Crazy Kids,  Family

Thtwaw-behweeth.

My Sabrina will be a senior this coming fall, and I still can't get over it. She was always the little girl with the huge blue eyes and the wispy, strawberry hair that wouldn't stay in place… she was the buck-toothed toddler bc of her love of thumb-sucking, the too-tall middle-schooler who had a -2 sized waist (and could never shop in the popular 'tween stores the way her friends did bc everything was too big on her)… she was a balm to my soul, and her lisp when she spoke made my life that much more enjoyable.

I'll never forget how she would come home from preschool and I'd have a little conversation with her…

Me: "How was school, sweet girl?"

Little Sabrina: "Good!"

Me: "What did you have for a snack?"

Little Sabrina: "Duht and wuhmth."

Me: "Umm…. what?"

Little Sabrina: "Duht and wuhmth, Mom!"

Upon explanation, I realized this was a snack made of crushed Oreos and gummy worms, placed in a plastic cup with a spoon.

Dirt and Worms. 

Another time, she ran up behind me and threw her arms around my waist, as high as she could reach…

Little Sabrina: "Hey Mom, geth [guess] what I'm doing?"

Me: "Hmmm…. are you giving me a hug?"

Little Sabrina: (giggling) "Nope! I'm thmellin' you butt-cwack!"

I'll leave you to translate that one.

Oh, at the fun my family has had at Sabrina's expense… she has been – and continues to be – a delight. (Okay, I don't exactly speak for her sisters.) She's outgrown the lisp, can now fit into the popular 'tween stores' clothing (although she doesn't care to shop there any more), and prefers sniffing perfumes to butt cwacks. (Thank you, Lord.)

She's now my Big Sabrina, and since she'll be a big senior this year, it was time to get her photos done.

Bean tp 9

When I first posted a practice photo of her, some of you asked if we were responsible for taking our own senior pictures. The answer is no, we don't have to take our own; there are plenty of studios around here to take senior portraits – and I plan on getting her yearbook photo done at one of them. But Sabrina decided she wanted to pay me a huge compliment by asking me to do them myself. I was honored! Flattered! My goodness, what teenager wants their mom to do their photo shoot?

So we headed out for some practice photos, to see if I could really do it and to see if what I came up with would be satisfactory to her. (I gave her the option of getting a professional studio to do them in case it didn't work out, and promised her my feelings would not be hurt in the least.)

It was a really fun day, and we traveled all over the city to find interesting places to shoot. She was very patient with me, and for that I'm grateful. Photography is certainly a mighty huge subject to learn, and I've got a long way to go.

Here are some of the photos we took that day… and of all the lovely things I remember about my Little Sabrina, there's one thing about Big Sabrina that I'll never forget: she is never without chewing gum (or chipped blue nail polish). Of course, I didn't realize this until I looked at all the photos on the computer monitor. Aaargh!


Bean tp 14


Bean tp 13


Bean tp 6


Bean tp 7


Bean tp 5


Bean tp 8 

This one was out of focus, but I still loved her expression…


Bean tp 10 


Bean tp 11


Bean tp 12 


Bean tp 4

Bean tp 1

Bean tp 2

Bean tp 3 

When the weather isn't so muggy out (which causes my camera lens to fog up horribly), we're going to head back out for the real thing. (I've also been making Breanna help me practice as well, bc Sophie and the dogs run the other way when they see me holding my camera.)

If you're still reading this far down, I'd like to thank you so much for bearing with me while I gush about my girl. As the middle child, she's usually the one who has to float along with what others want to do, and sometimes feels a little forgotten in the chaos. I'm proud of the young woman she's becoming, and that all that chaos has made her the calm in the eye of the tornado.

Either that, or she's still got gummy worms stuck in her teeth and can't speak to argue with the rest of us.

Check back tomorrow to see who won the Giveaway in the previous post. There's still time to enter!

37 Comments

  • Edie

    Not only do you have beautiful daughers, but your photography skills are wonderful. She could start a modeling portfolio with those photos. Wow! I’m jealous!
    Thank you for your wonderful blog — you make all of us feel like part of your family!
    Edie

  • Leslie

    What terrific pictures. Those last 4 pictures I really see her mom in her! Before you know it the school year will begin and end quickly, enjoy!

