Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere! I’m partying this week with the gals over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Make sure you stop by their place and check them out. But for now, come take a look around. What you’ll see is I’m just an ordinary girl, wife, and mom who is crazy in love with Jesus. Living with Jesus is a party.
This week I’ve been living a bridal party or fairytale of sorts. I took bridal portraits the other day and I have been editing like crazy. I need to get these done before I leave to go speak this weekend. Here’s a sneak preview of a little princess.
I love working with brides. They are beautiful and have that “happily ever after” look about them. I think those looks and moments take me back to a time when I believed in fairytales.
However, what I’ve realized is . . . real life fairytales take work, time and energy. It seems the villain is always out to get you.
I live an ordinary fairytale life today with my hubby of 26 years. We have three incredible children – ok, almost adults – 21, 19, and 15. (click links to meet them) I am a published author and speaker. I truly am living a fairytale because I get paid for things I love to do and my hobby – photography.
Yes, life should be made up of parties and fairytales. Just remember though, those days you wake up and it doesn’t feel like a fairytale – it’s your party and you can cry if you want to! Cry if you want to! Cry if you want to!
Ultimate Party Give Away – a copy of my book Dirty Laundry Secrets – A Journey to Meet the Launderer. To enter, leave a comment on any post here this week and you will be entered into a random drawing here on this sight. Please leave a way for me to contact you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bluestocking says
HI! Your book sounds interesting. I’m a book blogger. Here’s my post.
2009 Party Post
KarenW says
Thanks for stopping by my party. Your pictures are amazing! My 16 year old dd loves to take pictures too.
Cindy says
Hi Alene,
I would love to be entered for your give away.
Cindy
Vera says
Hi, it’s so nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by. I LOVE the fishing bride picture and I completely agree with you about brides… they make me happy because they are happy, but also because I know I never have to go through the stress of getting married again ;)
Nadine says
How long have I been coming here? I didn’t realize you wrote a book. Cool, I would love to win a copy.
Have fun at all the parties.
Monica says
Thanks for stopping by. Your pictures are amazing and your own portrait in the header is beautiful! I can see the light of Christ shining in your eyes.
Heather says
Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog. The bridal picture is gorgeous.
Tamara says
Hello Alene! So nice to meet you. Your blog is so pretty. I love the way The Message version of Romans 12:1 ties in with your blog & your message! I've enjoyed looking around. I'll be back!
BTW, Brenham IS gorgeous this time of year! We love visiting that area in the spring!
Leah says
Love the bride picture, the blue bells and YOU!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Leah
B His Girl says
Everyone needs to know how to get the stains out. I need to see the bluebonnets before. I lived in Dallas after college and loved the sight of them along the roads. B
Debbie says
Hi Alene..
Thanks so much for stopping by earlier and for the wonderful comment. Everything here is beautiful.. love the colors. Gonna grab your button on the way out.
Happy UBP'ing & Have a Blessed Weekend.
Debbie
http://jadehollow.blogspot.com/
Talkin' Texan says
I’d love a copy of your book! So pick me, okay? ;)
Love the photo! It’s a WOW one.
Karen says
You have a fabulous job. I also love photography – my children are my main subject! Blessings!
CC says
wow. That picture is truly amazing, incredible, and breathtaking! I’m so impressed!
Shannon H says
I love the fishing bride picture! Nice to meet you.
mlbh says
Hello! Thanks for stopping by:). I love your tagline – assuring women that Ordinary is Amazing … so true!!
Robyn says
Hi Alene! Thanks for visiting my blog! You have beautiful photo’s! You should get into digi scrapping. You can even just snag some already made layouts for your photo’s until you can learn to make your own!
Thanks !
Robyn
Mom All Day
Casual Friday Everyday says
Hi there! Nice to meet you. I’m here from the UBP and I look forward to getting to know you more this week.
