Thank you again, Cindy and Tommy LeBlanc

(We work hard to archive as many of our files as possible.  It is our hope – that you may never need them.  But in the case of this tragedy – we can replace any of your LGP portraits.  Another Lori Grice difference.)

Contact Lisa about purchasing a copy of her book or to speak at your church, school or event.  She can be reached by email at cpoliver@bellsouth.net  I keep several copies on hand and give them as gifts to friends who have lost loved ones.

Click here to watch the TV interview.

Please join us as my guest this Thursday night at 6:30pm.  Email me at info@lorigrice.com  or call me at 912-764-7274 for more information.  This is one story that will change your life forever!

Can’t wait to see you on Thursday!

For some time we had been working with his wife Amanda to find a time that worked for all of our calendars for me to photograph their family for their family portrait.  We initially talked about scheduling the session for next Monday, however due to an unexpected opening in my calendar, we were able to work them in two weeks ago.

I will never forget the afternoon I spent with this family at their home.  When I arrived, Leslie was ready and excited that I was there.  (It is a bit unusual for dads to be excited about portraits).  The day was perfect and the light of the evening sun across the lake behind their home was breathtaking.  It was this evening that I was able to capture the wit, love and emotion of an incredible dad with his beautiful wife and amazing daughters.  Their is no question after reviewing these images that this was a dad that LOVED life and ADORED his family.   I did not want to leave.  It was one of those moments as an artist that I knew I was capturing something phenomenally special.

Never would I have ever dreamed just how special that portrait session would become.  As I write this blog today, this accomplished, ambitious young man is in Heaven.  Dr. Hunter died this weekend from heart and kidney failure.  A man who was so full of life just days ago.  He was the model for great health.

My staff and I have worked for the past two days with my labs and vendors to have their family portrait ready for his memorial service this morning.  Dr. Leslie Hunter was 36 years old and leaves behind his wife of 18 years Amanda, and two incredibly special daughters Madison – 14 and Emma – 9.  I encourage you to view his obituary and send them regards through the online guest book here.  His wife, daughters and family NEED our prayers and support through this unimaginable time in their life.

Leslie paid me the greatest compliment any dad could.  He excitedly shared with his friends about his experience with me that afternoon.  He told them how much he dreaded “picture day” but how much fun I made it.  He said that they became relaxed and actually enjoyed the experience.  From the images I am posting here today, you will understand what he meant.

In a few days DeWayne and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to Spain, France and Italy.  The Hunters traveled to Italy last year and were kind enough to share with us lots of great tips.  They loaned us two pocket sized travel books that will help guide us on our trip.  Each day, using these books, I will think fondly of Leslie and know that where he is today – he does not need a guide – because he is home.

God put this wonderfully, special family in my path for a reason.  I am so thankful that God has given me the gift to create something that this family will value more than anything else for the rest of their life!  It is a reality check of how precious life is and how important my job is every day.

Thank you, Leslie, for touching me in such a special and incredible way.  My life, and so many others that you touched personally, will be so much richer because of you!

Please take a second and email them both.  I kept every email, card, note and letter from my cancer journey and have them in a note book.  When I am having a challenging day – I still go to these for inspiration.  You really do not know how much a few seconds of your time will mean to them.  Even if it is simple five word email – "I am praying for you!" this will touch them and encourage them by knowing that hundreds of people – even strangers are pulling and praying for them.

Here is an update directly from her husband Dustin:  "Hey guys, we got the pathology report back from the hospital today – Overall I was pleased with the news.  First of all, the report confirmed that the cancer did not spread to the lymph nodes on either side.  So we’re definitely thankful for that.  We also learned that due to the size and the grade of the tumor, it is very likely that she’ll have to undergo Chemotherapy at some point in the near future.  We really won’t be certain about the treatment plan until we have our first appointment with the Oncologist. 
Bev needs to do some recovering before that happens though.  These past 4 days following her surgery have been tough on her, but she’s hanging in there.  She’s been woozy, light-headed, very sore and tender, and has had some bad headaches.  Hopefully over the weekend some of these symptoms will start fading away and she’ll also start eating more. 
Also, I know it’s always an awkward situation when someone’s in bad shape and you think, "If i visit them, i’ll be a burden, but if I don’t visit them, they’ll think i’m a bad friend."  So I’ll make it easy for you (at least for the next few days) – give Bev some air until i send out an email giving you the ok that she’s up for visitors.  It means a lot whenever anyone offers to sacrifice their time and come over, but right now she needs uninterrupted rest all day every day until she gets better.
Finally, even though she’s had to give the computer a break for a couple of days because reading worsened her symptoms, Bev has not been deterred from enjoying all of her email and regular mail and all the other cool stuff that’s being sent.  So thanks again, all of you."  Her email again is: beverlybarr2@gmail.com

Most of you know  our story – but after a 12 year struggle to have a child – I learned when she was only 14 months old that I had cervical cancer.  In fact, I had my first surgery on my 33rd birthday.  I breast fed Edie Grace for the last time the night prior to my surgery.

This was an epiphany to me, however.  If I did not make it through the surgery or survive the cancer – I realized that the ONLY way Edie Grace would know me was through pictures.  She would have no cognitive memory other than pictures.

How ironic – the gift I give to parents every day – is the ONLY way my child would know me – had I not survived.  Well God had another plan for me.  He knew that many of you needed to hear my story and to have your story told through the lens of my camera.  Every portrait I create is special – but none are more special than the ones I have created since this spiritual and creative rebirth.  I understand the incredible importance of my job in a way I had never understood before the arrival of Edie Grace and the survivorship of cancer.