  • LIttlebit

    Yes, that would be our totally wonderful Sabrina. We couldn’t have ordered a more perfectly sweet gal. It is like looking at you all over again–not that you were THAT perfect. ROFLOL! And that is for all the times you were mean to me on my blog! LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY
    PS..I’ve seen a lot of yearbook photos, and I think you should be the one taking hers, if she is agreeable.

  • Danielle

    What great pictures! My favorites are the black and white one, the one where she is looking up at the camera and the one where she is sitting in that aqua-colored chair. She is such a beautiful girl!

  • Cathy Campbell

    Hi Paulette – You are an unbelievably talented photographer of all things you focus on – flowers, food, and especially your gorgeous family,(including the dogs!!!)Your blog is such fun to read – I love to see and hear about all you have been up to! What a super, close family you all are!
    Cathy

  • Margaret

    You should be proud of your grown-up daughter — she’s a beauty, both inside and out. And you are one talented photographer! Love all the pics! What fun!

  • Evelyn

    What a great set of pictures! This year will fly by so quickly! Enjoy!
    Please enter me in your giveaway!
    Evelyn in Virginia

  • Dawn

    What great pictures! I wish the professional who did my senior pictures had done this well. Sabrina will love the final pictures if they are as good.

  • Beth

    Aw, who needs another photo shoot… the “practice” session pics are perfect!
    Will you bring your camera on a visit and make me look that beautiful?

  • Linda Huson

    I wouldn’t even be able to pick a favorite… they are all beyond lovely – and so is she….both inside and out…
    And, if you ever decide to, you’ve got a great career in photography!
    Linda in VA

  • Robin Hager

    What a beautiful young woman. You have captured her perfectly as only a mother, who is a wonderful photographer, could! I hope she forgives you for telling us about the “butt-cwack” thing! Much love to you both.

  • Peggy Lee

    I understand the ‘gushing’. I only have one son but there isn’t a more handsome young man than my number one boy! I am expecting my first grandson in November and I can’t wait! The whole thing scares me and excites me all in one jolt!!
    Your girls are all beautiful…just like their mother.
    (Dad isn’t bad either) 😉

  • Denise in MD

    I love the pictures, she is a very beautiful girl. My wishes to her for a fun filled and exciting senior year.

  • april taylor

    Sabrina is beautiful and those pictures are so pretty. That head shot of her … The 5th from the bottom is Beautiful !!

  • Libbie

    Such cherished memories, lovely photos and truly beautiful girl, you can just ‘see’ that that beauty is inside and out. Comes from having such a wonderful family. You, Mike and all the girls should be so proud.
    LiBBiE

  • Carol

    I would love to be included in a chance to win the giveaway.
    Your daughter’s pictures are beautiful. It is a huge accomplishment to be almost done with high school for both you and Sabrina. I, also, have a daughter graduating in 2011. And, yes, she is a middle child also. So I understand. Tell her to enjoy every minute of her senior year!

  • joann in TX

    i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the
    wild hair in the Monaco Vital fruits
    and veggies! they’re all good but that one
    is my FAVORITE!!!!!!
    i can see why she’s asked you to take it!!!!
    great shots!

  • Connie

    She is beautiful and the pictures are great. Love the blue nail polish. 🙂 Seriously. I have the same shade.

  • DonnaTN

    My year book pictures were a nightmare! How nice that Sabrina asked you to do hers and you are up to the challenge! She is a lovely girl.

  • Wendy

    Paulette, they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    They are all gorgeous pics, but I absolutely love the brick wall one that you’ve shown, then the one next to the deck looks almost ethereal with the perfect lighting. Love the one where Sabrina’s hair is wispy and she’s looking down with a light smile on her face…. and then love love love the one in the blue chair looking up.
    You have such beautiful daughters.

  • Carol

    Your pictures are great! Doesn’t hurt that you have a beautiful family! What type of camera do you have? You are very talented.

  • staci

    Sabrina is a real beauty and your photos of her are lovely as well! I’m sure she’s glad that she no longer has a lisp, but the memories of it are quite funny and endearing 🙂

  • Terri

    All your girls are special. And Sabrina has a special light in her eyes. I cannot wait to see what she does in College.
    Thanks for sharing your life about your wonderful family 🙂

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