LONG while ago when I first met Joann…

it gives us just a glimpse of how deeply she loves and cares for her family.

The weather here is really nasty with plenty of ice to go around.  I'm cooped up at home (which was not the plan) with two crazy boys running amuck!  I need a good cold-weather recipe that is really easy!  Plus, I'm on a diet so it can't be horrible for you!  Yes, I know.  I'm always on a diet.  Just have mercy and send me some ideas.  I'm at a loss.

Oh, alright.  Here are the winners!

Comment #5 – Lora Samarripas

Comment #2 – Cati Brookshire

Comment #1 – Ashley Snovel

AND, since I'm feeling nice today, I'm going to go ahead and give Dustin and Charla $50 OFF a standard session!

Have a happy day folks!  I'll be back this afternoon with some more pics for you!  Stay off the roads!

These camera straps are WAY cool – I've been sporting one for a week or so now and LOVE IT!  This winner is super LUCKY since she or he will have a nice cushioned camera strap to show off to friends!

For those of you who didn't win today, remember, these straps are available for Christmas orders.  Bookmark the blog and keep an eye out for strap information.  The BUY NOW button will appear next week!

The winner was chosen using this random integer generator!  That thing ROCKS!

Okay, enough rambling…drum roll, please…………

THE WINNER IS:

LYNDI

It's Bloggy Giveaway Carnival time again!  You might remember the contest I held here not too long ago.  This time, though, I'm trying something new!

Totally Cool, CAMERA STRAP COVERS!


My sister-in-law (whose the coolest gal on the planet) has just started making camera strap covers, tutus, and other super cool photography props for me!  She's thinking of starting her own shop on Etsy, but for now will be taking orders through my blog.

What better way to get her started than to give away one of her radically COOL straps here today!  AND, if you don't win today, you can always order a nifty strap from her in the future!  So, stay tuned!

The camera straps measure anywhere from 1 1/2 inches wide to 2 1/4 inches wide and come in various lengths.  Straps can be ordered to fit the exact size of your camera strap in the future.

The strap being given away today is the one I'm modeling below.  It measures 2 inches wide and is 25 1/2 inches in length.  The camera strap is lined with fleece cushioning to make it soft and to prevent it from hurting your neck.  I love mine already!  It slides on and off your camera strap easily.


Please don't judge the model or the photos.  It was either this or my 3 year old son!  What would you have me do?
 



Here are the contest details:

Leave a comment here ON THIS POST ONLY telling me your absolute favorite gift idea for the holidays (Fall through Christmas).  You can even link to it if you want!  That'll get you entered.

Next, check back here on Thursday at 2pm to see if you won!  Easy enough, right? 

You could read my wonderful blog EVERYDAY if you really want to and then you're guaranteed not to miss a thing!

Oh, and don't forget to check out all the other contests over at the Bloggy Giveaways blog. See you guys soon!

The strap on the right is the one being given away today!

and here are close-ups of some of the others she's made!

Drum Roll, please……………………

AND THE WINNER IS:

#44

Congratulations, Alaina!  Simply email me a full-resolution photo, let me know if you want any touch ups done, and I’ll get the print ordered and shipped right away!