Nell
Jamie says
Wow! I Love your blog! I can’t wait to look around a bit more. I would LOVE to read your book!! I’m going to “google” it…isn’t Google great?? :) I’m a library media specialist and I’m KICKING myself because I had eight awesome Karen Kingsbury books given to me by a secret pal at school (I work in a 3rd-5th grade intermediate school) and I LEFT them there over spring break – uggg!! I commute, so I can’t just “run back by” the school…oh well. I’ll grab them next week. :) And trust me, you sound anything other than ordinary!! Would LOVE to read your book!!
Happy Partying!
Jamie
http://www.savinginstyle.blogspot.com
windycindy says
Your site is very interesting!
I signed up to receive your email newsletter. Thanks for the great book giveaway drawing. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
JamericanSpice says
Nice to meet you!
Talk about a party!
I’m quite intrigued and am learning how to get around!
Just stopping by from 5minutes for moms blog party!
Christina says
Christina – xristya@rock.com – I completely agree with you that everyone’s life is amazing in its complexity, richness and details! The photo of you and the colors on your site are lovely and unusual! This is my first UBP and it led me here too – and the giveaway book sounds tres interesting!
Jenn@mylifewiththecrazies says
Stopping over from the UBP and wanted to say HI. Love your blog! I love taking pictures.. it is my ultimate hobby… thanks for sharing!
janetfaye says
Hello, nice to meet you!
Bella Valentina Photography says
So nice to meet you, from the UBP!!
http://www.bellavalentinaphotography.blogspot.com/
http://www.lipstickmonologues.blogspot.com/
Sarah says
Hi Alene,
I’m stopping by from the party, love your blog and the message behind it. Your photos are amazing!
Sarah
My Charmed Life
Cindy Swanson says
Hi Alene! What a great blog and wonderful ministry you have. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on my party post!
Baba says
Lovely Post! So nice to meet you. I love my fairytale life too. Party hopping and participating so stop in for a visit.
Tracey says
Great post! I’m here from the party and it’s nice to “meet” you! Looks like your photography is beautiful!
~Bobbi~ says
What an inspiring blog! I’m glad I came across it.
~Bobbi
L Harris says
just stopping by to say hi. ubp09 – party party
Marilyn in Mississippi says
Love, love, love the picture of the bride fishing on the pier! I bet you are one creative photographer!
Would love to win your book.
Hope you are having a great week!
Marilyn
Mike says
Hello there. Knocking on your door from the blog party. Hope you don’t mind.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
Twitter: About Parenting
Super Fun Mama says
The pic of the bride fishing is so original and I LOVE it.
Eli's Lids says
Oh I’m jealous… I hope to get paid to sew someday…
StacieinAtlanta says
Hi Alene-
I am just stopping in from The Ultimate Blog Party to say hello. Come by my place to enter to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System and some books. :)
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend says
So glad I found your blog. I love it. I love this party.
Be sure and Stop by my blog for a visit.
Though I am relativity new to blogging, I am loving all my new friends.
I am giving away my first EVER BLOG PRIZE.
I own a gift basket business and it is the most requested gift over the last 15 years.
From the comments I have already received, appears to be something a little different and something anyone could use.
I have been so touched by the comments that I have decided to give 2 boxes . They will be the $100 deluxe size.
I really do want to bless people!!! I want my blog to encourage others. I have decided that giving is life at its BEST. The drawing will be Saturday!
Teresa
Anonymous says
I’d love to win a copy of your book. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Comfort Joy Designs says
Hello! Poppin’ in from The Ultimate Blog Party…all the way from Queensland, Australia! G’Day! I hope you have time to visit my party soon.
Ta!
Daniele says
great site!! stopping by from the blog party and would love to win your book. come visit if you can–www.domesticserenity.blogspot.com
janetfaye says
Stopping by to say hello from the UBP!
carma says
being paid for things you love to do is awesome! I’m hoping to be able to do that someday.
Leah says
I like your photos!
Hope you are having a good day, today.