Did you know that Mississippi has the highest rate of pre-term births in the nation?

On Avg. week in Mississippi:

153 Babies are born preterm

27 Babies are born very preterm

96 Babies are born low birthweight

19 are born very low birthweight

I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects

- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby

- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children

Please help by donating today!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click the purple banner on the right to make your donation.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

March for Babies!!

one day... all babies will be born healthy

today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive

I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects

- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby

- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children

Please help by donating today!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Today is the Day!! Valentine's Day Bash in Yazoo City!

I'm busy packing up to head to town and set up for photos, but I wanted to send this out to everyone as a reminder. Here's the details...

Today from 4pm to 6pm is the Valentine's Day Bash at the Yazoo City Boys' and Girls' Club in the gymnasium! Cost of admission is $5 and goes to support The Boys' and Girls' Club and Serenity Women's Circle, Inc. There will be a 3-point shootout, a dance contest, and many other activities with prizes, including door prizes and a raffle for two free dinners from Hall of Fame Restaurant or a free photo at the event!

This is going to be a ton of fun, and the proceeds go to benefit two organizations that are working as hard as they can to make a difference in our home and young people. I hope to see each and every one of you there!

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day!
Dawn

Romance...

"One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and to look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity..." Edward deBono



He'd probably kill me if he knew I was telling you all this, but...

Stanley is a romantic.

Yep, I just said it - out loud and for the world to hear (sorry baby). Our first dates included picnics at the reservoir, late night conversations sitting atop picnic tables, dinner and drinks in fancy restaurants, walks in the park... It was beautiful. There was one moment when I knew, without a doubt, that he was IT.

It was April, and we were taking our first trip together. We were visiting family and friends in Chicago, and one place he said he just HAD to take me was to see the Buckingham Fountain at night. Stanley and I and another couple were riding downtown and around the freeway when we saw the fountain lit up and majestic in the distance. We hurried over, parked, got out - and realized it was dark and still. We had missed it by a few moments, but we got out anyway and walked around. It was so cold! He and I walked together, my wrist nestled snug in the crook of his arm, enjoying the crisp cold air and beautiful lights of the buildings of downtown Chicago.

After taking a closer look at the fountain (is it a seal? a fish? maybe a mermaid? a dolphin!) I heard the sound of gravel scattering, and looked around to see Stanley carving a large
D A W N
in the ground with his heel. "This way you can tell everyone back home your name was written by the Buckingham Fountain in Chacago!," he said. Ok, so that part was kinda corny - but how SWEET was the gesture! I melted...

That was 11 Aprils ago, and he is still as romantic, still as corny, still as amazing... and I am still as in love with him now as I was then!

Today, as we often do, we took a walk down the road that leads to our house. He had one camera with the 17-50 lens, and I had the other with the 70-200. These were on the CF card from his camera when I downloaded them tonight...


I Love You, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Finally got a chance to shoot my daughter (haha - always funny to say that) for her Valentine's Day cards. She will always be my little supermodel!

So, without further delay...



Here are a couple more of the shots from today, ones I wanted oh so badly to use here, but alas there was just not enough space!

Thanks for stopping by! Ya'll come back now, ya hear! Oh and if ya feel like clicking that little blog-lovin' button called Comments, I'd be much obliged!!

Dawn

Digital Composite/Storyboard info, and Valentine's Day Bash!!

Digital Composites are just one of the many options open to 1stLite Fine Art Portraits clients. These are great for any age, from newborn to high school Senior! If you already know this is something you will want in your proofs, you can let me know at the time of your consultation. Often these can be ordered even after you have viewed your proofs.

If you wish to order a Digital Composite in any size larger than 16x20, there is NO digital artwork fee! You can still order smaller sizes if the composite also, as long as the largest print is 16x20 or larger.

Another option available to you are Storyboards. These are sized as a wide format, generally 10x20, and include several different images - great for multiple child families! You can have your child('s) name(s), cute and relevant quotes, textured borders, etc., to personalize your Storyboard.

