Harper turns ONE!

First off, I just have to say, this little girl is seriously beautiful. I'm fairly certain I caught Jude making eyes at her the moment they met, but that's a story for much later down the road.
Jess has been a long-time friend of mine, and I've had the pleasure of watching her sweet baby girls grow up. I met Harper in the hospital the day after she was born. How quickly does a year go by!
So when Jess asked me to capture Harper's cake smash and first birthday party, I was both honored and thrilled, and let me tell you, the details of this birthday party are where it's at. Jess knows how to throw a party, and I'm sure if she wasn't crazy busy with her family, her job, and her Nurture and Bloom doula work, she would love to plan the perfect party or shower for you because even if she says she is done planning showers and parties, she's an over-achiever like that. :)

Vendors:
Cake - Jenn Sattler out of Stuart

Hazel and Harper's Dresses - SnuggleBug Baby Boutique

All of the other details were hand-made by Jess and Erica Unick.

 

 

 

 

Hehe...love the one of her picking her nose.... :)

 

Happy birthday, beautiful baby girl.  I sure do love you.

Heroes.

Busy. I'm busy. We're all busy. 
But today I am taking the time to say what needs to be said.  Not necessarily for those who are reading it, so much as for my heart to say it.
The first major catastrophe I can remember as a child was 9/11. 
My parents taught me to focus on the ones who were helping.  They always pointed out the people who were running towards the accident; they brought attention to the ones who were giving up their safety and their lives to help those in need.  They didn't dwell on the negatives of the situation; they taught me to focus on the important things- the people, the heroes of the situation.
Today will be the first major catastrophe some of our children will remember.  So what are you going to teach your children from this?  How are you going to let this situation impact their lives?  Because it will.
What are our children going to remember from this day?  The tragedy or the heroes?  Don't be too busy to teach your children who the heroes of this story are.
Boston. My heart is with you.  My prayers are for you.

Back to the good life...

...the crazy life. The busy life.  The good life all the same.  I've always said that one of the best parts of going on vacation is coming home. Now this is not to be confused with DRIVING home. Driving 18 hours home, to be exact; I still feel as though I've been hit by a truck. I won't lie, it was a struggle to want to come home once I found out that there was a blizzard happening here. I was sitting on the Huynh's deck in their beautiful backyard in the 75 degree weather wearing a tank top when I learned what I would be returning to. If it hadn't been for my husband and baby returning a couple days earlier, I may have told Whitney that she would be housing me forever. Lucky for her, I was itching to return home to my little family, and she wouldn't have a permanent Nebraska resident in her beautiful little guest room.

Now that I'm home, I'm not only surrounded by snow, but I'm also submersed in all of the work that has to be done. But I'm blessed to be doing my catching up while listening to the familiar sounds of my baby's babbling. I have yet to unpack, my head still feels foggy, and I wonder if the trip was really a dream. Hopefully soon I'll have the opportunity to look back through all of my images and create a post about my adventures. Until then, I'll continue to hibernate from the cold, return to my routine, and appreciate the little things my son does, such as choosing a measuring cup to play with over all the other toys he has.
 

 

 

 

 

 

                  

Deniece and Kyle: Maternity

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside...when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone." -Author unknown The person who said this must have known Deniece personally because I think he or she wrote it specifically for her. While anyone who knows Deniece would agree with me that she is a naturally sweet, happy person, there was an extra special twinkle in her eye; she was absolutely beaming through the whole session. Just as Deniece was beaming; Kyle was admiring his wife endlessly. So many times I caught him just staring at her, obviously smitten. They shared inside jokes, sweet kisses, contagious laughter, and a love that their little one will be so blessed to be a part of.

                            

 

 

 

 

Deniece and Kyle, I am so thrilled for you and your journey you are about to embark on! I look forward to continue to capture many more memories for you along the way! :)

Smitten.

This trip. This trip has been nothing short of amazing. I can't even begin to gather my thoughts of how inspirational it has been for me. While I have formed blisters on my feet and exhausted my mind and body with late nights of editing, it has been refreshing for my photography business and encouraging for my spirit and heart. There will come a day that I will post in detail about all of the amazing adventures Whitney took me on, but for now, I'm going to focus on my experience tonight. There are many inspirational photographers whom I follow, but there is one in particular I am especially smitten over. Not only is she insanely talented, but she is humble, down to earth, and genuinely kind. So when Whitney told me Katelyn James was going to be in town while I was visiting, to say I was pumped is an understatement. As we sat down, and I watched her talking with others, I was star struck. I couldn't help but be! And then she started speaking, and I felt like what she was saying was directed toward me. You know those Sundays in church when the preacher is speaking directly to you? Like...you feel like you make eye contact far too often for it to be coincidence (or comfortable), well this Monday night was my Sunday, and Katelyn was my preacher. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to talk with her, and she was everything I had hoped she would be and more. Her warm hug and genuine smile instantly put me at ease. So if you ever see this, Mrs. James, I want you to know that as smitten as I was with you before, you have increased my love infinitely by just being you. Thank you for helping to make my trip complete and encourage me to continue doing what I love.

Thank you to Whitney Huynh for the invitation to the meeting tonight (and for oh so much more...but that is in a blog to come) and to Ashley and Grant Scobey of Scobey Photography for your hospitality. (They just may be the cutest couple I've ever seen.)  What an amazing support system the photographers of Atlanta are creating for one another.

"A rising tide raises all boats.” - JFK