Transition--- Katie's Graduation

Graduation is such a special time in life. Its something that happens multiple times in someone’s life and each time its just as special as the last. Each time its just as inspirational, exciting and monumental as the last. Its an opportunity to reach for the stars, strive for our dreams and begin a new adventure. Katie is someone who is striving for dreams, beginning a new adventure and is going to do amazing things. Her compassion and soft spirit are going to change lives, make a difference and leave a big mark. It was so amazing to spend time with her last weekend! Enjoy.

Taylor Hall--- where she spent most of her time.

Aren’t her eyes just beautiful---

“Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.”  Psalm 119:77

Brotherly love….

On March 3, 2012, JJ was blessed with a baby brother Khenan. He is precious---- absolutely precious. Last Friday I was blessed to spend a few hours capturing little brother and big brother. Seeing them interact was such a blessing and so much fun. JJ just adores his little brother and is so good to him. Although I am not sure all those same sentiments will remain as Khenan tries to “borrow” his toys. However, I know these boys will grow up to be best friends--- the kind of brothers who can count on each other for anything. I love how God works like that. He places people in our lives who love us unconditionally, support us whole heartedly, irritate us occasionally, but fit perfectly in our lives---- our siblings. So JJ and Khenan--- may God Bless your relationship! Happy Monday.

Baby Joshua and Contentment

This post is long over due. It has been so long since I last posted on my blog, and boy have I missed it. Life has been crazy. Well, that’s and understatement, but we’ll go with it. It seems like my days weeks are filled with working, working-out, cleaning, shopping, seeing my husband a few hours here and there, and catching up with friends when time allows. Don’t get me wrong, God has blessed my life more than I can imagine. Last year at this time I was writing on this blog about my desperation to find a job, about my desire to find my purpose, my hopes and dreams as a nurse, my worries about the future and my struggle to fully surrender and trust the Lord. Guess what, today I write about the same things. I write about my desperation to find time for photography, my desire to fulfill my purpose as a wife (and soon to be mother), my hopes and dreams as a mom, my worries about spending adequate time with my family, and my struggle to fully surrender and trust the Lord. Notice a trend, I do. I notice my “human-ness” all too much. Notice how finding contentment can be one of the hardest things on this beautifully messy world. I pray daily for peace, for patience, for strength and for contentment. And you know what’s amazing, He answers. I find peace sitting on the couch, with my husbands arms wrapped around me and my jeans feeling too tight cause my child is now the size of a lemon, and He gave me that. He grants me patience for the screaming child at work, cause they are afraid of the very thing I am, the unknown. He gives me strength when at the end of the day, when I am drained of energy and motivation, there is nothing I want more than to come home and serve my husband. He fills me with contentment when I look around and see that everything in my life is a blessing. By no means do I have this mastered, tomorrow is a new day, and when my feet hit the floor, the fight begins once again. However, I won’t stop fighting. I won’t give in. Everyday in this place is a tug-o-war. The minute you feel your gaining, and you have it all--- you end up knee deep in mud. Always room to be growing, learning, striving, and yes, being learning to trust and be truly content.

I look at my life and wonder, how could I not be content? How could I struggle? How could I not trust Him? Yes, Him. The God who blessed me with an amazing husband who is leading our family so well. The same God who blessed me with a job that pays the bills, a house that keeps me warm, a child that is growing minute by minute, second my second inside me. A God who has given me more than I ever wanted, more then I ever needed and more than I deserve. So today I surrender. Today I trust. Today, as I post these pictures of my beautiful two week old nephew, I praise God. Joshua is perfect. I have always felt that if you nothing brings more peace and contentment then looking into the eyes of a baby. So, if any of you reading are like me, struggling to fully grasps onto contentment---- enjoy this.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Baby Haley

I am blessed. I am so very, very blessed. Photography has brought so many amazing people into my life, each who have taught me something new. I don’t think its any secret that I LOVE newborns! Their smell, their wrinkly little toes, their puckered lips, and even their cries---they all just touch my heart in ways that no one else can. God’s creation is amazing; every person is made unique, made special and are loved so deeply by Him. New life reminds me of that, and its powerful. Today I met little Haley for the first time. Her parents and I took maternity pictures back in December, and when Kim asked if I would take Haley’s newborn pictures--- I was over the moon. This morning, Haley surpassed all my expectations and excitement. She was awake and alert throughout the whole session, and it was so very special to see Kim interact with her daughter. Haley, welcome to the world--- you are someone very special--- may your life be full of blessings.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

Baby Josephine

I have been loving all the newborn shoots lately, and the many announcements of newborns to come! It’s a good thing our little one is coming in August, or this would not be at all helping the severe case of “baby fever” I had over the last few months. A few weeks ago, the world was blessed by the addition of Baby Josephine. Adam and Ashlie are friends of my parents, and when my mom asked if I would take pictures of their little one--- I was so excited! When I walked in the door to the mix of Christian, easy listening and I think quite possibly some 70’s music that was playing in the background, I knew this family had to be special. The love that filled their home and surrounded little Josephine was so much fun to witness and a blessing to capture through photography. Thank you for welcoming me into your home, you have a wonderful family and I pray God fills this new chapter of your life with many blessings.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.” Psalm 89:15