As we came home from school today we noticed two fire trucks parked behind City Hall.  Of course Edie Grace wanted to explore.  When we saw they were parked there for a meeting at City Hall - Edie Grace thought this would be a great photo op for the blog.  Since we photographed the fire chief’s daughter a few weeks ago - Edie Grace has been anxious to tour the fire station with some of her friends.

Edie Grace has been staying after school this week participating in a week long “We Cheer” cheerleading camp.  On Friday night at half time she will join 119 of her friends and perform the routines they have learned this week.  She is SO excited about learning cheers and stunts this week.

Tonight we joined most of you at Chick Fil A family night.  In addition to the famous cow we had the opportunity to meet Cinderella.  What a special treat to have such a famous princess at our Chick Fil A.

David and Beth Boykin the local owner’s come up with the neatest events!  Thanks guys for giving us a great, fun family outing!

Of course I LOVE talking about Edie Grace ANY chance I get but this time it is just to share how unbelievably fast her life is flying by.  I have told many of you how, near her birthday in May, I got sort of sad one evening.  DeWayne asked me what was wrong.  I told him that I had just realized that 1/3 of her life in our home was going to be completed on her sixth birthday.  She will turn 18 right before she graduates from high school.  Although she will most likely stay under our care while she is in college she will be an adult…able to make most of her own decisions.  (Like dying her hair pink…but that is another blog for another day!) 

Tonight she pulled out a monopoly game I bought when she was really little and saved for her.  I have so any great memories playing Monopoly marathons with my Mom at her house in the mornings before the bus came and more memories of Monopoly games with my two step-brothers at my Dad’s house.  (One game mom and I played lasted nearly a month in ten minute increments!) 

During the game tonight, I was laying on the floor and realized that I was laying in the exact spot that we would put her exercise mat when she was an infant. I told DeWayne that it seemed like only a few months ago that she would lay there and bat at the “hangey-down” toys now she is counting out $$$ and buying properties!!!  I just can’t believe what a blur these last years have been.  All of you who were parents first tried to warn me.  I definitely was aware because I have watched your children grow up right in front of my lens!  I am even photographing the child of one of my clients that I started photographing when she was only six—Edie Grace’s age now!

Take a second and share on here (via the blog comments) a way, as a parent, you have found to make time slow down a little for you.  It can be something silly or something profound.  I have ALWAYS received my best advice on parenting from all of you—who, like me, are in the trenches everyday trying our best to make a difference in our children’s lives!  Thank you for always inspiring me!

  This weekend we enjoyed attending, as guests, the wedding of a beautiful young couple Rebecca Stone and Ryan Hooker.  It is so hard to see another our friends daughters growing up and getting married.  It certainly reminds us of how fast time is passing.  The wedding ceremony could not have been more beautiful and the reception was magical.  We have known Rebecca most of her life.  Ryan is a new addition to us.  He is a very special young man who probably has no clue how lucky he is to snag Rebecca.  This is certainly a couple we will have our eyes on.  God has blessed them and will continue to bless them in remarkable ways!

Our history with Rebecca’s parents, Kenny and Julie Stone, stretches most of my adult life.  Kenny and Julie have built a very successful law practice in Statesboro.  They have both been very active civically in our community.  Most of the industrial growth in Bulloch County has Kenny’s thumb print all over it.  Kenny served as chair of the development authority during its most successful years.  Always ready to step up to the next challenge in our community - Kenny is currently serving as a member of the local Board of Education.  I am certain one day, when he and Julie finally have a completely empty nest Kenny will step up to a higher civic calling.  Maybe the Senate or Congress - who knows?  Whatever path he chooses - we will all be better because of it.

(Edie Grace had a blast keeping the dance floor warm!  At six - dad had a tuff time keeping up with her.)

Kenny and Julie have nominated, encouraged and supported DeWayne and I in many community and civic ventures.  In fact, they nominated us for Leadership Georgia year after year until we finally made the cut.  For this we will be forever grateful! 

One of our most unforgettable experiences with Kenny and Julie was the night that we were given the responsibility to take them to dinner.  Little did they know how special this dinner would be.  That night our community named Kenny our “Citizen of the year!”  It was a very special night that we will never forget.

Kenny and Julie were one of the first people we called the night I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Julie cleared his calendar the following day and they spent an entire day with us making sure all of our legal documents were in order.  I can remember how numbing that news of the diagnosis was and how comforted I was to hear their voices of support.  I knew when we left their office that day - no matter what happened to me physically - my business, along with DeWayne and Edie Grace, would be taken care of thanks to Kenny’s guidance and legal wisdom.

