The Thriving life~

Hi All!


It has been so long since I posted on my family blog!  Well here I am giving you all an update on the Schmidt Life. Actually this post is more about me and the future of Adele Bella Photography.

I have been so lucky to gain a few clients and actually have a little more business than I thought I would. I  am so grateful to those clients, friends, and family that have been so supportive in the hobby that I decided to go into business with. Yes, it is a part time business, but I am enjoying every second and learning so much. My work continues to grow, but in small degrees.

This is why I have made the executive decision to step back from Facebook for 30 days starting 6/3/2013. I believe that in order for my business to thrive, my skills to improve, and for myself to grow as an artist and a person, I need not compare my work to others. I find myself doing this quite a bit, and feeling discouraged in the process.

I have to get back to what inspires me and the reason I love photography in the first place. In order to bring my clients the best of me, I have to be inspired and ready to receive.

My girls are my inspiration for what I do, and why I love it so much.

I have been watching a few series online by Brooke Snow. "The Thriving Life" has been instrumental in helping realize that in order for Adele Bella Photography to be at it's best, Alicia, has to be at her best. Balance and spiritual guidance in all things are necessary for a thriving life.

I want to give my best, be consistent and bring my clients that same part of me. So if you don't hear from me on Facebook for awhile, I'm still alive and kicking, just reassessing my priorities. If you need to contact me, I will always be available through email or the contact page on the blog site.

Blessings to you,

Alicia S.
Adele Bella Photography.

Saturday Mornings~

I love Saturday mornings with my girls are my favorite time of the week.  Kaylee doesn't wake up until almost 10 am so that leaves me and Miss Kennedy.  She always has the biggest smile for me when I walk into her room in the morning.

I'd say her best moods are between 7am and 10am....after that, all bets are off.

Kennedy's 9 Month Photos

Growth. Independence. Love

Hi everyone! Well here we are again and my kids just keep growing and growing. Kaylee is 6 as most of you know. I remember when she was just 2 years old and now she's going into first grade next year. Amazing.

Miss Kennedy is officially 9 months as of April 20th. I cannot believe how much baby girl has grown up in the past few weeks. Last weekend, Clint and I went to Vegas and when we came back, she was sitting up and pulling herself up on things. We had to lower her crib the day we came back. I went in her room just to check on her during nap time and wouldn't you know, she had pulled herself to a standing position in her crib.

Saturday evening, I took Kennedy out to take some 9 month photos. Its much easier when they can sit up on their own, let me tell ya:) Missy girl decided to be fussy that days ugh. I did the best I could with the mood she was in. Luckily I got a couple good ones.

Check out Kennedy Adele's 9 month photos.....oh and the chalkboard says 8 months, but she was 9 months on that day...silly me:)

Is it Summertime Yet?

My daughter Kaylee is obsessed with summertime. The cabin in Flagstaff, the BBQ's, the fireworks on the 4th of July.....but most of all, swimming. Kaylee can never be patient and wait. As soon as the weather warms up, she gets her little swimsuit on and one foot already out of the door. And each year her dad and I stop her and say "Kaylee, its not time yet, its just not warm enough" Her long face breaks my heart every time.

Since shes older this year, we decided to go ahead and let her test the water. This year, we have our own pool, so Kaylee is super excited!

So she gets her little swim suit on, one foot out of the door and I stop her to tell her its not warm enough, and she says to me before I can utter a word. "Mom, its warm enough, ill be fine". So I guess this is the point where I have to start letting go, just a little.

And you know I a momtog so I just had to get pics of her first swim this summer that lasted all of 5 minutes. Guess what? Thats right, the water wasnt warm enough:)

Birds of A Feather Flock Together~

Sorry I haven't written in so long! March was an insane month. Both of by girls got sick and we were just going going going!

So here I am back again to regal you with tales of the Schmidt life. Last weekend, we celebrated my niece and nephew's birthdays at my sis & bro in laws house. It was a Hello Kitty and Pirate themed birthday. Many friends and family were there to celebrate Lex and Lucas. My sis in law, Jamie, did a great job getting the party together, and my mom in law, Cindy did an awesome job with the cupcakes. I swear she should start a business, she gets better every year!

I had such a great time just being with family. My other sister in law (yes I have a few sis in laws), Amy happened to be in town with baby Marlee (not really a baby anymore *sigh*). We don't get to spend much time with them as they live out of state, but I was happy to see them and spend some time.

We may not be blood, but these people have become my family and home away from home. I am blessed to have such great people around me, even though my own family lives in another state. I am grateful for all those whom I call family.  We may always agree, but we are loyal to one another and there is always someone around when any of their family and friends need anything. 

My daughters are blessed to have a family that adores them, and for the I am most grateful. 

Until next time.....

Change is Good...Right?

A lot of changes are on the way for me and my family. Kaylee starting first grade next year is probably the most difficult change I will go through as a mother, at least as I see things right now. She is growing older and acting older everyday, in most ways. Her attitude especially is changing. She reads now, so she feels the need to tell us all what to do i.e, reading the speedometer while Im driving. Kaylee peeps her head up out of her kindle and says to me. "The speed limit is 45, why are you going 50? I should let dad know".

On one hand I want her to grow up, but on the other hand, I like having her as my little girl. 

Last week, she had picture day at school and I put her in her favorite pink dress and cowgirl boots she she could be really cute. Well, turned out she never got her individual picture taken. I was really upset because I really wanted pics for kindergarten. So we went out and took our own. For the most part, Kaylee is a great little model, but now she's at the age where she is no longer interested in having her photo taken by me. (Thank God I have many more years with Kennedy before she grows up).

So because of my daughter's "feelings" about me dragging her out in "the dress" to take her pic, here is what we got in less than fifteen minutes.


On another note, I have started a blog for Adele Bella Photography. I will no longer post client sessions on this blog. The blog site address Adele Bella is www.adelebellaphotography.blogspot.com. Its not complete but you are more than welcome to check out what I have so far. Hopefully I will have my Prophoto site up by July. Ill keep you posted.

{Pieces of Kennedy}

As the month of February comes to a close, I have made a decision to really concentrate on improving my photography. As a result, I joined a Project 52 group, by Paint the Moon called {This is Our Life}.
Each week, we are given a new subject, and each week we take a photo interpreting the subject. Week 9, Out of the Shadows, is a tough subject for me. I'm not the best at shooting indoors, but what better way to improve right?  So here is a the photo I uploaded to my P52 group this week.....

I also did some more practicing indoors with the little monkey Kennedy. Those of you that are FB friends already saw these:) Anyhoo...Ill keep posting my progress. I am open to suggestions and feedback:)