When I speak around the country – sharing my story I end my speech with a slide show.  It is our story through pictures and it is set to one of my favorite songs by Tim Mcgraw “Live Like You Were Dying” which is my challenge to each of you.  Life really takes on a whole new meaning when you do this.

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Happy Birthday Edie Grace and thanks for adding the value and meaning to my life that it needed.  You have inspired me to work harder and stretch my creative abilities in ways that seemed unimaginable.  All that in just SEVEN years!

I Love you!

Mom

p.s.  You are soooooo beautiful!!!

Here is Anne’s story:

Hart to Heart: When a miscarriage is prevented

Anne Hart | Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 12:30 am

The pregnancy wasn’t supposed to last. At least, that’s what the medical tests showed.

Stefanie and Sean Reeder of Savannah had planned for children for so long. Now they were being told Stefanie would most likely miscarriage in a few days.

Stefanie and Sean had their children’s names picked out since they were high school sweethearts in a small Kentucky town. Grant for a boy. Molly for a girl.

On trips, the couple bought children’s books in lieu of traditional souvenirs, even though they didn’t have children yet.

But becoming parents turned out to be more difficult than expected. Stefanie has a thyroid disorder and gene mutation that made getting pregnant a challenge.

A memorable announcement

Month after month, she had negative home pregnancy tests. After she finally got a positive one, she was so thrilled she took a picture of it.

Stefanie managed to hide her exuberance from Sean for two days. She wanted a memorable way to announce the news.

The couple already had a photo appointment set up with photographer Lori Grice. Stefanie and Lori conspired together to capture the “I’m pregnant” moment.

While Lori shot portraits of the couple, Stefanie pulled Sean’s arms around her. Stefanie told her husband “Put your hands on the baby.”

He was stunned. “Whose baby?” “Our baby,” Stefanie said.

That moment came to mind a few days later as Stefanie and Sean were told the pregnancy most likely would not last.

Medical and divine intervention

Stefanie said Dr. Lawrence Odom was sympathetic as he explained that the pregnancy hormone HCG was not increasing as it should.

Miscarriages are often seen as the body’s way of ending an unhealthy pregnancy. Fetal chromosome abnormalities account for about half of all miscarriages.

But what about the other half?

Odom heads a program – called pregnancy loss evaluation and prevention at St. Joseph’s/Candler Telfair Reproductive Center – that specializes in preventing “preventable” miscarriages.

The program’s goal is not to prevent miscarriages that are the result of chromosomal abnormalities, but those that could, with some medical intervention, have resulted in healthy babies.

Stefanie had started going to Odom, a reproductive endocrinologist, because of the difficulties she had becoming pregnant. She believes divine guidance led her to his specialized practice since the threat of miscarriage turned out to be more of a problem.

Stefanie recalls asking Odom what the chances were the pregnancy would continue. He sadly held up his hand, indicating maybe five pregnancies with hormone levels like hers had been successful in his 20 or so years of practice.

Even Stefanie’s medical paperwork didn’t give much hope. It was filled out to indicate the most likely outcome: “spontaneous abortion” the medical term for miscarriage.

Odom advised the Reeders to cancel their travel plans that weekend and told them the signs of a miscarriage. He also told the Reeders he would pray for them. They asked loved ones to do the same.

That night Stefanie did what she had done since finding out she was pregnant. She read “Goodnight Moon” aloud to her unborn baby.

Sean put his hand on Stefanie’s belly and prayed.

“We decided this is our baby as long as he’s with us,” Stefanie said.

Stefanie and Sean knew that medically speaking, their baby didn’t have much chance. But they hoped God had other plans.

Turned out, He did.

After several days, Stefanie still had not miscarried.

Her blood work was checked again. Her pregnancy hormones had increased dramatically. There were still complications, including a small gestational sac indicating that the fetus wasn’t getting enough blood. It wasn’t growing.

That’s where Odom‘s medical intervention helped. Two-daily shots of the blood thinner Heparin until 36 weeks, HCG hormone shots twice a week for five months and progesterone suppositories helped the pregnancy continue.

On May 30, 2006, the baby who wasn’t expected to make it was born.

The wonder boy

At the Reeders’ church, Grant, now 1, is known as the Wonder Baby.  His loved ones credit Grant’s life to a mix of faith and science.

“A little bit of intervention and a whole lot of prayer, and there he is,” Stefanie said.

Grant is living proof of Odom‘s belief that some miscarriages are preventable.

“Nobody with a genetically OK baby should suffer a miscarriage,” Odom said.

At the Reeder home, photo albums and framed portraits chronicle Grant’s life. But the most important photo hangs just outside the nursery door.

It’s of the exact moment when Grant’s mommy told his daddy “Put your hands on the baby.”

It’s of the exact moment his parents knew they’d hold onto him and never let go.

Contact Anne Hart at anne@southernmamas.com. Go to her Web site for parents at www.southernmamas.com

Easter Sunday Ann Hart wrote a wonderful story about Stefanie and Sean.  Read it here.

I have put together a slide show from their sessions throughout the baby’s first year and beyond.  Yes – mom shared the news with dad that they were expecting in my studio.  It remain’s one of the most emotional and special sessions I have photographed.

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If your expecting or already have a precious baby – contact us today and learn about the Lori Grice difference in documenting this incredible first year in a creative and artistic way.  Few images will be more special than your expecting images and your baby’s first year.