Unfinished

As a photographer I feel I'm never finished becoming better at what I do.  I think we never are really.  There is always something new to learn, your style is evolving, a new subject to take, a new perspective to look at, a new place to explore....there's always something new for you to adapt to.  I feel like relationships are like that too.  Whether it's your relationship with God, your spouse, your child, your friends...it's always growing and changing.  This post is not about either of those things.  It's about unfinished to-dos.  I told Jeff today that I've never felt so busy and yet so unproductive at the same time.  The normal things that fill the must do list seem to take so much time.  Then there are those things that crop up once and a while that have to be done right then and there....or at least in the immediate future, and they take precedent over those things that we'd just like to do.  I have a list on my bulletin board of projects to do.  I put it in plain view to remember that even doing a little here and there would be better than putting it off indefinitely.  Some of them are house things....touch up paint throughout the house, paint the trim (something that we wanted to do three years ago), build a potting bench, yada, yada, yada.  There are a couple of things that are just for me kind of things, like sewing a skirt, which I've had the material and pattern for since Christmas 2010, and finish a quilt whose top has been put together since June of 2010.  All those things...house things and personal things are something that would not have taken me near as long before my life contained the most wonderful little girl ever.  Ada is worth not finishing all of those things for sure.  Still it just drives me crazy to think there are so many things that are incomplete.  I've made it a point lately to work on the list before it builds up so much that it's insurmountable.  I bought a can of trim paint.  That's something I can do a little at a time while my girl is taking her afternoon nap.  The first day I got through about three feet, and then I somehow managed to get my hair in the paint....what a winner thing to do.  At this point I've gotten a little farther.  I've painted and organized my pantry...completely...it's actually crossed off the list (Yay).  We have begun getting our garden in order for summer planting, and this week I've planted some things that should be ready early spring.  Those little things have made me feel much more accomplished.  There are days that I ask when will I have time to do the just for me projects.  The just for me things seem to always get left behind.  I do think eventually I'll get there.

  

The Hannas-Upstate, SC Family Photographer

I love them!  I was beyond thrilled to photograph this family once more.  Okay, yep, Morgan and I are buds, and have been for years (and years).  This session was a little more special than usual with them.  It's the first session with their youngest.  Oh, how we've all waited for her.  I think that Morgan and Curt started the adoption process about the time I found out I was pregnant with Ada....who is about 17 months now.  That's a long time to wait to meet someone.  This past December their youngest little girl finally officially joined the family.  I must tell you that watching this process was something awesome.  To know that somewhere in Russia their daughter was waiting.  Following their journey on the blog...paperwork...lots of paperwork, fundraising...lots of fundraising, hearing how much they longed for her to be home. Then to be able to finally see her face as they visited the first time...my heart filled over with happiness.  We watched the videos....Ada loved watching Nastia play with playdoh.  The second time they went over, which was when they got to bring her home, there was one video of her playing with Curt saying "silly papa"...we loved that.  In fact, Jeff still randomly says "silly papa" in his best Russian accent.  I'm so glad she is home with the family God intended for her.  She is so loved!  Each one of these people are precious to me.  I got to say it again....I love them!  Without further ado....The Hanna six:

My goodness how time flies.  It seems like only a couple of years ago when I was keeping Brooks when he was about three months old.  Without my experience with this little guy I don't know if I would've been much good during Ada's infant stage.  Brooks is awesome!

Guess what...I babysat this guy too..when he was about Ada's age.  He was (is?) a rascal...a wonderful rascal.  I said then that I hoped my child would have a personality as big as his...they say be careful what you wish for.  Ada reminds me a lot of this fellow.  This first picture is just a warning to any boy that tries to date his sisters.  Luke is spectacular!

Campbell was my flower girl when she couldn't walk.  Part of the ceremony she sat on my dress....and tooted, fine by me.  Ada loves her!  At the fall festival we went to, Ada was so taken by Campbell.  Everything she did, Ada wanted to do.  I loved to here her giggle, then Ada do the same.  Campbell is sweet!

This is Nastia!  Aren't those brown eyes killer?  She is darling.  She was a great model.  I'm so happy that she is doing so well.  I'm overjoyed that she is part of the Hanna Family.  Praise God!  My guess is Ada will be entranced by her as well.  I can't wait to get to know her!

