I know valentine’s day was a week ago but the snow distracted me from blogging some of the valentine’s sessions in a timely manner.  Hope your Valentine’s day was fabulous!    

I probably need to do more than one blog on this session…

You have been watching this little guy grow up in Atlanta over the past two years. This year they wanted to capture him in Savannah.   I think I am still in trouble with Mom for messing up all the “no more monkey’s jumping on the bed” training.   I don’t mean to be a bad influence on kids…really…but this beautiful bed was just begging to be bounced on!  (yeah, the chair asked for it too…) 

I met these guys when they were in college at GSU.  They came in do portraits while they were students.  Now they are working on baby #2!  Time flies, doesn’t it?

You probably recognize them…they own PARTY HARBOR.  Edie Grace is one of their biggest fans!  We have enjoyed their jumps at parties all over and especially LOVE the fun they add to F1RST Friday’s here in downtown Statesboro.

It is so cool when I do Senior portraits then, years later, when the Senior becomes a Mom they continue to choose me to be their photographer.    (although it does make me feel a little old too…LOL!)  She really is an angel!

What a fun afternoon!  Great kids, beautiful weather and perfect light.  When these guys are my age they are going to cherish these memories.  Great-granddaddy’s tractor, Great Grandma’s flowers, Granddaddy and Grandma’s pond…

They don’t “got milk” but they got chickens.  It is not everyday that I get to use a real live chicken as a prop.  (but it won’t be long before the bunnies are here!)

Made any memories lately?  If not, what are you waiting for?

   Congratulations Ashlea M. for winning a free one hour Swedish massage from Serenity Day Spa and Salon.  WOW - do we have a lot of stressed out blog readers or what?  On Groundhog Day - I posted a blog and offered one free massage from Serenity and the response was overwhelming!

I was stunned by how many of you are reading my blog - which encourages me to do a better job keeping it fresh.

Many of you wrote stories or notes about the reasons you deserve the massage.  Some of your reasons were very funny and others reminded me how truly blessed we are.  You also shared with me how much my blog, my work and my story of survival inspires you and motivates you to do more and live more every day.

Several of you thanked me for always looking for ways to make a difference in our community and individually with each of you.  Isn’t that what it is all about?   Simply sending an email or placing a phone call to someone you love and tell them how much they mean to you?  Or looking for a small way to make someone’s day brighter?

Well I think it is…and I think each of you who took the time to send me an email deserve a FREE massage.  However, since I am not Oprah I can’t do that - but thanks to Karen Lambert and the amazing staff at Serenity - we are going to give each of you who emailed me 1/2 off a one hour massage.  Here is the fine print:

50% off any 60 minute massage at Serenity until 2/28/10.

($32.50 for a 60 min Swedish massage. Regularly priced @ $65)

Offer may not be used with a gift certificate or to purchase a gift certificate.

This offer is not good on Saturdays.

They have the list of email addresses - when you book tell them you are on my special Groundhog Day list and simply print this blog and take it with you to redeem your half off.

Congratulations to ALL of you!

Granny Grace (seated) and (on right in 2nd pic), was one of Edie Grace’s namesake GREAT-Grandmothers.  She was my Mom’s mom…my Grandmother.  She never quite forgave me for waiting until after midnight to have my C-section since that made Edie Grace’s birthday the day AFTER hers.  (to my defense…I was trying EVERYTHING to NOT have a C-section so I could get back to work quicker…unfortunately I don’t have sick-leave)

Granny Grace spent about two hours in Hospice yesterday before heading to her Heavenly home.  She was 93.  Ironically, they placed her in the same room that my Grandma Frances passed away in March 11, 2009.  She, too, was only there about two hours.   

Her visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 4th from 6pm – 8pm at Hodges – Moore funeral home here in Statesboro.  The funeral will be at 2pm on Friday, February 5th at the Hodges – Moore chapel. 

Your thoughts and prayers of celebration of a life well-lived are our most precious gift.  Our family has been deeply touched by Hospice and all the blessings it has brought to this community.  Any remembrances of Granny Grace would be most appreciated given in her memory there. 

Ogeechee Area Hospice * 200 Donehoo Street * Statesboro, GA  30458.

These days with all the doom and gloom on the news any chance to celebrate is welcomed, right?

So to give you a little something to make you smile on a Tuesday, we are going to have a fun contest.  It is super simple…all you have to do is email me.  Easy, huh?   Click here:  lori@lorigrice.com

Only enter once (email only)…sometime between 12:00am and 11:59pm  on Ground Hog Day.  Unlike the movie that bears the same name, time flies so what are you waiting on?  Enter right now!  We will draw one winner from all the entries.  The winner will receive an hour swedish massage from Serenity Day Spa and Salon!  (Told you it would make you smile!)

Good luck and may the most stressed, relaxation-deserving person win!

p.s.  put “ground hog day contest” in the subject line please