At 32, things like wills, trusts, estates, executors, etc. can be more overwhelming and chilling than being diagnosed with cancer.  They guided us through this with ease and compassion.  In times like these it is so wonderful to know folks like them.

Our prayer tonight is that Rebecca and Ryan are showered with blessing from the seeds sown by their parents - doubled by their enthusiasm and contagiously positive outlook on life!

A few years ago we created some of my favorite beach portraits of their family.  I am sharing a few of these here.

  You have probably heard me mention a time or two how much I rely on my Chiropractor, Dr. Jason Ryan.  He has been such a great asset!  Over the last few years he has literally made it possible for me to work some days when otherwise I would have been unable to.  Those of you who own your own business know that we just don’t get “sick days”.  I am still in awe when I hobble into his office that he can send me out up-right and pain-free.  What a gift!

I love his philosophy that you try chiropractic first, then pain medicine THEN as a LAST resort…surgery.  I have so many clients and friends, even my Dad, who have had spinal surgery that are still in constant pain.  Unfortunately, our bodies don’t come with replacement parts.

I have been doing more and more reading on how to slow down the aging process.  I am always intrigued by holistic options–when available.  Many new studies suggest that my generation will live to be somewhere close to 100.  WHOA!  That is a long time!  My great-grandfather passed away just weeks before his 99th birthday.  My granny (his wife) lived to 89.  Edie Grace’s two great-grandma’s Edith and Grace are currently 83 and 91.  With that sort of genetics in my mix…I’ve decided to do more to take better care of myself.  I also want to do more for Edie Grace.  Who knows how long her generation will live with all the break-through’s they will see.  Many of my readings have quotes from folks who wish that they had taken better care of themselves when they were younger.  What a great idea…start young and then it won’t involve a life-style change later. 

With all of this in mind, Edie Grace had her first visit to Dr. Ryan this week.  She thought it was great.  Before he came in, I asked her if anything ever hurts when she sits at her desk at school and she immediately touched between her shoulder blades and said, “It hurts here everyday.”  Dr. Ryan’s experience with his twins proved to be an exceptional advantage when answering all of Edie Grace’s questions about what would happen.  She thought the “massage table” was wonderful!  Dr. Ryan explained to me that many kids that are dealing with attention issues at school have been able to completely come off of medicine through chiropractic care.  How cool is that.  It really makes sense though.  On days that my back is bothering me I can’t sit still long in my chair either.  That wiggling and squirming is probably often misunderstood.  I find that the better I feel, the more relaxed and creative I can be.  So, thank you Dr. Ryan and your staff for taking such great care of the whole Grice family! 

 p.s.  I have enjoyed photographing Dr. Ryan & Angie for over two years now.  I have included a few images of he and his beautiful family.  They are expecting baby #3 — could be any day now!   You may recognize Angie from Weight Watcher’s meetings.  She was my inspiration last year when I started Weight Watcher’s.  She is a great coach and motivator.  I literally watched her “melt” during the twin’s ”Baby’s First Year” sessions.  I was so impressed with her success that I wanted to do it too.    It is the best program for success.  It teaches you a lifestyle instead of a quick-fix diet.  I am currently trying to ”get back on the wagon”.  Between my birthday and our anniversary we celebrate my step-mother’s birthday, my step-dad’s birthday, DeWayne’s birthday and my Dad’s birthday.  All in five weeks!  So with all those family meals it is hard to be good!  

We enjoy showing off your portraits in the windows of our studio.  For those of you who have never been to our studio it is located on one of the busiest streets in Statesboro.  Over 12,000 cars per day pass our front door.  If we do not change our windows every few days - we get calls from some of our greatest “window shoppers” demanding that we make a change.

This month we are struggling to put all the NEW portraits in the windows.  If you ride by you will see the windows full of beautiful portraits - destined for some wonderful homes throughout the coastal empire.  I know we have been a little hard to reach lately - you can now see why. I also understand that many of you have had trouble getting on our schedule.  

I have added some session times and we are even considering adding some Saturdays to our schedule to make sure that we can get to each of you.  I know this is going to be the year that you finally get that Lori Grice portrait that you have been dreaming of!  Please call us at 912-764-7274 and book now if you want the city to see your portrait in our window and more importantly your home before Christmas.

I look forward to seeing you in front of my camera soon!

Can you tell this little man enjoys airplanes?  He is holding a model of his Grand dad’s airplane.  Dad is taking flying lessons so he hears lots about airplanes.  We had a great session exploring with him.  It is amazing what you can see if you are patient.  While he was taking a little “refueling” break - mom and dad snuck in for a few.  It has been fun watching him grow.  I know before long he will be piloting his own private jet.  Who knows - maybe he will be flying Air Force One in a year or two. 