I love this look!

  

Seriously...those brown eyes!

Project 12: Resolution

Last year I participated in MCP Action's Project 52.  I actually did get a picture in for most weeks, but the last several weeks of the year just didn't happen for me.  Quite honestly, it became something that I would forget about.  This year they are putting a new spin on it....and dubbing it Project 12.  Find out more about that here: MCP Actions Blog. There will be one theme a month.  Participates can submit one to four images per month...so you could still do a photo a week.  There may be some theme that really strike me with a buzz of creativity, and four photos it will be.   Who knows, but I'm looking forward to having more time to really think about it.

RESOLUTION is the theme this month.  I'm not a huge fan of new year's resolutions, though I see their appeal...a time to start anew.  That was not at all my thought when I saw the theme.  I thought of putting an end to something.  Let me share a little about my (or our) 2011.  In many, many respects it was a great year.  We got to watch Ada develop from four months to almost seventeen months...at this point.  She has grown so much, and is always learning so many new things.  She is such a wonderful blessing!  Jeff and I are thrilled everyday with her.  Of course some days we want to pull our hair out, but she's overall just awesome.  Her personality has bloomed this year, and she is a pistol.  Oh, this has been a joy!  I love my life with Jeff and Ada!  However, about this time last year Jeff started noticing his coordination slipping.  This is something he has gone through before, about six years ago.  Doctors here tested and tested, and couldn't find anything, so he went to the Mayo Clinic, where they tested some more.  Nothing showed up there either.  The only thing that was slightly off was a marker for a high gluten level.  He was tested for celiac, but was negative.  Then his mom went to town on Google.  Guess what...it was gluten that caused the lack of coordination (ataxia).  He went gluten-free, and while didn't gain everything back, was pretty darn good.  Doctors weren't recognizing gluten as a cause for it then, now they are.  So that's where our minds went.  We checked foods like crazy, and couldn't find the source of gluten.  That's when we started having him tested again.  We have been to the doctor so many times it would make your head spin.  He's had two MRIs that were clear, a ton of blood tests that were all normal, a specialized biopsy to test for nerve damage, a gobs of other tests that led no where.  Pretty much everything about it has been frustrating.  Jeff is frustrated because he runs into stuff.  On top of that, he's self conscious because if someone doesn't know he has a medical issue causing him to stumble there are times he looks drunk.  He's frustrated because he can't do work outside (or inside for that matter) like he could a few months ago, nor can he help out with Ada as much.  Night times are the worst for him, he doesn't want to drop her, or fall with her so it's been all me for Ada's bedtime, or middle of the night stuff.  That, of course, has been frustrating for me.  It gets extremely tiring being the only one who can do certain things, whether it be for Ada or house stuff.  Let me just be completely honest here....as much as I want Jeff to get better, as much as I'd do whatever to help him get better, and as willing as I am to go through it with him...there are times when it just makes me mad that he can't help out.  I get mad...and yep, at him.  Not that he can help what's happening to him, but still when it's day after day, it does wear on a person....usually after some nights of little sleep combined with days of loads of work.  We're frustrated that we can't do the things we want.  Even just to two of us going downtown for a walk can be challenging.  If Jeff's having one of his worse days he nearly pulls my arms off steadying himself while we're holding hands.  We are both frustrated at the fact that at least one doctor basically said "I don't know. Good luck. See you in a year."  We frustrated that it takes lots of figuring things out on your own.  We know every doctor can't know everything, but if one would just keeping pushing to find something...maybe.  Quite frankly, the modern health system is flawed in many ways....it's also wonderful in some ways.  He has a pretty darn good physical therapist, and I believe that this has helped him some.  We have tried other alternatives to Western medicine.  Acupuncture didn't seem to work after several visits.  We've tried something called IMT therapy.  It's outside of the medical norms, and to explain it to some, they would believe it to be a bunch of hub-bub, but since we did our initial consultation, and have done the therapy at home, Jeff does seem to have improved.  We've been reading, watching, listening to a lot of nutritional alternatives.  I think everybody should because just as a whole, the way we eat in this country is making us all sick.  We have considered juicing.  Just on a side note if you've never heard of the Gerson Therapy...look into it, particularly if you or someone you know is suffering from cancer.  We're thinking about going vegan....at least for the most part.  We're already as organic as we can be.  I don't know if the nutrition stuff is more to cure Jeff, or prevent other things....for Ada and I too.  Of course, we pray daily for a solution, for answers, a doctor or someone more knowledge about this stuff than us to help us search, and even if we don't get those things for God's will to do done.  This Friday he has an appointment with a doctor who ran a lot of in-depth,  uncommon blood tests a while back.  Next Monday we'll be going to Emory University to see a doctor who specializes in ataxia.  Could it be that we are close to something here?  The first of this year I saw people post their resolutions on facebook.  I posted my hope that 2012 would bring wellness and health to Jeff.....and a RESOLUTION to this illness.

