Story of Now

It's that time of year where I reflect on the past one and make goals for the next one. It's not because of the New Year but because it's my birthday. This year I have been so blessed!  I have gone through many changes this year, probably more than any other year.  From being pregnant, to giving birth, to managing on little sleep, to being needed every hour of every day. It has been a transition from pregnancy to motherhood, from married to married with children, from tons of creative time to little creative time, from doubt in myself to confidence, from anticipation to pure joy! Yesterday was my birthday. In the morning Matt made eggs, like he has for the past 4 months, but this time we had mimosa's. We celebrated me, we celebrated Liberty, we celebrated life! I spent the afternoon playing and cuddling with Liberty. Watching her wondrously look at the world puts things into perspective.  She reminds me that life really i

Dear Daughter- May you always be grateful for everything, whether it be the things you have, the abilities you possess, or the opportunities you've been given. I hope you see the good even in difficult situations. May your heart overflow with gratefullness and joy! Love, Mom

This time last year, I was grateful to have a break from morning sickness and really enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. This year, I am grateful to have my baby girl in my arms and have a wonderful husband to parent with.

Dear daughter, May you always greet the person in the mirror with a smile. Be gentle with her. Be proud of her. Encourage her to follow her dreams and her heart. Forgive her when she makes mistakes. Love, Mom

This little girl is going to be turning two in a week or so. You may remember her from her 18 month pics and 3 month pics. I am really amazed at how much of a difference 6 months makes. Don't you just love her curly pigtails! We started the session outside! She loved playing in the leaves , hugging trees, and jumping around! Her and her momma! So beautiful! Then we went inside. Her mom had a vintage dress for her and then surprised her with the tea set!!

Sometimes I stop and look at Liberty and think "This is my life. Wow. How did I get so lucky." You know how people will ask "Is she/he a good baby?" I mean does anyone really say no? Well, Liberty is a wonderful baby. I feel so blessed. She is 4 months and 1 week. She smiles and squeals and giggles and melts my heart every time. She makes this really breathy excited sound when she is anticipating something. Motherhood has been a very enlightening journey so far and we are only 4 months in!!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with this family on Friday. This couple has been married for 40 years and they were celebrating by having a family photo with their two daughters, son-in-law and two grandchildren. I am always inspired by lasting love. Just think how many peoples lives have been changed because of their love! It really is amazing if you stop and think about it. There are 4 people in the picture who wouldn't have been possible without their love. The ripples will go on forever! Thank you "M" family for letting me be a part of your celebration weekend!

Pumpkin is one of her nicknames, so I just had to get her picture in this outfit yesterday. She is going to be 4 months tomorrow. 4 months! The time goes by fast and yet it seems like it was a long time ago that we left the hospital to bring her home. Funny how that is. I think it's because life is so much more fulfilling now. It's like experiencing the beautiful world for the first time!

My grandma passed away last Saturday at the age of 94. Here is what I said at her "Celebration of Life" service. Although it was sad that grandma got Alzheimer's and that it took much of her motivation away, I was fortunate to spend more time with her. Over the last two and a half years, I spent nearly every Tuesday helping to care for her. I called them " Tuesdays with Grandma." Much of the time we'd share the same conversation week after week and yet they were infused with her humor. And even though she didn't know what day it was, she knew my name and still showed she cared. While I was pregnant she'd remind me to be careful and not lift too much. I will always remember her quirky humor and the way that she effortlessly took care of everyone. I imagine Grandpa is smooching her up in heaven and that she is very happy being with her Karlie again. I was so blessed to have her for so long!

I mean, every mother is a working mother but I am referring to the work away from my baby. I returned to work last Wednesday night. I had anticipated the day for 12 weeks. Preparing. Wondering. And in the last week, crying. I knew she would be fine; my husband, mom and mother-in-law surely could care for her. I had feelings of sadness because I knew I might not see the first time she met certain milestones. I knew I would miss her terribly. I didn't, however, expect it to feel completely unnatural. I thought to myself "mothers are not meant to be away from their children for such long periods of time." The toughest part was realizing a whole day went by and i didn't get to play or snuggle. I survived and took comfort in knowing that she was creating deep bonds with her dad and grandparents. Now, my time with her is even more special!

I first photographed these twin boys when they were twelve, and now they are seniors. Time really flies. These two are very different and yet they both have huge hearts. Their momma raised them to be such fine young gentlemen. I have no doubt that they will be successful at whatever they do!! Live. Love. Laugh. Embrace.