Keep reaching for the sky!

If you ride by the studio you will see a beautiful gallery wrapped canvas portrait of the airplane image in the window.

Can you believe that there is only four months to Christmas?  I have been in contact with Santa and he is excited about seeing you again. In fact, he will be joining us in the studio on Monday, November 5th for express sessions.  Morning, afternoon and early evening sessions are available.  Many of you did not make the list last year - so book today! 

We only have 13 weeks to get all of your portraits created for gifts and only 9 weeks to get your Christmas cards ready to mail.  WOW!

Don’t worry we have LOTS of portrait options and new gift ideas to help you make this the best Christmas EVER! Not to mention the most creative and affordable Christmas card choices - guaranteed to get your card on their refrigerator all year!

If you’re still not reading the blog - you are missing out on lots of incredible images, studio events and even more incredible stories.  Check out the blog here.

The studio remodel is almost complete.  We have a great new Christmas set, redesigned theaters for planning your session and viewing your images along with other wonderful surprises.

This month marks a new great personal milestone - FIVE years of CANCER FREEDOM!  This only serves to remind me and you how precious our lives really are.  Stop procrastinating, call or email me today and let’s create that awesome portrait you have always wanted.  There is no better time than now!  None of us knows what tomorrow may bring.

Please forward this email to your friends.  There is no greater compliment than when you refer me to your friends.  We have established some great incentives to thank you for referring me.

Thanks for your friendship and business!

Lori

Continue reading “September Newsletter - Fall Updates…”

We have extended our 50% off reorder sale.

Reorder from any portrait session from 1987-2006 for HALF PRICE!!

From wallets to Fine Art wall portraits…fill your walls and your albums.

Hurry OFFER EXPIRES September 21, 2007

Last week we hung three beautiful portraits in this family’s new home.  The portraits were of their three awesome children.  Mom wanted to do something special for her husband.  They have a beautiful new home and had three rooms that were not complete.  The rooms were the formal living room, formal dining room and their family room.  They have the rooms furnished  but the walls were bare.  She wanted the wall decor to be as special as this home is.  She met with me for the consult and brought pictures of the rooms.  I have photographed this beautiful family for years so I knew this would be an incredible project.

I created two portraits and a collage panel and framed them to compliment the rooms.  The end result exceeded my exectations.  Once I had the portraits hanging I challenged them and now I challenge you…                1) What could you invest in that would complete your home better?            2)  What would appreciate more than portraits of your family and children?

Often clients tell me that they have always dreamed of having me create a beautiful portrait of their family for their home.  However, many of you for whatever reason procrastinate on following through with your plans.  Most use the excuse that they simply can not afford it.  I find it interesting that every person’s home I enter that says they can not afford my portraits have at least one or more pieces of furniture in their home that costs more than my most expensive portrait.  Furniture that is often replaced as styles and tastes change.

Those of you that have invested in one of my portraits of your family tell me over and over that if your home caught on fire tonight the second thing you would get out of your home, if you could, after your family would be your portraits.  Not one of you have told me that you would risk your safety to get your sofa, dining room suit, flat screen TV, etc. etc. out of your home - it is your portraits that are so special to you that you would risk injury to get them out.  Several years ago when most of this area was evacuated due to what was believed to be a direct hit by a hurricane - we had difficulty answering your phone calls wanting reassurance that we had your negatives on file and could recreate your portraits in case your home was destroyed.  That was a powerful reality check to the value of your portraits that I have created for you over the past 20 years.

That is a wonderful compliment to me - but more importantly it should be confirmation to each of you - to the value of portraits in documenting artistically your family’s legacy.

This month we have launched our NO EXCUSES portrait campaign.  Please take this opportunity to allow me to create that portrait you have always dreamed of.  No matter what your excuse - give me a chance to try to work with you to overcome it.

912-764-7274 

We had a great day today at the Statesboro Mall’s Baby Extravaganza.  We met many new and expecting moms - congratulations again to all of you! Each of you received a special offer for a free expecting or newborn session.  That is right - a no obligation express session - FREE!   If you are expecting or have a new baby we would like to extend this special offer to you.  Email me at info@lorigrice.com and tell me you want to be included in this limited offer.  Include your due date or delivery date and a phone number where we can reach you.  This is a limited offer - only the first 10 people that respond will receive this tremendous offer.

Many of you had lots of great questions today.  One was a question of availability for newborn sessions.  We always have room in my schedule to work in a newborn session.  Call us as soon as your baby arrives  at 912-764-7274 and we will work you in my schedule within the first 10 days of their arrival. 

Our new jewelry line and birth announcements seem to be a HUGE hit!  I will be sharing more of these with  you in future blogs.