  

Organic Bloom Frames

I'm so excited about Organic Bloom frames!  If you're a pinner over on pinterest you've probably seen these frames, but you may not know where to get them.  They are so fun, let me tell you.  The shapes are beautiful, and not typical for frames, and the colors are numerous and divine.  At the moment, professional photographers are the only ones who can sell these little gems.  I signed up sometime last year, but stored it on a back burner as far as really putting it out there that I'm selling these.  I just got my color swatches in, so I thought it was time to share.  I'm now in the process of deciding just what I want to order for myself.  SO...here's a few things for you to know:

• -You do not have to be a photography client to order an Organic Bloom frame.  Contact me for pricing, and to submit an order.  
• -However, if you are a photography client you can receive 20% off these frames when you purchase your prints.  
• -Organic Bloom is a company that thinks about their environmental impact.  The wood for their frames comes from sustainable forests, they recycle much of their packing material, and they recycle their paint cans.
• -Now until February 29th (yep, it's leap year) I am offering a 30% discount for all frame orders.

Here's a little sample:

Stay tuned to the blog for some more of this sweet, sweet girl (love her!), and her family (love them too!) very soon.

Here are the shapes:

You can have a single stack, twin stack, or double twin stack

And the colors:

Head on over to the Organic Bloom website to browse their offerings!

Wedding Festival Time!

This Saturday Jeff and I will be at the Hyatt in downtown Greenville participating in the Wedding Festivals show.  These shows are awesome!  Think of anything you need for your wedding, and you can find it at Wedding Festivals.  You'll get lots of ideas and inspiration too.  A few years ago...the week after we got engaged, Jeff and I went to a show to help us start to plan.  To be honest these shows can be a little overwhelming.  It's understandable...you're a first time bride...you've never planned a wedding...this is supposed to be the most special day of your life....oh...my....goodness!  ~BREATHE~  Don't panic!  You will get everything done.  (We did it in five months, by the way.)  If you do come, please stop by our booth and say hello....chat a bit....or...you know...bring me a cake sample.  :)

So...BRIDES...here's a little motivation for you....at the door you will get a bag filled with information and goodies.  In that bag you'll find a postcard with a special discount from Lisa Bell Photography for 10% off your wedding package.  Here's another little tidbit for you...there's a discount code on my facebook page for folks who like my page.

The New Website

I hope everyone had a wonderful, joyous Christmas.

Now....da, da, da, dum....The website is finally up.  It actually was launched Friday.  I've been wanting to change things for some time now.  I knew that the former website was not compatible with modern technology....iPhones and iPads, in particular because of flash.  The new site should be viewable from all devices.  Plus, more than that, I was just ready for an update, a fresh look.  I started thinking about what I wanted in the summer, and that's when my blog started to take on the look it has now.  So I incorporated that look into the site.  All of the photos on the new site have been taken since I've moved to Greenville, so all of the former studio photographs are gone.  My style has changed over the last couple of years, and hopefully that's mirrored in this site.  I hope it's a site that you enjoy. 

Happy new year to you!!!

Here's what you see when you first get to the site

Next our new home page.

  

I can't believe how much my hair has changed since I've had Ada...whoa!

Since Jeff is usually with me for sessions and weddings, he's got a section now so you can get to know him too.

This explains our thoughts on being environmentally conscious.

Merry Christmas!

I just put our Christmas cards in the mail today.  I feel so behind, but at least all the shopping is done!  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.  If all goes as planned the website will go live before the new year.