For a few weeks now, Liberty will look at the ceiling and smile when I am changing her, or so I thought. I realized yesterday that she is actually looking at the butterflies behind her. When I realized it, it made me cry because of this post from last July when I was trying to get pregnant after having a miscarriage. The hope that I felt when that butterfly landed on me last summer carried me through and now I have a beautiful reminder everyday!

It seems that since I have become a mother, everyday tasks are no longer boring. When I am doing laundry, I will say "Okay, here is a t-shirt and we fold it in half and then in half again and we put it in the pile." "Okay, here are daddy's jeans and they hang right here...oh and here is another pair...boy, daddy has alot of jeans." " And this shirt hangs right here and that shirt goes there." All in a sing- song voice. And she actually enjoys it. Maybe she'll never think laundry is boring! I will hope for that!

All of my greeting cards come as framed photos. So you are getting an actual picture printed on photographic paper! Greeting cards measure 5x7 and come with matching envelopes.

This afternoon, Liberty and I laid on our backs in one of my favorite spots in the yard. The weather was perfect....warm and breezy. Our view was beautiful. All the leaves were glimmering and fluttering! I am pretty sure she thought it was magical. She was kicking and moving her arms all around. I think she barely even knew I was there. But I am so glad I was. It was perfect!

Through your eyes the whole world is new. Shadows and light. Colors and shapes. An array of sounds. It is so fun to see the world through your eyes and rediscover how beautiful the simple things in life are. I am so blessed!

My sweet girl is 5 weeks already. It really is amazing how much she has changed since she was born. She has started making more sounds....oooh's and ahh's. It is so fun! I put her in her crib and on the wall there are bright colored circles and she'll just look at them and talk. She loves to be on her changing table. She loves to be held up over the shoulder. She loves listening to baby bach in her bouncy seat. She is very curious, always looking around with eyebrows raised! First smile to be caught on camera! Just completely melts my heart!

A story unfolds itself according to God's plan. My plan and God's plan were different when it came to the birth of June bug, which to our delight was a girl we proudly named Liberty. The one thing that God and I both planned for was a healthy baby. When she arrived I was so relieved and happy that she was beautiful and healthy and at that moment that is all that mattered! She arrived safely!!! She's a girl!!! I am so lucky to be her momma! I am so blessed to have the wonderful support of my husband! My life has been forever changed for the better. She is 3 weeks now and has grown so much already. It truly is amazing to watch her change before my eyes. I am so in love! We are blessed!!!!!

39 weeks My little june bug- We are almost there! It could be any day now that you arrive. I will do my best to wait patiently. I get so excited sometimes. I just cannot wait to hold you and kiss you and see what you look like and see if you are a boy or a girl and smell you and snuggle you and tell you sweet things! Daddy and I started watching a documentary tonight about baby development in the first year of life...so interesting! We are ever amazed by this journey and it has barely even started! Hold on tight, your going to be on the outside soon.

I feel so fortunate to be able to capture the spirit of children. From their playfulness, to their seriousness, to their tender little hearts. A childs beauty never ceases!

36 weeks Dear little June bug- We are almost there! We finally got your room painted and daddy started putting together your crib that we got from auntie Heather. We also put together your stroller and practiced folding and unfolding it. Daddy was being so funny (you'll realize he is like that a lot!)You continue to move and shake and amaze us every day. I find myself being so excited I could almost burst at times! Me and daddy got maternity pictures done around the land here last week...yay, pictures of the two of us! You are our little (BIG) blessing. Just a few short weeks and you will be in our arms.

I hope to be as good of a mom as my mother has been to me. I hope my child knows that they can come to me with anything and that I will be there for them no matter what. I hope that I can teach values through simple lessons and modeling. I hope that I am generous and patient with them always. I hope to give them the freedom to play without constraint so they can discover their dreams. And I hope that my arms and shoulders are as comfortable as my moms too. Thanks Mom!!

This little boy turned 3 at the end of March and we have been waiting for a nice day to get pictures outside. The day he turned 3, his little sister turne 6 months! SO, finally last Wednesday they came for picture. I just love these two...they happen to belong to my dear friend Emily. He is such a big boy now...we were playing between trees! Just look at those eyes and those cheeks!! Seriously adorable! Emily bought this bench at a garage sale last year...score. So sweet! It looks like he is telling her a secret! I edited this one a little different; I like the old time feel! While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.