Storyboards can be created at any time after your sitting, or you can let me know your interest at your shoot. 10x20 Storyboard pricing includes the mounted print price and digital artwork. Call or e-mail me any for more information.


Valentine's Day Event!
As a reminder, Friday February 13th is the Valentine's Day Bash in Yazoo City! From the Serenity Women's Circle website:

Serenity Women's Circle and and the Boys and Girls Club of Yazoo City will be hosting a Valentines Dance Friday Feb.13th from 4PM-6PM. The dance will be located in the gym of the Boys and Girls Club on Canal St. in Yazoo City, MS. For more information about this event please contact Kameesha Davis at 662-716-7378 or e-mail Kameesha through the SWC website.

There will be lots of activities for children and families. The admission fee goes directly to benefit the Boys' and Girls' Club of Yazoo City and the L.O.V.E. Program (a division of Serenity Women's Circle). I will be taking photos to help raise money for these important programs! Have a Valentine's Day shot made of yourself, you and your boyfriend, you and your best friend, your child or your family! The price includes one 4x6 print which you will receive before you leave the bash, and comes packaged in a folder that can double as a desk display for your photo (great for dad's or mom's desk at work, or for display on any surface). The proceeds from your purchase go to benefit two wonderful causes, AND will entitle you to 15% off one sitting* with 1stLite Fine Art Portraits. That is over $22 off the price of a regular in-studio session, so your $10 photo pays for itself two times over!

I look forward to seeing Everyone at the Bash!! Have a Beautiful and Happy Monday!!

Dawn

*Redeemable from 2/14/09 to 4/30/09

Big event in Yazoo City to benefit the L.O.V.E. program and The Boy's and Girl's Club!!!

Click the title above to visit Serenity Women's Circle, Inc.'s Official website. (still in the making, but some great info here!)

Check the NEWS page for info on an upcoming event in Yazoo City at the Boy's and Girl's Club! I will be there making photos on February 13th, to benefit the L.O.V.E. program and The Boy's and Girl's Club in Yazoo.

This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the area to help support two wonderful organizations that are taking steps to better our community and make a difference in the lives of our young people.

It is up to US, as citizens of this community, to do all we can to support programs like this, so please come out and have FUN and be supportive of these important programs.

Be there or Be square!! - (does saying that make me a dork, or just old?)

L.O.V.E. - A wonderful program I am proud to help support!! More info coming soon!!

For more information, please visit Serenity Women's Circle, Inc.'s website...

www.serenitywomenscircle.org

Serenity Women’s Circle Presents…

L.O.V.E --- Ladies of Virtual Essence, is a program that is associated with Serenity Women's Circle. This program is one of many programs that Serenity Women's Circle has developed to instill values, responsibility, education, and leadership skills for young girls In Mississippi. The L.O.V.E. Program mentors to young girls from ages 10 to 18. We encourage these young girls to be the best that they can be and to help them develop into sophisticated and responsible young ladies in their communities. In our efforts to provide teenage girls with educational workshops, we are confident that they will benefit from the following:

• Self-esteem workshops and etiquette classes
• Life Skills (cooking classes, career workshops/shadowing, interviewing skills ECT.)
• Study Groups and preparation for major academic tests
• Health and pregnancy prevention workshops
• Career workshops and on the job shadowing
• College tours and preparation for college enrollment
• Group meetings on special topics
• Arts and craft workshops
• Writing workshops and book clubs
• College tuition assistance and scholarships


The cost for parents to enroll their child into the L.O.V.E program is FREE.

*Upon completion of high school, each girl will graduate from the L.O.V.E. program and convert over into becoming members of Serenity Women’s Circle.


Ladies of Virtual Essence (L.O.V.E) Pledge:

I am a beautiful young lady
I am not scared to grow
I’m encouraged to ask
Or I will never know
Learning is power
It’s a part of my strength
Let me spell out Love in it's full length:
L-is for lady, the young lady I’m proud to be
O-is of all the success that I will achieve
V-is for the virtue that guides me
E-is for the essence that I cherish proudly

I love my self!
I love you too!
L.O.V.E ---MY VIRTUE!