After you have your first baby you always say you can’t imagine life without that child, or you don’t even remember what life was like before he or she came… and now I feel that way about Jack.  This beautiful blessing has entered our lives and we will never be the same. 

My family and closest friends know that the journey to Jack was a little longer than I ever thought it’d be… but it was one that strengthened my faith in ways that I never imagined and brought my walk with God so much closer… and for that I am so grateful.  I had my own plans in mind and God had some pretty incredible lessons to teach me about His timing.  I am so thankful for HIS perfect plan… I am so thankful that He’s entrusted me with these precious boys. 

So today, on Jack’s one month birthday, I thought it was as good a day as any to share some shots I’ve taken over the past month.  I honestly haven’t taken as many as you’d think… Jack has been somewhat spared from a constant camera in his face – for now.  We’ve just been enjoying our days adjusting to life as a family of four… learning to survive on sleep increments of 2-4 hours at a time. 

Happy one month, baby boy… you are truly an answer to your mommy’s prayers!!   

We are so thankful for a healthy baby boy and that we were able to be home well in time to celebrate Christmas at home with our new family of FOUR!  I am blessed beyond measure and so in love with these precious sons that God has given our family. 

I hope and pray that you and your families had a wonderful Christmas!

Seeing as how this is most likely my last chance to post anything for a while, at least until I get around to Baby Jack’s newborn pictures, I thought I might go back in time a couple of months and post some of my favorites from this year’s Fall Mini Sessions. 

I love doing Fall Minis.  They are always such a huge hit with my current clients and every year a few new ones that I get to work with.  I also love that I’ve been able to team up with my super talented friend, Hannah Dichiara of HD Designs, for the past 3 years of Fall Minis.  I shoot & edit the images, and then Hannah takes care of the rest… creating beautiful Christmas card designs for all of our participants. 

So without further ado, here are some of my favorites from this year’s Fall Minis.  The sessions took place over 2 weekends in late October and for the first year, I did one set of minis at a spot in Cobb County, and another at a spot in Atlanta. 

Enjoy… and stay tuned for a VERY special update from my family in the days (or weeks) ahead!!

What an incredible gift our family was given with this precious child and what a joy it is to be his mother and call him my son.  God is SO good and I am reminded of this every single time I look into these sweet eyes… even during those more ”difficult” moments.   

I normally try to do Luke’s milestone pictures right around his birthday.  This year, however, our Disney trip, Thanksgiving, and of course a baby brother on-the-way, has slowed me down some… but I’m proud to say that the two of us managed to make it out to one of my favorite spots late last week and capture my guy in all of his four-year-old glory.  One more thing checked off that to-do list before we welcome our family’s new addition! 

Happy four years to my chatty, loving, inquisitive, big-hearted, full-of-energy child… I am blessed beyond words to be your mommy and so excited to see you become a big brother VERY soon! 

Now, just do me a favor and take the next four years a little slower!  I’m almost afraid to blink!

 Last but not least, I had to share one of my favorites from our trip… and it’s even more special to me as it was taken on his actual birthday.  If you ever have a chance to bring your child to Disney on their birthday, DO IT.  It was such a special treat and everyone from the people working the rides, to the waiters, and even the characters riding in the parade floats that passed us by would yell out “Happy Birthday” to him… makes for a very special day for you and your little one. 

Luke, November 18, 2011, waiting to eat breakfast with Mickey and friends

As we’re nearing the due date for our family’s new addition, I’m working to reach a stopping point for work and getting client orders finalized, out the door, etc.  I still have some images I plan to share from over the Fall that never made their way onto the blog, along with my own little one’s 4 year session (still waiting to be done!), and then of course I can’t wait to share some early images of our precious new son as soon as he makes his arrival!  Stay tuned! :)

Until then, I love that I ended the year on such a sweet note… with this family and their beautiful girls.  They’re dear friends and I have had the priviledge of taking their pictures from day one.  As I have mentioned before, big sister Ellie was one of the first newborns I ever really took pictures of… and now here she is four years later with baby sister Emma already passing that big one year milestone.  SO hard to believe!!

We shot this session on the campus of Kennesaw State University, which was such a fun experience (despite the wind & threatening afternoon thunderstorms)… and I love that they were taken at their mommy’s Alma Mater… so special! 

Jim and Julie, thank you for another opportunity to work with your sweet family!  Hope you’ll enjoy some of my favorites so far!!

We met up a few weeks ago (slowly catching back up after our week at Disney!) and the leaves were still at peak Fall color… those beautiful colors seemed to have lasted so much longer this year! 

Bryttany & Alison, thank you so much for the opportunity to work with your beautiful family over the past year… it has truly been a joy to spend time with you all! 

I’ve officially shot my last session for the year and I’m finishing up editing, orders and any other business-related items over the next week or so.  I’m excited to share a few favorites from the last few sessions I did this year… all starting with this sweet family who holds a special place in my heart as they’re a part of our wonderful group of neighborhood friends.  Big sister Xadie just happens to be one of Luke’s favorite people, and since I hadn’t had a chance to photograph her, or her baby brother Finn since Finn’s newborn session early this year, I was excited to get some updated shots!  So blessed to have precious families like this one to raise our kiddos alongside!

Rob & Coco, thank you for another opportunity to work with your beautiful family… hope you’ll enjoy a few sneak peeks for now!!

Big brother Shaw has grown and changed quite a bit since last Fall, too, and I enjoyed spending a few moments chatting with him… and watching how sweet he is with his baby sister.

Kerri & Brent, thank you so much for another opportunity to work with your family!  It was great seeing you all again… hope you’ll enjoy some of my favorites so far!

… and Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours… we have so much to be thankful for!

Their mommy just happens to be the twin sister of another one of my clients that I was blessed to meet and work with for the first time earlier this year… I LOVE when I have the chance to work with families who are related and connected in some way! 

Allison and Brad, thank you so much for the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family!  More to come soon!!

I was excited to get back and jump right into this family’s images.  We met up a little over two weeks ago and I was so pleased that we still had the beautiful Fall foliage for that weekend’s sessions.  I love working with this family, always have, and I always know that our time together will be fun, relaxed, and full of a lot of great conversation as big brother William is one of my favorite little ones to chat with!

I can hardly believe their baby Luke (this family also has great taste in names!) is already a year old!  It seems like just yesterday that we were doing his newborn session… how quickly that first year FLIES by! 

Clay and Leighann, thank you so much for another opportunity to work with your beautiful family!  Hope you’ll enjoy some of my favorites so far!!