God allows us to walk beside people in their joys and sorrows.  Several years ago I was asked to photograph the funeral of Jason and Lorene’s precious little baby girl, Chelsea.  This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to photograph.  As I’ve watched Jason and Lorene over the years they haven’t given up hope.  In fact, I would say their hope and trust in God has grown through the ups and downs they’ve faced.

These days Jason, Lorene, and Camden are experiencing a true JOY that has once again been accompanied with the need to trust God and leave it in His Hands.  This baby is a MIRACLE!  Don’t get me wrong, every child is a miracle, but Jason, Lorene, and Camden have walked through a lot of sorrow and waited a VERY LONG time for this baby!  It’s almost time for his arrival!  Say a prayer that he stays put for a few more weeks!

Jason, Lorene, and Camden, I am beyond happy for you and can’t wait to meet your little guy! …and a serious pose, because all the big guys do it! 🙂

Little Samantha Jayne’s arrival was anticipated with a lot of prayers and trust in God.  Months before she was born Evan and Amanda were told that her cord was attached to the placenta in the “wrong” place, which meant the doctors needed to keep an eye on her growth.  We started praying and watched God perform a miracle!  Samantha Jayne was born completely perfect, fully developed, and weighing in at 3lbs.12oz.!!  She did so well after birth that she came home within a few days and has continued to grow beautifully!  To God be the glory and praise!

These pictures were taken when she was five days old and weighed approximately 3lbs.14oz. Such a teeny-tiny little miracle!

My favorite part of my job is interacting with so many great people.  I love getting to know them and seeing little glimpses into their lives.  Now that I’ve done weddings for several years, I’m beginning to watch my brides/grooms start their families!  It’s so much fun to see their new little ones!  I was privileged to photograph Stephen and Amber’s wedding a few years ago, and now their precious new daughter, Finley!  Welcome to the world, sweet little one!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful.” Psalm 139:13-14

I was so excited when Deborah told me she was pregnant and due the end of August.  All along I kept joking with her that “hopefully” he’ll be born on my birthday!  Well, little Redd made his grand entrance into this world on my birthday!!  In fact, we were even born at the same hospital!

Welcome to the world, Little Redd!  I’m so excited to watch you grow.  We’ll have to eat birthday cake together someday!!

Here’s a look at Redd’s first few days…

Riverside Hospital, Columbus Ohio

I know Pete and Deborah are going to be great parents because I know they won’t walk the journey alone…they will rely on God our good, good Father to guide them. One-week-old…and oh so CUTE!!

I’m so happy for Pete and Deborah!  Yay for new parents!!!  The joy… anticipation… preparation… the unknowns of a new stage in life… questions like: how is this going to work? are we ready?… and the sheer excitement of meeting your little one for the first time!

Over the last couple years I’ve had the pleasure of watching God lead Deborah on the journey that brought her to this point of welcoming a little one into their lives.  She’ll tell you herself it didn’t come without a bit of wrestling with God, but through it all God gently showed her that He’s got it in His hands and He’s given her a joy and excitement that is completely a gift from Him!

In all the excitement and preparations of welcoming a new little one, there’s really nothing that can entirely prepare new parents for what’s ahead!  And then when you’re in the midst of raising the child it’s so easy to question if you’re “doing it right?!”  You know what I’m talking about, right?  The endless ways we can worry about the BEST way to raise a child.  But wait!  It’s okay when we don’t have a clue about what to do, because God does know and He’ll walk the journey with you!  I mean really, God is a loving Father after all!!

To Pete and Deborah and anyone else that may need a little parental encouragement today… always remember, God chose YOU to be your child’s parents.  He didn’t choose the author of the latest “how to” book, He didn’t choose those who’s voices echo in your head with all their opinions, He chose YOU!  And as you look to God and His wisdom in raising your child, it will be God raising your little one through you.  The Lord bless you and your little one…and may your FAMILY live to bless Him!

“For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful.”   Psalm 139:13-14

Little Logan’s birth story is filled with surprises and an abundance of love!  The first surprise took place when Brooke’s water broke on May 3, nearly three weeks before her due date!  Now, if you know Ory, you know that he’s one of the biggest Star Wars fans around!  The chances of his baby being born on May 4, Star Wars Day was pretty exciting…”May the fourth be with you!” (get it?!?)  Although it was close, Logan arrived a couple hours before midnight on May 3, but by that time I think Ory was just glad to meet his new son!

Brooke and Ory chose to have the gender be a surprise, so there was a lot of boy/girl guessing going on.  Ory will proudly tell you that he called it!  During the labor and delivery most of Brooke and Ory’s family were waiting anxiously in the waiting room.  It was such a delight to watch this family’s love and support.  After Logan made his grand entrance into the world, Ory went to tell the family, but he wasn’t allowed to tell them the gender until they could all meet the baby in person!  The family waited nearly two more hours to find out if it was a boy or a girl, and finally got to meet Logan Lee after 1:30 a.m.!

Ahhh…a mother’s love.

Resting before “GO” time!

Bath time!

Now the family gets to meet the baby….it’s a BOY!

This sweet little babe is growing up so quickly! In fact, if you missed her birth story from six months ago click here: Jerusha’s Birth Story  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE photographing births?!

Why is this session titled “Lifestyle?” Lifestyle sessions show aspects of our everyday lives with our children. If you’re a mom like me, we take plenty of pictures of our children but don’t very often get in the pictures with them. During their early years we are so much a part of their days and years, but quite often you don’t see us…the little things we do with them day in and day out…the time on the floor playing with them, reading to them, feeding them, putting them to bed, etc.!

Here’s a glimpse into Allison and Jerusha’s day…